History
Formerly much of Broughton Gifford and the surrounding area was covered with woodlands. Much of these were felled during the First and Second World Wars. Villagers long used the common to graze their livestock and grow their crops. Although the Common was not included when the rest of the parish's lands were inclosed in 1783, eventually its agricultural uses died out. There were numerous ponds on the common, but the council decided to fill many of them in. There is currently a movement to re-establish the ponds.
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