NUTFIELD MARSH Lies to the east of Redhill, and is an area historically worked for sand extraction. Since 1995, it has been the subject of an enhancement partnership, the Nutfield Ridge & Marsh Project, between the County Council & Mineral Companies. Amongst many initiatives is the creation of a large Surrey Wildlife Trust nature reserve, along the line of the Redhill Brook. This reserve will comprise four main compartments: -
· The Moors – a seasonally flooded wet grassland area with shallow pools & ponds. This is grazed by Sussex cattle and is particularly good for species such as common snipe. The site is part owned by Biffa Waste Services & Linden Homes.
Click here for a pdf of the moors leaflet.
· Holmethorpe Lagoons – this is currently being created as part of the Watercolour development by Linden Homes, on the former sand workings of WBB Minerals. This will comprise a reedbed area and large open water lagoon.
· Mercers West – a WBB Minerals sand quarry, just completing it's restoration, and comprising a large open waterbody.
The Group assists each spring with the toad migration to the wetland reserve, across Bletchingley Road. This can involve anything up to 2,000 toads being rescued together with common frog, common & palmate newt.
Additionally on the Marsh, the Group has helped create a community orchard, Chilmead Orchard, owned by Biffa Waste Services, comprising local & traditional apple varieties.
We have also done some restoration work on Marsh Pond, by the Inn on the Pond PH, in association with the new owners and the Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). This is a breeding site for the nationally rare and protected Great Crested Newt. We look forward to doing further work here, or simply enjoying the hospitality of the Pub, whilst admiring our handiwork!!
BRIDGEHAM WOOD (pSNCI) Is a 4 ha ancient woodland in Smallfield, privately owned by the Swain family. We've worked continuously on this site since 2001, initially helping re-establish the access & ride system, we've now helped re-establish the coppice cycle (the traditional way woods were worked) enabling it to be worked commercially in the future. The material that is cut is used for a variety of purposes from firewood to hedging stakes. See Ian's website.
REIGATE HEATH Is a 51 ha SSSI*, LNR* owned by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. As it name suggests, it is a heathland habitat, but one that has scrubbed up over the years loosing its heathland wildlife & appearance. The site is also important for it's acid grassland, wet alder woodland, and wet flushes (the latter two of which have been drying out).
RACV have worked continuously on the Heath since November 1989 restoring the heathland community by clearing the tree & scrub growth. This is done in accordance with the Management Plan for the site, overseen by a Management Steering Group chaired by the Borough Council. The Friends of Reigate Heath work closely with the Group.
Click here for a pdf of the heath leaflet.
It is a great pride to the Group that during it's involvement with the Heath, the official SSSI status of the site has changed for the better from 'unfavourable declining ' to 'favourable', and the site has been formally designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
BUCKLAND POND This high profile pond in it's attractive & photogenic setting, is owned by the Parish Council. The Group was invited to assist with it's management in 2002, and has been actively involved since. Each year, in partnership with the local villagers, we undertake a vegetation control task, to ensure the right balance for the pond, as unfortunately it has two notable invasive alien plants growing it, Parrot's feather & Crassula.
BROCKHAM/BALCHINS POND This is located in mid street, opposite the village butchers. Invited to assist by the Brockham Green Association & Parish Council in 2006, the Group has helped combat the take over of the pond by the alien & invasive plant Crassula helmsii. The following spring the pond was crystal clear and full of newts. The Association & Parish Council have also appointed their own Pond Warden.
WEIR MEAD/WHEELERS LANE POND, BROCKHAM/BETCHWORT This old farm pond had all but disappeared under a growth of dense willow. We were invited by Betchworth Parish Council in 2008 to restore it, by clearing the willow, and by the following spring frog spawn was already evident.
REDHILL COMMON This is a 25 ha Borough Council owned Common and SNCI*. In the past we've cleared the view pond, managed the heather area, cleared & enhanced the entrance from Upper Bridge Road/Linkfield St, and in 1991 restored the pond. Unfortunately, the pond did not receive the management or care afterwards by the Borough Council, and is in the neglected state you find it today. In the Spring of 2007 the Group returned to the Common, at the strong request of the Borough Council, Reigate Society & local residents.
REIGATE PRIORY PARK The Group has sporadically worked in this Borough Council historic parkland in the past, but a lack of any coordinated management has frustrated our efforts. With the multi million pound restoration of the Park now underway, we have been invited to assist again, and are looking forward to working closely with both The Borough Council and the Friends Of Priory Park.
CHAIN POND, MEAD VALE We've been looking after this Borough Council owned pond since 1999. The Group helps keep the reedmace in check every two years, to ensure a good balance to the pond.
SOME OTHER SITES WE HAVE WORKED ON LOCALLY
Earlswood Common & Lakes
Felland Copse
New Pond Farm, Earlswood
Petridgewood Common
Furzefield Copse
Cockshot Hill Sandpit
Wray Common
Trumpets Hill Ponds
Reigate & Colley Hills
Banstead Downs
Gatton Park
Reigate Castle Moat
Doods Place Pond
Madeira Walk Sandpit
Woodhatch Park
Stile building, finger post & kissing gate construction on numerous Rights of Ways.
We have also held residential away trips working for the Sussex, Radnorshire & Suffolk Wildlife Trusts; to Germany, and the New & Ashdown Forests
*SNCI Denotes Site of Nature Conservation Importance, namely that it is of countywide importance.
*LNR Denotes site has been designated a Local Nature Reserve.