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Dear Volunteers, What a miserable spate of weather we are experiencing It looks like there is a chance the wet weather will still be hanging around for our volunteer work party next week, I won’t let rain dampen our spirits though, we have a fun and rewarding task set on Park Downs this month! Last month the team grappled with birch and woody scrub removal on Banstead Downs There’s no denying it, digging out the...
Read MoreDear Supporter, As the year draws to a close, we'd like to write to say thank you for your support this year Volunteers 2023 has been a memorable year for Banstead Commons Conservators Earlier this year, we launched our new website and more recently introduced our volunteer task programme on the Commons A small but dedicated team of volunteers has already joined us over the last couple of months and we hope that as the...
Read MoreOn a bright and sunny day in November, the Conservators warmly welcomed Bill Downey to Banstead Heath in what was a modest but significant tree-planting event in Surrey Bill is the Species Champion for the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly at Surrey and SW London branch of Butterfly Conservation In his role, Bill not only helps to survey for populations of the butterfly but also creates habitat for the species by planting its sole larval...
Read MoreOn Friday 17 November, Gloucester the Dog, pictured above, hijacked our social media accounts and asked our followers to identify the mystical cluster of mushrooms he found on his walk In response to those who followed the thread, we solve the mystery below and it has nothing to do with dancing fairies! Fairy Rings on Banstead Commons Many different mushrooms form so-called fairy rings Some of these rough circles can be made out...
Read MoreOver the last two years Preston and Tadworth residents and other users of the Burgh Heath woods could see close up the extensive reworking of the area around the Lonesome Ponds Although we are now approaching winter it is worth while remembering the improvements carried out at the Lonesome Ponds located near the Chetwode Road entrance to Burgh Heath woods And a reminder that spring and then summer are not too far away At the pond nearest...
Read MoreThe UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the second world war We are proud that Natural England have judged that the grassland areas on the Banstead Commons are in favourable condition Our dedicated management has enabled rare and vulnerable chalk-loving plants and animals to return and flourish Approximately half of the 1350 acres of Banstead Commons is designated "priority" grassland Two of our chalk downland sites –...
Read MoreDo you love nature on your doorstep Would you like to volunteer to help conserve Banstead Commons for future generations to enjoy and wildlife to thrive We are recruiting volunteers to join regular work parties that will be held on the four sites that make up Banstead Commons: Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath Tasks will include invasive species control, scrub clearance, coppicing and litter...
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