Merry Christmas to our Supporters!

December 2025

During these final weeks of 2025, we want to take this opportunity to reflect on all we have accomplished together. We are especially grateful for the steadfast dedication of volunteers who have supported us for many years, alongside the fresh enthusiasm of those newly joining our team. We are delighted to share some of the highlights that have made this year so special.

Volunteers

This year, we welcomed more volunteers and held more work parties than ever before. Your support has enabled us to care for and protect sensitive habitats across the Commons. Activities have included clearing woody scrub from lowland heath glades, creating successional scrub habitat on the Downs and tackling invasive species such as Cherry Laurel at Withybed Corner.

Our volunteer stock checkers have been invaluable in helping us expand our conservation grazing programme on our two Sites of Special Scientific Interest – Banstead Downs and Park Downs. Bringing the spectacular British Feral goats to Park Downs has been particularly exciting and we cannot wait to see how the land responds to their grazing activities.

Specialist wildlife monitors have also continued to gather essential data that contributes to national wildlife recording schemes. We would like to make a special mention to Neil for his time, expertise and generosity in sharing his work through his recently published website – downsdiary.uk His efforts not only celebrate the beauty of Banstead Downs but also help ensure its protection for future generations.

Nature Detective Day

Once again, our Nature Detective Day provided local families with fascinating insight into the wild wonders right on their doorstep. Children and parents alike were captivated on the Nature Walk led by Alan, Mary and Lindsey and the Bug Hunt facilitated by David, Karl, Simon and John.

As you can see, the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead Cllr. Rich Michalowski was equally impressed as the little ones!

We would also like to thank: our meet and greet duo of Clare and Verity, Miriam and Fiona for taking charge of arts and crafts, Susan for tackling the role of quizmaster and Ian and Phil for marshalling and gazebo wrangling! Peter’s photos have captured faces full of joy and intrigue. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Over 120 people delighted in the fun games and craft activities run by local organisations, all with the aim of educating and inspiring young people to care for the flora and fauna of Banstead and beyond. A huge thank you to our nine stallholders who also volunteered their time so generously: Downlands Trust (our fantastic sponsors), Surrey Nature Partnership, Downlands Partnership, Surrey Dormouse Group, Surrey Bat Group, Surrey Hills Society, Tadworth & Walton Treewardens, Banstead Swift Protection and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

We are now seeking an event sponsor for next year, so please do let us know if you are aware of any local organisations that may be interested.

Acknowledgements

As a small, grant-funded organisation responsible for a large area of protected land, we are deeply grateful to our private donors for their generous contribution. Your support makes a real difference. With limited resources, we also rely on several partner organisations for both financial and practical assistance.

While there are too many to name individually, we would like to extend special thanks to:

- – Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and their Officers for their ongoing financial and practical support;
- – The Downlands Trust, Surrey Hills Society, Leatherhead Youth Project, Downlands Partnership Grazing Team, London and South West Surrey Branch of Butterfly Conservation, Natural England and
- – Our wonderful local Resident Associations, who help raise awareness of our work through their newsletters and websites.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Through our guided walks programme we continue to be able to share the beauty of Banstead Commons throughout the seasons. We are finalising next year’s event programme and we hope that many of you will be able to join us. As usual, you will find our events programme on our website and our social media channels early in the new year.

For more than 130 years, Banstead Commons Conservators have been dedicated to caring for Banstead Commons. Across the UK, the pressures on native species and natural habitats continue to grow, with less than half of the nation’s original biodiversity remaining.

In the face of these challenges, our commitment to protecting the Commons—and ensuring it remains a haven for wildlife and a cherished place for visitors—remains as strong as ever.

We are truly grateful for your support throughout the year; it plays a vital role in everything we do.