What a treat we were in for, with the 2023 AGM of the Surrey Hills Society being held in Farnham in the far west of the County.

Quite a few of our members said they had never been to Farnham before and were quite amazed at what a vibrant and interesting place it was.

We were welcomed by the Mayor, Cllr Alan Earwaker, while Iain Lynch, the Farnham Town Clerk gave an interesting talk on the famous people associated with Farnham including English radical, journalist and politician, William Cobbett (1763 – 1835), who is well known in Surrey for his book “Rural Rides”.

Other famous residents included, rugby player, Jonny Wilkinson CBE (1974 – ), car and motorbike racer, Mike Hawthorn (1929- 1959) and John Henry Knight (1847- 1917), who is believed to have designed the first ever petrol car driven on a roads.

There are too many to all mention here but included Charles Ernest Borelli (1813-1950) who was clock maker to Royalty, author Jonathon Swift, and Augustus Montague Toplady (1740 – 1778) – cleric and author of the hymn, ‘Rock of Ages’.

The Town Clerk also highlighted that Farnham was awarded UNESCO Craft Town in recent years, in recognition of its long creative history, which included famous Victorian potter, Absolom Harris (1837 – 1927). Well known for his green owls and other pottery glazed, in a particular deep green colour, it is known as ‘Farnham Greenware’.

To bring us up to current times, Farnham is, these days very proud to have Prof Magdalena Odundo OBE (1950 – ) as their Vice Chancellor of the University of the Creative Arts based in Farnham. She is an internationally renowned ceramicist and her work has fetched the highest price for any living ceramists in the world to date.

The event was held at the historic Bush Hotel in central Farnham. An old coaching inn, it has recently been refurbished and provided the most wonderful buffet lunch for our members- probably our best AGM lunch ever! To take a closer look at https://farnhambush.com/

After lunch we were treated to tour of this charming Georgian town by Farnham Town Guides. Even our Coordinator and local resident, Lesley Crofts said she learnt some new facts about her town. There is lots more information about this surprising town on the Town Council website at https://www.farnham.gov.uk/town-council

Many have fed back that this was the best AGM they have been to and Farnham was definitely a delightful surprise. A huge thank you to Farnham Town Council for hosting us and giving us such a welcome.

What a brilliant Council! What a wonderful town! Seems to be something going on every week, including this month which is Craft Month. See https://www.farnham.gov.uk/farnham-life/crafttown for more details.

Chris Howard, President Surrey Hills Society

Many thanks to Sall Baring and Ray Jessop for sharing your photographs of the beautiful gardens at Titsey Place.

10 am Saturday morning July 29th 2023 saw 9 SHS members gathered in a wood near Godstone, eager to be taken down into Godstone Caves.

The members were being escorted by enthusiastic leaders from the Wealden Cave & Mine Society for what turned out to be a memorable excursion underground.

This was not about walking into a nicely prepared, well-lit set of chambers. This event, unlike any other on the Society’s list, was about getting down on all fours, crawling through narrow tunnels, clambering over rock falls and spending much time stooped below low ceilings.

The caves – or more properly, a mine- which date from ancient times were worked up to the end of the 19th century for the extraction of Firestone and Reigate Hearthstone, some of the latter being used at the Tower of London.

Evidence of all this past industrial activity is all around, as are the extensive remnants of mushroom beds which were extensively worked in later years. Abandoned rail and cart tracks are seen throughout.

The leader of the trip- Che – was knowledgeable and kept us informed throughout the two hours underground. We emerged at 12.30 to warm sunshine and refreshments provided by Stella.

Our grateful thanks to the Wealden Cave and Mine Society members who gave their time so generously. This was a visit for the physically fit but I do hope we can return for another visit before too long.

Stella Cantor

On the 13th of June employees from Atkins and Pick Everard, teamed up to spend an afternoon volunteering with Surrey Hills Society (SHS) across Banstead Downs.  The group of volunteers spent the afternoon, working out in the sun to support the Banstead Common Conservators (BCC) with the maintenance of the Downs, pulling back invasive species across the land.

Specifically the team supported with the removal of Canadian Goldenrod, an invasive species that had taken over vast swathes of the fields across the downs, causing other indigenous flora to die back. The reduction in biodiversity across the Downs was threatening the existence of some of the local wildlife, such as the Small Blue butterfly, due to the change in their natural habitat.

Our team of volunteers split into three groups to tackle the land and with the support of the team from SHS and BCC, were successfully able to pull back the majority of the Goldenrod! We all left feeling incredibly satisfied with the day’s work but, also with a much greater understanding of the history of this local area as well as the natural wild flora and fauna that complete it.

Working with the two charities, SHS and BCC was the clear highlight for all involved. It was incredibly rewarding to work with such a knowledgeable team and broaden our understanding of the local environment and importance of its conservation for the direct wildlife involved.

Thank you so much to Christa Emmett for supporting with the organisation of this day, as well as the wider team for sharing all of their expertise with us!

The team would also like to make an honourable mention of Indi the dog, who provided much needed motivation and encouragement to the teams throughout the afternoon!

“It was great not only to be able to learn more about the flora on my doorstep but to do so while contributing to the conservation of this beautiful natural grassland. I will definitely keep an eye out for other conservation opportunities or a guided walk with Surrey Hills Society. I have however checked out a local wildlife site nearby and rather than viewing it as a “patch of grassland” used my new skills to pick out knapweed, rattle and birdsfoot trefoil!”

Sarah Horrocks, Head of Air Quality and Emissions on volunteering with Surrey Hills.

Alice Bettis Marsh, Atkins Epsom

On Friday 9 June 2023 16 people were split into two groups – one group went into Chaldon Church to listen to a talk given by Ted Howard whilst the other group went to visit the adjacent 14th Century Chaldon Court owned by Mrs Madeline Hutchins.  The groups then swapped over before having tea and cakes.

Ray Jessop, who helped organise this event, took photographs throughout the visit and is happy to share them here.

The picture on the west wall of the church is famous as the earliest known English wall painting – it dates from about 1200 and is without equal in any other part of Europe. It is thought to have been painted by a travelling artist-monk with an extensive knowledge of Greek ecclesiastical art.

Madeline Hutchins then gave an illustrated talk on the history of her home, the 14th century Chaldon Court.  Madeline told us how she has carefully restored Chaldon Court to retain its historic features.  As the sun was shining we were able to enjoy tea and delicious cakes in the garden.

We have already had one member contact us to say “Thanks to the society for arranging today and for making todays outing very special.  I had a great time”.

Thanks go to Stella, Ray and Joyce for organising this event and to Ray for the phographs.

During the afternoon of 7th June, Surrey Hills Society was delighted to be awarded the ‘Working in Partnership with Communities’ award by Surrey Choices as part of their Celebrating Success Awards Ceremony at Denbies.

The award recognised the strong partnership working and commitment that the Surrey Hills Society and Surrey Hills National Landscape have towards working with the Surrey Choices Growth Team over the last 18 months.

Surrey Choices provides a range of support services which are dedicated to improving the independence, confidence and life skills of disabled people, autistic people and those with other support needs, whatever their age, in the local community.

In particular, the Surrey Choices Growth Team provides its customers with fantastic opportunities to gain conservation, access, and gardening work experience. Customers are offered training and support to carry out practical gardening and conservation tasks which help preserve the Surrey countryside and public spaces.

The Growth Team have contributed enormously to conservation and access projects across the Surrey Hills managing habitats and access for people and nature. They are now recognised as Surrey Hills Conservation Volunteers and have engaged in hedge planting, tree popping, scrub clearance, tree planting, Himalayan balsam pulling, dead hedging as well as contributing to the new Yew Tree boardwalk at Newlands Corner.

The team are trained to use strimmers and other machines, which many of our volunteers are not trained use so the contribution they make is invaluable and a great asset to the management of the Surrey Hills.

The Society has absolutely loved working with the Growth Team and getting to know individual members more closely.

We are honoured to have won the award and look forward to continuing working together on future projects across the Surrey Hills.

Christa Emmett and Gordon Jackson

In early June a group of some fifty of us were lucky enough to take part in Surrey Hills Conservation Day at Cross Farm in Shackleford organised by Christa Emmett Surrey Hills Society Project and Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Members of the SHS along with local families and friends with ages from three years upwards found there were plenty of activities to enjoy.

It was particularly rewarding seeing how the younger visitors including those in their teens were interested in all aspects of conservation, actively participated in the various activities, and were willing to ask questions.

Angus Stovold, whose family have owned and farmed at Cross Farm for over 80 years, is passionate about conserving the Surrey Hills and a great advocate of environmental farming. On a tractor ride around the farm, he not only pointed out stunning countryside views but engaged us all by explaining the importance of the extensive planting of hedgerows and trees, avoidance of any pesticide and leaving wild-flower meadows.

We also learnt a lot about bats from the Surrey Bat Group and about hedgehogs and how to attract them safely into gardens by an ecologist from Kingston University.

Many of the younger group enjoyed making bird feeders and finding a variety of insects by sweeping the meadow with large nets. Bug Life, the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, highlighted the decline in insects and what can be done to save them.
Finally on a nature walk through the fields while we spotted only a couple of butterflies because of the strong wind we saw grasshoppers and ladybirds along with a variety of birds including swallows, swifts and red kites.

On arrival we were given a “Five Senses Nature Scavenger Hunt” to tick off, but with so many other activities I am not too sure how many were completed.

It proved to be a very enjoyable and productive day; I am sure everyone of us came away having learnt something new.

We are grateful to all volunteers who gave up their time to make it such a success.

Susie Turner

On Wednesday 17th May 2023 we worked with the Community Investment and
Engagement Team of Surrey County Council at Woodcote Farm in West Horsley.

Read the whole story here.