I have to report that the “Scrub Bashing” has not been as successful as previous years. There were many occasions with many good intentions, but we have been told that we must clear/burn everything that we cut on the day in question. Two sessions were planned for early this year, but both had to be cancelled due to very strong winds when it is not possible to burn, and the opposite with lots of rain “predicted”. One must not forget that the core of the volunteers are well past retirement age and walking around in the rain is no fun.

Another thing. SWT did not give permission for us to work on the Common as our Chainsaw and First Aid Certificates were not up-to-date. When it came to arranging refresher courses the perfectly valid excuse everyone used was Covid.

Luckily our funds have allowed us to arrange a refresher course for both certificates this coming September. Why such a long wait? Chainsaws make too much noise during the bird breeding season.

SWT do not require us to complete DBS checks as the young people who come to the working parties are always accompanied by their parents/responsible adults.

Other small works were repairs to some fencing by Jordan Hill where the new tools, donated via a grant with the help of Keith Witham, came in very handy. Proof of the use of the tools has been provided in the picture. Those same tools are required on footpath 431 but we cannot start that job ourselves as we will become responsible for any accidents that may occur on that stretch.

An update on works that did/didn’t take place on the common. Footpath 431, which runs behind Marylands has still not been repaired. The first reason given was that SCC/Highways could not find the path, and then that they were short of staff/time following the trees what fell during the winter storm. We will continue to remind them.

The St Joseph’s School PTA Association have asked that we print their thanks to the Association for organising the 2021 Christmas Tree event.

“Whitmoor Common Association have provided the children, parents and staff of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Guildford with a fun Christmas activity each December for a number of years. 2021 proved to be a very successful year, our school community was presented with a cheque for £220.This money was gratefully received and has gone towards a wonderful new outside story area with seating and a thatched roof gazebo for the children to sit under. Thank you to all those who make these events happen“.

• Arranging and chairing the Community Forum meetings
• Dealing with encroachments and all illegal activity (motor biking/cycling/traveller incursions/flytipping, etc.)
• Tree safety, fallen trees across paths and other timber management
• Maintaining paths and visitor infrastructure such as car parks, rights of way, bridges, litterbins, memorial benches and all signage
• Access queries such as events, complaints and concerns
• Angling and other user groups
• Built property

To contact SCC on any of these matters please use these details: SCC Contact Centre on 0300 200 1003 or email:contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk If you use the telephone contact patience is needed!

The Surrey Wildlife Trust are responsible for - Habitat conservation and management.

This particularly refers to the open (non-wooded) habitats across the estate.

It includes elements such as grazing, conservation mowing, habitat volunteer work parties and monitoring.

To contact SWT on the conservation work use 01483 910087 or email countryside@surreywt.org.uk

Everyone should know the dates of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. The WCA happened to organise their AGM the day before, and the annual BBQ (now a BYO Picnic - see below) for family and friends, the day after. Right at the start of the Jubilee Celebrations! Despite these dates I hope you will join us. Just bring your picnic basket, refreshments and seating.

Dates for your diaries

• The AGM will take place on Wednesday 1 June the main room at the Worplesdon Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm.
• Due to fire risk, the BYO BBQ set for 2nd June has been replaced by a BYO Summer Picnic at 6.30 pm. Take the track up from the Jolly Farm PH until the triangular area is reached at the split in the track.
• Our working parties for this coming winter 2022 will take place on the 9 October 2022, 6 November 2022, 4 December 2022 (Christmas Tree Event)

Normally membership subscription renewals would fall due in February, but it was decided at the 2021 AGM that they would not be required for 2022. However, any donations would be gratefully received. Also, thanks are due to those members who have renewed their memberships.

With best wishes to you all for an enjoyable summer.

Paul Rijbroek

We had a successful winter programme of contractor works across our reserves in the west of Surrey over the winter of 21/22. Scrub clearance was completed on both the east and western sides of the railway line at Whitmoor Common. This has improved the habitat as well as reduced the fuel load, crucial in reducing the risk of wildfires. We worked with a local golf course to help create bare ground on the eastern side of the railway line. This will be perfect habitat for a variety of rare and interesting invertebrates. Similar work has been carried out across our other reserves in the west. We also had a full winter volunteer programme for the first time since the covid pandemic started. Volunteers worked on clearing scrub and continue to be a vital part of the work that we do, we can’t thank them enough. We have just entered the summer grazing season but due to very little rain this spring, grass has been slow to come through and so grazing is starting later on many of our sites, including Whitmoor Common. We hope to introduce our cattle very soon to continue their excellent work keeping on top of the coarser grasses on the common.

We must also stress that with the summer comes the increased risk of wildfires, as seen by a huge 300ha fire at Ash Ranges recently. So, we’d ask everyone to be vigilant and contact Surrey Fire & Rescue if they see any signs of fire.

Surrey Wildlife Trust look forward to continue working with Whitmoor Common Association on a successful summer programme in 2022.