'Prince's Trust Volunteers On Site'
During February, a group of volunteers visited the site as part of a course run by the Prince's Trust. (For enlarged image click on the photo)
Having previously met with our site manager, Roy, a programme of tasks were identified which were to be undertaken by the volunteers over a 2-week period. The group raised funds to purchase equipment by organising a fun run around Guildford in fancy dress. They set about removing the holly and scrub between the spine path and the ancient ditch and bank feature to the north of the meadow. They also tackled the removal of alien species (rhododendron + bamboo) in the wild area and undertook a general clear out of non-native trees and shrubs and any dumped rubbish. The resulting debris will be burnt over time. During the project Nigel, our assistant site manager, visited the site to dig the ditch and it gave an immediate indication of how the drainage had been improved by the clearance operation.
All in all, a very successful project undertaken by the Prince's Trust volunteers and the Association is very grateful to Jasmine, Kayla, Marc, Matt, Michala, Matty, Tom and Tim and their course leaders for all their hard work - especially as the weather was not very kind during their chosen two weeks at Fox Corner.
We are especially grateful for their donation of surplus monies from their fun run.
We hope that this is just a start to a long association with the Prince's Trust - to read more of the aims of the Trust and courses they run, please visit their website.
The 2010 AGM was held on Monday 31st March in Lord Pirbright's Hall. We enjoyed a fascinating and expert talk "Detecting Mammal Signs" by David Williams from Surrey Wildlife Trust. Click here to read the Chairman's report.
The newsletter has been distributed to members and residents in January. Click here for the on-line version.
The Wildlife Area is an ideal place for families to visit and have picnics. Running a wildlife area inevitably involves a delicate balance of priorities - protecting and encouraging wildlife and also providing an area which gives pleasure to visitors and residents alike. Most of these are reflected in our Fox Corner Country Code.
Dogs are a particular issue. If uncontrolled, they can alarm wildlife, disturb nests and leave unwelcome excrement anywhere on the site. Groups of children are encouraged to visit to enjoy pond-dipping and mini-beast hunts. For their sake, it is vital that they do not come into contact with the results of dog-fouling. At one stage, we felt that it would be a good idea to ban dogs altogether but after representations from local people, agreed that they could be allowed but strictly only on leads.
We respectfully, but firmly, ask you to abide by this particular rule.