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The Common The newsletter from the Horsell Common Preservation Society

Volume 17 Spring 2020

May in McLaren Park

We have all seen a lot of changes during these strange and challenging times, normal patterns have altered, and

new behaviours adopted, to follow national and local guidance to manage this virus. These changes have

naturally affected Horsell Common Preservation Society, our commons and staff. HCPS working closely with

other managers of local open spaces and local authorities, closed the car parks in March. Since May 13th the car

parks have been re-opened. Please take great care to respect the social distancing rules.

With Heather Farm tenants shut down and therefore our income impacted we have unfortunately furloughed

Senior Ranger Rachel. We have also taken a decision to postpone our AGM from June to September. We will

update you when guidance is clear. We have recently marked significant anniversaries within the Society, our

trustees and staff. Read more along with other updates in this issue.

We look forward to businesses restarting at Heather Farm and general access returning when conditions allow.

Stay well and keep safe!

Robin Hoyle – Chairman of HCPS

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From the Editor

What a gift Horsell Common has been for so many of us during the lockdown period and during the glorious Spring

weather!

The AGM for HCPS was due to happen on June 8th. The Spring newsletter would normally have contained the official

notification for the AGM and related material. The AGM will be rescheduled for August or September and all official

material and further information will be sent electronically 28 days in advance.

Other events have regretfully been cancelled including Canines on the Common and The Lions Run.

This issue is celebrating the popular and beautiful Heather Farm and the Wetlands, the Estate Manager’s achievements

and loyalty over 30 years and almost 30 years of volunteering by Hannah Lane. We have included many photos which add

their own story to the text.

Just a word of caution. April and May have been hotter than average, with very little rainfall and some strong winds,

resulting in extremely dry conditions on the Common. Consequently, there is a much higher risk of fire and there has

already been one fire. Matches and cigarettes carelessly discarded can easily cause a fire. Barbecues are strictly forbidden.

It is wonderful that local residents and their dogs and horses can benefit from the open spaces of the Common. Please

keep to the footpaths in order to protect this valuable habit, in particular the ground nesting birds.

If you would like to become a member of HCPS and help to maintain this wonderful amenity click Join Us.

There is a special treat for families by clicking on this link:

Heathland Plant Spotter

(www.tbhpartnership.org.uk/activities)

which gives information about plants and wildlife you can

find on Horsell Common with download-able activity sheets.

This resource has been provided by the Thames Basin

Heaths Partnership, whose main offices are located at

Heather Farm.

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10 Years of Heather Farm

It is ten years since Heather Farm was transferred to HCPS and we took possession; therefore it is a significant

milestone/anniversary. In 2010 McLaren started the long process of demolishing all the buildings at Heather Farm except

the main office/delivery building which we retained. Apart from the buildings, McLaren also had to extract acres of surface

concrete and underground concrete which was an enormous job. The resultant huge pile of crushed concrete was then

taken by numerous lorries to the new service station being built on the M25 near Cobham. The site was then vacated by

McLaren. We employed a company called Land & Water to dig out the lake and transform the site into our wetland

reserve.

Figure 1 In the Beginning

Figure 2 Work in Progress - 2010

Figure 3 Heather Farm - May 2020

Figure 4 The Wetlands - May 2020

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Paul Rimmer - Celebrating 30 Years Working with HCPS

Paul Rimmer was employed as our Estate Manager in 2008

but he has been on the HCPS management committee since

1990. During this time, he has achieved a huge amount.

Andrew Halstead wrote the following:

“Many congratulations of your 30th anniversary and thank you for all the hard work you have put in over the years. You have made your mark on the HCPS estate and transformed it from what it was 30 years ago. Some highlights include -

• The Pegasus tree carving

• Introduction of grazing on Grasslands

• Restoration to heathland of heavily scrubbed areas, such as The Triangle, with steady progress towards attaining Natural England's ''favourable condition'' status for the SSSI areas

• Restoration of Warren Pond on Horsell Birch

• Taking on management of Pyrford Common

• Devising and planning the Heather Farm wetland area and commercial activities there

• Developing the Sites of Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGs) at Heather Farm and on Woodham Common, including the Bedser Trail

• Developing and upgrading the easy access path from the Six Crossroads car park to the Sand Pit.

• Organising the restoration of the former Muslim Burial Ground and the Peace Garden.”

Paul’s response: “A lovely surprise when I arrived at Heather Farm this morning to be greeted by this delicious cake made by Molly Price from the Heather Farm café to mark my 30th anniversary of managing Horsell Common. Not a solo performance by any means as we have a tremendous group of trustees who give their time voluntarily to look after this special place. I would like to single out David Robbins who has served HCPS for almost as long. Together we have achieved many successful acquisition and management projects including Heather Farm, McLaren Park, Pyrford Common and the restoration of the Muslim Burial Ground. Horsell Common is privately owned by the Society and in the last 30 years has increased in size from 740 acres to 916 acres. Long may it provide a haven of tranquility locally.”

Paul led the HCPS team in the development of McLaren Park as a public open space and helped produce the management plan for the park.

Figure 5 McLaren Park in May

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Highlights of the past 30 years

Pegasus, Horsell Common’s gift to Woking, was sculpted from a magnificent 250-year old oak which was irretrievably damaged by a tornado in 2007. The famous wood sculptor, Captain Chainsaw, and his team spent a day watching Lipizzaner stallions so that they could make Pegasus strike the most dramatic pose. The Tree Pirates worked on the project for two weeks before handing over the commission in October 2014. The same craftsmen created a new façade for Heather Farm café using the timber of oaks felled of necessity on the common. One large trunk was transformed into a crocodile by a chain saw sculptor.

Figure 8 Mimbridge Meadows - Pathways

Figure 9 The Bourne Fields - Pathways

Figure 10 The Bourne Fields - Boardwalk

Top Left: Heather in abundance on the restored area of the Triangle, adjacent to Chobham Road and opposite Heather Farm. Top Right and Bottom: The “SANG” meadows bordering the River Bourne with raised pathways and board walks allowing access for everyone, even when the meadow land is flooded. A haven of peace and beauty for wild flowers, wildlife and dog walkers alike.

Figure 6 Pegasus on Broomhall Common - Oct 2014

Figure 7 Heather on The Triangle

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Figure 11 Belted Galloways

Figure 12 The Peace Garden

Above left: Belted Galloway cattle on Grasslands during the warmer months. They help to reduce the gorse and grass allowing the young heather to flourish. Above right: The restored Muslim Burial Ground, the Peace Garden

Hannah Lane Celebrates 80th Birthday and 30 Years Volunteering

Many congratulations to Hannah Lane who celebrated her

80th birthday on January 28th in typical fashion - carrying out

conservation work on Horsell Common!

Hannah first started volunteering with winter work parties in

1991, one Sunday per month. Once Rachel joined HCPS,

Hannah also came to the twice monthly working parties on

Tuesdays. A passionate conservationist and wildlife

enthusiast, Hannah has been a trustee of HCPS for 9 years.

Hannah makes a valuable contribution to the protection of

our natural environment and we hope she continues to do so

for many years to come.

And the cake? Another of Jan Rubin’s masterpieces. Jan made

a heart shaped Black Forest Gateau using kirsch, fresh

cherries, cream, chocolate ganache topping. Not forgetting

the candles! Jan is holding the cake and Hannah is standing

to the left of Jan.

Figure 13 Happy Birthday, Hannah!

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The Very Wet Lands of Horsell Common

The winter rains have more than compensated for the dry Spring of 2019. The Heather Farm Wetlands lake was

overflowing onto the paths and surrounding area and the River Bourne burst its banks on December 22nd and again in mid-

February.

Woodland and heathland characterise Horsell

Common but the river, ponds and ditches play a very

important role in creating a different habitat for

wildlife and plant species and also as drainage for

parts of Horsell and Woking. Most of the water drains

into the River Bourne, which runs alongside the

meadows of Heather Farm. The River Bourne

(Addlestone branch) rises to the south west of Bisley

on Bisley Common and joins the Mill Bourne east of

Chobham.

The Bourne flows past Addlestone and through the grounds of St. George’s College, joins the Chertsey Bourne and flows

into the Thames at Shepperton lock. The vegetation alongside the river is quite lush with flowers such as purple loosestrife

Figure 14 Flooding in December and February

Figure 16 Mill Bourne and Emmetts Mill

Figure 15 The SANG Meadows and The River Bourne

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and yellow toadflax. More recently invasive Himalayan balsam has spread on the riverbanks, but this is being pulled out

along the HCPS stretches of the river. The word “bourne” means stream or brook and is related to the Scottish “burn”.

The Bourne is rather like a great artery taking water away from the Common and a huge catchment area where ditches

and smaller brooks drain vast areas from Bisley, Knaphill, Chobham, Horsell and Goldsworth Park. When flood water spills

onto the flood plain including the Mimbridge meadows, it is also helping to protect London from flooding. The ponds and

ditches of the Common are an important part of this drainage network.

The Danewell Gutter and pond aid drainage from residential parts of Horsell south of Shores Road. In 1993 the Sandy Track

footpath was raised, and the pond became a more permanent feature. It drains to the north into a boggy mire where

there are many species of moss, bog asphodel and round- leaved -sundew. Perhaps the name comes from Danewell Hill

nearby. Common Darter dragonflies and damselflies can be seen flying across the water.

There is a significant looking stone near the pond on Sandy Track. Is it a boundary stone from ancient times? It was actually

discovered in the nineteenth century during excavation work for a pipeline across Horsell Birch. It is a sarsen stone with no

known archaeological significance and at some date it was moved to its present position. There are two similar stones on

the green in front of The Cricketers on Horsell Birch. Rather more spooky is the report of the apparition of a ghostly man

carrying a rucksack near the Danewell Gutter. The Danewell Gutter is connected to ditches and finally reaches the Bourne.

A little further along Sandy Track is the Sandpit and the Sandpit pond, which is semi- permanent, depending on rainfall.

Sand from this area was excavated for many years, creating a lower level where water accumulates.

Figure 17 Danewell Gutter Pond

Figure 18 The Sandpit

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The pond on Horsell Birch is called Warren Pond. It is called Warren Pond after a local family who lived nearby and left

some money to the Society for the maintenance of the pond.

Three-lobed water crowfoot was found growing in the pond about 10 years ago when the pond was restored. The seed

must have been lying dormant but germinated after the soil was disturbed during the restoration. When cows and horses

grazed this area, the trampling of their feet was enough to disturb the soil and allow the germination of the seed. In Spring

this year, there have been a couple of geese and a pair of ducks with ducklings. It is a very picturesque and peaceful pond.

There are many man-made hollows on Horsell Birch and Grasslands possibly due to military training during the wars or

may have been caused by earlier mineral extraction. We would be interested to know more.

The Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group have identified the ponds on Littlewick Common as an important breeding

ground for Palmate newts which can be found in the rather acidic water and for the Great Crested newt which is the

largest and rarest of the 3 newt species found in Britain. In 2008/9 HCPS and SARG, with volunteer help, improved the two

largest ponds which were suffering from an accumulation of silt. On Wheatsheaf Common, there is a pond called

“Sheepwash pond”. When the canal was being built and the clay was puddled into the bottom of the canal bed, sheep

were used. They became very muddy so at the end of the day, they were washed in the pond.

More recently, a large “pond” or small lake has been created at

Heather Farm called “the Wetlands”. By 2013, the Wetlands had

been excavated and landscaped and the pond which was created

filled up naturally. 5000 reeds were planted. This also serves to

drain the area (except when it is also flooded) and geese, ducks

and other waterfowl can be seen with reed buntings and reed

warblers in the reeds. In 2020 there have also been mandarin

ducks and cormorants. The birds are regularly monitored and

moths have been recorded. The current total of 336 species of

moths includes many wetland specialists. The grass is kept short

by badger- faced sheep.

Figure 19 Warren Pond Horsell Birch

Figure 20 Badger-faced Sheep at the Wetlands

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Many ditches criss-cross the Common and adjoining

farms, draining areas which would otherwise flood.

The Rive ditch has two branches which drain water from

the Wheatsheaf Close area and The Grove and eventually

goes under the A320 and under the Basingstoke canal

through a large pipe. This is to be upgraded to improve its

efficiency. Viggory ditch keeps another area of Horsell in

the Cheapside and Common Close areas free of water at

most times (photo of frogspawn in Rive ditch). The Parley

Brook draining Goldsworth Park and the Knaphill Brook

both flow into the Bourne, protecting residential areas

from flooding.

All these water courses and ponds provide a vital habitat for plants, insects, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, fish and birds

as well as serving to drain local fields and residential areas. The ponds are beautiful and peaceful with their reflections and

everchanging light. They enrich the environment by providing wet habitats which support such different life from the dry,

warmer areas of heathland and open sandy areas.

The Wetlands and Heather Farm

It is impossible to believe that not many years ago the site

of Heather Farm and The Wetlands was used for the

intensive cultivation of mushrooms on an industrial scale.

Blue Prince took over the site in the 1980s and built vast

hangars on deep foundations of concrete. At its peak, Blue

Prince were growing 70 tonnes of mushrooms per week

for Sainsbury’s. Previously, mushrooms were grown on the

site in what appeared to be long rounded air raid shelters.

Below is the history of how a huge, derelict mushroom

farm was purchased and demolished by McLaren and

became the Wetlands and Heather Farm café as we now

know it, since its opening in 2016.

These enormous changes are due in no small part to the imagination, expertise and commitment to HCPS of David

Robbins, Paul Rimmer and the trustees. My thanks to David Robbins for writing the following article about the negotiations

and development of Heather Farm and the Wetlands and celebrating 10 years since the freehold was transferred to HCPS.

“Back in 2007, Blue Prince Mushrooms had to close its large mushroom growing farm at Heather Farm when they lost their

main supermarket contract. They then wanted to sell Heather Farm but to do so they needed planning consent to use the

buildings for a purpose other than growing mushrooms. After some attempts, they achieved consent for the site to be

used for light industrial and storage purposes with a view to splitting up the buildings as separate units for a variety of

tenants. The risks to HCPS were that there would potentially be a large number of vehicles of every type crossing the

Common to get there and we would have no real control over what actual industrial uses would ensue. At the same time

Surrey CC were desperate to find waste sites and was designating Heather Farm as a Surrey waste site. In addition, Woking

BC wanted to develop a power from waste pyrolysis plant at Heather Farm - again significant adverse consequences for

Horsell Common could have been the result.

Figure 21 Rive Ditch with Frog spawn

Figure 22 Wetlands Flooding in December

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At about this time McLaren came to the Society looking for consent to build a car construction plant adjacent to their

Technology Centre but on land upon which HCPS had secured a covenant to prevent further industrial development. HCPS

was in a bind then because the Society wanted to assist McLaren with their endeavours but our HCPS heads wanted to

prevent further industrial development so close to our Common. The concept then emerged that we might accept the

McLaren car factory if we could remove the greater risks arising from Heather Farm. After some wrangling it was agreed

that HCPS would release the covenant to permit the construction of the McLaren Production Centre and in exchange

McLaren would buy Heather Farm and demolish the huge concrete buildings on the site and the 14 acres of concrete at

and below ground level.

During these negotiations, Paul Rimmer and David Robbins conceived the idea that Heather Farm could be developed as a

wetland centre since it was by the river. We contacted the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust from Slimbridge and gained an

invitation to a reception being held at their Barnes Centre by their newly set up consulting venture. At the event we met

Dr Matthew Simpson who came and inspected Heather Farm and supported our idea as practical. So, with this vision, we

decided to retain the main office/dispatch building at Heather Farm and asked Dr Simpson to design a wetland for us on

the remainder of the land. The process was tricky but eventually after demolition of all the other buildings we had a clear

site and had secured Land & Water Ltd from Albury to undertake the formation of our lake and wetland to the WWT

design. During the demolition process our main task had been to find sufficient funds to convert the building and pay for

the wetland construction. This was helped by the development of our wonderful SANG on the fields across the river from

Heather Farm and with some additional financial assistance from Woking Borough Council our target was reached. The

work started exactly ten years ago and was finally opened to the public in January 2016. So after many years and careful

negotiations the Society ended up for the first time with a base for our charity, the ability to earn income from leasing out

the building, and the wetland area which has provided a home for wildlife and an interesting visitor attraction.”

Figure 23 Heather Farm Cafe after Lockdown

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Thames Basin Heaths Partnership

Our heathlands provide a home for some amazing plant life – some of it harder to find

than others! How about downloading a handy spotter sheet to complete on your next

visit to Horsell Common? You can tick off the plants you find and learn a bit about them

along the way. Please remember to search only from main paths as, between March and

September, birds may be nesting on the ground or in nearby vegetation and are easily

disturbed.

To download the heathland plants spotter sheet, visit

Heathland Plant Spotter (www.tbhpartnership.org.uk/activities)

Note: The Heathland Plant Spotter will open in a separate tab on your browser.

.

Figure 24 Dartford Warbler

Figure 25 Black Darter Dragonfly

Figure 26 Silver-studded Blue Butterfly

Figure 27 Woodlark

Material for this section kindly supplied by Michael Jones / Education & Engagement Officer / Thames Basin Heaths

Partnership.