REIGATE HEATH NEWS Friends of Heath newsletter Issue 12 Winter 2010 Free mailing list & newsletter. Donations welcome. [email protected] c/o 38 Flanchford Road, Reigate RH2 8AB

What’s been happening at the The 2006-2010 Management Plan for the Heath is currently in the final stages of revision. The new Council …. version will be adopted by the Borough Council in A recent application for a five-year January 2011 to guide management of the Heath from 2011 to 2016. This plan aims to balance the extension to extract sand at Tapwood Pit by needs of all the users of the Heath with the Hanson UK has been challenged by Borough’s obligations to protect it as an SSSI and County Council. Interventions by Councillor Scheduled Ancient Monuments site through Ellacott (Reigate & Borough frequent liaison with Natural and English Council’s Executive Member for the Heritage. It is administered by the Reigate Heath Environment), Cllr. Whinney and the Management Steering Group (RHMSG). appropriate Officers at RBBC have ensured proper consideration has been given to this See RHMSG Chairman’s article on the results matter which would have a potentially from the recent public consultation process. adverse impact on Reigate Heath SSSI. Bert Smith, who has been helping the Council Do you feel represented by the with this, gives us an update on page 5. Heath Management Steering Group?

The Friends are extremely grateful for these The seats on this Group are intended to represent significant efforts to support the future of Reigate the various interests groups involved in managing Heath. and using the Heath, headed by a local Councillor (currently Cllr. L. Brunt). The professional seats are We hope in the New Year to hear when held by Ian Wright, RBBC Countryside Officer, a the Reigate Area Conservation Natural England representative and a technical Volunteers are returning to the Heath. In advisor, who is independent and voluntary. April 2009 their task leader Simon Elson decided to withdraw them from the site. This was Specific interest groups are represented by a related to various issues he felt needed addressing member each from Reigate Heath Golf Club & properly by the Council such as sporting lease Cricket Club, Reigate Hill Football Club, Surrey breaches, dog fouling and use of imported turf by Archaeological Society and Reigate Heath Riders the Golf Club in mending fairways, all important Group. For locals and walkers, your local issues because they all impact on the special representatives are the Councillor, Reigate Society habitats and wildlife. Commendably, the Council and, of course, the Friends of Reigate Heath. The has put plans in place to sort most of these matters. seat held by the Friends has been occupied by me, its founder, since the group began. Please read on The vols have been working on the Heath for nearly if you are interested to help or perhaps represent 20 years! It is very much down to their practical us. By the way, this newsletter welcomes efforts & Simon’s profound understanding of the contributors (& a new compiler perhaps?); any Heath, in addition to the work of RBBC and the Golf news from the Flanchford Road anti-speeding Club, that has helped turn around its fortunes to campaigners? ensure its protection by its classification today as a A very happy New Year to you all. SSSI (‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’). by Susan Medcalf

Much is being revealed by the current survey of the tumuli by Surrey Archaeological Society. An Interim Report came out in July packed full of fascinating details and history. The survey continues through the winter. Contact [email protected] or 01737 276000 if you want to help with survey work. News on the Windmill restoration in our next issue. Reigate Heath News Issue 12 Winter 2010 2

Who are the Friends of Reigate Since its inception in late 2005, we have consisted of a few volunteers running the free mailing-list, Heath? these newsletters, the small pot of donations and The Friends of Reigate Heath grew out of the large raising funds for various small-scale conservation body of concern for the Heath which emerged as a projects such as moth-trapping and supporting result of potential threats to the Heath’s hydrology other events such as the Surrey Heathland from mineral extraction in an adjacent field called Exhibition in 2007 and various guided walks. Shagbrook.

This threat was successfully quashed in 2005 How you can get involved… thanks to the efforts of particular individuals and groups, most notably ‘C.A.M.E.L.’ (Campaign Do you want to help make us a more active group? Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill) which was formed at that time, and the work of its consultant Could you run a blog for the Friends? Or write Bert Smith with the generosity of local people. something for this newsletter? Our website is waiting for someone to pour some Chamomile, one of our rare plants imagination into it: www.reigateheath.org only found on the football pitch ) Could you design a logo for the Friends? We need one soon; it will go on the new Heath It became clear that, after the future of the Heath interpretation boards which we are supporting. was secured from this threat, we could either drift back to how it was before, or channel public We are planning a second exhibition in the pavilion interest & concern for the Heath into a non- during summer 2011. For more details see Ian campaign group called the Friends of Reigate Stronge’s article ‘Bringing us together’ on the back Heath. Consequently we gained a seat on the page of this newsletter. Steering Group. by Susan Medcalf

Friends of Reigate Heath was founded on these aims and objectives :

To act as a means of communication with those who are interested in Reigate Heath through collaboration with all parties who are involved with the Heath to ensure that its unique qualities are not lost through the ever varied and increasing pressures that are put upon it.

1. To represent those who enjoy and have an interest in Reigate Heath. 2. To encourage respect, understanding and enjoyment of the different habitats, landscape and archaeology of Reigate Heath. 3. To help to raise the profile of the Reigate Heath Management Plan and Steering Group and its crucial role in the management of the nature reserve. 4. To assist in developing public awareness about the need for, and methods of, heathland management, and protection of archaeological sites and landscape. 5. To attract resources to the site for projects relating to the protection, conservation and enhancement of Reigate Heath. 6. To develop a strong local network through membership for communicating information, events or planning issues relating to Reigate Heath. 7. To help develop links with educational establishments and similar interest groups to stimulate understanding and enjoyment of Reigate Heath focussing on interpretation and education, including involvement with monitoring and conservation work.

Reigate Heath News Issue 12 Winter 2010 3

Bats on Reigate Heath of each. These can be used for hibernation, nurseries and temporary homes when they by Gary Pocklington are out foraging. When they are in their roosts and are resting they can go into a In Germany, bats are called state of torpor. Effectively this is where their ‘Fledermause’ which means bodies shutdown and operate at a minimum 'flying mice'! There are 17 level to stay alive. In winter this will be for species known to be breeding in the UK. longer periods as they are looking to save They range from the tiny Pipistrelle, energy. While, in the summer period they weighing in at around 5g (less than a £1 will arouse on a more regular basis at dusk. coin!), to our biggest bat, the Noctule – It can take up to fifteen minutes for their which is still smaller than the palm of your bodies to become fully operational. So, in hand. This makes them relatively small the winter it can be seen that this becomes mammals. But, they are unique – they are more critical. If they are unnecessarily the only mammals that can fly. disturbed then they will use up precious energy reserves. This can affect their As they are nocturnal, they have to have a survival to the following spring. system to help them navigate and locate their prey. They do this by echo-location Reigate Heath has an active bat population. and they make calls using ultrasound, which Whether there are any roosts is a more the human ear cannot hear. Small electronic difficult problem to resolve. Bats are highly devices called bat detectors convert mobile and commute quite long distances to ultrasound into a range that is audible to the forage. So, it is possible that the bats that human ear. It is then possible to identify are detected on the Heath have flown from individual species. Although, this is not quite another area where their roosts are located. as simple as it sounds as some of the calls are very similar! The bats also use other From April to September 2010 I made methods. Bats also have very good twelve visits to Reigate Heath to check for eyesight so the 'blind as a bat' expression is bat activity. This was a mixture of dawn not true! visits, walking and stopping at set points (transects) and informal visits. Bats live in roosts, which can be sited in a variety of structures such as buildings (old The four identified bats are: Common and new), trees, barns and old quarries or Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule and mines. They have both winter and summer Serotine. roosts and they tend to have more than one

All bats are protected. Two of the species recorded on Reigate Heath are on the UK’s Priority Species that need special protection – the Noctule and Soprano Pipistrelle, and all four found are listed by DEFRA as Indicators of Biodiversity (see below). We are extremely grateful to Gary for sharing his bat records with us which support observations made by the Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers in 2008. Further work is clearly required into potential roosting sites on the Heath and the populations of these four indicator species.

Bats as Indicators of Biodiversity Bats are a vital part of our native wildlife. They can tell us a lot about the state of the environment, as they are top predators of common nocturnal insects (such as moths!) and are sensitive to changes in land use practices. The pressures they face are also relevant to many other wildlife species, making them excellent indicators for the wider health of the UK's wildlife.

Reigate Heath News Issue 12 Winter 2010 4

Moth News by Robin Gritton A ‘Councillors Community Award’ of £200 from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, with the encouragement and support of Cllr. Christopher Whinney, has enabled the purchase of a lightweight, highly portable, battery-operated actinic Heath moth trap which will now supplement the mercury vapour light Robinson trap at present on loan. Within three to five years we should have a good picture of Easy to spot the Lepidoptera frequenting the heath. In 2009 some notable species were noted - a Spectacle in the traps. Regular moth-trapping by volunteers on the heath has occurred Moth! throughout 2009 & 2010. Please contact the Friends if you would like to join any moth trapping in 2011.

What’s been happening on the golf course … by Ailsa Edwards When winter sets in and the golf course looks like a scene from White Christmas, it is hard to remember that we had such a long, hot, dry summer! But thinking back, it was a good season for wildlife with some of the more unusual birds and animals spotted e.g. buzzards, kestrels, a baby slowworm, grass snakes, an adder, bee and wasp ground nests. Many harebells were also seen this year and provide some welcome enjoyment in an often demanding round of golf!

On 29 th June, the golf club was pleased to host one of the Council’s 5 year Management Plan Consultation evenings following a guided walk on the heath with accompanying experts. The discussion and feedback has been extensive [see page 5]. However, it was amusing to hear that some people think that the golf course has expanded over the years. The club rents 54 acres of the heath from the Council and the lease area has not been changed. It may be that the opening up of various points around the heath with the clearance of scrub and trees has given the appearance of expansion, but this is an illusion.

On 23 rd September, our head greenkeeper was featured large in the Surrey Mirror after 26 years of service. Many regular walkers and visitors to the heath will know Derek and see him and his staff keeping the fairways, bunkers and greens in tip-top condition. Apparently there is a rumour circulating that he trims the flag holes with nail scissors….!

.. and a Reigate Society Award for the Clubhouse On 11 th October, the golf club was granted a Certificate from the prestigious Reigate Society for “tasteful refurbishment” of the Clubhouse. The sensitive restoration included a reinstatement of a first floor balcony, reflecting its original design from the 1890s. This has improved the overall look of the building whilst providing the much-needed upgrade of facilities for members and visitors to the golf club. Stanton Construction, who performed the building works, also received special recognition for the design of the balcony.

The clubhouse in the 1900s …… in the 1990s ….. and now in 2010

Reigate Heath News Issue 12 Winter 2010 5

Update on protecting the by Natural England/ Environment Agency. The hydrology of Reigate Heath… drier parts of Reigate Heath SSSI, managed by By Bert Smith, consultant, Campaign Against RBBC, are designated as ‘favourable’. Mineral Extraction (C.A.M/E.L.) A scoping report carried out by Surrey County Hanson’s current Planning Consent at Park and Council (SCC) in conjunction with the Tapwood Pits, Buckland expired in June 2010. Environment Agency stated that, should the By that time, they should have removed all of extension to the Planning Consent be granted the plant machinery, completed all landscaping then the residual water level should be 54m and vacated the premises. However due to a A.O.D. , which is 1.5m above the old condition. downturn in demand, some 400,000 tonnes of This is a feasible level using existing contours raw material remained. This would have been and the nearest to the original water level that sterilised and wasted. They applied for a 5-year can be obtained. This level potentially could extension to that Consent hoping to be allowed lead to the return of many of the rare species that to continue under the original Planning Consent formerly constituted the botanical richness of the Conditions. wetter areas. This higher level is opposed by the applicant. Perhaps the most important of these original Conditions is the one concerning the residual Reigate & Banstead Borough Council strongly water levels: to be allowed to rise to 52.5 metres support a residual level of 54m and have A.O.D. (Above Ordinance Datum) at Park Pit. responded to S.C.C. accordingly, as have This water level is 2.5 metres higher than their C.A.M.E.L. There is also the additional benefit present operating level of 50 metres A.O.D. to the aquifer of this higher residual level as 1.5metres multiplied over the hectares of Before mineral extraction originally occurred in Folkstone Bed could minimise hosepipe bans in this area, the water table was c.59-60m A.O.D. future. and, at this level, the botanically-rich wetter areas of Reigate Heath SSSI prospered. The Hanson’s consultants are currently producing a major dewatering (some 10,000 cu.metres a day model where they hope to show that the or in old money 2.2 million gallons) taking place additional 1.5 metres will not benefit the SSSI. at the two Pits required to keep the water level at This will be completed about the end of January 50 metres A.O.D. has led to a serious lowering 2011. ’s consultants will of the water table to the detriment of the wetter pronounce judgement upon these findings; it SSSI areas. Three of these areas, all in private then goes before the S.C.C. Planning Committee ownership, are now designated ‘unfavourable’ in early Spring.”

Management Plan Consultation Process Review….. Cllr. Mrs Lisa Brunt, Chairman, Reigate Heath Management Steering Group writes: “The consultation process took place earlier this summer to determine your views on the Reigate Heath Management Plan review. A number of events took place during June and July to allow members of the public to learn more about the council’s approach to managing Reigate Heath. The aim of the events was to allow the public to see and comment on the draft proposals. Events included: three guided walks on Reigate Heath, manned and unmanned exhibitions on the Heath, at the Golf Club, Town Hall and Redhill Library, and a public meeting – a presentation of proposals, & a question & answer session. All of the events were very well attended by a large cross-section of people from users to residents to generally interested people. People were also asked to complete questionnaires either online or in person. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for playing a part in the consultation process and look forward to welcoming you to future events. “ A written summary of this consultation is now on the Council's website. www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/ Go to “Reigate Heath Management Plan Consultation” in A-Z. Contact 01737 276000 or email [email protected]

Reigate Heath News Issue 12 Winter 2010 6

Bringing us all together by Ian Stronge

During a fortnight in June and July 2007, over 700 people came to see the Surrey Heathland Project ‘ Change on the Heath’ exhibition at the sports pavilion on Flanchford Road.

The displays, and especially the pictures, were selected to show what makes heathland different from other open spaces, and the special features that make Reigate Heath unique amongst the Surrey heathlands.

In summer 2011 we're planning a follow-up to show how so many people share, and care for, our Heath.

There'll be displays and (we hope) at least one walk to highlight how the plants and creatures are adapting to the ever-changing environment of the Heath.

But we'd also like to capture memories of how the Heath has changed over the years, to show how it has catered for so many different uses without losing its special qualities, and to publicise the essential work that goes into continuing these traditions.

Do you have some pictures of the Heath?

Or a collection that could form part of a display?

Could we record your memories of how the heath has been, how you and your family have used and enjoyed it?

All contributions and suggestions welcome – and offers of help, drop us a line! 38 Flanchford Road, Reigate RH2 8AB or [email protected]