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Home , Combe Bottom, Denbies, Edwin Lutyens, Gertrude Jekyll, Munstead Wood, Reigate Heath

Edition 11 Spring 2012 Hills Society views

If you go down to the woods... See page 6

The Famous Gardener of the Surrey Hills

See the winning images from our photo competition on page 4.

Chilworth Manor

Munstead Wood - the former home of Gertude Jekyll

During April the Society was privileged to became her home. Her influence is seen be able to visit , between across the Surrey Hills, often in and Bramley, by kind partnership with the famous arts and craft permission of the present owners, Sir architect, . Robert and Lady Clark. The ten acres of restored gardens retain much of the Not a year goes by without the Surrey genius of the original designer and Hills Society featuring at least one of her Loseley Park original owner, . gardens. We are grateful to the private fortunate for the opportunity of an owners who very kindly open their homes exclusive visit. Gertrude Jekyll (1843 - 1932) created so the Society can enjoy one of the over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and Surrey Hills’ most famous resident’s Other gardens we have visited include America and she continues to influence work. Indeed, Munstead Wood no Loseley Park and Chilworth Manor, to this day. Born in longer participates in the National Garden where Gertrude Jekyll’s work can Bramley in Surrey, Munstead Wood Scheme so the Society was particularly be seen.

Our thanks to May Gurney for providing graphic design and printing of our newsletters. Thanks to Andrew Wright and Sean Harrison for their articles plus Society members for their on-going contributions and their photos.

www.surreyhillssociety.org

Registered Charity number 1125532 Chairman’s View

this landscape vulnerable to the As a National pressures of development and we are Trust ranger, he grateful to the visionaries who designated has been able to this area as an Area of Outstanding give us advice in Natural Beauty after World War II. We organising are also both constantly amazed by the events and has new information we learn at every event a knowledge of or talk we attend and enjoy the issues relating fascinating people we meet through this to land Society. management. As a local I am delighted to introduce May Gurney, resident in the new highways Surrey Hills, he contractor, as the new sponsor of our is passionate about protecting and newsletter. We are so pleased to be enhancing the AONB and encouraging working with them and look forward to interest and visits to the area. As a future collaboration. young farmer and son in law to a farming family, he understands the challenges of We are very grateful to all our sponsors working and farming in the Surrey Hills. and also the many parish councils that Mark’s input and enthusiasm will be support us by offering rooms, or events or missed at the Management committee information for us to use. I am also meetings. I am extremely grateful for all I recently met our administrator, June grateful to the many volunteers who he has done for us and send him and his Robinson on a beautiful sunny spring kindly volunteer to attend events, like the wife, Amanda, our very best wishes and lunchtime at Denbies in . I County Show, with us to attract new thanks.” travelled along the A25 past beautiful members and promote our work as well rolling green hills and picturesque as those that come every week to I hope you really enjoy the season we churches and cottages that would make volunteer in the office at Box Hill. Thank have planned and I look forward to any American weak at the knees. We sat you to all of you. seeing you at one of our many events. in the lovely restaurant looking out over One of our original volunteers, Mark Chris Howard the stunning vines surrounding us and Richards (pictured here), has recently Chairman both commented on how lucky we were stood down as a member of the to live in such a beautiful county. management committee. Our President, This is why we are both passionate Neil Maltby, said of him “Mark has been a supporters of the Surrey Hills Society. valuable founder member of the Charity Situated so close to London does makes since March 2008. Launch of updated walks leaflets During 2012, the Society was that it would be appropriate to launch approached by Toyota GB with an them by holding a display at the Toyota invitation to submit details of a project GB offices so that their staff had first view which could be voted for by their of the work that they had voted for. We employees, leading to financial support. took along our display boards, the walks leaflets and newsletters, which were set At the same time we were investigating up in a prominent area for over a week. how to pay for the updating and republishing of the suite of walks covering There was significant interest and , and Frensham. We numerous copies were taken away. If suggested this topic and were awarded you would like to obtain your own funds which, together with a second grant copies, come along to one of our from the Surrey Hills Sustainable member events or visit our trailer and Development Fund, allowed us to gazebo at one of the events which we will undertake the work. be attending throughout the season. This spring, the new leaflets were Once again, a big “Thank You” to delivered from the printers. We decided Toyota GB.

Registered Charity number 1125532

2 Update from the AONB office

Planning update Environment Minister Out goes over 1000 pages of Government planning statements to guide planning decisions and in comes just over 50 pages of new Government gets a preview of the planning policy. All decisions on planning applications and local planning policies Olympic venue will now have to follow this new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The draft NPPF was much criticised for being too pro-development and for Richard Benyon MP officially opened the giving insufficient importance to environmental issues. The Surrey Hills Board new National Trust Adventure Play Trail on submitted its own views to the Government on the draft document. the top of Box Hill in late March, before being shown and told how spectators will The final document is more balanced and it does now give greater recognition to be accommodated. He said : “it is environmental interests. Nevertheless, the need to permit developments that are inspiring and uplifting to see that the in the national and local economic interests still features very strongly National Trust is not only encouraging throughout the document. children to enjoy the countryside but encouraging them to learn” The “presumption in favour of sustainable development” remains as before but the meaning of “sustainable development” is defined to a greater extent. In practice, further clarification will be determined by Appeal Inspectors and in the courts. So what does all this mean for the future of the Surrey Hills? Government policy generally remains the same as for many years before. Government policy is that “great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty”. Major development in an AONB can be permitted in exceptional circumstances and where it is in the public interest. L to R Dan Webb, Chris White, Richard Benyon and Michael Sydney It can also be argued that the Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), being a local landscape designation in Surrey bordering the AONB, is covered by the He also went to document’s reference to “valued landscapes” that should be protected and where the Surrey Hills, in partnership with enhanced. But they do not have the highest status of landscape and scenic Denbies, is organising a Road Race protection as do AONBs. A Surrey Hills AONB boundary is therefore much Festival over 28 and 29 July to showcase needed especially as much of the AGLV has the same characteristics as the the landscape and food of Surrey to the AONB. thousands of cycling enthusiasts expected to converge on the Dorking area to watch We will see how Surrey planning authorities and Appeal Inspectors interpret this the races. The festival is an official live important planning document over the next few years and the weight they give in site for the road race and visitors will be practice to protecting the Surrey Hills. able to watch events unfold on a large screen sited there. Entry is free – open Clive Smith 8am to 7pm on 28 July and 8am to 5pm on Surrey Hills Planning Adviser 29 July.

A new chapter begins for Hindhead, Surrey’s ‘Little Switzerland’

Hindhead lived up to its nickname, ‘Little viewpoint of the Sailor’s Stone - all now Switzerland’ during February for the start returned to nature. They observed a of a new chapter in the life of the village. minute’s silence to appreciate the Members of the Hindhead Together tranquility that has been restored to this partnership braved snow and ice to area and reunification of the Hindhead gather at the Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel for commons and the Devil’s Punchbowl their final meeting when the Highways Special Protection Area. Agency handed the former trunk road bottleneck back to the community ‘de- Guest of honour, Paul Christensen, Members of Hindhead Together Partnership trunked’ and re-landscaped as the centre Chairman of Natural England declared of the village. Chairman Catherine Members inspected the crossroads, now “this project is a blueprint for the kind Graham-Harrison of Natural England converted into mini-roundabouts, and of major infrastructure development declared that overall, the project had admired the snowy, lorry-free sweep of which should be used all around the been an outstanding achievement. the old A3 round the Punchbowl from the country”

www.surreyhillssociety.org

3 Photo Competition Results Book Review ‘On Your Bike - In and around the Surrey Hills’ 1ST

Society member, cycling enthusiast and resident, Mark La Pensee has sent us in a review of this book, it’s widely available in local bookshops or from Amazon and is priced at £8.99. “I have now cycled two of the routes in the book - firstly around Puttenham A big thank you to everyone who entered Greyfriar’s Vineyard has kindly Common (no. 5) and secondly around the photo competition announced in the sponsored the prizes for this competition Bramley into Guildford along the River previous edition of our newsletter. There with each of the winners receiving a Wey (no. 6). In my opinion, they are were nearly 50 entries covering a whole bottle of Greyfriar’s Vineyard Cardinal’s both easy access and open to family range of aspects of the Surrey Hills. We Choice 2005 sparkling wine. groups, although at 17 and 13 miles were very fortunate to have the services We are currently considering whether we respectively, could be considered quite of a member of Dorking Camera Club to can display some of the images on our long for young cyclists. Neither of the act as an independent judge and his website but in the meantime, you can see trails was technically challenging comments on the overall quality of the a large selection of the entries in our though and I would recommend them pictures was very positive. promotional trailer. It will be at Ashtead as a really fun and relaxing family day After a thorough review of the entries, Village Day on 9 June and thereafter at out. three pictures were selected as the shows across the area throughout the They are both circular routes with easy winners. The results are: summer. Why not come and visit us at to follow route descriptions. Both of 1st - Brian Smith from Chaldon one of these events. them are a combination of quiet (Inglis Memorial in the Snow, ) country roads and ‘off road’ routes. 2nd - Ian Stronge from Ken Bare By ‘off road’ I mean towpath (Byttom Hill, Mickleham) standard of surface, in fact 3rd - Juliet Eberle from Dorking quite a few of the routes follow (Woodland Fungi) 3RD the very picturesque River Congratulations to all three of you. Wey. No major climbs to contend with so an easy leisurely pace can be maintained. The scenery is 2ND stunning and the trails take in many points across the Surrey Hills. Some of the routes are accessible from town centres, so it’s possible to leave the car at home and have a day out on your bike. Overall I would thoroughly recommend the book and look forward to trying out some of the other trails. Yours, a Guildford cyclist…”

Registered Charity number 1125532

4 Common Blue butterfly courtesy of Old Surrey Downs Project The Olympics come out of Town

As we get ever closer to the Olympics and with the spotlight shining on our county in the first few days, read on for information on protection measures being taken on Box Hill by the National Trust.

chalk downland. You dormouse nests. Several were don’t need to be a found and these areas were cordoned botanist to see the off and protected. Once they wake up many different from hibernation the dormouse mainly shapes of leaves travels through tree branches. In some that make up the places the branches from trees on multitude of different opposite sides of the road touched. plant species. In the These were protected to save the aerial summer, many of walkways for the dormouse to travel these plants produce along. Dormouse boxes have been made the most amazing from off-cuts from the Olympic Park by flowers, including school children at Box Hill School. many rare orchids. With just months to go until the big event In turn some of our itself, I can honestly say that everything rarest invertebrates Richard Benyon, Environment Minister and happening on Box Hill should have a Adam Wallace, Natural England live on these plants, including some positive outcome for nature conservation. stunning butterflies. The grasses are like As you will all know by now, Surrey is a miniature tall trees, and in the same way major part of the Olympic cycling road birds roost in the tall trees for protection, race with Box Hill at its heart. Box Hill is some insects and beetles roost in the tall designated a Site of Special Scientific grasses. The Small Blue butterfly is a Interest, (SSSI), and a Special Area of good example. It is incredibly rare and Conservation, (SAC). This means it is struggling for survival on many sites. Its amongst the most protected habitats in needs are very specific in terms of food the UK and Europe for the rare and plant, tall grasses, short areas etc. diverse species that live here. These designations mean you have to get LOCOG have paid for lots of bushes and permission before you do anything that trees to be cut back as they were has the potential to alter or damage encroaching onto the species rich them. So even though the National Trust grasslands. For the duration of the race are the landowners with conservation spectators will be able to stand on the objectives, we still need to seek patches of shaded out ground without permission from Natural England to doing any damage. In years to come that ensure the work we propose has no bare ground will be re-colonised by the negative effect. In the case of the road chalk downland and will support many cycling race, the trampling by spectators rare plants and insects. The same has been one of our biggest concerns. principal goes for the giant Olympic rings Dormouse courtesy of London Organising Committee of the that are planned for the Box Hill The funding for ongoing surveys will Olympic Games (LOCOG) commissioned viewpoint. We have long wanted to widen enable us to assess exactly what that an intensive nature survey of the Zig Zag the views for visitors to enjoy, and by impact has been during the next few valley throughout 2011 to provide us with positioning the rings where bushes and years. a snapshot of all the species present, and trees once stood means we have This project is a microcosm of my 20 year has improved our understanding and achieved this. career with the National Trust; giving management of the site. But by far, the one single species that people a nice time in the countryside As you walk, cycle or drive up that has had the greatest influence our whilst protecting landscapes, habitats stunning Zig Zag valley most people just planning and management of the site has and species. My fundamental opinion see grass, bushes and trees. You might been the dormouse. This impossibly cute relating to that often used phrase ‘access wonder what harm it would do to stand little mammal is afforded high levels of versus conservation’ is unchanged. on that grass, after all, this is a once in a protection due to its scarcity. It hibernates Access is not in opposition to lifetime opportunity to see the Olympics on the ground at the base of trees and conservation and they should be married on home soil. The thing is, this grass is bushes in perfectly made nests of moss so that one supports the other. no ordinary turf, this grass is chalk about the size of a tennis ball. Before downland. If you ever get the chance, anything was cut down an ecologist had Andrew Wright, National Trust stop and check out a square metre of to carry out a fingertip search for Countryside Manager for the Surrey Hills East

www.surreyhillssociety.org

5 Meet the new Surrey Hills Woodland Adviser Sean Harrison has In 2006 I became Surrey Wildlife Trust’s owners, approach them and offer to recently been Tree Safety Officer. This was a broad provide the appropriate site management employed as the role concerned with the management of advice. This may include assessment of Surrey Hills the tree stock adjacent to roads, remnant biological and archaeological Woodland Adviser. buildings, railways and anywhere else features, current and favoured site He will be working where there could be a safety issue. conditions as well as any opportunities with landowners, for income generation. farmers and I left in 2010 to set up my own business contractors to bring as a consultant arboriculturalist, I will discuss the objectives of the owner neglected woods specialising in tree safety but by chance I and can produce a forest plan. This does across Surrey back saw the role of Woodland Adviser not commit the owner to undertake works into management for timber, wood fuel, advertised. I was immediately drawn to but does help to focus the mind, in terms conservation and biodiversity. The role its wide remit of not only being an adviser of long-term site objectives. Also, has been joint-funded by the Forestry to woodland owners but also engaging because I work closely with the Forestry Commission, The Woodland Trust, The with local contractors and encouraging Commission and the Woodland Trust, I Sylva Foundation and The Surrey Hills woodland management by the uptake of can help with the strategic targeting of AONB. He says, wood products locally. grants to assist with management of sites within the Surrey Hills area.” “Most of my working life I have been My key task is to identify those areas of involved in countryside management of unmanaged ancient woodland sites, If you have woodland within the Surrey some sort and for over 15 years I was the within the AONB, that are unknown to all Hills AONB, or know of anyone that you ranger for the at West my funding bodies. This will be achieved feel could benefit from a little help, then Horsley, Woodlands (which by using digital maps, online searches please do contact me on: included , West Hanger, and good old-fashioned detective work. Netley Woods and Francis Corner) and Once I’ve found the woodlands within my T: 01372 220651 the Brockham Lime Works. target area the next thing is to find the E: [email protected] If you go down to the woods today...... you might see a horse dragging tree trunks out of the woodland. Horse logging is an important and thriving aspect of woodland management. Whilst clear felling and using mechanical equipment to remove timber is the most cost effective way of dealing with large sections of managed woodland, it has drawbacks. Apart from the noise, tractors and heavy equipment can cause significant damage and rutting to the surface and are consequently not particularly suitable where a fragile environment or nearby accommodation are involved. When selective felling is required, mechanised methods become stacking it at the trackside. His sure- the benefits of horse logging. With more even more of a problem - often with the footed horse has been doing this for Surrey woodland being brought back into need to fell additional trees just to provide almost 18 years and only needs gentle management, horse logging can play an access. direction from Dan. The horse has important role in protecting the landscape learned how to find its own way through whilst allowing the timber to be used These difficult situations are where horse the terrain, knows when to accelerate to commercially. logging comes into its own - as was get up gradients and, generally, how to shown in a recent demonstration on do the job in the most effective way. Ranmore. The area has lots of bluebells, It was a pleasure just to stand and watch is in the heart of a peaceful area and the team at work. selective felling has taken place with a Members of the public who were out need to get the trunks to a main track Note for your diary: this years Wood which is accessible to road vehicles. walking were stopping to watch and to fair is at Birtley House, Bramley. Dan Brown and his Suffolk Punch were talk to Dan. He is always happy to stop Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October. hard at work dragging out the timber and and discuss woodland management and

Registered Charity number 1125532

6 Founder member Graham Butler New brewery gets Having been brought up in East Surrey, Ive since spent many years working out thumbs up of the county but have always been drawn to come back and spend much of my leisure time in and around the Surrey Hills. My main love is walking which developed in the late 60s with membership of the Ramblers and many trips from central London to walk in the whole of the South East and beyond. Many Sundays were spent in the Surrey Hills although it must be admitted that the lunch-time visit to local hostelries featured as much in the memory as the walking! My involvement with the formation of the Society was largely due to my experience in a volunteering capacity for 17 years as Ramblers Surrey Area Secretary and the role played in setting up several of the Ramblers Local Groups. When it In every edition of our newsletter, was suggested that a Surrey Hills Society be established, I we like to find space for an item was approached by staff members of the AONB office to about one of our Affiliate assist. Members. On this occasion we are pleased to include a new Having attended the inaugural meeting in October 2007 at company with whom we hope to build a close association. Denbies, I volunteered to be on the steering committee and help set up the membership system. Later on as the Society December 2011 saw the Tillingbourne Brewery open its doors gained charitable status I volunteered to be one of the amidst the Surrey Hills, at Old Scotland Farm on Staple Lane Trustees, a role which I still do. (GU5 9TE), above the village of Shere. New Brewery owners Steve Dodd and Lee Nicholls are committed to making ‘local Currently I head the Events Committee that seeks to put beer brewed with passion’, and are delighted that to date every together a programme of talks, visits and walks of interest to one of their three brews has received considerable praise from our members. I also help with manning some of the Society’s landlords and locals alike. stands at shows and events. My main interest is still walking and in 2011 I organised and lead the 4 day walk along the Steve and Lee purchased the original Surrey Hills Brewery Way and I am in the course of planning this equipment last September and after three hard months of year’s major event along the in September cleaning and decorating they were finally ready to brew. 2012. Please do come along and join me for part or even all Already a regular on local pumps and hailed as a ‘lovely pint’, of this. is Falls Gold which takes its name from the waterfall on the Tillingbourne River near Wotton. Also currently available is I have been involved in several outdoor charities in the South Evolution No.1 and - coming in May - is Spring Ale. East. I am still involved with the Ramblers as the Area Access Officer and I am also Chairman of the Surrey Countryside The Brewery opens for retail sales every Friday (1-6.30pm) Access Forum, which was set up by Surrey County Council and Saturday (10-3.30pm) and may be contacted for trade under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. sales, events and special occasion enquiries on 01483 222228, or at www.tillybeer.co.uk Smarter essential services...

...for 24 million people across the UK. maygurney.co.uk

7 Surrey Hills Society

Events programme June to December 2012 Keep an eye on our website for further information: www.surreyhillssociety.org

Friday 8 June at 7 pm This 4-acre garden with excellent views of around Buckland with Duncan Ferns plus A talk by Councillor Ted Howard on the the Surrey Hills has been created around coffee, lunch and visits to the Windmill and mural in Chaldon Church of the 'Ladder the late Victorian house over the last five Sandpit of Salvation of the Human Soul' together years. Saturday 13 October with 'Purgatory and Hell'. This will be Saturday 18 August Grain and Vine Tour at Denbies Vinery followed by a presentation on the adjacent Afternoon Easy Access Trail walk from Bacon butty on arrival then Vineyard grape 14c Chaldon Court by its owner Madeline Margery Wood, Reigate to Colley Hill with picking. The 360° film experience will be Hutchins and tours of the house. time for members’ own picnic break to followed by a buffet lunch with tutored Saturday 9 June enjoy the views. wine tasting, brewery tour and tasting. Guided walk around Shamley Green Saturday 25 August Saturday 20 October Woods by Patrick Mannix, followed by A walk across from the Bocketts Farm - a working family farm set lunch at the local pub Skimmington Castle for a guided visit to in beautiful countryside on the slopes of Tuesday 10 July Reigate Caves. the North Downs near Leatherhead. What’s new in the AONB Short AGM followed by Harvest Supper in Thursday 6 September Update from Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills the Old Barn, further details to come. President’s Day - A visit to Epsom AONB Director Downs and Racecourse with a visit to a Friday 23 November Saturday 21 July Trainers’ Yard. Ancient Trees - Our Living Heritage Talk Discovery walk along stretches of the Wey by Ted Green MBE at Leatherhead September 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17 and Arun Canal Institute Walking the Greensand Way - from Wednesday 25 July Haslemere to Limpsfield Chart (and Saturday 8 December Easy access Ramble at Polesden Lacey County boundary - average 10 miles each A guided walk exploring some of the 65 day). Details from Graham Butler. acres of grounds of Belmont School in Wednesday 15 August Holmbury St Mary followed by mulled wine An exclusive evening visit to the gardens Saturday 6 October and mince pies. of Pratsham Grange by kind permission A Day in the Country "Buckland from of the owners, Alan and Felicity Comber. 1000 to 2000” a village history walk Come and join in with one of our events Surrey Hills Society Join us

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