Ashtead Park

Working Parties: 25th January and 31st January to 2nd February - meet at car park 9.30am. There is of course no need to attend every day and please come along when suits.

Wednesday 30th November saw the first working party held at the Park and an amazing turn out of volunteers - over 35 in total. We were blessed with a beautiful morning and a good deal of energy.

We were joined by the Deepdene Trail volunteers but Ashtead was very well represented by our experienced conservation volunteers from Ashtead Common and the Rye Meadows Wetlands, as well as residents who simply enjoy the Park and all it has to offer. A huge amount was achieved as a result with brambles and saplings cleared, and areas around the important trees protected by dead hedges. 

The ARA Committee wants to support this initiative in any way we can and so, in addition to publicising working parties we are purchasing tools which will help remove the vast number of unwanted sycamore saplings which have infested some areas of the Park. One of these tools known as a "tree popper" has already proved its worth on Ashtead Common. We know that the MVDC officer in charge of this initiative is very grateful for the support which we are providing. We will continue to work with him as he prepares a five-year plan for the restoration of the Park.

If you can spare a morning or just an hour or two, please come along wearing your gardening clothes and bringing thornproof gloves. If you have your own loppers that would be helpful. You'll be amazed at just how much can be achieved!