A colourful spectacle of umbrellas was the order of the day (21st October), as the heavens opened on the official opening of the new boardwalk and dipping platform at the Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area.

Pirbright’s Borough and County Councillor Keith Witham, cut the ribbon across the new boardwalk, declaring the new boardwalk and dipping platform open.

A key part of the wildlife area, the original dipping platform and boardwalk, linking the pond to the brooks beyond the wetland area, were in urgent need of replacement, and a fundraising campaign was undertaken early in 2023. The financial target was reached in the summer of 2023 and the work has now been completed. The materials used for the new dipping platform and boardwalk are recycled composite materials, which should last for many decades.

Catherine Cobley, Chairman of the Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area Association (FCCWAA) says, "We want to thank all of our generous donors and supporters for their help in making this project possible. We also appreciate the grants received from the Pirbright Institute, Pirbright Parish Council, Surrey County Council’s Your Fund Surrey Small Community Projects Fund, and the National Lottery Community Fund. This combination of local support with the backing of institutional donors has made it possible for this project to go ahead."

"The project cost of £30k was a daunting challenge and we have been amazed by the generosity shown by residents and members of the local community. The Management Committee feels it has been a very heart-warming local affirmation of everything we aim to achieve as an Association. The work was completed by Steve Hull of S R H Landscape Services, ably assisted by our Site Manager, Nigel Emmerson. Volunteers from Network Rail assisted by removing the old boardwalk."

The Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area is a charity run by a dedicated Management Committee working with other enthusiastic local volunteers. It is a unique 14 acre local nature reserve, providing a diverse environment for many different species, including a variety of native trees, hedgerows, flowers, birds, insects and mammals.

The boardwalk and dipping platform are integral to the site and they provide excellent opportunities to explore and educate, with pond dipping a regular activity. In addition, the boardwalk links the pond and natural wetlands to the Stanford and Hodge Brooks and provides inviting and safe access to enable visitors to enjoy the pond area and from there, an interesting and beautiful circular walk, which links the eastern part of the site to the heathland beyond, via the brooks.

We welcome donations to our general maintenance fund at any time.

Please use the red donate button below if you wish to help us further.

Newly updated information boards have been installed at the two entrances of the FCCWAA, along with a new information board by the pond. The boards give visitors and pond dippers details about the varied flora, fauna, pond life and insects they can expect to see on the site and in the pond.

The colourful information panels have been installed onto bespoke hand crafted metal stands, which add an elegant and modern edge to the information boards, enhancing the area.

The previous information boards had deteriorated and needed replacing. The updated artwork was carried out by Design of Walton Ltd, and the boards have been strategically placed to be read from a wheelchair or standing position.

Financial support towards the cost of the new information boards was received from Surrey County Council’s Members’ Community Allocation Fund under the sponsorship of Cllr Keith Witham and the balance of the money was drawn from the FCCWAA’s donations received from residents and visitors.

Thank you for visiting

We welcome visitors to the Fox Corner Widlife Area arriving on foot or by bicycle.
Dogs are also welcome to visit but must be kept on a lead at all times within the site.   If your dog likes to run free then please come alone or else with 'two-legged' members of your household.
Please adhere to the current government guidelines regarding social distancing and be aware that others will haves used the gate latches and bins etc.

Use the top menu to navigate around the site.   We hope that, by exploring the site further, you will gain an insight into the many aspects that make this wildlife area so special.
For the latest news please visit our news section, to contact us please select our contact page.