Looking back on 2006, not a great deal has been happening on the Wildlife Area in terms of projects but we have been working very effectively to expand our profile and generally raise awareness of the special opportunities we can offer.
Our new colour leaflet has been our main vehicle and we have given it a wide distribution - to 30 primary schools in a 6 mile radius, public libraries, the Guildford Tourist Information Centre, Basingstoke Canal Visitors' Centre, Surrey History Centre, Surrey Wildlife Trust and Pirbright Parish Shop. Coupled with our website, we have started to make good links into wider organisations and publications such as 'Kiddiwalks in Surrey' and 'Let's Go With Children' guide for Surrey. As a result, we have more groups making visits eg a children's party with pond-dipping as the main attraction, a Beaver Scout group as well as another class from Gosden House School. which provides for children with severe learning and behavioural difficulties. We hope to see these visits increase in number in 2007.
Another way of increasing our profile was participating in the Village Open Day for the Community Action Plan (CAP) in March where more than 40 village organisations and societies were able to showcase their activities. Carolyn and Chris Guest had put together a superb 10 minute Powerpoint presentation on the history of the site and all the different features and the treasure hunt to find the foxes' den proved v popular. 4 new members signed up on the day and we had many appreciative comments. Initial feedback from the questionnaire shows good support for the Wildlife Area which hopefully augurs well for future financial support from Pirbright Parish Council.
In June we also entered Pirbright Church's Scarecrow Competition on their Open Afternoon. Ann Mountjoy's stunning scarecrow, fox and deer were much admired and received a special commendation. The fox and deer lasted for many weeks in our garden and were a frequent talking point for passing pedestrians - all good publicity for the Wildlife Area.
ON THE SITE
We have been very glad to welcome groups of Merrist Wood students to the site as part of their studies. Amongst other things, they carried out an interesting pond survey which identified a good variety of pondlife especially in the Canadian Pondweed which reinforces advice from the Ponds Conservation Trust that weed clearance should not be carried out too frequently. We have therefore not included this task in our annual programme. Those who enjoy getting wet in boat and waders were disappointed! More work has been done to improve the flow of the leat from the Hodge Brook to the pond. We have been grateful for assistance and advice from Guildford Borough Council land drainage engineers.
The Association has made a response to the request from Surrey County Council's rights of Way Officer for information regarding our usage of the access road to the rear of Pirbright Cottages. As our existence as an Association is less than the 'magic' 20 years, this will unfortunately not be of great significance. A decision is awaited and the Association hopes that it will not inhibit our access to the Wildlife Area particularly for maintenance purposes.
One particular delight in the year was another Bird Walk led by John Arnott in May. A good group of enthusiasts gathered to learn from the expert and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is apparent that we need to practise our skills on a regular basis to be able to commit all the different calls to memory... No easy task! The Association continues to be very grateful to the small but faithful band of volunteers who have kept the green path network mown and the site tidy and safe. We are also v grateful to Pirbright Parish Council who have continued to include the Wildflower Meadow in their Paths and Greens contract - an invaluable contribution.
GENERAL
We have branched out with our social activities during the year. In addition to our now well established Summer BBQ in July, we hosted a very successful Family Barn Dance in Oct in Lord Pirbright's Hall. This was the brainchild of Carolyn Guest and she and her husband Chris worked hard to provide a great evening's entertainment together with a ploughman's supper. More than 70 people of all ages joined in and much fun was had by all. We even made a profit of £253. On the membership front, there are 162 adult members and 35 U16s Once again, almost every member has indicated a willingness to donate either time or money, the great proportion of which is gift-aided and adds a further 28% through reclaim from the Inland Revenue.
WORK/PROJECTS FOR 2007
Woodland review, including upgrade of path Pond weir improvements
As always, I would like to finish by thanking the hard-working Management Committee and all of you who have contributed by helping with maintenance jobs around the site. As always, new volunteers are always welcome!
Catherine Cobley
February 2007