The Friends Of Box Hill

2012 AGM

2012-01-29T14:39:00.004Z

Dear Friend,

I have much pleasure in attaching the papers for our Annual General Meeting, which will take place on Saturday, 11th February at 2.30pm at Juniper Hall, Mickleham.

Papers for AGM

Graham Brown has decided to stand down from the Committee and Martyn Richards, my husband, has offered to stand to represent the volunteers and take responsibility for communications. The rest of the current Committee are happy to stand and the new Committee will be proposed and seconded en bloc during the meeting. Mike Cawthorn has left Juniper Hall Centre. It is expected that the person replacing him will become the Centre’s nominated representative on the Committee. Peter Downing and John Woodcock will be retained for another year as Honorary Consultants to provide advice to the Committee when necessary, Peter regarding the history of the Hill and John regarding agricultural issues. If you have any nominations that you wish to make or comments on this proposal, please make them to me in writing as soon as possible.

After the business part of the meeting there will be an illustrated talk by Adam Wallace, who is Natural England Area Manager for London, Surrey and Buckinghamshire, on The role of Natural England and its importance for Box Hill.

Please let me know if you are coming so that we can estimate the numbers for tea (£2 per person). Guests are welcome.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Please note also that subscriptions for the year to September 2012 were due at 1st October 2011 and if you have yet to pay we will be pleased to receive your subscription as soon as possible.

Lyn

Lyn Richards

Chairman, FOBH

Tel: +44 (0) 1737 842889

Mob:+44 (0) 7740 414182

lyn@mra.uk.net

Talk by Gail Jeffcoate

2011-11-02T18:02:00.003Z

On Tuesday 15th November, 7pm at Juniper Hall, Mickleham, Gail will present a talk titled "Strange but True: Amazing stories of Box Hill's lesser known wildlife".

To reserve a place or for more information please contact Lyn Richards 01737842889, or email lyn@mra.uk.net.

See the poster for full details.

Autumn 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-01T19:17:00.002Z

The FOBH Autumn 2011 newsletter has been issued by post and email, and can also be found here.

Barbeque & Countryfile

2011-06-18T10:52:00.001+01:00

Dear Friend

I thought you might like to know that Box Hill will appear on Countryfile this Sunday 19^th June at 8pm on BBC1. What will appear on it I don’t know, but I think I saw the BBC presenter Matt Baker in lycra on a bike and NT’s butterfly expert Matthew Oates looking for orchids on Barrie’s Bank…. It is billed as “Matt and Julia explore the countryside where the North Downs create the Surrey Hills”.

I’m also reminding you that the FOBH annual BBQ is next Friday the 24^th June at 7pm at Warren Farm. There is a charge of £8 per person for a full meal and you are very welcome to bring guests. Please let me know if you would like to come so we can cater for the right number. We would love to see you there.

Regards

Lyn

Lyn Richards

Spring 2011 Newsletter

2011-05-20T08:27:00.002+01:00

The Spring 2011 Newsletter has been issued by email and/or post to FOBH members and can also be found here.

Olympic Cycling route announced.

2011-02-11T17:46:00.007Z

The official announcement of the 2012 Olympic road cycling route was made yesterday at a press launch at Box Hill. The press release is below, with a link to a map of the complete route.

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) will be sending representatives to the FOBH AGM on Saturday, 12th February so come along and ask any questions you may have.

London 2012 announces new route for Olympic Road Races

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today announced the new route for the Olympic Cycling Road Races.

The Road Race is a mass start race for men and women scheduled for the first and second days of the full sport competition of the Olympic Games. The events will start and finish on The Mall in central London, a location well used to hosting the start and finish of major cycling events. The riders will race around a course that passes through six London boroughs - Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Wandsworth, Richmond upon Thames, and Kingston upon Thames – before heading into Surrey and through the districts of Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead, Guildford, Woking and Mole Valley before returning to central London for the finish. The course will also pass through Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

This announcement follows extensive consultation with the relevant local authorities to find routes that will provide an outstanding experience for athletes and spectators.

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘This extends the Games into the south west of London and Surrey. We are delighted to be bringing such high profile and exciting events here, and which will be bringing the Road Race into challenging cycling terrain through many new boroughs and districts. Following our medal success in Beijing, the Road Cycling events really will bring the magic of the Games to life for many thousands of spectators.’

Hugh Robertson MP, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: ‘The Road Race is one of the first major events of London 2012 and will be followed closely by supporters looking for a home medal. I am, therefore, delighted that it will showcase many of our great landmarks and countryside and that big crowds will be able to watch it live.’

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: ‘The explosion in cycling in the capital over the past year proves that Londoners have well and truly caught the cycling bug. There's no better way of getting around the city than on two wheels. This great route not only takes in London's iconic landmarks but brings the Games to the doorsteps of even more parts of the capital, and will ensure London keeps moving during these hugely popular events.’

Pat McQuaid, President of the international cycling federation (UCI) said: ‘I think this route will produce an extremely exciting Olympic Games Road Race, and especially with the circuits of Box Hill it will be a worthy winner of both the men’s and women’s gold medals’.

Mark Cavendish, GB cyclist said: ‘Competing in a home Olympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To compete in the Road Race on the opening day of the London 2012 Games in front of home fans is going to be amazing. I look forward to checking out the course in detail and to experiencing the well known cycling terrain in Surrey through to the finish on The Mall.’

The Road Race is provisionally scheduled to take place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July. The men’s race will take place on the Saturday and last for approximately six hours, and will be 250-km in length with 145 riders. The women’s race will take place on the Sunday and last for 3½ hours, and will be 140 km in length with 67 riders.

The road race route in brief:

Heading south-west from The Mall taking in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham to cross the Thames at Putney Bridge and into Wandsworth.
Continuing into Richmond and into Richmond Park en route to Richmond Bridge where the race again crosses the Thames.
Heading south and through Bushy Park to Hampton Court Palace and Hampton Court Bridge where the race enters Surrey.
A large loop in Surrey taking in Walton on Thames, Weybridge, West Byfleet, West Horsley and Dorking.
From Dorking the race repeats a challenging 15.5km circuit around Box Hill including the National Trust’s Zig Zag Hill. This loop will be repeated multiple times for the men’s and women’s events.
The race then returns to central London through Leatherhead, Esher, Hampton Court, Kingston and Richmond Park before using the same route back to The Mall.

There will be a road race test event following the same route in mid August this year. Further details will be released as soon as possible.

Boroughs will be putting local information on their website as it becomes available.

LOCOG has a public enquiry e-mail address – cycling.events@london2012.com

Olympic Cycle Route map

FOBH AGM

2011-01-25T17:33:00.003Z

The Friends of Box Hill 2011 Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday 12th February at 2.30pm at Juniper Hall, Mickleham.

Sandra's January Newsletter can be found here as can the agenda and papers for the AGM.

Sir Martin Wedgwood

2010-11-17T19:28:00.001Z

Many of you will have heard by now of Sir Martin Wedgwood’s death on the 12th October 2010. Obituaries were published in the Times, the Daily Telegraph and the local press.

Ben Tatham the FOBH President said:

“We were all shocked to hear of Martin's sudden and early death. He was an integral part of the Friends and a real friend to all of us. He had served as Treasurer for many years and more recently as Membership Secretary. He will be sorely missed.”

Autumn 2010 Newsletter

2010-11-17T19:24:00.002Z

The FOBH Autumn 2010 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to access it.

The Great Bovril Revival

2010-10-01T22:30:00.001+01:00

Bovril has teamed up with National Trust in what they call The Great Bovril Revival to provide financial support to revive some of the outdoor beauty spots that are in need of a bit of work to maintain their beauty. One of these is right on your doorstep.

We need your help in urgently casting as many votes as we can for Box Hill so that much needed funds can be won for your local site.

The web address is www.bovril.co.uk/revival .

Click on “Find a Project”, insert the name “Box Hill” and click on “Search”.

This will show you a map with the proposed projects identified by a small “spade” symbol. Click on the one above Dorking to find the Box Hill Footpath Makeover project and record your vote.

We hope that you will find time to register your vote and encourage as many of your friends or people you know ! as possible, to vote for our plans for the Box Hill Footpath Makeover. Every vote counts in winning this prize for Box Hill.

In this way you will be doing a lot to support the NT's work here on Box Hill and hopefully by next summer we shall have some great new walks and trail features for you to enjoy.

Box Hill Volunteers

2010-09-07T18:50:00.009+01:00

The Box Hill Volunteer Group meets every Wednesday and Thursday under the leadership of National Trust warden for Box Hill, Matthew Banner. We carry out conservation tasks as well as general maintenance and engagement activities. Many of the conservation tasks are taken from the Woodland and Grassland Compartment Plans produced by joint group of FOBH members and NT staff. If you want to find out what the Volunteer Group has been getting up to please visit our website where you can also find out how to join us.

Bugs on Box Hill

2010-08-25T23:06:00.005+01:00

Last Friday afternoon a joint group of volunteers, wardens, and Friends members were let loose on Juniper Hill with butterfly nets and collecting jars to see what they could find.

Gail Jeffcoate, from the Friends, had arranged for two entymologists, Mike Edwards and Graham Collins, who had carried out an insect survey on Box Hill to come and show us what was involved. Each armed with a net we advanced across Juniper sweeping the grass at different heights, sweeping the shrubs and lower tree branches, and collecting everything in plastic phials for identification. Mike and Graham identified the mixed collection of spiders, wasps, butterflies, and bugs we found before releasing them back.

The point was not really to find anything particularly rare but to show us what was involved in a proper survey, how the different habitats supported different species, and how important it was to maintain the right balance of grassland, scrub, and trees.

We then moved on to Happy Valley for a more general discussion of habitat management. Mike commented on the scrub clearance that had already been done by the volunteers and suggested, a bit controversially, that removing a few of the yews from the lower slopes would benefit the chalk grassland and help increase the flora and insect population. A joint working group of the Box Hill volunteers and the Lower Mole Valley volunteers will be returning to Happy Valley this week to carry out a large area of scrub clearance - but the yews will be left intact!

Box Hill Discover and Learn!!!

2009-10-02T09:15:00.006+01:00

The National Trust at Box Hill will be celebrating the completion of its new Learning and Discovery Centre with an Open Day on 26^th October 2009 from 10am until 4pm.

The Open Day will enable you to enjoy the new Box Hill Learning and Discovery Zone and to participate in a number of free activities and games on the Day, encouraging you to explore and understand more of Box Hill.

Art and Crafts Tent

Find the answers to different questions about Box Hill from information in the Discovery Zone and by exploring countryside near to the Centre.

Mini-beast Sculpture Tapestry

Collect items from the Hill to make real or make-believe model mini-beasts to produce a Mini-beast Tapestry.

Wildlife Artist in Residence

Helen Shackleton will be painting some wildlife in her own colourful style while you watch and ask questions.

Raffle

Win the chance to attend one of the Juniper Hall Field Studies Centre Weekend Short Courses. “Orchids of South East England –David Streeter” or “Butterflies and Moths of SE England – Ken Wilmot”.

Refreshment Tent

Tables and chairs under cover

Friends of Box Hill Stall

National Trust Stall

Payne’s Honey

Nathan Brown Cycle Hire

Juniper Hall Field Studies Council Stall

Surrey Hills AONB Stall

Autumn Leaves and Fungus Display

Box Hill’s Top 5

Gentle Walks with Stories - approximately 45mins long, led by different enthusiasts showing their 5 favourite aspects of Box Hill including historical sites, fungi foray, lives in the undergrowth and the mythology of trees.

Recollections of Box Hill

Adorn the Pear tree outside the Learning Space with your favourite recollections of Box Hill – recent or long ago.

Games on the Donkey Green

Butterfly Rounders, Pigeons and Sparrowhawk , Spiders Web Maze and Mushroom Parachute

Views on the new Discovery and Learning Centre

Influence where any further money is spent – you will be able to give their views on the best bits of the new Centre and what else you would like to see.

Wardens and Volunteers will be roaming around and available to answer questions that you are interested in.

There will be plenty to see and do whatever the weather!

Visit to Claremont Landscape Garden

2009-07-01T15:25:00.002+01:00

The Friends of Box Hill have obtained the very special privilege of an evening visit to the glorious 18th century gardens at Claremont on July 31st after the public have left. If you are not yet a Friend, you can become one, ( minimum subscription £5.00) and qualify for this visit. Arrive at 7.30 pm and find that a magnificent Champagne Picnic is provided and then wander around the lake and temples at your leisure .
The cost is £20.00 a head and to book a place contact Sandra Wedgwood by email sandra.wedgwood@ntlworld.com or telephone 01306 889941

The Newly Created Discovery Zone in the Shop at the top of Box Hill

2009-06-30T15:36:00.016+01:00

Do come and visit the exciting new Discovery Zone in the National Trust Shop at the top of Box Hill where there is something to interest all ages. Most obvious are the spectacular murals with their gorgeous colours created by the artist Helen Shackleton (www.wildmurals.com). There is also a fascinating video show made using old postcards which demonstrates very clearly what has changed and what has not and there are several interactive games for children. All the publicity has been positive and it is proving very popular. It is in fact the only information area in the National Trust which is combined with a shop. The project has been spearheaded and 50% financed by The Friends of Box Hill with the other half coming from Biffa to whom the Friends are most grateful. They are also particularly indebted to the hard work and close collaboration of Head Warden, Mark Dawson, Education Officer, Sarah Russell, and Enterprises Manager, Suzanne Taylor.

Update of the Friends of Box Hill website

2009-06-30T14:00:00.002+01:00

The Friends of Box Hill website www.friendsofboxhill.org.uk has been updated and now includes reviews of all available publications in the Box Hill Books series as well as the map of the Hill. Currently we are not running an e-shop for you to buy these, but there is an order from you can download and send to us with your cheque. You can also download a form to join the Friends.

If you would like to share links between our website and yours, please send us an email.

Watch this space!

2009-04-22T22:28:00.002+01:00

The blog is a new feature for the Friends of Box Hill website - look out for news coming up soon.