There’s always so much going on with the National Trust, Friends of Limpsfield Common and the fantastic Thursday “Taskforce”. Here’s a little of what they’re up to at the moment on Limpfield Common.

Limpsfield Common Heritage Volunteers

In April, the Friends of Limpsfield Common held a training day for potential Heritage Volunteers for the National Trust. There had been an excellent response from the local community for volunteers and 20 were able to attend the training. The plan is for the various heritage sites on the Common (36 have already been identified) to be recorded on the National Trust Heritage Records online website, with the potential for research to be undertaken and ongoing monitoring to changes to a site.

The training was led by James Brown, National Trust Archaeologist for London and the Southeast. During the morning, he outlined how the National Trust manages over 75,000 archaeological sites with the need to prioritise conservation work and monitor change and identify damage early. Old maps, photos and more recently, GPS satellites are being used in the identification process.

Despite heavy rain, the afternoon was spent in the High Chart area with James explaining how sites could be identified and properly recorded. Overall, an excellent day’s training with volunteers now ready to get going. So don’t be surprised when walking on Limpsfield Common if you see 3 or 4 volunteers with clipboard, ranging poles, compass and notebook!  It will not be for a possible housing estate, but to increase our knowledge of what historical sites we have around us.

Air Raid Shelters – Save the Date – 28th July 2024!

Last year we had two Open Afternoons, which were very well supported, and we also hosted two local Scout Cub groups on evening visits. In 2024, in addition to at least one school visit, there will be another event open to the local community on Sunday, 28th July. Look out for details shortly.

The Friends of Limpsfield Common Survey Project Reaches a Successful Conclusion

During the summer of 2020, the FoLC undertook a survey to see what local people thought about Limpsfield Common. This resulted in an application for funds for the upgrading of car parks, new trails (the Family Activity Trail and the Easy Access Trail) new notice boards and new information panels, waymarking across the Commons and new entry barriers to stop fly tipping and anti-social behaviour.

All of this work has now been achieved!

The 4 barriers (at Scearn Bank, Moorhouse, High Chart and Ridlands Grove) are all in situ, as are all the information boards at every car park. We hope you like them, as well as make use of the trails, accessed via High Chart car park.

Special thanks go to the Task Force volunteers for all the work installing the waymarks, to the NT Rangers – Jeremy and Conor, and to our funders, Tandridge District Council, The Chart Fayre and to The Oxted Rotary.

During the summer of 2024 we will be undertaking a follow-up survey. Easy and quick to do this will be available via local social media and at the Chart Fayre and St Peters Fete.

Thank you for your support and do consider becoming a member of the Friends of Limpsfield Common. Contact friendsoflimpsfieldcommon@gmail.com for more information.