Category: Members’ Updates

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

On By thewordbirdIn Members' Updates

As the year draws to a close, we would like to thank all our members for their continued support and involvement. 

It has been a busy and productive year for the Friends of Limpsfield Common, marked by both change and achievement.

We said goodbye to our Chair, Tony Pearson and Treasurer, Yves Le Hur and were delighted to welcome Ann Osborn as Chair and Paul Sharp as Treasurer. We also bade farewell to our much-loved Ranger, Conor, who left to pursue a Master’s degree and new adventures, and were very happy to welcome our excellent new Ranger, India Davies, to the team.

This year we held two very successful Air Raid Shelter Open Days, as well as several organised tours by local groups; we took part in Surrey Day and the WW2 / VE Day 80 commemorations, recorded a podcast with Visit Surrey and were featured extensively on BBC Radio Surrey. 

Our Annual Public Meeting and Ranger Walks were well attended and taking part in the Limpsfield Village and Chart Fairs again proved a great opportunity to share information, welcome new members and showcase the work we do.

We continued our proactive woodland management programme and have begun planning for the Yalden Spring rejuvenation project, which we are excited to commence in 2026. 

It has been especially encouraging to see so many families enjoying the common and woodland throughout the year, and we remain very positive about the future of the Commons for generations to come. 

Please use the resources on our website to allow you to get to know the wonderful flora and fauna on your doorstep and to keep up to date with what we do, and why!

Thank you once again for your support and for getting involved. We are always keen to welcome new volunteers, whether to join our Guardians (the Wombles of Limpsfield Common!) who do a fantastic job litter-picking and keeping the common tidy, or to support our project teams, such as the Heritage Team.

We have lots of plans ahead and look forward to sharing more with you in 2026.

With very best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Your NT Local Committee for Limpsfield Common (aka Friends of Limpsfield Common)

Please keep up to date with our news and articles about the common and our work via our social media and online news posts.

Reminder & Agenda – Friends of Limpsfield Common Annual Public Meeting – 27th September

On By thewordbirdIn Members' Updates, News & Events

A little reminder of our Annual Public Meeting, taking place this coming Saturday, 27th September 2025, at St Andrew’s Hall, from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Refreshments will be provided.

Please see the agenda below. We look forward to seeing you all there.

At the meeting, we’ll share updates from committee members, present highlights from the past year, and outline our plans for the year ahead.

We will also be introducing you to our new Ranger.

AGENDADownload

This is a great opportunity for the local community to:

  • Learn more about Limpsfield Common and the work we do
  • Ask questions and offer suggestions
  • Meet members of the Local (National Trust) Committee, National Trust representatives, and our fantastic volunteers
  • Find out how you can get involved

We look forward to welcoming you!

For any enquiries please email friendsoflimpsfieldcommon@gmail.com

Our agenda will be posted shortly.

Friends of Limpsfield Common Members Update – Spring 2025

On By thewordbirdIn Members' Updates

Dear Members,  

As always, we start with a huge thank you for your continued support. Your membership is vital in helping to maintain and protect Limpsfield Common.   There’s already been lots going on in 2025 so here’s a quick update for you!

Stay Connected !

Have you seen our website, Facebook page, or local social media updates? These platforms keep you informed about what’s happening on the Common and the work of the Friends, the National Trust, and the Taskforce volunteers!  

If you haven’t visited our website yet, check out the latest news and updates, as well as interesting articles on the work we and the National Trust / Taskforce do on the common (and why), plus lots of spotter guides for wildlife-watching on the Common! https://friendsoflimpsfieldcommon.org/

Dates for Your Diary  

Air Raid Shelter Open Days – 10th May – Surrey Day (2-5 pm) and 20th July (2-4 pm)  

Join our volunteer World War II Guides for a fascinating insight into this important local site. Learn about those stationed here, the experiences of local schoolchildren during air raids, and even what a Spigot Mortar is.

Reserve your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-friends-of-limpsfield-common-106336121601

We will also be recording a special podcast with Visit Surrey all about Limpsfield in WW2. This will be broadcast on Surrey Day, 10th May via BBC Radio Surrey and then online on the Visit Surrey channel.

Chart Fair – Sunday 22nd June & Limpsfield Fête,Saturday 28th June

Come along to these popular local fairs, both 12-4pm. The Friends of Limpsfield Common, the National Trust, and the Parish Council will all have stalls—so stop by to say hello and find out more about our work in the community.  

News!

FrogFest25! Did you manage to catch the frog spawning at Yalden Spring? Once again there was a fantastic attendance by frogs from far and wide. There is a lot of frogspawn in the pond, which we hope will survive to produce tadpoles.  Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1200884804981122

Great news for coffee lovers! This month, Fika Blends & Friends is rolling into the NT’s High Chart car park on Moorhouse Road. Founded by locals Cathryn Kelly and Rachel Scott-Taggart, with permission from the National Trust, their super cute horse trailer launches on Thursday 17th April and will be serving up delicious coffee Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and bank holiday Mondays (9am-1pm), plus Mondays in the school holidays.  Perfect for walkers (dogs welcome!) or just your morning caffeine. Follow them on Insta @FIKA.blendsandfriends!

Litter pickers needed! We’re also looking for new “Guardians”—a dedicated group of volunteers who walk the Common, litter-picking as they go. Numbers have dropped recently, so if you’d like to help keep Limpsfield Common beautiful, please contact Peter Beard at pbeard_41saxbys@yahoo.co.uk .  

The Most Important News: A Change in Leadership ! 

2025 has already brought big changes for the National Trust Limpsfield Common Local Committee, with Tony Pearson and Yves Le Hur stepping down from their roles.  

Tony Pearson has retired as Chair after three years in the role and seven years on the committee. He has been instrumental in working with the National Trust to shape the management of the Common and overseeing the Friends of Limpsfield Common’s conservation efforts. A Limpsfield resident since 1974, Tony remains an active volunteer with the Taskforce, Air Raid Shelters team, and East Surrey Walkers.  

Stepping into the role of Chair is Ann Osborn, who is also a joint leader of Limpsfield in Bloom and a Limpsfield Parish Councillor.  

Yves Le Hur has also stepped down as Treasurer after seven years on the committee, five of which he served in the role—including a year as interim Chair. He is succeeded by Paul Sharp, a retired chartered accountant from Limpsfield.  

We also extend a warm welcome to Pippa Rouse, who has taken on the role of Secretary.  

Read a more detailed post on our website, https://friendsoflimpsfieldcommon.org/2025/02/28/changing-of-the-guard-at-friends-of-limpsfield-common/

And Finally…  

Our Annual Public Meeting will be held on Saturday 27th September at St Andrew’s Hall, Limpsfield Chart. Please save the date—more details to follow.  

Help Us Spread the Word 

Our volunteer, Sophie Martin, has created a Friends of Limpsfield Common poster—could you share it locally or pass it on digitally to friends, family, or your community?  

FOLC Poster – SpringDownload

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year

On By thewordbirdIn Members' Updates

We wish all our members and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for being a Friend; for volunteering and for supporting Limpsfield Common.

These are gifts that ensure Limpsfield Common remains firmly rooted in the community, now and for generations to come.

We hope you get out onto the Common over the festive season and enjoy this great legacy.

Best Wishes,

Your NT Local Committee for Limpsfield Common

Sad news about Jeremy Saunders

On By thewordbirdIn Members' Updates, News & Events

Dear Friends, 

Many of you will have met Jeremy Saunders, our previous Ranger for Limpsfield Common. We are sad to let you know that Jeremy was recently diagnosed with acute Leukaemia and tragically passed away in hospital two weeks ago. Everyone on the local National Trust team is shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of a wonderful colleague. 

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Members Autumn Update – 2024

On By thewordbirdIn Conservation, Members' Updates, National Trust

Dear Members, 

Thank you very much to those of you who were able to join the Annual Public Meeting this year. We appreciated your company and your questions and we hope you enjoyed the occasion. 

For those of you who were unable to join us we hope the information below gives you an update of the year, and a flavour of the activities that take place across the Common.

If you have any questions please do contact us at friendsoflimpsfieldcommon@gmail.com

Thank you for your support and interest,

The Friends of Limpsfield Common 

Continue reading “Members Autumn Update – 2024” →