New Boardwalk Takes Shape On Chitty’s Common

Published on: 19 Oct, 2018
Updated on: 19 Oct, 2018

Work to lay a new boardwalk across Chitty’s Common at Rydes Hill, Guildford, is forging ahead.

Laying the new boardwalk across Chitty’s Common, Rydes Hill, Guildford.

The Friends of Chitty’s Common, a volunteer work party group that meets to cut back vegetation and restore features, has been helping Surrey Wildlife Trust with the work.

A work party at the end of September, under the leadership of Clive Inwood, achieved a good deal in restoring the area around a small pond on the common. It was all done in glorious weather, with much bantering, good humour and excellent teamwork.

Once completed the boardwalk will give visitors even better access to the common.

More volunteers are always welcome to help out on the following dates:

Sunday, October 21, 10am to 4pm. Pond restoration and cutting back in the meadow area.

Sunday, November 4, 10am to 4pm. Cutting back in the meadow area. and pond restoration if not previously completed. Plus, Katy and Suzie from Surrey Wildlife Trust will be on site to do work on the boardwalk. They will also be give a 10-minute talk on the trees within the common.

Sunday, December 16, 10am to 4pm. Cutting back in the meadow area.

On all occasions, weather permitting and if enough cutting back has been done, there will be a bonfire.

Meet as usual at the Surrey Wildlife Trust sign board by Rydes Hill Road.

More details from Pauline Searle on 01483 825424.

Surrey Wildlife Trust, on its website, describes Chitty’s Common as: “…..part of the The Worplesdon group of commons, which comprises eight commons within the parish of Worplesdon near Guildford.

“Chitty’s is a local community common, hidden between the houses of Rydes Hill. This green oasis is a wildlife magnet whose importance is far greater than its apparent size. The common provides a rich mosaic of habitats (grassland, secondary and wet woodland on a former wood pasture site and a series of connecting ponds and ditches), which are valuable for many notable species of local and regional importance.

“The common is a place to view many species of butterflies flying across the open grassland, as well as small mammals, birds, bats, amphibians and invertebrates. The woodland areas have a nice selection of wildflowers, including large swathes of wild garlic. There is also plenty of important dead wood that is left in-situ to provide an ideal habitat for many invertebrates including the stag beetle.”