Summer Solstice Open Day At Clandon Wood

Published on: 18 Jun, 2014
Updated on: 18 Jun, 2014

Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve is celebrating its first year anniversary with a Summer Solstice open day on Saturday June 21.

Clandon Wood. Picture by Dani Maimone.

The 31-acre wildlife reserve is a member of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds. The open day is from 10.30am to 5pm, with a free barbecue, horse and carriage rides around the meadows, face painting and live music. Wildlife expert Pete Bickford will be leading guided wildlife walks through the meadow, sharing his wealth of knowledge about the birds, plants, butterflies and bees that can be found on the reserve.

Experts and celebrants will be on hand to give advice about how to make a funeral unique and unforgettable. There will also be the opportunity to follow a traditional horse and cart procession through the meadow and experience a different, gentler way to say goodbye.

Maisie and Bea ploughing at Clandon Wood. Picture by Dani Maimone.

Photographer Dani Maimone will be exhibiting this weekend in the glass pavilion at Clandon Wood as part of Surrey Artists’ Open Studios. Joining her will be Roger Roberts a wood carver who carves wooden plaques and leaf memorials for the graves at Clandon Wood. They will be there on Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm, and also on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.

Its founder and business development manager Simon Ferrar said: “It has been an extraordinary year. We were finalists at the Toast of Surrey Business Awards and went on to win the award for the Best Natural Burial Ground in the UK, which exceeded all our expectations.

“This award means a great deal as it is the people and families that are part of Clandon Wood who voted for us. We would like to thank them for taking the time to fill in the feedback forms they sent to the Natural Death Centre Charity who manage the Association of Natural Burial Grounds.

More details on 01483 479614 or check out the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ClandonWoodSurreyHillsNaturalBurial to find out more about the event.

You can also find out more information on the blog page on Clandon Wood’s website at http://www.clandonwood.com/blog/