Normandy Conservation Volunteers
Normandy Parish Council has recently established the Normandy Conservation Volunteers to help improve the wildlife value and increase biodiversity of Normandy Common, Manor Fruit Farm and to a lesser extent Normandy Allotments.
Normandy Conservation Volunteers is a sub-committee that reports to Estates and Facilities Committee and has both councillors and non-councillors on the committee. At present we aim to meet twice a year and meetings are open to all.
The work of the Conservation Volunteers is guided by its committee along with the 2023 Normandy Common Management Plan) which builds on the Normandy-Common-Phase-I-Management-Plan-2018, both done for the Council by Surrey Wildlife Trust.
This Normandy Common Management Maps 1[45] outlines a) the suggested management from SWT, b) the existing management carried out by the Council and c) ideas and suggestions in the initial workshop of the Conservation Volunteers.
At present we have monthly work parties, with a focus on removal of non-native species, keeping paths and rides open, ditch clearing and essential work on and around the pond. At Manor Fruit Farm there is some work needed to look after the trees planted in winter 2022 as well as clearing the swales (wide ditches) of willow. As time goes by, we hope to increase the number of work parties, but this does depend on the number of volunteers!
Occasionally, if urgent work is required, a call will be put out on WhatsApp and social media to all volunteers to come and help.
In the summer work parties may focus more on surveys and keeping rides/footpaths strimmed as well as maintaining glades.
If you would like to join Normandy Conservation Volunteers, please contact the Clerk.
- Normandy Conservation Volunteers fixed a leak in the side of the pond. The wooden sleepers date back to when the pond was first re-dug in the late 1980s and are in amazingly good condition. But the water had seeped underneath and caused erosion on the land side. This needed filling with appropriate material to prevent further erosion and leaking.
- Clearing the ditches of fallen leaves, branches and sludge keeps the water flowing through the winter.This helps to keep the paths drier and prevents localised flooding. All the digging needs to be done carefully to protect the vegetation on the sides of the ditches, especially the ferns.
- Creating a leaf pile.The leafage and other ditch-debris is put into a few piles. This creates habitat for invertebrates and possibly frogs or toads to overwinter in. If the ditch debris is left on the ditch-banks, it might just flow back in next time it rains.
Normandy Parish Council owns or manages three areas of land and wants to ensure that these areas are managed for natural habitats and wildlife as well as human requirements.
The sites are:
Normandy Common and Pond. Owned by Normandy Parish Council: This whole area is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance and the focus of management here is on conservation of wildlife, habitats and improving habitats to increase biodiversity. The site is great for walking, running and exploring and has a play area as well as 3 sports clubs that lease space within the site (Normandy Tennis Club, Normandy Cricket Club and Normandy Rounders Club) and the Council works with all the clubs to ensure that the management they do does not contradict the overall conservation goals. There is also a football pitch, though at the moment there is no football club.
Manor Fruit Farm. Leased by Normandy Parish Council from Guildford Borough Council for 125 years (since 2000). This site has more of a focus on recreation, though the Parish Council aims to strike a balance between peaceful recreation and habitat/wildlife conservation. There are 2 sports clubs (Guildford Archery Club and Normandy Bowling Club), Normandy Village Hall, the Normandy Shop and Café, Normandy Therapy Garden within the site along with a play area, outdoor gym, trim trail and peace garden as well as the village green. It is also a popular dog walking site.
Normandy Allotments These are leased from Guildford Borough Council and currently divided into 19 plots. The use of herbicides and pesticides is limited on the allotments and there is an annual work party to help manage the hedges around the edge and communal areas.