HABITAT to be showcased at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society were impressed by the HABITAT project run by Surrey Hills Arts on campus at the University of Surrey last year. They invited us to exhibit the sculptural habitats in the Go Wild Area at the festival recognising that ‘the project shares a lot of similarities to the RHS’s ethos and work across communities, science, education and art.’ The artists involved research specific species and create an artwork to attract and support them. The artworks animate the space while increasing biodiversity and engage the viewer to learn more through QR codes.
The Reclaim network, who aim to ‘turn cities from vulnerable spaces to healthy places for people’ have also noticed the HABITAT project and are sponsoring two new works for the festival as well as talks and workshops at their conference later in the year.
This is really positive progress for the project which we hope to role out in other urban areas across Surrey in the next few years working with communities to improve wellbeing and local biodiversity.
The Surrey Hills Symposium 2022 identified that the Surrey Hills is a landscape for all. During the event, the audience engaged in a variety of polls which indicated we should be encouraging more people to enjoy the area, especially from communities traditionally unfamiliar with it. The Symposium highlighted how we can all learn how to respect the countryside and care for nature.
On Wednesday 23 November, the Symposium began with a marketplace made up of community groups, partners, and Surrey Hills Enterprises members welcoming guests to the University of Surrey. A thriving marketplace with a common goal; to help make the countryside more accessible to all, ensuring it is protected for people and nature. Guests enjoyed refreshments from Surrey Hills Enterprises member Mandira’s Kitchen. Surrey County Council offered sixty free trees for guests to take away and plant in a space near their home. The aim is to plant 1.2 million trees in Surrey, one for every resident, by 2030.
The marketplace was followed by a showcase and debate asking how we can all protect, respect, and enjoy our National Landscape. The event was opened by Professor Max Lu President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, who celebrated the University’s launch of the Innovation Exploratorium earlier in the day. These spaces provide visitors the opportunity to explore their research showing the impacts nature has on us, and we can have on nature. This is tightly connected to the launch earlier in the year of Surrey Hills Arts’ HABITAT project which is hosted on campus. The HABITAT project tackles the climate and biodiversity crisis head on by working with local communities to develop and sustain ecological green spaces in urban areas.
Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills Board, showcased some of the collaborative projects undertaken throughout the year helping connect different people with nature. Heather quoted Julian Glover in a review commissioned by the government who said that areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Surrey Hills were just as important and effective as National Parks; he proposed that they should be renamed National Landscapes and given new purpose in reaching out to everyone in their catchment, not just the people who traditionally use them. Acknowledging this, Defra has awarded the Surrey Hills with an access fund to help provide better access and a higher quality experience to those who have barriers to the landscape.
“Glover challenges us as National Landscapes to reach out to our whole population in everything we do. It is positive to see so much activity undertaken by our Surrey Hills family and partners, but we know that more needs to be done for everyone to be able to Thrive with Nature. How can we open the door wider?”
Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape
A new video was showcased featuring a variety of people enjoying and volunteering in the Surrey Hills. As well as enjoyment and conservation, music and arts are key to reaching new audiences. The Surrey Hills Arts ‘Harvest’ event connected hundreds of people to the National Trust’s Box Hill viewpoint, gathered round Diana Burch’s art installation ‘Seeds of Hope’, which we brought to the Symposium to form a backdrop to the speakers.
In-person and online guests then heard from four fantastic speakers about their focus and vision towards making the countryside a place for all, who then answered your questions on their subject matter.
Judy Ling Wong – Hon President, Black Environment Network
“We love what we enjoy, and we protect what we love. Access to nature lays down the basis for the contribution by everyone to the care and protection of nature.”
Haroon Mota – Founder, Active Inclusion Network
“Seeing minorities out in the countryside shouldn’t be strange or a reason to be labelled. Often the biggest barrier is that we haven’t had the outdoors embedded within us from a young age. You can’t be what you can’t see. Community is integral to success and by bringing everybody together, we can find a sense of confidence and belonging in these natural spaces.”
Stephanie Fudge – General Manager, National Trust Surrey Hills
“I believe that the countryside is for everyone- it already is. The National Trust sites in the Surrey Hills welcome a huge diversity of people who come by many means of transport. Our job is to welcome everyone and to share understanding of what they are visiting so they want to help protect it for the future. We have already seen that if visitors are asked to help and know why, they willingly step forward and change their behaviour.”
Ashley Greening – Intern, Surrey Wildlife Trust
“We belong to nature; we don’t own it. We can create a countryside for all by caring for nature but taking out the man-made obstacles that limit some people from enjoying and protecting it.”
This stimulating debate was artistically captured by Veronica Wood, creating a vision of what the future may look like in terms of our access and protection of nature.
Finally, the event concluded with closing remarks from Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Society. There was a premiere of the new ‘Making Space for Nature’ film, a collaboration between the National Trust and Surrey Hills. This film celebrates the 150-year birthday of the composer of the Lark Ascending, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the fantastic mosaic of habitat that the Surrey Hills landscape offers.
As guests departed the event, they were asked to write down comments on their thoughts towards how we can improve access to nature whilst protecting the landscape. These responses will help support decision making of future project work made possible by Defra’s access fund towards capital improvements towards access to the countryside.
With thanks to the University of Surrey for hosting our event, and all our partners, community groups and Surrey Hills Enterprises members for exhibiting.
This year’s Harvest event on Sat 17 Sept welcomed hundreds of people to the top of Box Hill to celebrate the outstanding Surrey Hills landscape through the arts. Our connection to each other and the countryside is integral to our mental and physical wellbeing. Harvest aims to bring communities together in the landscape through the arts in an inclusive and diverse environment. The event is a partnership between Surrey Hills Arts, the National Trust and Mole Valley District Council, focusing on connecting us with each other and nature. Harvest is the first event of Landscapes for Life week, an opportunity for us to all celebrate our protected landscapes across the UK.
A striking centrepiece by Diana Burch, ‘Seeds of Hope’, was illuminated at dusk on Donkey Green. This sustainable artwork is made purely from sticks and recycled yarns. The colourful ‘seedpods’ are made up of many smaller ‘cells’, where hundreds of local people, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have contributed to over the past few months, through workshops supported by Mole Valley District Council and the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The mindful act of binding with the wool encouraged contemplation, as well as an openness with others doing the activity.
In a world that often feels challenging, Seeds of Hope demonstrates a renewal of optimism by connecting us with each other and the natural world. – Diana Burch, Artist
During the Harvest preparations, over 100 Muslim hikers from community hiking group Active Inclusion Network met at Ryka’s Café at the bottom of Box Hill for their first hike in Southern England. This 10-mile hike was facilitated by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team and the National Trust to provide an opportunity for us all to connect, learn about and explore the beautiful Surrey countryside. Active Inclusion Network brings together people across the UK and internationally with a common goal; to champion diversity outdoors. Led by National Trust guides on their Box Hill hike, they had the opportunity to carefully hop across the famous Stepping Stones, and after the challenging steps up to the viewpoint, they could drink in the stunning sights of Box Hill. Their mid-point respite was at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD), where a welcomed vegetarian fire-pit lunch was provided. Upon the conclusion of their hike, the group joined hundreds of local people and communities for Harvest.
As a group trying to bridge the gap between ethnic minority communities and the outdoors, we were so grateful to the Surrey Hills AONB team for reaching out to us. Not just to invite us to the area, but working closely to understand the needs of our community and then working with us over the course of several weeks and months to help us get there. It was such an incredible experience for our community and we can’t wait to return.
– Haroon, Active Inclusion Network
The Harvest event programme began with a vibrant musical set from 5 members of Ukrainian band Atmasfera. These band members are currently living in Surrey as part of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ programme, and kindly shared their talents to welcome guests to the event. Four poems were recited; ‘Learn from the Oak’ by Elizabeth Barton, ‘Noticed while driving’ by Helen Overell and ‘Poet’s Sonnet on Holmwood Common’. These Mole Valley Poets had created pieces in direct response to this landscape. The final poem by Simon Armitage ‘Floral Bouquet’ was a heartfelt and special recital by Mole Valley District Council’s Councillor, Claire Malcomson, to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
The voices from over 10 local choirs sung out across the viewpoint, including a round created by Anna Tabbush with the same name as the installation, ‘Seeds of Hope’. The choirs also sang Anna’s song ‘Harbour’, written in response to the refugee crisis and tragedies happening across the UK and world, which had a huge response following its release.
I would like my song to help all those fleeing war zones. Soon we will be welcoming more refugees into our countries and my hope is that my song will help ensure they are met with warmth, compassion, and generosity.
– Anna Tabbush, local composer
Harvest concluded with a breath-taking gentle walk down the famous Zig Zag Road, home of 2012 Olympic road cycling events, which was encouraged to be partaken in thoughtful silence, remembering Her Majesty the Queen. By carrying small lanterns, the attendees celebrated our Dark Skies, one of the many magical sights that the countryside offers. Light pollution not only limits our views of the stars, but also disrupts wildlife patterns and is a signifier of wider energy issues. The procession was a fitting end to a heartfelt, meaningful event.
Photos by Surrey Hills Enterprises member Martin Bamford
Surrey Hills Arts unveils this year’s Heathland Artworks at RSPB Farnham Heath, an annual event running until 30 October. The Heathland Artworks trail is free and open to the public, celebrating the Surrey Hills landscape and its heritage, materials, and craft. Local emerging artists studying Craft, Fine Art, and Textiles at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) have taken inspiration from the wildlife, geology and history of the heath throughout the year to develop a series of 12 temporary artworks nestled within the heathland trail.
The art trail is a unique opportunity to see the heathland in a new way. This year the artworks include ceramic built columns, miniature outdoor paintings, and thermal images of the trees. There is also a piece inspired by the historical act of turf cutting which has shaped this landscape over time. Up at the viewpoint, you can experience Walter Bailey’s House of the Invisible Hands, a Surrey Hills Arts Inspiring View.
The Heathland Artworks trail enables a deep connection to the landscape through art, and a new way to learn about the heathland habitat. The project gives invaluable experience to the artists from UCA by preparing proposals, presenting them to a panel and developing their skills to create and install the artworks. It also presents an excellent tool to promote the beauty and conservation needed to preserve the habitat for wildlife such as Grayling butterflies, Nightjars and Sand Lizards. Farnham Heath is managed by RSPB who have restored the heathland to support the native species.
It’s always exciting to see how different students are inspired by the natural environment through their art. The Heathland Artworks trail is a great way to experience the countryside in a new light and enjoy the artworks in such a special landscape.
Ali Clarke, Programme Manager for Surrey Hills Arts
Download the 2022 Heathland Artworks map here. The trail is open now until 30 October and free to visit.
Horseman’s Sunday returned to the picturesque church of St Martha-on-the-hill for a unique and special event, celebrating horse-riding in the Surrey Hills.
Both horse riders and members of the community on foot gathered at the top of St Martha’s Hill for a beautiful service led by the new vicar, David Oakden. During the short service, he blessed the horses, and they received a commemorative Surrey Hills rosette.
It was a joy to once again welcome horses and riders to the Horseman’s service. This is an historic annual event which acknowledges the work of the horse from long before cars took over the roads. It is a rural service and helps to bring the community together, so what better way than to celebrate the horse and welcome so many people, their dogs and of course horses and ponies, who all stood so patiently to receive their blessing?
Reverand David Oakden
Horseman’s Sunday is embedded in rich history, the first event occurring at Hyde Park in 1967, which still attracts increasing crowds. This was the first Surrey Hills Horseman’s Sunday since 2019 due to the pandemic, and participants were thrilled to be reunited finally for such a meaningful event. This occasion was especially prominent, as part of the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A brilliant congregation of horses and over 50 spectators took part in the service, overlooking the stunning landscape.
I really enjoyed being able to attend the service. Seeing the horses line-up outside the church walls was such a spectacle, and what better setting than in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Horseman’s Sunday is a fantastic event to celebrate horses, horse riding and community in the Surrey Hills.
Mark, an attendee of the event
Being a local rider, Horseman’s Sunday brings home how lucky we are to be able to ride in the beautiful Surrey Hills. To be able to ride right up to the top of St Martha’s Hill for the service, where our faithful horses were honoured and blessed, connected us with all those generations before us. It meant so much for us all, as we looked down on the rolling countryside below, to live in such a lovely part of the world.
Maggie, a horse-rider who took part in the service
Not only does Horseman’s Sunday celebrate horse-riding in the Surrey Hills, but also looks help enable all our communities to connect with their passion for horses. After the service, a collection was made of kind donations to go towards the running and protection of the historic St Martha’s Church, and for local charity Big Leaf Foundation. Big Leaf supports displaced young people in providing opportunities and activities to increase their sense of safety, belonging and purpose in their new environment. The Surrey Hills have been working on a variety of projects with Big Leaf during the last few months, including taking part in the Nature Connections programme, to welcome and connect people with nature. The collections made at Horseman’s Sunday will go towards their equestrian programme which gives displaced young people the chance to spend time with horses- developing skills in communication, coaching, horsemanship and English language.
The Surrey Hills has great pride in the committed equestrian communities that enjoy and help protect the landscape. Later in 2022, the Surrey Hills will be launching a new website which features high quality equestrian routes for all to enjoy. They will also utilise support from their conservation volunteers to help keep the trails safe and protect surrounding habitat.
Visit the webpage here for more information on horse-riding and hacking trails across the Surrey Hills.
Surrey Hills Arts are delighted to announce that the Optohedron by Will Nash has won the Guildford Design Award for public art. Alison Clarke from Surrey Hills Arts and artist Will Nash were joined by Mayor Marsha Moseley and Chair of the judges, Peter Coleman at the ceremony.
The Optohedron can be found on the North Downs Way near to Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills.
This follows the fantastic news that Surrey Hills Arts has also been awarded funding for their ‘Habitat’ pilot project. Will Nash will be one amongst a handful of artists and ecologists that will work together to create a green zone on campus at the University of Surrey. This project will also work to engage local communities in building innovative habitats to support local species. To support this work further, you can ‘like’ Habitat on Your Fund Surrey, to help secure funding for the future of the project.
Striking new artwork ‘Optohedron’ has been installed along the North Downs Way National Trail, a short walk from Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills. Created by artist Will Nash, this distinct sculptural seat is the latest addition to a Surrey Hills Arts project titled ‘Inspiring Views’, which opens up hidden views, undertakes conservation work, improves access and commissions artists to interpret the views through art.
This installation is a result of a huge amount of local collaboration and has only been made possible by the generous donations received through a crowd funding campaign and support from Surrey Arts and the North Downs Way National Trail. The crowdfunding campaign launched in the summer of 2019 received a huge amount of local and regional support with the target of £8000 achieved in just 12 weeks!
Ali Clarke, Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager comments; ‘We are so touched that many people were inspired by this project enough to donate and make it happen. Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed.’
Artist Will Nash was commissioned to create the striking sculptural seat, developed from his fascination for geometry and patterns in nature. Created from weathering steel and packed with timber from the surrounding woodland the seat blends into the landscape sympathetically. Concealed within the timber are three spherical kaleidoscopes, one looking up at the branches against the sky, one capturing the tree foliage and one down towards the earth. The artwork has been named ‘Optohedron’ derived from the ancient Greek: optikós, “of seeing” and hédra “raised seat”.
Will Nash comments; “The Optohedron sculpture is inspired by the act of viewing, thinking about seeing as the fundamental interface between the person and the world. Whilst exploring this idea, I investigated optics, the science of light, which took me to an ancient instrument, the kaleidoscope.”
Wildlife conservation work led by volunteers from National charity, Butterfly Conservation undertook work parties to create habitat areas for butterflies to flourish around the new viewpoint. This work is particularly beneficial for the declining Small Blue butterfly. By creating food source and linking patches of habitat across the North Downs helps the species to disperse and increase in number.
Bill Downey, volunteer for Butterfly Conservation comments; “I loved being a part of this project and working with Butterfly Conservation to help this vulnerable species. We’ve been scraping the soil back to the chalk and planting Kidney Vetch, a food source for butterflies and by keeping the scrub down we hope will allow butterflies and other wildlife to thrive”.
Also lending a helping hand with the conservation work are a team from Surrey Choices who have been cutting back vegetation to open up and maintain the views on Newlands Corner.
Surrey Choices work to support individuals of any age and disability, to fulfil their potential, improve independence and confidence and achieve valuable life skills.
Mark Evenden, Surrey Choices Growth Team comments; “The team have really benefited from being part of this project and working together with other members of the community to create a space for everyone to visit. It has given the people we support a chance to be part of a meaningful project that makes a real difference for both members of our community and the wildlife. The customers we support have enjoyed engaging with members of the public while out completing works in the Surrey Hills.”
Michael Baxter, Albury Estate comments; “Having seen the impact of the other inspiring views projects in Surrey, the Albury Estate was delighted to work with Surrey Hills Arts to introduce this innovative seating designed by Will Nash as a focal point to the clearance and restoration of this lost view over the Surrey Hills from Newlands Corner. Ongoing work by volunteers from Butterfly Conservation to promote and secure a habitat suitable for butterflies will ensure this area will be maintained for the future.”
The ‘Inspiring Views’ programme was launched in 2016 with five sculptural seats along the Greensand Way in South West Surrey.
Heathland Artworks is a FREE outdoor art exhibition and a wonderful opportunity to explore Farnham Heath this autumn. From 1-30 October come and discover delightful artworks all created by local emerging artists studying Craft, Fine Art and Textiles at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. The students took inspiration from the natural beauty of the heath, exploring the wildlife, geology and history to develop a series of temporary artworks which form part of a circular art trail.
This year the trail includes artworks made from clay bricks, glass, felt, ceramic and natural materials. Glass MA Student Pratibha Mistry is interested in the unseen root architecture beneath our feet on the heath. She visualises these important underground foundations on glass panels mounted on tree trunks. Ana Maria Lopes creates simple ceramic bird forms that seem to flock and hover over the heather. For the first time an MA Contemporary Jewellery student, Yume Tanaka, has taken part and focused on the unexplainable feelings she experienced on her walks around the heath creating tiny 3D printed forms which she then felted.
Heathland Artworks provides a new way to view and learn about the heath and forms part of Farnham Craft Month, a month-long celebration of craft showcasing new talent and local craft businesses across Farnham and the surrounding area.
Ali Clarke, Programme Coordinator for Surrey Hills Arts comments;
“It is always a joy seeing how students use different crafts to respond to the heathland. This year feels an even more important time to be able to experience art outdoors, to celebrate our treasured landscapes and be part of Craft Month as Farnham is declared a World Craft City.”
Heathland Artworks is free of charge and open to visitors from 1st-30th October. Parking is available at the Rural Life Centre, Tilford, during opening hours.
From 7 September (until 4 October) visitors to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village can experience Forest Listening, an audio visual installation by artist Liz K Miller. The installation, which will be sited in the Limnerslease woodland, brings together the sounds of a rainstorm recorded from beneath the forest floor with visualisations of these sounds, presented as a series of blueprints hanging from the trees.
A collaboration between Surrey Hills Arts and Watts Gallery Trust, Forest Listening explores our relationship with trees: can the simple act of listening reignite our interest in these fascinating and complex living beings? Can we re-learn their value and importance as the climate and ecology of the world break down?
During the summer of 2019, Liz K Miller recorded the sound of rain beneath the sandy forest floor at Blackheath Forest, also located in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From this sonic data, the artist has created a visualisation of these sounds, showing the pitch and volume of the raindrops as they crash into the forest floor.
Forest Listening is the culmination of this project, through which the artist seeks to re-connect humans with our non-human companion species – the trees. As visitors wander through the woodland at Limnerslease they can listen to the sound file on the Smartify app or via surreyhillsarts.org. A series of cyanotype prints, visually interpreting the rainstorm, indicate listening zones within the woodland.
Commenting, Ellen Love, Community Programme Curator at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, said:
“The Limnerslease Woodland, which surrounds the home and studios of the founders of Watts Gallery, George and Mary Watts, acted as a source of inspiration to both artists. The couple named their house and the woodland Limnerslease because ‘Limner’ is the Old English word for artist — and ‘lease’ — to glean hope for the future so it is all the more fitting that artists, like Liz, exhibit work in the woodland.” –
Liz K Miller said:
“Limnerslease is a magical woodland. Its winding tracks amongst established undergrowth, leading into beautiful clearings, are perfect for installing Forest Listening. I hope the artwork will emerge like hidden gems from among the trees.”
My Surrey Hills is a series of videos focusing on people. What those people all have in common is the Surrey Hills and the love they have for the area that they live, work in or simply enjoy visiting.
Each month we will introduce you to a new person and unveil their video. You’ll discover a runner, cyclist, artist, volunteer, wild swimmer, wildlife enthusiast and more…
In January we introduced you to Jude Palmer. Jude lives on Leith Hill. She loves being outdoors and regularly undertakes her passion of running in the Surrey Hills.
Jude comments; “Being out here is all about adventure, about exploring. I love getting to the top of a hill and you can literally feel your eyes relax. I can touch things, I can feel things. The scenery changes, the weather changes, you get that tingle on your skin and the smell of the sunshine but also the colours are just relaxing”.
In February you met Michelle Eastell (also known as Mimi by the children). Michelle is a mum of three and lives and works on the Nower in Dorking. Michelle is a Forest School leader and is passionate about woodlands and the benefit they bring both physically and mentally.
Michelle comments; “If I’d met my 15 year old self, I’d never have imagined myself in the woods. I was a city girl, worked in London and didn’t like to get dirty. I’m now in love with nature. Where I work now in the woods of the Surrey Hills it’s my second home. You’ll find me here at 6 O’clock in the morning, I’ll be setting up for the session and have a few moments to just be still”. Discover more about Michelle’s forest school, Dorking Forest School Rangers here; www.dorkingforestschoolrangers.co.uk
Not long until our March My Surrey Hills video is released…… watch this space!
Amanda Loomes is making a short experimental documentary film as part of Surrey Unearthed, a project that is exploring the natural materials of the Surrey Hills landscape through art.
Amanda is using the sand quarries in East Surrey for her work which will examine the historic legacy of material extractions, consider the work that is being undertaken to make the sites into wildlife habitats and the long-term effect of continued extraction of sand.
Her film will also focuses on people and she will profile the workers today and in the past.
Take a look at a short clip of Amanda’s documentary so far, which shows the sand being extracted.
For the past ten years, Amanda Loomes has created experimental documentary films preoccupied by people at work, focusing on the effort of people whose work goes unnoticed, or work that becomes erased or undone. Recent projects include Spiky Black, Chalkwell Park Rose Garden, 2017. Shoreham Sculpture Trail and The Mesh, Watermans Art Centre, 2017. Her project, Keepers, at the National Trust property at Lyme in 2016 examined gamekeepers, housekeepers, head keepers, timekeepers and their stories. Amanda was selected for the Jerwood Open Forest, Jerwood Space.
Surrey Hills Arts are delighted to announce a grant awarded by Arts Council England of 67K for an exciting new project exploring the natural materials of the Surrey Hills landscape. This exciting project called ‘Surrey Unearthed’ will see ten selected artists create new work along the entire width of Surrey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which covers a quarter of the county, engaging a wide range of people along the way.
Projects will include monolithic chalk symbols, giant structures formed of hay bales which slowly illuminate as dusk falls, an innovative ceramic installation and an art documentary exploring the process of sand extraction.
Surrey based artist Mary Branson will be exploring the processes of farming and the harvest tradition working with local young people and those who would not normally access the countryside. Mary who was Artist in Residence at the Houses of Parliament in 2014-2016, specialises in creating conceptual large scale installations, using sculpture, light and sound.
Mary comments; “I’ve been walking over Newlands corner since I was a child. I often come here for inspiration, or when dreaming up new works, so to be involved in a project for Surrey Unearthed in such a stunning setting is a real honour..”
There will be an exhibition at Leith Hill Place in July which will bring together the fascinating research and development of all the artists. There will also be opportunities for the public to get involved through a series of talks, workshops and community celebrations, which will coincide with 2018 being the 60th anniversary of the Surrey Hills designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager Ali Clarke says ‘Surrey Unearthed’ is such an exciting project. It will give people a greater insight into the outstanding Surrey Hills landscape and its unique geology. Our natural materials such as sand, chalk and clay have had many uses over time, have shaped local industry, art & craft and architecture and will now be used to create new work.’
