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During this year’s National Tree Week, the Surrey Hills National Landscape celebrated their woodland habitat from the ancient to newly planted trees. With over 40% woodland cover, the Surrey Hills is one the most wooded of all our National Parks and National Landscapes.

On Wednesday 29 November, Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission and Ted Green MBE, founder of the Ancient Tree Forum, visited Newlands Corner to hear about the conservation project to safeguard one of the most important yew woodlands in the world and to unveil the Yew Tree artwork.

All images by Luke Whatley-Bigg.

Sir William & Ted Yew tree artwork — *Ted Green MBE, founder of the Ancient Tree Forum and Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission unveiling the Yew Tree artwork by Ruth Wheeler.*

Newlands national tree week — Guests in front of the Newlands Corner view. (Left to right) Lydia, Mark & Sharna, Surrey Choices, Andy Wright, Conservation & Access, Lisa Creaye-Griffin, Surrey Nature Partnership, Matthew Woodcock, Forestry Commission, Gordon Jackson, Surrey Hills Society, Gary Evans, Forest Bathing Institute, Michael Baxter, Albury Estate, Geoff Monk, Treecosystems, Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission, Anna, Yasmin, Nikki & Jonathan, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Councillor Paul Deach, Surrey County Council, Bridget Biddell, Hampton Estate & CLA, Sarah & Oliver, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Ted Green MBE, Ancient Tree Forum, Tom Hill, National Trust, Heather Ackroyd, Ackroyd & Harvey

Geoff newlands — Geoff Monk, founder of Treecosystems sharing some of the opportunities and threats to these ancient trees, and how his work with the help from Guildford Borough Council and Surrey Choices is creating a more sustainable future for these Yews, which are around 1,000 years old.

Gary newlands — *Gary Evans, founder of the Forest Bathing Institute explaining the research behind spending time under the canopy of ancient trees and our mental wellbeing.*

National Tree Week encourages everyone to enjoy and connect with the woodland and trees around them. With use of the Surrey Hills Access for All fund, Newlands Corner is just one of the many sites across the Surrey Hills which has seen accessibility improvements, connecting people with nature.

Cllr Paul Deach, Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader of the Council said.

“It was wonderful to welcome Ted Green and Sir William to Newlands Corner to help raise public awareness of the work to conserve our precious ancient yew trees. Also, Surrey County Council are delighted to be working with the Surrey Hills team and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to enhance the opportunity to access nature for the health and well-being of all our residents, making sure that ‘no one’s left behind’.”

Coalition newlands — *Chairman of the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Jonathan Fisher, and Vice-Chair, Anna Satori, experiencing the improvements made at Newlands Corner since their Access Reviews earlier in the year.*

During the evening, the Surrey Hills Symposium welcomed hundreds of people to the University of Surrey, this year themed ‘Woodland Wonder, with thanks to sponsorship from Ringway. The Symposium brought together woodland advisors, community groups and Surrey Hills Enterprises members into a marketplace for guests to enjoy.

Symposium 2023 — Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Tim Wates, High Sherrif of Surrey and Professor Richard Murphy, Director for the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey with sponsors Ringway and Surrey Hills Enterprises member, Silent Pool Gin.

The evening then continued in the auditorium, discussing the topic of the future of our trees in a changing climate.

Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Board said.

“Celebrating our 5^th Symposium hosted by the University of Surrey, this year highlighted how crucial our woodlands are as habitat for thousands of species, flood protection, air quality, cultural heritage, mental wellbeing and to securing our future in a changing climate. We are at a critical time for nature, and the recent rebranding of all AONBs to National Landscapes signifies the national importance of these areas in the fight for nature and in tackling climate change.” Read the full National Landscapes story here.

Symposium 2023 1 — (Left to right) Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Board, Sir William Worsley, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Cora Pfarre, Head Forester at Maydencroft, Tom Hill, Tree and Woodland Advisor at the National Trust and Professor Richard Murphy, Director for the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey

Guests were delighted to experience a short performance by Freewheelers Theatre Company, who premiered their first outdoor woodland themed piece at this year’s Surrey Hills Arts event ‘WonderDusk’. You can watch Freewheeler’s performance from 00:57:00 here and the WonderDusk video here.

Freewheelers symp — *Freewheelers Theatre Company performing a piece inspired by trees and woodland.*

National Tree Week concluded with the Surrey Hills team coming together to help manage the chalk grassland in the Southwest of the National Landscape.

Gordon Jackson, Chairman of our Surrey Hills Society, said.

“We were delighted finish the week tree popping at the Hampton Estate to enable the chalk downland to thrive. The Surrey Hills team were joined by Surrey Hills Enterprises businesses, making space for nature for species such as the small blue butterfly. Surrey Hills Society are also out tree planting with fantastic volunteers this winter with support from the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes fund.”

Tree popping SHE — *The Surrey Hills team with Surrey Hills Enterprises members including Shetland Pony Club and Surrey Hills and Rivers.*

Watch our Woodland Wonder short films here and the recording of the Surrey Hills Symposium here. #MySurreyHills

A special conservation day at RSPB Farnham Heath in Farnham celebrated Allianz Insurance becoming the first ever Surrey Hills Corporate Member, paving the way for increased sustainability in the region partnering with Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises.

Taking place on Friday 10 November with over 100 staff in attendance across three sessions, the team enjoyed the opportunity to get outside in the fresh air, working together in small groups at the wildlife area. Under the guidance of the Surrey Hills Society, the charitable arm of the Surrey Hills National Landscape and RSPB Staff, the group worked to remove pine trees to assist with the ongoing management and maintenance of precious lowland heathland habitat, ensuring a healthier environment for native species to grow and thrive. Removal of pine trees and scrub species means that the taller trees will no longer shadow the heather growing close by, a plant that is vital to many heathland species, including Nightjar, Silver-studded Blue butterflies and Dartford Warbler.

As part of the conservation day at RSPB Farnham Heath, the work by staff also created areas of bare ground that are hugely important for many species of reptile, including sand lizards and adders which can be seen on the reserve and invertebrates such as the green tiger beetle, all whilst learning about the history of RSPB Farnham Heath and the role it plays in supporting wildlife and for public enjoyment.

First Surrey Hills Corporate Member

The work undertaken by Allianz, one of the largest general insurers in the UK, is one of the key activities by the company since they were named as the first Surrey Hills Corporate Member by Surrey Hills Enterprises earlier this year. In June, the company enjoyed their first conservation day at Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area in Pirbright, where the team worked to remove invasive Himalayan Balsam and cleared drainage ditches to assist with water management in the area.

The Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises, launched their Surrey Hills Corporate Members programme earlier this year to allow local corporate businesses to connect with the landscape of the Surrey Hills, improving sustainability by taking part in habitat restoral projects and connecting them with other Surrey Hills’ businesses from which they can buy sustainable products and utilise local venues and experiences.

Reflecting on the success of the recent conservation days, as well as their ongoing status as Surrey Hills Corporate Members, Carolyn Rich, Head of Market Management at Allianz, said:

“Huge thanks to the Surrey Hills Enterprises and the RSPB teams for helping to make our day so rewarding. Through wind and rain our team gave their all, using their volunteering hours, to make a difference to our community. We are proud to be Surrey Hills Enterprises first Corporate Member and look forward to more days like these out in the Surrey countryside.”

With the recent conservation days forming part of an important programme of nature recovery in the Surrey Hills national Landscape, it is hoped that Allianz Insurance will prove to be trailblazers for more regional corporates to become Surrey Hills Corporate Members, asserting their commitment to a greener future for the Surrey Hills.

Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, commented:

“It is an absolute pleasure to have Allianz Insurance on board as the first Surrey Hills Corporate Member and to see them taking active steps to improve nature recovery within the Surrey Hills. We are extremely proud of their efforts and look forward to them building on their success, as well as others following their example. We encourage other local businesses to take their lead and also join up as Corporate Members.”

Surrey Hills Enterprises is calling on local businesses to consider becoming Surrey Hills Corporate Members to take part in their own vital conservation projects as part of a commitment to sustainability and a pledge of support to the Surrey Hills. Membership is through application, where businesses are considered under the criteria of locality, quality and sustainability.

For more information on the Surrey Hills Corporate Members programme, visit: https://surreyhills.org/surrey-hills-corporate-member.

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Celebrating National Tree Week with Sir William Worsley and Ted Green MBE

Conservation Day sees Allianz Pledge Support for a More Sustainable Surrey Hills

First Surrey Hills Corporate Member