Plans take flight for new swift tower

Swifts which return to Shalford every year will soon have a new place to nest, thanks to a new project funded by Section 106 developer contributions and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Will Nash has been appointed as the artist to design a new swift tower, which will be unveiled in time for the swifts to return in late spring next year.

A Swift Tower is a free-standing structure, with lots of boxes for swifts to build their nests in. As traditional nesting sites in buildings are being lost, it is important to replace them and help stop the decline of swifts.

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council says: “We are delighted to appoint Will Nash as the artist to design the new swift tower in Shalford. Swifts are an important species, currently in decline, and the swift tower will provide them with an ideal place to nest when they return every year. We are working in partnership with the Surrey Hills Trust Fund and Shalford Parish Council on this project, which will be unveiled in 2019.”

Cllr Alan Midgely from Shalford Parish Council says: “The parish council is very pleased to see this project coming to fruition and in particular that it will have a link to the local environment and natural character of Shalford and the Common. Swifts are regular visitors to the area and it will be good to have an attractive local feature that will support their habitat and their numbers in the future.”

Gordon Jackson, Chairman of the from Surrey Hills Trust Fund says:
“We are delighted to award a grant towards this exciting concept. The Surrey Hills Trust Fund is keen to support projects that conserve and enhance the fragile environment of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and preserve the local eco-system”.

Section 106 monies, which are planning developer contributions for art, will fund most of the project. It is also supported by a generous £2,000 donation from the Surrey Hills Trust Fund.