Weekly update - 6 February 2012
This week we focus on the Council's Countryside Rangers and the work they do to make a difference to the borough's green spaces.
Countryside Rangers, Sally Jones and Richard Townsley, are the Council’s face on the ground for the borough’s parks and open spaces.
Enhancing the countryside
Their role involves carrying out day-to-day maintenance tasks to enhance our countryside, working with the community and voluntary groups and using their enthusiasm and local knowledge to ensure an informed approach is taken to managing the local environment.
Their work ranges from keeping footpaths free from overgrowing vegetation, fixing fences, benches and bridges as well as important habitat management.
Enforcement
They also fulfil an enforcement role, reporting and clearing up fly tipping, promoting responsible dog ownership and issuing fixed penalty notices for offences such as littering and dog fouling.
Trees
Working closely with the Council’s Tree and Woodlands Officer, the Rangers ensure that trees on our countryside sites are in a safe condition. When the recent spell of strong winds hit us, they were busy removing and pruning fallen and storm damaged trees.
Busy season
With spring around the corner, the Rangers have a lot to do before the bird nesting season begins. Here are some highlights of their work:
Coppicing in Banstead Woods
Coppicing helps to extend the life of trees in the woodlands. It lets in light so woodland plants, such as bluebells, can thrive. Insects and other wildlife, like the dormouse, need it to survive.
Banstead Woods is known for one of the finest displays of bluebells in the county. However, in order for it to thrive, work has to be done behind the scenes many months ahead.
Wood features for Jubilee Wood
This new community space in Tadworth was created with help from the Council and local volunteers. The Rangers played a big part in helping to clear the site and will use timber from Banstead Woods to create play equipment and benches there.
Find out more about Jubilee Wood.
Heathland restoration on Reigate Heath
Reigate Heath is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), one of the most important wildlife designations nationally, and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) because it is an important example of the lowland heath habitat. Because of this, the Council has a legal duty to protect and maintain it.
As it is a heathland rather than a woodland, tree felling needs to take place to encourage light back to the ground for plants to grow, to reduce the nutrient build up and stop it from scrubbing over.
The Rangers have just installed a new notice board for the site, which includes facts and history about the Heath and its plants and wildlife.
To find out more, visit the Reigate Heath page.
Felland Copse, Earlswood
The traditional craft of coppicing on this ancient woodland will help to maintain the wonderful carpet
of bluebells that grow each spring. Hedges along the roads in Earlswood and elsewhere in the borough are laid using hazel timber from this site.
The site will soon have its own charcoal burner - giving the area its own locally produced and sustainably sourced charcoal.
Value for money
“Our Countryside Rangers do a fantastic job,” said Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities. “Before the service existed, many of the jobs they do would have been contracted out to specialist companies, so they also provide excellent value for money.”
Good management 
“The general management of one of our biggest assets; our parks and countryside, is an important role,” said John Jory, Chief Executive. “Our Parks and Countryside team maintains and enhances the landscape and wildlife value of our open spaces so people can enjoy them.”
Weekly update by email
If you would like to receive this update by email each week contact weeklyupdate@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Last updated : 06/02/2012
