Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve and the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve all have a community group associated with them.  These groups comprise of individuals who value their countryside and are concerned with its protection and effective management.  The Countryside Team work closely with these groups and consult with them on all aspects of site management.

The Friends groups detailed below all have regular committee meetings which are usually attended by a member of the Countryside Team, allowing for positive dialogue between the Council and local residents.  The community groups produce their own websites and newsletters and, with guidance and supervision from the Countryside Team, take part in practical nature conservation tasks.

Please read on for more information about the community group associated with each countryside site.  For general information about nature conservation volunteering in the Borough, please follow this link for more information.

Epsom Common Association

The Epsom Common Association was formed in 1974 by Mr T Dowman and other residents living on the Wells Estate next to the Common.  The Association formed because of a perception that the wild nature of the Common was threatened by a new road proposal.  The road never happened but the Association continued and managed to persuade the Council to improve access by creating the all-weather circular horse ride to improve the condition of the grass paths.  The shining achievement of the Association was the restoration, by volunteers, in 1980 of the medieval 'Great Pond' which was drained over a century previously.  The restoration of the 'Great Pond', shown below, is a great example of what local people can achieve.






                
Today the Association is still thriving and continues to work closely with the Council.  In recent years a volunteer work party, the ECOVOLS, has been formed to carry out nature conservation tasks on the Common.  They are shown above producing charcoal from trees on Epsom Common, felled as part of our woodland management activities.

If you would like to find out more about the Epsom Common Association, please contact its Chairman, Vic Hayden, on 01372 812399 or log onto www.epsomcommon.org.uk.

The Friends of Horton Country Park

The Friends of Horton Country Park were formed in October 1999 to provide a line of communication between Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and members of the general public interested in improving Horton Country Park.  The group is well established with regular newsletters and conservation tasks. The Friends are shown below undertaking a winter scrub management task:  



To find out more about the Friends please visit their web site at www.friendsofhorton.co.uk. or contact their Chairman, Brendan Kilby, on 0208 391 5925 or email bpkilby@aol.com.

The Friends of the Hogsmill

The Friends of the Hogsmill was set up in early 2004 to help us look after the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve. The Friends have been involved in organising volunteer litter picks and have started taking part in practical tasks identified in the ten-year management plan for the Hogsmill.  Volunteers are shown below clearing litter from the river and cutting back vegetation to improve the view of and access to the Clinker Bridge.  They have regular meetings and keep us informed of anything they see or hear which can help us manage the area.  



For more information about the Friends of the Hogsmill please contact a member of the Countryside Team on 01372 732000 or send them an email.