Heathland Conservation Society Chairmans Report 2002 – 2003 As always, I must first of all thank the members of my Committee for all their support and hard work that keeps HCS alive and well. For the same reason, equal thanks must go to our faithful members and independent volunteers who are willing to face at times, weather so foul to help us. Amongst our volunteers, we include Woking Community Services who have supported HCS from the start when it was known as AGODC. The Police have also been supportive especially in the past and Surrey Heath Borough Council can still be relied upon for support. I must of course also thank organisations such as Sun Systems, McDonald’s and Johnson Wax for the help they and their staff have given HCS since our last AGM. I am sorry to have to report, that due to pressures at work and personal reasons our PR and marketer, resigned from the Committee earlier this year, although he remains an active member. I would like to thank him for all his hard work on the committee over the years; this has been very much appreciated by all concerned. For very much the same reasons, one of our founders is not standing for re-election for the forthcoming year. The Conservation Society and the Community at large owe him a debt of gratitude. I am pleased to say that he will remain an active member and his wife has expressed a wish to stand for election in his place. All physical work carried out by HCS which includes major clean ups of the land and is conducted with the full knowledge of the land owners and English Nature, with whom we continue to have excellent working relationship. Our relationship with Defence Estates (MOD) is as strong as ever I am pleased to say. HCS remains committed to protecting their land against third party damage as any other part of the SPA and we remain key holder for the area to provide access to the land for The Police and Fire Services when necessary. A thanks must go not only to the Chief Forester (Defence Estates) for his Support of HCS, but also to the MOD warden, who has been covering our area; he has on many occasion rushed to our assistance when trying to prevent third party damage taking place. HCS has continued over the past year to fight third party damage to the SPA but, has been on the whole disappointed by the lack of Police commitment during this time and their apparent reluctance, to both communicate and co-ordinate with HCS at same level as in the past. In fairness, this could be due to lack of police resourcing which we believe has contributed to an increase in the level of illegal motor-cycling, a loss of respect for the Law on and off the Heathland and perhaps worse still, an alarming increase in arson incidents. In the early part of 2002, a Special Constable was assigned to work with HCS, which resulted in a reduction of both illegal motorcycling and arson (twenty five fires for the year). This year without this support, we have seen seventy-five fires between 1st March and 27th April in the Old Dean area alone and many more since. Over the Easter period 1,000 Hectors were lost to fire in West Surrey alone. At this point I must stress, the Surrey Fire Service have been very good in their response to calls made for their help. A recent meeting between HCS, English Nature, Surrey County Council and the Fire Service was most constructive. The Police Inspector for Camberley recently met with English Nature and HCS in the endeavour to re-establish the understanding and proactive relationship we once had. The meeting was most successful and constructive with several possible initiatives coming forward to address several issues. Further progress meetings have been arranged. HCS continues to be represented on The Royal Military Academy Conservation Committee at Sandhurst, The Thames Valley Police Motorcycle Action Group, which includes English Nature, Crown Estates, Forest Enterprises, the ACU and other interested bodies and individuals. This Group is currently addressing the access to the Butter Hill site where it held a very successful trial motorcycling event in February this year. HCS volunteers were involved in this event helping to marshal and manage the day. If access can be sorted out and an organisation found to oversee the running of the site, there will be a local area where off road motorcycling can be legally held. HCS has for sometime been aware that some foxes in the area are suffering from sarcoptic mange. Recent reports from the public suggest that the problem may be worse than first thought. As a consequence HCS is investigating the risk to other creatures including dogs that are walked in the area and to see if there is a means of reducing the suffering of these foxes. The fox was virtually wiped out by the mange in Bristol and it is known that mange is sweeping through the British fox population, especially in the south. This last happened one hundred years ago. All canids are susceptible to mange and to most, it will be fatal. On a bright note, on the 9thAugust 2003 in hot sunny weather, a very successful training day was held on the Heathland for HCS by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). The day included learning to identify flora, fauna and learn about the safe use of tools in future conservation work. This was arranged by English Nature who also financed it. So a big thank you English Nature and to all who attended the day. The future of HCS looks good with greater involvement with conservation management now underway and also with the prospects of further training of members and volunteers by BTCV. To sustain our work, we need to increase our paying membership by as many as possible and I now ask all existing members to make a concerted effort to introduce new members. In addition, HCS needs to increase awareness amongst our local community and public at large of issues affecting the Heathland and to this end, we hope to improve our web site and also to get back into a regular Newsletter routine. Articles for both our web site and newsletter would be most welcome from anyone. As we become more involved in Conservation Management, the cost to provide equipment, additional insurance, refreshments and communication costs are rising. Corporate support is difficult to obtain at this time, but nonetheless, we hope to go forward with some ideas. Help in this area would be much appreciated. Of course any increase in membership will help. I look forward to working with you all in the forthcoming year and ask you to always remember the HCS motto “TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT” Chairman of The Heathland Conservation Society 1st October 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chairmans Report 2004 As always I must open my report by thanking my committee and members for their support over the past twelve months. I must also thank our supporters for the important part they play in giving HCS the inner strength to go from strength to strength. Evidence presents itself, which tells us that, more than ever we are accepted as a leader in our field. We must make sure that we maintain this acceptance by continuing to prove our ability to achieve our aims and objectives in protecting what we believe in. The conservation and protection of our precious Environment. It is the duty of all who believe in what the Society stands for to sell our ideals to others and encourage them to become members and to seek sponsorship to enable us to build on our achievements. Last year I was commenting on the lack of police commitment on the Surrey half of the Broadmoor to Bagshot Heath and Woodlands. . I did, however, comment on the Inspector of Camberley police having meetings with HCS in an endeverour to remedy the situation. This year I have to report that these meetings have resulted in four Police forces joining forces and under the chairmanship of HCS; we now have a Coordinated Law Enforcement Committee. This committee includes Surrey, Thames Valley, Hampshire and Military Defence Police, Crown Estates, Defence Estates, Forestry Commission, Auto Cycle Union, English Nature and Bracknell Forrest Council Rangers. The Law Enforcement Program has been very successful in reducing third party damage and may long be it so. English Nature now has in place a "Centralised Data Base" in which the details of offenders are recorded. English Nature sends warning letters to first time offenders reported by the agencies involved including HCS. I am pleased to be able to thank all who work for these Agencies and Land Owners for their commitment. Part of the SPA is the training grounds belonging to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; a reorganisation in the MOD has seen the introduction of a Land Warden to the RMA whom can frequently be seen working on the SPA. The Military of Defence Police Officer based at the RMA now patrols the area on a regular bases. Their presence has undoubtedly reduced dramatically the number of arson attacks. HCS is represented on the RMA Sandhurst Conservation Committee. I have been left in no doubt that the RMA appreciates the work we do and thank them for their support. With the help of a community grant from Surrey Heath Borough. Council and a financial contribution from English Nature, we have been able to purchase a substantial amount of specialised professional tools to assist in our land management work. During the winter of 2003/4/5 you could not help to notice the felling of trees over a large area. This is part of the English Natures Management Plan to repair the heathland to its forma glory after in some cases years of neglect. This has attracted a certain amount of criticism from members of the public who feel the trees should stay. At times it takes patience to educate people that it is Part of the management plan and that true heathland only has very few trees. I find it helps if you can explain that while the site may look a mess at the moment, in a few years it will be a mass of heather and will look a picture at certain times of the year. At the time of writing Surrey County Council are with HCS trying to redefine the footpath and bridle paths especially on the "Poors" Mountain bikers are at the moment riding where they see fit as it is difficult to know at some points where the bridle path runs. Legislation states: Cycling is only permitted on bridle paths and not footpaths unless otherwise stated. Because of the heavy plant on the heathland at the beginning of the year, it was considered unwise for HCS volunteers to work on the heath for safety reasons. This is a pity because there was a mound of work that should have been done before the breeding season started. It was hoped to carry out work in October 04 but the heavy plant returned to carry out further clearance of invasive trees. Finance is a big concern for HCS. The cost of administration is becoming a major concern. Giving free advice and trying to help students and other landowners will have to be soon reviewed and maybe a charge made in line with other agencies. Something we have tried to resist. This is one reason the members must take responsibility in increasing membership and making members feel important by frequent communications keeping them informed of the latest progress. We are looking for a volunteer who would be prepared to undertake this demanding post. Over the last year there has been a change in the HCS membership structure. There are now HCS OFFICERS. These are members who deal directly with the public in various rolls. They carry an ID card and their authenticity can be verified by the public at Camberley Police Station. There are the members who can be seen working along side the officers and last but far from least we have our faithful volunteers. Officers, Members and volunteers are encouraged to also register as English Nature Volunteers, with whom we work closely with and in many instances guided by. This volunteer system carries with it better personal insurance cover than the Society can afford. I ask all members to make a concerted effort to recruit new members and explore ways to increase our income, we cannot rely on the few to finance our work to PROTECT and CONSERVE our fragile environment for generations to come to enjoy. Finally I would ask those of you who want desperately to start the land management program to be patient while we work on reducing the third party damage that would make the clearing and planting of the site a frustrating experience, WE ARE GETTING THERE. Chairman of The Heathland Conservation Society -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chairmans Report 2006 It would be very wrong of me to start my report without first recognising the support I have received from my committee and the hard work they have put in during the past year; we all owe them a debt of gratitude. It is not an easy task to follow ones career necessary to earn a living, then give your spare time to maintaining a voluntary organisation at such a high standard of professionalism. It is professional recognition that is the foundation of HCS successes. Another group of people who are equally deserving of recognition and that is our members and volunteers without whom HCS would cease to exist. It is the members and volunteers that give the lifeblood to an organisation, membership fees help to meet the high administration costs and attending working parties gets the conservation work done. Our motto is “To Protect and Conserve” It is the protection of our fragile environment that gives the biggest headaches and financial dilemma. But before I expand on this there is yet another Group working with HCS that I must thank for their support. These people are the members of The SPA Protection Group (Coordinated Law Enforcement) HCS Chairs, carries out the administration and coordination for this Group. Regular law enforcement exercises carried out simultaneously over the twenty five square miles of the Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heath is but one of the important functions of this group in its protection of both the environment and the safety of those who have legitimate use of the countryside, both local and further a field. Represented on the Committee of the SPA Protection Group are four Police Forces from, Surrey, Thames Valley, Hampshire and MoD, Three of the largest land owners: Defence Estates, Crown Estates, Forestry Commission also Hampshire County Council, Surrey Heath BC, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Surrey Fire Service, Natural England (formally English Nature), Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and HCS. Other agencies visit from time to time. HCS is represented on The Thames Valley Police Motorcycle Committee looking into illegal use of motorcycles, which also has relevance to the protection of the natural environment and is also still represented on the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Conservation Committee. I have already made reference to funding which is one of the societies biggest concerns. This is partly because of our uniqueness being the only voluntary body dealing with “third party damage” and in the way we work. This means we do not meet the criteria required to obtain funding available to other voluntary organisations. Another draw back is that there is no funding to cover administration costs available to voluntary groups anyway. The cost of administration is one of the biggest drains on HCS resources; in fact at this moment of time it is paid for by individuals on the committee, a state of affairs that cannot be allowed to continue. We are also in need of new vehicles to be able to resume our work involving youth organisations and Community Services etc. Attempts are being made to get lottery funding but again this is not as simple as one would suppose. With funding in mind and the need to raise awareness of our work and the environment HCS held a very successful Open Garden Weekend last July, thanks very much to our secretary. I would like also to thank all of you who supported us over this warm weekend. The garden was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Surrey Heath. What of our future plans? To start we are hoping to increase our conservation work and to be able to resume the involvement of youth groups such as the Scouts, Guides, schools and the Community Services. The first part has started now we have an Officer responsible for conservation. The workload is set to increase on the protection side with the plans being formulated by Natural England to offset the effects of an increased population in the South East. The Government directive of 40000 homes around the Thames Basin will mean a potential increase population of over 100000, so we cannot sit on our laurels if we want to save our heritage of green spaces, so we can walk safely and to make sure the endangered flora and fauna will survive for those who come after us. We have got to try to stop any more species joining that dreaded list headed EXTINCT. The SPA Protection Group, the brainchild of HCS and developed by the Police, English Nature (now Natural England) and HCS, will be needed for the foreseeable future. HCS is far from redundant; it has a lot of hard work ahead of it. To succeed it needs everybody to commit him or herself to do their bit, everything cannot be left to the committee. The structure will change with sections, although answerable to the committee, working independently on projects; it must continue to evolve to survive. Increase in membership base is essential; EVERYONE is a recruitment officer SO PLEASE GO OUT THERE AND RECRUIT. Chairman of The Heathland Conservation Society - 2006.