When 37.5 acres of former farmland on the suburban edge of Guildford were put up for auction in 2021, they looked destined for development until the local community and Surrey Wildlife Trust stepped in to acquire the site. Friends of Pewley Meadows were vital in saving the fields, enabling their preservation as a green space for the local community.
The Trust is now managing this chalk grassland site for nature as part of The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 by 30 initiative, which aims to connect and protect at least 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030. In fact, Pewley Meadows is one of the largest of fifty priority mini-landscapes for nature restoration in Surrey.
With pretty grassland flora including yellow rattle, oxeye daisies and a smattering of wild orchids, the site supports a number of insects including the rare small blue butterfly. Visitors will often be treated to the view of a lonely buzzard or red kite riding the thermals and from early spring the melodic trill of skylarks fills the air.
Friends of Pewley Meadows aims to support Surrey Wildlife Trust’s management of the Pewley Meadows conservation area, endeavoring to ‘ensure that the Meadows nurture wildlife, provide additional amenity space for local people, offer environmental education opportunities and are protected from development in perpetuity.’
Recently, the group have set up a new fundraising initiative with the ambition of raising money for a long-lasting viewfinder to be created and installed on the Meadow as an educational resource.
Friends of Pewley Meadows Chair Janet Davies says:
“Ever since we first established the Friends of Pewley Meadows, we have wanted to celebrate some of the wonderful views to the North. We hope the Viewfinder will assist in understanding the topography and be something that all ages can enjoy.
“Six home counties can be seen from the highest point of Pewley Meadows, and visitors will be able to orientate themselves, and appreciate the landscape, with the help of the Viewfinder.”
Donate here to help fund the Pewley Meadows fundraiser.