Nork Park Conservation Volunteers - Nork Residents' Association

THIS highly active group of local residents and park users meet monthly through the autumn/winter season to carry out various management and repair tasks in our splendid local natural park. The land was acquired by the then Banstead Urban District Council in 1948 under the Public Health Act and covers a total of 116 acres. Formerly the site of Nork House, which was built by the local Buckle family in the 18^th century, but latterly occupied by the Colman family of mustard fame, it used to feature a walled kitchen garden, an arboretum and more than one tree-lined drive. The road now called The Drive once had a set of magnificent wrought iron gates at its eastern end. Currently, plans are being formulated to retore public access to the kitchen garden area, which is very overgrown, and make it a useable space for recreational activity.

The park is very bio-diverse, being largely on what is now relatively rare chalk downland, and it is a registered Site of Nature Conservation Interest. This confers certain protections and restrictions on it, so the Borough Council maintains a detailed management plan for its upkeep.

Some of the land was let to a farmer until relatively recently, and he used to graze cattle on the field next to the Reigate Road. Taking the animals away for a number of years changed the ecology of the soil, as well as leaving the site vulnerable to illegal encampments, so the area has in recent years been securely fenced so that a small group of three Sussex cattle can be left to lightly graze the area each year from early spring to summer. This year they arrived at the end of February.

The Conservation Group works under the guidance of the Borough Countryside Officer, and carries out a wide spectrum of tasks, from tree and scrub clearance to pond cleaning, restoring damage caused by people who should know better, opening up footpaths and generally keeping things safe and tidy. We have our own tools. Members need only provide suitable working garb and stout footwear. We even provide tea!

The picnic area with the magnificent views to the west of London, including the Wembley Stadium arch, is actually on the site of the old house. The Canadian army was billeted in the park during WW2, and some traces of their presence are still evident if you know what to look for.

The pandemic has brought a halt to our activities in 2020, but we hope to get back to work, all being well, come next September. We normally schedule a regular Sunday morning once a month until March/April time, in order not to risk disturbing nesting birds or other wildlife. Our schedule is published here and in our Quarterly Magazine, but we also maintain a members list so we can circulate detains by email.