24th August 2005 Snaky Lane

Snaky Lane Renaissance

Volunteers are being sought to turn a neglected site in Ash Vale into a haven for local people and wildlife. The seven-acre site is bordered by
Stratford Road and Meadow Close and
is known locally as Snaky Lane. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is working with the local community to re-launch the Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group, which was first established in the 1990s, to help manage the site. Questionnaires about the future of the site are being sent out to local residents who are also being invited to an Open Day on Sunday 4th September as part of “Go Wild in September”.

The site currently includes grassland, hedges, trees and a pond. Sue Dent, Countryside & Access Officer with the Blackwater Valley Conservation Partnership said: “Snaky Lane has the potential to be a lovely site for local people and wildlife, but at the moment it has become overgrown and neglected, so we would like to try and get the local community involved in its restoration.”

Keith Boulnois, who led the original community group, is keen to get started again, but more volunteers, old and new, are needed to get the group going.

“We have been working in the Blackwater Valley for over 21 years and experience has taught us that when local people are actively involved in the management of a site the community as a whole will benefit,” commented Sue Dent. “It would be wonderful if we could get enough people interested to re-launch Snaky Lane Community Group,”

On Sunday 4th September locals are being invited to come along and look at Snaky Lane as it is today, and let BVCP know what they think, how they use the site now and how they would like to see the site developed. They will also be able to get their hands dirty and join in with a general tidy-up including scrub bashing, path cutting and litter picking. In future it is hoped the group will meet on a regular basis to cut the grass, clear the overgrown scrub and bramble and maintain a footpath around the site.

Anyone who is interested is invited to come along to Snaky Lane on Sunday 4th September, meeting at the site entrance off Meadow Close at 10.30am – tea and cakes will be available. If you would like to either receive a questionnaire or support the group please ring Sue Dent on 01252 331353.

Find out more about Snaky Lane...

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For further information please contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on (01252) 331353.

Did you know?

The area known as Snaky Lane was once the property of the Abbot of Chertsey Abbey when he was the Lord of the Manor of Ash. He was given the land in 1323 by a William Souter.
By 1871 the area had been incorporated into Lynchford Castle Farm which covered a total of 70 acres and belonged to a James Nash.
The road through Mr. Nash’s farm was named as Stratford Road in a list prepared for Ash Parish Council in 1907 although it was widely known as Snaky Lane, although we do not know why.
The site is now owned by Guildford Borough Council.
“Go Wild in September” is co-ordinated by Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and involves over 15 groups in the Blackwater Valley. It is held to highlight the work of local conservation groups and encourage more people to volunteer and get involved with their local wildlife sites.
For a “Go Wild” diary of events phone Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on 01252 331353. There are over 20 events throughout the month. Anyone who is interested is invited to visit their local wildlife area , meet their local group and try their hand at some of the many practical task involved.
Participants in “have a go” sessions need not be super-fit; they can do as much or as little as they want and work at their own pace. As well as being a good way of getting out in the fresh air, volunteering provides an opportunity to meet new people and socialise.