23rd January 2007

Improved Access for Snaky Lane

A grant of £7,873 made to the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust (BVCT) for a new footpath and other access improvements has made it easier for residents in Ash Vale to enjoy their local wildlife area known as Snaky Lane. The grant awarded last year by the Hanson Environment Fund and  supported by a 10% contribution from local company SC Johnson, paid for a new surfaced footpath to be installed across the site and to the wildlife pond, where a new countryside bench has been erected. Now visitors, particularly those with limited mobility, will find it much easier to walk around the site, access the pond and sit and enjoy the views.

Dave Pilkington chairman of the BVCT said: “The Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group are doing a terrific job managing this site and we are delighted that our successful grant bid has facilitated such important site improvements. With the new surfaced path and bench, more people will be able to get around the site and see for themselves what a lovely local wildlife area it is. Our thanks go to both the Hanson Environment Fund and S.C. Johnson for supporting our bid and giving us the money.”

Located in the very north-west corner of Guildford Borough, the Snaky Lane wildlife area is bordered on two sides by Stratford Road and Meadow Close. It is managed by the Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group, which was first formed in 1993 when enthusiastic local residents working with the owners, Guildford Borough Council, began to develop the area for people and wildlife.  With the help of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, the group now meet on the first Sunday of each month to carrying out conservation and management work on the site.

Snaky Lane is one of the few areas of unimproved grassland in the area comprising two distinct areas of mixed grassland, each one managed under different mowing regimes in order to maintain the rich floral mix. As the grass re-growth is managed it is hoped that the wildflower population will increase with a corresponding increase in insect populations. The site supports a number of other habitats including hedgerows, trees and a wildlife pond.

As access across the site has improved the Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group are appealing to local people and businesses for donations to help to put in signs and information boards at the site entrances.  Mary Langsford the group's Treasurer said: “Since we started to publicise the site and the work we’ve been doing, we’ve had several people comments from people who don’t where Snaky Lane is. Our first priority is an information board for the site entrance off Stratford Road.”

Anyone who is interested in helping or would like to find out more about Snaky Lane should ring Sue Dent on 01252 331353.

END

For further information contact:
Sue Dent or Christine Reeves 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 owned by Guildford Borough Council.