Ready, Steady, Recycle IV

Our very successful recycling programme for local schools was run again in the autumn term of 2007. Classes from Merstham and Furzefield Schools visited the local Biffa Landfill Site to experience first-hand what happens to our rubbish. They also took part in art activities and other sessions at school and at Gatton Park looking at composting, materials and learning how to make recycled paper. The project was supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Inspired by Japan

This project linked the history of our Japanese Garden with art and stories from Japan. Pupils from local schools enjoyed listening to Japanese folk stories told by Ragnhild A M?rch and worked with artist Karen Lucas to create textile hangings for their classrooms using a Japanese dying technique. Supported by the Local Heritage Initiative and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

The Magic Button Tree

Over winter two new trees grew at Gatton Park! These were willow sculptures created by local school children with special needs. They worked on a cross-curricular project that linked natural history, science, storytelling and art that was all linked to the idea of Magic Button Trees. They created stories that took place in a mythical world where the trees grew and they designed the final sculptures with inspiration from Gatton's trees. The project was supported by The Ironmongers' Company and HBOS Community Foundation.

Reigate Fort - Drawing on History

Ernest Cook Trust supported this project which worked with one group of schoolchildren, which visited nearby Reigate Fort to discover its history through drawing activities.

Woodland Trails

Access to Serpentine Wood has been improved by new paths and bridges, allowing year round access for school groups. This work has been made possible by support from The John Spedan Lewis Foundation.

Get Creative!

This project, taking place in 2008 will involve school visits and family learning sessions to help in the development of activities for families to use on our regular Open Days to the park. A poet and an artist will work with our education team to create exciting activities which encourage children to explore their creativity with inspiration from the park. This project has been supported by Awards for All and The Netherby Trust.

Millennium Stones

A new project taking place in 2008 will enable school children to explore the significance of the Millennium Stones, a modern standing stone circle, installed at Gatton Park by The Jerusalem Trust to mark 2000 years since the birth of Christ. At the end of the project a new interpretation panel will be created for member of the public to view as they pass along the North Downs Way.

Ecoclub II – Wildlife Clubs

Thanks to the support of the Local Network Fund we have been able to run after school clubs in Merstham Primary and Furzefield Primary on wildlife topics during the last academic year. The children met once a week to find out about animals and plants and to explore their school grounds. At the end of the project a teachers' pack was printed (thank to the support of Legal & General and the Reigate & Banstead Councillors' Award Scheme) with ideas for other schools to use in their own clubs. If your school (or other children's group) would like a copy please contact the Education Manager.

Discover Gatton

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Countryside Agency, this partnership project between Surrey Hills, Gatton Trust and National Trust created a new circular walk route along existing footpaths on the historic parkland. Access was improved, waymarking put in place and new interpretation boards will be displayed to help visitors follow the route. Gatton Park Education was involved in running workshops for schools and preparing teachers materials to use on the route.  A short trail leaflet for families to use as they walk around has also been designed.

Discovering Habitats Children from the Furzefield School visited the park to find out more about Gatton's lake habitats. They observed the bird life and discovered which invertebrates lived in the different parts of the lake. Their drawings were incorporated into an interpretation panel about the lake. Supported by Kimberly-Clark and Legal & General Assurance Society.

The Historic Landscape of Gatton Park This project is being co-ordinated by Surrey Gardens Trust, in partnership with Gatton Park Education . It is supported by the Local Heritage Initiative and Surrey Hills. Volunteers are developing an archive that will include all of the information that we have about the history of the park (including the areas now owned by Royal Alexandra and Albert School and National Trust) and presenting it in accessible forms for others to use. This will include workshops for children and adults, photo albums for people to enjoy on open days and a website of archive documents and photographs.

Greener Grounds This project involves supporting seven Leatherhead schools with the development and use of their school grounds. This year one of the schools created a poetry booklet to celebrate different areas within their school grounds. This project is run in partnership with Learning through Landscapes.

Thank you to all of our supporters.

These organisations have financially supported our work during 2007 & 2008:

Awards for All | Ernest Cook Trust | Esure Insurance Limited | Garfield Weston Foundation |The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation |HBOS community Foundation| The Ironmongers Company | The Jerusalem Trust | John Spedan Lewis Foundation | Kimberley Clark |Lankelly Chase Foundation | Legal & General Assurance Society | Local Network Fund | The Mercers' Company | Merstham Millennium Trust| The Netherby Trust |Reigate & Banstead Councillors Award Scheme | Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust | Surrey Hills Sustainable Development Fund | The Worshipful Company of Plumbers

Funding Partners in this year's work included:

Surrey Hills AONB Partnership | The National Trust | Learning through Landscapes | Surrey Gardens Trust

In-kind support was provided by: