In June 2026, This is Haslemere attended the AGM of the Black Down and Hindhead supporters of the National Trust. This volunteer group of 150 members supports our local countryside keeping it special.

They help fund vital conservation works, improve accessible paths, host community events, and restore viewpoints across 20 beautiful sites near Haslemere. They do this by actively protecting and advocating for the following local treasures: Hindhead Common, The Devil's Punchbowl, Black Down, Golden Valley & Woodcock Bottom, Whitmore Vale & Park & Windy Gap, Weydown Common, Kingsley Green, Marley Common & Shottermill Ponds, The Quell & Quellwood Common, Craig's Wood & Tyndall's Wood, Emley Farm, Swan Barn Farm, Polecat, Stoatley Green, Roundhurst Common, Barfold, Marley Heights, Grayswood Common & Pond, Valewood & Valewood Park and Nutcombe Valley.

Chairman, Bob Daniels, explained that he is responsible to both the membership of the Supporters Group and local NT General Managers. He and his team meet regularly with the Regional National Trust managers and the Lead Rangers to identify and advise on local needs. They are always looking to enhance mutual communications between the local community and the National Trust teams. And, most importantly, they raise funds through subscriptions, donations, legacies and events to pay for local improvements and projects which National Trust budgets do not cover.

We were so interested to learn of some of the amazing projects this local group has recently funded/supported. Here are a few examples. On Hindhead Common they were involved in the acquisition of three more new Exmoor ponies which were bought this year by Biffa. They also created dead hedges up at The Gibbet. They refurbished The Sailor’s Stone steps. They are working towards two new information boards on Miss James Walk. They paid for a survey report for champion trees in Polecat, provided timber for new benches and purchased tools/ equipment for volunteer rangers. On Black Down, they provided £12,000 for new gates. They improved path and tractor access at Swan Barn Farm. At Valewood, where the area is part of a rewilding project, there is a new pair of beavers and it believed they have bonded. The beavers are building new dams holding back water in the enclosure. University of Sussex data analysis has indicated that bats seem to be doing better in the beaver valley. There has also been an amphibian explosion. The pretty native wildflower Ragged Robin is now prolific which is such a positive development as this plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. And, very good news, the water voles released in Valewood survived the winter. The local supporter team organises regular beaver fence and bat detector rotas. It’s a huge undertaking and involves hundreds of hours of volunteer time. Bob Daniels also mentioned the creation of the Wealden Heath National Nature Reserve. This scheme unites 17 patches of ancient and rare heathlands across Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. This Includes Black Down, Marley, Hindhead Commons & Devil's Punchbowl. This brings together 2,766 hectares of nature reserves managed by the National Trust, Natural England, and several other partner organisations to help ensure a landscape of thriving heathland habitat supporting its many endangered species like Dartford warblers, silver-studded blue butterflies and sand lizards.

Membership of the Black Down and Hindhead Supporters makes a real difference to our local National Trust landscapes. To join this local group, you do not need to be a member of the National Trust. This group is very keen to grow its membership and volunteer base. Bob Daniels is keen to emphasise that your subscription will be spent only on the sites around Haslemere that we’ve listed above. If you go to this membership page, you’ll see a link to download a membership form.