This is Haslemere met members of Black Down & Hindhead National Trust (NT) Supporters at their June 2025 AGM. 

At the meeting, it was explained that at a national level, membership of the National Trust supports management of every NT property, and gives you entry to them all. At a local level, your membership of Black Down & Hindhead NT Supporters allows you to support projects that would otherwise not be possible on National Trust properties but which are dear to you around Haslemere.

It was fascinating and inspiring to hear about local projects that the Blackdown & Hindhead NT Supporters have recently supported:

£10,000 towards the all-weather footpath in the Devil's Punchbowl.

Four more Exmoor ponies have now arrived at Hindhead bringing the current total, recently purchased by the Supporters, to thirteen. Further replacements will be purchased over time, so that they have a good spread of ages on the common.

£5,000 to refurbish the National Trust pond and paths in Grayswood. This included demolition of the unsafe dipping platform and the removal of non-indigenous pond weed. The project also included footpath and footbridge renovations on the associated woodland walks.

£60,000 to the Wilder Valewood Project (includes beavers). The resident beaver continues to live contentedly within the enclosure. She has a number of impressive lodges made from trees she fells as required, fallen branches and other locally available materials and she is currently working on new dams. One is particularly welcome as it is very close to the bat roost. It is still the intention to replace her with a family of beavers but she is resisting all efforts to catch her! Volunteers go out every day, rain or shine, to walk the entire circumference of the beaver enclosure to block up any holes. There is video evidence that foxes and badgers are using the access tunnels provided, but they also continue to make their own holes under the fence. Static bat detectors, bought by the Supporters, identified 15 species of bats in Valewood in 2023 and 17 species in 2024. More common species such as Pipistrelles occur in large numbers.

The 20% independent contribution required to release £300,000 DEFRA funds for refurbishment of Emley Barns. The urgent repairs required to stabilise the three Grade 2 listed barns at Emley Farm, funded 80% by a DEFRA and 20% by the Supporters have been completed. The project was awarded a Commendation at Surrey Historical Buildings Trust Awards.

£6,000 to refurbish the old Lime Kiln in Marley Heights which houses the memorial to Sir Jonathan Hutchison, founder of Haslemere Museum.

£8,000 for rhododendron clearance and an archaeological dig at Castle Copse. Supporters funded the archaeological survey of Castle Copse, led by James Brown NT Regional Archaeologist, has revealed a late bronze age / early iron age fort. The wider implications of the find will be explored in this year’s Educate & Inspire lecture by Professor Sam Turner. Professor of Archaeology at the University of Newcastle. Prof Turner’s team carried out the ground work on the site and explored it using novel techniques.

This local group thrives on membership fees, donations (large and small), bequests and fund-raising events. They are also always actively looking for new volunteers and members to join their group.

For membership details see: blackdownhindheadntsupporters.org/join-us/.

The Blackdown painting used in this article is by Anna Campen.