This project started as an “interesting opportunity” in March 2019 and has grown into one of the Trust’s key activities.  Its primary aim is to encourage people to explore the Blackwater

Valley using sustainable transport and as a result reduce carbon footprints.  It has helped the Trust forge many new partnerships as it has gained momentum.

In conjunction with the Southeast Community Rail Partnership and Great Western Railway, our first initiative was to erect poster cabinets to house a map of the Valley with directions to the Valley footpath from four stations along the North Downs Line (Guildford to Reading). The stations are North Camp, Farnborough North, Blackwater, and Sandhurst.

We planned to launch R2T formally in March 2020 with a walk between stations.  We had to call this off at the last minute due to the pandemic., but the appetite for the initiative was clearly there to be seen. We intend to arrange a similar walk with a rail dimension sometime in the future.

Next, the Trust formally adopted North Camp Station in 2021 as part of the Community Rail Networks station adoption scheme.  This allows the Trust, working with other local groups and associations, to have a say in enhancing the station aesthetically to improve passengers’ experience.  We are working in partnership with the North Camp Matters Community

(NCMCA) and have already delivered school artwork installations to the two
platform shelters.

The third strand of the project was to design and erect ‘Gateway to the Blackwater Valley’ station platform running-in boards at North Camp, Farnborough North, Blackwater, and Sandhurst.  These are now in position.

As part of the promotion of the Trust, the Valley, our conservation objectives and in furtherance of our environmentally friendly and well-being initiatives, we have produced two Rail to Trail circular walk pamphlets from railway stations. The routes link Farnborough North, Blackwater and Sandhurst stations.  They can be used for a simple walk from one station to the next or combined to form a circular walk along the Path between the stations returning through the countryside – from around 3 to 14 miles depending on the configuration you choose.  These will eventually form part of a series of routes using stations as hubs to enjoy the wonderful countryside and places of interest we have in our neighbourhood.

In May 2023 we completed a landscaping project on one of the platforms at North Camp, sponsored in partnership with Southeast Community Rail Partnership, Kebur Garden Materials, BVCT, NCMCA and the Old Ford Pub. This has been a true community venture.

The potential to use the R2T initiative as a catalyst for other projects in the Valley will depend on available resources – as ever more volunteers would add value!  If you want to know more or find out how you can become involved in similar projects, please contact Chris Smith (BVCT Trustee) at chris@bvct.org.uk

Chris Smith

Mini gardeners from the local nursery school helped us to plant 100 saplings at the Holy Trinity Eco Church. Once they got the hang of roots and stems, the only way was up!

We chose a mix of UK sourced and grown plants to minimise spread of disease and pests. They arrived between 15-60cm high, so it will be a while before they grow together to provide a food bank for birds and insects.

However, we’re looking forward to hazelnuts, the hips of dog roses, clusters of rowan berries, sloes and elderberries. In spring there’ll be plenty of blossom and catkins to attract pollinators.

Once the hedge is established it will provide shelter and cover for wildlife, and a busy natural highway in the centre of Aldershot.

Last week we were hedging our bets that the driving rain might relent in time for our Friday planting at the Holy Trinity Eco church, Aldershot.

Having been successful in a bid for free hedging from the Woodland Trust, Bernard Baverstock rallied a team of volunteers to prepare the plot.

The area chosen was by the wall on the eastern perimeter of the grounds. There were already a few privet plants and a mature holly bush in situ, so the aim was to infill this with native hedging.

The first step was to clear tussocks of overgrown grass, dead shrubs and self-seeded sycamores. Luckily the rain had left the ground soft and easy to turn over so the rich soil was soon ready to accept the saplings once they arrive.

Thanks to Jane and John Heritage and Geoff Sayer who joined us to brave the drizzle!

Find out more about community planting and the benefits of our Wild Harvest tree pack.

Creating a wild flower meadow

We’ve turned grassland into wild flower meadows

How we've made a difference

As part of our Natural Surrey Heath project, we approached Watchmoor Business Park about turning some of their grassland into wild flower meadows.

They sprang into action and 1000 sq metres of their lawns was seeded with a mix of bee and insect friendly plants.

The result

A beautiful summer display of flowers, that we're really pleased with.

You can see it from the A331 near Sainsbury's (but please keep your eyes on the road!)

We’re very grateful

Our thanks go to estate manager Rachel Hope for her support in this.

A beautiful summer display

The Guillemont School outdoor classroom was officially opened by the Mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council.

Guillemont School outdoor classroom

We worked with Guillemont School to enhance their woodland area, so that it can be used for education but remain a valuable habitat for wildlife. As well as specialist knowledge, we also provided a grant which enabled the project to go ahead.

The tireless school governor, Georgina Compton, managed to get path making gravel donated by Grundon and this was laid by workers from Bellway Homes, who also provided base material for the decking.

The woodland now has a decking area with storage box seating, which will be used by the whole school for outdoor learning sessions. It will also be available for the local community.

We will continue to increase the wildlife value of the site with woodland flowers and hedging, while providing various nesting opportunities within the school grounds.

The picture is, left to right, the Chairman of the school governors, the Mayor, Bernard Baverstock (BVCT Trustee) and the Head Master.

150 walkers enjoyed themselves along a route that delivered all the scenic delights our publicity had promised.

Having seen the perfect walking weather come and go the weekend before at Easter, we were biting our nails when Storm Hannah and her high winds approached on the Saturday! But she relented, and the conditions for our biggest walk of the year were at least dry and still, if a tad on the chilly side.

A really good day was had by all, with excellent refreshments stops and a nice mix of country lanes, paths and byways. We walked through fields, woodland, villages and hamlets using some of our own Blackwater Valley path to enjoy the riverside.

Organisationally everything passed off smoothly, and our thanks go to all those who helped to make it such a success:

• our team of volunteers who worked tirelessly before and during the event
• our corporate partners Kebur for their sponsorship of the event
• Royal British Legion for use of their car park and for opening early to provide facilities early on the Sunday morning
• Farley Estates for granting access through riverside areas normally closed to the public
• Balfour Beatty for ensuring our route was clear

And a final thank you to everyone who attended!

We worked with SC Johnson to create a new nest site at their Surrey premises.

A team effort

Nest site at SC Johnson premises

SC Johnson company colleagues helped us to install this new nest site.

An ideal location

The location is ideally situated between Frimley Green and St Peters church, Frimley, providing a link to two existing swift populations.

We installed two swift terraces and a sound system to attract swifts to nest there.

Custom made swift terraces

The terraces were specially made by John Mackey for the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, for which we are very grateful.

A new tower provides homes for swift families when they return from Africa.

Enticing swifts to Tice's Meadow

A community effort

Plans for the swift tower were provided by Action for Swifts, and the planning application kindly paid for by landowner Hanson.

The tower was built by volunteers from the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group, with funding from the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund.

The nest box was mounted on a utility pole donated and erected by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) as part of the company’s ‘Be the Difference’ scheme which allows their staff to take time away from their day jobs to help local charities and communities.

We're very grateful

Colin Wilson, our vice chair said: “The Aldershot area is an undoubted hotspot for swifts and the support of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group has been colossal in promoting and actively supporting the aims of the project. The beautiful location, close to existing populations of swifts and with such excellent feeding territory on the doorstep, fills us with hope and enthusiasm for this venture. This is a great demonstration of community teamwork at Tice’s Meadow and we are very grateful.”