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In addition to the annual programme of walks and talks
2005
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Inauguration of the Friends Group during National Archaeology Week at the site of an archaeological survey being carried out on Farthing Downs.
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2006
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Friends win a grant for a further archaeological survey on Farthing Downs
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Sponsoring a Beech Tree as part of the restoration of the original seven beech trees, known as the Folly, dating from the 18th century
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Friends organise refurbishment of the damaged Cairn plaque including a fundraising event at the Celebrating Coulsdon Day and opening of the Relief Road on 2nd December
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First Friends Annual BBQ.
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2007
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Friends organise Archaeology week at Coulsdon Library including exhibition, talks and Finds Handling Session for children
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Public consultation, including public exhibition, for the refurbishment of the Farthing Downs car park and proposals for new public facilities.
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2008
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Family Learning Week, Coulsdon Library: The Friends and Farthing Downs Rangers organise: ‘The Web of Life’ on Farthing Downs – a game devised for children to find out how the environment works
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Library exhibition: ‘Archaeology of the Downs’ and illustrated talk: ‘The Natural History of the Downs’
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Publication of the Archaeological report on surveys carried out in 2005 and 2006.
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2009
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Friends committee involved with outline proposals for the refurbishment of the Farthing Downs Car Park
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Friends sponsor and provide information for a new information board
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Friends Fun Day on Farthing Downs – September.
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2010
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Friends continue to be involved with the design of new information board for Farthing Downs
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Second Farthing Downs Fun Day (over 1000 local people attend)
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Friends sponsor night time wildlife camera.
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2011
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Inaugural AGM and presentation of constitution
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Installation of drinking water dish for dogs by the toilet block following request from Friends Committee members.
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2012
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Friends of Farthing Downs Website goes on line
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Friends Sunday afternoon Tea Stall on Farthing Downs produces £100 surplus for funds
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Contribution to Association of Croydon Conservation Societies for ‘Green Croydon for All’ leaflet.
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2013
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Involvement with planning proposals for Cane Hill and effect on Farthing Downs Exploration into protection of local open spaces
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Support for proposal for a North Downs Country Park
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Friends undertake to raise local awareness of pressures on Green Belt land for development also undertake to keep a watching brief on local authority Green Belt policy.
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2014
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Coulsdon South Station Gardening Project begins in February. See 'Greening of Coulsdon South Station' below.
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Friends produce Station poster publicising Farthing Downs & Happy Valley for permanent display
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Friends sponsor reprint of the Farthing Downs & Happy Valley Nature Trail booklet following refurbishment of the trail
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Trail way markers installed on new trail posts with QR code link to Friends Website (click ‘Nature Trail’ in Contents on left)
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Launch of Map of the Green Belt, compiled by the Friends Chairman Graham Lomas.
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2015
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Friends sponsor permanent photographic display at Coulsdon South Station of Happy Valley landscape ‘Through the Seasons’.
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2016
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Submission to Tandridge Council’s Draft Local Plan opposing proposals for a housing development on the Surrey National Golf Course, bordering Happy Valley (the proposal was turned down)
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Friends sponsor a new information board for Farthing Downs featuring the Nature Trail and QR code.
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2017
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Friends gain a grant from Croydon’s ‘Ambitious for Parks’ project for equipment and materials for improvements to footpaths on Happy Valley
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Agreement at the Friends Annual General Meeting that the Friends of Farthing Downs will officially become ‘Friends of Farthing Downs & Happy Valley’.
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2018
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Sponsorship of replacement of the iconic Way Maker for the Folly, Farthing Downs
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Support for proposal by English Nature for Farthing Downs, Happy Valley, Coulsdon Common, Kenley Common and Riddlesdown to be declared a National Nature Reserve in the summer of 2019.
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Purchase of Wildlife Camera for Happy Valley
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2019
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Contribution towards reprint of the Green Croydon leaflet
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2020
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Publication of our Nature Trail Booklet. This major project saw the research, design and printing of FoFD&HV's innovative illustrated booklet detailing the 29 post trail through Farthing Downs and Happy Valley with 'What to see at each post', illustrations and guide. It has become extremely popular for walkers and lovers of nature on the Downs.
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2021
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Launching of Nature Trail and Audio (QR) Guide. Stalls on Farthing Downs by Happy Valley (Croydon), City of London, ACCS, Downlands Partnership and FoFD&HV with large map of the Nature Trail. All contributors were invited including all the translators.
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Another wonderful concept from our Happy Valley Ranger: QR codes on each of the 29 Nature Trail posts give access to commentary of what to see at the post and directions to the next post. The speakers are famous personalities from accross the UK. Go and experience it yourself – you're in for a great surprise. The QR information is held on this website – to see and hear it now, click Nature Trail. We've had enquiries from across to country on how it was done.
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Holding of the 'More Trees' Symposium with speakers from City Commons, Croydon Council and the Woodlands Trust.
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2022
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And it gets even better. Choose your language – Nature Tail QR commentaries added for other languages – now in English, French, Hindi and Polish.
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Publishing of booklet 'Shaping up to Climate Change'. Fifteen articles including write-ups of the 2021 Symposium with copious illustrations and maps.
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Gill Peachey Memorial Benches with 'butterfly motiifs' erected having received huge contibutions following her passing in 2021.
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2023
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FoFD&HV hold an 'Archaeology Day' on Farthing Downs on 2nd September to celebrate 75 years since the Excavations of Brian Hope-Taylor. Stalls by local groups and the City. Events included 'History Walks' led by Historic England, a talk on Brian Hope-Taylor, display of Archaeological Artifacts and exhibitions by City of London, Bourne Society and Friends of Farthing Downs and Happy Valley. Our Chairman contributed a pamphlet on 'Living in Coulsdon 2000 Years Ago'.
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Natural England starts consultation of extension of 'Surrey Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. Many additions proposed including Farthing Downs and Happy Valley. FoFD&HV consult members with specially produced booklet and respond to Natural England. 2025: No decision has yet been made.
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Biology Net Gain is the new hot topic. FoFD&HV invite special speaker and respond to consultations.
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2024
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FoFD&HV fund 'New Fingerposts' for New Hill
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'Grey Field' deveopment promulgated by Government. Essentially the buiding of houses on lesser-valued Greenbelt. FoFD&HV invite speakers, produce booklet and respond to consutations.
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2025
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Further bench on Happy Valley facilitated following donation
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An Anniversary Day was held on Farthing Downs on 15th June to celebrate 50 special years of protection as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (both Farthing Downs and Happy Valley) where rare wild flowers and wildlife thrive. Also celebrating 25 years since the unveiling of the Millennium Cairn and 20 years since the inaugurations of Friends of Farthing Downs. Archaeology Walk led by Historic England, Wildlife Walk led by City Ranger, Wildflower Walk led by Happy Valley Country Warden. Stalls by The Friends, CNHSS, Farthing Downs (City of London), Happy Valley (Croydon), Downlands Trust, ACCS, RSPA. Children's Wildlife Quiz with Prizes.
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New gazebo's purchased to replace worn out ones which had given many years of valuable service.
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Fundraising Tombola held for the second year as part of our regular presence at the Old Coulsdon Fair. Also on sale from the Friends Stall were newly designed FoFD&HV Fridge Magnets and Presentation Cards featuring original paintings of 'The Folly' (the high point with the beech trees and fingerposts).
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