Saturday 5th October 2024
An illustrated talk by Tom Oliver, Information Ranger for the City of London Commons, and Graham Lomas, Chair of the Friends of Farthing Downs. Telling the story of the ancient and recent history of the site, its natural history significance and looking at the challenges for the future.
Tom Oliver covered archaeological digs, in the 1870s and the 1940s and showed images of some of the finds that showed early human settlement from various historical periods including Anglo Saxon.
Tom told how Farthing Downs was one of many Green spaces purchased by the City of London Corporation in the nineteenth century and how neighbouring lands were added in the early 2000s. He showed pictures of the drinking fountain, the swing boats and the tea rooms. Ariel photos showed wartime defences and bomb craters, and there were plans for housing development in the early twentieth century. Tom then talked about current activities including an innovative trial of no fence grazing using electronic gps devices hung on the cows’ collars.
Tom described some of the most important plants, including greater yellow rattle and orchids, the tall ant hills produced by the yellow meadow ants, glow worms and the site’s designation as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).
Graham Lomas spoke about planning history including Garden Cities and the Green Belt, and the purchase of Happy Valley by Purley and Coulsdon UDC in the 1930s as part of the Green Belt scheme. Coming up to the present day, Graham spoke of the continuing need for and value of open spaces, dealing with population growth, and worries about new housing being allowed on Green Belt land. He gave information about the forthcoming Friends AGM with speakers on 6th November.
On display were photos and other materials that Graham had brought about the making of the Millenium Cairn, also a 1943 OS map covering Farthing Downs loaned by Gwyneth Fookes, and an article on the archaeological dig by Brian Hope Taylor from the Picture Post in 1948, loaned by East Surrey Museum.
45 people attended the talk. The proceeds raised (after costs) £186 were donated to the Friends of Farthing Downs.
The website for the Friends has a very good history page: https://www.friendsoffarthingdowns.co.uk/gpage6.html And do consider becoming a Friend (£5 for adults and £8 for families).
Photo: Brain Hope-Taylor excavating flat graves in 1948.