Our Heritage Lottery Funded project is now nearly at an end.  After successfully bidding for £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund there have been many improvements around the grounds. A grounds person, Joe Conway was appointed from March 2006 to March 2008 and his handy work can clearly been seen as you walk around the grounds!

In 2006 & 2007 we ran a series of well attended courses ranging from discovering the heritage of carshalton, run jointly with the Heritage Centre, to mosaic making, traditional brick path laying and hedgelaying. We have also written a new education programme jointly with the Heritage Centre called 'The Energy Time Machine' which is now up and running. 

One of the new features resulting from the project is the new Ecology Centre Trail, which takes in the Heritage, Nature and Sensory aspects of the grounds.  Pick up a free leaflet from outside The Old Rectory and follow the trails to discover all about the grounds.  The symbols marking the trail were originally carved by the local community who attended a wood carving course for free at the Ecology Centre.  The trail markers have been cast in resin from the wood carvings, so that they are more durable and weather resistant.

You will see new hedges, mosaics, paths and Wildlife Backgarden around the grounds, all as a result of the Heritage Lottery Fund.  The final part of the project to be completed is the interpretation boards, which are currently waiting to be printed.

We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Joe Conway, John Pryke (woodcarver) and all the volunteers and members of the community who have helped us complete each part of the project.