Tag Archives: City Commons

Step into autumn on a guided tour with Coulsdon’s fun guys

The City Commons rangers, who help to care for large areas of open space in the south of the borough, are well-respected as fun guys to deal with. And over the next few weeks, they will demonstrate as much with … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Kenley, Old Coulsdon, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

City Commons staging ‘Meet the Calves’ open day, Sun Mar 23

The City Commons rangers are opening up their yard on Coulsdon Common on Sunday March 23 to “Meet the Calves”, this year’s additions to the herd of Sussex cattle that grazes Farthing Downs and the local commons. “This is the … Continue reading

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Calves’ arrival comes right on time for Commons’ GPS herd

The rangers at City Commons, the precious open spaces around Coulsdon, Kenley and Riddlesdown, are celebrating the arrivals of the first new-borns in their herd of Sussex cattle. The rangers have been closely monitoring the cows and calves throughout the … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Friends of Farthing Downs, Kenley, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

South London’s commons people win international award

The City of London Corporation has won the World Urban Parks Legacy Award for 2024 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the preservation, management and enhancement of London’s urban green spaces. It is the first collective city Legacy Award, … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Friends of Farthing Downs, Old Coulsdon, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Larks! Downs rangers ask ramblers to care for nesting birds

A bracing spring day (at last!) and a brisk amble across Farthing Downs and Happy Valley might be just the thing for a Bank Holiday Monday. But the rangers who look after the wildlife and habitat on Croydon’s downs and … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Friends of Farthing Downs, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Bumper berry crop could save wildlife from winter storms

A bumper crop of hawthorn berries – reckoned to be the biggest since records began 20 years ago – is bringing a big boost for wildlife across Croydon’s commons and open spaces. Hedgerows and woodland across the nation are awash … Continue reading

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Join us and Croydon Ramblers for 5-mile tour of New Hill

Inside Croydon is delighted to announce that it is joining forces with the local branch of the Ramblers’ Association to take part in an invigorating amble around New Hill, Driftway and Netherne. The walk on Sunday, November 12 (which this … Continue reading

Posted in Activities, City Commons, Croydon parks, Croydon Ramblers, History, Inside Croydon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kenley Common’s ranger finding ways to save hedgehogs

Volunteering days across Coulsdon Common and Farthing Downs, and a special summer holiday forest adventure for children are among the activities coming up The City Commons ranger at Kenley Common has been working on a project this summer to help … Continue reading

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Coulsdon’s precious commons maintain their Green Flag status

City Commons, the Corporation of London team which manages the open spaces at Farthing Downs, Riddlesdown, Kenley Common and Coulsdon Common, have been successful in maintaining their important Green Flag and Green Heritage award status. The scheme is an international … Continue reading

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Area of outstanding natural beauty could include… Croydon

Proposals are out for consultation to extend the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by almost 25,000 acres – and include Happy Valley and Farthing Downs in Croydon. AONBs represent some of England’s most treasured landscapes, whose unique qualities … Continue reading

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Firefighters stage a cliff-hanger to save Gandalf the goat

Firefighters using a drone rescued a goat that was stranded more than 100 feet up on a cliff edge at the disused Riddlesdown quarry. The usually sure-footed goat, named Gandalf by City Commons rangers, found itself in trouble after becoming … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Croydon parks, Environment, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Riddlesdown goat dies after vicious attack by off-lead dog

Just a few weeks after the City Commons rangers released a flock of six goats to graze the rocky quarry at Riddlesdown, one of the animals has had to be put to sleep by vets, after it had been savaged … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Croydon parks, Environment, Kenley, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown, Walks, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Riddlesdown’s rangers have some new kids on the block

The annual visit of a herd of goats at Riddlesdown Common saw half a dozen nannies released last week to graze the steep slopes of the old quarry. “The quarry is an amazing habitat with chalk wildflowers, reptiles and butterflies … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Environment, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Arrival of wheatears and whinchats mark the end of the summer

The weather has turned. And the City Commons Rangers have begun to notice the difference in the wild birds arriving on Farthing Downs, and noted in their latest newsletter. September signifies a change in birdlife with many species on the … Continue reading

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Magnificent seven: City Commons celebrate Green Flag awards

Coulsdon Common, Kenley Common, Farthing Downs and Riddlesdown are among seven open space areas in and around Croydon that are managed by the City of London Corporation and which have won Green Flag status again this year. The City Commons … Continue reading

Posted in Charity, City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How Coulsdon’s downland oasis is helping to save the planet

NATURE NOTES: The City of London rangers who look after Farthing Downs, Coulsdon Common and other precious green spaces are as hard at work over the bleak midwinter months as the rest of the year, including important projects to unlock … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Croydon parks, Education, Environment, Friends of Farthing Downs, Gardening, History, Nature Notes, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s mushrooming interest in wildlife on local commons

NATURE NOTES: Winter visitors are eagerly awaited, while City Commons’ guided walks made some fascinating discoveries Winter birds, including redwing and fieldfare, are expected to start arriving on the green spaces in and around Farthing Downs, Coulsdon. These visitors fly … Continue reading

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Help the Commons rangers plan for 10 more years of care

City Commons, the organisation operated by the City of London which manages a selection of green spaces in and around Croydon, is preparing its 10-year management plans, and is seeking input from the public which might influence how it approaches … Continue reading

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City Commons’ work recognised with 7 Green Flag awards

Seven green spaces in and around Croydon which are protected by the City of London Corporation have been granted prestigious Green Flag status. Coulsdon Common, Kenley Common, Farthing Downs and Riddlesdown, plus Spring Park and West Wickham Common in Bromley … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Environment, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Goats settle in for their winter’s work at Riddlesdown Quarry

There are goats in Croydon. No kidding. That was the announcement made by City Commons yesterday, as goats were turned out to graze at Riddlesdown Quarry. City Commons is the part of the City of London Corporation which manages large … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Kenley, Nature Notes, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Purley, Sanderstead, South London Downs NNR, Whitgift Foundation, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Charges to be introduced for car parking at Farthing Downs

Parking charges are to be introduced on Farthing Downs by the City of London Corporation. Through City Commons, the Corporation manages seven commons and open spaces across Croydon and south London, including large tracts of the new South London Downs … Continue reading

Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Environment, Parking, South London Downs NNR | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

City Commons Meet The Calves day, Coulsdon, Mar 28

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Commons rangers get ‘kick in the teeth’ from costly vandalism

Rangers and volunteers who work hard year-round to maintain and enhance the ecology of the downland around Coulsdon have been rocked this week by vandalism at Farthing Downs, which is likely to cost thousands of pounds from an already stretched … Continue reading

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City Commons Winter Tree workshop, Coulsdon, Feb 13

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Here is the moos: Farthing Downs calves are growing up fast

Looking for some peace and quiet? You may want to give Farthing Downs a wide berth for a few days. City Commons, the custodians of much of the downland around the south of the borough, felt the need to explain … Continue reading

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