In 1988 an area of approximately 48 acres of land adjacent to Ashtead Woods Road was acquired by my husband and myself from the estate of the late Lord Barnby, who had expressed the strong desire that the land be retained in single ownership to preserve the character of an area of land which, with the exception of some peripheral building, has remained little changed for many centuries. The land is bisected by the Rye Brook, which is designated a "main river" and is a tributary of the River Mole.
Over the last 24 years some of the land, mainly in the upper area, has been used for low intensity grazing for horses. The income from this has contributed to the cost of the general maintenance of the whole area and, inter alia, the clearing of natural and man-made debris from the environs of the Rye, tree felling and clearance where necessary for safety reasons, and the cutting and preservation of hedges. In addition significant work has been undertaken over the years in keeping clear the two footpaths which traverse the land from Preston Grove and Fairholme Crescent, giving direct access to Ashtead Common. This work has also included the building and restoration of stiles.