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Butterfly Garden (photos)
As its name suggests, this small enclosed area has been planted with plants attractive to flying insects. It is sheltered on all sides by trees. These do a good job of stopping the wind that so often blows across the rest of the reserve. As a result, the garden is pleasantly warm even on otherwise cold days.
Except where noted, the pictures on this page are by Anne Richards.
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Summer 1995. Our cheerful volunteers lay out the garden and the path around it.
The workforce is a mixture of young people doing their Duke of Edinburgh's Award and volunteers from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).
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Some of the BTCV group had come over from Germany to work on conservation projects. They also made the first of the hard-surfaced paths in Lingfield Wildlife Area (pictures here).
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A few days later a group of local volunteers takes it to the next stage. They are laying a waterproof membrane and topping it with mulch. These are to suppress weeds and help the soil retain water. The garden's only water supply is what falls from the heavens.
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At the back, behind and to the left of the man in the blue shirt, is where the herb garden will be. That's described here.
 © 2003 Paul Glendell
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Hey presto! In just five years we have a flourishing garden.
It's mid-June 2003. Julie Hearn and Sheilah Gray enjoy the display being put on by the Meadow Cranesbill.
Like all our paths, this is designed to be suitable for people who need sticks and for wheelchair users.
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This photograph and one later were kindly donated by Paul Glendell, a professional nature photographer.
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One can have too much flourishing. Angela Apworth trims back some of the more enthusiastic plants.
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The plants pictured include Butterfly Bush on the right, Canadian Goldenrod on the left and, in front, Montbretia. The white flower is a variety of Yarrow.
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Kevin Boyhan, another volunteer, admires some African Marigolds, Nasturtiums and Wall Germander. (Picture by Tina Waghorn.)
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 © 2003 Paul Glendell
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The garden is also intended for blind people and those with poor eyesight.
Here, an anonymous visitor runs his fingers over one of the Braille labels to the textual map of the garden. The clever and much-admired design of this is by Anne Richards, our present chairman.
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In the background, Julie Hearn points to the more orthodox map we also placed in the garden.
We are grateful to everybody who has contributed to the making and upkeep of these gardens. It has been made financially possible through the kindness of numerous donors, including BarclaysSitesavers, British Airports Authority Gatwick, English Nature, Lingfield Marathon Fun Run, Pride of Place Awards and Surrey County Council.