Explore and Create
In the summer of 2009 we welcomed 8 visits by groups that support families in Surrey. The groups, such as Young Carers and Homestart, took part in art activities and games in the Park. They also worked with a local artist to create artworks which were then displayed in Gatton Hall on one of our Open Days. The parents and children had a great time and enjoyed learning out in the gardens and natural environment of Gatton. The project was supported by The Netherby Trust and St James’s Place.
Open for Families
At all of our Park Open Days in 2009 we provided activities for families and children to enjoy as they walk around. This project was supported by Surrey County Council through the Local Committee and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council through the councillors’ awards scheme.
Discover Gatton
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Countryside Agency, this partnership project between Surrey Hills, Gatton Trust and National Trust created a new circular walk route along existing footpaths on the historic parkland. Access was improved, waymarking put in place and new interpretation boards have been displayed to help visitors follow the route.
As part of the project Gatton Park Education ran two workshops with school pupils, an artist and a poet. These ideas and illustrations were used to create a circular walk self-guided trail for families and teachers to use with their pupils.
To download the family trail leaflet as a PDF please click here.
To down load the teachers' notes as a PDF please click here.
Or alternatively contact the Education Manager for a printed copy.
Ready, Steady, Recycle IV
Our very successful recycling programme for local schools was run again in the autumn term of 2007. Classes from Merstham and Furzefield Schools visited the local Biffa Landfill Site to experience first-hand what happens to our rubbish.
They also took part in art activities and other sessions at school and at Gatton Park looking at composting, materials and learning how to make recycled paper. The project was supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Inspired by Japan
This project linked the history of our Japanese Garden with art and stories from Japan. Pupils from local schools enjoyed listening to Japanese folk stories told by Ragnhild A M?rch and worked with artist Karen Lucas to create textile hangings for their classrooms using a Japanese dying technique. Supported by the Local Heritage Initiative and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
The Magic Button Tree
Over winter two new trees grew at Gatton Park! These were willow sculptures created by local school children with special needs. They worked on a cross-curricular project that linked natural history, science, storytelling and art that was all linked to the idea of Magic Button Trees. They created stories that took place in a mythical world where the trees grew and they designed the final sculptures with inspiration from Gatton's trees. The project was supported by The Ironmongers' Company and HBOS Community Foundation.
Reigate Fort - Drawing on History
Ernest Cook Trust supported this project which worked with one group of schoolchildren, which visited nearby Reigate Fort to discover its history through drawing activities.
Woodland Trails
Access to Serpentine Wood has been improved by new paths and bridges, allowing year round access for school groups. This work has been made possible by support from The John Spedan Lewis Foundation.
Get Creative!
Ecoclub II – Wildlife Clubs
Thanks to the support of the Local Network Fund we have been able to run after school clubs in Merstham Primary and Furzefield Primary on wildlife topics during the last academic year. The children met once a week to find out about animals and plants and to explore their school grounds.
At the end of the project a teachers' pack was printed (thank to the support of Legal & General and the Reigate & Banstead Councillors' Award Scheme) with ideas for other schools to use in their own clubs. If your school (or other children's group) would like a copy please contact the Education Manager.
The Historic Landscape of Gatton Park
This project was co-ordinated by Surrey Gardens Trust. It was supported by the Local Heritage Initiative and Surrey Hills. Volunteers developed an archive that includes all of the information that we have about the history of the park (including the areas now owned by Royal Alexandra and Albert School and National Trust) and presented it in accessible forms for others to use. This included workshops for children and adults, photo albums for people to enjoy on open days and a website of archive documents and photographs.
