Harrow Nature Conservation Forum

Bluebell Heath Project

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum £38,400 towards the cost of restoring an open area within Stanmore Common.

Bluebell Heath image

Bluebell Heath lies towards the north of Stanmore Common. 20 years ago it was a single open area of grassland and wild flowers. Since then scrub and woodland has invaded the area, so it now comprises a series of isolated glades. To the northwest of Bluebell Heath lies New Heath, an area of heathland that was restored a few years ago by bringing in heather seeds from Hounslow Heath 20 km to the southeast. We will remove secondary growth to restore Bluebell Heath to a single open area of flower-rich acid grassland and connect it with New Heath to form a single open area. Large, mature trees (mostly oak and Scot’s Pine) will be left in an open parkland setting. We aim to involve local children and adults in the project.

The map shows a closeup of the Bluebell Heath area. For a detailed map of the whole reserve, click here.

Opportunities exist to train volunteers who are committed to the project. Contact us if you are interested in joining the project and being trained in one of:

	Plant surveying
	Pesticide application (to NPTC accreditation)
	Chainsaw maintenance and use (to NPTC accreditation)

We are keen to involve local residents and users of the common in the project. You can help, for example, by:

	Giving us your comments on the plans as they exist now, or on the work as it progresses
	Telling us what you know of the natural and human history of the site
	Joining the project steering committee

To download the full application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, describing what we intend to do (2.3 MB PDF file) click here.

Contact us by email at <admin@harrowncf.org> or by post at 40 Walton Drive, Harrow, HA1 4XA.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7 billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk

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