Comment sent to us by email about conservation of Hurst Meadows:
I have lived on Hurst Park since 1986 and seen this area go from derelict waste land occupied by travellers to what it is now. An interesting thought is where will all these cricketers park? In the riverside carpark? Will charges be introduced? There is certainly no room elsewhere. Why on earth should this open land become a manicured cricket pitch? What is the benefit to local residents? At the moment children and dogs are free there, with this proposal they are not - JD July 2011
Late on Sunday afternoon (24 August) I went to Hurst Meadows specifically to do the Butterfly Conservation “Big Butterfly Count” within the proposed cricket pitch area. This involves counting as many different butterflies as are seen within a 15 minute period. My result is as follows:
Common Blue;
Comma;
Small Copper;
6-Spot Burnett (11);
Gatekeeper (5);
Meadow Brown (7);
Large White;
Small Skipper (8).
The wild flowers in the meadow are obviously a hive of insect activity and a breeding ground for many species. With the butterfly population nationwide in serious decline, it is wonderful to have an area locally where these beautiful creatures can breed and be conserved - MR 2011
What planet is Jon Elworthy on? He is quoted in the Surrey Herald article: "Around three years ago when we began this, Hurst Meadows was a scrap piece of land but since then it has grown environmentally. We definitely need a second ground, ideally as close to the pavilion as possible." Clearly EMCC has not researched their own proposal. The Meadows have been established for many more years than three! To dismiss the area as "scrap land" as recently as three years ago shows his contempt for wildlife. As mentioned in my earlier comment (below), the club should clear up the disgusting pile of rubbish strewn through the hedgerow into the copse (which will be razed to the ground if their proposal goes ahead) behind their own car park. And he may well consider EMCC to "need" a second ground (although use of the word 'need' in the context of today's society is rather open to challenge) but he should listen to the local people who fund the whole of Hurst area through taxes, and find somewhere else instead of stealing valuable, bio diverse public land. Other suitable sites have been mentioned, including the adjacent dog-free field in Grayburn Way, The Pavilion, Hurst Pool, Schools etc. If the Council ignores strong public opinion and grants approval for the destruction of the Meadows, the whole area will be taken up by cricketers (it is bad enough at the weekends as it is). "We are looking at other mowed areas in the Hurst area." Proposals for a second cricket field anywhere on the Hurst area should not even be considered as suitable and the Council has made a gross error of judgement in allowing this proposal to be taken seriously. It is an outrage and I for one will not vote for these people ever again - EW July 2011
The open space at Hurst Park riverside is a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity, and a much needed haven for animals and birds. Children from all over the area come to play and to experience the outdoors and open space. We have alternative sites for a second cricket pitch at the Hurst Pool or the Pavilion club site. This would be a totally unnecessary encroachment on a rare piece of space for all the public to enjoy - not just an elite few. It would never be reversed and it would be a loss to future generations - LS July 2011
I cannot believe that they want to destroy the Hurst Meadows in favor of a cricket ground!! I walk my dog through the meadow almost every day, as do so many other dog walkers. I believe it would be a huge mistake and an absolute shame to do this. If you really do need another cricket ground why can't they use the land opposite the meadow (Graburn Way entrance)? After all nobody uses that ground much and dogs are not allowed in there! Please re-think before you make a terrible mistake! - SJT July 2011
The proposal for a second cricket square, we are informed, is for occasional use only, most likely the weekends for the younger members; "colts". Why can't EMCC make use of school facilities? These are not used at weekends, or throughout school holidays. To do so would mean not stealing public land, whether on the Meadows, the Hurst Park area near the basketball court (EMCC's next proposal if the Meadows one is rejected), by the swannery etc. for all of which, ultra vires would also be implicated (ref: PW July comment) - EW July 2011
I have been walking daily in Hurst Meadows for several years to help with chronic illness. It has also inspired me to teach myself to identify wildflowers hence helping my mental recovery as well. While I think we should be doing all we can to help wildlife for its own sake, it should not be underestimated how important being able to see nature is to people too. We are not all physically capable of playing cricket or any other organised sport. The cricket club have already dug up an old hedgerow, please don't let them now destroy the meadow too - FS July 2011
Why is it so difficult to let meadow grass grow and simply leave it alone? - AG July 2011
I have just learnt of this proposal and, apart from the most regrettable loss of amenity and wildlife, I am curious to know the legal basis upon which the Council is able to cede the use of this land to the cricket club. By this I do not mean the planning permission that is being sought, rather the covenants etc. on which ownership and public access to the area is based. If there is an obligation to provide general public access in perpetuity throughout the area then this is clearly being breached by allowing the cricket club to use a large part it as a second pitch. Inevitably, the public will be excluded from the playing area during matches; would this be ultra vires as things stand and so expose the Council to a charge of maladministration? - PW July 2011
I am writing in support of your campaign. I have already filled in the questionnaire on the Elmbridge website, and have also e-mailed East Molesey Cricket Club to suggest that the land at the Pavilion Club could be an alternative choice, bearing in mind it has to be used for sports purposes, and is currently not in use. I have not received a reply - GP July 2011
Whilst recognising that EMCC may need another pitch, I am totally opposed to the proposal to give a private club a lease on public land - particularly land containing such a wonderful profusion of wild flowers, grasses etc which is appreciated in its present state by so many users. I am also concerned that the owners of EMCC, having acquired a pitch on the Meadows, may be tempted in years to come to sell off the existing club land for housing development and thereby pocket a huge fortune. Fanciful? I would have thought so once, except that this is exactly what the Directors of the Pavilion Club just down the road attempted to do last year with land designated solely for use as a sports ground. Moreover they had the support of Elmbridge Panning Department! And they might well have got away with it if local people had not objected - as they are now doing with the Hurst Meadow campaign. If EMCC require a second pitch they should negotiate the lease of private land, eg the aforementioned land available at the Pavilion. PJA July 2011.
It is ironic that Elmbridge council, who have been so forward thinking to create such a wonderful wild area, are now considering destroying it to appease a few rich directors of the cricket club - FD July 2011
I have heard the magical song of the skylark since these meadows were established - GS July 2011
Comments posted so far rightly indicate the biodiversity found at Hurst Meadows, and the value of the area to residents. I am frankly astonished that the Council did not reject outright the bid made by the Cricket Club. There is no need to waste public money on an exercise for which the response is clearly a resounding 'hands off our Meadow'. If the plans go ahead, it will mark the beginning of the loss of a larger area - namely the copse between the current and proposed sites shown on the map as "line of new path" which will need to be cleared for access to and from the club for players and kit/equipment etc., more parking space for yet more people carriers (that wreck the car park surface) full of even more noisy teams of children and a wider 'no-go-zone' established as soon as someone or their dog/child takes a hit from a cricket ball. Has any consideration been given to the risks to wildlife, the public and their dogs from skin contact/inhalation/ingestion of the pesticides, insecticides and lawn treatments used on crickets fields? To gain a measure of how visitors to the current cricket club feel about wildlife habitat one need only walk through the copse (I do every day) from the car park in Grayburn Way to the towpath behind the clubhouse and see for oneself the disgusting pile of debris, discarded building material, prams, child car seats, used nappies, picnic debris etc. that are dumped over the fence from the seating area/playground in the cricket club grounds behind the clubhouse. Do not allow this club to extend into Hurst Meadows. Instead, insist that the club clears the debris and builds a higher fence to protect the copse from further damage caused by their Patrons - EW July 2011
I very much support your objection to this proposal. This year this particular part of the meadows has been fantastic. I would have hoped that the cricket pitch could be sited in one of the areas that's already mown. - DK July 2011
I have been walking on Hurst Park and through Hurst Meadows for 20 or more years. I used to walk along the towpath, but now I stick to the Meadows as the towpath has become quite dangerous for me with so many speeding cyclists. I have become a little deaf and don't hear them coming. Now it seems we are all going to have to dodge cricket balls if Molesey Cricket Club have their way. How inappropriate it would be to spoil this very special place - A E July 2011
Hurst meadows is unique in Elmbridge – a very safe environment for people of all ages in a stunning local riverside location which is so rare these days. A place where nature and people can come together. I’m teaching my son about plants and animals, and the Meadows are the perfect place for this! - BR July 2011
Two things strike me about this cricket field proposal. Firstly, it seems quite clear that alternative sites do exist around Molesey, but they are not on the Cricket Club's doorstep. Secondly, just what a priceless asset is Hurst Meadows; a wildflower and wildlife treasure house that anyone can visit at any time. Its heart would be torn out merely for the added convenience of a minority involved in what is, after all, just a ball game - PB July 2011
This meadows area is bounded by paths which are accessible for a pushchair. We walked the circular paths last week with the baby in the sunshine - lovely - GS July 2011.
I have been walking though the meadow on my way to the station for 20 years or more, it looks better now then it ever has been and it a huge credit to the council. Meadows like this are extremely rare even in Elmbridge. Please do not destroy it for sport - SD July 2011
Today (15 July) on Hurst Meadows I saw these butterflies: 13 meadow brown, 6 cabbage white, 15 small skipper,1 common blue. Also a hummingbird moth and 2 six-spot burnet moths - AJ July 2011.
I am and have always been a cricket fan. I can understand why the club want a second pitch but unfortunately the place they have chosen to put it is a beautiful wildflower meadow. Such places are very rare now. How about sharing a pitch at Ray road, Summer lane, or Imber court where there are already Cricket pitches with mown grass and it will not inviolve the destruction of wildlife - WB July 2011
I wonder how the cricket club persuaded the powers -that-be to allocate some of our wildflower meadows? They are a private club with a paying membership and they can well afford to provide for their own pitches without nicking public areas. Seems all wrong if we have to sacrifice our land to them - JG July 2011
Did anyone else hear the lark singing above Hurst Meadow this week. As larks nest on the ground it must have a nest somewhere near the meadow. - CM July 2011
If you would like to make a comment about the proposal or send photos of Hurst Meadows which can be added to this website please sent them to the above email address.