This document was transcribed by Sean Edwards from photocopied pages in the Thursley History Society archives, 16 February 2012. Although described by the author as short, it provides a concise but comprehensive overview as can be seen from the contents below.
Introduction
Thursley Common in south-west Surrey, a National Nature Reserve since 1978, is a very special place. Highly regarded for its outstanding wildlife interest, deemed precious, and therefore something to be conserved for us and for future generations, it is today a mere fragment of a once extensive tract of heathland that was the very essence of this part of southern England.
It may come as a surprise to many people that this ecological gem is not entirely natural and that it is an artificial habitat — a by-product of historic land-use. Thursley Common exists because man has created it, and that which is so highly valued today is largely the result of centuries of man’s use and abuse.
Thursley Common is, therefore, something of a paradox. For centuries it has been dug up, burnt and grazed. In more recent times it has been partially afforested, severely burnt, blown up, driven over and stripped of its vegetation. Somewhat incredibly, in view of such a history of exploitation, it is now regarded as the outstanding area of lowland heath and valley bog in southern England - the home to 26 species of dragonfly, to somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 different types of insects, and to many rare plants as well as being the breeding ground of 69 bird species.
To help you understand how Thursley Common has evolved, this short historical account will guide you back over its long history and explain how the past pattern of land-use is the key to the way in which the site is managed today.
Contents include:
How the Common Began
The Saxon Period
The Medieval Period
Rights of Common
The Peat Deposit
The Iron Industry
Heather and Gorse
Will Reeds Wood
The Parish Field
Pudmore Pond
The 19th century rural economy and management of the Common
Grazing
The Broomsquires
Recognition of Thursley’s wildlife value
Recreation
Military Use
The Whitbread era
Nature Conservation
Exchange of Rights
Thursley Common today
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Read the full paper which consists of 14 pages including a comprehensive bibliography
