£1.6 million a year is spent on maintaining Surrey’s countryside.

The 10,000 acres are managed by the local Wildlife Trust which is funded through grants, sponsorships and using the area to generate revenue – volunteers also play an important role in carrying out some of the small jobs.

Figures show it can cost around £2,500 to clear a fallen tree and £35 pounds to empty a dog waste bin.

For information on how you can volunteer, check out the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s website:  http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/

A petition has been delivered to Crawley Town Hall calling for the rebuilding of two wooden bridges in Ifield Brook Meadows after they were taken down 8 years ago.

It’s been organised by The Ifield Society and now has 100 signatures.

It’s hoped the bridges will allow more people to enjoy the Riverbank Walk in the area’s newly protected ‘Local Green Space’

You can sign the petition here:  https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/re-building-bridges-in-ifield-brook-meadows

A Crawley man has been charged with possession of a firearm which led to a 7-hour Police siege.

Irving Court in Tilgate was cordoned off on Sunday and residents evacuated to the local Community Centre while Police negotiated with a man inside a house until 11 pm – after which he was arrested.

42-year-old Richard Staunton will appear at Lewes Crown Court on the 12th September.

A man from Woodhatch says he’s going to give his kickboxing come-back fight all he’s got after an attack outside a pub left him needing metal plates in his face and doctors telling him he’d never compete again.

26-year-old Adam Cooper told the Surrey Mirror how he was set upon by a group as he walked home from The Sun pub in 2013 and felt he would never achieve anything in sport following reconstructive surgery.

Although, originally a wrestler he says he saw an advert for kickboxing and jumped at the chance to start.

Shrugging off concerns it could damage the metal plates in his face, he says he wants to show despite what happens in life you can achieve something if you have belief.

The fight takes place on the 24th September at the Selsey Centre.

Read the full Surrey Mirror article here:  http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/man-left-with-metal-face-plates-and-told-he-couldn-t-fight-after-assault-set-to-return-to-the-ring/story-30482464-detail/story.html

It is understandable people will be feeling angry about the 3.6 per cent rise in rail fares says Surrey’s Cabinet Member for Planning.

Mike Goodman commented he can see there will be frustration over the hikes, especially as people board carriages ‘ full to bursting’ or wait for delayed services.

He says the Council will continue to push for investment in infrastructure like Crossrail 2, which will boost capacity and drive economic growth in the region.