Friends of Barnes Common

Friends of Barnes Common is the original name of the volunteer conservation charity now known as Barnes Common Limited (BCL). Founded in 1992 as an informal group of local residents dedicated to looking after Barnes Common, it has grown over three decades into a professionally staffed organisation managing 145 acres of green space across three sites in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

History

The group began in 1992 as a purely volunteer effort, with a handful of residents carrying out practical conservation tasks on the Common – clearing scrub, managing paths, and monitoring wildlife. For its first two decades membership hovered around 150, and the annual budget amounted to a few thousand pounds.

A turning point came in 2013, when the organisation formally incorporated as a not-for-profit, limited liability company with charitable status (charity no. 1153079, company no. 08348124). This gave it a more robust governance structure and the ability to accept larger grants and employ staff.

In 2022 the charity changed its name from Friends of Barnes Common to Barnes Common Limited to reflect its expanded scope. Though the legal name is new, local residents still widely use the original “Friends” title.

Scope and Sites

Barnes Common Limited oversees conservation and community engagement across three primary sites:

• Barnes Common – 122 acres of common land, including nationally scarce lowland acid grassland, woodland, and reed-beds
• Leg o’ Mutton Nature Reserve – a former reservoir on the Thames converted into a freshwater wetland rich in birdlife
• Vine Road Recreation Ground – a community green space currently undergoing a proposed major enhancement

The organisation works in close partnership with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, which owns and administers the Common on behalf of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Conservation Work

The charity’s conservation arm, Barnes Conservation, manages habitats and species across multiple borough sites. Key activities include:

• Woodland and grassland management – coppicing, scrub clearance, and meadow restoration to maintain the acid grassland for which Barnes Common is designated a Local Nature Reserve
• Beverley Brook stewardship – quarterly water-quality testing by volunteer scientists, plus a flood-resilience project creating new channels and small islands
• Wildlife monitoring – butterfly transects, hedgehog surveys, invertebrate counts, and bird recording
• Black Poplar Project – propagation and planting of this nationally rare native tree
• Community orchard – fruit-tree planting and maintenance open to all residents

Volunteering

Volunteering is central to BCL’s work. Over one thousand members and regular volunteers contribute more than 6,000 hours each year. Opportunities include:

• Conservation work days – practical sessions managing woodland, grassland, and waterways
• Community growing – sessions at Vine Road on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (10 am – 12 pm), covering weeding, planting, and harvesting
• Litter picking – organised group events and individual weekly patrols
• Area Friends – residents who monitor specific sections of the Common and report issues
• Gully Guardians – volunteers who check local drainage systems to reduce flood risk
• Water-quality testing – trained volunteers sampling Beverley Brook each quarter
• Event support – helping at the annual Wassail, Autumn Fayre, and community fairs

No prior experience is required for most roles.

Education and Community

BCL runs a broad programme of lifelong learning and community engagement:

• Yaffles – nature-based sessions for young children and families
• School education – outdoor learning programmes for local schools
• Duke of Edinburgh – support for young people completing their award
• Guided walks and talks – led by volunteers and staff across the Common and Leg o’ Mutton
• Arts & Science Club – creative and scientific workshops for young people
• Community growing projects – including the Barnes Community Gardeners initiative

Organisation and Governance

Barnes Common Limited is governed by a board of directors and employs a team of seven full- and part-time staff alongside its large volunteer base. The annual budget exceeds £250,000, funded through membership subscriptions, grants, donations, and partnerships. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1153079) and is VAT-registered.

The organisation’s stated vision is “Conservation, Biodiversity, Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning – for all.”

Sources

1. About Us – Barnes Common Limited
2. Three Decades of (Friends of) Barnes Common – Barnes Common Limited
3. Volunteer with Us – Barnes Common Limited