News from the Commons
2nd July 2026
Well I certainly won’t be dwelling on the fact that the Rusthall Common Fun Day was cancelled, there would have been no fun in the middle of a storm!
However, onwards and upwards as we launch Woodland Adventurers, monthly forest school style session taking place on the Commons on the first Saturday of the month between 10am and 12 noon. Woodland Adventurers gives children the chance to explore the ecology of the Commons, discover fascinating wildlife, create and craft, build practical skills, and most importantly, have lots of fun in nature. Sessions are free but each child will need a ticket, the Eventbrite links and further information can be found here: Woodland Adventurers’ tickets
Come join the fun!
On the 19th June we held our first butterfly workshop with William Malpas from Butterfly Conservation Kent. Members of our fabulous community and a group of super stars from The Wells Free School joined William to learn all about the butterfly lifecycle, to spot a range of species and learn and see the rare white letter-hairstreak butterfly. How lucky were we?! As part of the session, William brought along caterpillars, pupae (chrysalis) and an emerged butterfly for us all to observe and then release on to the Commons. Everyone agreed it was a fantastic session, our huge thanks to William for his time and endless knowledge.
Butterfly workshop in action.
William has been very busy on the Commons, carrying out butterfly surveys for us and has created a butterfly spotter sheet, specifically for the Commons, which you can take out and about with you on your next visit, I’d be delighted to hear what you spot: Butterfly spotter sheet
And with the temperatures soaring and not a cloud in the sky (as I write) please could I ask for your help to water our newly planted elm trees and shrubs. Just a bottle of tap water could be the difference between the plant’s survival and would be much appreciated.
And finally we have our volunteering session on Tunbridge Wells Common on Saturday between 10am and 12 noon, meeting at Fir Tree Road car park, please do come along if you can.
Love it. Care for it. Volunteer!
Common Spotted orchids in bloom on Tunbridge Wells Common.
Repairs to Linden Park Cricket Club’s outfield.
