Andrew Rossabi (President of the Richard Jefferies Society) gave a talk at Surbiton Library on Richard Jefferies’ Tolworth years on 26 September 2018. It was a beautiful sunny day and this memorable occasion was followed by a walk to the Richard Jefferies Bird Sanctuary where a young English elm sapling, that was Dutch elm disease-resistant, was planted as a Jefferies’ memorial in The Wood next to the Sanctuary fence and behind Surbiton Station.
Some 3 years later, on Sunday 9 January 2022 the tree was chopped down to the ground by vandals. Wonderful local volunteers have cared for it and given the elm a chance to rejuvenate.
It was photographed by Colin Corkerton (Chair of the Richard Jefferies Society) on 6 June 2026. It is a delight to see the tree growing so healthily now from four stems that developed from the stump.
Richard Jefferies would be proud to be honoured in this manner.
