Situated on the Purley and Kenley border, Foxley Woods is an area of historic woodland severely damaged by the 1987 gales. But a small group of volunteers, led by John Bishop, has transformed the site. Nominated for the Community Champion award, he tells KIM THEOBALD about the work of the Friends of Foxley.

Little did John Bishop know that when he gave a 20-minute talk to appeal for help to preserve Foxley Woods it would change his life.

Set between Higher Drive and Northwood Avenue is Foxley Woods and Sherwood Oaks Field, an area of 26.5 acres of historic woodland dating back to 1868.

The area was severely devastated by the 1987 gales. Five years later John, of Kenmore Road, Kenley, contacted the residents' association for help. He says: "We did not lose many trees during the gales but the trees that did come down came down across pathways. There was no right of way and it came to be like a jungle.

"I wrote to Chris Baguley, who was then secretary of the Kenley and District Residents' Association, and told him of my concerns; he gave me 20 minutes to speak to the committee."

It was during this 20- minute talk that John, 79, persuaded the committee that the area was not being looked after and something should be done.

John, who has lived in Kenley for 25 years, took Chris and the late Alan Carey on a walk through the area and it was through Alan's background and knowledge that things got underway.

It was after this that Friends of Foxley Woods was born and since then the group has, among other things, reclaimed chalk downland, cleared scrub areas, improved public access and created a nature trail.

John, a great-grandfather of three, has severe mobility problems and walks with a stick so he makes fewer visits to the area, but volunteers still work there.

John says: "Generally speaking we have four or five volunteers that come along on a working day, which is the second Sunday of every month."

Due to the hard work of John and his fellow volunteers, Croydon Council this year designated the whole area as a local nature reserve.

John, a retired mechanical design engineer, feels this makes a difference to people moving into the area. "People move to Kenley and it is the views that attract the people," he says. "As the land is now a local nature reserve we have a duty to manage it as a public amenity and that is what we are doing."

John was nominated for a Champions award by Christopher Baguley, chairman of Kenley and District Residents' Association, who said: "John Bishop should be a Croydon Champion because of his outstanding contribution to community and environment over many years.

"The drive, enthusiasm and motivation shown by John is worthy of an able man 20 or so years his junior. John is in fact around 80 and has quite severe mobility problems but he just gets on with it."

John calls himself a background man but said of his nomination: "Chris is a great support and I am very grateful for his nomination."

If you would like more information on Friends of Foxley and the work they do email parks@croydon.gov.uk.

If you know someone who you feel deserves recognition for their hard work then let us know by filling in the nomination form below.