Dorking Anglers and Businesses Team Up to Save the River Mole
An Invasive Threat to Our Cherished Surrey Waterways
The River Mole, winding gracefully through Dorking, Brockham, and Pixham, is the environmental lifeblood of our local Surrey countryside. These scenic riverbanks are where residents walk their dogs, families enjoy weekend picnics, and members of the Dorking Angling Society spend quiet mornings in search of chub and roach. However, an invasive threat is silently devastating this idyllic ecosystem. American mink, originally brought to the UK for fur farming, have established wild populations and earned a reputation as relentless “killing machines.” Lacking natural predators in the British countryside, they decimate local wildlife, bringing native water voles and ground-nesting riverbirds to the brink of local extinction. To combat this ecological crisis, local anglers and river keepers are being actively recruited to track and humanely capture these predators. By protecting the River Mole and its vital tributaries, such as the Pippbrook, the community is rallying to preserve the fragile natural heritage that defines our beautiful Surrey Hills area. For Dorking residents, saving our local waterways is about maintaining the balance of an ecosystem we all share and cherish.
How Local Trades and Anglers Are Joining Forces
Saving our rivers requires a true community effort, bringing together passionate conservationists, volunteers, and local businesses alike. Take Dave Miller, a dedicated member of the Dorking Angling Society who also runs a successful Surrey-based property renovation firm. When he is not managing a complex loft conversion or overseeing a detailed loft refurbishment for homeowners in the nearby villages, Dave coordinates the mink monitoring traps along the riverbank. “Our natural waterways are just as important to maintain and restore as our local homes,” Dave explains. This hands-on initiative has also received support from Guilford builders and trade suppliers, who have generously donated timber and materials to construct floating clay rafts. These rafts are essential tools, allowing volunteers to identify the distinctive footprints of mink before setting humane traps. By bridging the gap between local commerce and environmental activism, this collaborative project highlights how Dorking’s skilled trade community is investing back into the local landscape. It shows that everyone, from builders to anglers, has a role to play in safeguarding Surrey’s precious wildlife habitats.
How You Can Help Protect Dorking’s Wildlife
The broader impact of this ecological rescue mission extends far beyond the angling community. A healthy, mink-free River Mole means the triumphant return of the native water vole—famously immortalised as ‘Ratty’ in classic British literature—which has suffered a devastating 90% decline across the nation. Local residents can play a crucial role in this wildlife recovery effort. If you enjoy walking near Deepdene, exploring the Mole Gap trail, or relaxing by the stepping stones, you can assist by keeping a watchful eye on the riverbanks. Sightings of these dark-furred, ferret-like animals should be reported directly to the Surrey Wildlife Trust or our local angling groups. Looking ahead, conservationists hope to establish a completely mink-free corridor stretching from Dorking all the way to the River Thames. As you enjoy the Surrey countryside this season, look out for the floating monitoring rafts tucked quietly into the riverbank reeds. By supporting the local businesses involved in these conservation efforts and staying vigilant on our daily walks, we can all contribute to a thriving, biodiverse environment right on our doorstep.
Source: The ‘killing machines’ in the countryside – BBC Sounds
