Category Archives: Farming
The Women’s Land Army
A talk by Ian Everest to Beeding & Bramber Local History Society at 7:45pm on Wednesday 4th September 2019 in the Village Hall, Upper Beeding. There is a hard-to-detect car park immediately opposite.
The talk covers the role of women on Sussex farms and their vital contribution to feeding the country during both WWI and WWII. Their efforts only gained official recognition many years after they were disbanded in 1950. The speaker was brought up on a farm near Lewes and his mother was one of 80,000 Land Girls during WWII. The talk will include some of her personal memories as a ‘Cinderella of the Soil’.
Saddlescombe Farm
Please join us on our working family farm for our annual lambing open days. We open the farm gates for visitors to see us at our busiest time and share with us the hustle and bustle of our farmyard during lambing. Visitors will see newborn lambs and maybe a lamb being born, an amazing experience. We are keen to share the respect and care we give our sheep and the vital role they play in managing the precious species rich chalk downland on the South Downs. Other highlights include bale climbing, pigs, tractor and trailer rides (weather permitting), BBQ, and vegetarian food from the Wildflour Cafe.
Toddlers’ outing to Coombes Farm
Shepherds of the Sussex Downs — their lives and times
A talk by Ian Everest to the Henfield History Group at 7:45pm on Tuesday 8th January in the Free Church Hall. Strongly recommended by ARB and GJMG (who attended a version of the same talk given in Upper Beeding in 2017).
Ploughing at Fulking, 1969
If you like watching Shire horses do a task that is better done by a tractor, then this clip is for you. In addition to the two horses, there are eight people shown. If you recognize any of them, please let us know.
Hog news
Scientific Reports (Nature) has just published the first national survey [PDF] of rural hedgehog populations in England and Wales. Residents with an interest in the local hedgehog and badger populations may want to take a look.
Saddlescombe Farm Heritage Open Day
Tours of the 17th century Threshing Barn, Tudor Scullery and Donkey Wheel. You can also venture further afield for tours on surrounding Newtimber Hill. Refreshments at the new Wild Flour cafe. Children and dogs welcome. Parking £2 — follow signposts near Devil’s Dyke on the day. Sunday 9th September 2017, 10:30am–3:30pm, free admission.