The Bluebells at Furzefield should be good from this weekend for a while (depending on the weather).
Do please come up and have a look – but it would be good if you could ring 857271 beforehand.
No dogs and children under control, please.
Bob & Pam Rowland
3rd May 2015 — 11:00am till 3:00pm in the Village Hall
Come and buy or swap seedlings, vegetables and flowers and have tea and cakes.
But do come early as we sell out quickly!
Chris Gildersleeve, 552
Churchyard attendants urgently required: two people with petrol strimmers to join us in May by helping to trim the grass round the graves. This work usually takes place once a month on a Saturday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm during the summer months, weather permitting. If you are able to help, please contact Tony Brooks on 200 for more details.
The gardens at Newtimber Place will be open as part of the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) on Sunday 19th April between 2pm and 5.30pm. The gardens are lovely at this time of year with stunning daffodils and beautiful fritillaries. Beautiful Grade I listed C16/C17 moated house (not open). Gardens and woods full of bulbs and wild flowers in spring. Herbaceous border and lawns. Moat flanked by water plants. Mature trees. Wild garden, ducks, chickens and fish. Tea and home made cakesin aid of the church. There are ducks, chickens and guinea fowl wandering around so dogs need to be kept on a lead. Admission £4.00, children free.
With blackthorn and wild plum in blossom, early butterflies on the wing and also kestrels and buzzards to spot. April is a magical time to visit Woods Mill as spring takes hold at a galloping pace. A mixture of woodland and meadow with good views of the South Downs, this peaceful nature reserve near Henfield is centered around a large reed-fringed pond.
Mute swan, little grebe and heron can all been seen on the pond and you may even be lucky enough to see a flash of a kingfisher. Removal of fish a couple of years ago has rejuvenated the pond. The water is now clear enough to see the tadpoles of the frogs and toads and grass snakes bask on its sunny banks.
Over the Easter school holiday, we will be running regular drop-in pond dipping sessions with the Woods Mill Warden on-hand to help you find out what you have caught. Newts, water boatmen and dragonfly nymphs all thrive in the numerous ponds.
Woods Mill is free to visit. It has a car park, public toilets and a wheelchair friendly all-weather path .. but no dogs are allowed on the nature reserve.
A guided walk exploring the woods and ancient downland of one of the most remarkable hills on the South Downs. Here you will discover ancient beech trees, a mysterious history and a bizarre lunar landscape created by billions of ants.
Booking not needed. Sunday, 11th January 2015, 10:00am — 1:00pm, all tickets £3. Meet at Clayton recreation ground, just off the A273. More Information: Graham Wellfare, 01273 857712, graham.wellfare@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Sussex Wildlife Trust is offering a course taught by Graeme Lyons in Woods Mill on Friday 20th February from 10:00am to 4:00pm:
An introduction to bryophytes, their taxonomy and ecology. We will learn the terminology and different parts of the plants before spending the morning identifying specimens in doors. After lunch we will venture into the woods where we will identify bryophytes in the field. Many of the plants are very small and use hand lenses are required throughout. Latin names will also be used in the absence of widely used English names. Suitable for people who have had some experience in plant identification and introduction to taxonomy. Also for ecologists, professionals, biology and ecology students.
You will need to book.
[If you are planning to convert your field into a campsite, or trying to stop someone else from doing so, then this brief tutorial may be just what you need.]
Laura Brook and Jess Price look at how to engage with planning processes and its impact on wildlife with reference to biodiversity legislation and how to respond to planning applications on biodiversity grounds: (i) an introduction to the planning system in England and key biodiversity legislation & guidance; (ii) the process involved in responding to a planning application on biodiversity grounds; and (iii) some examples of planning applications. A basic run through of the planning system in England and key biodiversity legislation and guidance. An outline of the process involved in responding to a planning application on biodiversity grounds. The course will be run from an ecological stand point and will not cover other planning issues.
Woods Mill, Thursday 12th February, 6:30pm–9:00pm. Book here.
Residents with a green bin can put their tree directly into it, as long as the lid closes firmly. Residents who do not have a green bin can take their tree to Rushfields between Friday 2nd January and Friday 16th January 2015. Lots of other options here [PDF].
