Category Archives: Flora

South Downs News, April issue

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April 2020 South Downs Newsletter
SDNPA Chief Executive Trevor Beattie claims that “there are already signs that the lock-down has reinvigorated many people’s love of nature”, presumably analogous to the way in which going on the wagon reinvigorates a love of alcohol. He will surely be lobbying for regular lock-downs in future years. There’s a link (to a link (to a link ..)) to “a detailed map [that] has been created for people to find food, drink and other support services close to where they live” which turns out to be every bit as dire as earlier food-related cartographic efforts by the SDNPA (The South Downs Sahara in 2015, and The South Downs Sahara (update) in 2017). Food is unobtainable in Steyning, apparently.

On the positive side, page 10 features a photo of David Ellin and Annie Brown, though they are not quoted or identified, and page 12 advertises a 3-part Facebook video instruction series by an ‘animal behaviourist’ on walking the dog (the animal, not the Rufus Thomas song).

Seedling Sunday

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Seedling Sunday 2018

Plant sale on May 3rd, 11:00–2:00 in the Village Hall

Flower and vegetable seedlings; refreshments; conversation. Chris will grow flowers but other folk will need to contribute vegetable seedlings, and plant cuttings. Help also needed on the day itself: moving furniture, serving tea and coffee and, of course, baking cakes. We will also have a craft and local produce stall with artworks and also jams, chutneys, etc. for sale. Do plan on coming to this friendly village event.

Chris G (552)

Tottington Wood

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Tottington Wood botanical guide
The Tottington Woodlanders recently published their first book. It is both an informative reference guide to the prominent plants to be found in the wood as well as an interesting source of information about relevant plant facts and lore. Particular emphasis has been given to Ancient Woodland Indicator Species (AWIs). These are plants that do not propagate and spread readily, so their presence strongly suggests that a site has been woodland for a very long time. Tottington Wood is recognised as being a Semi-Natural Ancient Woodland.

The book is illustrated throughout with specially commissioned original colour photographs. Each entry in the floral section is laid out in the same way making it easy to quickly identify the plant. Every page gives details of the subject’s habitat, height and flowering season. The trees are addressed separately and dealt with in more detail.

The book is a 66 page professionally bound paperback with a wipe clean cover and can be obtained from Anne Daisy Bellis for £5.00 a copy.

Perching Wood restoration

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Perching Hovel Wood
Perching Wood* (also known as Hovel Wood and as Perching Hovel Wood) is afflicted by ash dieback. The infected trees need to be felled and a replanting scheme initiated (click the map above for details). Work is to start in September and October and the farm will manage the movement of timber lorries as sensitively as they can.

*If you have ever walked from Clappers Lane or the North Town Field to Edburton along the public footpaths then you will have passed the wood to your immediate left