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Roy Plomley presents Horsham District Discs

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Henfield Steyning car parking
Horsham District is about to introduce car parking charges. We live in Mid-Sussex District so, obviously, we will be exempt from these charges. Er, no, apparently not. And both Henfield and Steyning are in Horsham District. You probably park briefly in one or the other on several occasions a week. Much the cheapest way to use these car parks on a regular basis will be by purchase of a disc*. Luckily, Horsham District is allowing Mid-Sussex residents to buy their discs so you will not need to bribe an acquaintance in Steyning to secure one for you. During March and April only, you can get two for £12. But the scheme goes live on Monday 3rd April so you will need to order your discs this month. Click the image above to reach the relevant website.

*The alternative is to buy a pay-and-display ticket each time you visit one of the car parks. This will cost you £39 a year assuming that you park just once a week.

Mad March Pub Quiz at the Shepherd and Dog

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Mad-March-Quiz

Geoffrey Bush writes:-

The Mad March Quiz is being held at over 100 pubs across Sussex. All money raised goes to the Friends of Sussex Hospices. The last two years have been excellent events.

Wednesday 8th March 2017 – 7pm arrival for 7:30 start. £10 per ticket, they will put out some nibbles for all the tables, and a raffle later on in the evening.

Book a table direct with Emily at the Shepherd & Dog. 01273 857 382

More information can be found at: friendsofsussexhospices.org.uk

Geoffrey

Bobservation No. 29 – Spring at Furzefield

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Collage of animals over bluebell wood

We have lived at Furzefield in Clappers Lane for 24 years and every year, as Spring approaches, it is a delight to see Crocus, Daffodil, Primrose and Snowdrop appearing.

Apart from the annual display of bluebells we have had the pleasure of living with many species of tree, including Oak, Hazel, Field Maple, Scots Pine, Spindle, Holly, Ash, Yew, Silver and Copper Birch.

The wild life has been extensive: mammals include Badger, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrel, Stoat, Weasel, Rabbit, Harvest and Field Mouse, Pigmy and Common Shrew, Bank Vole, Pipistrelle, Noctule and Serotine Bat. We have Common Lizard, Toad and Frog, Smooth Newt, Grass Snake, Glow-worm and Slowworm. Butterflies have numbered 27 different types including Purple Hairstreak and Clouded Yellow. Dragonflies are numerous.

Wild flora, as well as those already mentioned, Foxglove, Greater Stitchwort, Red Campion, Wood Anemone and Violet. One of the biggest attractions has been the birdlife, some 80 different species; the star turns being single sightings of Wryneck, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Kingfisher. I should add the Hummingbird Hawk Moths.

It has been our aim to preserve the wildlife and manage the flora and although this means quite a lot of effort, the results have been very rewarding. The badgers are always entertaining and there are good views most evenings, particularly as the days lengthen.

As for the bluebells, some years are better than others, 2016 being particularly good but even in a bad year the display and scent are pretty impressive. It has been our pleasure to have villagers, their families and friends wander around at bluebell time, usually end of April and beginning of May.