Pushing bikes
Category Archives: National Park
Photography competition
The first South Downs Futurescape Photography Competition with categories (i) landscapes, (ii) wildlife, (iii) ‘urban’ wildlife, and (iv) families enjoying the South Downs. You can enter a maximum of three photos. Closing date is 28 February 2014. Judges include David Plummer and John Dominick. More info here.
Identification of trees in winter
Wolstonbury Hill: take a walk with tree expert Mike Bottrill to learn the art of identifying trees in winter. Start at Clayton recreation ground near the Jack & Jill pub, Hassocks.
Booking not needed. Saturday, 9th November, 10:00am — 1:00pm, £3. More info here.
Survey work on trench begins
The West Sussex County Times is reporting that work on surveying the trench is about to begin:
Chris Tomlinson, E.ON Development Manager for the project, said: “Over the next few weeks we’ll be carrying out surveys at various sites along the cable route to help us understand the makeup of the soil and the impact construction may have on the ground. We’ll also be working to identify areas of archaeological importance by digging trenches that will enable us to plan the most appropriate monitoring and protection during construction. Weather permitting, the work will begin at the end of October and is expected to take six to eight weeks.”
Anyone [who] has any questions about the survey works should email rampion@eon.com or call 01273 603 721.
Not in our backyard
West Sussex Waste Local Plan 2013 map: the yellow stars are the bad news.
GJMG
Fungal Foray
Bioblitz — The Devil’s Dyke great fungal foray: join us for a day of hunting and recording as many species of fungi as possible, across Southwick Hill, on the South Downs, near Brighton. A team of scientists will be on hand to identify and record all that is found. The order of the day: 10:00am Meet at The Mile Oak pub; Introduction to the day. 10:15am Go out hunting for fungi on Southwick Hill. 12:00 noon Lunch on the hill. 2:00pm. Finish off the day with a cup of tea and cake at Mile Oak farm tea shop (not provided). Finish survey with a quick round up of the days findings. Friday, 1st November 2013, 10:00am — 2:00pm.
Booking essential. More info here.
Coppicing at Tottington Wood
The Tottington Woodlanders need you:
Come along and have a go at coppicing.
You do not need any special tools as they are all provided, along with the training, however please wear suitable clothing and footwear for working outdoors. The most important thing is to bring a mug for the cuppa around the fire – the hot water, tea or coffee will be provided.
We always pair up newcomers or novices with volunteers who are experienced and training continues until everyone is comfortable that you can work safely unaccompanied. Some people previously have been worried that they may cut the wood to the wrong size or do something wrong. We are grateful for the assistance and it is unlikely that you could do any lasting damage.
The work starts at 9.30am on a Sunday morning and normally finishes around 1pm, but there is no requirement to be there at the start and still be there at the end.
The dates for coppicing:-
- Oct 2013 – 27th
- Nov 2013 – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th.
- Dec 2013 – 1st, 5th, 15th.
- Jan 2014 – 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th.
- Feb 2014 – (2nd), 9th, 16th, 23rd.
- March 2014 – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.
More information here.
Sheep at Saddlescombe? Never!
The white and black woolly creatures that you have often seen in the fields around Saddlescombe were just wolves in drag, apparently. The Argus is reporting that 692 real sheep have now arrived together with the “first sheep farmers for 70 years”.
