Songs of the Dawn

Edward Lear enthusing about the song of the Yellowhammer

Edward Lear enthusing about the song of the Yellowhammer

Join Andrew Armitage and experience the awakening countryside between 7:00–9:00am on Wednesday 28th May or Saturday 31st May. Listen for the Nightingale, the rattle of the Whitethroat and the nasal song of the Yellowhammer. Watch out for deer and other early morning wildlife, followed by a cooked al fresco breakfast. Two miles, wear stout footwear. No dogs. Meet up at the grass bank by Mouse Cottage, just off Mouse Lane in Steyning [Map Ref: TQ173,114].
Must book: The Steyning Bookshop, tel: 01903 812062, cost: £7.50.

Steyning Saplings

The Outdoors Project Steyning Saplings
Birds, bugs and butterflies – these are just some of the creatures that a new nature group for 2 – 4 year olds will be learning about on the Steyning Downland Scheme from Easter. The aim is to run fun outdoor sessions, where parents and young children can explore and enjoy nature right in the heart of Steyning. The group will run on Tuesday mornings 10 -11.30am from 29th April to 27th May 2014. The cost is £25 for five sessions. To book a place email: katie.scanlan@theoutdoorsproject.co.uk

Do androids dream of electric sheep?

Do androids dream of electric sheep?
The West Sussex County Times reports:

The majority of Horsham district councillors opposed the development of solar farms proposed for Steyning, Ashurst and Partridge Green by three separate applicants at the Development Control Committee meeting on Tuesday April 15.

Although the three applications had to be considered separately and based on their own merits, councillors and residents claimed that the solar energy generators, as a whole, would impact on the rural landscape and set a precedent for future applications if approved, despite all having no objections from the South Downs National Park Authority.

Philip Circus (Con, Chanctonbury) said that the council spends much of its time discussing the aesthetic impact developments have on the South Downs, but when it comes to renewable energy that debate seems to go ‘out of the window’.

“I think we’re spoiling the countryside for no good reason and we should not be swept up onto this bandwagon of renewable energy,” he said.

A place to park

School Keep Clear road marking
The Shoreham Herald reports:

Just three schools in the whole of Shoreham, Southwick, Steyning and Upper Beeding are currently covered by a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). Despite the majority of schools using School Keep Clear (SKC) markings near entrance gates, the rest have no TRO, meaning the police cannot take any action if people park on them. West Sussex county councillor Robin Rogers has led a lengthy campaign since he found out in 2009 that all but 10% of SKC were totally unenforceable.

A TRO does currently apply to Upper Beeding Primary.