Saturday 10th May 7:30am–1:00pm, starting at Bramber Castle. Turn up; pay; walk, run or ride. Maps and marshals provided. Click the screengrab above for more details.
Latest News of Local Interest
Ash to ashes [update]
This soft-focus map shows Chalara fraxinea outbreaks in our region as of April this year. It does not look too alarming. But the disease is spreading rapidly and DEFRA now expects that 50% of ash trees in West Sussex will be infected by 2018. If you own ash trees you will probably want to take a look at the report [PDF] they issued on 30th April. Conveniently, it also covers the Oak Processionary Moth. In addition, they have issued a synopsis of the relevant research [PDF].
The Forestry Commission has released an app for Apple and Android devices that will assist you in recognizing and reporting tree diseases:
Assistant Reserves Officer
Sussex Wildlife Trust is currently seeking an experienced individual to undertake practical land management activities on their nature reserves and to support the management of livestock. Prerequisites include:
- Tractor driving and using a range of tractor mounted equipment
- Operating chainsaws and brushcutters
- Practical land management, including the application of pesticides
More information here.
Improving the A27
Readers who have the misfortune to be regular users of the road may be interested in one or both of these recent items:
- Optimism on the West [Littlehampton Gazette]
- Opposition to the East [Eastbourne Herald]
Vespa velutina
Not the model of Italian scooter that every mod aspired to in the 1960s, but rather an especially unpleasant French resident that is expected in Southern England shortly.
If you see him, contact the authorities.
Seedling Sunday [reminder]
11th May 2014 — 11:00am till 3:00pm in the Village Hall
Come and buy or swap seedlings, vegetables and flowers and have tea and cakes.
Chris Gildersleeve, 552
Steyning Downland Scheme
Steyning Downland Scheme have a handy two page PDF calendar of their events.
Click on the map to download it.
An app for Woods Mill
Sussex Wildlife Trust has launched a (free) app for Apple and Android phones and tablets. Intended eventually to cover all their reserves, the app initially deals with Woods Mill. Click the image to read more about it.
Great Garage Sale in aid of St Andrew’s Church
St Andrews Church – Edburton
Lots of bargains – Bric-a-Brac, toys, books etc as well as home made cakes.
11am – 4pm
Mayfield owl alert
Update 4th May: the West Sussex County Times has elicited some (more) ecowibble from Mayfield Market Towns:
As part of any planning application we would be required to carry out a number of ecological assessments to ensure that development does not pose any threat or danger to protected wildlife. We have already employed ecologists to carry out preliminary studies, and the next stage will carry out in depth ecological studies which will of course include surveying birds and other wildlife in the area. This ensures that the development can be designed so that it protects areas with existing wildlife habitat.
The rest is here.