Coppicing at Tottington Wood

Tottington Woodlanders at work
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.

A magnet for rubbish

Small Dole is a magnet for rubbish
The West Sussex County Times reports:

Sweeptech [have applied] to change the use of a site from a storage and distribution centre to a waste recycling facility off Shoreham Road, just south of Henfield and north of Small Dole, [it] will recycle 75,000 tonnes of waste per year collected from road sweeping and gully clearing. ..

Henfield resident Adrian Jessup lives just 100 yards from the proposed 22 acre site, also known as the Old Brickworks. “Sweeptech have said there will be 35 movements a day from the site onto Shoreham Road (A2037), which is situated on a bend that has no overtaking on it, and if they can’t go through Henfield or Small Dole they’ll have to take Horn Lane, a small treacherous road.” ..

Small Dole residents have battled waste facilities in the past, including Horton Landfill Site, which opened in 1991 and closed in 2011. Small Dole Action Committee member Chris Warren said residents are still ‘suffering the consequences of pollution’. “Small Dole seems to be a magnet for waste processing. It’s more than we need,” said Mr Warren. “We have had waste lorries for donkey’s years and there’s been damage done to the roads as a result. There will be a dozen residents directly affected by this.” Mr Warren said he is also concerned about the waste vehicles’ route, and claimed it could potentially affect Henfield, Woodmancote, Small Dole and Upper Beeding.

HART on Horton

HART on Horton Golf Club
Every car needs a defibrillator:

Club member Malcolm Town collapsed while playing golf a year ago and was saved by his playing partner, HART responder Martin Tooth. Martin, who is club captain, happened to have his defibrillator in the car and was able to reach it in time to administer lifesaving treatment. HART are shortly to equip adjoining Henfield Business Park with a public access defibrillator.

More here.