FORTHCOMING FRIENDS’ EVENTS Editorial: Paul Cooper, [email protected] ISSUE NO 14 AUTUMN/WINTER 2012 Design and production: Studio 4, [email protected] Thursday 8th November 2012 - Members’ Annual General Meeting Photography: Simon Aguss (High AONB Unit), 8.00 p.m. at Nutley War Memorial Hall. Paul Cooper, Iain Faulkner, Chris Marrable. Only printed on paper from sustainable forests. Wednesday 13th March 2013 - The Natural History of the Ashdown Forest All paper used is FSC Certified and produced only at mills holding ISO 14001 certification. Celebrating over 125 years of care for the Forest www.ashdownforest.org 8.00 p.m. at Community Centre, Pine Grove, Crowborough Ranger Rich Allum has worked on the Forest since 2005 and is the South Chase Ranger. We are grateful to Natural for supporting Ashdown Forest Life. This is an opportunity to learn what it is that makes this area so special. life Sunday 21st April 2013 - A Bird Walk on the Ashdown Forest 9.00 a.m. location to be decided This site is part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It has been designated because it hosts some of Europe’s most Members of the Ashdown Forest Bird Group will lead us as they point out birds that can be seen and threatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU are heard that morning. Please note the start of this walk will be decided in the days before the walk. working together through the Network 2000 Network to safeguard Please let Pat Arnold know your email address or phone her shortly beforehand for details. Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all. See www.natura.org. Sunday 19th May 2013- A Friends Walk on the Ashdown Forest 10.00 a.m. from Long car park. We will explore the Vachery Gardens, Braeberry Ponds and the plot of land at purchased by The Friends in 2012. The walk will be about 4 miles and take 2 to 3 hours. Please bring stout footwear and suitable protective clothing. WELCOME FROM OUR NEW DIRECTOR Thursday 30th May 2013 - Bats and the work of the Bat Hospital THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST SHEEP NEWS Ashdown Forest Centre, , , RH18 5JP 2.30 p.m. at the Ashdown Forest Centre Education Barn T: 01342 823583 E: [email protected] THE THREATENED HABITATS OF THE FOREST Jenny Clark will give us an insight into her work with the hospital and bring some bats to show us. www.ashdownforest.org This event is free for members and accompanying children although, as places are limited, booking DOGS AND THE FOREST Follow news on the Forest via Facebook and Twitter! is essential. A retiring collection will be made, the proceeds going to the bat hospital. NEWS

Please note all events other than the meetings at Nutley and Crowborough must be pre-booked. For further DIARY DATES information and to book a place on any of the above events, which are free to members (£5 for non-members or join on the day), please contact Pat Arnold on 01892 611414 or email : [email protected]. Cover - A Friends' walk setting out from the Forest Centre The sheep and cattle (inset) have Welcome enjoyed excellent grazing this summer.

I find it hard to range of programmes and projects, latterly with been working with the Board, the newly formed Forest believe that I will a focus on heritage, families, young people, Centre Development Committee and the staff team, to Sheep news have already been partnerships and education. thoroughly investigate all the options available to us The very wet summer has meant that there was a huge in my post for 6 in order to ensure we continue to provide first class growth of grass this year, and our Hebridean sheep flock months – the days So, what have I been doing since the 1st May? Firstly, management and protection of the Forest, as well as and the Highland bullocks have had a good summer. One have just flown by getting to know the staff team, the Conservators, and conserving ‘it as a quiet and natural area of ewe had her ear torn off by an uncontrolled dog, which is and, as Ros said in our volunteers - what a great team we have; outstanding beauty’ for both current and completely unacceptable, but otherwise we have escaped the last edition, experienced, knowledgeable, hardworking and future generations. without major incidents. I can confirm that passionate about the Forest. Secondly, getting to know no two days have the Forest. Although I have lived in Wealden for many For a number of reasons this is a period of The Highland cattle will go home for the winter and the been the same! years and visited the Forest on many occasions with my uncertainty and potential change – I hope that Hebridean sheep flock comes off the heath to winter on It has been a children, grandchildren and visitors, I can honestly say by the next edition I will be able to update you on grasslands around the Forest. We still lack any proper base pleasure to meet so many of you here at the Forest that I have since been to places I never knew existed some definite plans for the future both regarding for our grazing enterprise so if you know of any unused yardage or buildings we would be interested, preferably Centre and at various Forest events and activities - (and I have barely explored yet) – it is truly a unique the Forest Centre development and other with accommodation for staff. thank you for your warm welcome. and magical place whatever the weather! Thirdly, programmes of work. I have been making contact with key individuals, A little bit about my background – I have lived in groups and organisations to explore the issues A plea before signing off! We are always looking to East Sussex for nearly 40 years, firstly in affecting us both now and, in this uncertain world, extend our volunteer team – we have a range of and for the last 35 years in , near in the future – the forming of strong partnerships opportunities available and some new ideas in the Heathfield. Until my post was made redundant in and co-operative working have to be a significant pipeline so, if you are interested in supporting us with January this year I worked for over 20 years for element in any future planning. a few hours of your time, then do please get in touch Action in Rural Sussex ( AirS) – a medium sized, with Tracy at the Forest Centre. rural community development charity, employing some Many of you will be aware that much of my time 40 staff across East and . During my time has been taken up with meetings and discussions Pat Buesnel, Director there I developed, worked on and managed a wide regarding future Forest Centre development. I have [email protected] The threatened habitats of Ashdown Forest Ashdown Forest is all common land and the Board of Conservators is responsible for managing it. The Board was first established in 1887 to protect the rights of the Commoners and establish the Bye- laws. The Forest is actually owned by the Ashdown Forest Trust for the benefit of the public and was set up when Earl De La Warr decided to sell the Forest in 1988.

The Forest is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is included within the European Natura HEATHLAND 2000 Network because it hosts some of Europe’s most Heathland plant species frequently adapted to thrive under the Commoners’ farming system. Bracken, threatened species and habitats. almost certainly the most frequent species on the whole Forest, was managed by the Commoners as a straw substitute. Once it was no longer cut and collected, it spread. It expanded further due to arson fires The High Weald is one of the most wooded areas in the UK which suppressed competing vegetation. but, over the centuries, the Commoners on the Forest have maintained areas of heathland through a combination of Gorse, protected by its spikes, spreads especially where the ground is disturbed. Unlike bracken, it has a firewood collection, grazing, bracken cutting and burning. high wildlife value in its younger stages, supporting species such as the Dartford warbler. Gorse is a Today, the Forest is made up of around 1000 hectares of ‘legume’, compensating for the infertile Forest soils by collecting nitrogen directly from the surroundings. woodland and 1500 hectares of heathland. This heathland is There are two species on the Forest; the tough European gorse and the softer and more delicate dwarf one of the rarest habitats in Britain and the conservation work gorse. Though somewhat protected by its spikes, gorse would have been an important nutritious food for carried out by the Conservators and their team of dedicated the Commoners’ animals in the winter. staff and volunteers, is vital for its survival. The Conservators depend on grant funding and support from outside sources Gorse and bracken both prefer a somewhat drier habitat where they are joined by plants such as bell such as the Society of the Friends of Ashdown Forest. heather, heath milkwort and sheep’s sorrel. Other species thrive only because grazing animals help to suppress surrounding vegetation. Marsh orchids and marsh gentians cannot usually compete with the As well as the heathland, the Forest has 2 other main habitats; ubiquitous purple moor grass but survive very well when sheep and cattle graze the grass down to a less woodland and wet heath or bog, which support their own competitive level. Nightjar and woodlark both nest on the drier areas of the Forest heathland where the different and distinct species. venomous adder can also be found.

Grazing the Forest heathland From top to bottom: European Gorse; Adder; Marsh gentian; Bell heather Top - Fallow deer From top to bottom: Bottom - A Forest gill Wild daffodil; Dormouse; Birds nest orchid; Beech woodland

WOODLAND The great majority of the woodland on the Forest is very young and develops as scrub and trees which invade the heath no longer being used by the Com- moners. There is some older woodland in areas that are very inaccessible however, especially the steep sided stream gills. These damp, shady gills provide perfect habitat for mosses and liverworts and there are many species on the Forest. Some wild flowers thrive here as well – flowering early in the spring before the trees develop full canopies.

Ferns are perfectly happy in the deep shade and the Forest supports some species which are now rare in the southeast of England. One rarity found in the beech woods is the birds nest orchid which is saprophytic, living on dead plant material underground. It is usually only seen when a flower spike is produced in the early summer.

Dormice traditionally favour coppice woods and they certainly do live there. They are also found however, in the young mixed woods that have grown up in areas that were devastated by the 1987 Storm. Dormice are being monitored as part of our on-going survey of over 100 nest boxes erected on the Forest.

The many deer which live around the Forest usually spend most of the day browsing through the woodland, only venturing onto the open heath once the visitors and their dogs have gone home. The high deer population can damage woodland and they are a menace on the roads, but they are a welcome addition to heathland, helping to suppress the succession to scrub and woodland. WET HEATH OR BOG

Though the Forest soils are sandy, the sand tends to be fine with a high silt and clay content. This leads to impeded drainage and a preponderance of wet heath and bog communities. Cross leaved heath is the dominant heather here and the moor grass can form tall, inaccessible tussocks. In the wettest areas, Sphagnum moss forms in boggy pools. There are several specialist species here, including small red damselflies and great raft spiders. Sundews compensate for the infertile soils by capturing insects on their sticky leaves.

So, these unique and complex heath, woodland and bog environments are under threat. Over the years our ways of life have changed beyond measure and today many Commoners do not exercise their rights over the Forest at all and the habitats will disappear unless we continue our conservation work.

We need our visitors however, to understand its importance and would hope that, by commencing your visit at the Forest Centre where there is a wealth of information available, you will be better able to plan your day and enjoy it even more.

From top to bottom: Top - Keeled skimmer A healthy, thriving bog habitat Great raft spider; bog asphodel; Bottom - Early marsh orchid Sundew; Cross leaved heath A well behaved dog enjoying walking on the Forest

Dogs and the Forest DIARY DATES - all at the Forest Centre Thursday 1st November - Fungi Day Our very popular annual fungi identification day at the Forest Centre. Dog walking on the Forest is an extremely popular activity and Take a walk, have a hunt and bring in your finds to be identified by Forest undertaken by most people with responsibility and sensitivity. staff and volunteers. This year it will be a real challenge as fungi day is so late in the year (to tie up with half-term). A free event from 11.00 to Problems with dogs under poor • The publication and promotion of “responsible dog 16.00. No booking required just turn up with your finds! control however, including sheep ownership” publicity material together with a worrying, dog attacks on other Code of Conduct. 3 November to 23 December - Ashdown Forest Woodturners dogs, disturbance of wildlife and • Dog training courses on the Forest Back again for their annual pre-Christmas exhibition the ever popular incidents with other walkers and • Horse rider training (Planned, funded and woodturners will be at the Centre selling their hand made gifts, novelties horse riders, is increasing at a co-ordinated by AFRA) and tablewares. Some great stocking fillers and gift ideas. worrying rate and since April 1st, we have recorded 69 dog related • Recruitment, training and support of dog Rangers 5 November 2012 to March 2013 - Oliver Pyle incidents on our database. (building on our existing Mounted Rangers scheme) This promises to be a stunning exhibition by self-taught photographer We are now therefore looking to develop a comprehensive The overall aim is to effectively bring down the number of and painter Oliver Pyle. new programme (in partnership with Ashdown Forest dog related incidents on Ashdown Forest by encouraging and Riding Association) to address the issues relating promoting responsible dog ownership through education, April 2013 to 1 May 2013 - East Grinstead Camera Club to dogs on the Forest. information and targeted support.We are also currently An exhibition by the Camera Club's own very talented competition winners. working with various funding bodies to agree the levels of The ‘Every Dog Matters’ programme has been developed on financial contribution with a view to starting the the basis of a report commissioned in April 2012 and a programme in January. HEBRIDEAN FREEZER BOXES NOW AVAILABLE staff group have since undertaken further research and Now is also the time to order freezer boxes so, if you would like investigation to propose the following programme: For further information and/or offers of support please Mutton, or Hebridean Hogget, please get in touch with the Forest contact Pat Buesnel: [email protected] Centre. Whole or half boxes available.