Downland Thymes News for the South Downs Volunteer

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DOWNLAND NEWS FOR THE SOUTH DOWNS VOLUNTEER THYMES RANGER SERVICE ISSUE 81 | AUTUMN 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: Volunteers stone carving with Graeme Mitcheson © Colin Carre 2 UPDATE FROM THE VOLUNTEERING TEAM

3 INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER IN THE SOUTH CARVING DOWNS 4 PIDDINGHOE OUT STORIES ORCHIDS VRS stone carving © Jeremy Nason 5 WHILE PAUSING FROM A MORNING PULLING RAGWORT DURING A VRS DAY, DELIGHTFUL SOMEONE MENTIONED STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS THAT WERE BEING RUN DOWNLAND BY GRAEME MITCHESON AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE 6 HEATHLANDS REUNITED SITE SCULPTURES. BIO BLITZ I truly suspected the workshops had Pausing briefly to rest hands or eyes already taken place but through or to take refreshment that had 9 Katy Sherman a special Heathlands appeared as if by magic, we were SOLITARY BEES volunteer session was arranged on soon seeing our designs take shape 4 July in the garden behind the with Graeme advising on technique National Park offices. or applying a little of his handiwork 10 Local community groups have been to refine our efforts. Soon it was time ROMAN REVELS After a brief introduction, each of us taking part in workshops with the to stop and clear up. Each of us was started preparing sketches for our own artist Graeme Mitcheson who will able to stand back and admire our 11 designs. It wasn’t long before we were be creating works linking seven work – “not bad at all”, “if only I had STEP ON TO THE standing by the work bench in the heathland sites in the South Downs more time”, “I would refine my design SEAFORD HEAD evening sun, chisel in one hand and National Park. next time” but overall we had all hammer in the other as we outlined COASTAL PATH created something special. The artwork has been our work on ‘A4’ blocks of sandstone. commissioned as part of the Graeme had made it look easy to chip Thanks to Katy and Graeme for making Heritage Lottery-Funded 12 away the stone; however it was not such a super evening possible. YOUR REVIEWS Heathlands Reunited Project, so straightforward for beginners! As a JEREMY NASON, a partnership project led by consequence nearly all conversation VOLUNTEER RANGER the South Downs National 16 stopped as we focused intensely Park Authority. PHEASANT FIELD on the blades of our chisels and hammered the stone away.

Tell us your story. Email your Downland Thymes articles to the editorial team [email protected] DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN UPDATE FROM THE VOLUNTEERING TEAM

CHAIRMAN’S CORNER This summer has seen some good news about new office accommodation and tool stores. In the East, a welcome return to Stanmer Park should again SINCE STARTING IN POST AS VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT better facilitate the excellent work of staff and volunteers from the main site, not forgetting that OFFICER IN LATE APRIL, I HAVE BEEN VISITING VOLUNTEER some volunteers work from the satellite facility at GROUPS, RANGERS AND PROJECT PARTNERS ACROSS THE Seven Sisters Country Park. In the Western Area, NATIONAL PARK. a welcome relocation of staff offices to Wallops Wood in Droxford, is preceding the creation of a As a newcomer to the area and the scrub, their richness of wildflowers and much needed combined workshop and tool store; National Park, it has been a case of butterflies under threat – sound familiar? hopefully everything will be co-located there by comparing my own experience of A recent UN report found that the most the end of the year. An additional piece of good volunteering (largely in London’s oak successful conservation initiatives have news here is that next door is Bowman’s Brewery – woodlands, the chalk grasslands of the local people at their heart, and that perhaps an added attraction for some of you to visit North Downs, but also stretching as far is certainly true of the South Downs the western side of the VRS! east as Romania) to that of the National National Park. The VRS Committee has confirmed a restructure Park. My first impression is of a wide, Over the next five years we will of the Conservation Reserve into a ‘ring-fenced’ varied network of projects influenced be working through the Volunteer element of the South Downs National Park Trust. greatly by the astonishing array of Strategy to work with people who are An advantage of this will be to promote these landscapes and their soils, habitats, underrepresented in the National Park, funds to the Park’s partner organisations, taking on fauna and flora and their functions. finding ways for more young people project leadership and using our volunteer effort I get a sense of a long-term relationship to benefit from the great experience to pursue projects delivering aspects of the Parks between many of the volunteers and the of being a volunteer, and to engage Partnership Management Plan. projects that you are involved in. There with the diverse cultures of people who Later this month, the second group of education is a great feeling of ownership for many live within and on the outskirts of the courses for the year will be run, this time with the of you over the sites where you have National Park itself. topic of birds and will be followed early next year been involved and strong connections But for now the main thing for me and with a new area of interest. These courses are for with the people you have worked with. I the Volunteering Team to say is thank you and no matter how well you know the flora and see similarities with the kind of traditional you to all our volunteers for the great fauna of the South Downs I’m sure you will learn land management that I’ve seen in work you have done and continue to do. something new by attending one of them – so Transylvania, where hay meadows please do support them and tell us of any more are being lost due to agricultural DANIEL GREENWOOD, SDNPA topics you would like. abandonment and invading trees and VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Finally, I thought you would all like to know that Ian Hartle is well and that he really appreciated the farewell gifts that were organised for him – a framed South Downs Way vintage travel picture and books of his choice.

RON WILDER, VRS CHAIR

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One of the volunteering sessions Miku attended A NOTE FROM © Miku Yabuta THE EDITOR

Many thanks to all of you who responded to our request for images of orchids and other downland flora discovered while out and about in the South Downs. We were inundated with some glorious photos – a selection of which you can see on page 4-5. I’ve added one of my own below. If you have something further to share with us or think you would like to contribute a story to Downland Thymes about your local area in the National Park, or a narrative of one of your conservation tasks then please do get in touch. Is there INTERNATIONAL a special walk or place you could recommend, or a favoured pub you could review, a local / VOLUNTEER IN THE natural history book or gadget that you think other volunteers may be interested in? As a guide SOUTH DOWNS we prefer an article to be no more than 500 words long but Japanese it could be as few as 50 or even student Miku less if you have some good I’M STUDYING ECOLOGY IN © Miku Yabuta images to go with it.

JAPAN AND AM INTERESTED The deadline for submitting IN THE CONSERVATION OF articles for the December NATURE. PART OF MY COURSE edition is 24 October. Please send submissions to INVOLVED STUDYING IN THE UK [email protected]. FOR A YEAR AND WHILE I WAS HERE I THOUGHT IT WOULD CHARLIE HELLEWELL, Japan. A scholarship programme led by the EDITOR BE GOOD IDEA TO VISIT SOME Japanese government, with contributions NATIONAL PARKS AND TRY from supporting companies, helped support my plan to learn from UK National WORKING AS A VOLUNTEER. Parks. I intend to write a report and give a In June I was lucky enough to join the presentation to convey what I have learned volunteer team at South Downs National Park to students following the same scholarship, for five days and was impressed by how much and also for those involved in environmental people cherish its beautiful landscape. conservation organisations. I hope it will be an opportunity to think once more about Since starting my course in Japan, I have been how National Parks should be used and conscious of the problems that Japanese conserved. National Parks have in terms of a lack of information available for people who want Lastly, I am deeply grateful to Gemma North to work at them, and an imperfect system to at SDVRS for helping to organise such a accept volunteers. Therefore, one of my aims wonderful experience for me, and I would was to see how South Downs National Park also like to thank everyone who gave me supports volunteers and provides opportunities such a warm welcome, teaching me so much Orchids at Noar Hill, for them to protect the environment. about the natural beauty of the South Downs. Selborne © Charlie Hellewell

I will try to make use of my experience in the MIKU YABUTA, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT South Downs to help improve our system in AND VOLUNTEER WITH SDVRS

3 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN PIDDINGHOE ORCHIDS AFTER 11 YEARS AS A VOLUNTEER WITH THE EASTERN DOWNS TEAM I HAVE NOW MOVED BACK TO WARWICKSHIRE. However in May last year, the work group and contributor to the DT. The photos of the carried out a task for South East Water green-winged orchids were taken by David. (SEW) at their underground reservoir site at The photo of the group laying out the survey Piddinghoe, East Sussex. We completed an area for the count was taken by me. annual count of green winged orchids, led IAN WILDRIDGE, FORMER VOLUNTEER by Richard Dyer (SEW) Green winged orchid RANGER EASTERN DOWNS © David Ellis David Ellis, who unfortunately died in June 2017, and I exchanged some photos of the task. David was a very keen photographer

Piddinghoe orchid survey © Ian Wildridge

HAIRY MALLOW SURVEY In June I undertook a survey The task took place over two task with other volunteers led days (I did the first day) where by South East Water (SEW) at we surveyed just over half of the Folkington Reservoir. The task area and counted approximately was to count hairy mallow, 6000 to that point. While and we were told that the undertaking the survey we also reservoir is one of the only saw downland flora including places in Sussex where this pyramid and bee orchids. grows. I understand the survey Hairy mallow MARTIN BRIDLE, VOLUNTEER © Martin Bridle is undertaken every year. RANGER, EASTERN DOWNS

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Orchids and sheep – Medley Bottom nr Amberley DELIGHTFUL © Roger Townsend DOWNLAND

ORCHIDS AND DOWNLAND FLORA. The many scrub clearance tasks carried out by the VRS help these species to flourish but livestock grazing is even better. We’ve had some super images sent in by VRS members across the Park. 1 2

4 5

1. Common spotted 4. Yellow wort – Falmer Downs orchid at Black cap – © David Brookshaw © Barney Cockerell 5. Knapp weed and seven spot burnet 2. Common spotted orchid moth © Shirley Brice at The Holt © Paul Andersen 6. Narrow leaved helleborine at Ashford 3. Marsh orchid at Mislingford Hangers © Rob Seargent 7 Meadow © Nevill Brooke 7. Round-headed rampion on ramparts of Old Winchester Hill © Russell Cleaver 5 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN

Pterophorus pentadactyla © Terry Doyle

Tetragnatha extensa © Terry Doyle BIO BLITZ THE HOLT ESTATE, NEAR WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE THE WINCHESTER DOWNS FARM CLUSTER IS ONE OF SIX SUCH CLUSTERS ACROSS THE NATIONAL PARK. THEY ALLOW INDIVIDUAL FARMERS TO WORK TOGETHER IN GROUPS TO BENEFIT THE BIODIVERSITY AND LANDSCAPE AT A SCALE THAT COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED WORKING ALONE.

A big part of this is engaging the local education and for demonstrating the diversity community, getting people to understand of wildlife we have on a mixed arable, what farmers are doing for the environment. grassland, woodland farm that has been in High Lever Stewardship (HLS). A bioblitz is a survey event that draws in species experts and interested members of the general The bioblitz was a huge success and we public to record as much wildlife as possible in will be planning an even bigger one next a set area. This is an opportunity to explore and year. More than 600 species of flora, fauna discover the incredible range of species that and insects were recorded including a bat surround us. maternity roost. The bioblitz held in June at the Holt Estate was On behalf of South Downs National Park really a pilot event. However it still attracted Authority I would like to thank Southampton over 50 species experts and interested locals Natural History Society, Hampshire who were keen to learn, as well as some of our Biodiversity Information Centre and Katherine Volunteer Rangers. It was the first one to have & Ted Wake, the Winchester Downs Cluster been held on a private farm in the Winchester group members who hosted the event. Downs Farm Cluster and was right on ROB NICHOLLS, SDNPA RANGER, message in terms of community engagement, WESTERN DOWNS

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BIOBLITZ FROM A VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVE

I was fortunate enough to join in the bioblitz that took place on 9 June 2018 at The Holt Estate near Winchester. The event was arranged by Rob Nicholls, Western Area Ranger, as it is one of the farms in the cluster, helping to improve the landscape for wildlife. The idea of the bioblitz was to help to establish a baseline for various species of flora, fauna and insects. On hand were experts in ornithology, flora and bugs. We were split into groups, the size of which depended on who wanted to do what. The walks were of about 1-2 hours and covered as many different habitats as we could in the time. I took the chance to go on two insect walks and en route came across many different species of butterflies, beetles, flies and spiders some of which I captured on camera. I look forward to being involved in the next Bioblitz.

TERRY DOYLE, VOLUNTEER RANGER, WESTERN DOWNS

Mating red damsel flies © Terry Doyle Woundwort shield bug © Terry Doyle

7 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN SOUTH DOWNS VOLUNTEER RANGER SERVICE THE CHATTRI For any enquiries please contact us at: SOUTH DOWNS CENTRE WAR MEMORIAL North Street Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9DH 01730 819327 [email protected]

DANIEL GREENWOOD Volunteer Development Officer 01730 819263 07468 861126 [email protected]

CHRIS LICKLEY Assistant Ranger, Western Downs 01730 819306 07387 419772 [email protected]

CHLOË GODDARD Assistant Ranger – Central Downs The Chattri © Alan Jones 01730 819347 07387 109656 [email protected] HIDDEN IN A HOLLOW IN THE DOWNS JUST NORTH OF ANGELA WARD BRIGHTON IS A SOMBRE REMINDER OF THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE Ranger – Wealden Heaths INDIAN SOLDIERS MADE WHEN THEY JOINED AND FOUGHT FOR 01730 819310 THE BRITISH ARMY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR. 07866 962938 [email protected] The site is just over a mile south of the South in well maintained gardens. As I stood beside Downs Way yet it is likely that few walkers this imposing building, reading the names TIM SQUIRE are even aware of this important and thought of those who had died and the personal Assistant Ranger – Eastern Downs provoking testimony to the waste of human messages attached to the large number of 01730 819326 life during the Great War. The site only wreaths arranged in front of the Chattri, I 07872 410458 came into sight when I was 100 yards away. found it impossible not to be moved by the [email protected] Given its position, it is possible that even experience. It seemed especially tragic that MAX SHELDON local Volunteer Ranger colleagues may be these men had come from so far and that Assistant Ranger – Eastern Downs unaware of its existence. their country would become independent from Britain some three decades later. I also (Stanmer) More than 800,000 Indian soldiers fought felt that it was a shame that the contribution 01730 819291 for the Allied Powers. During the four years of to the war effort made by Indian soldiers was 07872 410451 fighting, thousands of wounded combatants not more widely recognized. [email protected] were brought to Britain to be treated in JASMINE OWEN makeshift military hospitals. Three were More information about Assistant Ranger – Eastern Downs established in Brighton; one was at the town’s the Chattri can be found (Seven Sisters) famous royal palace, the Royal Pavilion. at chattri.org 01730 819249 Happily, the great majority survived but 53 ALAN JONES, 07384 255195 Hindus and Sikhs died and were taken to VOLUNTEER RANGER, [email protected] a remote spot on the South Downs to be EASTERN DOWNS cremated. The Chattri was built at the exact location where the funeral pyres were constructed. For a circular walk around the The Chattri is a large dome Chattri use the Stanmer and shaped, marble building set the Chattri walks leaflet at southdowns.gov.uk/walking

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SOLITARY BEES Andrena helvola WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH HONEY AND BUMBLE BEES, KNOWN mining bee © R.Kiernan AS SOCIAL BEES AS THEY LIVE IN COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER, OF THE NEARLY 250 SPECIES OF BEES IN THE UK ABOUT 90% ARE NOT SOCIAL, THEY LIVE ALONE AND ARE KNOWN AS SOLITARY BEES.

These can be separated into two groups with nectar to each for the larvae to eat once depending where they nest. This article is hatched. Then they lay an egg on each food about the ground nesters, commonly called ball. The male eggs are laid in cells closest mining bees which account for about 75% of to the burrow entrance, so they can emerge all solitary bees. first. The female then seals each cell with mud or leaf and dies soon after. The developing larvae eat the pollen and after about six weeks will spin a cocoon, pupate and eventually through metamorphosis change into a bee. The following spring the hatched bees emerge from the burrow to mate and continue the cycle. Mining bees are not as effective carriers of pollen as honey bees, so they tend to spread the pollen around more plants making them fantastic pollinators. So, although solitary bees do not produce honey they are of vital interest to our farmers and ourselves as their The life of female mining bees is very pollination activity is responsible for at least different from that of social bees. A queen 30% of our food. honey bee can lay 2,000 eggs per day to Sadly, the solitary bee population is create a colony of 50,000 worker bees decreasing for many reasons including to support her and offspring. In contrast, a increasing use of chemicals in farming, fewer female mining bee lays a total of 5-15 eggs wildflowers and loss of suitable habitat for in her lifetime, lives alone and gets no help nests. This could have a serious impact on feeding herself and offspring. farming yields. The lifecycle of mining bees begins when Solitary bees are not aggressive. The males they emerge from their underground cells in have no sting and females will only sting if the spring. The males emerge first, and when handled roughly. Learn to love them, we they find a female, die soon after mating. Not need them as an essential element of our a bad but short life! The females have much food chain. more work to do. ROGER KIERNAN VOLUNTEER RANGER, After mating, females seek sites for their nest SEVEN SISTERS burrows. They construct five or more small cells to which they add a ball of pollen mixed Images – A selection of mining bees spotted on the South Downs at Seven Sisters. Note: the females tend to have hairy back legs. © R.Kiernan 9 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN

Western Area BBQ at Butser Ancient Farm

ROMAN REVELS – A WESTERN DOWNS

TEAM SOCIAL Photos © Jenny Deeman

ON A BALMY SUNDAY EVENING For those of you who are not familiar with this After all that excitement it was almost a relief wonderful place, it is a unique experimental to return to 21st century, as the inviting aroma IN LATE JUNE, THE WESTERN archaeology site with authentic reconstructions of the barbecue beckoned us. Thanks to the AREA VOLUNTEER RANGERS of buildings from the Stone Age, Iron Age, and stalwart efforts of chefs Neville and Chris and GOT TOGETHER FOR THEIR Roman and Anglo Saxon Britain. There are the volunteers who provided a lavish spread, also herds of rare breeds, including goats and merriment prevailed as the sun sunk slowly ANNUAL SUMMER BBQ AT sheep and four newcomers: piglets named over Butser Hill until the happy campers BUTSER ANCIENT FARM WHICH after Roman emperors! packed up their picnic chairs and boxes and reluctantly bid farewell. IS SITUATED IN GLORIOUS, After a friendly welcome and update from site ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE AT director Maureen Page, we were lucky enough We feel very lucky to receive a £200 budget, CLANFIELD, HAMPSHIRE. to be shown around the recently refurbished provided by the VRS funds, specifically to Roman villa, complete with beautiful frescos support social events which are a great and reproduced furnishings that transport the opportunity to catch up with volunteers who visitor back in time. It was all so compelling that you may not see that often and meet their two of us, Russellius and Paulus, who obviously partners, who are also invited. About fifty fancied themselves as Roman patricians, were people attended this thoroughly enjoyable caught reclining on a couch as if they were occasion this year. expecting to be drip-fed grapes. Later on, we VANESSA HARVEY, VOLUNTEER RANGER, met the same two gracing the communal loo – WESTERN DOWNS too many grapes, perhaps?

10 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN PIC IN THE PARK TROTTON BRIDGE IS A SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT

It was built about 1400 by Thomas, the first Lord Camoys, a soldier and diplomat, who was a commander at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and was appointed Knight of the Garter a year earlier. He held the Manor of Trotton, and owned other land in Sussex, Hampshire, Northants, Yorkshire and Bedfordshire. Spanning the River Rother it now carries traffic on the busy A272 between Rogate and Midhurst. Due to it being a Grade 1 Scheduled Ancient Monument and so very narrow, access over the bridge is controlled by traffic lights.

TERRY DOYLE, VOLUNTEER RANGER, WESTERN DOWNS Trotton Bridge © Terry Doyle

STEP ON TO THE SEAFORD VRS COMMITTEE HEAD COASTAL PATH CHAIR: RON WILDER SEAFORD TOWN COUNCIL [email protected] HAS OFFERED ITS SINCEREST SECRETARY: GRATITUDE TO THE SDNPA ALAN BIDDLECOMBE [email protected] VOLUNTEERS WHO, UNDETERRED BY THE SEARING TREASURER: MIKE ELLIS JULY HEATWAVE, INSTALLED [email protected] SOME MUCH-NEEDED NEW VOL EXPERIENCE OFFICER: STEPS ON ONE OF THE HELENA LEWIS ENTRANCES TO THE SEAFORD [email protected] HEAD COASTAL PATH. The volunteers worked with the Council’s Image caption: Seaford Town Council offers its Head Greenkeeper to dig out and install thanks to the volunteers; David Ashton, Martin natural looking steps, which have already Bridle, Steve Brookman, Jennifer Butchers, been well received by the many walkers that Liddy Davidson, Aled Evans, Stephen Taylor frequent this area on a daily basis and now and Mick Woolgar. Some of whom are mean that the path can be used year round. pictured above. The footpath takes you from The View and SIMON LAMBERT, HEAD GREENKEEPER, Seaford Head Golf Course straight on to the SEAFORD TOWN COUNCIL coastal path; either taking on the exhilarating trek up Seaford Head or down to the very eastern end of the seafront.

11 DOWNLAND THYMES AUTUMN YOUR REVIEWS

This section is all about sharing reviews of your favourite Volunteers, if you know of a pub things. Tell us about books you’ve read, pubs you’ve visited, that deserves this award, please let us know. We’re talking about good tools or gadgets you’ve used or even websites that you’d old-fashioned public houses, rather recommend to other volunteers. Email your reviews, of up than gastro pubs or themed inns. We want to know about places to 100 words, to [email protected] with a picture. where you don’t need to take your boots off before crossing the NOT A threshold! Send us a photo and 100 TRADITIONAL words explaining why the pub you INN AWARD THE NOAH’S ARK INN, LURGASHALL, nominate should be recognised. WEST SUSSEX GU28 9ET It’s not a good sign when the first thing front of the village green and cricket pitch, you hear in a pub upon entering is: “Have with the village pond and local shop/ you booked a table?” For this feels less post office opposite. So, this is a note to A COUPLE of a pub and more of a restaurant. And all potential DT contributors, please don’t whilst the food is excellent, I felt its main nominate “gastro pubs” for our prestigious virtue was the pub’s setting: it stands in “VRS Trad Inn Award”. OF JOKES

BETTER BUT A TOMMY COOPER FAVE STILL NOT A TRADITIONAL I went to the pub the INN AWARD other day and enjoyed a ploughman’s lunch...... he was very angry

HERE’S ONE FOR THE HORSEY FOLKS To Neigh...Or Not To Neigh. That Is Equestrian.

Fortunately, less than a mile away was a venue that was much more to my taste, so to speak. I asked the librarian if the library had any books about THE BLACKDOWN DISTILLERY, LURGASHALL, paranoia...She whispered: WEST SUSSEX GU28 9HA. ‘’They’re right behind you.’’ Whilst this is clearly not a pub, and was once and mixers which are produced on site. The known as the Lurgashall Winery, it is now the shop opens from 10:00 weekdays and you Blackdown Distillery. The owner welcomed can guarantee a very personal service. They CRIS SAVILL, VOLUNTEER us in and showed us around. It is a working even mail out orders. Check the website for RANGER, WEALDEN HEATH distillery which has a ‘shop’ attached. In details. blackdowncellar.co.uk They also AND CENTRAL DOWNS about a year’s time he expects to extend the cannot win our Trad Inn Award, but it is still premises to accept groups and tours, but for well worth a visit. now, alongside the distillery, you can buy RUSSELL CLEAVER, VOLUNTEER RANGER, from a wide range of original spirits, meads WESTERN DOWNS

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CAPTION COMPETITION

CAN YOU CREATE A WITTY CAPTION FOR The winner of last edition’s caption competition was... THIS PHOTOGRAPH? EMAIL YOUR IDEAS TO [email protected] “HONESTLY, THE LAND ROVER KEYS WERE HERE A MOMENT AGO.” JOHN WALTON, WESTERN AREA VOLUNTEER

A COUPLE OF JOKES

DID YOU KNOW?

CHURCHES WITH ROUND TOWERS ARE DISTINCTIVE BUT VERY UNUSUAL.

Many exist in East Anglia, but it is extremely rare to find round tower churches anywhere else. Nevertheless, three can be seen, quite close together in East Sussex, at Lewes, Piddinghoe & Southease. Why so? Why were round towers built, instead of the normal square ones? And why are they so rare? No-one knows for sure, there are several theories, but it is generally recognised that in the areas where round towers occur in England there is little good building stone available, only flint. And all the existing round towers in England are made of flint. This is probably the key point: the odd shapes of flint do not easily lend themselves to construct corners, they are better used for building thick, even circular, walls. This fact may help explain why round tower churches are so rare, but either way they remain delightful churches to visit, go and see one for yourself… Many date back to Anglo-Saxon times.

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THE SEASON OF SCRUB BASHING IS UPON US. ALONG WITH THE END OF SUMMER, BIRDS HAVE LEFT THEIR NESTS AND THE SOUNDS OF BRUSH CUTTERS AND LOPPERS CAN ONCE AGAIN BE HEARD FLOATING OVER THE DOWNS.

Scrub bashing is of course our most frequent Consider the many commons we as livestock, is another argument for another task every year, but if you’ve ever spent much volunteers have worked on over the last few day. Meanwhile, send for the volunteers they thought on why, as conservationists, we do years. Commons were once very valuable can get stuck in. Give ‘em leave to light a more cutting-down than planting-up then areas where local people could graze their bonfire and they’ll be as happy as Larry. John, please read on… own livestock but it’s a rare sight to see get that brushcutter started! animals on a common now. Trees have taken It’s a popular theory that the whole of RUSSELL CLEAVER, VOLUNTEER RANGER, over. See Shortheath Common, for example, Britain was originally covered in forests. But WESTERN DOWNS where volunteers of both the Western and this is rather too much of a generalisation, Central Areas have often bashed scrub. especially for the Downs, where the thin soils Trees such as birch and pine are ominously and thousands of years of grazing by animals dominant. And downland sites are under a has led to a flora that has been characterised similar threat. At Butser Hill, Oxenbourne by grassland. Indeed, many chalk grassland Down, as its name implies, was once grazed plants have evolved strategies to avoid being by cattle, but today you’ll find heavy scrub, grazed, such as creeping grasses and dwarf not fine grasses. thistles for example. But the gradual cessation of grazing over the last century has inevitably So hence the need to reduce the invasion led to the widespread increase of woody of woody species in favour of the chalk plants, not just on downland but over much grassland (or heather, if it is a heath). How of lowland England too. best to maintain it, in the absence of grazing

You’ll be pleased to know that several retailers are offering discounts on the sorts of things you’ll need in the countryside. The VRS has successfully negotiated discounts with: Mountain Warehouse, Clusons, JD Sports/ Millets/Blacks/Ultimate Outdoor, Goodrowes, Rohan, Roger Gunn and Southdown Bikes. Simply present your VRS photo identity card at the time of your purchase – or use an online discount code. The discount amount varies, but is not available in conjunction with any other discounts or offers and is subject to terms and conditions. Please visit the Volunteer section of SCF RECIPIENT: MIDHURST the intranet for full details. If you don’t have an ID card, or have YOUTH TRUST lost, damaged or mislaid it then please email [email protected] for a With spectacular views across the National As all campers know, and despite the recent replacement. The weekly Update email Park, the 16.5-acre Stedham campsite, run by heatwave, sometimes it rains. When the includes an intranet log-on that you can Midhurst Youth Trust, feels like a small piece Trust’s old marquee wore out they decided to use if you don’t already have one. of heaven for anyone who loves to camp – replace it with something more fitting to the but not just anyone gets to come here. The site. Thanks to a £10,000 contribution from site, run as a community asset, is exclusively the South Downs National Park Authority’s available for community groups and no matter Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) towards how big or small the group is they get the the costs of an excellent improvement to the entire site to themselves. camping site, this summer the campers have been taking shelter in a stunning new oak Whether they’re young carers, guides or have and slate structure. social, emotional or mental health needs, the families and groups who stay here can run wild, build camps, climb trees and make Above: Anne Murphy and Colin Hughes as much noise as they like without worrying from Midhurst Youth Trust about the neighbours.

Want to know more about what is JOIN THE happening in your National Park? Sign up for our monthly newsletter for SOUTH DOWNS the latest South Downs news, stories, ideas for days out, competitions, to hear NEWSLETTER about our ranger and volunteers’ work and much, much more... southdowns.gov.uk/join-the-newsletter PHEASANT FIELD A HAY MEADOW

SUE MILNTHORPE AND PAUL ROBERTS BOUGHT LAG WOOD AND PHEASANT’S FIELD IN HASSOCKS, A FEW MILES NORTH OF BRIGHTON, BACK IN 2013. THEIR OBJECTIVE – TO MANAGE THEM FOR WILDLIFE! Sue and Paul have reinstated management The VRS have been helping Sue and Paul out, it also plays host to the caterpillar of the in the ancient woodland and have been with this since 2014. As a relatively new cinnabar moth which is considered a natural restoring the wildflower meadow that volunteer with the VRS, I really enjoyed biological control for the invasive ragwort. was suffering from neglect and lack of the two days we had in May and July this Consequently any ragwort we found with management, ever since. This has involved year, helping Sue and Paul to restore their caterpillars attached were left. It was during reintroducing grazing (although this was hay meadow. This involved a mixture of these sessions that I also found out that unsuccessful due to dog attacks), managing strimming, pulling and raking the field. Sue SDNPA itself doesn’t own any land, we are a the weed species, simulating traditional and Paul spoke with such enthusiasm about ‘warden’ agency working in conjunction with management through mechanical cut and their diverse approach to the conservation private landowners and partners. collect and coppicing the blackthorn around of the meadow and Lag Wood. I found MARK SCOTT, VOLUNTEER RANGER, the field for the brown hairstreak butterfly. it interesting to discover that although EASTERN DOWNS (STANMER) ragwort is a poisonous weed that we pull

Downland Thymes: News for the South Design: The Way Design (1187) of water; 150 kWh of energy; 52 kg of Downs Volunteer Ranger Service. Paper stock: Printed on Cyclus Offset, wood. Source: Carbon footprint data Issue 81, September 2018. © SDNPA. 100% recycled paper. Please recycle evaluated by FactorX in accordance The information contained in this after use. with the Bilan Carbone® methodology. newsletter was, as far as known, Calculations are based on a comparison By using this recycled paper rather between the recycled paper used correct at the date of issue. The South than a non-recycled paper the Downs National Park Authority cannot, versus a virgin fibre paper according environmental impact was reduced to the latest European BREF data (virgin however, accept responsibility for any by: 32 kg of landfill; 14kg of CO2 of error or omission. fibre) available. Results are obtained greenhouse gases; 141 km travel in according to technical information and the average European car; 754 litres are subject to modification.