In this issue: 2 VRS update 3 Wildflower seed harvesting 5 Following in the footsteps 6 Kingley Vale 7 Know Your Downs 10 News from the Authority 12 Our people ...and more!
News for the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service Issue 60, May-July 2013
The ghost train of Droxford
Curious locals watched the skies as smoke started to rise private houses. They were some of the finest rural stations of the late Victorian from Droxford station on the Meon Valley Line. They thought: period, built of brick in a mock Tudor style, “There hasn’t been a steam train along here since the ‘50s”. with Portland Stone mullions and gables, stained-glass door windows and tiled If they had dared to look more closely, they The Meon Valley Railway (MVR) railway interiors. The lavatories were in outbuildings would have seen a roaring (sorry...carefully opened in 1903 and ran between Alton styled like Chinese pagodas. controlled) fire tended by a scurrying band and Fareham following the course of the of volunteer rangers, piling it high with scrub River Meon. These towns were thriving Droxford played a crucial role in the D-Day and the brash of trees cleared from the and becoming important railway junctions. operations. On Thursday 2 June 1944, trail nearby. A growth in tourist traffic was anticipated to Churchill, Eisenhower and other allied the Isle of Wight, and the Admiralty wanted leaders met in a special train at Droxford This is all part of a cunning plan worked out to improve the strategic movement of Station (which had the longest siding in in harmony with Hampshire County Council’s troops and equipment to the South Coast. southern England) close to a deep cutting rights of way team to improve the Meon to provide some cover in case of an air raid. Valley Trail (now a designated bridleway) The line was single-track with dual track Here, final planning decisions were made between Wickham and West Meon. only at stations. No expense was spared for Operation Overlord. Furthermore as public roads crossed the line on bridges To date, the platform masonry at the north our illustrious chairman, Ron Wilder, has a either over or under the railway, even end of Droxford station has been revealed. personal connection with it all! Ron’s father where this required extensive earthworks Earlier, part of a sign was found with just was flying Halifax bombers at the time and such as at Droxford station. There was a a ‘D’ and ‘FOR’ remaining. This turned on 3 June he and others flew a weather viaduct over the river at West Meon and out to be the old platform sign saying reconnaissance flight out over the Atlantic. a tunnel at West Meon and at Privett. ‘DROXFORD for Hambledon’. The data collected was used to form the Sadly, the expected levels of passenger weather forecast that Eisenhower and Work by South Downs Volunteer Ranger traffic never materialised and military use Churchill were given, and it resulted in the Service at the station’s south end will clear remained light. So, in 1955 (before the D-day landings being delayed by 24hrs, from the old railway cutting and sidings to let in ‘Beeching Axe’) the MVR was closed to 5 June to 6 June. More information can be light and encourage reversion to a small passengers although goods services were found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron. area of chalk downland habitat where retained on part of the line until 1968. strutt/rrcor3.html and http://en.wikipedia. visitors to the trail can gather. So, why org/wiki/Meon_Valley_Railway. would visitors want to gather at this spot? Three stations survived (Droxford, East To find out more read on... Tisted and Privett) and are now used as Martin Cowell, Volunteer Ranger, Western Downs
Tell us your story. Email your Downland Thymes articles to the editorial team [email protected] downland thymes summer downland thymes summer Update from the VRS Team After more than ten years working with the VRS, Anne Bush left SDNPA for early retirement at the end of March, with a quiet pub lunch in Ditchling. Thanks to the many of you who contributed to leaving presents for her; together with contributions from staff, we managed to collect a fantastic £330! This bought travel vouchers, which will go a long way towards something like a city break – she has done a few of these over the last few years. With a couple of VR groups sorting out their own gifts for her © Rob Nicholls too, she left knowing how much she was Our new starter Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett appreciated by us all. Chairman’s Anne’s departure has of course had a big the old Volunteer Ranger badge. We’d also impact on our work, but that is starting ask you not to wear your fleeces on task to ease, because as of 29th April, we have days with a fire, or at least not without Corner been joined by Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett, who something like a wax jacket over it to will be with us for six months. This will give protect it. I hope you enjoy this first issue of a us time to decide what sort of long-term The content of the volunteer section of new, revitalised Downland Thymes. post we most need to help support you all. the NPA intranet is slowly being added to Wildflower Once Vicky is up to speed, she will deal with I want us in the South Downs VRS and we can add lots more when the new most of what Anne did. We’ll get her out of to be at the forefront of what can intranet facility is up and running in a month the office over the next couple of months be achieved by volunteers in the or so. to meet you – she studied archaeology, National Park. For the future there so she’s used to getting her hands dirty! Some of you are aware that for a number Seed Harvesting are many ways we can diversify the of reasons I have had to further delay This is the first time I’ve written this column During September 2012, the Western Area VRS the first of the new introductory training volunteer output: we could expand not knowing exactly what the rest of days. I will now be running these in early put their new wildflower seed harvester into our practical conservation tasks; we Downland Thymes is going to look like. July and will let all of you who need that action, collecting seed from the top of Butser Hill can seek new ways of volunteering Many thanks to VR Russell Cleaver for day know dates as soon as I can. More gathering most of the volunteer content and at a privately owned site near South Harting. and we can play our part in a wider positively, during the year to March 2013, for this edition and also to Carrie Hulse and collaboration of volunteering bodies we organised more additional training We waited until September because we However, the South Downs Volunteer Jo Glyde from our Communications team for Volunteer Rangers than ever before, particularly wanted to collect ripe cowslip Ranger Service seed harvesting efforts have across the South Downs. for managing some input from the NPA and with almost £10,000 of the NPA’s VRS seeds, which are needed by the Duke of increased the scale and speed of the work pulling everything together. I hope you enjoy I’m also pleased that we are budget being spent on driver training, first Burgundy butterfly. Once collected, the being carried out by the National Trust, the new ‘feel’ of this newsletter. Do let us progressing other initiatives such as aid, brushcutter training, flintwalling and material is dried on tarpaulins before sieving so it’s a great team effort. know what you think and keep those water safety, as well as two evening history to remove excess chaff. the water taps project in memorial contributions coming. Work like this aims to repair some of the lectures – do let us have feedback on those. for Paul Millmore. And there are The seed was spread over several sites, 97% loss of species-rich grassland that has One of the last jobs Anne did before she All the best to you all. I look forward to but most of the work was carried out by occurred in the UK over the last century. plans to give you all, in each area, left was to distribute the new sweatshirts to seeing you at the AGM in July. National Trust volunteers at a restoration Importantly, as it is brush harvested locally, some of our VRS funds to spend VRs from the outdoor practical groups, so field of great strategic importance. The it protects local plant genetics – rather than on your own volunteer activities. you can stop wearing the old green ones Ian Hartle, field links Selborne Common and Noar buying in European seed which will have now! You’re welcome to keep them and use Volunteer Co-ordinator, South Downs These initiatives are some of the Hill, two Special Sites of Scientific Interest. different characteristics. them for other things, but please take off National Park Authority things that the VRS Committee has The map by Chris Webb, National Trust Since last Autumn, the VRS has also felled Warden, shows the work carried out by the recently developed and I hope we trees and cleared scrub at Selborne Selborne Association Grassland Restoration can deliver more. We are a lively Common, opening up a glade which creates Project. The National Trust has been and proactive committee and we a vista looking back across the restoration spreading local green hay on parts of the field towards Noar Hill. now have some vacancies. Please Attend our VRS AGM site for two years, and there has been good get in touch if you wish to join us. A date for your diary: the Do come and join us on a guided walk at Noar Hill, establishment of Cowslip. This year, the VRS AGM will be held in Selborne at the Gilbert White Museum Annual General Meeting for the day. As well as our AGM a downland site famous for The work will expand the population of This leads me to my final point: (see inside front cover for details). This the South Downs Volunteer there will be a presentation its wild orchids. We expect the Duke of Burgundy Butterfly from the We have a particularly interesting gives us the opportunity to make a visit to Ranger Service will be about the world famous to finish at approximately Hampshire and Isle of White Wildlife Trust’s AGM due this year on 20 July in Noar Hill in the afternoon, so that more held at The Gilbert White ecologist Gilbert White, 3.00pm to 3.30pm. Noar Hill reserve. We already know that House’s Field Studies Centre then after lunch you can members of the VRS can admire its newly Selborne, it is your chance to be This is an advance notice, the population is doing well, as a pair were (Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 take the chance to take a improved flora and, if the sun allows, its heard and to influence how we final details and bookings seen at Selborne Common in Spring 2012 3JH) on 20 July 2013. look around this historic butterfly population as well. for the AGM will follow in – for the first time since the ‘70s. move forward. venue (for free), or go on due course. Rob Nicholls, Western Area Ranger, Ron Wilder, VRS Chairman South Downs National Park Authority Flower images © Nick Heasman 2 VRS Team, South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service: 01273 698256 [email protected] 3 downland thymes summer downland thymes summer Your reviews In this brand new section we’ll be pulling together reviews about all of your favourite Following in things. Tell us about books you’ve read, pubs you’ve visited, tools or gadgets you’ve used or even websites that you’d recommend to other volunteers. Email your reviews to [email protected] with a picture and up to 100 words description.
the FootstepsPart one of two Silky Saw Traditional Before I joined the VRS I had spent years Inn Award grumbling about bow saws and pruning When finishing a VRS task One person who undoubtedly walked in Throughout England there were frequent saws when they snagged and made hard areas where we work and who helped lay battles against the Danes and by 867 they work of simple cuts. Yet in the VRS I heard with the thought that the foundations of our present day lifestyle had overthrown the kingdoms of East of a magical product that made light of ‘you can see where we may spring to mind. Unlike many younger Anglia, Northumbria and Mercia, but were such work. And so I recently bought my have been’, have you ever people, you probably remember the name still opposed by the West Saxons. In 868 own Silky Saw. It gives a remarkably clean wondered who was there of the only King of England to be known as Alfred married sixteen-year-old Eahlswith, cut. Mine is a F180, it folds and fits well in ‘The Great’ and the myth or legend of the a noblewoman of the Gaini, and they had the pocket or hand and its 7.5 inch blade is before us? burned cakes which has come down to us three daughters and two sons. all you need for coppicing hazel. At £19.25 over hundreds of years? There is much more In 870, Guthrum, leader of the Danes, (online) it’s not the cheapest saw, but it is for which that king should be remembered invaded Wessex with some success. During definitely the best. and the South Downs National Park lies the last months of 870 and the early ones within his Kingdom of Wessex. Russell Cleaver, Volunteer of 871, Alfred fought alongside his only Ranger, Western Downs Aelfred or Alfred was the fifth and youngest surviving brother Aethelred, now King of son of Aethelwulf (Noble Wolf), King of Wessex, in at least nine battles against t the West Saxons, and his wife Osburth. Guthrum. Disaster struck on the 22 March Grea He was born in 849 at Wantage and is the 871, when they were defeated in the Battle gadgets thirty second Great Grandfather of our of Merton. Aethelred was killed and Alfred present Queen Elizabeth. His father was became King. Hostilities continued and widely respected for his Christian beliefs, the although his forces defeated the Danes at defence of his kingdom and for his charitable the Battle of Ashdown, their frequent and efforts. He made a pilgrimage to Rome destructive raids devastated Wessex and The Flower Pots Inn, Cheriton, Hants. SO24 0QQ before Alfred was five, and again when he by 877 Alfred was forced to withdraw to was about eight years old he was sent to visit the Somerset marshes where the incident As soon as you walk into this pub you feel that city. Possibly as a result of those visits he of the burned cakes may have occurred. comfortable. We had been out for a midday Volunteers, please send us your reviews of pubs that you was introduced to the scholarship of the day Legend has it that when fleeing alone, he walk so were muddy and hungry when we and became well educated, in addition to sought shelter in a peasant’s hut. The wife arrived, but felt immediately at ease here. think deserve a Traditional Inn Award. We’re talking about good excelling in martial pursuits. was busy and unaware of his identity, so she Both the interior and the food are simple asked him to ensure that the cakes baking old-fashioned public houses, rather than He was used to the sporadic fighting yet fine, and as for the ale, they brew their on her fire did not burn. His mind was on gastro pubs or themed inns. We want between the various small kingdoms of that own excellent beer on site. I recommend more serious matters and he was berated to know about places where you don’t time and the raiding parties of the Vikings. the Pots Ale: at 3.8% it tastes great and is by her when he failed in his task! The story need to take your boots off before Boundary battles were frequent and the not too strong if you’re out to enjoy a walk. also lives on in the commonly known crossing the threshold! Send us a photo Kingdom of Wessex in the South West of name of the black, spherical fungus Daldinia Russell Cleaver, Volunteer and 100 words to explain why the pub England expanded to include Surrey, Sussex concentrica: ‘King Alfred’s cakes’. Ranger, Western Downs you nominate should be recognised. and Kent. Concerned about the problems which would arise if he was succeeded Shirley Brice, Volunteer Ranger, by an immature child and to avoid sibling Seven Sisters Country Park rivalry, Aethelwulf decreed that the order I was totally overwhelmed by everyone’s ewes. It’s many years since I lambed my Look out for part two of ‘Following in of succession would be from eldest to generosity. My main present was a gift own sheep, but it’s a bit like riding a bike the Footsteps’ in the August edition of A message youngest son. Despite the fact that he had voucher to spend with travel agents – you don’t forget – and there is such a Downland Thymes. to resolve problems with his eldest son Thompson or First Choice. I shall think sense of achievement in helping to deliver from Anne Aethelstan by dividing his kingdom with him, of you all when I’m on holiday and let you healthy lambs. this order of succession was maintained Dear all, know where I decide to go – perhaps I’ll I shall keep abreast of everything going after he died in 858. take my Downland Thymes with me! I would just like to say a very, very on in the VRS and hope to see you big THANK YOU for all of the emails, I haven’t had a chance to miss you all yet sometime. presents, good wishes and cards I (I know that will come) as I’ve been busy Best wishes received on my retirement. helping friends to lamb their flock of 42 Anne Bush
4 5 downland thymes summer downland thymes summer South Downs Know Your Downs Volunteer Kingley Vale Kingley Vale was one of the first National As volunteers on the reserve, we mostly get Ranger Nature Reserves in England and a favourite involved in scrub clearance. Natural England site of Sir Arthur Tansley, the first Chairman has been removing a number of large ash Service of the Nature Conservancy Council, who trees to create linked glades and to help is remembered by a memorial stone above the spread of butterflies. There is also a fair For any enquiries, the central combe. Chiefly known for amount of work to be done with regards to please contact us at: its ancient yew forest, the reserve is also maintaining the fences: The reserve hosts a Stanmer Offices designated for its chalk grassland and its large herd of fallow deer and these beasts chalk heath. The northern extension of the don’t respect fences like sheep seem to. Stanmer Park reserve is on Forestry Commission land and Volunteer sheep lookers also play a vital Lewes Road it is heavily wooded. role. Without their help, reserve manager Katherine Birch would not be able to put Brighton BN1 9SE The ancient yews in the grove at the foot sheep on the site. 01273 698256 of the combe are iconic, with mighty central [email protected] trunks up to five metres round with heavy The land around Kingley Vale is intensively branches arching down and layering like farmed and, as elsewhere, more and more Ian Hartle cathedral arches. Local legend links their land is being transferred from pasture Volunteer Co-ordinator planting to the defeat of Viking raiders in the to arable. The photographs are from our late 9th century, which would make them last visit, clearing scrub on the South East 07866 961548 over 1,000 years old. facing slope of the Northern extension. It is [email protected] important to maintain a buffer zone of chalk The chalk grassland avoided the plough grassland between the yew woods and the during the Second World War by offering Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett farm land, and we get a chance to burn up itself for target practice. Live mortar shells Volunteer Admin Assistant some brambles and dogwood. still turn up with some regularity. This means 01273 625242 that the main chalk grassland flora lives on, Stephen Allberry, vicky.wakefield-jarrett@ and orchids and butterflies benefit. Volunteer Ranger, Midhurst southdowns.gov.uk As elsewhere in the South Downs, the loss of grazing has meant an increase in Lancing College Chapel During February and March Cris Savill encroaching scrub and ash. Over recent this year the VRS did some years sheep have been introduced at times in Repeatedly described as the Cathedral of the Downs, scrubVolunteer clearance Task Co-ordinator along with an attempt to keep the sward close cropped. Lancing College Chapel dominates the landscape to the Natural01243 811533 England on the The reserve has a rich archaeological north of the A27 and across the Adur Valley. slopes07866 of961598 Kingley Vale, an treasure, from the prominent Bronze Age The largest school chapel in the world is up as high as it did was that Woodard [email protected] famous nature barrows through to Iron Age and Roman an architectural masterpiece of the gothic insisted that it be built to its full height remains, then up to the secret bases of revival, with soaring columns and a wealth at one end first, so that even if he died reserve.Dan Cornell Our aim was to saboteur units preparing for a possible of stained glass, carvings and tapestries. before completion the height could not German Invasion in the Second World War. be cut down to save money. The chapel improveHeathland the Officer chalk grassland Lancing College, a co-educational English is built in the English gothic style of the habitat, a task which proved independent school was founded in 1848 01730 817945 14th century, with 13th century French by Nathaniel Woodard. Woodard’s aim to07917 be both 602380 demanding and influences. It was designed by R. H. was to provide education based on sound [email protected] enjoyable. Carpenter and William Slater, and is built principle and sound knowledge, “firmly of Sussex sandstone from Scaynes Hill. Dan Oakley grounded in the Christian faith”. Lancing was the first of a family of more than 30 In 2011 to celebrate the 200th birthday Ranger – Western Area schools founded by Woodard (others of Nathaniel Woodard, the Friends of 02392 572619 include Hurstpierpoint College and Lancing College announced that the 07557 923843 Ardingly College). chapel will be completed with a porch designed by the late Alan Rome, a former [email protected] The foundation stone of the college architect at the chapel. This comes chapel was laid in 1868, but the chapel 143 years after it’s construction began. itself was not finished in Woodard’s Construction will begin as soon as lifetime. In fact, the chapel remains sufficient funds (around £3 million) unfinished. It stands at about 50 metres are available. (with foundations going down 20 metres into the ground), but the original plans The Chapel is open Monday to Saturday called for a tower at the West end which between 10am and 4pm and Sunday and would raise the height to 100 metres. Bank Holidays between 12noon and 4pm. One reason that the chapel ended All services are open to the public.
6 7 downland thymes summer downland thymes summer The Song of The Chainsaw Welcoming our Oh the old Sussex songs by Hilaire Belloc For in the world of sonority, much loved Throughout the cosmology, new starters You never can ‘ear ‘em no more The petrol engine is law. In each new edition of Downland Thymes we’d like to No, you never can ‘ear ‘em. And you can never quite ‘ear ‘em. introduce you to some of our new starters. This month, You never can ‘ear ‘em. (You’d not want to be near ‘em) say hello to Alastair Stewart and Anne Asha... A very You never can ‘ear ‘em, no more. On account of the chainsaw’s roar. Alastair Stewart The festival was one of the very first But still sung they are, full lustily, throat-sore, Ian Runcie, Volunteer Ranger, Eastern Downs of its kind in the UK and over the years Area: Western Downs. has attracted many well-known and muddy task By the hedgelayers, whilst laying and threshin’. respected conductors and musicians. But you never can ‘ear ‘em (some say it’s a blessin’) My first day with the Central area weekend VRS: Scrub clearance Useful tip learnt through the VRS: You never can ‘ear ‘em no more. on Triumph Down, close Never try to pick up a piece of wood volunteers are a hardy bunch. to Queen Elizabeth if you are already standing on it! On Sunday 17 March, we turned Country Park. up at Barnham station prepared How I got involved: After taking Anne Asha for action, but half expecting the early retirement I joined several local Area: I volunteer on task to be called off. We soon Caption groups, and having spent my career in a Tuesday or Thursday banking this was frequently as either with the Eastern Downs realised that when West Sussex the Treasurer or accounts examiner. Stanmer Park group. Ranger Darren organises a task, Through one of these groups I met Ron competition Wilder (VRS Chair) and Roger Lacey, My first day with the a slight ‘precipitation’ falling from both of whom were proud of and VRS: My first task the skies is no problem... was clearing scrub from the Downs Can you create a witty caption clearly greatly enjoyed their work with The plan was to re-install wooden footpath overlooking Breaky Bottom vineyard for this photograph? the VRS. Because I wanted to balance a steps up a steep muddy bank at Fittleworth near Rodmell. It was on a cold and wet lot of desk-based accounting work with and to replace a broken stile at the top of day in January, but I had a great day – Email your ideas to something more physically active, in the the bank with a metal kissing gate. ‘Easy’, I completely the opposite of what I had autumn last year I joined the Western hear you say! [email protected] Downs’ Thursday group and now also been doing in my working life. However with a weather forecast of heavy participate in the recently formed How I got involved with the VRS: rain all day (two black blobs as I recall it Tuesday group. I have friends in the Lake District who on the met office site!), we all donned our are Volunteer Rangers with the National Unusual fact about myself: I led the waterproofs and got stuck in immediately. Park Authority and I always liked the design and subsequent implementation ‘Stuck in’ is a suitable description, as we fell sound of what they did. Late last year of the UK’s first live radio station into a quagmire as we descended from the I investigated whether I could do exclusive to a major UK bank, going land rover, while putting on our waterproofs. from first thoughts to broadcasting something similar in the South Downs in just seven weeks. The station now National Park, having resigned from The ever efficient Darren, paperwork done, plays in almost all branches of that full-time employment last September. unloaded the tools while we set to work bank and the idea was quickly taken I spoke to Anne Bush, who set up the immediately. Richard was in charge of steps, up by some of its competitors. I day for me. while we kept slipping and sliding past him Pic in the Park to dig out old posts and make new holes dealt personally with all of the early Unusual fact about myself: I have been for the gate. No chatter or admiring of The oldest oak in the South Downs National Park, the customer feedback from customers, keeping bees in my garden for the last views, but heads down, squelching around both good and bad. One customer was three years. This is the first year I have Queen Elizabeth Oak, is named after Queen Bess who each other, we finally finished the steps and particularly impressed that, in reaction done all of the work myself and there reputedly sheltered under it when she visited here in gate by 1.30pm. to his complaints of loud and intrusive has been an awful lot to learn. 1591. It is now designated by the Tree Council as one of music, I travelled across London in my The honey tastes marvellous and At this point, soaked to the skin, we did not lunchtime to visit his branch and hear although last year was in general a bad stop for lunch. Instead we headed home 50 special trees in the UK, in recognition of its place in it for myself – and consequently turned year for honey, the previous year the quickly for a hot bath, a strong drink and to our national heritage. the sound down! bees produced 50lbs of it! clean mud off of everything! We felt satisfied Queen Elizabeth Oak, Cowdray Park, nr Midhurst, grid ref. SU 913227 that despite battling against the elements, Recommended activity in the National Recommended activity in the National the job was well done. Park: Petersfield Musical Festival – Park: Any one of the circular walking eight days of concerts organised by In every issue we will display a new of 50 words and give details of its routes from Devil’s Dyke, ideally having Let’s hope that the steps and the gate have ‘Pic in the Park’. So send in a photo of precise location, such as its grid volunteers, held every March in the taken one of the buses from the city not been washed away by now. Despite town since 1901. It showcases a wide a quirky corner, special place or hidden reference or post code, so we can state centre – open topped in the summer. nursing aching muscles the next day, we’ll all In the next issue we’ll publish the best range of music, from full orchestras and gem that you think would suit this feature. where to find it (please note, it must be If you are coming from outside the turn up again come rain or shine in future. captions. We’ll also be looking for more choirs to top jazz and other celebrity Just email [email protected]. publicly accessible). Our first photo is area, parking is free for National Trust This volunteering is addictive, isn’t it? photos for future editions of Downland musicians, with two concerts given Please also supply a succinct description located fairly centrally. members. Thymes, so send us your funny photos of specially by children from local schools. Helena Lewis, Volunteer Ranger, Central Downs volunteers at work or play. 8 9 downland thymes summer downland thymes summer News from the Authority
Have your say… South Downs The South Downs National Park Authority View is currently developing a Partnership Want to know Management Plan in close collaboration more about with all those who have an interest in partnership projects the National Park, its protection and and some big development. This Summer, it’s time to achievements across tell us what you think... the National Park? ©East Hampshire District Council Pick up your copy The aims of the Partnership Management Plan of South Downs are to outline strategic long-term plans for: View, launching mid • a thriving, living landscape. Shipwrights Way opens May, from your local The protection, conservation and area office. enhancement of the natural beauty of the In March, new sections of the Shipwrights National Park, including its biodiversity Way trail in East Hampshire were declared Get out and and cultural heritage; open by Damian Hinds MP. about this • people connected to places. summer The promotion of opportunities for The project began in 2009 Mike Deadman, a Walk Leader and was made possible through from Walking for Health, says: The South Downs the understanding and enjoyment of National Park events the area’s special qualities; and a partnership between East “The new kissing gates and Hampshire District Council, landscaped paths mean we can season is just kicking • a sustainable future. Hampshire County Council, walk in areas that had previously off. If you’d like to Give something back. The encouragement of sustainable the South Downs National been inaccessible muddy come along or help forms of economic and community Park Authority, the VRS and the patches only used by cattle”. out manning the development. Forestry Commission. National Park stand, Take nothing but pictures. Local artist, Richard Perry, please email The South Downs National Park’s photo and short film competitions The first Partnership Management Plan The route traces the historic has taken inspiration from info@southdowns. for the South Downs National Park will track taken by those bringing workshops held in the gov.uk for the latest are now open and this year we’re challenging you to capture an run from 2014-19. Although the work is logs from Alice Holt Forest communities along the events programme. image or shoot a film which tells the story of how people who love, being led by the National Park Authority, to Portsmouth Dockyards for Shipwrights Way to help him live and visit the South Downs today value and care for it. the policies will be implemented by many shipbuilding. This is reflected ‘tell the story of the landscape’ organisations and individuals from across in the name, Shipwrights Way. through several sculptures. the South Downs. From leaving the car behind and taking the The winning photographer will receive £250, Currently about 47 of the 50 Located along the route, bus; to growing and enjoying amazing local second place prize will be £150 and third Formal consultation on the plan will take miles are completed, including they each will have a Quick food; or supporting a community event: the place will be £50. The winning short film place from late June to September. To find out an unbroken 40-mile stretch Response code (QR) which judges will be looking for photos and films maker will receive £500, second place prize more, or to have your say on how the park’s from Liphook to Portsmouth. allows you to link online to a that not only capture great stories but also will be £300 and third place will be £150. Top left: Long Man of Wilmington by Joan landscapes, people, wildlife and economy will It’s expected that the trail will variety of information about inspire others to get out and get involved. Barham. Top right: An Avenue of Horse Daisies be managed, visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/ be finished in 2014. history and wildlife. Find out how to enter at by John Wigley. Above: Looking to Lewes by about-us/management-plan www.southdowns.gov.uk/photofilmcomp2013 James Ringland.
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Each issue we meet one of Getting to know you! the South Downs team.
Name: network of the Downs including the flora, fauna, soils, geology and hydrology Ayla Forbes of the chalk. It also aims to connect local communities and businesses with Job title: the chalk landscapes and value what NIA (Nature Improvement Area) the Downs brings to us. The project Project Administrator brings together 29 partners including the Volunteer Ranger Service, Brighton What does your role & Hove City Council, Sussex Wildlife involve? Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Butterfly Conservation. It’s an exciting My role is to monitor and report on the and ambitious project and we hope you progress of the NIA project. I keep a will see a real difference on the ground close eye on the finances to make sure in terms of improved and newly created we are spending according to our budget, habitat for invertebrates and butterflies What’s your recommended collect and collate update reports from such as the Duke of Burgundy. our partners, arrange workshops and visits activity in the South for partners and Rangers and get out and How might volunteers be Downs National Park? about in the Downs to have a look at the involved in the project? Walking across the Downs at different work being done for the project. In the first year our volunteers times of the year and taking in its beauty, What is the NIA? contributed 424 days to NIA related tasks. diversity and tranquillity. Volunteers are very important to the The NIA is a £3m project, including In the next issue, we’ll be interviewing Allison delivery of the NIA and we plan to use £608,000 funding from Defra, to conserve, Thorpe, Access and Recreation Strategy Lead. their muscles and enthusiasm on future If you’d like to ask Allison a question, email enhance and reconnect the ecological NIA tasks. [email protected]
Obituary – Alan Williams Alan was the last of the original recruits to several years ago moved from Alfriston up to remain an active member of the VRS. Joining Oxfordshire to be closer to his family, where at the first of two public meetings held in he died in late February. Lewes during 1981, he worked with the For Phil Belden, SDNPA Operations outdoor practical work groups until the late Director, who worked with him in the early 1990s. He continued as a Parish Path Ranger, days of the VRS, he was: “the original VRS monitoring Public Rights of Way and also put Committee – a critical friend, who had a real a lot of time into helping look after the herd commitment to the future of the VRS and of Exmoor ponies purchased by the VRS a passion for the Downs. While a measured (now owned and managed by the charity and thoughtful man, he always made sure his Sussex Pony Grazing and Conservation views were clearly heard and understood”. Trust). The first Volunteer Ranger to serve for twenty years, he received his Gold Ian Hartle, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Long Service badge on top of the Downs South Downs National Park Authority overlooking Firle, while on a visit to check the ponies. He finally retired from the VRS and
Downland Thymes: News for the South Design: IndiaRabey.co.uk (0122) Source: Carbon footprint data evaluated Downs Volunteer Ranger Service. by FactorX in accordance with the Bilan Issue 60, Summer: May, June, July 2013. Paper stock: Printed on Cyclus Offset, Carbone® methodology. Calculations © SDNPA. 100% recycled paper. Please recycle after use. are based on a comparison between the recycled paper used versus a virgin fibre The information contained in this newsletter By using this recycled paper rather than a non-recycled paper the environmental paper according to the latest European was, as far as known, correct at the date BREF data (virgin fibre) available. Results are of issue. The South Downs National impact was reduced by: 32 kg of landfill; 14kg of CO2 of greenhouse gases; 141 km travel obtained according to technical information Park Authority cannot, however, accept and are subject to modification. responsibility for any error or omission. in the average European car; 754 litres of water; 150 kWh of energy; 52 kg of wood.