Downland Thymes Spring
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND NEWS FOR THE SOUTH DOWNS VOLUNTEER THYMES RANGER SERVICE ISSUE 91 | SPRING 2021 DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING CHAIR’S CORNER I struggled to know what to say to everyone this time around. Volunteering has been so quiet. What on earth is there to talk about? On 25 January the VRS committee held a Gently my wife reminds me. Scepticism. zoom meeting to discuss the finer details At least I’ve done the responsible thing for the AGM, due in March. A very and stayed indoors. Self-aggrandism. pleasant and productive meeting, but a committee meeting on Zoom is hardly Like I had a choice. I was immobile most newsworthy stuff. This year is the 40th of the time. Reflectivism. anniversary of the VRS, so it is important Can’t wait to get back at life though. to mark the occasion at the AGM. Futurism. But what to say now? I note down a few Editor’s Note Ah, but ‘gently’ the specialist said. bullet points. Respect. Specialism. If the last year has shown us I wrote: ‘Share a personal perspective’. anything, it’s that we can all get And we are still in the middle of this some strength and solace from our thing. Realism. I badly hurt my back a couple of months natural surroundings. As a member ago! The cause? Lockdown activity! Now get on and write something. of the Comms Team at South Downs Breaking up concrete, resulting in Journalism. National Park it’s been astonishing to a slipped disc. Those who know me see that even when access to nature Return to ‘normal’ is often a slow, will know that I am always over doing and inspiring views is restricted to challenging and emotional process. Not things. But this has been really painful digital means alone it can still resonate being stupid and hurting yourself in the and difficult. I’ve been pretty much with so many people. completely laid up. Very painful. first place, much more sensible. We’ve made it a priority to try and I wish all volunteers well. I hope that you Particularly in the current situation, being bring a little bit of the National Park are all finding your own ways through unwell has been an emotional roller to those people who are missing it or the current situation. Looking forward to coaster, as I guess it has for many people. can’t get outside, through imagery and seeing some of you at the AGM, albeit Latterly, one of the very few physical film, virtual walks and social media. via a video link. things I have been able to do, with the From the feedback we’ve had it has help of prescription drugs, is walk. Stay safe and keep connected. been greatly appreciated. Photography Carnegie © James I only live half a mile from the South © Daniel Greenwood STEVE BROOKMAN, CHAIR OF THE VRS At the time of writing we’re still in Downs. As part of my recuperation COMMITTEE national lockdown but we’re all hoping I’ve been walking a lot with my wife. that the spring will lift us with the extra Half a mile at first and then on to more light, sunshine and warmth. We can ambitious walks. Recently, to give the only hope it will get us on a path to UPDATE FROM THE walks focus I’ve shown her some of the some sort of normality soon. local sites we as volunteers have worked VOLUNTEERING TEAM on. We’ve talked about what those sites We’re all looking forward to you are like in full summer and the fact that getting back to volunteering tasks we must go back in better times, and en masse but it’s wonderful that so We all know the difficulties of the past year, so let’s focus on what better weather. many of you have managed to send we have to look forward to. The days are getting longer, primroses in content for this edition. Thank you Above all I realised how much I owe – as ever it’s a pleasure to read your are in full flower and the butterflies are taking to the wing again. the place I live in for my current sense contributions and to help put together It’s the perfect time to do a spot of microvolunteering. In this issue of optimism and speedy recovery. Even Downland Thymes for your enjoyment. when ill, during a lock down and in the I’ll be talking more about the UK-wide National Parks project to Don’t forget when you do get out promote species recording through iNaturalist. pouring rain, the Downs inspired me to there again – try to take some video ‘get going’ again. footage of tasks for others to see. The National Parks volunteering officers are Microvolunteering has been a key area I really hope it can be adopted and honed Is that newsworthy? I’m not sure… but usual reviews, photos, poems and local working together to promote iNaturalist as of work in our volunteer development to help people in future to understand the isn’t our respect for, and connectivity to interest stories are also most welcome. a phone app that can be used by anyone strategy, alongside projects which include spread of species. If natural history tells us the world we live in the most pressing We look forward to seeing what you visiting the South Downs or any other youth volunteering. The events of the past anything, it’s that it won’t be the same as it issue right now? After months of feeling send in to [email protected]. National Park. One of the great things about 12 months have made microvolunteering is now. iNaturalist is its artificial intelligence, which far more relevant with the advances in sorry for myself, today I spoke to my In the meantime stay safe and enjoy Wishing you well and looking forward to can help towards a species identification technology allowing this kind of small-scale consultant who advised that I could do the spring! seeing you soon. ‘a little’ extra physical something. Great! regardless of your level of knowledge. For (but high impact) volunteering to continue DANIEL GREENWOOD, SDNPA VOLUNTEER Optimism! CHARLIE HELLEWELL, EDITOR, more detail about iNaturalist and to find out unabated. In terms of identifying species, DOWNLAND THYMES how to get involved in the National Parks DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Yes, I think. Back to it! Hubrism. UK iNaturalist project, go to Page 14. 2 3 DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING WINNER! HIGHLY Stansted House © Mark Seaman COMMENDED Winter at the Seven Sisters © Roger Kiernan Photo competition: Seasons of the South Downs FROZEN WINTER DELIGHTS Thanks to all of you who a year’s family membership to his local entered our new VRS photo Wildlife Trust. competition! Highly commended went to James WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tolson for ‘Winter in North Stoke’ which We asked you to showcase the first of our beautifully captured the light and COULD YOU DO BETTER? challenges ‘Seasons of the South Downs’ movement of the snow drifting at the We know we have a talented bunch of photographers out ‘Winter’. What a gorgeous snowy set of side of a track, almost evoking the shapes there. Can you capture something that will embody ‘Spring’ in snaps you have sent in! of the downs themselves. Also to Mark the South Downs? You don’t need a fancy camera, a phone Seaman for his wintry image of ‘Stansted HIGHLY The Downland Thymes editorial team pic is welcome too. As long as the photo is taken in the South House’ which combined the charms of Winter in North Stoke had a really tough job choosing a winner Downs National Park you are free to photograph anything that COMMENDED cultural heritage in the South Downs with © James Tolson but we thought it had to be ‘Winter at might feel Spring-like in the beautiful Downs. It could be lambs the farming landscape, neatly framed by the Seven Sisters’ by Roger Kiernan, who gambolling, a chalk stream in full flow, your favourite view, spring trees. A huge well done to James and Mark. really captured the seasonal chill at this wildflowers or your family out for a walk. To enter our ‘Spring’ section of Seasons of the South Downs photo iconic spot. We particularly loved the rays competition, send your photo(s) to [email protected] by The images shown here today will make See the full terms and conditions here. Please remember to get of sunshine breaking through the cloud, their way in to the Authority’s image library people’s written consent if taking their photo for this competition. midnight on Friday 28 May 2021. the finely grained layers of chalk and the and may be used on the website, Instagram Good Luck! talon like structures at the base of the cliffs. and other press. We will of course credit Many congratulations to Roger who wins the photographer. 4 5 DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING 8 1 3 5 7 CHANCTONBURY RING, AN 9 ICONIC SOUTH DOWNS WALK Images © Mick Heywood There are many great walks in the South Downs National Park, but only a few reach “iconic” status! According to Mick Heywood, Chanctonbury Ring is one of those. Inhabited during the Bronze Age, Turn left as you leave the car park and To your right you are looking up the There are eight target lifts still in place At the top of the hill take the right As you approach Chanctonbury Hill, the 1 Chanctonbury Ring has been an 3 walk about 100 metres, immediately 5 scarp slope to the top of Lions Bank, 6 hidden behind a large mound as 7 path and follow it for half a mile or views really open up to your left across the Iron Age fort that has also seen service as you have a choice, if you go straight we will be walking up there shortly.