DOWNLAND NEWS FOR THE VOLUNTEER THYMES RANGER SERVICE ISSUE 86 | WINTER 2019 IN THIS ISSUE: 2 FESTIVE CHAIRMANS CORNER & FRONDS TEAM UPDATE 4 PLANTS OF THE PARK MEET THE NEW RANGERS 6 INSPIRED BY THE DOWNS 8 Cowdray Castle ruins VCF and mistletoe © Duncan Vere Green 11 MISTLETOE, VISCUS ALBUM, A WOODY, HEDGEROWS PARASITIC SHRUB NATIVE TO BRITAIN IS Mistletoe can occur on up to 200 species REVISITED FOUND LOCALLY IN SUSSEX BUT MORE of trees although rarely on conifers. Apple is the most common host, but it also occurs 12 FREQUENTLY IN THE WEST OF THE COUNTY. on lime, hawthorn, crack willow, poplar, YOUR REVIEWS Although mistletoe is parasitic In Sussex there are colonies of robinia, field maple, sycamore, elm, horse it seldom kills its host if kept in mistletoe on parkland lime trees chestnut, ash, whitebeam and rowan. 14 bounds by harvesting. It has in Parham Park, Cowdray Park, Try growing your own: AUTHORITY been cultivated since at least the Petworth Park and Lavington NEWS 18th century. Nurserymen still Park. At Parham it also grows • Find a mature host tree, thin bark is best supply it growing on apple trees. on ancient hawthorns. In the • Rub a ripe berry onto the underside of a mid-19th century mistletoe was strong branch and tie securely with muslin 16 It is found most often in so abundant in Cowdray Park BUZZING orchards, parklands, gardens • If it ‘takes’ the root will penetrate the host that cartloads were cut before ACTIVITY and churchyards and is tree and shoot Christmas. therefore commonly associated • Male and female plants are needed near Acknowledgments: with areas of human habitation If you know of mistletoe plants to each other to produce berries mistletoe.org.uk the website growing in your area, the Sussex of mistletoe enthusiast on cultivated or deliberately • Flowers form slowly over several months Jonathan Briggs. planted trees. It is impossible Botanical Recording Society and open around February. They are sussexflora.org.uk Nelson, to know how many specimens (see right) would love to hear pollinated by insects, particularly bees, Dawn. Sussex Botanical Recording Society have been deliberately from you with a grid reference as in other fruiting plants ‘The Flora of Sussex’ cultivated, but clumps in high if possible. • Berries can take up to a year to ripen. F. Abrahams, M. Briggs, branches of tall trees are likely P. Harms, A. Hoare, A. Knapp, KATE FRANKLAND, VOLUNTEER T. Lording, B. Scott,M. Shaw, to have been sown by birds. D. Streeter, & N. Stuart RANGER EASTERN DOWNS (Eds. 2018) Newbury:Pisces.

Tell us your story. Email your Downland Thymes articles to the editorial team [email protected] DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Thank you for all the interesting articles, reviews and photos that you have sent in for inclusion over the year. We have enjoyed reading them all and have tried to include as many as possible. We seem to have a flurry of new starters to introduce you to in this edition. Hopefully you will now be able to put a few faces to names CHAIRMAN’S and vice versa when you see them out and about. We also have a wonderful CORNER new gang of Apprentice Rangers to Another year is coming to a close; it has introduce you to but they will have been eventful for us on the Committee, to wait for another edition. with the new Volunteer Conservation Next year is the 10th anniversary of Fund taking off so very well, an extremely UPDATE FROM THE the South Downs National Park. Part enjoyable AGM in March and rounded of our celebrations will include a special off with some interesting courses on VOLUNTEERING TEAM edition of Downland Thymes in March woodlands and fungi. 2020 incorporating any of your stories It has also been good to see many of about being a volunteer with the South you out and about over the year and I’m AUTUMN 2019 WAS A BUMPER SEASON FOR Downs Volunteer Ranger Service over We were delighted to hear that two of pleased that we have had requests for MUSHROOMS AND THEREFORE A GREAT TIME TO this time. Please get your thinking caps our volunteer groups, the Heathlands funds to help several of you with Area HOLD OUR FIRST FUNGI ID TRAINING SESSIONS. on and start pulling together ideas for Reunited volunteers who produced a social activities. We also have approved inclusion in the newsletter. As ever, Volunteers were given the opportunity a name pointing to their movement and book about the tales and mini-histories of a request for Travel Fellowship funding please send anything appropriate to to learn more about the amazing constant travel across the open country. our heaths, and our Youth Ambassadors, for a group of volunteers from the [email protected]. The deadline ecology and culture of mushrooms. In the south we’re also lucky to have have been highly commended in the Wealden Heath Area to visit Bardsey for the March edition is 27 January 2020. The training sessions held really the winter influx of the goldcrest’s close Island in North Wales to do some National Parks UK Volunteer Awards interesting discussions about why British relative, the firecrest. These stunning group category. Congratulations to If you can, take some time for yourself conservation work there in the spring. culture has become so removed from birds weigh as little as a 5p piece and both groups on your achievements in over the Christmas break and get out Arrangements are confirmed for next foraging wild mushrooms whereas one can be found in the ivy and holly-heavy respectively highlighting the unique for a few invigorating walks in those year’s AGM on 28 March 2020, to be volunteer recounted witnessing Russian woods of the Weald throughout the heritage of the South Downs and in beautiful South Downs, or as Hilaire held in the Linklater Pavilion at Lewes. I’m government officials heading straight out winter. In the marshes and river valleys championing the youth voice. Belloc called them “the great hills of very pleased that we have managed to get onto Hampstead Heath in the 1970s to waders and wildfowl will be arriving in the South Country”. Neil Hulme as the guest speaker; he will Top: Highly commended for HeRe – look for fungi! Hopefully there was also their thousands to spend the winter. Happy Christmas! be talking on ‘Rewilding’ and has extensive some useful advice for those of you with tales and mini histories of our heaths I would like to take this opportunity to knowledge of the Knepp Estate project bracket fungi growing at the bottom of Youth Ambassadors Kirstie Ferris thank our 300 volunteers for all the time and Cameron MacDonald CHARLIE HELLEWELL, working there as a member of the Advisory trees in your gardens and what response you have offered to the South Downs © SDNPA Daniel Greenwood EDITOR, DOWNLAND THYMES Board and as a guide. We will also be is required, if at all. I know many of you National Park in 2019. From everyone seeking new members to the Committee will not see Christmas in the same way here at the South Downs National Park at that AGM, as both I and the treasurer, ever again… Authority we hope you have a relaxing Mike Ellis, will be standing down. I do December is the end of the fungi season Christmas break and look forward to KATHRYN STEELE – hope that we can attract some new faces and the arrival of colder temperatures. seeing you again in the New Year. to work on the Committee, duties are not PROVIDING VOLUNTEER SUPPORT This is a fantastic time to improve your very onerous or time consuming – just four DANIEL GREENWOOD, Welcome to Kat Steele a new Support Services understanding of trees by participating meetings a year with two of them by video, SDNPA VOLUNTEER Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority. in a spot of winter tree ID while so why not give it a go? DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Kat will be monitoring the [email protected] volunteering. Learning the buds and bark email account and will be able to assist with any Finally, I wish you all a very Merry of trees in winter gives an understanding volunteering enquiries you may have across the Christmas and a Happy New Year, of species that can be used when the different areas. thank you all for your commitment leaves arrive again in the spring. It’s also a and time in support of our important time to welcome wintering species to the Above: Kat has a background in ecology with five years work in the South Downs. Downs. The flocks of redwings migrating Volunteers experience of completing species surveys. She over our villages, towns and cities by during fungi is licensed to handle great crested newts and is RON WILDER, VRS CHAIR ID training night can be identified with a typical a bat carer, often rehabilitating bats at her home. in Buriton in tseep call as they zip overhead. Then October Currently also studying for an MSc in Environmental there are their cousins, fieldfares, with © Daniel Greenwood Management, Kat is looking forward to visiting the different areas within the Park and helping volunteers enjoy their time supporting the National Park. 2 3 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER

and planning the restoration MICHAELA ‘MICKY’ PAPE, and floodplain meadow and future management of ASSISTANT RANGER, sites. Before that I was a a new SSSI heathland site at WEALDEN HEATH TEAM member of the VRS and MEET THE previously worked for Royal NEW RANGER with Kate. I also have a joint River Fly Started Armouries and Portsmouth monitoring scheme with October 2019 Historic Dockyard. AND Sophie in the Central team. ASSISTANT RANGERS Major Projects Interests Previously… Working with VRS teams Medieval re-enactment I moved to the SDNPA from on Tuesday and Thursday (fighting and gunnery), Started Previously… Northumberland but am weekly, Wednesday archery, painting CRAIG DATERS, October 2019 I worked with the RSPB in Scotland, originally from Sheffield, fortnightly and Sundays miniatures and making LEAD RANGER Devon and Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of so have a confusing monthly. I hope to be model aircraft, birding. Major projects ABBI GRAY, Wight Wildlife Trust and most recently accent. Before working as involved with projects CENTRAL DOWNS TEAM The main bulk of my work over the next ASSISTANT RANGER, as a Ranger at the New Forest National an Assistant Ranger I was relating to cultural heritage six months is to support the awesome WEALDEN HEATH TEAM Park. This was primarily an engagement building up experience for but still keen to be out Central Downs team in their day to day and outreach role, working with a very Started this role by working as a onsite chain-sawing and work and try to add value and make their wide range of groups and stakeholders, January 2019 Survey Assistant, monitoring having bonfires. jobs easier. Also to fully understand the focusing on enjoyment, understanding for the presence of bat roosts breadth of the work being undertaken Major Projects Previously… and protecting. and great crested newts. I across the Central Downs area and I work regularly with the also worked alongside a tree I have spent the last two where and how it fits in with the Interests volunteers to manage surgeon as a groundsman years working for the Authority’s Corporate and Partnership Apart from the usual of walking – I sites across all the ranger’s whilst retraining and Hampshire and Isle of Plans. Also I need to get to know love the ancient yews at Kingley Vale, patches in the Wealden studying for my diploma in Wight Wildlife Trust as my new patch which covers the area cycling, learning about our flora and Heath team. I am also Countryside Management an Assistant Reserves between Angmering and Storrington in fauna, trying to find inventive ways to currently working on and Conservation. Officer responsible for the west and the River Adur in the East reverse their decline and trying to not individual projects for chalk downland, woodland and to meet and work alongside the mention the ‘B’ word, I spend the rest each ranger, including an Interests landowners and managers and other of my time with my two young children access improvement project Outside of work I spend stakeholders such as you volunteers. and my wife. along the Rother Walk with my time walking, filling my If you want to know where there are Angela, a project creating house with things I collect some really good rope swings in the accessible round walks off whilst wandering and MAX SHELDON, daily volunteer management New Forest, give me a shout! the Serpent Trail with Charles making things. ASSISTANT RANGER, I have been carrying out EASTERN AREA TEAM practical site management on chalk grassland, combating Started invasive non-native species © O Seal Church Copse and removing December 2017, permanent such as Himalayan balsam SOPHIE BROWN, Previously… Previously… willow along the River Ems. from March 2019 and parrots feather, and ASSISTANT RANGER, I worked at the Hampshire I was a Trainee for Natural improving/restoring some of CENTRAL TEAM and Isle of Wight Wildlife Previously… Major Projects England, working on a peat the dew ponds in our area. Started Trust in the water meadows I was a Seasonal Assistant bog restoration project When I began, my main job and chalk grassland sites was to manage the Stanmer Previously… February 2019 Ranger with Waverley in Shropshire. around Winchester before Borough Council at VRS but we have been I was doing a yearlong Interests Major projects starting in the South Downs. Frensham Great Pond where down an assistant ranger ranger internship with Surrey I am a volunteer with since March (until now), so I’ve been out with volunteers Interests I helped to manage the site Wildlife Trust. I live in and from our Wednesday, Friday during the busy spring/ the Iceland conservation I have been managing both come from Surrey. Outside of work I enjoy volunteers which means I and Sunday teams. We also summer period. This mainly © G Bowler sets of volunteer groups in birding, bouldering, playing Interests work towards the eastern included site maintenance, often spend my summer the Eastern Downs Area; the piano and Dungeons part of our patch at Clayton conservation work and holidays in Iceland leading Stanmer and Seven Sisters. Going out for walks exploring & Dragons. One of my OLLIE SEAL, GRACE BOWLER, Farm and Church Copse on particularly busy days groups of volunteers in trail That is 44% of VRS! I lead the countryside with my dog, favourite places to be is in ASSISTANT RANGER, ASSISTANT RANGER, where our volunteer team patrolling the beach/ work. I enjoy being outdoors practical conservation tasks wildlife watching (particularly waders in a chalk stream! CENTRAL TEAM EASTERN AREA TEAM have started their seasonal responding to incidents. as much as possible hiking, and assist the rangers on an birds) and growing vegetables coppicing work. We have Started I also worked as a Volunteer Started camping, mountain biking array of projects. Apart from up on the allotment. been setting up butterfly September 2019 Assistant Warden at the October 2019 and sailing. transects with volunteers RSPB Major projects Major projects and training volunteers reserve where I undertook to carry these out on Working with volunteer a 12 month internship. I have taken over the interesting local sites. We groups, undertaking management of the Seven Interests are looking to increase the practical tasks across the Sisters Volunteer Rangers surveying opportunities for Central area. So far I have Satisfying my thirst for organising the rotas and volunteers including lapwing been getting to know adrenaline by doing domestic leading some tasks. I will also surveys, riverfly monitoring everyone while undertaking chores and going for walks. be helping other rangers and nightingale surveys. tasks such as coppicing at with their projects and sites.

4 5 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER ODE TO THE APPLE To all you Apple trees, we doff our hats! Pour cider mongst your roots. With such a merry dancing that The pippin gladly shoots. So here’s to the old Apple tree. Stand fast root, bear well to top INSPIRED BY Allow the pollen to float free. Pray bring to us a heavy Apple crop. Every bough, Bear an Apple now THE DOWNS Every twig, bear an Apple large, No wind to discharge. Picked in warmth and Love, God’s bounty from above. Hats and hands full, Three quarter sacks full. Stored dark, cool and dry, Ready for the pie. Squeezed, pressed ready for, The likes of you and I to try! To drink at Wassail. Good health! Thanks to Nature’s wealth. Waes hael! ROGER P. READ TWELFTH NIGHT, 2019

Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer, wassail

Up above Standean Bottom looking across to Bird Brow and Castle Hill, oil on board HOME FARM ORCHARD MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERS WITH THE View from Malling Down, Lewes, I was inspired to write this in January this year after BRIGHTON, STANMER BRANCH FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. oil on canvas a very enjoyable and informative day, working on In my spare time I like to paint landscapes the area where we had carried out a number Stonery Cottages – based on a photo I took orchard maintenance, for permaculture at Stanmer in oil and have been inspired by some of of tasks on a Tuesday. The poppies and wild while walking my dog in Berwick where I live. Park. Peter May who I consider the ‘Apple Guru’, our beautiful surroundings on our Tuesdays flowers are a beautiful feature of the Downs The view characterised the beauty of the was our brilliant task leader. After the day’s work out with the Rangers. One of my favourite and I wanted to try and capture their colour South Downs and the way villages, farms and was completed with the inevitable bonfire, we were aspects of volunteer days is when we all sit in my painting. Oil on board. dwellings often cluster around the foot of the invited to a Wassail later that evening at Home Farm together for coffee and lunch, often on the hills. I particularly like the long shadows in this Orchard. To which my daughter and I went. Malling Down – painted from a photograph top of a hill and watch the changing face painting. Oil on canvas. I took this year while out with the volunteers The permaculture cider and apple juice was of the Downs being transformed by the pulling ragwort on the Downs near Lewes CAROL PALMER, delicious and the whole event was great fun. A huge weather and light. old racecourse. It was an extremely VOLUNTEER RANGER, bonfire, torch procession, lots of children, singing, Standean Bottom – this was actually based windy day and quite showery. I liked the STANMER, EASTERN DOWNS fiddle band and dancing. It all made for a truly on a photo taken by my fellow volunteer atmosphere of the cloudy skies and Stonery cottages, foot of the magical evening. I would thoroughly recommend it Janet Considine whilst she was out walking the typical British summertime weather! Downs, Berwick, oil on canvas for this coming January to anyone interested. with her dog (you can see him in the painting Painted in oil on canvas. ROGER READ, if you look hard enough!) on the Downs in Paintings © Carol Palmer VOLUNTEER RANGER, STANMER, EASTERN DOWNS

6 7 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER

From left: Preparing the ground for sowing wildflower meadow. © Matthew Sennitt Collapsed fencing at dew pond which will be replaced. © National Trust Part of the footpath which is to be reinstated. VOLUNTEER © Willett Charitable Trust CONSERVATION FUND

Botany Bay Community Interest Organisation – cutting turf in preparation for sowing a wildflower meadow. © Anne Dennig

WHEN THE SDNPA WAS FIRST SET UP, THE BODY THAT PREVIOUSLY by the SDNPA Communications team, the In total £7,827.92 of grant money was agreed to support OVERSAW VRS ACTIVITIES (THE SOUTH DOWNS JOINT COMMITTEE) simple guidelines and minimal form filling. six of the applications. The extra money being provided The successful applicants who received grants towards their directly by the South Downs National Park Trust. projects this year are as follows. DECIDED THAT REMAINING UNALLOCATED FUNDS COULD, The grant applications were all worthwhile WITH AGREEMENT FROM FUNDING ORGANISATIONS (LOCAL and aligned with the aims of the fund. MIKE ELLIS, VRS TREASURER 1 Botany Bay Community Interest Organisation As one might expect the applications were (£1,619.12). For riparian woodland work, wildflower If you would like further information about the Volunteer AUTHORITIES AND NATURAL ENGLAND), BE DONATED TO THE VRS. also very varied – from hedge planting/ meadow planting, invasive species removal and bird Conservation Fund or would like to make a donation laying to support for an educational project. nesting at their site near Duncton, . Consequently, £29,000 was placed in conservation funds have been handed to please contact [email protected] or the SDNPA accounts in 2013 as a ‘VRS the SDNP Trust, which have created the The tricky task of deciding which projects visit southdownstrust.org.uk/vcf 2 National Trust (£600). For appropriate wildflower Conservation Reserve’ to be expressly used Volunteer Conservation Fund, which is to fund involved a two-step process. Firstly, meadow plug plants around the recently restored by the VRS on conservation projects in the available for any organisation to apply for the Lead Rangers from each area discussed dewpond at Bignor, West Sussex. South Downs. support to assist with a project within the Park. the entries to provide guidance to the VRS “This is a great opportunity for organisations in Stanmer Organics (£540). For equipment and Committee on those they could practically need of support to deliver a small element of 3 Since that time only two projects were Each application must identify clear goals, materials for the National Plant Collection (Sussex support through their volunteer teams. supported – the South Pond restoration how it will aid delivery of the SDNPA work or to invest in a larger project. Projects Apple Varieties) at Stanmer Park, East Sussex. Secondly, an enlarged VRS Committee at Midhurst and the West Meon School Partnership Management Plan and identify from the first round of the new fund have made Nature Reserve on the Meon Valley Railway. opportunities for VRS practical help. Thus the meeting (including senior members of the 4 Railway Land Wildlife Trust (£1,500). For renovations Further projects for using this funding have project management is moved to partners South Downs National Park Trust and a Lead a big difference for people and wildlife in the and improvements to the signal box and surrounding been slow in coming forward; possibly applying for funds rather than VRS members Ranger representative) made the final decisions. landscapes of the South Downs. We hope the habitats at the Linklater Pavilion in Lewes, East Sussex. because we needed someone from the involved in the work. As so many of the grant applications were fund can continue to make a big difference for 5 Willet Charitable Trust (£455). For footpath VRS to project manage them. In this first year of operation the fund worth supporting, the VRS Committee South Downs voluntary organisations supporting reinstatement at Bishopstone, East Sussex. decided to award more money than the Consequently, the VRS Committee, in received 20 grant applications. This was a access to the countryside, biodiversity National Trust (£3,113.80). For re-fencing of £5,000 originally envisaged for this year. 6 collaboration with SDNPA staff and the fantastic number, particularly given this was a enhancements and local community projects.” Pangdean and Wolstonbury Hill dewponds at South Downs National Park Trust have ‘pilot’ year. The number was certainly helped Saddlescombe Farm, West Sussex. developed a new approach. The remaining by the terrific support given to the launch Daniel Greenwood, SDNPA’s Volunteer Development Officer

8 9 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER TASK LEADER TRAINING NEARLY MY WENT WITH A BANG...

Having been a Volunteer Ranger 13:00 hrs and immediately since 2003, it was about time I called for a 200m exclusion FAVOURITE got my training as Task Leader zone around the dew pond. We underway, so that I could step were obliged to pack our tools in if the scheduled Task Leader away and retreat further down dropped out or to lead a task the access lane, scuppering myself. To that end, I undertook any notion of completing the Ebernoe hedge revisited WALK © Jeremy Nason the classroom session in July and job. Hence, and with palpable had my Shadow Task Leader Day looks of disappointment on the Newmarket Plantation, the clump of trees MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOME DEEP IN THE PENNINES set for a ‘Dew Pond Clearance volunteer rangers’ faces, we had at the very top of the path, before turning WAS A RENTED COTTAGE. THE FRONT DOOR left towards Juggs Road track and Renovation’ task in August. an unexpected early bath, and for myself, an Incident Report OPENED ONTO A LANE, FIELDS AND FARMLAND, © Anni Townend Planning complete, everybody Form to complete. On reflection, turned up on the day, the driver THE SIDE DOOR OPENED ONTO THE FARM YARD. HEDGEROWS this must be the equivalent of and first aider were nominated, a player joining a new football I loved being able to jump out of the car bridge and onto the South Downs, passing of you, going through the farm gate and and we completed the site club and scoring an own goal and to be transported immediately into two semi-detached houses on your left past the cattle trough. briefing at the Dew Pond on his first outing. another world and made a wish, more REVISITED and the newly opened luxury holiday near Glyndebourne, to Turn left at the trees and continue walking a vow, that one day I too would live accommodation ‘The Grain Store’. commence work. The dew pond clearance towards the brow of the hill through the I have often wondered how It took a little time to find the somewhere from where I could open the continues the following Tuesday Keep walking up the lane to the grey farm wooden gate. On a clear day you will be successful our task days have site again in South Harting, but We were soon busy clearing back door and walk straight onto fields with another budding Task Leader gate and opening up in front of you is able to see farm and Downland stretching been. We record how the eventually I parked and walked away barrow loads of spoil and and into wide open countryside. in charge, so good luck to them, Littledown – made up of rolling farmland far into the distance and straight ahead of heathlands are changing with across the lane to see before filling buckets with waste water, be careful what you dig up! For nearly 30 years I have lived on the reaching up to Juggs Road, the track you the sea! It is here where I stop, pause, fixed point photography at the me a line of canes and spirals the job was looking like a good South Downs Way, and for the past seven that becomes Kingston Ridge and drops take a few deep breaths, turn round and same point over different seasons disappearing into the distance ‘un, as they say. P.S. An email from Jan the next years my partner and I have been volunteer for the Heathland Reunited project – it was a large field! day informed us that the Bomb down into Kingston. This time of year, the head home – grateful that my childhood Then, when taking a spade- South Downs Way Wardens. We look after and so why not revisit the site of Squad arrived some four hours ploughed and planted brown soil may have wish came true. Based on a rough sample of 200 ful of spoil, I heard a loud the stretch that runs from Housedean Farm a hue of white, a light covering of frost or a task day or two. after we left and Happy walking! saplings of the 500 or so planted “clang”, metal on metal. To be over to Southease. declared the bomb snow. It is a long time since we had snow I recently drove back to South by the VRS that day I only more precise, it was my spade ANNI TOWNEND, VOLUNTEER to be full of... mud! Travelling by either the 28 or 29 bus to/ thick enough to enjoy trudging up the slope Harting to take a look at a native counted 10 that had perished. and what appeared to be an and the thrill of sledging down it fast. SOUTH DOWNS WAY WARDEN from Brighton, request to alight at The hedge we planted earlier this I call that success! I hope the unexploded mortar! Oops! Not RICHARD Newmarket Inn. Walk past the Esso garage Continue up the path, flanked on your right year, in April. I remember the day farmer does too! good. We immediately stopped BOSWORTH, well (as will my fellow VRS) as it on your right, turning right between it and by a hedgerow. Walk towards Newmarket Besides planting hedges we operations and retreated a VOLUNTEER Ploughed fields, with some snow, the pub to head up the concrete track. Plantation, a clump of trees straight ahead seemed relatively late in the year safe distance whereupon Jan RANGER, looking up to Juggs Road track also had the opportunity to lay The track continues up under the railway to plant saplings in ground that Knowlson, Eastern Area Ranger, EASTERN on the ridge a mature hedge. As I happened appeared to be a bone dry mix called the Emergency Services. DOWNS © Anni Townend to be in the vicinity of Petworth of soil and chalk. recently I decided to revisit the We then undertook the longest Sussex Wildlife Trust site of an tea break I have known since I Unexploded earlier hedge-laying task day at joined the VRS, waiting for the mortar found Ebernoe. While I could easily Services to arrive. The police in a dewpond recall the day in January this year, eventually arrived just after © Richard Bosworth I struggled to find the hedge until I eventually climbed across a stile and spotted the telltale signs of binding. I have to admit the hedge looked great and had filled out well; maybe the binding isn’t up to professional standards but on the whole I was proud of For more about Anni and her love not the efforts we had made. only of walking but also of ‘the walk and talk’ which she incorporates into JEREMY NASON, VOLUNTEER her work visit annitownend.com RANGER, WEALDEN HEATH If you would like to book a stay or South Harting native a team away day at The Grain Store Dewpond diggers hedge revisited © Richard Bosworth visit thegrainstorelewes.com © Jeremy Nason

10 11 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER CAPTION DISCOUNTS YOUR REVIEWS FOR COMPETITION VOLUNTEERS This section is all about sharing reviews of your favourite Volunteers, if you know of a pub You’ll be pleased to know that things. Tell us about books you’ve read, pubs you’ve visited, that deserves this award, please let several retailers are offering us know. We’re talking about good discounts on the sorts of things tools or gadgets you’ve used or even websites that you’d old-fashioned public houses, rather you’ll need in the countryside. The VRS has successfully than gastro pubs or themed inns. recommend to other volunteers. Email your reviews, of up negotiated discounts with: We want to know about places to 100 words, to [email protected] with a picture. where you don’t need to take Cotswold Outdoor, Snow & your boots off before crossing the Rock, Gatleys, Runners Need, The George Inn, threshold! Send us a photo and 100 Clusons, JDSports/Millets/ TRADITIONAL words explaining why the pub you Blacks/Ultimate Outdoor, Goodrowes, Rohan, Roger Eartham INN AWARD nominate should be recognised. Gunn and Southdown Bikes. Refurbished in 2016 this beautiful Also Fitzcane’s café in Midhurst. pub with its large wooden beams, snug interior and cosy furnishings is Simply present your VRS photo just what you need after a brisk walk identity card at the time of your around nearby Slindon Estate. purchase – or use an online discount code. The discount The menu is varied, with lots of options amount varies, but is not for vegetarians as well as meat lovers, available in conjunction with any every dish looks delicious. If you’re The winner of last edition’s caption competition was... other discounts or offers and is visiting just for a drink then you’re in subject to terms and conditions. luck as the bar has an excellent array of “WOULDN’T IT BE QUICKER British wine, spirits and beers, including Please visit the SDVRS a confusingly tasty marshmallow IF WE JUST BOUGHT Volunteer Information dark ale! The staff are welcoming ANOTHER NEEDLE?” webpage sites.google.com/ and friendly, and happy to let you view/southdowns/ for full RON WELLS, VOLUNTEER RANGER EASTERN DOWNS try before you buy on the beer front. details of each discount.

Nothing is too much trouble for them.

If you have a volunteer photo that could have a funny  If you don’t have an ID card, Muddy boots, children and dogs are The George Inn, Eartham, caption please send to [email protected] or have lost, damaged or welcome and there’s a garden for West Sussex PO18 0LT mislaid it then please email sunnier days too. Definitely worth a 01243 814 340, [email protected] visit whatever time of year. thegeorgeeartham.com for a replacement. DID YOU KNOW?

MUD

“…the old Sussex dialect has over 30 words BOOK REVIEW for mud. There’s clodgy for a muddy field path A YEAR IN THE WOODS: THE outside in all weathers. Every day is different after heavy rain; gawm- sticky, foul-smelling DIARY OF A FOREST RANGER and never dull with the woodland life around mud; gubber- black mud of rotting organic him, always ending the day by checking matter; ike- a muddy mess; pug- a sticky yellow by Colin Elford himself and his dog for the presence of ticks. Wealdon clay; slab- the thickest type of mud; This delightful little book narrates Colin’s life sleech- mud or river sediment used for manure; A helpful comprehensive glossary is also as a Forest Ranger on the Dorset/Wiltshire slob or slub- thick mud; slough- a muddy hole; provided explaining woodland terminology. border. He is mostly alone apart from his slurry- diluted mud, saturated with so much dog, the creatures he encounters in his Through this book I have been able to get water that it cannot drain; smeery- wet and patch of woodland and the fulfilment he an insight into my son’s working life as a sticky surface mud; stoach- to trample ground feels surrounded by nature on a daily basis. wildlife conservation officer with Forestry to mud, like cattle; stodge- thick puddingy England in our local area. Working around the clock, the book tells mud; stug- watery mud; and swank- a bog.” A muddy part of the South Downs of wildlife surveys, managing the deer LINDA SUTTON, VOLUNTEER RANGER, from Wilding: The Return of Nature Way which has since been fixed with help from the Mend our Way population through culling and being EASTERN DOWNS to a British Farm by Isabella Tree campaign of last year. © SDNPA

12 13 DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER DOWNLAND THYMES WINTER

Youth action learning how to YOUTH identify heathland wildlife ACTION © SDNPA EVENTS Our series of Youth Action days over the summer and autumn allowed SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL young people to act locally to make a difference to the environment. They PARK TRUST LOTTERY joined together to protect precious pollinators at Kithurst Hill, to identify heathland wildlife and to reduce the THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK TRUST HAS LAUNCHED THE SOUTH DOWNS LOTTERY, impact of invasive species and plastic IT’S A FUN WAY TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOUTH pollution in the South Downs. We asked DOWNS NATIONAL PARK WHILE ALSO OFFERING A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO £25,000. our Youth Ambassadors to tell us what this Youth Action was all about. YOUTH ACTION: By participating in the Lottery or by environment of the National Park by WHAT DOES IT MEAN? CHRISTMAS donating to the South Downs National providing travel grants to schools for Litter picking at Seven Sisters Park Trust, southdownstrust.org.uk/ educational visits. learning.southdowns. Country Park DRAW how-to-give you will be supporting the gov.uk/learning/travel-grant It was a gathering of like-minded Some of the young people who came wildlife, landscape and communities of the • Volunteer Conservation Fund – working individuals from the younger generation were interested in gaining experience As well as being in the draw for National Park. With your help the Trust can with the Volunteer Ranger Service to who have taken up the fight against in the conservation sector. Yet they £25,000, one ticket holder will support the delivery of projects such as: support voluntary groups that want to decline in the natural world, allowing gained so much more. Young people win a magnum of the premier • Bee-Lines – Improving habitat for bees, improve their local area by offering grants them to be in a situation where they do made friends with others they might not butterflies and other pollinators which are for things like tools, consumables and not feel alone in this struggle. otherwise have met, they learnt how English sparkling wine, their actions volunteering on the day in decline by restoring chalk grassland materials. southdownstrust.org.uk/vcf Our aim was to gain a better Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvée fed into the bigger picture and they got and creating wildflower meadows. • Sustainable Communities Fund – understanding of the natural world in to enjoy the great outdoors and the (see inset). southdownstrust.org.uk/beelines supporting communities that want to which we live, taking note of the highs stunning views across the Downs. The draw will take place on • Mend Our Way – repairing the most conserve and enhance the National Park’s and lows that our habitats are going damaged parts of the South Downs Way wildlife, cultural heritage and community through. Some of our fellow participants Species decline and the climate crisis is 14 December 2019 and the which is used by over 500,000 people cohesion by offering grants of up to were commendably interested in taking at the forefront of many young people’s prize will be delivered to the each year. £10,000. southdownstrust.org.uk/scf up the field of nature conservation minds and South Downs Youth Action whether that be through science or Days give young people the chance to lucky winner before Christmas – • School Travel Grant – supporting more For more details visit through physical conservation tasks. But make a direct positive impact on their buy your tickets before this date children to access the outdoor learning southdownstrust.org.uk/how-to-give/ for many it was their curiosity that got the local environment. While at Cuckmere to ensure that you also have a better of them. They were intrigued by Haven the plastic pollution crisis was chance to win this special prize! the National Park; what it was all about; easy to see first-hand, the young people JOIN THE SOUTH what the Park does; and as is often the taking part in litter picking got great Visit southdownslottery.co.uk DOWNS MONTHLY case, many of the young people had no satisfaction from clearing away some or call 01730 631632 for more Images © SDNPA idea about things that were right on their of the plastic. Some even spoke of information and for terms and eNEWSLETTER doorstep or just a few miles away. reducing their own plastic consumption. conditions. South Downs Youth Action is just That’s what Youth Action is also South Downs Youth Action gives WANT TO KNOW MORE getting started and we have big about, learning and understanding. young people the ability to take ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING plans for 2020. Please search for It is far easier to make a difference when part in practical conservation tasks IN YOUR NATIONAL PARK? South Downs Youth Action online to you understand what’s in front of you but what they learn and how they find out more or join the mailing list than when you have only discussed it feel is much more important than Sign up for our monthly newsletter for by emailing Daniel.Greenwood@ in a classroom. completing the task. the latest South Downs news, stories, southdowns.gov.uk CAMERON MCDONALD, KIRSTIE FERRIS, ideas for days out, competitions, to hear YOUTH AMBASSADOR YOUTH AMBASSADOR about our ranger and volunteers’ work #iwill4nature #southdowns and much, much more... southdowns.gov.uk/newsletter

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West Grinstead Ploughing Match event stand in action © Laura Warren/SDNPA

West Grinstead Ploughing BUZZING ACTIVITY Match – Bee Bombs © Laura Warren/SDNPA HELPING AT SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK EVENTS Saturday 21 September was a beautiful sunny so had a continual procession of people at day for the West Grinstead ploughing match both SDNPA tables as well as at the Events For information about volunteering show which is held at different farms each van where Norman engaged many people at South Downs National Park year. This year it was at Applesham Farm in conversation with the large map of the events please contact events@ next door to Lancing College in West Sussex National Park. southdowns.gov.uk where my honey bees are sited so I offered I had also brought some jars of my local to help on the SDNPA stand. honey which sold well with £1 from each jar With my interest in beekeeping in mind, Events donated to the Project which along with the Manager Laura Warren asked if I would help bee-bombs raised £152 in donations that day. on the Beelines Project table. Laura explained This year I also helped at Pulborough Harvest the Beelines Project to me and showed me Fair and I do recommend volunteering at the packets of ‘bee bombs’ to hand out these events even for half a day, as you meet (donations welcome!). Bee bombs are clay such interesting people from all walks of life Launched in April 2019 by the pellets containing wildflower seeds which can to chat with about the beauty of the National South Downs National Park Trust be thrown onto bare ground at this time of Park. I am definitely going to offer again but and aiming to raise £75,000, the year. Some of the seeds should grow in the maybe on a town centred event for a change, Beelines Project will be working spring or the next year into wildflowers to help as it would be good to encourage people with farmers and partners within support our precious pollinators. who maybe do not normally visit the Downs the Arun to Adur area, to create As the wonderful Monty Don had, the to get out and enjoy them. wildflower corridors across previous night on BBC Gardeners World, Downland, linking species rich chalk Now, let me see, when is that Dark Skies Festival been sowing his wildflower meadow it grassland to sites which are in need as I must book up soon to join a session? was easy to encourage passers-by to take of pollination. For more information some and to give a donation. We were HELENA LEWIS, VOLUNTEER RANGER, visit southdownstrust.org.uk well situated near the pub and food vans CENTRAL AREA

Downland Thymes: News for the Design: The Way Design (1826) South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service. Paper stock: Printed on Revive Offset, manufactured Issue 86, December 2019. © SDNPA. from FSC® Recycled 100% post-consumer waste.

The information contained in this newsletter was, as far as known, correct at the date of issue. The South Downs National Park Authority cannot, however, accept responsibility for any error or omission.