Heyshott Village

Newslette r NewsletterNewsletter Heyshott Parish Council https://heyshott.org.uk/ 1804-1865 November 2020

REMEMBRANCE 2020 Due to Covid-19 there are unfortunately no door to door collections being made this year (and no street collec- tions in ). However poppies can be obtained from the Unicorn Pub and also from the Church when there is a service. The Remembrance Day service will not be at Heyshott this year but will be a joint service at church at 10.45 a.m. on Sunday 8th November. To make a donation direct to the British Legion for Re- membrance Day you can do so via their website https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to- give/donate

Christmas Pudding Reminder

If anyone would like to buy one this year, please see me or give me a ring (01730-716- 481) at any time, and you can let me know what size you want (I usually make them in half-pound, one-pound, or two-pound sizes). A few will be held at The Unicorn (thanks to Jenni and Laura), but if you want to be sure of getting the size that you want, do please contact me. Keep well… and eat well! Sally Poulton See page two for news about the CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

HEYSHOTT CHURCH’S VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR!

The bad news is that, very sadly, given the virus, St James’ Church is unable to hold a bazaar this Christmas. Church events have been very limited everywhere since March, and the church’s traditional fundraising events – the Cream Teas, the Harvest Supper and now the Bazaar – have been cancelled, and we don’t expect to be carol-singing for the Children’s Society, either. Everyone was incredibly generous at St James’ Gift Day in July, but 2020 will see much lower income than usu- al, though our costs remain the same.

* The good news, though, is that we’re planning a virtual bazaar to add funds to those Sally is generously raising with her Christmas puds! On December 12, we will set up a stall outside the Cobden Hall to sell some home produce, including cakes that we plan to make to order – the menu of cakes will be published in next month’s newsletter. Then, over the weekend of December 19 and 20, members and friends of the church will deliver mince pies to every house in Heyshott, selling tickets for the Christmas raffle as we go. We’re hoping that with the sale of cakes and produce, plus income from the raffle, that we will be able to replace some of the lost fundraising from the year – and will share any proceeds with the Children’s Society, to which villagers normally donate around £500 over the week of carol- singing in the run-up to Christmas. * Next month’s newsletter will contain further details including on the vari- ous cakes and other produce we’ll be selling on December 12, along with an order-form to lessen footfall at the stall… and if anyone would like to join the cake-makers, please let us know!

Page 2 Newsletter Farm News. An ancient Heyshott’s Nature Notes tree and effects of rain Autumn has well and truly At the top of the Scarp, It's a marvel that those little Amidst the heavy downpours arrived, and has brought the some challenging thinning shoots which are next year's Andrew has managed to return of grazing cattle to work which has been on the harvest (we hope) can sur- plant up three quarters of Heyshott. A mixture of Belt- ‘to do’ list for several years is vive after being bombarded Leggs with wheat and bar- ed Galloways and now moving forward. This cattle from the National Trust will open up the view of with so much rain. ley, halting his ploughing/ herd is safely installed at the Heyshott from the top of the sowing regime as the ground top of the Down to give a Scarp and increase the area We recorded over four inch- turned into "pudding" as he good graze to the Heyshott of chalk grassland on the es for October, two inches of put it. Down reserve. Refencing reserve. But the whole area that on the lst. There's work there has now been is not being cleared - care is something to be said for Richard's winter wheat, put completed, carefully sited being taken to ensure that chalky and heavy land like in before the serious rain, is with the agreement of Histor- trees and scrub of conserva- Manor Farm's and Legg standing up to conditions ic to avoid the tion value are maintained. Farm - we don't have what well. Because of the good scheduled ancient monu- ment, and there is a new they call "rinsing" i.e. water dry spell after it was sown cattle pen adjoining the running off the crops onto the contractors were able to South Downs Way. Hopeful- roads. Chalky land absorbs it spray against broad leaved ly, this graze will assist in and heavy land just holds it weeds and black grass be- producing an excellent dis- until too much forces a small fore the crop emerged. It's a play of orchids, and in in- lake to develop if the field major worry for Andrew who creasing the available territo- slopes downhill - as in the wonders whether he'll be ries for our breeding Tree corner of Road Field oppo- able to travel with the spray- Pipits when they return from site Hill Cottages. er on what is now pretty sat- migration, next Spring. The picture shows 7 of the ani- urated ground. mals, content in their new Pity the residents of environment. Street, then, Facing both farmers is the who have to endure a sandy fear that it's going to be a The picture shows the work river every time it rains hard similar winter to last year's. as it progresses. The mature as light, sandy soil is eroded They are at last admitting the shrub on the left which is from the fields at the top of climate is changing. Some being retained is a Buck- the street. It's a perpetual lightning and a clap of thun- thorn. Less well known than nightmare for Cowdray's der last week gave a bit of Hawthorn or Blackthorn (both of which are members Home Farm. weight to their new found of the Rose family), Buck- belief. Sue thorn provides good cover for birds and is a food plant Autumn has also brought the of the Brimstone butterfly; its return of weekly work parties jet black berries and its blos- to Heyshott Escarpment. som are widely used by The work parties currently birds and insects. In contrast have two objectives. Unlike to the Whitebeam which is Kermit the Frog’s compro- generally being removed, its mise, one is at the bottom leaves are small and do not and one at the top. At the give rise to the soil enrich- bottom of the Scarp, the ment which is a feature of Coombe area needs regular Whitebeam leaf fall. attention to keep its scrub under control, and in particu- As usual, work parties take lar to reduce the spread of place, weather permitting, on Dog’s Mercury. This is a a Wednesday morning and common perennial which is all are welcome. Please con- quick to populate areas tact John Murray if you where the woodland cover would like to be included in has been removed. It is rem- his weekly email setting out iniscent of Ramsons, but where the next group will be unlike the smell of garlic working. The work is socially which, whilst not palatable to distanced, but offers a won- Our medlar tree in its glorious autumn colour, bearing all, is wholesome, its smell is derful opportunity to forget masses of fruit as it has done for years. Just how old it rightly described as ‘fetid’. the tighter restrictions im- is we don't know but we hope the Estate's Head Forest- More importantly, it is not posed for the pandemic and er, a woman called Nina, can give us some idea. The palatable to cattle and will to contribute to the preserva- species goes back to Roman times. Jelly made from have to be well under control tion of Heyshott’s stunning the fruit can be taken with most kinds of meat, hot or before the Coombe area can environment. cold. It's a lovely colour and lasts for some years in a be grazed. Nick Sherwin cold larder. Sue.

Page 3 Editor The Unicorn Inn Chris Boxley 1 Pinewood Court 01730 813486 Church Road West Lavington HEYSHOTT LUNCH CLUB GU29 0EH Phone: 01730 814405 Sadly due to the new restrictions we are unable to continue with the monthly lunch club at this time. Laura E-mail: [email protected] UNIQUE DESIGNED HEYSHOTT JEWELLERY PLAYGROUND

CATRIONA GODSON Penny Jamieson on behalf of Willowdown, Hoyle Lane the Playground Committee says Heyshott, GU29 0DS Jane Riley undertook virtually all 07774252759 the grass cutting of the play- Website: https:// ground throughout the whole of www.madmacdesigns.co.uk the summer, instead of our usu- For easy Christmas shopping please al roster. A major effort! Material for the look at my website! Lots of fun neck- December 2020 laces, bracelets, earrings, Our thanks also to the Parish bags, scarves, pashminas, stretchy edition to reach Councillors for their annual belts. Please phone/text for an ap- hedge cutting and tidying of the Chris Boxley by 20th pointment as Covid Rules will apply. boundaries at the playground. November please I also mend broken pieces!

LATEST NEWS ON THE The South Downs National Park’s decision to CAMPAIGN TO SAVE refuse planning permission upholds the cultur- DUNFORD HOUSE al, economic and community interests of their residents and visitors to the Park. Their poli-

cies and protocols exist to protect and pre- Here is the press release which was sent to serve our heritage. Their meticulous attention the Midhurst and Observer immedi- to detail reviewing the plans, taking various ately following the Decision regarding the ap- representations into account and safeguarding plication. our future should be applauded.

Dunford House – Current Planning Applica- There are now increasing calls for the Love- tions all refused bug Group to honour the Cobden legacy and sell to the investors who will establish the cen- The South Downs National Park have turned tre of international studies grounded in Rich- down all plans submitted by the Lovebug ard Cobden’s values. It would be the most Group on many levels - cultural, heritage, edu- honourable act to release Lovebug from an cational, community, landscape. Also because educational /cultural asset they can do nothing no marketing campaign has taken place to with and to allow them to move forward with consult with the public about the existing com- acquiring other more straight-forward proper- munity/educational/cultural purpose. Also that ties elsewhere which they can profitably devel- an offer was made to the YMCA as optimal op. The public would be overjoyed to see this viable usage for Dunford to set up a centre of happen and as a means to commemorate the international studies in partnership with the legacies of the Cobden family and latterly the Richard Cobden Trust which would serve her- YMCA. itage, community and charitable interests. Posted on behalf of the Campaign.