The Volunteer

The Newsletter for all Ashd own Forest Volunteers Issue 13 - June/July/August IN THIS ISSUE: Hurrah - summer is finally here!

• What’s On We know this because we have had the ‘adder phone call’ for 2012. For

• Coppice Week those of you that don’t know, this is an annual occurrence that consists of a member of the public who has heard, from a “reliable source” in Nutley • The Wag-Log / / , that the Board has released 15, 000 to 40,

• Till Tales 000 (delete as applicable) snakes on the Forest and was it true? A recent variation is that the adders were collect ed from, wait for it……..Hampsted • Conservation Heath! Many callers are surprised when we tell them it’s not true and no

• Management one yet has been able to explain just how we catch so many adders in the first place! • Grazing Update The Forest Centre has been full of baby birds! The blue tits, (as seen on • Exhibitions ‘Tit Cam’) have, after some worrying early days, thrived and fledged

• Staff Comings & successfully. The nest box under the verandah (dedicated to the memory Goings! of James Bull) was used for the first time and proved a popular home for a brood of great tits. The box above the water fountain was used by great • Volunteers Summer BBQ - tits and marsh tits tried out the nest box hidden in the trees at the back of see back page the Centre.

Talking of the Mesolithic house - its proving to be very popular with visitors both human and avian – the reed heads have been plundered by all manner of birds and the wren decided, this year, to maker her nest there plus there are tasty insect morsels hidden in the roof! The remains of school picnics have enticed a family of magpies to boldly explore the area around the tabl es and these handsome birds had a happy time fighting with a packet of Quavers. A w ood warbler has been heard close by the Forest Centre and I am told it sounds like a spinning coin, preceded by a loud “pew pew pew.”

There is a redstart and a tree pipit singing in the same area as the wood warbler though the pipit is probably on the more open heathland area. There are also nightjars about – they have been heard all over the Forest and, as we know, after 9.00 p.m. is the best time to see/hear them. Doubtless visitors will be asking where they can find them.

COPPICE WEEK Following a successful launch in August 2010, a second Coppice Week was staged by Esus Forestry and Woodlands, supported by the Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme. A wide range of courses were on offer over the six-day period. Many of the tutors still make a living from producing these products so this was a golden opportunity to learn traditional crafts from real craftsmen. Courses were well subscribed and plenty of visitors, young and old, attended the event. Dave Rossney, of Esus, is hoping that funding can be found in the future to re-stage this popular event.

National Garden Scheme Open Day at the Vachery Forest Garden – 19 May

This event took place on a fine, bright day in mid-May. There were three guided walks led by Hew. The NGS Yellow Book describes the Vachery Garden as ‘a hidden gem of , which is being restored. It comprises of a string of lakes, sluices an d weirs with a Folly Bridge, a 'gorge' of Cheddar Gorge limestone landscaped by Gavin Jones in 1925; and fine stands of rhododendron and native and introduced trees ”. The guided tours started from the Folly Bridge. As usual there were lessons to be learned about how to manage these events and, should we do it again, we will try and do better . Over £300.00 was raised on the day and this will be forwarded to the NGS in due course. The Volunteer - Page 2

Till Tales Hew Prendergast

STOCK TAKING – went pressure of other work . It the way forward and will very smoothly and swiftly! should be active very soon continue to do so over the Thank you t o Andy and (fingers crossed!) It next few months - when Hilary for their sterling contains all of the same we hear anything we will work. It might surprise information as before but, let you know. you to know we have in hopefully, it will be much WEALDEN I-SPY – these the region of £8,000.00 easier to navigate. It is nice little quiz books worth of stock in hand – being built to be as user aimed at children are now which is up slightly on last friendly as possible - but I am sure that, by now, t he available in the year probably due to the as with these things – news of Hew’s depart ure will Information Barn and are increase of VAT rather there is the possibility of have reached everyone . His free. than the quantity on the teething troubles, so last working day with us was shelves. please bear with us. If you LEAFLET RACK – it would June 2 nd He made a brief visit see any glaring omissions be great if you could on the 9 th to oversee the INFORMATION BARN or mistakes, or anything ensure the leaflet rack just DISPLAY – The display instillation of the new that can be improved, outside the Information panels were removed on exhibition panels in the please let me know and I Barn front door could be 11 May and installation of Information Barn. will get it fixed as soon as I kept topped up. It is well the new material started The Board organized a lunch- can. used and empties very in early June. By the time n the quickly. time farewell i you read this the job CENTRE DEVELOPMENT – Education Barn with drinks should be finished. The drawin gs were sent to CARD SPINNER – a new and nibbles and presented the planning department Perspex spinner has been him with a parting gift. The NEW WEBSITE – The new at purchased for greeting Centre staff had a whip website is coming along Council for approval in and postcards! It’s a clean slowly due to several round and purchased two early April. The Working and tidy design and looks technical issues and the books on cricket (and a fine Party has met to discuss rather neat! chocolate cake). Conservation and Management News Hew is, despite the many rumours, staying in the area Spring and early summer were posted . invasive species such as and not moving to Wales! work rhododendron and A new bridg e has been bracken (this is weather The Board have decided that The early part of April was constructed between the permitting) and warning there will not be an dedicated to some fairly lower end of Misbourne notices will be posted in immediate advertisement for major tasks. Farm and Hole Farm (the each treated area and on a replacement for Hew. The Cackle Street area). Repairs have been made the website. next few months will allow a in several of the car parks Mid-April was devoted to period of reflection to From June onwards there using many tonnes of the ‘big litter pick’ with consider how to move will be strimming around road stone and you may the whole team scouring forward bearing in mind the car parks, ditch repairs notice the big potholes at the road-side verges; car- po ssible Centre development ride and footpath repairs the entrance to the staff parks (and several meters plans. Much t ime will be and bracken mowing. car park at the Forest back on to the Forest); taken up with compiling a Centre have been filled in . picnic sites and well The Hebridean sheep new job description for the known litter black-spots. started grazing on the role. The estate team have also This is a huge task made Forest in April and will be been checking and In the meantime Ros will all the more difficult by out through the summer repairing/replacing the continue as ‘Clerk’; Chris speeding traffic. A big within electric fences. fence line around the Marrable will be ‘Acting thank you to the Changing locations will be grazing area p rior to the Superintendent’; Rich Allum volunteer Rangers who sent out to the 300+ sheep and cattle being will take on some of Chris’ help, week-in and week- peo ple signed up to our turned out. All the gates Conservation Officer role and out with this task. news group; Twitter, into the grazing area were everyone else will do their Facebook; website and checked (and repairs From early May through best to keep on an even keel. posted in the Info Barn made where needed) and to August there will be and boards at the Centre. livestock warning notices pe sticide spraying of The Volunteer - Page 3

Update on Grazing Throughout the winter the s heep (some 250 ) were in six different locations. Some of the rams will be sold in due course and hopefully meat packs will be available in the not too distant future. There have already been expressions of interest and pre-orders have been taken and Caroline will be organizing the butchery and delivery.

New sources of winter grazing have been found recently and there are offers of winter grazing for next year. It is particularly hard work to maintain the flock when dispersed in multiple groups and larger areas of winter grazing might be essential for the viability of the scheme.

Hebridean Sheep 2009 The sheep finally moved out into electrically fenced enclosures in early April with (photo by Louise Amos) the first group located near Lone Oak Hall. Information has been widely circulated and is available inside and outside the Information Barn.

If anyone knows of any local storage areas that could be used for feed and/or hay PLEASE let us know asap! Also, if anyone would like to help us look after the sheep by acting as a lookerer give us a call.

Spring

Exhibition The Road Group is a group of seven artist-friends from the / borders. They meet fortnightly to paint together for mutual support & encouragement in a studio atmosphere.

You may recall that Michael Gage exhibited with us last year on the upper gallery (in conjunction with William de Wilde). New to the Fo rest Centre are Marina Casarino , Elizabeth Brown, Richard Wombell, Sheri Gee and Karen Murray.

It is a selling exhibition and instructions will be left to help you with sales.

Buxted Art Group Exhibition – from 29th July to early September This will be an exciting and varied exhibition being put together by a group of very talented local amateur artists. It will be a mixed media show with an element of ‘craft’. The exhibition is being organized by our very own Roger Beal and his wife Louise and we are really looking forward to welcoming Roger back!

Pamela Hurwitz and Friends – 6 September to December Hew has arranged a return visit by Pamela Hurwitz. Details, such as the exhibition title, will follow in due course.

Ashdown Forest Wood Turners – November to December We are welcoming back these very popular craftsmen for their regular winter slot! The Volunteer - Page 4

The Wag Log – Pastures New Hi ever yone! I’ve got a new ‘Chase’ to look after. Him indoor’s friend, Michael has been promoted to Ranger . Michael (who has no owner yet) has taken over the West Chase from me, and I’m now South Chase Ranger. This is good because it means I get to ‘look after’ all the sheep and cows in the grazing enclosure.

One of my favourite places on the Forest is Millbrook Bottom which is the boundary between my old Chase and my new one. This means I still get to

wallow in the Millbrook. My new Chase has many of th e best spots on the “If only my master was Forest - Bottom, the Garden of Eden and the waterfall at Breakneck as smart and as Ghyll so still lots of opportunities for me to get really wet and muddy! handsome as me !” I am slightly put out that I’ve been overlooked to replace Izzy as Forest Superintend ent. Nothing against Chip, but I’m clearly more suitable as top dog. I hope it won’t go to his head – he’s my best buddy and I hope our relationship won’t change now he’s (nominally) in charge.

Anyway, my human has told me that I’m invited to this year’ s summer party. Rumour has it that Fleur (and Roger) are going to put in an appearance too; so hopefully I’ll see you on 14 July (save me a sausage!) Love’n’kisses, Scallywag X

Other Events on the Forest Nordic F itness Walk around Ashdown Forest Fun on the Forest - Wildlife Watch Road Show Sunday 16 July Sunday 19 June at 13.30 11.30am Join Sussex W ildlife for a short walk on Ashdown A 6.5 mile (2.5 hour) Nordic Walk Taster starting Forest. Step back in time and have fun discovering immediately on Forest tracks. A walk promising how people have used and changed the Forest. Find fine views on this high open section of Ashdown out what wildlife is here today and how the Forest Forest to the North and . Loan poles are available (limited). Meet at the Four survives. Paths may be narrow and uneven surfaces Counties carpark on the B2026. Lead by Nigel so not suitable fo r pushchairs. Contact on the day of Bentley, Oakleafe Sussex Ramblers. Charge the event 07986 703088 or 07512802177. Meet at £8.00. Pre-booking advisable. 01323 871554 or the Ashdown Forest Centre. Activities and games aimed at 5-12 years. Donations welcomed. Dogs on 07930 738034 leads.

Reviews , Ashdown Forest, Walk Dave Brooker Sunday 10 July 10.30am Dave’s exhibition closed on the 19 th of April aft er An eight mile walk (5 hours) from the quiet village of a very successful run that has proved to be Fairwarp onto Ashdown Forest to Camp Hill for immensely popular with our visitors. His panoramic views. Lunch at Crow & Gate, Poundhill illustrated talk earlier in the year was also very then return via Barnsden. Meet at Fairwarp Village well received and Dave has had a great deal of Green. Free. Leader Adrian White. positive feedback and requests to attend various

talks and AGMs acro ss the area. We hope to see An Evening with Nightjars him back with a new exhibition in the future. Monday 11 July 7.30 pm

Discover about the Nightjar one of Britain's most Nature Walk mysterious birds. The evening will start with an Richard Lowe and his wife very kindly led a indoor session at Village Hall followed by a nature walk from the Forest Centre out on to short drive to the reserve at Old Broadstone Heath on Monday 18 April. The Lodge to listen for the birds. Please bring a torch and guests were all adults, the weather pe rfect and insect repellant. Meet at Hart field Village Hall. Lead the feedback excellent - with everyone who took by SWT . £8.00 members and concessions / £10.00 part saying how thoroughly enjoyable it was! non-members. pre-booking essential 07784 494982 The Volunteer - Page 5

Conservation Group New Ranger - Mike Payne

One of the many things th at will need to be looked at We are really delighted to announce that we finally and managed with Hew’s departure will be the have a new member of the Ranger team! Interviews Conservation Group. This is a golden opportunity to re- were held in April and, after meeting some really good assess what the Group does, the frequency of its candidates, our own Mike Payne stood out as an meetings and how best to arrange leadership etc. exceptional applicant.

PLEASE NOTE: There will no t be a meeting now until Many of you will know Mike from his years as a the end of September . Country side Worker and tractor driver and know that

this is an ambition finally realized. We know he will do a

If you have any ideas about how we can make the great job Group more interesting and satisfying and how we can recruit new members please let us know. Mike will be looking after the West chase as Rich is moving to the South. CONGRATULATIONS MIKE ! New Countryside Worker Yet another new appointment to the team! This time we are saying hello and welcome to Gerry Lee who has worked with us in the past. Gerry will be filling Mike Payne’s (substantial) shoes and will be working alongside Edd Burgin and Colin Lutman. I’m sure you will all get a chance to meet Gerry v ery soon. Forest History – Sir 1859 to 1930 Arthur Conan Doyle was Dartmoor and decided didn’t move into born in Edinburgh of Irish they would make a good Windlesham until 1907, decent in 1859. From 1876 ‘creeper’ story. He made a well after the novel was to 1881 he studied visit to various sites across published! medicine at the University Devon and began writing of Edinburgh, including at his home ‘Undershaw’ However, Sussex does periods working in in Hindhead with eventual inspire some of his earlier Birmingham and Sheffield. publication in 1901. short stories and novels : During his studies he began Various experts have Rodney Stone (1896) is writing short stories; his suggested locations for wholly set in the county; Sir first appeared in Chambers Baskerville Hall but it Nigel (1906) is partly set in Edinburgh Journal. would seem to be an the area and The Poison amalgamation of several Belt (1907) has its action Conan Doyle lived in places Doyl e was familiar located at . numerous locations such as with including gothic Doyle went on to pen 50+ South Norwood, Southsea, Stonyhurst College in works after 1907 including Hindhead, Vienna (where Lancashire . Fox Tor Mires he studied), Bloemfontein work on fairies; was almost certainly the spiritualism ; politics; (for three months during inspirat ion for the book's the Boer War) and, of miscarriages of j ustice and ‘Grimpen Mire’ and the Great War. He course, Windlesham Manor several Dartmoor at Crowborough. cultivated many wide locations are recognisable ranging friendships for

The seeds of The Hound of including Princetown and example with Houdini. the Baskervilles were sown gloomy Bellever Tor.

during a golfing holiday in Doyle died of a heart attack It is oft en said that in 1930 at Windlesham. His Norfolk and Doyle became Ashdown Forest was the interested in the legends of last words were directed inspiration for Hound of toward his wife: "You are ‘Black Shuck‘ and the the Baskerville’s but Doyle ghostly ‘Yeth’ hounds of wonderful." The Volunteer - Page 6

And not quite finally… Annual Public Meeting This was held on Tuesday 7th June 2011 at 19.30 and was an open meeting for all Forest residents. Over 60 people attended and , after a short talk by Chris Marrable, there were lost of very interesting questions. Minutes will be posted on the website in due course.

Roman Days The Conservators of There will be two Roman Days - Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd August – with our Ashdown Forest resident Roman Lexicus Deanicus. Lex will be located in his gazebo at the Forest Centre more details will follow closer to the day – watch this space .

th THE ASHDOWN Friends 50 Anniversary As you are probably aware the Friends have reached the ripe old age of 50 years! FOREST CENTRE To celebrate they held a very jolly and well attended event at the Forest centre on nd 22 May – congratulations!

Forest Row Madeline Reader Madeline, a stalwart of the Friends, ex-Information Barn volunteer and editor of the Friends Magazine for many, many years, passed away recently. Madeline did not RH18 5JP want a funeral or memorial service – so the Friends, as part of their 50 th

celebration, held a Remembrance Tea in her honour and exhibited some of PHONE: Madeline’s extensive archive and personal mementoes. A memorial bench will be erected on the Forest in the not too distant future. 01342 823583

Hebridean Sheep Shearing FAX: Shearing is due to take place any day now and as this is a very weather dependent

activity (the sheep need to be dry) its likely to be a spur of the moment job – so we 01342 824177 cannot plan an open day for the public this year.

E-MAIL: Volunteer Recruitment [email protected] We have had some trouble of late filling slots on the board which suggests that we conservators@ashdownforest may have to go recruiting again. Is anyone free and available to help with this or .org suggest how we can go about it?

Ashdown Forest App We’re on the Web! An app is a mini-website created for users of ‘smart’ phones. We now have an app See us at: that can be downloaded for free from the I-tunes store. There are ten walks contained in this app, which take visitors to all corners of the Forest. Ask Tracy for a www.ashdownforest.org demo! With thanks to our partners, listed below, for their support with this project. on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

And finally…..

What is a sheep’s favourite painting? The Mona Fleesa (boom boom)!! Make sure you PTO……………………..The Volunteer - Page 7

The Volunteer - Page 8