Sussex Wildlife Trust 2015 – 2016 Amenities & Leisure Resources 01424 451066 ‘Parks & Gardens’ Events Programme 2015/2016 General Information This events programme will help you make the most of Hastings’ and Bexhill on Sea’s parks and countryside, learn more about its wildlife and contribute to its protection and preservation. Clothing: Please come prepared with strong, comfortable If you want to comment on the programme or make suggestions for improvement, footwear and waterproofs, especially on the all-day events. please call the Ranger Team on 01424 451066. Remember that some of the events on the beach are rough terrain and that footpaths can be steep and muddy in places. Meet the Team . .4 'greendog walkers':a4 decal 12/3/10 14:40 Page 1 Walking conditions: Use this as a guide on the accessibility Combe Valley Countryside Park . .5 of each event. Alexandra Park . .6 Easy walking conditions: Relatively fl at. March . 10 Moderate walking conditions: This may involve some April . 13 Key to Symbol gentle hill walking and steps. May . 16 More challenging conditions: It may include walking June . 19 some steep inclines, involving slippery surfaces and steps. July . 22 Wheelchair or buggy access August . 25 c Weather: Whatever the weather, an event leader will be at the September . 28 No dogs meeting point and will then decide whether to proceed or not. October . 30 November . 32 Booking essential Dogs: Welcome (except where indicated ) if under control December . 34 and kept on a lead. l i c n We’ve Signed u o c k r i k Bring a torch January 2015 . 35 l a ® f s e the Green Dog Walkers Pledge. c i v r e Public Transport: In most cases buses and trains run regularly s d o o h r Have You? u o b February 2015 . 36 h g i e to all the meeting points throughout the day. Information on n d n a e t a r o p r o c routes and times can be sought from Hastings Information t Programme Contributors . 37 i n Bring binoculars u s n o i t a c i n Centre on or direct from Travel Line South East u 01424 451111 m m o c Community Noticeboard . 39 y b d e n g i on 0871 200 2233 or at www.travellinesoutheast.org.uk s e d Nature Reserves and Bring sketchpad and pencil Rail travel information can be obtained on 0845 748 4950. Green Spaces map . 40 Children: Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied Bring a camera by an adult. www.combevalleycountrysidepark.com Great for families Charges: Most events are free - check individual listings for details. www.hastings.gov.uk/countrypark Conservation Tasks: These vary but for all of them you should Bring a packed lunch wear suitable footwear and clothing, always bring waterproofs Visit the Hastings Rangers photo gallery at SUSSEX in case the weather changes. If staying all day, it’s advisable to WILDLIFE TRUST bring a packed lunch and drink. www.fl ickr.com/photos/hastingsrangers Conservation work task (old clothes essential) Wildhastings is an initiative set up by Hastings Borough Council to promote the Nature Reserves that exist in the Borough and Large Print and Audio versions to provide information about the wildlife they contain. Toilet facilities available Disclaimer: Hastings Borough Council and Rother District are available on request. Council accept no responsibility for events led by other Produced by Hastings Borough Council and compiled by the organisations or groups. Information correct at time of Hastings Ranger team and Sussex Wildlife Trust - February 2015 Call 01424 451066 Donations welcome Photographs by Bob Mazzer, Hastings Rangers and event organisers. printing but may be subject to change. 2 3 Proposed visitor centre: views Meet the Team ALEX JULIE Proposals subject to planning and funding Position: Country Parks Position: Combe Valley Ranger and Hastings Ranger Project Update 2015 Best part of the job: Best part of the job: There are two exciting initiatives in progress this Project Information The opportunity of working The fresh air year at Combe Valley Countryside Park. with the community Worst part of the job: For more information about the Combe Valley Countryside Park visit: Worst part of the job: Enforcement! Julie Alex New visitor hub (pictured above) www.combevalleycountrysidepark.com Dog fouling To provide a focus for information, activities and events at Combe Valley, a new visitor hub is For more information about wildlife in the area visit: www.wildhastings.org.uk or CHRIS NICK planned this year to be located off Freshfi elds Road. This is a really exciting project for the www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk, contact Position: Estate Ranger Position: Hastings Ranger Countryside Park and the hub will be built the Combe Valley Ranger on 01424 451066 Best part of the job: Best part of the job: with recycled shipping containers to be as or email [email protected] Watching habitat develop Conservation work sustainable as possible. Worst part of the job: Worst part of the job: The hub will provide refreshment facilities, The mud! Not enough hours in toilets and incorporate a ranger’s offi ce and a The Friends of the day! fl exible meeting space for groups using the park. Chris Nick Combe Valley Park Community Interest Company (CIC) The Friends of Combe Valley (FoCV) is a A CIC is a company which is set up and run voluntary group formed by organisations and BOB GUY for the benefi t of the community. Its board is individuals committed to proactively working Position: Estate Ranger Position: Hastings Ranger comprised of individuals who have a personal together to care, protect and promote the Combe Valley Countryside Park. Best part of the job: Best part of the job: interest in ensuring that Combe Valley will be Our aim is to work in partnerships to develop Being outside Liaising with the public developed and managed to provide facilities and activities to the benefi t of the local community. the park for health and wellbeing, educational : : Worst part of the job Worst part of the job It is expected that the CIC for Combe Valley opportunities and improved access for all; Dog mess and litter Picking up all the litter! will be established by April this year, and with enriching the area of people and wildlife. For more information please visit our website Bob Guy advice from experts, will agree a development plan for the park to provide an attractive, www.friendsofcombevalley.co.uk accessible and recreational space, which is rich To join the Friends of Combe Valley please in plant and animal life. contact their membership secretary Willy For more information email Robin Jones, Wilson at [email protected] Volunteers [email protected] or telephone 01424 830376. A special thank you... Hi, I’m Michael Blencowe, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s People & Wildlife Offi cer working To all volunteers and groups for their time and dedication. in the Combe Valley Countryside Park. I’ll be leading walks and events in 2015 looking at the amazing wildlife that lives here. The council greatly values the time and commitment volunteers put into our beautiful green spaces. We look forward to all we If you would like to fi nd out more about getting involved in the Combe Valley can achieve with you in the coming years. please give me a call on 07585901360 or email me at [email protected] Michael Sussex Wildlife Trust 4 5 Alexandra Park The Hastings Country Alexandra Park is steeped in history; in 1850, This fi ne collection, which is nationally signifi cant, still surrounded by farmland, the reservoirs were means that Alexandra Park is probably one of the constructed to provide water for the ‘growing town best public parks in Britain in which to see trees. of Hastings’. A smallholding at the southern end of Its sheltered valley and temperate climate allow Park Nature Reserve the park was acquired by the Corporation in 1859 an enormous variety to thrive, many of which and landscaped as a garden for the residents of St have been able to grow to their full splendour. A picturesque nature reserve of national importance with stunning coastal views sited within Andrews Square, re-named St Andrews Gardens The Park currently includes nine champion trees the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. in 1864. In 1849 the railway line from Hastings to (the tallest or largest of their kind in Britain The nature reserve has 342 hectares (853 acres) of ancient gill woodland, heathland, grassland Ashford was constructed, effectively dissecting the and Ireland) and there are four more in the and farmland together with fi ve kilometres of dramatic sandstone cliffs and coastline. park from the Town Centre, a pedestrian underpass surrounding woodlands. Much of the area has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of was provided to maintain access to the gardens. By In 2000 the Heritage Lottery Fund helped restore Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI) due to the unique wildlife and fossil rich soft rock cliff and slope. 1878 the Corporation had acquired much of the the park, thanks to a £3.4 million grant. There Help us protect this extraordinary nature reserve. When visiting, please follow the countryside land and now wanted to stimulate development; is now a determination from both the Council code, walk on designated footpaths and be careful of farm machinery and livestock. to achieve this it decided to landscape a much and the Friends to sustain and wherever possible larger park extending towards Silverhill and continue to develop and improve the park.