Sussex Wildlife Trust Events – July 2017

SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST 

DUNCTON                               Thursday 6 July

Morning circular wildlife walk around Burton Mill Pond Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust.  Meet in Mill Pond car park, nearest post code GU28 0JR at 10.00 am           Members free/non-members £3                07827 83089

Flow Project

May Newsletter

Earnley Fete 10th June 2017

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Chichester District Council Information on South Downs Holiday Village

South Downs Holiday Village update

 When we were initially made aware that South Downs Holiday Village was being used to accommodate agricultural workers, we issued a Planning Contravention Notice, alerting the management company, Cre8, that they were in breach of planning control and warned them not to increase the use of the site. We also wrote to all parties involved, including the owners of the site, Seaward Properties.

 We’ve now gathered the evidence that we require and have assessed the current use of the accommodation against the current planning permission. Taking account of this information we have served a Breach of Condition Notice on the management agents, Cre8. This requires the company to stop using the holiday accommodation for residential purposes within 28 days (from the day the notice is served).

 We are aware that two petitions have been started. We feel that we need to make people aware that we already have consultation processes in place for all licensing and planning applications and so we do not accept petitions relating to these areas of work.

 Background information

 In January 2017, the South Downs Holiday Village in Bracklesham was closed and was subsequently purchased by Chichester based housing developer, Seaward Properties.

 When the site closed, the alcohol and gaming licences for premises on the site were surrendered. No valid licensing application has been received to date.

 Planning permission for the Holiday Village was originally granted for the site in 1978 and was amended in 1999 to allow all year round holiday use. This is still in place. No new planning application has been received since that time.

http://www.chichester.gov.uk/article/28560/Update-South-Downs-Holiday-Village

 

RSPB & Sussex Wildlife Events – June 2017

RSPB Events for JUNE 2017

WOOLBEDING                         Sunday 4 June

All Day Bird Walk on Woolbeding Common with Chris Vine of the RSPB Chichester Local Group.  Meet in car park, Map Ref: SU869260 at 10.00 am                                  01243 262833

DUNCTON                               Friday 9 June  

Evening walk to see and hear nightjars/woodcock on Lavington Common with Bob Yarham of the RSPB.  Meet in car park, Map Ref: SU952187 at 8.00 pm                 01243 262833

 

 SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST Events for June 2017

IPING                                       Wednesday 21 June

Morning Heathland Walk on Iping Common with Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust.  Meet in Iping Common car park nearest post code GU29 0PB, Map Ref: SU851220,    at 10.00 am.  Members free/non-members £3            07827 830891

 

Chichester Conservation Volunteer Opportunities – June 2017

CHICHESTER CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS Tasks for JUNE 2017 

EBERNOE                                 Sunday 11 June

Conservation – Bracken/Seedling Holly Control with Richard Wilson of the Chichester Conservation Volunteers on Ebernoe Common.  Meet in church car park at 10.00 am

01243 01243 528056

 WOOLBEDING                         Sunday 18 June

Conservation – Himalayan Balsam Control with Scott Robertson of the Chichester Conservation Volunteers on The River Rother at 10.00 am             

 01243 552133/07815 021331 

Memory Cafe

The Wittering Memory Café is a place for those in later life to relax, socialise and reminisce

The next event is due to take place on 25th May 3-5pm, The Lamb Inn, West Wittering for more information please click on this link

Can you help?

Seven people have already volunteered to help out with the LSA exhibition at the Weald and Downland Museum over the weekend of the May Bank Holiday.

However, it would be good to have two people for each morning/afternoon session to promote the exhibition, raise awareness, answer questions and collect more contact details.

Could you help Saturday (29th April), Sunday (30th April) or Monday (1st May) either 10.30am -1.30pm or 1.30pm – 5.00pm. 

Entry will be free. The exhibition, which will be held in the Lavant Building within the main museum complex, will comprise our film and a display. You will also have the opportunity to see the new visitor centre which will be open by then.

Please let me know if you can help – 01243 641154 or

Thank you.

Bill

Community Works Together to Restore West Wittering Wetland

The Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group’s ‘FLOW Project’ received welcome help from West Wittering residents to transform a neglected wild area into a site managed for wildlife. 

Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group (MWHG) volunteers worked with residents from West Wittering to give an untended and overgrown wetland area a new lease of life. By cutting back bramble and fallen trees, creating a dead hedge and multiple log piles for insects and birds, they revealed an attractive wetland that will provide a home for wildlife for generations to come.  The work took place on land owned by Cakeham Manor Estate between The Wad and Beach Road. 

A year earlier, as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Fixing and Linking Our Wetlands (FLOW) Project, ditches and hedgerow across the entire parish of West Wittering were surveyed. It was then that the wetland was identified as having potential for improvement. 

A stream that runs through the site was completely shaded by bramble, dead trees and ivy.  The team of experienced wildlife volunteers from the MWHG worked with residents to open up the banks and let light flood in. This will enable a greater range of plants to grow on the ground and provide food for insects and birds.  Dead trees and brambles were turned into homes for hedgehogs, small mammals and invertebrates.  It is hoped that with time the rare water vole may extend its range to this site.

One resident that got involved said “the area has had an amazing transformation. I will watch with interest over the coming months to see what it looks like with the extra light and fewer brambles”. 

Through the project several sites across the Manhood Peninsula are being recovered to provide better wildlife habitats, assets for communities to visit and enjoy, and to improve capacity for holding water during high rainfall events. 

Apart from working very hard for three days, the team enjoyed lots of cake, toasted marshmallows, hot drinks and laughter.  FLOW Project Manager, Jane Reeve, said “we always aim to make volunteer tasks fun and it is a great way of getting to know new people, carrying out satisfying work, and learning about wildlife and the environment around us.  We provide copious cake and tea and always leave feeling great and knowing we have made a difference.  We would love to have new volunteers help us tackle summer surveys and restoration of more sites this autumn”. 

For more information on how to get involved in the work of the community led conservation organisation and the FLOW Project visit www.mwhg.org.uk or find MWHG on Facebook.

 

Events in May

The MULBERRIES Events for MAY 2017

PAGHAM                                             Saturday 13 May

The Mulberries present a 60s-70s Rock, Blues, Soul, Reggae Night with The WIP Band at the Pagham Village Hall, Pagham Road, Pagham at 7.30 pm. 

Tickets in advance £8-00/children £5-00 on 01243 697593

Please bring your own food and drink.        

Proceeds to local charities. 

Wheelchair access

 RSPB Events for MAY 2017

SELSEY                                                  Saturday 6 May

Early Morning Sea Watch with Chris Furlepa of the RSPB Chichester Local Group.  Meet in car park at end of B2145 into Selsey at 7.30 am.                   078581 722040

 CHICHESTER                                       Thursday  25 May

Short AGM followed by an Illustrated Talk to the RSPB Chichester Local Group at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester at 7.30 pm.

Entrance members £2-50/visitors £3-50              T:01243 262833                  

Wheelchair access

SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST Events for MAY 2017 

SINGLETON                                                        Wednesday 3 May

Morning Wildlife Walk on Levin Down with Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust to explore chalk downland spring flowers and insects.  Meet outside Singleton Village Hall, The Leys, Singleton PO18 0HR 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Donation to the Trust appreciated                            T:07827 830891