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Singleton Parish Council

( Volunteers Clearing the River Lavant )

This website provides information about the activities of the Parish Council in the villages of Singleton and Charlton - pretty villages situated in the Lavant Valley, a few miles north of Chichester in West Sussex.

All of our councillors are volunteers and are committed to representing their community. They:

give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish
undertake projects and schemes that benefit local residents
work in partnership with other bodies to achieve benefits for the parish
alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken
help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities

We want to work closely with our community and encourage residents to get in touch with us and attend meetings. Please get in touch and join our mailing list, mailchimp

18 November 2024

Full Parish Council Meeting

Singleton Village Hall Monday 7:00 pm View Details

How to report issues to WSCC

The WSCC Love West Sussex app can be used to report potholes, graffiti, fly tipping, damaged pavements and many more. Simply send in your report using the WSCC free mobile app, a text or picture message. Love West Sussex will deal with your report and we will send you a message when it's complete.

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/make-an-enquiry-or-report-a-problem-with-a-road-or-pavement

Useful Contacts

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Latest Parish News

South Downs News - October 2024

14

October 2024

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WORK AND PLAY IN YOUR NATIONAL PARK

THIS MONTH:

Biodiversity bouncing backWater voles were thought to be locally extinct in Hampshire 20 years ago. Not any longer – find out about our pioneering work to help them and other animals.
Embrace the darkness!As the nights draw in, we’re launching our Dark Skies season.
Spooky South DownsDid witches exist in the South Downs? We reveal the wicked truth!
Competition!Win a family ticketto see some of the world’s most endangered species at Marwell.

As always please send your comments and ideas to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk

Click here to read a PDF version of South Downs News

PICTURE OF THE MONTH: There's a chill in the air and some eerie mists developing over the South Downs which can only mean one thing. It's Spooky South Downs season! This picture of misty woods at Iping, by Richard Murray, is certainly mysterious. For more spooky spots in the South Downs National Park, visit here.

If you have an amazing seasonal image, please do email us!

Ratty's remarkable return!

Once a common sight on Britain’s riverbanks, the much-adored “Ratty” has become a rarity on many of the UK’s waterways.

But now the animal made famous by The Wind in the Willows is making a remarkable comeback in the National Park, with a detailed ecological report showing that water volesare indeed thriving, and busily breeding, on the River Meon in Hampshire.

Other species, such as the otter and marsh herrier, are also returning to the river as the ecosystem strengthens.

Find out more here.

Dark Skies Season has lift-off!

The ‘glimmers’ of the starry night sky that make us feel happy will be one of the highlights as the National Park launches its exciting Dark Skies season.

As the nights draw in and nocturnal wildlife emerges earlier in the evening, the National Park is encouraging people to embrace the darkness and discover the incredible International Dark Sky Reserve on their doorstep.

This year’s theme is “glimmers” – those micro-moments of joy that make us feel happy and inspired – which many people often experience when immersed under a blanket of stars, walking under the glow of the moon or admiring nature.

The ever-popular astrophotography competition returns, with the National Park offering prizes of £100 for breathtaking images of the night sky.

The Dark Skies season will begin with a guided night walk at Alice Holt Forest on 30 October (booking is required).

Learn more about all the exciting activities and a new series of podcasts here!

Design shines brightly at prestigious awards

A stunning new wildlife haven, a hillside café in the shape of a train carriage, an eco-friendly house and a beautifully renovated farmstead are among the winners of the South Downs Design Awards.

The winners were announced at an inspiring ceremony at the South Downs Centre in Midhurst earlier this month.

Find out all the winners here.

The witches of England's Mountains Green

Anooshka Rawden, Cultural Heritage Lead,takes a deep dive into the history of witches in the South Downs. Learn more here.

Not so spooky species of the South Downs

Here in the National Park, not all creatures of the night – or day – are as eerie as they may seem. Let’s take a light-hearted look at some of the incredible plants and animals that call the South Downs their home.

"This is long but satisfying work"

Ethan Purdy, Assistant Ranger, discusses the recent work of volunteers to help maintain the South Downs Way.

Read his fascinating piece here.

Launch of climate knowledge hub

Local groups in and around the National Park are being encouraged to share climate action tips as a new “knowledge hub” is launched.

Community groups will be able to share information on their projects and provide insights, learning and expertise. The hub will be a useful resource for residents who want to establish new groups or projects in their own communities. Find out more.

Hurrah for hedges!

Almost 15 miles of hedgerow have been restored over the past three years in the western section of the National Park following a big community effort.

“Hampshire Hedgerows”has drawn together landowners, farmers, young people and volunteers to help create and restore hedgerows that provide an essential refuge for wildlife. Learn more.

Stunning new calendar is now available!

Our all-new calendar features iconic views of the National Park taken from our annual photo competition.

Copies can be bought by visiting the South Downs Centre, in Midhurst, or Seven Sisters Visitor Centre, at Exceat, near Seaford.

Costing just £9.99, the calendar is also available to buy online or by telephoning 01730 814810.

Zara Kelleway, who manages the visitor area and shop at the South Downs Centre, said: “Our latest calendar is beautiful and would make such a lovely gift for Christmas.
“It takes you on a seasonal journey through the South Downs and is guaranteed to brighten your day!”

We’re also giving away the calendar as a prize to two lucky winners.
All new subscribers to the newsletter during October will be automatically entered into the draw and winners chosen at random.
Sign up to the newsletter here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/join-the-newsletter/

Order online here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/south-downs-calendar/

FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES TO PHOTO COMPETITION - WIN UP TO £100

Don’t forget there’s still time to enter this year’s photo competition, with several prizes of up to £100.

This year we’re celebrating the seasons, as well as the amazing wildlife of the National Park and its many interesting towns, villages and hamlets. We are especially in need of images from our communities, showcasing the many beautiful townscapes and villagescapes within the National Park.

The deadline for submissions is midnight on 31 October.

The vivid colours of autumn and its crimson sunsets are a great time to capture views of the National Park so do get out and get snapping!

Enter photo competition for the chance to win £100

Win a family day-out at Marwell!

Marwell Wildlife, near Winchester, is celebrating a clutch of new arrivals, including an incredibly rare mountain bongo calf.

Born last month, the male baby bongo has already impressed zookeepers with his feistiness.

There are thought to be only 100 mountain bongos left in the wild so the new addition to Marwell’s herd is a real cause for celebration. The species is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered and the new arrival is part of the international breeding programme to ensure the future of the species, which continues to decline in the wild.

Rhiannon Wolff, animal keeper, said: “The calf has been very confident, energetic and adventurous right from the start.”

Meanwhile, Ruby, one of the female giraffes, recently gave birth to an adorable male Rothschild’s giraffe calf. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

The gorgeous bundle of joy, who already stands at over 5ft tall, is the first newborn addition to Marwell Zoo’s giraffe herd since 2012. Elyse Summerfield-Smith, Zoo Veterinarian, said: “Christa, our other female giraffe, was a great support to Ruby during labour and has been enjoying her role as ‘Auntie Christa’ ever since!”

We’ve teamed up with Marwell to offer a single-entry family ticket for two adults and two children (worth over £90 at peak season) that can be used until next summer.

People signing up to the newsletter during October will be automatically entered into the draw.

Those who are already signed up can email “mountain bongo” to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk before midnight on 31 October.

Things to do in October

Find other events and activities across the National Park and submit your own. Please remember booking may be necessary and do check full details with the venue.

Head to Seven Sisters Visitor Centre, near Seaford, this Halloween half term (26 October to 3 November) for some spooky fun! Dive into a ghoulishly good time where kids of all ages can unleash their inner artist to craft a spine-chilling Halloween mask to take home with them!
Witchy cackles, slithery scales and howling shrieks! Can you find the creatures at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Horndean, this Halloween? The outdoor family trail adventure can be booked online.
Head to Lewes Castle during the half term week for a firework fairy and tinkering troll trail! Search for all eight hidden fairy and troll houses, and enjoy a sweet treat as a reward for completing the trail. There will also be sessions to make your own Bonfire Night Arts and Crafts on 1 and 2 November.
Skeleton Secrets will be the focus of the half term week at Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire. Embark on a journey through time as you explore its ancient buildings and search for hidden skeleton bones scattered across the farm!
The Weald and Downland Living Museum, near Chichester, will be hosting a range of fun activities over the half term week, including joining a medieval apothecary to make your own potion using dragon’s blood and other gruesome ingredients to protect you from the plague and other terrifying diseases.
The “South Downs Open” exhibition begins on 22 October at Petersfield Museum and will run until the end of January. It will include nearly 150 artworks on display by over 100 artists, including paintings, drawings, artist’s prints, photography, sculpture textiles and ceramics.

There will be a pop-up event at an eco-home in South Street, Lewes, on 17 October for people to find out more about eco-friendly living. Learn more here