South Downs News - March 2024

South Downs News - March 2024

14/03/2024

March 2024

WORK AND PLAY IN YOUR NATIONAL PARK

THIS MONTH:

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: The tranquillity of the night sky in the South Downs is something to behold and cherish. This captivating image of the northern lights, aka aurora borealis, at Cissbury Ring won the hearts of the public vote for the astrophotography competition. Congratulations to Michael Steven Harris, from Brighton, who wins £75. Thank you to all who engaged with or attended the Dark Skies Festival last month - we hope you've been inspired!

Taking the lead with your dog this spring

It’s great that people can get out for walks, often with dogs, to enjoy all the health and wellbeing benefits of the National Park.

As lambing and ground-nesting bird season begins this March, we’re encouraging dogwalkers to take the lead and keep paws on the path.

With dog ownership at an all-time high post-pandemic, we’re re-energising our “Take The Lead” campaign, which encourages responsible dog walking with simple actions, such as keeping canines on leads around livestock and bagging and binning dog poo.

Find out more about Take The Lead and our fun competition

Some wheely good news!

Off-road mobility scooters unveiled last March have been put through their paces hundreds of times over the past year.

Find out more hereabout the success of the initiative and details about how to hire one.

Spotlight on disability access

Meet Anita Kerwin-Nye, who recently took on the role of Director of Landscape and Strategy at the National Park following the retirement of her long-serving predecessor, Andrew Lee.

For Disabled Access Day this month, Anita shines a spotlight on disabled access in the South Downs and shares her own thoughts and experiences.

Read Anita's piece here.

New wildlife haven is created in village

A beautiful wildlife corridor of trees has been planted in the centre of a South Downs village to mark The King’s Coronation.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, helped villagers plant the first of 12 cherry and crab apple trees in Singleton. Learn more here.

Apply for tree planting!

Calling all schools, parish councils, businesses, community groups and landowners!

Are you interested in applying for tree planting to help nature and climate?

Contact Victoria Crespi, the National Park's Grants Officer, at grants@southdowns.gov.ukand find out more here. The deadline is 31 May and urban fringes of the National Park can be considered.

Go-ahead for cultural centre

Plans for a new culture, arts and education hub that will provide a downland visitor gateway have been approved. Find out more here.

Muslim Hikers enjoy seafront walk

More than 150 people from all over the UK and beyond enjoyed a bracing seafront walk along the scenic Seven Sisters.

Learn more here.

Serene hill on show in winning picture

A serene image of one of Sussex’s most sacred hills is the winner of the South Downs National Park’s People’s Choice award.

More than 1,200 votes were cast for the annual photo competition. Find out more here.

Secrets of town are revealed in big dig

The discovery of a basement wall from over 300 years ago and 18th century sewing pins were among the highlights of an archaeological excavation in Eastbourne.

Learn more about the excavation here.

Go for a walk and WIN £30 voucher!

Have you tried our immersive audio tour exploring thought-provoking stories and personal reflections about the Sussex Heritage Coast?

During April and May we’re inviting people to try out the We Hear You Now audio trail at Seven Sisters Country Park. And you could win £30 just for providing a testimonial! Find out more here.

Meet South Downs Ranger Laura

For International Women's Day, we get the inside story from Laura Tong, a ranger for the Western Downs in Hampshire.

Read her story here.

Boy from war-torn Ukraine wins contest

What could be more beautiful than a blanket of tulips at Arundel Castle on a gorgeous spring day?

The spectacle was captured by young photographer Ivan Chupryna, who has won the under-10s category in the National Park’s youth photo competition. Find out about all the winners here.

Planning projects can win major awards

There are less than eight weeks left to submit your nomination for the prestigious 2024 South Downs Design Awards.

Recognising professional design work in a protected landscape, the awards celebrate projects and professionals that make a standout contribution to the National Park.

The 2024 categories cover residential, non-residential, and conservation projects, as well as future unbuilt projects.

Nominate a project for a South Downs Design Award

Win a family pass to transport museum!

Located in the heart of the National Park is a museum that offers a unique insight into the region’s working past.

Travel back in time at Amberley Museum and explore the south’s industrial heritage, all set within a sprawling former quarry and limeworks.

Did you know the site was used as a set for the James Bond film A View To A Kill with Roger Moore?

The museum includes a fascinating film revealing how the site was turned into a movie set to create some very exciting action scenes back in the mid-80s.

Today the museum has over 40 exhibit areas to discover, including a narrow-gauge railway, historic buses, rural crafts and extensive communications displays.

There’s something for everyone and it offers the perfect family day-out this spring or summer. There’s even a beautiful train station next door if you wanted to leave the car at home!

We’ve teamed up with Amberley to offer a family day pass for two adults and up to three children. People signing up to the newsletter during March will be automatically entered into the prize draw.

Those who are already signed up can email the answer to this question: “Which actor played the character of May Day in the 1985 film shot at Amberley?” to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk before midnight on 31 March.

Sign up to the newsletter here and see competition T&Cs here.

Girl walks 100 miles for cleaner rivers

Seven-year-old Lauris Prince has walked 100 miles in 10 days to raise money to help protect the National Park’s precious rivers. Learn more about her epic - and blizzard-stricken - adventure here.

It's World Water Day this month, so to mark the occasion, we're sharing this film that reveals efforts to restore the River Rother, straddling Hampshire and West Sussex, for the benefit of both wildlife and people.

Things to do in March

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

  • Enjoy an afternoon at Petersfield Museum and see its exhibition, Katharine Swailes and Caron Penney: The Language of Weaving.The duo are leading tapestry artists who are creating works that weave together the rich history of tapestry practices with contemporary design. Swailes and Penney are an integral part of the historical network of women artists and designers in the traditional tapestry weaving art field, which has slowly become recognised for its contribution to contemporary art and design in the UK. Alongside the exhibition, which runs until 1 June, are a series of weaving demonstrations and workshops.
  • Calling all art lovers! Head to Goodwood House, near Chichester, on 19 March for an evening talk on women’s artists. The talk will be given by Goodwood’s curator and include a welcome from The Duchess of Richmond, together with a champagne and canape reception in the state apartments. The Goodwood Collection has works by 18th century female artists including Angelica Kauffman, Anne Damer and Katherine Read, as well as pictures by contemporary artist Holly Frean.
  • Head to Gilbert White House and Gardens, in Selborne, for their Open Greenhouse Day on 20 March. The greenhouse will be busy as the propagating team prepare plants for this season’s planting and sales. Meet the team, find out about our plant production operation, watch the system in action and ask questions.
  • Find out more about the wonderful wildlife of Seaford! On The Verge and Seaford Natural History Society is putting on a series of talks and the next one is delivered by Lucy Lapwing, at Seaford Baptist Church, at 2.30pm on 23 March. Tickets are £3.
  • Visit Seven Sisters Country Park from 27 March to 7 April to enjoy a stunning art exhibition in the beautifully-restored Pump Barn next to the visitor centre. “Meanderings” will feature the work of artists from the Salt Edge group.