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PICTURE OF THE
MONTH: January may be known for its "blues", but
blue can mean many things - it could be a blue sky or the crystal-clear
waters of amazing blue spaces such as the River Meon,
as pictured here by Western Downs Ranger (and talented photographer)
Andy Reeves. We're being blessed with some cold, sunny days so do make
sure you get out into the National Park, if you're able, for a blast of
fresh air and those uplifting views!
If you have an amazing seasonal image, please do email us!
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Seasonal splendours of the South Downs
Two of
Britain’s most iconic birds, a
majestic wintry river and the joy of springtime wild
garlic in an ancient English woodland are among the winners of the
National Park’s Annual Photo Competition.
Photographer Piers
Fearick was a double winner, taking both the first and runner-up prize in
the National Park’s ever-popular wildlife category by capturing the
beauty of a yellowhammer and wren in the South Downs.
The theme for the
main competition was “Stunning Seasons of the South Downs” and judges
were treated to an incredible assortment of images showing off the
changing landscape, treescape, weather and light conditions throughout
the year. This year saw a record number of entries, with over 800
photographs.
Find out all the winners here!
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Have your say on the Local Plan Review!
An
eight-week consultation begins this month as the National Park invites
people to have their say on how and where development takes place.
The award-winning
South Downs Local Plan is being reviewed to ensure it’s up-to-date and
addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change,
affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.
The public
consultation of the Local Plan Review starts on 20 January and will run
until 17 March. This
is the main opportunity for people to help shape the final Plan,
so we're encouraging the public to get involved. Learn more here and find out about our engagement
events.
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Funding of £2m for community projects
Cycle path
improvements, new toilets, a school extension, wildlife viewing platform
and the restoration
of a historic walled garden are among the community
projects to benefit from a major funding boost from the South Downs
National Park Authority.
To kick off 2025 the
National Park is announcing 27 projects across Sussex and Hampshire that
will receive a share of just over £1.9m. Find out more and see the full list of schemes.
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Dark Skies Festival is back! Dates for your
diary
It’s
nearly time to embrace the darkness!
Our ever-popular
Dark Skies Festival returns next month, with 11 days of events and
activities celebrating the dark skies of the Soithwildlife that lives
here.wildlife that lives here.
This year’s theme is
“glimmers”
and we’ll be celebrating the sparkling lights of stars, planets, meteors
and moons in the night sky, the bioluminescence of glowworms and
biofluorescence of other life, and linking this to becoming aware of
those small, positive moments in our lives that encourage feelings of
happiness, wonder and awe.
Here are some key
dates for the diary and the full brochure with every event and activity
will be coming out later this month. Some events have to be booked, while
others you can just turn up!
Activities will
include stargazing through large telescopes, talks, storytelling, a “Walk
The Planets” trail, night walks and runs, craft activities, podcasts and
lots more.
Please note that all
in person events are subject to cancellation at short notice due to
weather conditions. The full brochure will be available here.
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Trevor's MBE honour
Trevor
Beattie, the long-serving former Chief Executive of the South Downs
National Park Authority, is receiving an MBE for his services to the
natural environment.
Trevor
retired just over a year ago and was quite surprised to receive the
good news that he was part of the New Year's Honours list. Find out more here.
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It's National Dog Walking Month!
Olivia
French, Heathlands Engagement Lead, encourages responsible dog walking and explains why
picking up dog poo is so important to help protect sensitive habitats
such as South Downs heaths.
Find out more from Olivia here.
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Community nature group are the bee's knees
A
group of community volunteers
have won two coveted awards for their stellar efforts to create
much-needed habitat for wildlife.
The
Friends of Blacknest Fields have been working hard over the past few
years to improve eight acres of land in the parish of Binsted,
Hampshire. Now they have won two top accolades. Find out more here.
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Win a gourmet lunch at the PIG!
Bees and
butterflies are being given a helping hand in the National Park thanks to
the generosity of guests at a popular
greenhouse restaurant.
Over the past two
years, more than £16,000 has been donated to the South Downs Trust from
the award-winning PIG restaurant, which is situated in the
hamlet of Madehurst, near Arundel.
It comes after
diners had the option of adding a £1 donation to their bill, while the
business has also donated £4,000 from its own funds to help local
wildlife.
All the funding has
been poured into the National Park’s Bee Lines initiative, which has so
far created over 100 hectares – or 160 football pitches – of brand-new
wildflower meadows to help pollinators thrive.
Olivia Dear, from
the restaurant, said: “We love our bees, but they are not just useful for
our Kitchen Gardens, humming and dipping from plant to plant, they are
essential for helping preserve the ecological balance and biodiversity of
nature. It is fantastic we can support bees. and many other important
pollinators, beyond our grounds and gardens through the Bee Lines
initiative.”
The PIG, which also
includes sumptuous rooms for overnight stays, prides itself on its
amazing kitchen garden and anything it cannot grow is sourced from within
a 25-mile radius.
We’ve teamed up with
the PIG to offer a delicious midweek two-course lunch for two people
(£28.50 excluding drinks) at the Madehurst restaurant. The lunch offer is
available until the end of February.
People signing
up to the newsletter during January will be automatically entered into
the draw.
Those who are
already signed up can email “homegrown” to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk before
midnight on 31 January.
Sign up to the
newsletter here and see competition T&Cs here.
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Things to do in January
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 Cowdray Farm Shop Café,
Midhurst, on 25 January for the fourth in their series of
“Evening Dining events” to enjoy a seasonal feast inspired by
local ingredients. Each evening in our series will shine the
spotlight on an ingredient that comes straight from Cowdray
Estate with the January evening focusing on the estate’s beef.
There will also be a delicious vegetarian menu to enjoy if
you’d prefer.
- Watch a film about the harmony of farming
and nature. In collaboration with Bedales, Petersfield Climate
Action Network are hosting a screening of the soil health film
Six Inches of Soil. The film will be shown
in the school theatre, followed by a discussion with a panel
of local experts. The event will run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on
28, January. The film tells the inspiring story of British
farmers standing up against the industrial food system and
transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil,
benefit our health and provide for local communities. Book a
seat here.
- Looking ahead to next month, there are
glimmers of spring and longer days with the snowdrop festival
at The Manor of Dean
Tillington, Petworth. As part of the National Garden Scheme,
there will be an open afternoon in the gardens on 2 February,
with a chance to enjoy the early spring bulbs.
- Book a spot on one of the National Park’s
Youth Action Days! Are you aged 16-25 (or know someone who
might be interested) and want to make a difference to nature
and the environment? We’re offering the chance to get involved
with Steyning Downland Scheme, which is working towards
improving biodiversity and improving accessibility. The fun
volunteering day on 15 February is FREE to join and a great
chance to add to your CV! Find out more here.
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