PICTURE OF THE
MONTH: An incredible new wetland area for wildlife
has been created in the east of the National Park after a chalk stream
was re-aligned. The new wetland is providing an oasis for a variety of
birds and insects. Find out more below!
If you have an amazing seasonal image, please do email us!
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Meet Siôn, the Authority's new CEO
Siôn
McGeever is to become the new Chief Executive at the South Downs National
Park Authority from the end of November.
Siôn
brings 25 years of experience of working in environmental policy,
international development and business. He has a lifelong love of the outdoors, is a keen
outdoor swimmer and enjoys photographing wildlife and landscapes.
Our thanks go to Tim Slaney, who has skillfully and diligently led
the Authority team during this interim period, and will resume his
key position as Director of Planning later this year.
Find out more about Siôn's appointment.
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Children will discover wonders of the
Downs
Hundreds of schoolchildren from across the South East will
be able to enjoy the wonders of the South Downs National Park thanks to a
major funding boost.
The
“Discover The Downs” initiative
will get scores of children into the great outdoors, bringing exciting
experiences to youngsters who don’t have easy access to National Parks.
It comes as a new report shows anxiety is at a record high in children in
the UK.
A wide body of research has shown that
connecting with nature and learning outdoors can benefit children’s
mental and physical health, including assisting brain development,
increasing attainment, supporting social skills, and reducing anxiety.
Schools are now
being invited to apply for funding. Find out more here.
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Embrace autumn with all five senses!
As the leaves turn
golden and the
air becomes crisp, autumn is the perfect time to
experience the South Downs National Park through all five senses.
This season, let
nature’s splendour envelop you in a multi-sensory adventure that deepens
your connection to the landscape. Learn more here.
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Discover the amazing heritage of the Downs
Whether it’s Iron
Age forts, Norman castles, historic mills, Second World War defences, Viking burial mounds,
or grand stately homes, the South Downs is a landscape oozing with
history.
The incredible
cultural heritage was one of the reasons for the designation of the
National Park in 2010 and it’s the job of the National Park Authority to
help conserve and enhance this heritage.
September is a good time to discover
more about the heritage and culture of the South Downs as a number of
venues open their doors for Heritage Open Days.
And the best part
about it...it’s FREE!
The open days are
part of a range of free experiences taking place across England and
organised by thousands of volunteers. Find out more here about the open days.
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Putting nature recovery into golf sector
Golf
clubs across the South Downs National Park and beyond are coming together to help fight biodiversity
loss.
With golf courses covering two per cent of
England and a significant number of clubs in the South Downs, there’s
tremendous potential for courses to become havens for wildlife,
particularly bees and butterflies, as well as golfers.
A network of golf
clubs has now been formed, with greenkeepers and club managers from
across the region coming together to share knowledge and practical
support. Find out more here.
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Rare moth is spotted
Ranger
Angela Ward writes about a
recent community event that uncovered one of the rarest insect species
in the UK.
Read Angela's article here.
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How do students connect with the National Park?
Students
from the
University of Brighton and East Sussex College Group
have been researching how to open up the South Downs to younger
generations, with a little help from technology.
Learn more here.
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"Rewiggled" stream becomes wetland oasis
Six hectares of
much-needed wetland for wildlife has been created following the
realignment of a rare chalk
stream.
The restoration of
the Cockshut Stream, near Lewes, has seen
the area quickly become an oasis for nature, with herons, kingfishers,
egret and snipe among the many birds to be found, while toads,
sticklebacks, eels and newts can be spotted in the ponds. Find out more here.
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Meet National Park's community climate champion!
While this summer
has seen some very mixed conditions on the south coast of England,
meteorologists say that 2024 is the warmest on the planet ever recorded.
There’s no doubt
that our climate is becoming more unpredictable
and taking positive climate action through nature-based solutions remains
one of the National Park’s key priorities.
This month we chatwith Sara Osman, the National
Park’s new Climate Officer, on the topic of climate
change, what it means and how to get involved in climate action.
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Win a trip to West Dean Gardens!
Nestled
at the foot of the South Downs,West Dean
Gardens
is one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today.
Though West Dean is
mentioned in the Domesday book as a hunting ground, Richard Lewknor built
the first significant house in the 1620s, next to the medieval village
church. In 1738, Sir John Peachey acquired the West Dean estate.
It was then
inherited by Sir James Peachey, a courtier and confidant of King George
III, who made him Lord Selsey in 1794. A peerage required a grander
house, so in the early 19th century architect James Wyatt designed a
suite of grand rooms and tall towers to give West Dean the appearance of
a castle, thereby creating one of the largest flint-faced buildings in
the country.
Today visitors can
explore the restored walled garden, working Victorian Glasshouses, 300ft
pergola, and a spring garden with flint bridges. The circular 2½ mile
arboretum walk, set in 50 acres of beautiful parkland, offers stunning
views of the South Downs and a route passing the grave of Edward James, a
poet who inherited the house and was a famous supporter of the surrealist
art movement.
West Dean, near
Chichester, also runs a year-round programme of creative short courses
offering you the opportunity to learn a new skill in beautiful
inspirational surroundings. There is a bumper line-up
of short courses this autumn, covering everything
from autumnal botanical painting to tips on growing apples.
The National Park
has teamed up with West Dean to offer two Garden Escape
vouchers, with each voucher covering garden entry for two people and a
cream tea. The voucher can be used for single use up until September
2025.
People signing up to
the newsletter during September will be automatically entered into the
draw. Those who are already signed up can email “St Roche's Arboretum” to
newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk before
midnight on 30 September.
Sign up to the
newsletter here
and see competition T&Cs here.
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Things to do in September
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.
- Visit Charleston, in Firle, on 14 September
for the Bloomsbury Queer Festival.
The festival celebrates contemporary queer culture and includes
a feast of queer art, writing, drag, fashion, poetry, clubbing,
and protest.
- This September, local residents in the Lewes
district are throwing open their doors so you can visit and see
what changes they have made to their homes to make them more
energy efficient. The open house tours take place over the
weekend of 14/15 and 22/22. Find out more here.
- Become a conservation volunteer for the day
and bring the whole family! Help us look after Seven Sisters
Country Park, take part in a nature walk and beach clean on 21
September. Reserve a spot here.
- Head to Gilbert White’s House, Selborne, on
18 September for an autumn harvest. The Kitchen
garden crops will be being harvested , cleaned and stored ready
for use by the venue and you’ll be able to ask questions
on all aspects of traditional vegetable growing.
- Join our team on 22 September for a taste of
conservation volunteering at St Catherine's Hill, near
Winchester, with scrub clearance to support wildflower and
butterfly habitats. Reserve a spot here.
- We’ve got two free archaeology walks coming
up, but be quick if interested as tickets are going quickly! Led
by James Sainsbury, Curator of Archaeology at Worthing Museum,
this will be a chance to learn more about the deep time of this
landscape, and the legacies left by the people who have lived
and died here over thousands of years. A walk takes place at Amberley Wildbrooks on 28
September and at Highdown Hill on 5 October.
- Coming up on 6 October, take part in a
creative session at Seven Sisters Visitor Centre at Exceat. The
free session will help you learn the art of podcasting in the
great outdoors! Connect with nature and discover tips from
seasoned writers while listening to the captivating “We Hear You
Now” audio series. Book a place here.
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