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News
The Lost World
This year Crowborough Conservation is delighted to be involved in the planning for Crowborough Community Festival which will run throughout May in 2017. Those of us living in Crowborough appreciate its position high on the Weald, and delight in the beauty of the Ashdown Forest as well as the wonderful green spaces around the town. Crowborough’s unique appeal has attracted not only those who enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, but also writers and artists inspired by the surrounding countryside. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle moved to Crowborough in 1909 and lived here for over 23 years. Whilst at Windlesham Manor, he wrote his most famous adventure story ‘The Lost World’, an exciting tale of exploration, danger, dinosaurs and survival. It is said that a fossilised footprint of an Iguanodon, found in a quarry near his home fired Conan Doyle’s imagination and ‘The Lost World’ was the result. True or not, the book became a worldwide success and generations continue to be enthralled by dinosaurs.  For details of all the events planned, including The Lost World Fun Day which kicks off the Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, 1st May, follow the link to Crowborough Community Festival website. You can also pre-book tickets there for all our walks and talks events. www.crowboroughcommunityfestival.org/ Crowborough Conservation Lost World Group is organising ‘Walks and Talks’ events on behalf of the Festival Steering Group. Here is an overview of the activities planned. Further details of each event may be found under our Events tab. Please check this website for any updates:
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Big Garden Birdwatch
The annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch returns again this year, taking place from 28th to 30th January. To get involved goto RSPB |
Kingfisher
Brilliant news, a Kingfisher has been spotted at the Country Park over the last few weeks. |
Important Information on the Planning System
There are likely to be lots of planning applications for new housing in Crowborough coming up in the near future. If you would like to learn more about the planning system and wildlife, Sussex Wildlife Trust are running a one -evening session on 25th May . Spaces will go quickly so if you are interested in attending act quickly! Details can be found at :
https://www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/2016-05-25-wildlife-and-the-planning-process-250516 |
Good News and Bad News
First of all, the good news.
Wealden District Council have just won its legal battle to stop the 103 house development proposed for Steel Cross. WDC originally refused Knight Developments Ltd permission to build within this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 2013. Last year the developers took their case to appeal and were granted outline planning permission. However on Wednesday WDC successfully won the battle at the High Court and overturned the planning inspectorate decision. The land proposed for development lies within the AONB. Although the main focus of attention was the perceived effect on the Ashdown forest due to increased public footfall and traffic pollution, Crowborough Conservation was concerned about the important populations of protected species including Dormice and reptiles present within the proposed development site. Also of concern was the affect on wildlife within the nearby Crowborough Ghyll and Palesgate Meadow caused by the inevitable increase of predation by domestic cats.
The worrying news is that the government are proposing to cease funding the Police National Wildlife Crime Unit. The NWCU investigates all forms of wildlife crime including badger persecution, poaching, bird of prey poisoning, egg collecting and illegal trading of animals. The NWCU also co-ordinates wildlife investigations with other organisations such as RSPB and RSPCA. There is currently a petition to save the NWCU : https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/118005 |
Exciting Grafting Workshop Spring 2016
Saturday 12th March 10 am - 3:30 pm, Rotherfield Village Hall, TN6 3LX, early bird = £40
We will be reproducing heritage varieties of fruit trees from the Rotherfield Millennium Green and YOUR GARDEN........ Peter May who teaches grafting for Plumpton College and the Brighton Permaculture Trust is coming to Rotherfield on SATURDAY 12th MARCH 2016 to teach us the essentials of grafting. We will meet at the Rotherfield Village Hall to practice inside and then will take our new skills up to the Hornshurst Forest Garden to graft onto unusual root-stocks. This will be a great opportunity for you to conserve your favourite tree (you can take it home) and to be part of the planting of the community food forest up at Hornshurst Wood. Saturday 12th March 10 am - 3:30 pm, Rotherfield Village Hall, TN6 3LX, early bird = £40 (max 12 places). This workshop allows participants to carry out a simple grafting technique that is used in the production of many fruit and ornamental trees and by the end of the day those taking part will be able to graft their own fruit tree. The afternoon is spent at the Hornshurst Wood Forest Garden grafting fruit trees onto some unusual root-stocks The course covers the collection of suitable grafting material and its storage, the different types of rootstocks used, tying materials and sharpening knives suitable for grafting. Much of the time will be spent practising on apple wood the different cuts used before completing a graft.
All the materials used on the course will be supplied, although you are welcome to bring your own grafting knife. Participants are also welcome to bring their own scions from their favourite tree (Apple, Plum, Quince, Medlar or Pear) in order to graft it into the forest garden and/or to take it home to grow. (Please specify that you would like to do this at time of booking, so we can send details about how to collect grafting material- this must be done in January.) Please contact doro.marden@zen.co.uk to book.
Peter has a background in commercial horticulture and has spent the last ten years working with the Brighton Permaculture Trust and other organisations, planting orchards in schools and working with community groups. He is the co-author of a cultural history of apple growing in the county “Apples and Orchards in Sussex” and has a fruit tree nursery in Cooksbridge. |
Poop Picking 3
Dan the Ranger has unfortunately had to cancel the 'pony poop' session today due to rain but would like to try again next Wednesday 28th October at 1pm. If anyone is willing to join him then, please text Dan on 0781 6600399 to let him know and he will keep you up to date with arrangements. Dan will again open up the gate at the Palesgate stable area for parking. PS- you will need wellies/good boots and gloves. Dan will supply the rest of the equipment needed. |
Poop Picking 2
Dan the Ranger would like to thank the lovely volunteers who helped out last week removing pony poop from Palesgate Meadow! He would like to repeat the experience next Wednesday, 21st October at 1pm. If anyone is willing to join him, please text Dan on 0781 6600399. He will again open up the gate at the Palesgate stable area for parking. PS- you will need wellies/good boots and gloves. Dan will supply the rest of the equipment needed. |
Pony Poop Picking!
A message from Crowborough Town Council's Ranger: Earlier this year we formally started the ‘Ragwort Yanking Society’ and I am hoping to now start a ‘Pony Poop Pick-up Posse’! In an attempt to minimise any nutrient enrichment from the Exmoor Pony poo on our precious meadow, I would like to remove as much of it as possible. It is quite lonely picking up poop on my own and there is rather a lot of it. I was wondering if any of Crowborough Conservationists might be interested in helping me to remove some of the pony poop? Of course the poo is amazing for gardens etc. so any takers would have the ‘added’ benefit of taking as much of it as they like for the own consumption, with any leftovers being found a home on the local allotments etc. If there are any takers I would like to do this on Tuesday 13th in the afternoon at 1pm weather permitting. If the weather is ‘poop’ then the Thursday the 15th (again, weather permitting). There will of course be cake, although I will ensure that it is not Chocolate Fudge! It would be good to know if anyone is willing to join me and you can text me on 0781 6600399 to let me know (that way I can notify any changes directly in advance) I will open up the gate at Palesgate stable area for parking and I will be there at that time even if it’s just me. Many thanks in anticipation….. Dan Colbourne |
I Care for Crowborough
Crowborough Town Council Is Organising 'I Care for Crowborough' 21st - 26 September 2015 Come and join us! We will be litter picking across the town at various times, providing recycling information and finishing the week with a 'Pick and Party' on 26th September.  |
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