Chailey Commons Society E-Newsletter Autumn 2015 www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 1
CHAIRMAN S NOTES Welcome to our Autumn 2015 Newsletter. A season of mellow fruitfulness so they say. I have been out picking blackberries but have found them to be mostly small but quite sweet. Another crop which appears on the common is the Fungi and we shall be having our annual foray led by Rosalie to discover what is growing and where. This will be on Romany Ridge so come along and see for yourself what can be found. It is on Wednesday October 28 th at 2,00 p.m. from the car park. Our summer activities have mostly been well supported despite the weather being a bit unpredictable at times. The Nightjar Walk was really great and we all saw and heard them on Memorial Common, much to everyone s delight, especially those who had not been before. Our coach outing to Broadwater RSPB Reserve was very interesting and the warden gave us a really good tour round the whole area. The Bug Hunt in particular saw over 30 parents, children and friends searching on Romany Ridge for the little creatures. The Big Draw was successful and fun too. We are now into the winter meetings so do came along and join us to see and hear our interesting speakers and meet up with other members. Visitors always welcome too. See you soon William Mrs Honor Lamb As some of you will know Honor passed away recently and she will be missed by her friends in the Society, and for her plant knowledge for the surveys. She kindly left a wonderful selection of her books and pictures to the Society and these are now in our Library in the Village Hall and may be borrowed. We send our condolences to her family on their loss and our thanks to her for her generous gift. www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 2
What s coming up... OCTOBER Thursday 15th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. A talk by Geoff Hutchinson on The History of Smuggling in Sussex and Kent. In character and not to be missed. Wednesday 28 th Romany Ridge car park at 2.00 p.m. Fungus Foray with Rosalie. Children especially welcome to help find and identify the many species of fungi to be found on the common. NOVEMBER Thursday 26 th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. A talk by Alison Wright who will update us on her interesting work with tree projects. DECEMBER - No meeting NOTES FROM THE RANGER The next winter period plans include further work on birch and scrub clearance on Romany Ridge, Red House Common and Pound Common. A mosaic of dense gorse together with mature and character specimen trees will be retained as appropriate. The volunteer days will give an opportunity to enhance the habitat to improve places where there are valuable plants together with protection for the most sensitive areas. Jo Heading (Senior Ranger) Rights of Way and Countryside Maintenance jo.heading@eastsussex.gov.uk (01273) 482736. www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 3
OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 4
SPECIAL NOTICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED WE ARE HOLDING VOLUNTEER DAYS ON THE COMMONS TO DO HABITAT ENHANCEMENT TO FOLLOW UP THE GRAZING AND SCRUB CLEARANCE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP US WITH THIS VALUABLE WORK TO IMPROVING HEATHLAND? THE TEAM WILL BE GUIDED BY MIKE MURPHY FROM THE SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST AND ALL DAYS ARE SUNDAYS - DATES AS FOLLOWS 2015 Oct 4 / Nov 8 and 29 / Dec 13 2016 Jan 10 and 31 / Feb 14 and 28 / Mar 13 / Apr 24 THE WORK WILL BE VALUABLE AND YOU GET FREE EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR JUST CALL IT THE GREEN GYM PLEASE CONTACT THE RANGER DIRECT ON 01273 482736 OR EMAIL JO.HEADING@EASTSUSSEX.GOV.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE MEMBERSHIP MATTERS It is the quiet time of year for me but I would like to welcome those new members who have joined the Society at our outdoor events and at the tent at the Newick Flower Show. Thank you for your support for the society and we look forward to seeing you soon. Anne Marsden 59 Sunte Avenue, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 2AB. 01444 414361. Email members@chaileycommons.org.uk www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 5
ACTIVITIES REPORT THE BIG DRAW On Thursday 20 th August we gathered at the Sports Pavilion on memorial Common to start our Big Draw day. There was an array of artists materials to use and, although the weather on the day didn t look promising, we set off across the common under the guidance of our leaders, Anna Rosalie and Linda to choose a suitable spot at which to set up our seats and start drawing the subject or landscape. These pictures show that the old Birch Tree was popular and the day settled down into a peaceful one of concentration and study and some marvellous results were produced. All agreed that it had been a most successful day and resolved that it should feature again next year. Many thanks to our leaders Linda Ball, Anna Taylor and Rosalie Sinclair-Smith without whom we would not have been able to enjoy the day. www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 6
THE BUG HUNT What constitutes a fun day out for youngsters? Once again a large group of parents, children and friends arrived at Romany Ridge car park armed with nets, jars and magnifying glasses to go out and join our Bug Hunt. We set up a base using a large white sheet set out on the wide firebreak in the middle of the common and the next two hours were spent tracking down all manner of bugs and things which were brought back for identification. Our picture shows the busy scene. After compiling a huge list on two sides of A4 paper we returned to the car park having enjoyed the sense of discovery and achievement. Thanks to the helpers and to Linda Burnham for the special nets and sheets. ACTIVITIES 2015-16 OCTOBER Thursday 15th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. A talk by Geoff Hutchinson on The History of Smuggling in Sussex and Kent Wednesday 28 th Romany Ridge car park at 2.00 p.m. Fungus Foray with Rosalie. Children especially welcome to help find and identify the many species of fungi to be found on the common. NOVEMBER Thursday 26 th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. A talk by Alison Wright who will update us on her interesting work with tree projects. DECEMBER - No meeting 2016 JANUARY Thursday 14 th - Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. Ecological Surveys of Romany Ridge Common Results with members slides, photos and exhibits. FEBRUARY Thursday 18 th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. An illustrated talk by Kevin Gordon on The Lost Village of Tide mills Historical details including those of the Chailey Windmill past movements. MARCH Thursday 17 th Indoor Meeting Chailey Village Hall 7.30 p.m. An illustrated talk by Nick Hearn about the Woodland Trust and its work. Followed by a short AGM. May we remind our members that they attend all the Society s meetings and events entirely at their own risk. The Society cannot take responsibility for loss of property or injury to persons during our events. Firework parties are strictly prohibited on the nature reserve. Large stands of dry dead bracken, which could go up like a torch; mean the fire hazard is far too great. And, besides putting life at risk, uncontrolled fires cause immeasurable damage www.chaileycommons.org.uk Page 7