Spring/Summer 2010

FORTHCOMING FRIENDS EVENTS
FORTHCOMING DIARY DATES
Tuesday 11th May 2010
Tuesday 11th May 2010
Ashdown Forest and the Habitats Regulations.
A talk at the Forest Centre by Marian Ashdown of Natural England. 3 pm.
Please book with the Forest Centre.
Chelwood Vachery – a tour with Dr Hew Prendergast
Please note this event is now fully booked.
6.30 pm from Trees car park (or park in Long car park if Trees is full).
Dr Prendergast will lead us on a tour of this very special area within Ashdown Forest to view the work that has
been completed and that that is still ongoing.
Friday 21st May 2010
Views of the Forest Four
Another chance to see the wildlife, iron workings, pillow mounds and World War II earthworks. Some rough
walking so please bring strong boots and a stick if required. Places are limited to 25 for this 3 hour walk.
Four artists - Lisa Griffiths, Denise Laurent, Sarah Medway and Lois Sykes - experience
the Forest magic, using different media to study and capture Forest flora, fauna and
landscape. The exhibition at the Forest Centre lasts until further notice.
Tuesday 15th June 2010
Tuesday 6th July 2010
Sunday 6th June 2010
A Field Walk in Pippingford Park 2.30 pm from Millbrook East car park
A Nightjar Walk 8.30 pm from Black Hill car park.
Teacher Twilight Session Ashdown Forest Education Resources
The Ashdown Forest Bird Group has again invited us to join them as they spot Nightjars on the Forest.
Wednesday 25th August 2010 Marsh Gentians 6.00 pm from Millbrook East car park.
A walk led by our chairman, David Streeter, to view these plants which are surely the most iconic of the Forest’s
plants. Parts of the Forest provide ideal conditions for this heathland specialist which has been known to exist on the
Forest since at least 1835.
Thursday 9th September 2010 Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre 8.00 pm at Nutley War Memorial Hall
For teachers interested in using new resources at the Forest Centre. With Laura Sweeting
of the High Weald Unit. 4 pm - 6 pm. Please book with the Forest Centre.
Tuesday 11th August 2010
Charcoal burning and other woodland activities
Event at the Forest Centre by Esus Forestry & Woodlands (details to be confirmed) –
part of the Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme.
The Record Centre, established over 10 years ago, collects, manages and disseminates wildlife data and provides an
information service for the whole of Sussex.
Henri Brocklebank, Record Manager, will talk to us about the work of her team. If you want to know about the
wildlife of Sussex this is a meeting not to be missed.
Please note all events other than the meetings at Nutley must be pre-booked. For further information and
to book a place on any of the above events, which are free to members (£5 for non-members or join on
the day), please contact Pat Arnold on 01892 611414 or email [email protected].
Editorial: Paul Cooper, [email protected]
Design and production: Studio 4, [email protected]
Photography: Louise Amos, Hugh Clark, Paul Cooper, Chris Marrable,
Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, Chris Thorne
Only printed on paper from sustainable forests.
All paper used is FSC Certified and produced only at mills holding ISO 14001 certification.
We are grateful to Natural England for supporting Ashdown Forest Life.
THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST
Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JP
T: 01342 823583 E: [email protected]
www.ashdownforest.org
This site is part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It has been designated
because it hosts some of Europe’s most threatened species and habitats.
All 27 countries of the EU are working together through the Network 2000 Network
to safeguard Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all.
See www.natura.org.
ISSUE NO 9
SPRING/ SUMMER 2010
il fe
ASHDOWN FOREST
For all those who care about the Forest
www.ashdownforest.org
NEWS FROM THE FLOCK
ROYAL ASHDOWN GOLF CLUB
ENJOYING THE FOREST - WALKING
CHELWOOD VACHERY
SMALL MAMMAL SURVEY
DIARY DATES
Welcome...
Cover: A hobby photographed
on the Forest last autumn by Hugh Clark
to this issue of Ashdown Forest Life and our continuing focus on enjoying
the Forest. To this end we feature the Kit Wilson Trust who describe their
annual Sponsored Dog Walk on the Forest and the Royal Ashdown Forest
Golf Club whose courses are part of the Forest. The Club was founded in
1888 and is ranked by the magazine Golf World as one of the top 100
clubs in the British Isles. The courses are also great for walking!
Our own main work last winter was restoring heaths
in many parts of the Forest, such as between the
Forest Centre and Colemans Hatch. Here the
removal of relatively few trees has opened up
a spectacular vista northwards from the road –
a happy marriage of conservation and amenity
improvement. Rhododendron continues its retreat
from the Forest in the face of constant effort by staff,
contractors and volunteers. Defra and the Forestry
Commission are now warning of its emergence as a
host for the fungus Phytophthora ramorum,
attacking both ornamental plants and native ones
such as yew and bilberry.
under control through a combination of their
fire-fighting expertise and local knowledge of
Forest Rangers. ESFRS and the Conservators are
also members of the Ashdown Forest Villages Road
Safety Partnership – along with Sussex Police,
East Sussex County Council and volunteers from
local parishes - which continues to push for slower
traffic speed on local roads. This summer the Police
will be training volunteers how to use speed guns
for future ‘anti speed’ campaigns. These are just
two examples (I could also mention deer, education,
visitor management etc…) of how the Conservators
are working together with the community.
We have been assessing the impact of a fire that
burned some 22 hectares near Kings Standing in
early April. Close links with East Sussex Fire and
Rescue Service paid off as the fire was brought
As usual we detail some of the events in and around
the Forest this coming season. Do enjoy your visits!
Hew Prendergast
DIRECTOR
Susanna Alce
News from the flock
Between April and October last year the flock was out on the Forest for more than 100 days –
a figure that Louise Amos hopes to surpass this year. Before then, however, she and
Assistant Shepherd Susanna Alce have been coping with lambing. It started at the
end of March and, by the time of printing this issue, 90 lambs had appeared,
bringing the flock up to about 350.
Pictured here is a surprise early arrival –
he has been named Geoffrey!
This year our registered lambs are going to
be beginning with the letter C. Geoffrey is
an unofficial name although Louise doubts
he will be registered as only two ram
lambs are planned to be kept.
I have been working as the Assistant
Shepherd for the Ashdown Forest Hebridean
flock since last summer. This job gives me
the chance to experience an alternative
use for sheep as management tools, learn
more about conservation and the landscape
of the Forest and become a better dog
handler. I love being out on the heathland
in all weathers, working the sheep with the
dogs. I rely heavily on faithful 14 year old
Ben who knows the job inside out (having
been an Ashdown Forest employee a couple
of years longer than me) and has recently
been joined by new girl, 19 month old Dot.
We’re all looking forward to getting out on
the heath amongst some new spring growth.
We hope to have another sheep day which
will provide the opportunity of seeing the
flock and asking any questions about
the grazing project.
Check for further details on our website
www.ashdownforest.org
Susanna Alce, Assistant Shepherd
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Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club
Both courses of the Club are part of Ashdown Forest and as such have to comply with the stipulations of
the Ashdown Forest Act 1974 and the objectives of the Ashdown Forest Trust which owns the freehold.
The courses were originally laid out on the heathland with nothing more than grass, heather
and gorse and quite a few cows and sheep! The oldest trees are about 80 years old
whereas the vast majority are less than 40 years old.
The reasons for this are the cessation of grazing
and the decrease of timber cutting by commoners.
After World War Two the open heathland of the
courses became neglected. We are now working
alongside Natural
England (which provide
some funding) and the
Conservators, with the
help of the Forestry
Commission, to return
the courses to their
heathland character.
Golf courses are
recognised as wonderful
areas for wildlife as
Royal Ashdown club house in 1907
they have such a diversity of environments. Some
areas of trees are perfect for nesting and shelter,
but more important are the large open areas which
provide food for birds. Just watch the house martins
and swallows swoop along the fairways snatching
insects from the air in the summer months. The
heather and gorse are a haven for snakes and
lizards along with many species of spider and
of course ground-nesting birds.
Our work involves felling areas of invading birch
scrub and surface-stripping bracken. As heather
seed can survive for more than 60 years in the
ground, areas stripped of their bracken and peat
layer will produce heather from this bank. It is not
an exact science. Some areas can produce heather
plants in 12 months while others can take five years
or more. Once the heather is growing again it has to
be managed otherwise it will be overrun with trees,
brambles and bracken. This involves mowing the
areas twice a year at a height of 6 to 9 inches.
A major initiative currently being promoted by the
R&A (the Royal and Ancient at St Andrews) is referred
to as “sustainable golf”. What is meant by this is a
departure from heavy reliance on pesticides, fertiliser
and water and working with nature as opposed to
fighting against her. This has always been the policy
of the Club which gives us the advantage over many
others now coming to terms with legislation.
An October dawn breaks through
a recently cleared area
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Left: An exhibition match celebrating the opening of the West (formally Ladies) Course, 9th May 1932
Right: After clearing invading trees and bracken, the heather returns
Another benefit is in cost reduction. All this means
encouraging fine fescue and bent grasses instead
of the heavily water- and fertilizer-reliant annual
meadow grass which gives a very poor winter
surface. As a result in the height of summer your
ball will bounce and not be greeted by a soft
over-watered green. The grass will be brown,
not lush emerald green.
Our greens receive a very small amount of mainly
organically sourced nitrogen each year, as do the
tees. This is then backed up with applications of
liquid seaweed and iron. The fairways are never
given any fertiliser nor are they watered. Water is
applied to tees and greens simply to keep the grass
alive. This all leads to the rebirth of the traditional
bump-and-run game as opposed to target golf.
At Royal Ashdown we are very aware of the unique
environment around us and try to work in such a
way as to enhance it for all to enjoy - not only for
golfers but for the many walkers and dog walkers
that visit us each year. Although there are some
6500 acres of Ashdown Forest the golf courses are
a very popular spot because of their ease of access
and maintained paths and bridges, along with
open spaces for dogs to run.
Walkers, particularly those with small children, need
to be aware of the danger of flying golf balls. A very
real problem is the mess left by dogs. Some owners do
clear it up but unfortunately then throw the now full
plastic bag into the bushes which is not very helpful!
The Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club welcomes
visitors to both courses which offer completely
different challenges. Full details can be found at
www.royalashdown.co.uk
Chris Mitchell, Douglas Neave,
Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club
Enjoying the Forest...
Walking
Ashdown Forest welcomes thousands of visitors each year
who come to enjoy the open spaces, the peaceful heathland
and the majestic views. Walking is obviously top of the
agenda for most visitors. We have now completed a new
series of walks leaflets sponsored by the Friends of
Ashdown Forest under the Weald Forest Ridge Landscape
Partnership Scheme. They feature seven popular circuits
and give background on the history and wildlife of the
area as well. They are available from the Forest Centre
and can also be downloaded from the website at
www.ashdownforest.org.
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Walking
Approximately 60% of visitors to the Forest
are accompanied by one or more dogs.
We have had many complaints recently
from visitors about the amount of dog
mess around car parks and popular picnic
areas. Picking up the mess in a bag (now
commonplace in many towns and villages)
is obviously the responsible course to take –
but leaving these bags hung up in a
bush is not!
The Countryside Code, the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act 2000 and
Forest bye-laws (viewable at
www.ashdownforest.org/docs/Bye Laws.pdf)
all stress the importance of keeping dogs
under control. They should be on a lead
especially when near livestock, horses or
other walkers who may dislike or be afraid
of dogs that jump up. Dogs under control
also reduce disturbance to the very birds
that bring the Forest alive in summer,
especially ground-nesting species like
meadow pipits, skylarks, woodlarks and
nightjars. Dogs under control are also less
likely to surprise adders and get bitten!
Chris Sutton, Colin Lutman and Ed Burgin
by the new sponsored bridge in Old Lodge Bottom
KIT WILSON TRUST
The Kit Wilson Trust for Animal Welfare
was established over 30 years ago when
Katherine Wilson (always known as 'Kit')
left a small legacy to be used for the benefit
of animals. As well as promoting the spaying
and neutering of pets and our animal rescue
and re-homing work, we have become
increasingly involved in wildlife rehabilitation
and operate a wildlife emergency help line.
Over the years, the Animal Rescue Centre at
Hadlow Down has also become a permanent
home to many animals which it is not
possible or desirable to re-home. With the
kind permission of the Conservators, we hold
our annual Sponsored Dog Walk on the
Forest. With its vastness and natural beauty,
the Forest is an ideal environment for dog
walking and our walkers and dogs have
always had an enjoyable day (and we
leave no mess behind!). Initially we held
our walk in May, but with wildlife welfare
being a prime consideration and to enable
a variety of birds to nest undisturbed, this
was changed to September. This year’s
walk is on Sunday 19th September with
registration at Pylons Car Park at 10am.
Sponsor forms can be obtained from the
Rescue Centre.If you would like to find
out more about the Trust and the work
we do, please visit our website at
www.kitwilsontrust.org.uk or contact
us on 01825 830444.
SPONSORSHIP
Since 2006, 18 specially designed seats,
made of Wealden oak, have been installed
to replace older ones in poor condition,
mainly near to car parks. The seats are
sponsored by those who want to
commemorate a family member or friend.
Since the policy of the Conservators is not to
increase the present number of seats,
possibilities of sponsorship have now been
extended to bridges. The first one is now in
place in Old Lodge Bottom by the Garden of
Eden. It is strong enough to take the 4x4
vehicles and tractors used by staff in the
course of managing the Forest.
Grazing on
Chailey Common
Of great interest to us have been events on nearby Chailey
Common. Like the Forest this has tracts of heathland and
is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It has also changed
over the years as fewer and fewer livestock belonging to
local commoners have been put out to graze. In order
to reverse the resulting loss of openness and heathland,
East Sussex County Council has applied to put up fencing.
In March a Public Enquiry was held to hear the case for
and against the proposal and the decision by the
Planning Inspectorate is expected in the summer.
The outcome may influence the Conservators’ own
ideas on how to extend grazing on the Forest.
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Dredging the ponds
at Chelwood Vachery
Chelwood Vachery
The work in restoring the Forest Garden at the Vachery goes on. Since the last issue of
Ashdown Forest Life, two more lakes have been dredged thanks to support from the
previous owners, British American Tobacco.
Volunteers have been busy clearing rhododendron to
open up ground level views below the canopy of a mix
of lofty native and exotic trees (among the latter red
oak and juneberry). They have also uncovered, from a
mass of bramble, ponds at the top end of the so-called
Gorge, designed by Col. Gavin Jones in the mid 1920s.
This summer’s work will include the spraying of
dense thickets of shallon that are over-running
parts of the Garden.
Visitors can use one of the new series of walks
leaflets to navigate to the Vachery. In addition,
Hew Prendergast will be leading guided tours on
Thursday 13th May when the Garden opens as part
of the prestigious National Garden Scheme. Visitors
should go to Trees (or, if full, Long) car parks on the
A22 south of Wych Cross. Just upstream of the Vachery
are the Braberry ponds. These too had become very
silted up so dredging and restoration took place last
autumn under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme.
EDUCATION
One aim of the Conservators' contribution to the
Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme
is to improve what it has on offer to teachers and
children. For Key Stage 1 pupils, a Winnie-the-Pooh
story sack is available to borrow (free!) from the
Centre. Using The House at Pooh Corner as a
springboard for activities, the story sack is full of
resources and ideas linked to the National
Curriculum. The Forest website is now packed
with new resources, for example a Debate Pack
that informs and promotes discussion with
Key Stage 2 children prior to and during a visit
to the Forest. It looks at the key management
issue of cutting down trees for heathland
restoration. Through activities and discussion,
children will consider different opinions and
begin to develop their own informed views about
a relevant and often misinterpreted local issue.
Have a look and download now!
Small mammal survey – update
In the last issue of Ashdown Forest Life, I talked about
the small mammal surveying that we were about to
undertake last year. The work was completed and we
now have some information.
We have not found any dormice in either the temporary
tubes or the permanent boxes. Our mentor (legally,
you have to have a licence to handle dormice and you
receive a licence by undertaking training with an
experienced mentor) says that we should not be
discouraged as the boxes and tubes went up a little
late in the year to be very attractive to dormice.
We started checking again in April, so our fingers are
firmly crossed! Historically, we know that dormice have
been found in Cackle Street, so it should just be a case
of them finding our nest boxes and taking up residence.
In March, we erected another 50 boxes in the Vachery
where dormice have also been found recently.
The Longworth live-trapping was interesting.
We actually only caught wood-mice but we quickly
established the kind of habitat that they preferred,
which was long grass with a scrubby edge, usually of
gorse. Also, where we caught one, we usually caught
several, showing that in
their preferred habitat,
they are numerous.
We caught nothing in
very heathery areas or
woodland. The search
for field signs involves
crawling around looking
for tunnels in the long
vegetation, chewed
off grass stems and
droppings. Surprisingly,
despite failing to catch
any in the Longworth
traps, we found very
extensive signs of voles. It’s hard to understand why
they avoided the traps, despite them being baited
with high grade muesli!
We are still waiting for the final shrew report which
was undertaken by a Brighton University student,
so watch this space.
Chris Marrable, Conservation Officer
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