Mountfield village voice

Sussex Police can be contacted about non emergency matters by dialling 101.

The British Trust for Ornithology are organising a national nightingale survey this year. The Sussex Ornithological Society will be collecting information to feed into the survey from tomorrow ( 21st April ) until 4th June. If you hear, or think you hear a nightingale singing in Mountfield (or Netherfield, Brightling or Dallington), Robin Harris would be very glad to hear from you. Please could you let him have the date, time of day and location - a six figure map reference would be great. Robin can be contacted on 01580 880261 or at 10, Hoath Hill.

There will be live music at Mountfield Club on Friday 28th April. Sarah G and the Other 3 will be playing from 9pm until late. Entrance will cost £2 and everybody is welcome.

A good number of people attended the Annual Parish Assembly which was held on 10th April. The Chairperson, Jim Ray welcomed everybody and introduced Neil Hutton

(Environmental Manager) , Ian Turner (Project Manager for Rejuvenation), and Tom French (Works Engineer) from British Gypsum. Tom gave a very interesting talk containing details about the history of British Gypsum and how the site is currently used. The main focus of the talk which was illustrated with overhead images was the rejuvenation of the old Ready Mixed Concrete Site. Waste has been removed and an ecological survey of the area has been conducted. The aim is for the site to be returned to it’s natural state where birds, insects, small mammals, bats and ground flora can exist. Butterflies and moths have been found on the site. The Butterfly Conservation Trust have made a site visit.

However, there are some threats to this work from unauthorised access including people riding horses and motorbikes which causes erosion and makes footpaths muddier. Also, 10% of the dead wood needs to be retained and the rhododendron invasion needs to be controlled. The site is 52,311m2/5.2 hectares/12.9 acres big. Woodland is going to be planted and seeds will be distributed for grassland and heathland habitat to become established. Invertebrates and reptiles will then be able to reside there. The woodland link to Snep’s Wood will be restored and the orchids will be carefully managed. 80,000 tonnes of soil are going to be imported for the work. Maps were distributed showing details of the species on the site.

Reports from the local clubs and societies will appear in this column over the next few weeks as there is quite a lot of material.

Unfortunately, trespassers have been onto a piece of private land in the village and some barbed wire has been cut.

A reminder that Jean Woodgate will be giving a talk about farming and bygone ways in Sussex tonight ( Friday 20th ) in the village hall at 7.30pm. £5 entry on the door. There will also be a raffle. All proceeds will go to the Mountfield Church Restoration Appeal.

[email protected] or telephone 01580 881390

Heather Mulligan, 15 Eatenden Road