New reserve for the Downs

MORE than 300 acres of chalk Downland at Southerham Farm, Lewes, on the western approaches to Mount Caburn, have been presented to the Sussex Wildlife Trust to be managed as a new nature reserve.

The agreement was signed on Friday. The donor wishes to remain anonymous.

The Trust already looks after 190 acres at the nearby Malling Down nature reserve. The two reserves are separated by Lewes Golf Course.

Both sites will be maintained with grazing animals as a main tool for conservation.

This will involve the employment of a full-time grazing officer and in order to assist the Trust in starting the scheme the Society of Sussex Downsmen is making a 5,000 donation.

Many rare species of orchid survive on the new chalk and nature reserve.