Hellingly & Horsebridge

PARK WOOD: On Wednesday February 27, the Friends of Park Wood Hellingly held a very well attended public meeting and AGM. They were joined by guests from the Environment Agency, the Woodland Trust and Hellingly Parish Council who all spoke to the supporters. Paul Rees, Chairman of the Friends group, updated those attending on the campaign and plans to safeguard the future of the woodland whilst keeping it accessible to all as a local green space. Paul Levitt of the Environment Agency (current owners of Park Wood) explained why the woodland is no longer of use to them as a source of wood to maintain banks and shores, and how government instruct sale of unused assets to save public money. A full survey of the woodland was conducted in Autumn 2018 by Jim Smith-Wright of the Woodland Trust who talked about what he found, from rare plants to invasive species. He explained that Ancient Woodland now covers only 2 percent of the country so it’s vital that it is protected and its management properly undertaken. Hellingly Parish Council continue to support the group in their campaign and have included the woodland in its neighbourhood plan, giving another level of protection. The meeting was a very positive and encouraging event for the group who will all continue to work tirelessly towards a solution.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2019, 05:00 BST
Hellingly & Horsebridge newsHellingly & Horsebridge news
Hellingly & Horsebridge news

SUSSEX RAMBLERS: Hellingly Footpath 69c, Bridge replaced (B1641) TQ 589/149. An 8-metre bridge has recently been replaced by the maintenance rangers on Hellingly Footpath 69c.

FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST: Gill Hesselgrave: Once again we hosted this popular event on Saturday February 2 in Hellingly Village Hall. The event was to raise money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, which helps farmers and farm workers in their hour of need. This may be because of illness, accidents, adverse weather condition or just the government agency not paying the claimants on time under the various schemes. We don’t help with business bills. In 2018 we raised £32.5k in Sussex and spent out £57k. £3k was spent on Relief Workers and £2,650 on telephone line rental. Some people travel for a considerable distance to join us each year and unfortunately due to the snow in some areas several were unable to attend. It was a successful event but the money raised is slightly down on last year. There was a good buzz in the hall as people were tucking into a great breakfast and met old friends. As far as possible the ingredients were sourced from local suppliers. We would like to thank those who donated their produce plus Waitrose, Tesco and the Co-op who all gave us grants towards the dry goods and Barclays Bank for their match funding sponsorship to £1,000. We would also like to thank our many helpers and of course all those who attended.

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QUIZ NIGHT: This is on Saturday March 30 at Hellingly Village Hall, 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tables of six. Cheese platter, refreshments. Please bring own drinks. Cost £8 per head, tickets available from Barbara Moore 01323 841685. Raffle Prizes. The fund raising committee would also welcome any donations of raffle prizes for their planned events.

MEN’S BREAKFAST: This is tomorrow, Saturday, Chapter 12, High Street, Hailsham. Des Burton will be speaking on Continuation of an Alternative History of the Prison Service. Please let Graham know if you would like to attend on (01323) 840915.

COFFEE MORNINGS: The Coffee Morning and Book Exchange is at Dicker Hall 10.40am to noon Thursday Mornings. Book exchange or purchase 20p.

DAFFODIL FESTIVAL: At Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker. Starting on March 23 through to April 4, daily from 10.30am to 5pm, there will be a host of 80,000 daffodils bursting into colour. Tour the Priory gardens and enjoy the magnificent colourful carpets of tulips and daffodils as the Priory’s lawns and flowerbeds burst into spring. Explore the gardens and discover thousands of daffodils bursting into life along with other spring flowers and blossom. Talented artists display their works in the beautiful gardens. Why not borrow one of our family explorer packs from the ticket office and see what wildlife you can find in the gardens. Try your hand at archery on the South Lawn. Saturday afternoons. £1 for six arrows. Spring flower displays throughout the house. Feeling artistic? Sketch pads and pencils available to borrow in the Undercroft. Tuck into our freshly baked seasonal cakes and delicious scones in the café. In the Forge on Sundays meet Nigel our award winning Blacksmith and watch him working in the forge. Normal admission applies.

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PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY: If you come across a path in the Dicker Parish which is overgrown, a style which is unsafe, or a path which is not properly marked please let a local councillor know so that they can investigate and raise the problem with East Sussex County Council if necessary.