Living Landscape Ouse Valley PhotoWalks

Leisurely spring and summer strolls around Ouse valley villages taking photographs for an Artwave competition and exhibition this autumn to celebrate our living landscape.

PhotoWalks will meet at the following events:

April - Piddinghoe Skipping Day Meet at 11am 6th April

May - Lewes May Fayre Meet at 3pm 12th May

June - Newhaven Fish Festival Meet at 11am 2nd June

July - Kingston 18th July LWT Walk & Linklater exhibition

August - Rodmell and Southease

September - Iford and Swanborough Artwave Exhibition 

October - Talk: Valley Photography Past and Present.

Living Landscape Photo Competition

Free competition. Open to all. Great Prizes. Join PhotoWalks for inspiration. 

Enter as Best in Village/Town, Child, Amateur and/or Art Photographer.  

Upload entries to the Village Connections website or send a maximum of 3 photos as an email of less than 2MB to villageconnectionsinfo@gmail.com

Living Landscape Photo Exhibition

Online @ Village Connections all summer with an Artwave Community Art Exhibtion of all entries this autumn.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Village Connections.  An online social network for real world sustainable communities.  Sign up to suggest events, activities, add blogs and photos and create new village connections.  villageconnectionsinfo@gmail.com

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Climate Week 12th - 18th March. Britain’s biggest climate change campaign, inspiring a new wave of action to create a sustainable future. www.climateweek.com

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Sustainable Sussex Monthly Meeting - Linklater pavilion Lewes Wed 18th April 4.15pm

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Historic Maps and Contemporary Map Art exhibition at Hastings Museum from 9th March.  museum@hastings.gov.uk

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OVCN Meeting - SHIPWRIGHTS WAY East Hampshire Cycle Path TALK

Wednesday 25th April 6.30 - 8.30 pm The Linklater Pavilion Lewes. 

A chance to learn from the success of this South Downs National Park project.  Nick Heasman of the SDNPA and Cath Hart of EHCC will introduce this route.

 & First showing of Ouse Valley Cycle Network - The Film...

www.ovcn.org.uk

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Ecobuild  20th - 22nd March Excel London. The world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK’s largest construction event of any kind.www.ecobuild.co.uk

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Wind Farm consultation 

Wednesday 21 March 12 - 8pm  The Anzac Room in Community House, Meridian Centre Peacehaven 01273 857242  

E.ON is developing a proposal for an offshore wind farm on a site 13-23km off the Sussex coast, capable of generating electricity for around 450, 000 homes each year.  Twelve exhibitions will be held in coastal towns and rural areas near the proposed cable route as part of a formal consultation from February to April 2012.  www.eon-uk.com/rampion

OVESCO  Delivering a range of energy related projects locally: insulation grants, renewable grants, local installers. www.ovesco.co.uk

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THE NEWHAVEN BIG PLANNING EVENT
Drop-in day 14th March 10am to 7pm at the Hillcrest Centre Newhaven.An opportunity to find out more about proposed new developments for the major regeneration of Newhaven.  Meet developers and councillors, see plans, ask questions, give feedback.

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Rethinking Seaford  Seafront

Saturday 24 March - Sunday 25 March, 10:30am - 4:30pm 

Crypt Gallery, Church Lane, Seaford 01323 873475  

An exhibition of sustainable design ideas to enhance and improve the Seaford seafront based on work by Architecture students at the University of Brighton and the Seaford Community Partnership. Contributions from pupils from Seaford Head Community College, Chyngton Primary School, Annecy Catholic Primary School and Cradle Hill Primary School.

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Launch of Friends of the Cuckmere support group

Pump Barn Seven Sisters Country Park offices Exceat Near Seaford Saturday 31 March 2012   2:00pm - 4:00pm 

Encouraging active engagement in the stewardship and promotion of interest and enjoyment of the Cuckmere valley.

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Barcombe Energy Group has won a bid for approximately £50k for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Low Energy Efficiency Assessment Fund (LEAF)!! to carry out household energy efficiency assessments, a renewable energy assessment, community building energy assessments and a whole bunch of household retrofits. One of iust three communities within the South East to win this bid award! www.barcombe.community21.org/energyclub

Native Hands  Workshops Hedgerow basketry and 'wild' pottery courses for 2012 at Wowo campsite https://www.facebook.com/pages/Native-Hands/2211283245665
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Commonwork Spring Workshop  Saturday 31st March 2012 10.30am-3pm at Bore Place nr Edenbridge Kent TN8 7A  Rhttp://www.commonwork.org/news

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Elderflower Festival  25th - 27th May at Bentley Wildfowl organised by:So Sussex - a local family run company taking people out on a range of outdoor experiences in rural Sussex.   Events are guided by experienced local enthusiasts and are for individuals, schools and businesses.  http://www.sosussex.co.uk  

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Spring Foraging and Forest schools - Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC provides outdoor experiences for adults, young people, families, professionals and organisations.  Including  teachings from environmental education, forest schools, conflict resolution, psychology and ecological thinking, drawing on a philosophy that encourages us to challenge prejudice and welcome diversity.  To find out more or call Marina on 01273 814226/ 07966514469.  info@circleofliferediscovery.com

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A full programme of Lewes Wildlife events organised by Michael Blencoe  of Lewes Wildlife - From a March Hare March to an Evening with Bats...

Wednesday March 21st: Wednesday Wheatear Walk – Glynde to Lewes 
Friday March 30th: March Hare March – Rodmell to Lewes 
Saturday March 31st: Garden Design with Wildlife in Mind 
Wednesday April 11th: Orange-tip Trip – Cooksbridge to Lewes
Thursday  April 19th : The Butterflies and Moths of Lewes.  Talk at the Linklater 
Friday April 20th: Spring Migrants return to Lewes. 
Friday April 27th: Blackcaps at Blackcap
Saturday May 12th: Peregrine Falcons in Sussex.  Talk at the Linklater Pavilion 
Sunday May 13th: Peregrine Falcons in Lewes 
Sunday May 13th:  Burnt Orchids, Blue Butterflies and Shiny Green Moths 
Wednesday May 16th: Blue, Green, Orange and Grey Butterflies Malling Down
Wednesday May 23rd :  A Wildlife Walk to Oxteddle Bottom  
Friday May 25th:  An Evening with Bats
Wednesday May 30th:  Discovering the Lewes Downs. Lewes – Glynde 
michaelblencowe@sussexwt.org.    www.leweswildlife.org.uk

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Sussex Wildlife Trust - http://www.sussexwt.org.uk/events/event_diary/page00012.htm

Creative by Nature Day: Spirit of Spring  
This day will include an enticing mix of short walks in nature, meditation, drawing,  painting and collage, movement, play and writing to connect with nature, open up the senses and develop your awareness, intuition and natural creativity. Sunday 15 April, 10.30 – 5pm www.solesandsouls.co.uk

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Wilderness Wood Hadlow Down - A family run sustainable woodland in the Sussex Weald.  Woodland trails, Camping, Couses, Candleit dinners, Woodkids and special events... www.wildernesswood.co.uk/event/winter-willow-workshop

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Brighton Permaculture Trust - http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Green Architechture Day 17th March,  Eco Renovate your home 31st MarchPractical Permaculture, Mushroom cultivation...

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Sussex Ouse Conservation Society is run entirely by volunteers and dedicated to the environmental protection and enhancement of the Sussex River Ouse, its tributaries and impoundments. This includes an education programme to stress the importance of caring for the environment, an active maintenance “task force”, campaigns for improvements in water quality, interesting talks and a great selection of walks@ http://www.sussex-ouse.org.uk/walks/index.htm .

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L&OVe  Lewes and Ouse Valley ECOnomics group -    A new initiative to encourage wider appreciation of the value of natural capital- what the local environment gives us for free.www.transitiontownlewes.org 

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Climate Connections  http://www.climateconnections.org.uk/events  

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One Planet Living courses at the Friends centre near Brighton station:From Arts and Crafts to Health and Happiness, from recycled dressmaking, bike maintanance, eco refurbishment, growing your own veg... to making sense of climate change. www.friendscentre.org 

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Ouse Valley Cycle Network - Campaigning for safe, shared, sustainable village connections from channel port to county town as an international gateway to the South Downs National Park. www.ovcn.org.uk

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Cycle Seahaven welcomes all ages, abilities and cycling interests, promotes local cycling by organising regular rides, social events and cycle training and campaigns for better facilities for cyclists in the local area.  http://www.cycleseahaven.org.uk/

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Newhaven Free Bike Workshops - Bike Training and excursion Contact jenny.leon@ncda.org.uk 

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Hassocks Community Cycle Hire beside Hassocks station. South Downs cycle and walking routes routes at  http://visithassocks.co.uk

On Yer Bike!  Cycle Training for all ages and abilities www.onyerbikemike.co.uk

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Oakleafe Rambling - Walking the Ouse Valley Way this summer...www.oakleafe.co.uk   

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The Monday Group. An intrepid group of volunteers meeting regularly to clear, maintain and repair local footpaths and bridleways.  A veritable green gym.  Contact barrymcmenamin@aol.com for more information.

Regular local cafes for making village connections

Friday morning cafe in Firle pavilion 

Tuesday coffee morning in the new Kingston Village Hall. 

Wednesday lunchtime Oyster project cafe in the All Saints Lewes. 

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Newhaven Knit 'n' natter meet in Hillcrest Centre Café on Mondays from 2 - 4pm. www.hillcrestcentre.co.uk/Activities/knit.html  

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Leftover Sewing Classes in Brighton Sibel @ www.leftover.com

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Sew Retro - Contemporary and retro sewing lessons and workshops.  Learn a new skill or update an old one - fun and friendly classes for everyone. www.sewretro.co.uk 

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Sew in Brighton - www.sewinbrighton.co.uk reskilling, classes, make do and mend...  

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My Swish  Clothes swappingSwapping rather than shopping for a new wardrobe... saving money and resources and having fun at the same time. www.myswish.co.uk 

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Lewes Farmers Market  in the pedestrain precinct first Saturday of each month. Much of the produce is organic and all of it is local.    http://www.commoncause.org.uk/farmersmarket/index.php

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Local Lewes Food Market every Friday 9.30am - 1.30pm  at the Market Tower Lewes.Committed to increase access to healthy seasonal food for all.. healthy start vouchers are now available.  www.healthystart.nhs.uk  http://www.lewesfoodmarket.co.uk/

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Pick,Cook & Learn Workshops and Veg Share at Stanmer Organics : Contact Sara on sara@forkanddigit.co.uk   www.forkanddigit.co.uk 

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Lewes Bread Club - robin@communitychef.org.uk

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Village Superfoods Opening Party The Stall Downlands Way Eastdean 10 - 5pm 14th March "Local, Organic, well priced wholefoods and superfoods" Penny Hyde

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Lewes Sceptics in the Elephant and castle Pub - a programme of thought provoking speakers for this spring.  http://lewes.skeptics.org/

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Diversity Lewes - Next Meeting Baltica, 2pm, 28 March 2012 www.diversitylewes.org.uk

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Newhaven Twinning Association -  Ouse valley village connections are very welcome to join the new french connection with the Loire Valley town of La Chappelle St Mesmin. www.newhaventwinningassociation.ning.com  

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Joanna Yarrow of Beyond Green Living and the wonderful Wilderness Wood suggests the following recession-busting bartering websites: www.barterbuddies.co.uk,www.swapz.co.uk,www.netcycler.co.uk, www.swapit.co.uk, www.bookhopper.com, www.ecomodo.com, www.ilovefreegle.org

www.beyondgreenliving.org  http://www.wildernesswood.co.uk/blog-post/tips-recession-busting-bartering

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Start - Simple steps for a more sustainable life www.startuk.org