Spring and Summer Projects

[Susan Thompson]

 

Thanks to the new Community Strategy team of the new South Downs National Park who hosted our first public meeting in the new Linklater pavillion to discuss the development of an Ouse Valley Cycling network.  An integrated South Downs cycle network is being considered as part of a possible application for Sustainable Transport Funding and there will be valley wide community consultation about preffered routes.  The new ESCC Local Transport Plan (LTP3) is still yet to appear but we had confirmation at a Kingston meeting from Mathew Locke that he is in principle keen on developing an integrated Greenway route.

 

The OVESCO/Harveys  Community Solar Power station project held a question time style discussion at Lewes Town Hall which was very well attended, the target fundraising/share issue is now very close to being met... deadline at the end of May.

 

A new Lewes and Ouse Valley Eco-nomics group held it’s first meeting in the Linklater pavillion, a website is being created which will be mapping valuable local ecosystem sevices : encouraging us to better apprecuiate what nature gives us for free!

An aim shared by the ESCC Draft Environmental Strategy and the new Cambridge University  Ecosystems and Natural Capital programme which is also looking for  fresh ways of communicating better understanding of ecosystem  services...  "Without a vocabulary that has common purchase, decision makers and  the general public alike will continue with limited awareness of the  issues and we will come ever closer to potential tipping points that  will catastrophically reduce the capacity of ecosystems to provide  their vital services."  Tony Juniper. http://www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk/ Collaboratories/Ecosystems/Language-and-Leadership.aspx

 

The wonderful May Fayre official reopening of Priory Park last weekend followed an imaginative £800K redevelopment of the old Lewes Priory ruins.  This event is enthusiastically run by the Southover Bonfire society with drummers, giants arts, crafts, music and entertainment and locally produced food... plans are already being made for the Feast of St Pancras next year!

 

Elm Protection Volunteers

East Sussex has the largest collection of elm trees in the UK protected by the Dutch elm disease control area established in 1973 by ESCC who are looking for local Elm Protection Volunteers Contact James Newmarch:  [e-mail] or phone: [phone]

 

Traditional Orchard Project - Orchard survey volunteeers required for this project. www.ptes.org/orchards

 

The Big Tree Plant encourages community led tree planting projects with new funding  available for this April. www’directgov.uk/TheBigTreePlant

 

The Fine Art Of Foraging - A Village Connections community art project involving local foraging Artwalks inspiring a wide range of  creative responses: edible and incredible art for an Artwave exhibition and Octoberfest market to raise funds for wild planting.  News of walks/details of the Artwave exhibition to be posted soon. www.artwavefestival.org  Please contact me if you would like to get involved.

 

Susan Thompson

[e-mail]