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.co

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

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.  

CYCLE LEWES 

Relaunched with great support.  Involved in ESCC consultation re a cycling Hub for Lewes Station.

http://www.cyclelewes.org.uk

CYCLE EAST SUSSEX - a new Cycling Partnership with ESCC.  Inviting  suggestions for improvements to cycling infrastructure in East Sussex.

OAK LEAFE Sussex Ramblers and Nordic Walking  Contact Nigel Bentley @  http://oakleafe.co.uk/5130/32701.html

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MID SUSSEX RAMBLERS  Contact Tony Osmand http://www.midsussexramblers.co.uk/

SOLES AND SOULS Foraging Walks with Louise Gorst and Anna Richardson. www.solesandsouls.co.uk

www.cycleeastsussex.ning.com

BIRDS ON BIKES  encouraging ladies cycling in Sussex 

http://www.facebook.com/SussexBirdsOnBikes

TRAVELLOG Local Travel News at www.travelloglewes.co.uk

WORD SPINNERS  Monthly writing group in Lewes.  Contact Louise Taylor  www.shoutthesun.co.uk

NEW SCREENS IN SUSSEX: 

SEAFORD COMMUNITY CINEMA  - www.seafordcinema.org

NEWHAVEN HILLCREST FILM SOCIETY -  www.hillcrestcentre.co.uk

LEWES CINEMA - www.lewescinema.co.uk 

Sustainable Sussex Monthly Meeting - Linklater pavilion Lewes Wednesday afternoon mid month.

Wind Farm consultation 

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.   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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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

ALISON COTTON  Coastguards Cottages Cuckmere Haven Watercolour Classes

 http://learn-watercolours-outdoors.com/classes-and-individual-tuition

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  Workshops   http://www.commonwork.org/news

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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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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 Trust 

michaelblencowe@sussexwt.org.    www.leweswildlife.org.uk

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

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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

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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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OART Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust 

Autumn Lectures: 

Chalk Streams of Sussex

Chalk Formations of the South Downs

• River Restoration Projects
• Biological and Chemical Monitoring of Water Quality
• Habitat Restoration, Enhancement & Creation
• Sussex Sea Trout Monitoring
• Rainfall Data Collection
• Partnership Working with the Environment Agency on Pilot Projects (MORPH)

www.oart.org.uk

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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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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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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 - 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