Friends of Combe Valley

Rowntree Trust have funded a series of art/craft sessions for over 21’s.

Each week hosts a different artist. See poster for full details.

We are inviting everyone who may or may not of attended the Discovery Centre to come and meet the Friends of Combe Valley Countryside Park.

We meet regularly to undertake conservation and gardening tasks within the park.

We will be offering activities for the children to include, drawing, badge making crazy croquet, games etc.

For adults, demonstrations of our working tools, bird box making and photography exhibition.

Please come along with friends and family and enjoy a cuppa and cake.

A dry, cloudless sky greeted us on Sunday ready to set up for our much waited for Big Green Event, part of The Big Green Week celebrations. The BGW is an opportunity for groups to get local people to get make small changes to help with the effects of climate control. This years theme was making swops for life.

On Sunday, 9th June 2024, The Friends of Combe Valley in collaboration with Groundworks South held a fun filled fact finding event in the newly formed Community Garden at the Discovery Centre, Freshfields, St Leonards on Sea.

The  Community Garden which a was previously an area of cropped mown grass has been allowed to develop into wild meadow and wild grass areas. 1400 hedge saplings have been planted alongside standard trees and a new tree nursery is being created with plans to expand.

Invitations were sent to local nature inspired groups from the area surrounding the Combe Valley Countryside Park, attendees included Bexhill Environment Group, Crowhurst Environment group including Dark skies initiative, Standup4nature, Church Wood Community Orchard, Community supporters, Hastings Library of Things, Bexhill Wheelers -Classic cycles, Brenton Smith: bike maintenance, Sustrans, Bexhill Wild Doomsday project and Robert Bozeat; Green wood carving.

Stalls and marquees were set up with activities encouraging swops such as books, recipes and plants. Children were invited to make paper pots from newspaper and to plant bee friendly seeds to grow on at hime. A large meadow mural was created with colourful butterflies and flowers being attached. Lots of bird boxes were made and taken home to attract birds to gardens. A mini wildlife walk took place in the raised wild flower meadow onsite. Lots of information on how we can help nature and ourselves to heal.

Entertainment was in the form of Hannahs Morris dancers who energetically entertained their audience. Not forgetting lots of cake was eaten.

The Community garden is run by volunteers who meet every week between 10-12 md on Wednesdays and Thursdays and every third Saturday 1-3pm all at the Discovery Centre.

For more information to see what is happening right on your doorstep, pop down to the Discovery Centre on any of the volunteer days or 

contact Julie on 07549276426 or Emma   07718043148 .       

www.friendsofcombevalley.co.uk 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CombeValley 

We welcome all ages and abilities, you can volunteer for as long as you able, we also hold Social nights on the fourth Wednesdays 7-9pm at the Discovery centre, Freshfields, St Leonards on Sea. TN388FB. W3W Full.Solar.cone.

Following the success in 2023 we, the Friends of Combe Valley are continuing to encourage members and friends of Combe Valley to come together on a monthly basis for a social natter night.

We plan to keep it informal over a hot or cold drink, a biscuit or two and maybe even a slice of cake.

The idea is to have board games and cards available for group play. Also the opportunity to learn new card games like bridge or cribbage. Have an unfinished craft that you would like to finish or need some help then bring it along and we will try to assist.

Aimed at singles, couples or mixed groups. Bring a friend or two.

Date: Monthly on 4th Wednesday ( please note new day)

Time: 7-9pm

Place: Discovery Centre, Freshfields, St Leonards on Sea, TN38 8FB. W3W: full.solar.cone.

NB: please note the centre car park does not have street lights is very dark, so maybe to remember a torch.

Further information contact Julie on 07549 276 426.

Next event

New days and dates for conservation work.

We have been asked to consider The third Saturday work parties to be held between 10-12pm to enable younger and those who work during the week to volunteer. So we are giving it a trial,

Next one

We meet at the Discovery Centre, Freshfields, St leonards on Sea, TN388FB.

Please wear woking shoes, gloves and a drink. Tools supplied.

We are always looking out for volunteers to join our small wardens group who regularly patrol the park, advising walkers on routes, keeping in touch with the local farmers. Noting anything that needs to be reported to the local Police for action. Generally being aware and reporting to the relevant authority or land owner of any hazards or damage.

Go to Taking Part for further information or contact Peter Clarke on 07393 3458530
Email: Team@friendsofcombevalley.co.uk

All events at Combe Valley Discovery Centre unless stated.

Social nights – Third Wednesday 7-9pm Just bring yourself or family along. Board games and crafts.

Working Parties – Every Thursday 10am – 12 MD ish

Working Parties – Every third Saturday 10am onwards

Social night Wed Sept 25th 7-9pm Pumpkin felting crafts plus board games. Monthly Social Natter night

Open Day Sept 29th 10-1pm. see separate blog Open Day – September 29th 2024 10-1pm.

During 2021 Friends of Combe Valley along with members of Bexhill and Crowhurst Environment Groups and other groups took part in the Rother iTree survey in the Rother area including and the Countryside Park.

Rother I-tree survey

The volunteer surveyors were each given a random measured marked plot of land. Within each plot, details were taken of the numbers of trees, variety, height, spread of branches, the condition of the tree(s). All the information was plotted along with the exact location and details as to whether it was an area suitable for more trees to be planted.

All this information has been gathered and a report will be generated to inform local plans.

2023 Update.

Rother District Council have published a report which can be found attached. At the moment it is not fully accessible on all viewing screens and in the process of being amended. When we receive it, we will post it. However, here is the current copy Urban Forest 1066 report

We have begun the guided walks within the Countryside Park. Peter Hunnisett led us through the park starting at the entrance beside the Blackbrooks garden centre. Peter had produced a spotter sheet which was very useful in identifying the plants that we often take for granted and walk right past.

We took a gentle walk up the old section of Pebsham Lane noting plants and listening to the birds as we went. At the kissing gate, we turned down the path towards the Pebsham lake noting the blossom on the blackthorn(Sloe) and wild clematis. At the lake, we spotted several of the black cormorants sitting in the trees and a single grey heron flew graciously over the lake landing on the other side. Continuing down the recently cleared path towards Freshfields, we noted that the butcher’s broom that had been rescued was thriving amongst a big patch of garlic mustard. The yellow gorse was glowing in the sunshine and the smell was gorgeous. We continued back to the Discovery Centre for a well-deserved cup of tea.

Next Walk: Sunday 16th September 2022. 10.30am meet at the Discovery Centre.(part of open day/Volunteer drive)

The Friends of Combe Valley have received a grant of £ 400 from the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund as part of their Safer in Sussex campaign. This will go towards HI-Viz jackets for our park wardens.

See the full press release here.

If you wish to find out more about our wardens then check out our wardens section of taking part page.