Friends of Combe Valley

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

To see future Events go to 2022_23 events calendar for the first six months .

We invite all our neighbours, local community and visitors to come and see what the Friends of Combe Valley are involved with on a weekly basis. Come and discover more about the Countryside Park and all that it can offer.

Full list to be published soon. 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

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

This years event will be held on Sunday 18th June  at Discovery Centre, Freshfields, St Leonards on Sea, TN402RA.

Lots of activities to encourage thinking about climate change and how we can make small changes.

2022

The Great Big Green Week was the UK’s biggest call for action on climate change.

The Friends of Combe Valley in partnership with Community Supporters and Groundwork South (Recovering Combe Valley) hosted an environment awareness day as part of The Big Green Week. It held an Open Day and activities in the Combe Valley Countryside Park and took place on Sunday September 25th 2022.

The aim was to involve people who are not yet aware of the park and also have little or no opportunity to get into the Countryside. The event was FREE and open to all.

Activities included – A guided walk in the park/ Sea Shore. Making paper pots, up cycling items for use as pots, planting seeds and potting up seedlings. Foraging(if produce available) and sweet making. Making apple juice using manual and electric machines.

Any questions ring 01424 539739 and speak to Evelyn Murray or William Ackroyd.

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)