Friends of Combe Valley

This year , we thought we would join in the madness of Jack and the Green and have our own mini event at The Discovery Centre.

Sunday 3rd May 1pm – 4pm.

Sunday 14th Decemeber 2025 10am – 1pm

We welcome families with or without children of all ages to come and create and play. We will be using wood and natural materials to make Owls, Reindeer, Christmas trees wreaths and other crafts. Menader around our Community Garden and nature trail.

Free event but donations for items made and refreshments.

For more information contact Julie Willard 07549276426.

www.friendsofcombevalley.co.uk

W3W: Full.solar.cone.

Save the date – Come and find out what The Friends of Combe Valley do.

Enjoy trying out some of the activities:- Conservation, Green wood working, Bug hotel making, Meadow Scything, raised bed gardening, insect and bird identification.

Games for the children or young at heart.

New for 2025 – Pirate Pete’s treasure trail and plank games.

Fuller details to follow.

The next Nature Detectives session will be:-

Tuesday 5^th August

Location: Glyne Gap Beach

Session time: 14.00 to 16.30

 The session is linked to Low tide which will be at 15.27.

The Combe Valley Countryside Park (CVCP) Community Interest Company (www.combevalleycountrysidepark.com) is developing plans to make the park more enjoyable, inclusive, and useful for everyone.

We want to hear from you—whether you live nearby, visit regularly, or are involved with the park in any way.

Your views will help shape improvements that support both community wellbeing and the natural environment.

Combe Valley Proposal Board

Nature and Activity Survey

So have your say about your local green space!

We want to hear from you—whether you live nearby, visit regularly, or are involved with the park in any way. Your views will help shape improvements that support both community wellbeing and the natural environment. You can see the survey in pdf format by clicking here, comlete and return to Combe Valley Discovery Centre, Freshfields, St Leoanrds onSea TN38 5FB.

Or to take part in the survey online, click on the link below 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SQKBHKF

Thank you for your time.

We had been informed by the organisers of BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Make a Difference that Friends of Combe Valley had been nominated and selected as one of the finalists in the Green category. (Environment)

At the award ceremony at Lingfield Racecourse on September 22nd 2025, the Winners were announced.

We achieved highly commended in amongst a field of worthy finalists. Each entry was a worthy winner. We had a great time and met some inspirational people. Sally Gunnel and Ray Mears were amongst the judges who praised every one of the hundreds of individuals and groups who were nominated. Thanks and Praise goes to everyone of our worthy, hard working volunteers who without them, Our Combe Valley Countryside Park would not be the beautiful haven of nature.

BBC Sussex and Surrey make-a-difference-awards

Come and join our Free monthly sessions covering a varied selection of crafts. suitable for all ages. Open to all. Made possible by National Lottery Community fund.

Next session Monday 20th April 10am to 12md . Japanese Book Binding. All materials are provided, but you may like to bring your own snacks and scissors.

Next Month  Monday 18th May. Flower press book making. 10am – 12md. 

Book via Eventbrite details to follow.

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

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)