No December community project day

As is normal, we won’t be holding a work morning this week as we’ll give you December off. We hope to return to this on the first Thursday of January – the 2nd at 10am – and further details of the venue will follow nearer the time.

In the meantime, we would like to wish all our many members a very Merry Chistmas and  a Happy New Year.

2024 Charity Christmas cards

Our 2024 charity Christmas cards are now on sale. This year, there is a choice of 2 images – Winter Robin in a Ferring garden, and Ferring Beach Huts in the snow. Both of these pictures have been taken by two of our members. Copies of the images are here, but on the cards themsleves, there will of course be a Christmas message on the front as well.

All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go directly to St Barnabas House Hospice, and they are priced at £5 per pack of 10 cards.

They’ll be on sale at our next main meeting at the Village Hall on Friday 29 November, at the Village Christmas market on Saturday 7 December, and also at Pinkerton’s Newsagents in Ocean Parade (for which we’re very grateful). Please consider supporting this by buying your cards in aid of a very worthy local cause.

Shoreham Fort presentation – October 2024

At their October meeting, members of Ferring Conservation Group were treated to an excellent presentation by Gary Baines from the Friends of Shoreham Fort, entitled “Shoreham Fort – Past, Present and Future”. The aims of the Friends group are to conserve, maintain and restore the fort (which is designated as an Ancient Scheduled Monument) back to its 1857 former glory, so the talk fitted in well with our interests in the local built environment as well as the natural world.

They were told that the fort is now only one of two along the South Coast in anything like their original form – the other being at Littlehampton – and were built as a protection against possible French invasion during the Napoleonic period. It was manned by the 1st Sussex Artillery Volunteers and was designed to position six muzzle loaded guns giving good cover against attack. It was still operative beyond the turn of the century with one cannon remaining in place until the end of WW1, when the fort had been used for training and storage.

Prior to that in 1913, a Francis Lyndhurst (Grandfather of actor Nicholas Lyndhurst) brought film making to the fort, where at least 4 films were made within its confines. Subsequently during WW2, more guns were installed there but have since been removed, with only the original footings surviving.

Then into the 1970s and 80s, some restoration of the fort started, with the Friends group being launched later on in 2010, which really accelerated matters. Much restoration work has already been completed, for example on the Caponiers (or covered bastions) and also the gun emplacements, and also a Nissen hut from Chidham has been installed there, along with an atmospheric memorial WW1 training trench, constructed from 2800 filled sandbags.

For the future, it is hoped for a full restoration of the fort including the reinstatement of the barrack block, which would create a multi purpose community facility. There is no doubt that it is a fine local historical asset and a visit there is very much recommended.

 

Our Rivers – the work of the Environment Agency

Ferring Conservation Group had an interesting talk on Friday [27 September] from local resident Damon Block, a senior officer in the Environment Agency, about the organisation’s work managing the state of our rivers and coastal waters.  Damon had begun there as a Water Bailiff, supervising fishing on our local rivers – still an important task of the Agency and a source of income from rod licences.  Now he was looking after all the Sussex rivers from the Ouse to the Ems on the Hampshire border, for water quality, flood control and ‘abstraction’ by farmers for irrigation.

Water quality was gauged by the species of invertebrates of various kinds that could tolerate different levels of contamination and oxygen deprivation, as well as chemical testing. The problems arose not only from discharges and run-off but also from invasive plant species like Crassula and Himalayan Balsam, which could choke streams and destabilise banks.

The Ferring Rife, he said, was fairly easy to manage – quite a small catchment area, with few discharges, good flood defences, no fishing but plenty of wildlife. It had been good to see  Water Voles getting established there. Other rivers like the Arun and the Adur were more complex both in their needs and threats, and the opportunities they offered for better habitat creation and the reintroduction of species like the otters on the Rother tributary.

Sussex had a good stock of fish in its rivers – eels were abundant here while declining nationally, and Sussex sea trout were the biggest and best in England. He explained that river trout and sea trout were the same species but had chosen different ‘lifestyles’ at an early age. Scales from these fish were, under a microscope, like sections of trees – showing measurable growth rings, evidence of how and where they had lived and spawned, and another good indicator of water quality.

A very interesting and enjoyable afternoon.

(Report written by Ed Miller)

Our Big Butterfly Count

Finally our third attempt at doing our bit towards the Big Butterfly Count went ahead on Wednesday 31st July, albeit around the Rife rather than Cissbury.
14 members met at the footbridge, and under the nominal lead of Graham Tuppen, enjoyed a warm wander around the field, lagoons and Rife path, counting butterflies. Overall we spotted 52, with Gatekeepers again the most numerous. Others were Large and Small Whites, Speckled Woods, Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, a Comma and a Wall Brown, plus 2 Silver Y Moths.
We were surprised not to see more varieties and numbers, but it seems our count reflected the national picture of a poor year for butterflies.
6 of us finished the morning with a visit to the cafe at the Country Centre.

The Long Walk Home – 26 July

After a gap of several years Michael Blencowe returned to Ferring Conservation Group to regale members and visitors alike with tales of his epic walk of 348 miles from his current home in Sussex back to his childhood roots in Devon.

Now a freelance naturalist, author and wildlife guide, Michael felt compelled to complete this walk after suffering what he was told to be a heart attack, which thankfully turned out to be a false alarm. Michael has a unique ability to educate and entertain us all at the same time and in March 2023 laden with an enormous rucksack containing 15 maps, numerous blister packs, a jar of Bovril etc, and with the aid of walking poles, he set out on the first leg of his journey walking from Small Dole to Amberley. Blistered feet were a big problem for Michael and set in soon after departure, so Michael’s blister packs were soon depleted.

Along the route Michael visited the charming 13th century church of St Andrew’s in Didling known as the Shepherd’s Church nestled in the South Downs in an isolated spot – it has no electricity supply and is lit by candles. When a shepherd was buried, traditionally a piece of sheep’s wool was placed in his folded hands – this was to ensure that at the Pearly Gates, St Peter would understand that the shepherd was often absent from church as he had to tend his sheep.

Michael delighted in the wildlife that he encountered along the route including Yellowhammers, boxing Hares, Redwing, Fieldfare and Peregrine Falcons to name but a few. On reaching Dorset on Day 10 with over 100 miles covered, Michael woke to find a thick layer of snow had obliterated many landmarks making his journey difficult to navigate. As the snow melted and with a splendid view of the Jurassic coastline visible he made his way inland to the town of Bridport. The South West Coastal Path lay 14 miles away towards Lyme Regis and then a further 10 miles into Beer and his home county of Devon.

It was around this time that Michael decided to exchange his large backpack for a much smaller version which made his walk through to Dartmouth much easier. Seeing much of the Gorse in bloom lifted Michael’s spirits as he continued his journey to the town of Salcombe and in doing so completing approximately 300 miles. Passing the Start Point Lighthouse at Kingsbridge, then through Bantham, Bigbury with views of Burgh Island, Ermington, Elburton and Yealmpton and finally arriving at his childhood home in the city of Plymouth – 22 days and 348 miles later. With great relief he had achieved his goal but he did note that the journey back to Michael’s home in Sussex by car took only 4 hours.

Graham Tuppen presented the Nature Notes slot after the usual break for refreshments by showing members a series of excellent photographs including a Cinnabar moth on a Ragwort plant, a Cricket on a Marigold flower and the beautiful wild flower bed in the Glebelands recreation ground (all of the wild flower beds in the village have been exceptional this year). A photograph of the blue flax flowers growing in the fields of Chatsmore Farm plus a six-spot Burnet Moth on a Round-headed Rampion plant. There were also reports of Little Egrets and Herons on the Ferring Rife, together with sightings of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tits and a Buzzard.

A planning update was delivered by Stephen Abbott to conclude the meeting, with no further planning applications submitted.

The additional house in the garden of 44, Ferringham Lane had been refused by Arun DC and an Arun proposal to increase the number of beach huts along this stretch of the coastline is under consultation with the relevant Parish Councils, including Ferring.

Knepp Wildland Estate presentation – 28 June

Leaving behind a career in IT and Telecommunications, Mark McManus decided to venture down a very different path and indulge his passion for wildlife as he became an Assistant Warden for the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks Reserve and then a Ranger for the South Downs National Park Authority.

Mark now happily imparts his vast knowledge to the many visitors on safari tours around the Knepp Estate and is very much a member of the team there. He came along to Ferring Conservation Group’s June meeting to update members with the latest news of this trailblazing rewilding project.

In the twenty or so years since Knepp began rewilding, extremely rare species have thrived including Turtle Doves, Nightingales, Peregrine Falcons and Purple Emperor butterflies as well as more common species. Moving away from intensive farming has demonstrated how natural regeneration has created new habitats from grassland and scrub to open-grown trees and wood pastures attracting wildlife from far and wide.

Without free-roaming grazing animals, Mark explained the emerging scrub would soon turn into closed-canopy woodland. Over the years the physical disturbance created by grazing animals stimulated a complex mosaic of habitats allowing a more open form of wood-pasture. Although as many ancient breeds as possible were introduced, Tamworth Pigs were substituted for Wild Boar and Exmoor ponies were established for their hardiness and ability to thrive in all sorts of habitat. Roe, Fallow and Red deer roam freely alongside Old English long-horn cattle.

Mark explained that one of the Knepp Estate’s priorities is to liaise with neighbouring landowners to encourage them to allow strategic wildlife corridors, such as in the Chichester area, which links the South Downs National Park with the coastal harbours. This will allow wildlife to move freely across the county.

Two beavers were released into a licensed enclosure in February 2022. Since then, they have had an astonishing impact on their environment, creating impressive dams, building up their lodge and coppicing the surrounding woodland.

Mark took pride in announcing that in addition to Knepp becoming home to the first 2 nesting pairs of wild Storks to breed in the UK for over 600 years in 2020, last year the project has gone from strength to strength with 9 successful nests.

It is hoped that the potential reintroduction of Wildcat and Pine Marten will be possible in the future.

Graham Tuppen then presented the Nature Notes session with photographs of Wall Lizards spotted at West Worthing railway station and a tree completely covered in webs made by the caterpillars of Ermine Moths seen by the roadside at Long Furlong. Graham then showed a beautiful photograph of a field of Native Field Poppies and Phacelia also in the Long Furlong area. Bee Orchids were in bloom at Highdown Gardens while Common Spotted Orchids, Wild Thyme and Birds Foot Trefoil were seen at Cissbury Ring, together with Wild Carrot, Ladies Bedstraw and Yellow-rattle.

To conclude the meeting Stephen Abbott updated members on the latest planning news advising that the planning application submitted on behalf of Greystoke Manor care home for a two-story extension had been withdrawn. Also, the application for an additional house at 44 Ferringham Lane is yet to be decided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coppicing presentation – 31 May

The ancient skill of coppicing was the fascinating subject that Clive Cobie covered at the Group’s May meeting to enlighten members and visitors. Clive is the Centre Manager for Shadow Wood near Billingshurst – a 63-acre bluebell wood in the heart of the Weald Downlands.

Clive explained why this traditional form of woodland management serves two important functions: to provide a renewable source of wood for fuel and fencing and to allow selected trees space to grow to full maturity for subsequent cropping as timber. A very useful effect is that this procedure also lets in light to the woodland floor, allowing plants and flowers growing there to regenerate along with their dependent wildlife – the word ‘copse’ denotes a wood that was once coppiced.

Coppicing means cutting the tree down to ground level to allow new shoots to spring up from the base. This practice stimulates the trees natural power of regeneration as it encourages the tree to produce new poles of wood year after year. Clive explained that as the years go by a coppiced tree will start to form a stool and shoots will be thrown up from this and should be cut back to within 5-8cm of this wood. The most suitable trees for coppicing are Chestnut, Silver Birch and Hazel which should be cut on a rotation of 7 years.

After a break for refreshments Graham Tuppen filled the popular Nature Notes slot with news of sightings of Early Purple Orchids during a visit to Patching Woods. Graham had also spotted Common (smooth) Newts in his garden supposedly from his next-door neighbour’s pond. Graham showed two impressive photographs by Peter Phelps of an adult Cockchafer and a Common Toad, with Peter Dale managing to photograph an Azure Damselfly by the Ferring Rife, where there had also been a recent sighting of a Water Vole, which was welcome.

Stephen Abbott concluded the meeting by updating the audience with news of local planning issues. The Call-In submission to the Secretary of State was not successful for the 47 houses approved to be built on the land adjacent to Kingston Lane, East Preston. The 3 houses proposed for a garden behind Ferring Nurseries has been rejected, along with an additional dwelling at the back of 4 Sea Lane. A planning application for a two-storey rear extension to Greystoke Manor care home has also been submitted.

 

 

 

Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery presentation – 26 April

Ferring Conservation Group’s April meeting had a very interesting, and well-presented talk on the History and Wildlife of Broadwater Cemetery – one of Worthing’s oldest burial grounds, now a nature reserve but still visited by family members of those who were buried there in its latter years. ‘Friends of Broadwater Cemetery’ document its history (which goes back to 1861) and, in cooperation with Worthing Borough Council, maintain its extensive grounds in a way which preserves and encourages the wide range of wildflowers, birds and other animals, and butterflies.

Debra Hillman, the Chairman of the ‘Friends’ talked about the early days of the cemetery and some of the well-known local people buried there, including the naturalists W H Hudson and Richard Jefferies. Less well known were the 115 victims of the Worthing typhoid epidemic of 1893, to whom there is a common memorial. But the old Chapel, with its splendid interior, is a listed building.

Paul Robards leads the work on keeping the cemetery’s extensive grounds tidy and removing the ivy which quickly grows over the headstones, hiding the inscriptions and the stories they tell. He is also a lifelong naturalist and does everything he can to preserve and encourage the abundant wildlife – which includes slow worms, many songbirds, and a wide variety of butterflies. He showed some excellent photographs to illustrate his talk, and Conservation Group members were encouraged to join one of the Cemetery Tours, on the first Saturday of every month in Spring, Summer and Autumn,

The Group held its AGM later in the meeting. Pete Coe was elected Chairman, David Bettiss as Secretary and Ed Miller has taken over as Membership Secretary.

July events

Sunday 14 July litter clean up of central part of Ferring Village. Please meet on Village Green at 11am, and equipment and high vis jackets will be provided. We plan to clean up the Green and Glebelands Rec (and surrounds), and by coincidence this is the day after the Ferring Festival so a good opportunity to remove any litter.

We will also be having stand at the Festival in conjunction with Ferring History Group on the day before (Saturday 13th), and we’ll be in a marquee at Glebelands. This will be between 11am and 4pm.

On the following Tuesday (16th), we will be carrying out our contribution to the national Big Butterfly Count organised by Butterfly Conservation, and as last year, this one will be at Cissbury Ring, where we’ll be meeting at the top car park at 11am. This site is one of the very best for butterflies (both in numbers and different species) in the whole of the South East, so a good opportunity to learn about them while counting for the survey. Feel free to bring a picnic, especially if the weather is nice.

*UPDATE AS OF MONDAY 1700 – the butterfly count tomorrow (Tuesday) has been postponed as the weather forecast is not conducive for the appearance of butterflies. The provisional replacement date will now be 1100 on Thursday 25 July, and this will take place unless we advise of another weather related change*