Out and about with the High Weald team – Autumn 2024
It’s been a busy few weeks for the High Weald National Landscape team; we’ve been out and about at meetings, events and conferences, flying the flag for this historic and beautiful landscape and the people and wildlife that call it home.
Here are some highlights of our latest activities:
Working in partnership to tackle food poverty
Last week we waved a fond farewell to our Deer Management Co-ordinator Sandy Williamson, who is heading off to pastures new.
On her last day with the High Weald team, Sandy attended a “surplus food festival” in Deptford to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Coronation Food Project – where she discussed deer management with none other than the King himself!
Sandy was a guest of The Country Food Trust, a charity who distribute nutritious meals and raw game meat to foodbanks and community kitchens across the UK. Sandy has recently worked with The Country Food Trust to develop a system to help deer stalkers across the High Weald supply the charity with wild deer carcasses. The stalkers receive a guaranteed price throughout the season for the carcasses, which are then processed into venison. This new system supports the rural economy, while making use of a readily-available source of protein – improving biodiversity whilst helping those in food poverty.
Sandy has achieved a huge amount in her three years with the High Weald team, bringing landowners and deer stalkers together to tackle the area’s rising deer population; we wish her all the best for the future. We’re also delighted to welcome Mark Smith as our new Deer Management Co-ordinator.
Pictured: Sandy standing next to the King. Photo credit: The Felix Project
Championing the High Weald’s grassland habitat
In October, High Weald Co-director Jason travelled to the Houses of Parliament to attend Plantlife’s Grassland Westminster Reception sponsored by Wera Hobhouse MP.
The event, attended by farmers, NGOs, corporate partners, MPs and Peers called on the UK Government and DEFRA to unlock the value of grasslands as a national asset and deliver its priorities for nature, climate, food, economy, and health by developing a Grassland Action Plan for England.
The High Weald National Landscape Team are signatories to the call for a Grassland Action Plan, along with a number of other organisations. We are pleased to be working with Plantlife on this important issue.
National Grassland Conference
Last week, Land Management Project Officer Janet – our resident grassland expert – attended the National Meadow Groups Conference in Shropshire, hosted by the Marches Meadows Network and sponsored by Shropshire Hills National Landscape. Speakers included Plantlife, the Floodplain Meadows Partnership and Shropshire Hills Landscape Trust.
It was a wonderful opportunity to hear what community action groups are getting up to across the country, and to share our own experiences of working with local groups to conserve the High Weald’s precious grassland habitat.
Mud, mud, glorious mud!
This week, our Business Manager Gerry, Comms Officer Emma and Community Engagement Officer Lucy welcomed award-winning local poet Jemma Borg to Mayfield, for a – very muddy! – walk and talk to learn more about the High Weald’s landscape, history and ecology.
The National Landscapes Association has commissioned Jemma to write a poem inspired by her favourite landscape, and we are thrilled that she has chosen the High Weald. We’re looking forward to working with Jemma over the coming months and inspiring others through her work. Watch this space!
Wild About Dark Skies fun for all
Our Dark Skies Coordinator Samantha led the whole High Weald team helping at events across the High Weald for the Wild About Dark Skies Festival from 28 October to 10 November.
Sam herself supported ten of the Festival events in Herstmonceux, Dormansland, Hailsham, Crowhurst, Battle, Dallington, Flimwell, Wadhurst and Warbleton, as well as hosting a webinar with local artist Steve Geliot.
Huge thanks to Sam and all the community groups and individuals who hosted events for this year’s Festival, and to Lund Trust for their financial support – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Helping farmers navigate funding options
Land Management Project Officer Steph hosted a packed ‘Funding for Farmers’ event in Forest Row.
Thirty-four farmers and land managers from across the High Weald attended the free workshop, which introduced the various grant schemes that can help farmers operate profitably and sustainably. The rest of the Land Management team were on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
If you’re interested in attending similar events in the future, please check our Farmer Training and Events hub >>.
