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A walk on the wild side at Westerlands
Henrietta, Trustee and Marketing Communications Expert, recounts the guided tour of Westerlands Farm in Graffham, Petworth, led by farm manager Oliver Hancock. Farming is no longer what it once was. With changes in UK tax and government policy, global tariffs and increasing complexities of a fast-changing climate, farmers are having to adapt, and fast. The
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Launch of the Free Young Adult Membership
Friends of the South Downs are excited to announce the launch of a new, free membership targeted to people aged 18-30. A new membership programme, aimed at young adults, has recently been launched by the Friends of the South Downs. The aim of the programme is to broaden and expand the membership base and strengthen
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South Downs for All Project in Hampshire Update
After a busy few months of delivering workshops, Chris Hare, Project Manager, and Michael Blencowe, Local Wildlife Expert, reflect on their experiences working with schools across Hampshire. Visiting Hampshire Schools: Chris Hare, Project Manager What a busy start to the year we have had with our new South Downs for All Project with Hampshire Schools.
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South Downs for All Project Launched in Hampshire
Having concluded our South Downs for All project with Sussex schools last year, we are now delighted to bring the same heritage learning opportunities to seven partner schools in Hampshire. These schools struggle financially and have many pupils with special learning needs or from homes classed as being low income or with issues of family
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Storrington and Knepp Wildland: The UK’s only European Stork Village
In 2024 Knepp Wildland applied to have the Knepp Estate and Storrington jointly designated as a ‘European Stork Village’ This was in recognition of Knepp’s reintroduction and breeding success of the white stork. The application to Euronatur was accepted and announced in mid-March 2025. Only one area per country may be granted this status. Euronatur
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The South Downs Local Plan Review
Our formal comments on the South Downs Local Plan Review The first public consultation on the Review of the South Downs Local Plan ended on 17th March. The Local Plan is a very important document for the South Downs National Park as it sets out both the policies against which planning applications will be assessed and
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Award Winning Performances at The University of Brighton
An interview with Haari Aswat, who won the Robert Thurston Hopkins Award for 2024. Two years ago, trustees decided to create links with Brighton University to foster interest in the Downs from high achieving young people who could make a difference during their future careers. As part of this initiative, on 1 August two important
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Special Sanctuary for Nature
Noar Hill The gentler landscapes of the National Park in Hampshire have their own special beauty. The open western Downs are some of the most tranquil areas in the Park. From the scarp slope north of Petersfield and the internationally important ‘hanger’ woodlands, to the chalk rivers of the Itchen and Meon and the Yew
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St Catherine’s Hill Nature Reserve
Something New in Hampshire Friends of the South Downs have recently funded the installation of replacement gates on the St Catherine’s Hill Nature Reserve, a beautiful chalk downland hill a mile or so south of Winchester. The Nature Reserve covers 47 hectares and is managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. High on
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Benches Project Latest
Seven Benches Our Benches project has installed seven benches along the South Downs Way! As members will know, we have now been running this project for several years. In fact, the decision to go ahead was made shortly before the pandemic. With not much else to do during the initial lockdown, my husband Tony and