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.
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
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’ It is worth reading on to learn about the background to these festivities. The association of Storrington with storks is clear, although there are alternative interpretations. It is often stated that the Saxon name for Storrington
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
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
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
Stepping Out Smart by Avoiding Ticks
As the weather warms up, many of us look forward to spending more time walking and hiking on trails and in parks. However, a tiny menace awaits—Ixodes Ricinus, the blacklegged tick. Also known as the Deer Tick, these crafty parasites cling to vegetation waiting to latch onto passing animals or people, looking for a meal
Responsible Dog Walking
The South Downs National Park encourages responsible dog walking to help farmers and wildlife. Take the lead and keep those paws on the path! That’s the call to action to dogwalkers from the South Downs National Park Authority as ground-nesting bird and lambing season starts this March. With dog ownership at an all-time high post-pandemic,
Rother Valley Railway
Between Petersfield and Midhurst there is only one section of public footpath along the former track bed of the Rother Valley Railway, but there are several places where paths cross it. The Friends of Rother Valley Way (FoRVW) is a community group of local individuals and organisations who have come together to work alongside Shortcut
Your Opinion Matters
Friends of the South Downs was established 100 years ago by ordinary people taking action to protect our precious Downland landscape. Over the past 100 years, our charity’s growth and the achievement of National Park status has been down to the continued involvement of people who care. Now, as we make plans for the next
