Here’s what we’ve done
Highlights over the years of our ownership.
2022
In November 2022 the South Downs National Park Rangers and volunteers laid the hedges on the track to the fields and also the lower part of Juggs Lane leading to the Downs.
2021
Yellow Rattle seed planting on south bank of the field in October 2021. The planting is an experiment to see if the Yellow Rattle plants will weaken the invasive Tor grass which threatens to choke out more delicate species such as Tway Blade Orchids growing in the area.
In November 2021 the South Downs National Park Rangers and volunteers laid the final half, 170 metres, on the northwest side of the fields.
2020
Over a couple of weeks in February 2020 the South Downs National Park Rangers and their team of volunteers laid the northeast half of the northern hedge eleven years after it was planted.
And this was the result after the hedge after had been laid.
In late 2020 in between Covid-19 lockdowns in order to comply with our Countryside Stewardship Grant planted short sections of hedge where there were no hedge trees, a process known as ’gapping up’. In all 500 trees were planted during the gapping up and also around the pond.
All trees were UK grown native species.
2016-19
In 2019 we fenced off an acre (0.5 ha) of grassland which became an area ’out of management’ and part of our Countryside Stewardship Grant. In this image, taken late summer, the impact of with and without livestock grazing can clearly be seen.
This was the hedge, planted early 2009 before being laid in February 2020 when SDNP Rangers laid the eastern half of the north hedge.
2010-15
March 2010 a dew pond was dug with the help of a SDJC grant.
50,000 plants from 22 species of wildflowers suited to chalk soil, in varying percentages, representing what naturally occurs within a community of naturalised downland communities were planted in the field during 2011.
In early 2015 our Juggs Lane hedge was laid by SD Rangers.
A second larger scrape was dug by Crispin Holloway and Richard Pemberton on the north side of the field on Bread Nore seeding Cowslip, Birdsfoot trefoil, Kidney vetch, Horseshoe vetch, Oxeye daisies, Small scabious, Field Scabious, Greater knapweed, Lesser knapweed.
Possibly Pyramidal orchid, Thyme and Marjoram
In July 2015 the field yielded approximately 170 large bales containing an estimated 40 metric tons of carbon. Removing the bales also reduced the fertility of the soil.
2006-09
In August 2006 the boundaries were made secure with fences and an entrance gate, this allowed us to have livestock in the field to graze it.
From November 2007 to March 2008 students from Plumpton College planted hedges on northwestern sides of the field.
Early 2008 Planting hedge next to Juggs Road (Neil Archard)
An initial experiment in 2009 on the south side of the field with grassland reversion was done by Crispin Holloway. Soil was removed back to chalk and the area was sown with native wild seeds.
During early 2009 3050 hedge saplings were professionally planted in double rows over on the north east boundary of the fields financed partly with a grant from South Downs Joint Committee (the precursor to South Downs National Park Authority).
Planting copse (950 trees) on East side of North field with fence and gates (Neil Archard) in March 2009. SDJC 75% grant
2005
The fields before any conservation works carried out. They were last cultivated in 2005 when a crop of wheat was harvested in August of that year.