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The Lynchmere Society
Our Main Goals
Objectives and Activities
The Charity's objects and principal activities are to:
· Promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit.
· Educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit.
· Secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, environmental or public interest in the area of benefit.
The main activities for the year continued to be educating the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit and securing the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest through the restoration of the heathland on of Lynchmere, Stanley and part of Marley Common (this being part of a much wider project across several counties supported and encouraged by Natural England).
Achievements and Performance
As well as the ongoing work on Stanley and Lynchmere Commons we are now engaged on a joint project with the National Trust on Marley Common (since we each own a part of it). We have just fenced it and cattle will begin grazing within the next few weeks. This has the financial support of Natural England.
We are also getting financal support to lengthen and renovate a path suitable for wheelchairs on Lynchmere Common.
Educating the Public
The renovation of the Commons provides opportunities to engage with the broader community and a range of activities have been undertaken. There are two formal talks a year on suitable subjects, we work with local schools and youth organisations, organising walks and providing nesting boxes and we arrange educational walks for adults on the commons looking at fungi or bats for example, so as to expand their understanding of the richness and diversity of the flora and fauna to be found on our lowland commons
Securing Features of Interest
Through the control of scrub and bracken the Charity has continued to promote the regrowth of heather. This has been undertaken through the promotion of traditional management techniques such as grazing and newly developed non chemical controls such as bracken rolling. Lowland heath is amongst the rarest habitats in Europe and the land under the management of the Charity is the 6th largest area of lowland heath in Sussex.
The Charity has also renovated hazel coppices in those areas which were historically managed in this way and created new areas of coppice in areas where the re-establishment of heather is impractical. Traditionally managed hazel coppice is now unusual and therefore the specific habitat it provides is scarce.
The Charity has a group of volunteers who undertake scrub clearance, tree planting and general renovation activities on the commons around 10 times a year on Volunteers work days. Training is provided either 'on the job' or for more specialised activities (such as tree felling) through specific externally accredited and assessed training. We also get valuable assistance from other bodies such as the South Downs Volunteers and Southampton University Volunteers. |
