We are a group of volunteers from all walks of life who share a mutual love of nature and appreciation of this unique habitat |
Path AttackThis year, we are introducing a new event with a twist; starting Tuesday 19th May in the evenings. A fortnightly get together to clear pathways, starting from 6pm, until dusk, to help keep the footpaths open. We will be blasting footpaths across all the commons, a different location each time. Cutting and collecting Bracken in bags, loading a trailer with the gorse and small birch etc. If you'd like to get involved, you will need to join the Bracken Bashing WhatApp group to get the What3Word locations.
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A great big thank you to all the Winter Works volunteers |
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Around 45 fantastic volunteers have joined us on Sunday mornings to continue to clear Marley Heath of invasive species – with several people coming to all four gatherings. Together, that’s roughly 180 hours of hands-on care for the common, making a visible difference to the landscape, wildlife and everyone who enjoys the space.
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This year, Uanu has beautifully captured the atmosphere of these events. He invited our volunteers to share what motivates them to take part. Watch the video to find out – from the satisfaction of seeing immediate results, to meeting like‑minded people, to simply spending time outdoors and working up an appetite for lunch. We hope their stories inspire you to join us too.
If you’re looking for enjoyable, meaningful and a healthy time outdoors next winter, add the next Winter Works dates to your diary today. • 25th October • 29th November • 27th December – ideal for some well‑needed Christmas exercise! • 31st January • 28th February All start at 10am, wrapping up approx. 12:30pm. While our winter work may be taking a nap, we are not. Come join us and have a great time at other events. |
We host regular volunteering sessions. Every hour you can spare really does helps us maintain the commons and fields. |
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You can volunteer with us by getting stuck into practical conservation work or by doing surveys and other less strenuous tasks. Everyone is welcome. Find out more about volunteering or register your preferences so we can inform you of coming events and opportunities.
Why not register as a volunteer now; so you get to know what volunteering events we offer in the future |
Alternatively, join our email listWe only plan to send several emails a year, with event information, volunteering dates and local conservation stories.
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Just one more person stepping up to lead can make a powerful difference in how much invasive growth we’re able to clear each year.We would like to host more volunteering events but we need either new or existing volunteers to become leaders. There is a whole team available to guide you in leading events and you can also join up with a friend or family to lead together.
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The society purchased 125 hectares (307 acres) of Stanley, Lynchmere and Marley Commons in 1997 using both; local residence contributions and a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, on the condition that the commons were restored to lowland heath.
The volunteers collectively organise and maintain the local nature reserve featuring open lowland heath with acidic, poor soil that supports a wide and diverse range of flora and fauna. In addition to managing the heathland, The Lynchmere Society is working to improve the quality of the woodland areas, much of which was overrun with scrub growth. Remnants of possible ancient wood-pasture have been detected around the edges of Stanley Heath, and we have begun thinning areas like this to rejuvenate and improve the habitat, reintroducing hazel and birch coppices. Before the society originated, the commons were overgrown with scrub birch, scots pine and dense bracken. Only a few isolated areas of heather clung on in clearings, largely through the care of local residents. Today, three types of heather are thriving. |
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Cattle grazing is a large component in the long-term sustainability of the commons. The Belted Galloway's have been grazing in the fenced areas since March 2005, contributing greatly towards management of the commons to the present day.
The commons and the land in-between provide great walking and a place to breathe. They are crossed by several footpaths and bridleways as well as two long-distance paths – The Sussex Border Path, The Serpent Trail and Lipchis Way – which connect this flourishing heathland in West Sussex. |
Restoration of the Commons has now created the fifth largest area of lowland heath, in West Sussex and a key habitat for rare heathland species.
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