ACTIVITIES 2012
New dates are now showing on the ACTIVITIES page up until June 2012. Do have a look at join us
FEBRUARY EVENING MEETING
Members and friends enjoyed an Illustrated Talk from the Sussex Air Ambulance Service at our February Indoor Meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday 16th February We heard of the very valuable service offered and learned it was supported entirely by donations.
For much more information and details of how you can help - have a look at their website as follows.www.kssairambulance.org.uk
You may take part in their special Lottery Draws and may win a good cash prize.
WINTER 2011 - 2012 NEWSLETTER
The Newsletter is out now. There is a Notice for the AGM in March and a Subscription Reminder with it. Do complete it and send it in. If you prefer to pay by Standing Order, please complete that section and send it in. It will make it easier for all of us ! May thanks
JOHN SMITHERMAN MEMORIAL SEAT - ROMANY RIDGE
Family and friends gathered on a beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon November 19th for the unveiling of the new Memorial Seat to our late friend and Society member John Smitherman.
The seat had been made by the Monday Group, who are active locally in making and mending footpath stiles and gates. Jim Edwards is to be thanked for all his hard work in making such a lovely sturdy seat, and installing it at the north end of the common. Our thanks to Rev. John Maskell for coming along and blessing the seat and saying a few words.
Here is a picture of the family at the unveiling.
MARKSTAKES COMMON SURVEY RESULTS 2010
We now have some survey results available on the Markstakes Surveys page (click on the 'Friends of Markstakes' page to see the sub page)
They include Ancient Trees, Entomology, High Pond, Birds and the Mire and Birch Glade monitoring.
Do have a look - they make interesting reading.
SUMMER 2011 SIGHTINGS
We have reports of a Red Kite flying around Chailey Green and Balneath Lane, so keep a look out for this one time rare bird, which is now becoming a little more common. Do let us know if you see one.
We also have reports of Nightjars on the commons. These appear late in the evening and make a distinctive 'churring' sound and fly in an irregular swooping pattern.
Finally, glowworms have been see again on the commons, no doubt helped by the warm weather.
Thank you to those who have reported these, including Pauline and Cindy, and do let us know if you see anything else exciting.
Watch out for the ADDERS - they can bite !!
ARCHAEOLOGY WALK
share their images of the landscape and wildlife on the Commons.
We hope that members photographs will encourage new visitors to the Commons. Why not have a look today? You can find Chailey Commons on Flickr at: www.flickr.com/groups/chaileycommons/
If you have any difficulty using Flickr feel free to ask Ian Seccombe the site administrator
HOT NEWS - maybe !
Today a rusty metal case was found on Romany Ridge common by Ian Seccombe. Looked like a bomb case and could still be live ! The Ranger was called who fenced off the area, and the Police advised calling the Bomb Squad. More details soon......
Here is a picture.....
A WARNING - IF YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS - DO NOT TOUCH BUT CALL THE RANGER OR POLICE WHO WILL DEAL WITH IT. RANGER'S NUMBER IS ON THE POSTER AT THE CAR PARK Thank you - be safe not sorry.
ANOTHER FLINT FOUND
Our Ranger has told us of another flint which he has found on Red House Common. He is advised that it is part of a Neolithic scraping toll. Here is a picture of it with a 2p piece for scale.
SHEEP WORRYING
Unfortunately we have had an instance of a sheep being attacked and killed on Romany Ridge Common over the Bank Holiday weekend.
This is regrettable and emphasises the need for dog owners to keep their dogs under control, especially near the penned off area in the common's middle part.
For those who are unfamiliar with the area, and who may be visiting for the first time, please take extra care until you are aware of the paths which are available, and any areas which are obviously needing extra vigilence - thank you
FIND OF ANCIENT STONE SCRAPER ON THE NORTH COMMON
Our Ranger, Crispin, has recently made a very significant find on North Common. It is a 'worked flint scraper' and dates to the early Neolthic c 4000-3000 BC and represents a very important dating milestone in the occupation of the common. The County Archaeologist has been recording and dating it.
Here is a picture of our very proud Ranger showing the find.
Well done to Crispin and it will be discussed on our Archaeology Walk on Friday May 7th. More pictures and a drawing can be seen in the Archaeology Gallery in that Group's page - see Menu
MEMORIAL COMMON
The Old and the New or 'Before and After'
This picture shows the Memorial Stone at the Unveiling Ceremony and a recent one - showing the Lichen which have moved in.
Do you have a picture of the stone from years ago? If so, send it to us and it could be shown in the Gallery for this Season.
OLD PICTURE ADDED
We have a lovely black & white picture on loan to our Ranger Crispin - see below. (Thanks to Dave Barnard for the loan of the picture)
If you know where it is please let us know.
Is it the North Common Windmill?
Who are the people in the picture?
UPDATE - Suggestions received that it could be Reg Philpott and his sister.
Any further thoughts from anyone?
Here it is................
Here is an enlargement of the people to help?
WHERE ARE THE COMMONS?
For visitors to our commons and others who are not quite sure where to find them, a new map is shown on the 'ABOUT THE SOCIETY' page to help you
CHAILEY COMMONS LEAFLET
Chailey Commons Leaflet available. This is produced by the Lewes District Council in conjunction with the East Sussex County Council. We thank then for their support with this leaflet. Use the link here to see the new leaflet...........
LEAFLET Click here to download this file
AND OTHER NEWS............
OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
Please have a look on the GALLERY page called - 'HISTORIC PHOTOS' under 'MEMBERS' page to see to see some lovely old photos sent in by members. If you are in them, or recognise anyone do please let us know by email or the Contact Form in the Menu.