About 80 people gathered together at the Steyning Centre on Wednesday evening to find out about the scheme’s achievements over the last year. After an introduction by Richard Goring, the Wiston Estate manager, we were introduced to our new project manager who is due to start working with us in a couple of months time. There was then a slideshow of photos from the last year by Pete Varkala, followed by a presentation about chalk grassland conservation by Petra Billings. Then Amanda Duke, from Steyning Grammar School told us about the very successful Discovery Days held on the site and a student also gave her impressions about how good it was to get out of the classroom and learn out on the Downs.
This was followed by a bit of audience participation led by Eddie Jenkinson who split the crowd into 4 groups to discuss various issues affecting the site. Results to follow! Then Amanda from the South Downs Park Authority gave a very interesting talk about their achievements since the park was started less than 2 years ago, and told us how the Steyning Downland Scheme was regarded as a fine example of how conservation and community involvement could work together successfully.
Richard then wound up the evening and everyone went home suitably inspired about the scheme and refreshed with tea and biscuits.

Join a gathering of SDS volunteers to walk the boundary of the scheme in celebration of the Spring Equinox on Saturday 23rd March. This will be a fairly strenuous walk as there are some steep hills to negotiate and will last in the region of two hours. Dogs welcome.
Meet at the old NTC hut off Mouse Lane. Walk commences at 3.00pm.

We’re hosting a fundraising dinner at the Sussex Produce Company in Steyning on 25th April. Have a fantastic meal at an award winning restaurant and also help us fund our activities. Tickets are only £18.95 each and available from the shop at 88 High Street, Steyning, 01903 815045