ANNUAL REPORT OF THE

BOARD OF CONSERVATORS

OF ASHDOWN FOREST

2006/2007

Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JP

01342 823583; conservators@ashdownforest.org;

www.ashdownforest.org

___________________________________________________________________________ Contents

Foreword, Conservation p. 1 Finance & Resources p. 4 Amenity & Community p. 5

Appendices p. 7 References and Forest Bibliography p. 8

___________________________________________________________________________

FOREWORD

Philip Glyn, Chairman of the Board This has been a momentous year for the Forest. Success with our HLS application heralded a new impetus and further recognition of this remarkable tract of land. With local and wider debate that ranges from climate change to deer numbers and the aesthetics of tree and scrub clearance, making information clearly available remains a high priority. Putting our house in (standing) order, providing the public with access to our meetings and involving stakeholders in our plans are most welcome. We must now review the various ways in which we communicate; how else is the average visitor expected to grasp the complexity of our tasks? Thanks to the team building of our staff, learning from feedback, a professional administration and constructive input from Conservators, this coming decade is destined to see solid protection and enhancement for Ashdown Forest extended well into the future. ___________________________________________________________________________

CONSERVATION

The most significant event of the year was the successful application by the Board to enter the Forest’s heathlands into Defra’s new Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. This replaced the Countryside Stewardship Schemes (CSS) under which they had been managed since 1992. HLS aims to “deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas”. The Forest was therefore a prime candidate with its holding of 2.5% of all that is left of the UK’s once extensive heathland. An outline Proforma of the main work to be carried out over the next ten years was delivered to, and agreed by, Natural England (NE; the successor to English Nature) in February, and the first instalment of Year One payment duly arrived on time. Income from HLS, based on a rate of £200/hectare heathland/year, gives the Conservators their greatest ever opportunity to manage the Forest’s 1500 hectares of heathland and to investigate in greater depth than ever before the area’s rich biodiversity and wealth of archaeological features – plans for which were made for 2007/2008. HLS also supported the stakeholder engagement exercise discussed below.

In the field, staff reviewed the impact of CSS-funded bracken control that had been taking place over some 196 hectares and substantially changed the management regime as a result. The winter saw high levels of heathland conservation work with the clearance of invasive scrub and trees across the Forest (most of it planned under extant CSS), such as behind Churlwood car

2

park and Wych Cross (West Chase), opposite Duddleswell tea-rooms, along the New Road (South Chase) and opposite Wrens Warren (East Chase). Work at the last site, a continuation northwards of work from previous winters, aroused some strong reaction. Criticism of tree felling was often linked to global warming and suggestions that the Forest should be planted up with trees. It became clear that the cultural and biodiversity importance of heathland, let alone the link to its amenity value for views and open spaces (among the most favoured Forest features for visitors; see Tourism SouthEast Research Services 2004), apparently features little in the public mind, a situation in which the Forest is by no means unique. In describing a project adjacent to Dorset conurbations, Tidball (2005) wrote that “The proximity of the heathlands to people’s homes and their high level of use can lead to public opposition to management activities such as tree felling and grazing. Most of these people want to see the heathlands conserved as open spaces for them to enjoy but have little knowledge or understanding of their history or wildlife and do not realise that active management is essential for their survival.” ___________________________________________________________________________ Fig. 1. Portrait of marsh gentians by Valerie Baines. Her exhibition, opened in March 2007, featured paintings based on plants and views of the Forest. The Forest has by far the largest population of this heathland species of anywhere in South East England. Grazing reduces competition from other plants, especially grasses. __________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ As in previous years sheep and cattle belonging to a commoner spent the summer and early autumn in the 550 hectare grazing area. Completion of a barn on land acquired by the Board at Whitehouse Farm (South Chase) allowed it to come into use over-winter while the purchase of two hectares of fields at Chuck Hatch (funded by the Society of Friends) not only offers the possibility of short-term livestock accommodation at some stage but also contributed to the Board’s long-standing policy of land acquisition within the Ancient Forest Pale. Staff, with the invaluable support of volunteers, continued species monitoring of birds (for example of the Dartford warbler and woodlark as part of a nationwide survey; Table 1), reptiles and butterflies. Botanical field-work also focused on heathland specialities such as early marsh orchid, thriving under the grazing regime in Old Lodge valley (one of only four sites in Sussex), marsh gentian, fragrant orchid (known at the best of its two Forest sites since at least 1836) and marsh clubmoss, a nationally declining species at its most south-easterly site in the UK on the heath near the Isle of Thorns.

3

___________________________________________________________________________ Table 1. The importance of the Forest for breeding birds. All are heathland species except Redstart and Wood Warbler. Numbers (singing males or territories) are those reported for 2005 (except *2002; **2004).

Source:

Sussex Ornithological Society. Complete county-wide data for 2006 are not yet available.

Species Sussex Ashdown Forest % of Sussex total Dartford warbler 100 36 36 Meadow pipit 190-200 73 37-38 Nightjar** 228 67 29 Redpoll 5-13 4-12 80-92 Redstart 46-47 35-36 74-78 Stonechat* 197 113 57 Tree pipit 129 51 40 Woodlark 72-73 27-29 37-40 Wood warbler 8 4 50

___________________________________________________________________________ A study on the unusual alder wood at Newbridge (Thompson 2006) highlighted the importance of coppicing to maintain a high diversity of plants and invertebrates, including some classified as nationally scarce or on the Sussex Rare Species Inventory. Given the expense of mechanical management, grazing was recommended by the study as a long-term objective for the site, a practice that had persisted there until 1974. The site appears almost treeless in a 1947 RAF aerial photograph. In woodland elsewhere, rhododendron clearance proceeded successfully under a plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and the hundreds of hours of work by volunteers in the ‘lost’ woodland garden at Chelwood Vachery received a boost with a generous grant by British American Tobacco, the previous owner of the site, for the dredging of the lake system. Along with the adjacent private grounds, the garden belonging to the Board was recommended by the Wealden Historic Gardens Survey, hosted by Wealden District Council in September, to be “considered of special historic interest in a national context”. ___________________________________________________________________________ Fig. 2. Volunteers from Southview Close Day Service, Crowborough (ESCC Social Services) tackle a wall of rhododendron near the Forest Centre. The Conservators are on course to controlling this highly invasive species within their target of five years. Some 130 people undertook an array of voluntary work on the Forest in the year. __________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ To judge by the number of road casualties, and complaints about their behaviour by gardeners, the population of fallow deer continues its rapid growth. Staff dealt with 336 casualties in the 2006 calendar year, 125 up on the previous record figure of 215 in 2005. The need for a coordinated local approach to deer led to the formation, in May, of the Ashdown Area Deer

4

Group. Among its members are local land-owners or managers, interest groups and representatives of the Deer Initiative that has a nationwide mandate looking at the worsening problem of deer casualties on roads. Both staff and Conservators contributed to the drafting of a deer warden scheme document for use county-wide by ESCC and Sussex Police. In 2005 Short et al. (2005) published a seminal paper with guidelines for the process of stakeholder engagement on common land. That same year Forest staff underwent initial training on the subject by facilitation consultants and later drew up a proposal with them that, in May 2006, led to a series of interviews with local stakeholders (published as 3KQ 2006). As HLS approached it became apparent that continuing the process would be invaluable not only to help achieve HLS objectives (agreed between the Board and NE), and be funded by HLS, but also contribute to producing an up-to-date management plan for the Forest. In January the first public meeting took place, in Nutley, with many of the interviewees from the previous May as well as with representatives of the broader community (3KQ 2007). At year’s end planning was underway for further meetings. From the engagement process, and from public reaction to tree and scrub clearance over the winter, it became more apparent than ever before that public understanding of the Forest (even the very meaning of the term), and the importance of heathland and its management, remained at a low level. As stated in the Annual Report for 2005/2006, addressing this is a key challenge. ___________________________________________________________________________

FINANCE & RESOURCES

Compared with 2005/2006, the Board’s operating income rose slightly (Appendix 1), from £571k to £605k. Grants from the local authorities (WDC, ESCC) and the Ashdown Forest Trust combined made up less than 28% of total income, in line with the long–term downward trend. The greatest single addition to income came from half a year’s worth of HLS grant (£157k), counter-balanced somewhat by the ending of grants from English Nature and Tomorrow’s Heathland Heritage. From 1 August all staff costs for heathland work could be offset against HLS. A new initiative, sponsorship of replacement memorial seats, added £25k. Operating expenditure increased from £502k to £580k. Major contributors to this change were salary costs (£28k), completion of work at Whitehouse Farm (£29k; in 2005/2006 all associated expenses were put under Capital, not Operating, Expenditure), an array of signage (for byelaws, gateways) and publications (e.g. walks leaflets, panels, newsletters; totalling £38k) and transport and machinery (£60k). By contrast, as a result of a review, Input VAT disallowed dropped from £42k in 2005/2006 to £7k in 2006/2007. The Centre’s computer network, introduced as recently as 2005/2006, has proved indispensable, although its upgrade to wireless connectivity in the year caused some problems. The sifting through of all Board files and past correspondence (very little extending further back than 1980) made good progress and is already facilitating access to previously poorly catalogued archives and information. A wood-working machine purchased in the year allows for the making of high quality signs and repairs. While the staff complement remained unchanged in the year (Appendix 3), the increasing size and complexity of the Board’s finances led to contracting an accountant at year’s end and recruitment was underway for posts of office assistant and shepherding grazing project officer. Staff training included courses for dealing with confrontational situations, the use of herbicides near water and the advanced application of Geographical Information Systems. On an exchange visit to the Hurtwood in the Surrey Hills AONB in June, field staff saw areas undergoing heathland restoration and noted the environmental impact of unrestricted mountain bike access.

5

AMENITY & COMMUNITY

The very end of 2005/2006 saw a presentation to the Board of a business plan for the future of the Forest Centre (Parkin Heritage and Tourism 2006). It became the subject of much discussion and some of its recommendations were taken forward, notably the installation of new signage at the Centre itself, an application for brown-backed signs on the A22 at Wych Cross, and the introduction of a cash till in the Information Barn. While few would doubt the need for upgrading the site, the resources to begin the process are not yet in sight. In September the High Weald AONB Unit applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund on behalf of 28 organisations, including the Board whose submission (written in 2005/2006) was to improve interpretation and education at the Centre. Also new for the year were five walks leaflets, six interpretation panels in car parks, and ten replacement benches, designed and made by a craftsman from Forest Stewardship Council-certified local oak. New gateway signs were erected at roadsides and new bye-law signage (Fig. 3) installed in all 48 car parks and at other locations where required. Improved communication came through the publication of two issues of Ashdown Forest life, whose forerunner had been a newsletter for Forest volunteers, and the launch in December of a new website designed by a volunteer. An exhibition by Stephen Dalton, a local resident and long acknowledged as one of the world’s leading high-speed nature photographers, opened at the Centre in April and lasted all summer. The next two exhibitions reflected, however unobtrusively, the Forest’s heathland heritage. Winnie-the-Pooh in the landscape, funded by Egmont Books Limited, comprised a selection of images from the Pooh books alongside near-matching photographs of the Forest today, but in different places. It illustrated both landscape change since the first publication of the stories in the 1920s and the heathland setting that epitomised them. More than 130 attended its unveiling by Councillor Mick Hall, Chairman of Crowborough Town Council in August. March saw the opening of The magic of Ashdown Forest. Paintings of flora, fauna and landscape by Wadhurst-based artist Valerie Baines. At the same time East Grinstead Museum was showing Ashdown Forest animals, many of whose exhibits came from the Centre. ___________________________________________________________________________ Fig. 3. One of a set of new individual bye-law signage installed over the year (left) and a snow-capped car park sign (right) with an illustrated ‘visitor-friendly’ approach to the main bye-laws. All signs now conform to a house-style that also appears on the new website and in Ashdown Forest life.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ The Forest (and Centre) hosted some 70 organised events in the year, such as school visits, sponsored dog walks and orienteering competitions while many youth groups staying at

6

Broadstone Warren used the Forest less formally. In the October half-term more than 220 people came to the Centre during the Ashdown Forest Food Festival to attend a fungi identification session. Students from Plumpton College and Chailey Secondary School gained work experience with staff. In May, after a year of preparation, the Ashdown Forest Villages Road Safety Partnership, involving ESCC, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services (ESFRS), local parishes and the Board, launched its Slow Down-Give Space Campaign at the Centre (Fig. 4). Nine drivers were fined for speeding on the day of the launch and everyone encouraged to sign up to the Campaign. There was extensive local media coverage. The Forest also featured inter alia on BBC1’s Countryfile programme on 23 May and on ITV3’s Tales from the country on 25 January. ___________________________________________________________________________ Fig. 4. Volunteers from Forest Row manning a Speed Indicator Device (SID) by the Forest Centre during the launch of the Slow Down – Give Space Campaign. Three weeks of use of the SID reduced the mean speed of eastbound traffic from 46 to 41 mph and of westbound traffic from 45 to 42. Three other sites were also manned.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ Liaison with other bodies remained at a high level. In April ESFRS donated a fire-fighting pod for loading onto the back of a 4x4, greatly improving staff’s ability to deal with the early stages of any fire, and close contact was maintained with Sussex Police’s efforts to reduce car crime in Forest car parks. One of the Rangers’ duties is to report breaking of the bye-laws to Conservators. In August a Forest resident was prosecuted in Lewes Magistrates Court for breaking three Forest bye-laws and a fly-tipper seen in action the same month was later cautioned by Sussex Police under the Environment Act 1990 and made to pay for clearing-up expenses by Forest staff. Staff assisted at the Air Ambulance evacuation of two casualties, one a suicide attempt, the other a rider thrown from her horse as a result of a dog out of control. The behaviour of dogs, and the mess they leave by car parks, is becoming more and more of an issue. Remembrance Sunday brought the largest ever crowd to the Airmans Grave (Fig. 5). It is hard to imagine such a scene on any other landscape in the county – wild, open, freely accessible and of a beauty to match the mood of the event, at once both sombre and celebratory. The attractions of the Forest – like goatsuckers, ironworks, Pooh and simply views – will remain for young and old, on foot or horse, from near and far only with dedicated management and protection backed by far-sighted policies and actions. The Board is determined to play its full part.

7

Appendix 1. Income and expenditure accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007; examined, unaudited accounts, as approved by the Board on 18 June 2007. The overall excess of income over expenditure was £20,695. The Total Reserves balance at 1 April 2007 stood at £188,300. Pie-chart sectors follow the order of the items in the adjacent columns (starting at ‘12.00 o’clock’). See p. 4.

Income 2006-2007. Total £605,296

ESCC

WDC

Ashdown Forest Trust

Friends of Ashdown Forest

Forest rates

Wayleaves

Commercial

Sundry income

Riding permits

Information Barn

Heathland grants (non HLS)

Forestry Commission

Heathland grants (HLS)

Expenditure 2006-2007. Total £584,601

Salaries

Administration

Transport, machinery & staff costs

Professional fees

Whitehouse Barn project

Input VAT disallowed

Information Barn & visitor

management

Woodland conservation

Heathland conservation (excluding

staff salaries)

8

___________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 2. Membership of the Board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest in 2006-2007, and by whom elected or appointed.

___________________________________________________________________________ Philip Glyn - Chairman Commoners Cllr John Barnes Ashdown Forest Trust Cllr Frank Brown WDC Michael Cooper ESCC Cllr David Elkin ESCC (August - ) Leslie Gillham Commoners Cllr Matthew Lock ESCC ( - August) Fred Marshall Commoners ( - March) Cllr Ruth O’Keeffe ESCC Cllr Simon Radford-Kirby ESCC ( - January )

Cllr Ray Parsons WDC Cllr Tony Reid ESCC Cllr Ros St Pierre ESCC John Spicer Commoners Edward Stenhouse Commoners (March - ) Cllr Richard Stogdon ESCC Rupert Thornley-Taylor Commoners Cllr Francis Whetstone ESCC

___________________________________________________________________________ Appendix 3. Staffing complement of the Forest, 31 March 2007, with year of appointment to current post.

___________________________________________________________________________ Clerk to the Conservators Hew Prendergast 2003 Office Manager Ros Marriott 1994 Conservation Officer Chris Marrable 1984 Rangers Rich Allum 2005

Roger Beal 2003 Chris Sutton 1988

Michael Yates 2003 Tractor Driver/Mechanic Colin Lutman 1986 Countryside Workers Michael Payne 2003 Ivan Playford 2005 Cleaner/Caretaker (p/t) Max Payton 2006 Litter Warden (p/t) Max Payton 2006

___________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES AND FOREST BIBLIOGRAPHY 3KQ. 2006. Ashdown Forest. Stakeholder views and perceptions: summary of interviews and general conclusions. Report for the Board of

Conservators of Ashdown Forest. 3KQ, Tunbridge Wells. 3KQ. 2007. Ashdown Forest. Stakeholder meeting transcript report. Report for the Board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest. 3KQ,

Tunbridge Wells. Action plan for the Forest’s future 1 April 2005- 31 March 2006. Internal document, Board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest. Bull, N. 2006. Visitor perceptions and attitudes towards the environmental impacts in the Ashdown Forest. Unpublished BA (Hons) thesis,

University of Brighton. Parkin Heritage and Tourism. 2006. Ashdown Forest Centre business plan. Report to the Conservators of Ashdown Forest by

Parkin Heritage and Tourism, Dartmouth. Short, C., Hayes, L., Selman, P. and Wragg, A. 2005. A common purpose: a guide to agreeing management on common land. Report to the

Countryside Agency, English Nature, The National Trust, Open Spaces Society and RDS, Defra. English Nature, Peterborough.

Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS). 2003, 2005, 2006. The Sussex bird report, 2002, 2004 and 2005. Thompson, J. 2006. Newbridge alder carr. Site survey. Unpublished MSc thesis, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex. Tidball, H.A.J. 2005. Reducing urban pressures on heathland. In Prendergast H.D.V. (ed.), Heathlands – past, present and future,

pp. 137-144. Proceedings of the 8th National Heathland Conference, University of Sussex, 7–9 September 2004. East Sussex County Council for the 8th National Heathland Conference.

Tourism SouthEast Research Services. 2004. Ashdown Forest visitor monitoring survey 2004. Report commissioned by Wealden District Council and the Ashdown Forest Tourism Forum.

___________________________________________________________________________ Fig. 5. Some of the many hundreds who stood on Remembrance Day at the Airmans Grave, and the poppies and wreaths they left behind. The event is getting bigger year by year, leading to logistic and medical problems. ___________________________________________________________________________