First published, Pevensey Bay Journal, edition 26
Saturday 25 May 2019
available in local newsagents, priced 40pence
Alan Everard is a local artist specialising in Thames Sailing Barges and Nature. He says he ‘feels lucky to have a wall of his own in the Ocean View Bakery & Restaurant in Pevensey Bay”.
The subject to be covered must be the Bates Green Farm “Bluebell Walk” Arlington.
This year it was open from 11th of April to 19th May. It has up to eight beautiful walks of varying length. Some walks use only the beautifully maintained Bluebell Wood and some take in interesting farm trails as well. John McCutchan, the farmer, opened the wood to help raise funds for local charities.
To help this admirable aim he also in 1972 opened a large barn near the entrance which he uses to offer visitors a variety of hot drinks and cakes or full lunch.
This is run by charity workers as are the many stalls around the barn selling mostly home grown plants but also cards and pictures. There is a veritable library of books for sale and, to the delight of us all a mini zoo containing sections for lambs, young goats and piglets.
There is also a shop selling, amongst other natural items, Bird seed (we bought a sack of it ).
Vi and I were there on Saturday 20th April to help on the R.S.P.B. sales stall in the barn and, naturally, did one of the walks. The woods were covered with that low growing beauty, Wood Anemones, sometimes called “Windflowers” whose beautiful blossoms provided a wonderful white carpet under the Bluebells which, at that time were only half open but still provided a beautiful picture. We returned later to find the Bluebells fully out but the “Windflowers” still doing their supporting act to complete an amazing vista of blue and white under the fresh green of the tree’s new leaves.
It is, of course, closed now but next year I shall be happy to remind you in good time of its opening dates and times so you don’t miss this visual pleasure and joy with Nature. Which, by the way, has raised over £1million to date – what an achievement !
Our friend, Hazel, had the unusual experience of being in her garden when a Grey Heron arrived, landing near her pond. It looked in the pond, saw no fish and immediately flew off again. About this time that wonderful group, Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service, rescued an injured Heron (probably not the same one) in Eastbourne.
I was advised by Nick, in Normans Bay, that he had seen that most beautiful of birds the Kingfisher. I have had the good luck to see one by the stream in Coast Road outside our house. So, although they are suffering a decline in numbers across the U.K., we seem to have our full share here. Similarly, I have seen a little Egret which another Coast Roader not only saw, but photographed. Again, some time ago the W.R.A.S. rescued a Kingfisher from Hadlow Down that had been attacked by a cat. Fortunately his injuries were slight so he was able to be treated for the wounds and soon released. Aren’t we lucky to have them?
Do enjoy our wonderful local Nature.
