Posted in Activities, Events, Public | Tags: Chesworth Farm, Friends of Chesworth Farm, Macmillan Cancer Support, Volunteer Centre
Hay cutting almost underway! This was confirmed by Horsham District Council (HDC) this morning as follows: “Farm machinery is expected around the farm from the afternoon of Sunday 16 Sept and at various times during the 2 weeks after. This is to allow cutting of the grassland, turning, baling and then removal of the bales.
“Please take car around the hay cutting machinery. We advise that you keep dogs on leads during this period.
“…If you have any comments or questions please contact Parks and Countryside Services at parks@horsham.gov.uk or tel 01403 256890.”
More details can be found on HDC notices round the farm.
Posted in Activities, Nature, Public | Tags: Chesworth Farm, hay cut, HDC, Horsham District Council, Parks and Countryside Services
Latest Horsham Green Gym task on the farm: around 20 hardy volunteers dug ditches and reinforced the bank on Pedlars Way and Occupation Road.
They also pruned back vegetation on gateways, particularly at lower Spring Barn-Pedlars Way bridleway gate. We hear it’s now to spec for a 16-hand stallion and rider to pass through. Thank you!
Photos: Ryan Allison
Posted in Activities, Nature, Public | Tags: Horsham Green Gym, Occupation Road, Pedlars Way, Spring Barn
Mike Ayling reports from a weekend bird survey on Chesworth Farm: “As September was upon us and winds were southerly I thought a visit may produce some temporarily halted migrants, and I was not mistaken.
“All the usual birds were seen but as I approached Little Horsham Hill field I noticed a small passerine perched on top of the highest part of the hedge. It was a very smart Whinchat. The hedge seemed to be alive with birds and included both a male and female Redstart.
“As I approached Platt pond I heard and then saw a Reed Warbler which was actually in the hedge opposite the pond. Nice to see a family party of Bullfinch also.”
A record photo of the Whinchat by David Verrall
Posted in Activities, Public | Tags: David Verrall, Little Horsham Hill, Mike Ayling, Platt Pond, Whinchat
Introducing the new Neighbourhood Wardens, Alison Page and Lucy Hallett, covering parts of Horsham Town including Chesworth Farm.
If you see them on the farm, we know you will make them welcome. Below is Alison on a recent visit. On the poster you will find a summary of their work, plus their contact details. You can Tweet them @HorshamWardens or telephone them: 07795 051555 (Alison) or 07795 051561 (Lucy). In an emergency always dial 999.
Based within the community, the HDC Neighbourhood Wardens work alongside partner agencies to improve the quality of life for everyone by undertaking a number of activities from enforcement to community development, working with elderly, vulnerable or young people.
They have enforcement powers and carry out high visibility patrols to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
Posted in Public | Tags: Alison Page, HDC, Lucy Hallett, Neighbourhood Wardens
This week the heavy showers after weeks of drought brought a tree is down across the Riverside Walk “wet loop” behind Tip Field. Undeterred by the size of the task, the next morning an HDC countryside warden team set-to with chainsaws and the path was soon clear and usable again.
Now farm users are just waiting for a large branch to be cleared from Pedlars Way off-site up Denne Hill, this one being investigated by the West Sussex County Council rangers.
Posted in Activities, Nature, Public | Tags: Denne Hill, HDC, HDC wardens, Pedlars Way, Riverside Walk, Tip Field, WSCC
PLEASE NOTE: THIS VERY POPULAR EVENT IS NOW FULL
The Friends of Chesworth Farm are litter picking today and on the first Saturday of the month (not October) 14.00-16.00.
The Friends now have an official HDC Adopt a Street litter picking team. You are welcome to come along. Litter picking equipment supplied. Wear clothes suited to the task and the weather please. Meet at the Volunteer Centre unless advised otherwise. We have set aside two hours, but only stay as long as you wish. If you have any questions, you can contact us, email chesworthfarm@hotmail.co.uk or tel: 07512 966174.
If you would like to volunteer and park on site, preferably let us know in advance and we will let you in at the barrier. On the day, you can do this by telephoning our Friends phone: 07512 966174.
Thanks to all those who already pick up and dispose of their litter – or tidy up others’ litter – when they visit.
The litter pick team testing out the kit
Posted in Activities, Events, Public | Tags: Adopt a Street, Friends of Chesworth Farm, HDC, Volunteer Centre
The lovely Chesworth House, adjoining the farm, is in the spotlight this week. It’s up for sale with Savills of Petworth. The guide price is £6 million.
It also gets several minutes of screen time on Six Wives with Lucy Worsley, at 10pm tomorrow (Sunday 29 July) on BBC4 (repeat), due to one of its most famous residents being Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII.
Posted in Public | Tags: Catherine Howard, Chesworth House, Lucy Worsley, Savills, Six Wives with Lucy Worsley
“Fascinating and educational”, “They were full of tales of mice and shrews” “Enjoyable and informative” were the verdicts after our first FCF Small Mammal early morning event. HDC countryside warden Tony Utting explained the main differences between our small mammals, before heading on to the farm to open the live traps, activated the night before.
Guests were rewarded with the sight of lots of small creatures including Yellow-necked mice, voles and a Common Shrew. They were also able to view video footage of mammals entering the traps and see captive-bred Harvest Mice released in the farm’s wetland area.
Posted in Activities, Events, Nature, Public | Tags: Common Shrew, FCF, HDC, Small mammals, Tony Utting, Yellow-necked mice
