Maybush Copse opening draws closer

In the last few months considerable progress has been made at Maybush Copse, Chidham. The laying of a protective membrane and topsoil over a large portion of the 8-acre site has been completed together with footpaths, a new kissing gate and sections of perimeter fencing. The majority of the 4,000 saplings that were planted last winter have benefited from the damp summer and the grass areas have been seeded. Once these have established themselves the site will be opened to the public.

It has been a long and eventful journey since the Copse was first put on the market in May 2008 but thanks to the determination and generosity of the local community, supported by the Conservancy and Trust, the project is now coming to fruition.

1 Nov 11

Eames Farm Education Centre opened

A new education centre at Eames Farm, Thorney Island was officially opened this month by Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council and Chairman of the Harbour Conservancy.

The centre has been created by converting a redundant stable block built in traditional brick and flint materials and now provides a well-equipped teaching area with associated office accommodation and storeroom.

The new centre – at the heart of a working organic beef farm within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - will be used to highlight the important role farming plays in helping to manage the landscape of the harbour and the wildlife that depends upon it.

Eames Farm will be promoted as an example of good agricultural management – particularly of rare coastal grazing marsh – within an internationally important conservation area.

This will be of value both to students working within the National Curriculum; to the wider farming and land management community, and to the general public. The facility will provide a valuable extension to the Conservancy’s existing education programme.

Eames Farm (170 acres) was acquired by the Chichester Harbour Trust in 2008 and is managed by the Harbour Conservancy. The Trust was pleased to be able to raise £25,000 from the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust towards the cost of the project.

16 May 2011
 

First new trees planted at Maybush Copse


Members of Maybush Copse Friends were out in force on Saturday 22 Jan to plant the first 400 new trees on the 8-acre site.

Under the direction of Conservancy Ranger Keith Rathbone the volunteers from the local community planted oak, ash and a variety of other native species including, of course, hawthorn, or may.

A further 3,000 trees will be planted on the site over the coming two weeks, including a number by children from nearby Chidham School.

The provision of these trees has been funded by the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme.

24 Jan 11
 

‘Visitor Payback’ Scheme in support of the Trust launched by Canute Cottages, Cobnor Estate, Chidham

Diana Beale, who owns Canute Cottages, 4 self-catering holiday cottages at Cobnor, has generously agreed to introduce the first ‘Visitor Payback’ scheme in support of the Chichester Harbour Trust.

The scheme will satisfy the wish of nearly all the visitors to this unspoilt location to contribute in a modest way to the conservation of Chichester Harbour. They will be able to acknowledge the pleasure they have derived from the beautiful environment during the course of their stay and ‘pay back’ something towards its future protection.

By paying a small voluntary donation to the charity added to their accommodation bill, visitors will be helping to preserve the landscape and wildlife habitats of the harbour for future generations to enjoy.

Additionally, to increase the value of the gifts, Diana has generously pledged to match each donation pound for pound.

The Beale family at Cobnor Estate has a proud conservation record and continues to work to protect and enhance the local environment with its ‘green’ policies. Canute Cottages already hold the Green Tourism Gold Award.

The Chichester Harbour Trust is delighted by this initiative. It hopes that other businesses in the harbour area will follow the ‘green’ example of Canute Cottages and adopt similar schemes in support of the charity.

For further information about Canute Cottages see www.canutecottages.co.uk 
 

October 2010

Waterside meadow at Apuldram acquired by the Trust

This autumn has seen another significant addition to the portfolio of land in the care of the Chichester Harbour Trust when the charity acquired 15 acres of waterside meadow at Apuldram. Lying immediately north of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the plot forms a belt of meadow from the water’s edge east to Apuldram Lane. The area nearest the harbour is low-lying with a network of freshwater drainage ditches and public footpaths.

This segment, and particularly the freshwater ditches, supports some interesting flora and is also regularly used for feeding by waders such as black-tailed godwit and snipe.

The eastern portion is a little higher and is managed for hay and occasional grazing of cattle by a tenant farmer. The plot is linked to Sites of Nature Conservation Interest both to the north and south and lies only 500 yards south of the meadowland at Fishbourne that is already under Conservancy management, all of which adds to the site’s appeal.

The Trust will continue to lease the land for grazing in this way which provides the ideal environment for a wide variety of plant species and the undeveloped look of the land can continue to be enjoyed by the many members of the public who use the footpaths.

Generous offer of support from Thornham Marina

Thornham Marina has generously proposed a new way of supporting the Chichester Harbour Trust. The marina, in the Thorney Channel, has said that when any new customer booking winter storage (4 months minimum) this year states at the time that they’re a supporter of the charity, then the marina will make a donation of £150 to the Trust.

So, any Trust supporter deciding where to lay up their boat this winter, consider Thornham Marina and remember to mention that you wish to participate in the charity donation scheme.

Details of the offer and the facilities available at the marina can be obtained from the marina manager, Jeanette Critchell: jeanette@thornhammarina.com tel: 01243 375335

“Historic” Buffer Zone Agreement Signed

After prolonged negotiation between the Chichester Harbour Trust and West Sussex County Council, the Council has agreed to create an undeveloped buffer zone to the north-east of the harbour by transferring blocks of land in its ownership to the Chichester Harbour Trust.

The idea is that the zone would sit between the Harbour’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and any future housing or highways developments.

A joint ‘statement of understanding’ on the future transfer of land was signed at County Hall on 9 July by County Council Leader Henry Smith and Sir Jeremy Thomas, Chairman of the Chichester Harbour Trust.

It says – “West Sussex County Council and the Chichester Harbour Trust both wish to protect and conserve the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from any environmentally damaging impact resulting from any future proposals for housing or highways development south west of Chichester. They have agreed in principle to create an undeveloped buffer zone by transferring blocks of land from the County Council to the Trust of sufficient width to enable the Trust to safeguard the land in perpetuity.

The details of the phased land transfer will be agreed between the County Council and the Trust, working in partnership, as the details of any proposed, future development emerge.”

Henry Smith described the agreement as ‘historic’.

He said: “Chichester Harbour is such an important area for very many reasons, including its unique landscape and wildlife. It needs as much protection as possible from development pressures, and this agreement recognises that.”

Sir Jeremy said: “I am delighted about this agreement in principle with the County to transfer land south west of the city to help safeguard the Harbour’s AONB from damaging development in that area.

"There is no doubt that the qualities that make our harbour a national asset are under threat. Ever increasing demands from Central Government for more and more houses, resulting in the use of sites that cannot sensibly sustain them, must be resisted.

“ It means the work of the Trust in acquiring environmentally sensitive areas around the harbour to protect them in perpetuity, is badly needed. We need all the support we can get.

"I salute the vision of the County Council in signing with us this strategic document. It offers hope for the future".