Comment by Jonathan Parsons on November 12, 2011 at 10:52

Could I nominate The Sustainability Centre for the category of 'Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning experiences'

Comment by Maureen C Comber on November 12, 2011 at 13:12

Alice Holt Forest a unique blend of history, archaeology and living culture.  There are some tranquil and unspoilt places but difficult to get to because of the A325 causing Community severance.

It is spoilt by its poor design and layout.  By that I mean that the busy recreational hub is an obstruction to everything else because it is sited in the centre of the forest rather than opposite Birdworld.  At that location it could be more easily accessed from Bentley Station and the village of Rowledge would be more accessible.  Also one car journey would satisfy a visit to Birdworld and Alice Holt.

In the Report of the Land Commissioner's of George III it says that because Alice Holt is a commonable forest, it should be treated more like the Forest of Dean and the New Forest.

I say let the forester's do what they do best which is grow trees and let the SDNP manage the commonable forest on behalf of the commoners of which I am one.

It is also an area shaped by centuries of farming and embracing new rural enterprise eg www.groomes.co.uk

Comment by Ellen Simpson on November 14, 2011 at 14:20

'Unique blend of archaeology, history and living culture': Winchester I think embodies this? As well as 'Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning experiences'.

 

Examples of strong and distinctive communities with real pride in the area: Bishop's Waltham, New Alresford and Wickham?

Comment by Peter Williamson on November 14, 2011 at 15:04

At the final engagement workshop held at University of Sussex on 4 November, I suggested that another special quality of the SDNP was its proximity (in its eastern sector) to the largest human populations (Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne) of all other NPs. This is not only unique, but a very strong justification for the SDNP to implement its statutory purposes and duty with this relationship in mind. From a public health perspective, the SDNP is, on the one hand through the productivity of its land and soil, a sustainable source of high quality, nutritious food and drink for a balanced, affordable diet available through accessible outlets close to where large, urban, less well-off communities reside. On the other, the SDNP is a permanent resource for effective outdoors exercise, especially for people who will significantly benefit from walking-based physical activity on appropriate terrain at suitable locations in the face of, for example, the growing obesity epidemic. Facilitating such a relationship in a responsible way will not only educate and inform people as guardians of the SDNP but also target its resources at communities with greatest needs for the long term, mutual benefit of both park and people. This is the nub of the potential of gateway locations to the SDNP, such as Stanmer Park, and of the emerging Stanmer Experience Project. This translates into GOLDEN not simply ‘Great’ opportunities for recreational activities and learning experiences as the relevant special quality.

Comment by Jonathan Parsons on November 17, 2011 at 10:56

Ellen, agree, but it's not in the Park!

Comment by Philip Brenchley on November 19, 2011 at 11:10

I think the village of East Meon must be included.  A quintessential English village, that still is lived in by agricultural workers living side by side with `city` men.  With the usual thatched cottages and stream running parallel to the High Street, one of its unique features is the 14th century Court House, the original administrative centre for the Bishops of Winchester who owned much land in the vicinity.  The church is very striking, being a modelled on Winchester cathedral, and has a similar carved font made from Tournai marble.  Philip Brenchley

Comment by Sarah Hogben on November 21, 2011 at 11:53

The qualities that make the SDNP unique is not just seen in the physical product but also in its 'sense of place', as evidenced in the high quality events that take place in or near the park.  For example Steyning has a diverse and vibrant two week Festival in May / June that includes a programme of music, visual arts, theatre, literature and walks.

Comment by Karen Pritty on November 21, 2011 at 22:53

The hamlet of Streat is certainly a 'tranquil and unspoilt place' - could we be added to the map please? 

Comment by Alison Tingley on November 23, 2011 at 11:20

Winchester City itself may not be in but the Park boundary does extend virtually into the centre of town along the water meadows. There is also St Catherine's Hill, not that tranquil thanks to the M3, but great opportunities for recreation, and adundant wildlife

Comment by Ellen Simpson on November 23, 2011 at 11:23

Thanks Alison I have been meaning to say that about the park extent reaching into Winchester. Great debate sparked here....

Comment by Jonathan Parsons on November 24, 2011 at 9:53

Sorry, poor research on my part. Apologies. Winnall Moors reserve, on the edge of Winch, is that within the park? Amazing spot to see Water Voles!

Comment by Ellen Simpson on November 24, 2011 at 10:55

No problem - is actually good to know we are not flagging it up loudly enough. All that will change in January when we launch the Visit Winchester and heart of Hampshire Guide with a 16pp South Downs National Park pull out for the Hampshire area!

 

 

Comment by Sarah Hogben on November 28, 2011 at 11:39

I'd like to nominate RSPB Pulborough Brooks under 'A rich variety of wildlife and habitats including rare and internationally important species'  as well as the historic village of Pulborough with wonderful views in the lee of the South Downs under 'Unique blend of archaeology, history and living culture'. With reference to my earlier comment about Steyning's 2 week community festival (amongst other events they organise) this vilage certainly falls under the category of 'Examples of strong and distinctive communities with real pride in the area'.

Comment by Skylark on December 5, 2011 at 17:27

Diverse inspirational landscapes with breathtaking views exist at Old Winchester Hill and Beacon Hill near Warnford and Exton.  Both command magnificent views over the South Hampshire basin to the south .  Old Winchester Hill is of great historic military significance and along with Beacon Hill is the home to rare orchid species and other chalkland flora and butterfly colonies.

Cheesefoot head also falls into this category and is the site of crop circles.

Matterley Bowl is a large natural amphitheatre and Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are three bowl barrows there, boxing events were staged there to entertain the American troops in WW" and it was here that General Eisenhower addressed the troops before D Day.

Comment by Skylark on December 5, 2011 at 17:37

Claylands Nature Reserve at Bishop 's Waltham has a rich variety of flora and fauna including rare and internationally important species such as the greater crested newt.

Vernon Hill and St Stephen's Hill north of Bishop's Waltham also command magnificent views to the Solent and eastwards across the South Hampshire Basin.

The villages of  Kilmeston, Cheriton Beauworth, Upham and hamlets of Ashton and Vernon Hill are strong communities minded to conserve and enhance the scattered rural  settlement qualities of SDNPA on the southern slopes of the downland.

Comment by Judith Ralph on December 5, 2011 at 23:43

Heyshott, an unspoilt village literally at the (northern) foot of the South Downs - Richard Cobden's summer home, tablet in church, legacy in village hall.  Farmers still plant in 'old-fashioned' crop rotation. Ambersham Common on northern edge of the village is a SSSI - rare example of heathland in the area, being managed to return it to heathland / grazing now. ...and the Murray Downland Trust also working to return Heyshott Down with a combination of clearing and grazing.

The Trundle, above Goodwood racecourse - Iron Age Hill fort, with trig point, skylarks and glorious 360o (!) views to Brighton, Chichester, Isle of Wight and Singleton and sweeping vistas to the north

Comment by Skylark on December 6, 2011 at 16:30

Special ecological sites also exist at The Moors, on south east edge of Bishop's Waltham and Dundridge Nature Reserve.

The Moors is a wetland ot National importance, it is one of the great surviving areas of unimproved meadows and lowland wetlands in Hampshire.  It is an SSSI with complex ecology.  Flora includes greater tussock sedges,helleborines adn orchids in the fen-like marshes neighbouring the ling and butterwort clad drier heathland.

The diverse fauna includes frogs, many invertebrates, emperor dragonflies,snipeand kingfisher.

Sand boils occur in the spring as the ground water bubbles to the surface through the silts, the area being the main source of the River Hamble.

Waltham Chase Mill is opposite on the B2177 which has a very deep water race.

 

Dundridge Nature Reserve is located in the very quiet and peaceful Dundridge valley north east of Bishop's Waltham from which many guided tours are taken to it. It is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Another upper reach of the Hamble drainage basin there are ponds, ancient woodlands like Runnydown Copse (Woodland Trust), Beechen Copse (Forestry Commission England) and paths to Galley Down (SSSI).

Dundridge Nature Reserve has flora including orchids,helleborines, cowslips hay rattle and the sarcophytic broomrape.

Fauna includes weasels, stoats, buzzards, the Hobby, Red Kites, Little Owls, Scandinavian thrushes, rarer butterflies and dragonflies.

I do hope these suggestions help with the mapping.

Comment by Glynn Jones on December 7, 2011 at 17:04

Can I suggest you add Amberley Museum and Heritage centre as "Unique blend of archaeology, history and living culture" and "Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning" experiences

Comment by Sarah Hogben on December 7, 2011 at 18:06

Parham House and Gardens (between Pulborough and Storrington) should also be included under 'Unique blend of archaeology, history and living culture' and 'Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning' - www.parhaminsussex.co.uk.

Comment by Maureen C Comber on December 7, 2011 at 21:43

Selborne is definitely a heritage site being the home of Gilbert White the first naturalist of the late 1700's.  Nestling under the steep hangers it attracts many visitors during the summer months.  It would be hard to find a more community friendly village with its two pubs, various clubs, church and school.

Sadly it is daily abused by the east west flow of traffic along the B3006 between the A3 and A31.  Car parking can be a problem.

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