Castle Hill Conservation Group celebrate 20 years of local conservation

Conservation volunteers, naturalists and local residents joined together to celebrate 20 years of the Castle Hill Conservation Group.

Castle Hill Conservation Group first came together in 1999 to transform a derelict piece of land near Newhaven Fort into the well-loved, biodiverse Local Nature Reserve that it is today.

Newhaven Town Mayor, Councillor Graham Amy, a founder member of the Castle Hill Conservation Group, cut a celebratory cake and opened a new wildlife pond at the event.

Councillor Amy said:

“The award-winning group has been the envy of many, not least because of the fantastic experts involved, particularly Steve Teale, David Harris and Neil Greenaway for their wildlife knowledge and Dr Geoffrey Meade for history and geology. Many members of the group and the Lewes District Council rangers have passed on their knowledge and enthusiasm over the years.”

Chairman of Lewes District Council, Councillor Stephen Gauntlett, thanked all involved for their work over the years.

Additionally, a moth trap was opened during the event and many beautiful and fascinating insects were studied on the day. Other members of the group walked the ‘Butterfly Transect’ across the reserve and took part in the Big Butterfly Count.

To learn more about Castle Hill see www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk  or to join the Castle Hill Group mailing list contact [email protected]

See www.bigbutterflycount.org to take part in the Big Butterfly Count.

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