Start Time & Location: 10 am at The Cow Barn, Knepp Safaris, New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, West Sussex RH13 8NN (OS Grid Ref: TQ 150 204). MJW can email a map to anyone requiring one (see email address below).
Background: The Knepp Castle is a 1,400 hectare (3,500 acre) block of land lying on the Low Weald of West Sussex (a few miles south of Horsham). About 16 years ago the estate owners decided to return the land to a semi-natural state; an experiment in ‘re-wilding’. All former arable land was restored to grassland and both domestic and wild grazers /browsers/foragers were allowed to wander freely after the removal of numerous fences. If you are interested to read more about the estate then please contact MJW who can email you a recent British Wildlife article describing the estate.
Molluscan survey: Very little of the estate has been surveyed for Mollusca except for a partial river corridor survey on a stretch of the River Adur. The main focus of the meeting will be to investigate blocks of old woodland, stream valleys, laggs and a mill pond, all lying in the southern, un-surveyed (for Mollusca) sector of the estate.
Other details: The meeting will start with a short talk given by Penny Green, the Estate’s Ecologist. Depending upon numbers, we will be taken on Saturday morning to outlying parts of the estate in an off-road vehicle (takes 9 passengers).
Accommodation: You can simply come for the day/s or may (especially if coming from some distance) wish to stay on, or near the estate. The Knepp Estate can provide you with accommodation in either yurts or shepherd’s huts (the latter have log burning stoves and so may be better if the weather is cooler). The Estate are offering a concessionary rate to Society members: £60.00 +VAT per night per 2-person unit to include bedding. There are facilities to allow self-catering in the glamping kitchen. If you are considering staying on the estate then please call Penny Green (as soon as possible) on 01403 741235 to book required nights and provide payment. You can stay for any combination of up to three nights (Friday 13th – Sunday 15th October). ALTERNATIVELY, if wishing to stay locally, you might consider the Crown Inn, which is only a 10 minute walk from the meeting point: http://www.crown-inn-dialpost.co.uk/ (at end of campsite track). Another option is at the Countryman https://www.countrymanshipley.co.uk/ (a 5 minute drive). It is best to book for these pubs as they get busy.
Further information: Please contact Martin Willing @ martinjwilling@gmail.com and/or call on 01730 814790. It is essential to let him know if you are intending to attend the field meeting and explain if you are staying locally and also if you are considering a further day on Sunday 15th October.
Martin Willing (martinjwilling@gmail.com; 01730 814790)