Presentation slides from Tuesday 25th November 2025
Peter Thurman of The Thurman Consultancy talked about how trees may ameliorate the effects of Climate Change and how humans can enable them to do this.
Tag: environment
The June Transport Season at Lewes Climate Hub
A thought-provoking series of talks and discussions aimed at assessing practical interventions to make Lewes an easier, less noisy, less polluted and more enjoyable place to work, shop, wander and relax in.
Full details of the season can be seen here: In a Jam: Five ideas to get Lewes moving
Ham Lane Sewage discharges
BBC South East have picked up on Friends of Lewes concerns over discharges of untreated Sewage into the river Ouse at Lewes and our call for an embargo on Housebuilding until the infrastructure is able to cope. Here is their investigation into the Ham Lane Pumping Station discharges.
The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Partnership Management Plan for the Future
There are many people who play a role in looking after the National Park. The Partnership Management Plan (PMP) is a key document that sets out the priorities for the South Downs National Park for the next five years and how we will work together to achieve this shared vision.
The world is facing both climate and nature crises at a time when people have never needed access to green space more. The South Downs National Park is already being impacted and needs an ambitious vision for the next five years to meet these crises and to deliver for nature, climate, people and place. This is your National Park, and we need your input to decide what the shared priorities for the next five years should be. Over the coming months there will be different opportunities to get involved.
Resources for Change are working with the SDNPA to ensure we hear from as many voices as possible but to do that we really need your support. We think that your views around what the National Park does next are critical and so please do sign up or encourage others to do the same and help create a plan for the future that works for nature and for everyone.
Please see the table of upcoming events below and a link to the SDNPA website were you can complete a short survey.
Phase 2: Priority outcomes and action planning – Everyone is welcome to attend events listed below.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Wednesday 5th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 7pm – 9pm | ONLINE |
| Thursday 6th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 10am – 3pm | Stroud Village Hall |
| Monday 10th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 10am – 3pm | Pulborough Village Hall |
| Tuesday 11th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 7pm – 9pm | ONLINE |
| Wednesday 12th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 7pm – 9pm | ONLINE |
| Friday 14th March CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE | 10am – 3pm | Linklater Pavilion, Lewes |
Together for Nature, Climate and People – South Downs National Park Authority
Lewes Flood Exhibition – Call for exhibits
Do you have photographs or memorabilia of the Lewes Floods? Did you write a poem or paint any pictures? This October is the 25th Anniversary of the 2000 Lewes Floods when over 600 homes and 300 businesses were devastated, as following days of very heavy rain the river Ouse burst its banks and flooded large areas of Lewes.
The Friends of Lewes are organising an exhibition of flood memories and experiences, and we would like to hear from people who can loan photographs/ memorabilia etc. We would also like to audio record people’s memories of the time, and reflections 25 years on.
We are particularly interested to hear from any children or families who slept in the Town Hall or Malling Community Centre, and hear their memories and reflections 25 years on.
Harvey’s Brewery Yard 3pm 12th Oct 2000
Winterbourne Festival 1st – 9th March 2025
Instagram / Facebook / Love our Ouse Website
Sponsored by The Friends of Lewes
Community initiative Love our Ouse and local partners have been awarded funds to deliver a festival on the 1st to the 9th March dedicated to the Winterbourne Stream that flows through Lewes
Read the press release here:
Coffee Time Talk: Laughton Greenwood – Our Local Community Woodland – 19 March 2024
Tuesday 19 March, 10.30 am, Eastgate Church Hall, Eastgate Street, Lewes, BN7 2LR
Steve Lewis of Laughton Greenwood
The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe. Trees bring us beauty, mindfulness and carbon capture. Within Lewes town we have the excellent work of Lewes Urban Arboretum, planting trees on the verges. But the nearest community woodland to Lewes is Laughton Greenwood, just beyond Ringmer. This is one of the few volunteer-run woods in Sussex. Whereas most of the surrounding woods have signs that say ‘Private – Keep Out’, Laughton Greenwood has signs that say ‘Welcome’. Volunteers try to manage the wood for three purposes. One, to develop the ancient trees and English broadleaf wood, two, to increase nature and biodiversity, and three, to increase opportunities for the public to visit. Regular nature walks and bird or butterfly transects bring the chance to learn more about nature, and we would love to offer visits for local schools.
Come and hear Steve Lewis, current chair of the volunteer committee talk about Laughton Greenwood and the challenges and opportunities.
Tree-planting group at Laughton Greenwood, photo: courtesy of Laughton Greenwood
This talk is free for Friends of Lewes. Non-members can pay £4.00 on the door to attend or join here.
See the Diary page for a list of forthcoming events organised by the Friends of Lewes
Friends of Lewes 