East Sussex multi ethnic group takes its first country walk through Brede High Woods
Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Farsi and Bangladeshi were all heard in Brede High Woods recently, as a group of Sussex residents who are supported by the Sompriti group enjoyed their first country walk and picnic in the Woodland Trust’s 650 acre site.
Sompriti is a black and minority ethnic charity based in Lewes. Its mission is to empower black and minority ethnic people by building flourishing communities and addressing race discrimination.
Most of the 31 walkers who were accompanied by their translators have no cars of their own and had never been on a trip to the countryside. They originate variously from Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, India, Iran and Bangladesh, and now live in Eastbourne, Bexhill and St Leonards.
They included people in the 70s as well as children still in buggies.
Organisers of the day included consultant, Vicky Lawrence, who has worked with Sompriti on previous occasions, Sompriti translators Chi Ling Chan and Shahin Chowdhury and members of Rother District Council who helped to fund the event with the Woodland Trust.
Dave Bonsall, the Trust’s woodland officer for Brede High Woods, said: “This was a really special day for our staff. We show people around our woods all the time, but we had walkers here who have lived in the UK for five years but have never set foot in the countryside, let alone taken a walk in the woods. It was great to see them collecting bags of sweet chestnuts and really enjoying the fresh air and autumn colours.
“The day also put into action one of our core beliefs at the Trust, which is that everyone should have open access to our woods. Lots of people last week couldn’t believe they were allowed to walk in a place as special as this free of charge, and their feedback was really positive. We hope they will be inspired to visit a wood again.”
Chi Ling Chan from Sompriti said: “I have to thank you to give us a chance to come in a group. It was definitely a lovely day to everyone. There are many stories behind individuals but the day brought them together and they forgot the sorrows and illnesses. I hope we can do it again.”
The Woodland Trust purchased Brede High Woods, set around the Powdermill reservoir, in late 2007 and is now working to protect this important area, sensitively improve the habitat within, increase access for the public and engage local communities and schools.
About half of the site is ancient woodland – the UK’s equivalent of the rainforest and our richest wildlife habitat, having been continuously wooded for at least 400 years and in some cases since the last Ice Age.
The wood is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with recent sightings of both red kite and wild boar and increased numbers of barn owls being reported.
Evidence of once thriving iron and gunpowder industries hidden within a complex mosaic of woods, grassland and heath, make Brede one of the Trust’s most interesting sites, for both ecological and archaeological specialists and members of the public.
The wood is situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Access to all Trust sites is free.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, email: media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.