May 22nd, 2017.

Brian Skinner reports:



The Friends of Tide Mills completed their May meeting yesterday morning in very pleasant weather. Hopefully, the recent unsettled weather is now behind us.

20 members collected five - yes,  just five! - sacks of assorted litter and the whole area is now looking near to its best, with the emergent vegetated shingle plants now close to full bloom and the birds are singing and nesting. This really is a great time to visit.

We know there are several unsung heroes out there who also collect litter in their own time and pace and we are very grateful to you, and all those who ensure they leave the area as they would wish to find it.

Our nesting Ringed Plover signs are still in place. Please do limit any disturbance of the signed area as much as possible- these little birds are active, so hopefully, we will witness another successful breeding year. Obviously the less the disturbance, the more chance they will succeed.

At a recent meeting, we voiced our objections and concerns about the ESCC proposal to press ahead with the Port Access road, which will see an erosion of open space, disturbance etc., towards the Newhaven Port end of the site. Although hopefully, this objection will fail, it will be the case that some mitigation will be offered. Our views were noted and some sympathy was shown. At least we were able to explain the situation on the ground and how important an area Tide Mills is to so many people these days, which perhaps was not the case when this road was first mooted, many years ago.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday the18th of June, 10.00am to 12 noon. The more we are, the stronger we are in protecting this beautiful and precious open space and keeping it the peaceful haven it undoubtedly is.

For further information please contact me at brianjimskinner@gmail.com or visit www.friendsoftidemills.webs.com