Highwoods surprise for Bexhill in Bloom judges

This is the 30th anniversary year of Highwoods Preservation Society. Since 1980, the charity has cared for the woods as a wildlife habitat with free public access.

Last year while inspecting the woods, Mr Hyde and his wife and co-judge, Freda, were greatly impressed by the work of the society's volunteers.

But there was no category which matched the aims of woodland conservation projects.

Last Thursday, Geoff was judging the woodland management under the award system's new Heritage class.

Despite having 20 such judging visits to make this season, as well as 40 school visits across the region, he approaches his subject with enthusiasm and a flood of questions.

Accompanied by Sandra Melvin, who heads Bexhill's entry in the competition, and by HPS chairman the Rev Paul Le Sueur, Geoff walked the woods' Red Path with one of the society's fact-sheets in his hand.

He met members of two volunteer work-parties undertaking essential maintenance work on wooden footbridges along the path.

Society president and acting woodland warden Alan Malpass had prepared a detailed written submission to go with the society's entry.

The illustrated folder explains how the society was formed to combat the threat of the ancient woodland being sold with permission for holiday chalets and touring caravans. It tells how the society works to a management plan agreed with current land-owners Rother District Council with advice from English Nature.

Page after page of notes catalogue the flora and fauna found in the woods '“ including around 60 species of birds.

On his return to the woodland car park, Geoff found the work-parties ready with a celebration sponge cake baked by Jane Dengate, wife of society treasurer Alan Dengate. Not only did it feature the couple's home-made jam, the icing bore a photo of a typical work-party in action.

Later, Geoff inspected the work of Little Common Business Association. Chairman David Dixson explained how the planters and hanging baskets overflowing with floral colour were an annual initiative by the association.

The flowers, together with the association's Christmas tree and lights, are paid for from fund-raising events such as the summer Country Fair. This year's event will be held in the grounds of St Martha's Church tomorrow (July 17) from 4pm to 7pm.

The planters and baskets are watered from a special hand-pulled bowser every other day. The work takes retired Little Common trader Keith Water a full hour.

Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society chairman Dick Lancaster was waiting at Collington allotments to show the regional judge the produce grown there by plot-holders.

The society organises an annual competition to find the best-kept allotments.

How the Highwoods, Little Common and the allotments have fared will not be revealed until the South and South East in Bloom awards ceremony in Gillingham in September.

But Geoff Hyde had already thanked the volunteers from each organisation for what they do for the local community.

He said of Highwoods Preservation Society: "It is the development of the woods which is of the greatest interest.

Last year was the first time I had seen it and to see the improvements which have been made was a delight. I also had the pleasure of meeting the volunteer work-parties.

"Little Common I would regard as a gateway to Bexhill - and how important it is for the whole town to have a nice gateway which is a tremendous benefit to the whole area."