Staff working party at The Deneway nature reserve

Polly Kitson

Head of Community Action for Wildlife (acting)

Early autumn, a small but enthusiastic group of Sussex Wildlife Trust colleagues from different departments gathered at The Deneway nature reserve in Brighton for a staff work day. As a consequence, the Wild Side of the Tracks project was finally finished.

This Wild Side of the Tracks project, funded by the Scottish Power Foundation, began several years ago, but Covid and staff changes meant it hadn't been possible to complete it. However, due the efforts of various people including myself, Katie Parker, Steve Webster, Renzo Spano, Mya Bambrick and Huw Morgan, the last remaining tasks were done and dusted.

Renzo took charge of the Forest School area, which involved installing new tarpaulins, equipment, and storage facilities. This will make it more functional and appealing for educational activities.

Steve was responsible for organising the installation of a gate (bottom photo) and a dipping platform around the pond. This was a physically demanding task, especially when it came to ensuring precise hole depths.

Huw worked on clearing paths throughout the day. His commitment to this seemed serious, as he disappeared into the reserve and reappeared only during the tea break!

Overall, the day was enjoyable, rewarding, and highly productive. 

The Deneway Reserve's future seems promising as an urban reserve, with a focus on serving the community, youth, and the education sector. It is now well-suited for Forest School training and the continued efforts of the Brighton Hit Squad in maintaining the paths within the reserve.