Waterlevels walk at Pevensey 16 May 2026
Artists Charlotte Still and Clare Whistler have dedicated over a decade to raising the importance of water in everything and promoting a deeper connection and understanding between people and the water that gives us life. Waterlevels is a branch of their ongoing collaborative practice.
On 16 May 2026, from 10am-1.30pm, they are leading a free walk which will feature storyteller Annalie Seaman and organic farmer (and Trust member) Martin Hole, starting at The Mint House, Pevensey exploring the water levels around Pevensey. Everyone is welcome, although they particularly encourage local artists to come, who might like to be inspired by this walk to make work that could be entered into a planned exhibition later in the year. The walk will involve looking at and hearing about the water, past, present and future around Pevensey.
Tell us a bit more about the Waterlevels Walk
The Waterlevels Walk is the latest in a series of community events we have organised over the last two years for the Blueheart project, looking at flooding in the Eastbourne area. We are inviting people to look at the changing history of water on the local Levels (wetlands) of Pevensey and Eastbourne, how humans and the land have adapted to those changes and how it might be in the future.
What's special about our relationship with water?
We are up to 70% water. It is essential to all life on earth, it is Life. We seem to take water for granted but once you start learning and working closely with water you understand that the only relationship to have with water is one of gratitude, reverence and awe.
I understand you know and love the Pevensey Levels
We have lived next to or close by the Pevensey Levels nearly all our lives but we really started to know it more intimately in 2015 when we did a year long Waterweek project called ‘Underwateredge’ where we walked around its edge, while in residency at Bader Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle, and then created a week of events about the Pevensey Levels and Water.
Have you noticed any differences since our wetland restoration project on Pevensey Marshes?
Charlotte - I have seen Lapwings for the first time in many years!
What involvement does (Trust member) organic farmer, Martin Hole, have in the walk?
Martin spoke at our Underwateredge event about conservation and farming organically on the Pevensey Levels. We feel that it is so important for us to hear about water from many different perspectives, and farmers know and love land and its water courses more intimately than most of us. Many other local farmers, experts, people from all walks of life with an interest in water, have taken part in our Waterweeks over the years.
Who is welcome on the walk?
It's free and everyone is welcome though there are stiles and the distance (about five miles) might not suit some. Wear suitable clothing please. It's free, but we do need to know numbers. Email [email protected] if you'd like to come.