It is down at the moment!

Last year at this time I was congratulating myself that we had broken the back of the heather weeding with the help of the Trust's "hit squad" of roving volunteers. Now, however, we are still working the heather; there is no sign of the hit squad, and we are down to three volunteers - including me. So faced with about an acre of heather weeding, and together with this month's heat we are at a low ebb.

The most encouraging development is that the heather is looking blooming lovely and just right for our heather walk for the members of Sussex Wildlife Trust over the bank holiday weekend.

Last year at this time we were mowing the rides. This year ...well.

So why have all our green team gone? Thirty people have said they would come to work with us during the six years I have been managing the reserve. Of them seven did not appear at all, eight once, some came six times, five came for a season, one for a year, one for years but his knee played up, one comes when he can from a long distance, and the rest of us are more permanent.

Some of those who have stayed for a some time have been really interested and have gone off to greater things in the environment business. What I cannot understand is that only two people have come from the Heathfield area, and then just for a day.

Never mind. By the time you read this, we will be well into mowing the rides, and perhaps an expert might become involved with us. Hope springs eternal!

John Hall © 2002