Duke of Edinburgh 2018

In this presentation we will be talking about our experiences of the nature that surrounded us during our DofE expedition.

Ashdown forest During the Battle of Hastings the Ashdown forest was initially a forest for deer hunting The forest continued to be used by the monarchy and nobility for hunting into Tudor times Henry VIII had a hunting lodge at Bolebroke Castle, Hartfield and who courted Anne Boleyn at nearby Hever Castle Ashdown Forest looks different from its immediate surroundings because of its distinctive land-use over the last nine centuries. Firstly, it was originally created and managed for the hunting of deer and, secondly, it has been, and still is, common land. The Forest has escaped the plough and cultivation but has nonetheless been heavily exploited for grazing and military training and for its resources of wood, bracken, stone and iron.

Pippingford park People working at pippingford park enjoy the connection with the wildlife ; such as the herd of wild deer and the changing of the seasons which form a large part of their lives here. the wild and varied terrain of Pippingford provides a place for many different activities. Pippingford is an estate in the middle of Ashdown forest which consists of mostly woodland and heath with some parkland and fields.

Coleman's Hatch From the 1200's the Ashdown Forest was the Kings deer and wild boar hunting park, the king would have stayed at nearby forest row where the King's hunting lodges were built to accommodate the hunting parties. King Edward III was one of those monarchs who enjoyed the hunting, together with his son would have passed through Coleman's Hatch into the forest. The area would have been a farming and shepherding area on the edge of the forest, and was an entrance to Ashdown Forest for many centuries.

When the trees are coppiced the light can reach right down to the ground as the branches and leaves are no longer shading the floor. This means that lots of wild plants can grow including blue bells, anemones and wild garlic. These plants attract insects to feed on the nectar, and birds and small mammals eat the fruits and seeds High Hurst wood

Hartfield Trees and Wildlife of a river valley You may notice that many of the trees along Forest Way and in the surrounding fields are Alder or Willow. This is because you are in the floodplain of the River Medway and these trees like the wet ground - large areas to either side of the Park can be flooded for weeks at a time. The river also attracts birds: look out for Mallard and Moorhens along the river and even the occasional Heron.