Railway Land Wildlife Trust Newsletters
The Trust produces three newsletters a year. Below are highlights of previous newsletters which can be downloaded in full. I am always keen to add stories or sightings or comments by Trust members or visitors to the site so please do feel free to .
Pat Rigg, Editor
Newsletter 73 Summary: December 2011
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Details of recent events, news of the Photographic Competition (closing date 16th January 2012) and reports on conservation work on the Railway Land Local Nature Reserve and Chilly Brook.
This photo of the Heart of Reeds mound covered in snow was taken by Neil Merchant, Trustee
Newsletter 72 Summary: September 2011
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Packed with information about the developing integrated programme of activities at the Linklater and on the Reserve, this edition is well worth viewing in colour - not least for the dramatic photos from Alec Bennison and John Tooley.
Keep up to date with the 'Month of Sundays' charity events and news of the wildflower meadow planting around the Pavilion.
Newsletter 71 Summary: May 2011
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Marvel at the bravery of the Firewalkers! Learn about the bird and reptile surveys. Check out the Sunday afternoon opening of the Linklater Pavilion.
Above all...don't miss out on welcoming the bees to their new hive on June 11th, Bee the Buzz, 2-6pm
Newsletter 70 Summary: February 2011
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Packed with details of the completion of the Linklater Pavilion project and proposed events for the Spring and Summer on the Reserve, this newsletter also contains the papers for the AGM on the 15th April. If you don't know what a gobbet is, find out on page 12!
Newsletter 69 Summary: Nov 2010
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The celebration opening of the Linklater Pavilion, took place as planned on October 16th 2010, 13 months after building work started. All the fitting out was led by an inspired Dave Sykes, aided by a team of volunteer painters and labourers.
Join us in this proud moment for the RLWT!
Newsletter 68 Summary: July 2010
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As the Pavilion neared completion this edition celebrated the hugely successful Wonderful Wildlife Festival that attracted 2000 visitors to the reserve. The day, planned by Trustee, Liz Williams, Cllr David Gray, and Ranger, Dan Ross, was the RLWT's contribution to the Year of Biodiversity 2010. Families enjoyed numerous free activities on a gloriously sunny day. A marked contrast to the waterlogged River Festival held in 2008!
Members of the Trust were invited to apply for tickets for the opening celebration to be held on October 16th. The Linklater Pavilion will be fitted out during August and September by volunteers and Trustees.
Newsletter 67 Summary: March 2010
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An edition that celebrates the partnerships that have led to the success of the Railway Land Project. We celebrate the new building as it nears completion of the core building works. Plans for the Wonderful Wildlife Festival on May 22nd are outlined and the papers for the AGM explain the fine detail of the Linklater project.
Sir John Tomlinson sings in the new building at the Topping Out ceremony on the 16th March, and Rodmell school are delighted to be the first visitors to see inside.
Newsletter 66 Summary: Dec 2009
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The Linklater Pavilion rises from the ground; the Roof is well and truly raised in the Town Hall; and sponsorship of doors windows and the kitchen fit out takes off.
Newsletter 65 Summary: August 2009
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This edition is packed with reviews of the 2020 vision exhibition, work undertaken by the Participants, the Minders Group and Dan Ross plus articles by Jon Gunson, Liz Williams and Derek Martin.
Work starts on building the Pavilion on the 14th September, and a major launch event is to be held in the Town Hall at 7.15pm on the 11th November.
Newsletter 64 Summary: June 2009
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Latest details of the Linklater Pavilion building project, plus information about a 'Sidings Safari', the '2020 vision' exhibition in the Foundry Gallery and the 'Pavilion Rocks' appeal are to be found in this early summer newsletter. Now is the time to renew your membership of the RLWT and if you want to support our work and enjoy this website, please become a member!
The picture shows the JMB examining a snake skin and our new model of the pavilion
Newsletter 63 Summary: Feb 2009
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The Linklater Pavilion will be built!
This edition is packed with information - about the decision to build, bird life on the Reserve, 'all change' at the JMB and Jon Gunson's special take on why we bother with conservation.
A Celebration of Achievement
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This limited edition booklet was produced to celebrate the completion of the NC4All project.
Alec, Andrew, Andy, Barry, Brian, Bryan, Carole, David, Dawn, Jackie, Jeffrey, Kathy, Linda, Matthew, Michael, Miles and Rob - we salute you!
Newsletter 62 Summary: December 2008
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John Parry calls for every additional pound to help us build the Linklater Pavilion, and the response has been very heartening. People are also pledging money, so that if we receive a suitably realistic tender by January 29th 2009, we can count on their support.
Elsewhere in this full colour edition are details of the recent tree works, advance news of Kaddie Lee Preston's 'Inside Out' programme on the Winterbourne, and more Turner Tales.
Newsletter 61 Summary: October 2008
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Bumper edition containing information on birds and wild flowers plus reports and pictures of the River Festival and sponsored walk.
The picture shown here was taken by Peter Cripps of the Sussex Express, from R. Green's cherry picker hoist.
The assembled primary school children, walkers and supporters mark out the 'footprint' of the proposed Linklater Pavilion.
Newsletter 60 Summary: May 2008
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The JMB Leighside Pond Project is formally opened on the 17th May, the 13th June sees the Reserve host the Second River Festival for local primary schools, and a massive sponsored walk led by the Nature Corridors for All group accompanied by over 130 friends from France and England.
A damp but upbeat Kaddie Lee Preston assists the JMB as they open their bridge on Leighside Pond on Saturday 17th May
Newsletter 59 Summary: February 2008
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This first newsletter of 2008 celebrates the huge amount of voluntary work done on the Reserve and for the Trust. It also contains the announcement that we have reached the magic £500,000 needed to enter the final phase of fund raising for the Linklater Pavilion. Read how the Mettyear Charitable Trust has promised up to £250,000 towards the cost of the building. Peter Mettyear the President of the Friends of Lewes, spoke movingly about his friend, Peter Linklater, at the RLWT press conference held on 31st January at Greyfriars Court.
Newsletter 58 Summary: November 2007
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Two articles featuring the historical railway era of the Reserve in the 50's and 60's, plus details and photos of the recent ditch works and the Junior Management Board's Leighside pond restoration, make this newsletter an informative read! We continue to raise money for the proposed Linklater Pavilion and John Parry's illustrative 'first year bookings diary' gives a good idea of the range and potential uses of this much needed centre.
Here Liz Williams from the Trust and Dan Ross, the Ranger, inspect root systems as the Minders conservation group take to a boat on Heart of Reeds.
This is Pat's 50th Newsletter and we are all so grateful for her excellent editing over many years. Thanks Pat and long may it continue! JP
Newsletter 57 Summary: July 2007
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Find out how the sponsored walk and auction raised over £8,000 for the Linklater Pavilion. Robert Cash raised £1,650 through his own efforts. Squelch your way through the first River Festival and enjoy the news of the French exchange as part of Nature Corridors for All and celebrate our champion tree!
Latest News: Angela Macpherson opened her garden as part of Art Wave and helped raise £180 towards the Pavilion from a percentage of sales of the mosaics on display and through sales of coffee and refreshments. Our thanks to all the generous donors who helped make this event such a success.
Newsletter 56 Summary: March 2007
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This newsletter describes the main events that will take place during the river festival of 30th June, 2007, as well as an abridged version of Alex Kirby's talk titled ' Trouble Ahead: why Lewes needs the Railway Land.'
Newsletter 55 Summary: January 2007
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Newsletter 55. You will be able to see all the photographs in colour as soon as the newsletter becomes 'live' on this site. Extra photos on this page mentioned in the article 'Alternative Route' include 'pink bloom on the signal box ditch'; 'sedge tussocks'; and 'bulrushes and bridges'.
Friday 16th March 2007- 7.30 pm: The Railway Land Wildlife Trust AGM will be held at Greyfriars Court.
Newsletter 54 Summary: September 2006
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Read about Living on the Edge2, the launch of the Linklater Pavilion Appeal and enjoy a full colour spread of photos of both events. Liz Williams and Jenifer Barton's article on the flora colonisation of the Heart of Reeds is a delight, and the Ranger's report and notes of the committee's site walk give rise to detailed explanation of why work on the site is necessary.
