All posts by Luke Geoghegan

The eclipse is coming!

March 18th, 2015

We’ll be setting up our solar telescope outside the South Downs Centre in Midhurst this Friday morning in the hopes that we’ll be able to watch the solar eclipse. If you’re in the area please come and join us. But will the weather stay clear? Dark-skies Dan, who’s leading on our bid for the South Downs […]

National Apprenticeship Week

March 11th, 2015

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 to 13 March 2015 and celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) currently employs two apprentices: Paul Slade and Chris Gurney. “Apprenticeships are a great way to create new opportunities,” says Helene Rossiter Smith, […]

Rodents in the Rain

March 5th, 2015

Volunteer Rangers in the Hampshire area of the South Downs National Park started the New Year in a watery way with some important wildlife surveys. A drizzly Monday morning in early January saw us head across to Noar Hill on the Rotherfield Estate to begin our hunt for harvest mice nests. Following an earlier meeting […]

5 ways to Discover the South Downs

March 4th, 2015

From rolling hills to bustling market towns, the South Downs National Park’s landscapes cover 1,600km2 of breathtaking views, hidden gems and quintessentially English scenery. A rich tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, tranquillity and visitor attractions, weave together a story of people and place in harmony. Our iconic South Downs Way National Trail is always inviting but […]

South Downs National Park is 5 Years Old!

March 4th, 2015

This month we celebrate 5 years of the South Downs National Park. What difference has being in a National Park make, you may ask? Here are just five successes from the UK’s newest National Park’s first five years: Thanks to work by landowners, other partners and the dedicated volunteers of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger […]

The Queens are Coming

February 26th, 2015

February is the usual start to the bumblebee season. The first bumbles to be seen are young queens that were born towards the end of last year’s season, between May and September. Following birth these new youngsters will have quickly mated with a male, then fattened themselves up with surplus nectar and pollen and finally […]

South Downs’ straw bales wins people’s choice vote

February 13th, 2015

A golden image of straw bales in evening light is the deserving winner of the people’s choice prize in the South Downs National Park Authority’s photo competition 2014/15. Taken by Andy Walker from Cuckfield in West Sussex, the photograph was shortlisted by the competition judges who praised the technical strength of the picture and loved […]