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LOCAL HERITAGE STORIES NEEDED FOR PROJECT ARTIST



LOCAL HERITAGE STORIES NEEDED FOR PROJECT ARTIST

December 13, 2017

We are very close to announcing the name of our appointed artist who will be designing sculptures across seven heathland sites in the South Downs National Park.

The artists work will reflect what each community values about their heath – from their history and past economic importance to their rare plants and animals. We are right at the very start of this process so if you have a story which you think could inspire the artist, your community and future generations we want to hear from you.

Local communities are being asked for stories about their history and heritage to help inspire seven new pieces of art, linking seven heathland sites in the South Downs National Park. The commissioned artist will create the seven pieces as part of the Heritage Lottery-Funded Heathlands Reunited Project, a partnership project led by the South Downs National Park Authority.

The seven heathland sites will be:

  1. Wiggonholt
  2. Iping and Stedham
  3. Lavington Plantation
  4. Short heath Common
  5. Graffham
  6. Black Down
  7. Woolbeding

“We know people love their heaths and use them for exercise, to walk their dogs, for play and for relaxation. Through Heathlands Reunited we want to inspire them to get to know their own heaths better, visit and explore other heaths, and most importantly get involved in caring for these amazingly rich havens.” Said Katy Sherman, Heathlands Reunited Engagement Officer “The seven pieces of art will tell the story of why heaths are so important – not just as individual commons but as part of a wider network of heathland.”

Background

Heathlands only exist today because of human intervention over thousands of years. This means that if heathlands aren’t actively managed by people – by local communities, conservation groups, the National Park Authority or others – they will be lost alongside the rare and endangered species that live there. Today heathland covers just 1 per cent of the South Downs National Park, mostly separated into small ‘islands’ where isolated plants and animals are far more vulnerable to local extinction.

Eleven organisations have joined forces to expand the existing heathland left in the National Park. By creating stepping-stone scrapes and wildlife corridors the Heathlands Reunited partnership hope to create an area of heathland greater than 1,200 football pitches over a five-year project.

If you would like to find out more, volunteer or have stories that you would like to share please email heathlands@southdowns.gov.uk or call 01730 819276