Where: State Hall, HEATHFIELD TN21 8LD
When: Saturday, 18th October
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Join us for a fun-filled day for all the family, aimed at busting the myths and discovering ways in which we can all make a REAL difference to the areas where we live.
The day will include a variety of talks and many different exhibits to inform and entertain, fun sessions for children as well as planetarium shows throughout the day.
Discover ways to live sustainably and make healthier lifestyle choices.
Please note, all sessions are free of charge, but will need to be booked as there are limited spaces.
Bookings will be taken on the day on a ‘first come – first served’ basis. Come early so you don’t miss out!
DON’T MISS THE WONDERDOME!
Did you know that the High Weald has some of the darkest skies in the South East, with the least artificial light?
The Wonderdome is an accessible, mobile planetarium that will be hosting 12 captivating, presenter-led shows throughout the day – tailored for all ages.
Don’t miss this unique chance to journey through the stars!
Spaces are free of charge and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Viewing times are: 9.40am, 10.10am, 10.40am, 11.10am, 11.40am, 12.10pm, 1.20pm, 1.50pm, 2.20pm, 2.50pm, 3.20pm, 3.50pm
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Sessions taking place in the Burwash Room
10.00am An overview of community energy
Energy is changing from fossil fuels to renewable energy but what does this mean in practice? Chris will introduce a range of community energy activities to show what people are doing around Wealden, including your local energy champions.
- Community solar
- Eco-Open homes
- Thermal imaging & Carbon footprints
- Energy champions, energy stalls and workshops including make your own solar panels
Chris Richards, Energy Champions Co-Ordinator, Energise Sussex Coast
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11.15am Bio-Diversity; Bees and Beekeeping in the Weald
A brief history of bees, different species, focusing on honeybees (Apis mellifera, the Western honeybee). You will learn about the different roles in the bee colony, why and when they swarm. You will also learn how a beekeeper can get honey from the surplus the bees produce, how the bees make honey and beeswax. We will also describe some of the threats to bees.
Paul Lindström, High Weald Beekeeping Association (HWBKA)
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2.00pm Don’t Light Me Up – The effects of light pollution and how easy it is to solve
This talk will illustrate the effects of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) on our view of the night sky, describe how all of nature (including humans) is adversely affected, and show how easy it is to reduce and eliminate the harmful effects of light at night.
Doug Edworthy, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
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3.15pm Cuckoos and Corridors – the race towards nature recovery
In Heathfield, the call of the cuckoo once marked the arrival of spring — yet across Sussex, this iconic bird, and the ecosystems it depends, on are under threat. In this talk, we will explore how we can protect the very building blocks of life while restoring landscapes and species. From the fate of the cuckoo to the creation of a 100-mile nature recovery corridor across Sussex, discover how farmers, land managers, and communities are working together to turn the tide on ecological collapse.
Libby Drew is Director of the Knepp Wildland Foundation, the charitable arm of Knepp – the UK’s best known rewilding project
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Youth Sessions taking place in the Mayfield Room
10.00am Storytime – ‘The Singing Grasshopper‘
Don’t miss the opportunity to come and listen to a story about a music loving Grasshopper who sings whilst he works. This fun and informative event will include a chance for listeners to not only be entertained by the story but also have a chance to plant some seeds of their own.
Read by Story Teller Anne Cross, of Mycelial Stories
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11.15am Tetrapak Elephants
The Heathfield Scraptivists will be showing you how to turn your rubbish into art with a fun activity to promote less waste and creativity. (Suitable for children 8+ years)
The Scraptivists are a group of like-minded eco-artists, crafters and makers that would like to promote sustainability and connecting through making together.
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2.00pm Making a Bug Hotel – How and Why
Bugs and Insects need somewhere to go to spend the Winter and to lay their eggs in the summer. A Bug Hotel is a home for them to help make it through a cold Winter. They need somewhere safe so that they don’t get eaten by birds and animals, and then when the Winter turns to Spring, they can come out of their Bug Hotel and enjoy the warmer weather. Bugs and Insects need our help as their numbers will decline during a cold and wet winter. They pay us back by making our gardens full of colour, activity and sound!
At the end of this session you will proudly be able to take away your creations and will have learned something about the Bugs and Insects that live in our gardens and countryside.
John Justo and Nick Stenhouse, The Heathfield Men’s Shed
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3.15pm Bulb Planting
Come and plant seasonal bulbs that you can take away with you to nurture and watch thrive in your own home.
Rachel Gibson, Young at Heart
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You’ll also find a variety of interesting and informative stalls to explore throughout the day.
If you are a business or an organisation who would benefit from being part of Heathfield Enviro Fair,
we still have a few stalls available. Please contact sarahbartholomew@hwpc.org.uk for more details.
E&OE, HWPC reserve the right to amend the details of the event as necessary
