Group Meeting – September 2017

At our September meeting James Sainsbury came along to give us an illustrated talk regarding the History of Cissbury Ring. James, an archaeologist from Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, began by explaining that Cissbury Ring, just north of Worthing, is the largest historic hill fort in Sussex dating back over 5,000 years. From the top views stretch from Brighton to the Isle of Wight.

A wonderful habitat for butterflies and flowers has been created here by centuries of continuous grazing. During the Neolithic period settlements were established and an extensive flint mining operation was carved out on the southern side of the hill and this is still evident today. In the early Bronze Age there is evidence of a ritual burial ground as two round barrows have been identified here.

Around 400BC the Iron Age Hill Fort was built and stood firm as a means of defence for the next 300 years, it encloses 26 hectares and originally had only two entrances, one at the eastern end and the other at the south-western end. After 100BC the interior of the fort was used for agriculture with rectangular fields being marked out with earthwork banks and terraces.There is also archaeological evidence of a settlement during the later Roman period where ramparts were heightened, possibly in fear of an attack by Danish hoards.

Although Cissbury Ring was recognised as having defensive qualities since these times no actual military activity took place until the Second World War. A large anti-tank ditch was excavated around the entire hill in 1940, and anti-aircraft guns were positioned across the highest part of the ridge within the hill fort. James demonstrated the military activity by showing us a photograph of scorch marks made by tank practice, left on the grassland.

Thankfully today Cissbury Ring is a peaceful place and ideal for walking and appreciating the countryside.

After a break for tea Tricia Hall delivered her popular Nature Notes by advising us that around 100 meadow pipits were seen on the Goring Gap and around 1,000 starlings on an electricity pylon. Tricia reported that the plastic collected during the September Beach Clean had been recorded and the results submitted to the Marine Conservation Society’s annual survey. Unusually two storks had been spotted firstly on the roof of ASDA and later on the Goring Gap, they have now moved further along the coast towards Pagham. At least one of the storks is from the Knepp Castle Estate and there is a program to reintroduce them nationally.

To conclude the meeting Ed Miller updated us with news that the planning application for a ninth residence at the former beehive cottage site is awaiting a decision by Arun DC. The four chalet bungalows proposed at 44, Ferringham Lane have issues with access yet to be resolved. The Arun Local Plan for the building of 1,000 homes per year over the next 15 years is currently with the Inspector awaiting approval.

FCG members do their bit for the village

Members of the Group this week teamed up with volunteers organised by West Sussex County Council to improve the 3 footpaths leading from the village to the Ferring Rife – these are at the far ends of Brook Lane, Clover Lane and Ferringham Way. The paths had been overgrown by vegetation and the surfaces were extremely muddy in places despite some work having been completed by the Group early in 2016. This was the latest in a series of practical projects around the village.

Around 20 volunteers from both organisations cut back brambles, nettles and overhanging branches among other things, using hand and power tools, and between them laid a total of 5 large builder’s bags of the MOT hard-core material to give the paths a firm and more stable surface. The material was supplied by local builders merchants, Benton Weatherstone, who were very helpful in the arrangements, and it was paid for by Ferring Parish Council, with whom the Group works very closely to enhance the village.

At the end of a hard morning’s work (but which included a welcome coffee break organised by the WSCC volunteer co-ordinator), all three paths’ borders had been cut back and the surfaces were left in a good state due to the addition of the hard-core, which will allow residents and visitors to reach the river in comfort even after adverse weather. Thank you to all those who helped out on the day.

On the previous weekend, nearly 30 FCG members carried out the last Beach Clean of the year on Ferring beach. The whole stretch between the bottom of Sea Lane and the Bluebird Cafe and beyond was thoroughly cleaned, with potentially damaging litter being removed. Results of the clean were forwarded to the Marine Conservation Society as this was part of their Big Beachwatch weekend and will help form a picture of the problem nationally.

One of the most rewarding parts of the clean was finding under a breakwater a lost smartphone, wallet, credit cards and cash. After members of the team made a number of enquiries locally to trace the owner, we were able to find her on the beach when she saw the litter pickers in their high vis-jackets, and the phone and other items were safely re-united with a very grateful lady.

 

Wasp Spider

Whilst counting butterflies in the lagoons west of the Rife, a Wasp Spider was spotted. This uncommon, introduced species mimics wasps with its black and yellow striped abdomen thus avoiding predators. It builds an orb web with a decoration called the stabilimentum in the centre which may attract its prey. The female is large, 15mm, but the male is an insignificant brown and only 4.5mm. It tries to creep in and mate with the female without being eaten. He waits until her final moult and rushes in while her jaws, or chelicerae, are still soft so hopefully avoiding cannibalism. Some males actually stop further males from mating by ‘plugging’ the female with their own body! There’s dedication for you!

Found in southern England, Europe, North Africa and Asia and even some eastern USA states, the Wasp Spider appears to be extending its range.