Bramber Parish Council
Current News
Bramber Castle Comes Alive
Added: 5th July 2025
Downs Link Summer Cut
Added: 15th April 2025
There will be an annual summer grass cut on the whole route of the Downs Link . It will be carried out by contractors between 24th June and 5th July 2025. A monthly cut will also be taking place between May to September on the Shoreham section.
Bramber Castle Orchard
Updated: 6th March 2025
The National Trust, English Heritage and Steyning Community Orchard are working in partnership to create a new orchard in the small field to the west of Bramber Castle.
We plan on planting 22 fruit trees this winter and another eight in 2026. The trees will be a mix of Sussex apple varieties, pear, cherry, medlar, quince and bullace and once planted there will be a plan, accessible to visitors, showing where each of the trees are planted.
Over the next ten years, English Heritage will be establishing King’s Meadows - flower-rich grasslands across England. Here at Bramber we’ll be restoring the meadow alongside the creation of the Orchard. Beneath the fruit trees the grassland will be managed to create a wildflower rich meadow supporting a range of insects and other wildlife. This will take time to develop through careful management and sowing wildflower seed.
We hope this project will create a lasting natural legacy, rich in wildlife, that will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Forestry Commission - Invasive Spruce Bark Beetle Awareness
Added: 20th February 2025
I’m a Woodland Officer at the Forestry Commission working on the eradication response to the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, which is an invasive and regulated pest in England.
Ips typographus targets weakened or damaged spruce trees, and storm events like we’re experiencing this winter can create ideal habitat. It is being blown over from outbreaks in Europe and, if left unchecked, it could potentially build in numbers and would be devastating to the country’s timber industry. We therefore advise proactive management of spruce to remove potential habitat and risk of infestation.
We’re also encouraging everyone in the Proactive Spruce Removal Area to be vigilant for windblown, snapped, damaged and stressed spruce trees, and to submit a TreeAlert report for anything of concern or email ips.t@forestrycommission.gov.uk. This could be landowners, those directly involved with managing spruce (e.g. foresters, tree surgeons, Christmas tree growers), or members of the public who use spruce woodlands recreationally (e.g. dog walkers, ramblers).
I’m getting in touch with parish, town, and other community councils across the southeast, with the aim of increasing awareness of this issue at the local level.
Additional info can be found via the GOV.uk Ips typographus page or do let me know if you have any questions.
Elliot Carpenter
Ips typographus Woodland Officer
Forestry Commission
Bucks Horn Oak
Farnham
Surrey
GU10 4LS
For all guidance on Ips typographus go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eight-toothed-european-spruce-bark-beetle-ips-typographus
"Tracing The Rails" - Can You Help?
Added: 7th October 2024
Bramber Reed Strimmer
Added: 19th September 2024
Does your stream need clearing?
Many of us in Bramber have a stream going through or bordering on our gardens that we are responsible for clearing.
You may remember that when the Environment Agency announced they would no longer be clearing the streams, Bramber Society obtained a grant to buy a strimmer that operates underwater to clear reeds, so residents can clear the streams, drains and ditches they are responsible for.
It’s in all of our interests for the water courses to be well managed. If you would like to borrow the strimmer to clear your patch please contact Chris Hendricks at:
White Rose Cottage, The Street (opposite the Castle Hotel)
Tel: 07894 332487
Email: chris.hendricks@hotmail.co.uk
Using the strimmer is at your own risk, please use it in accordance with any instructions and return it promptly as other residents may be waiting.
Many thanks
The Bramber Society