The Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme was launched with the 'Maidens of the Weald 'project. Same Sky a community arts group worked with schools and community groups across the Weald Forest Ridge, throughout the summer and early autumn of 2009. Together they created four Giant Maidens, one for each of the Medieval forests of the area.
These four forests were described in a 17th Century poem called Polyolbion as the 'daughters of the Weald', each with an individual character.
Each Maiden is designed to reflect the unique character of her forest.
The Ashdown Maiden
The warrior like Ashdown Maiden represents the hunting and military past of this forest. Many Queens and consorts have owned Ashdown through the ages, this Maiden's royal clothes are purple and yellow for the heather and gorse that grows there. The red, fiery decorations on her cloak recall the iron smelting history of the area.
The Ashdown Forest Centre at Wych Cross is open to visitors where you can find out more about the area in the interpretation centre. There are walk routes to suit all abilities on the forest and spectacular views across the countryside from these breezy, treeless heights.
The Broadwater Maiden
The Broadwater Maiden reflects the forest's history of use as a warren for keeping rabbits in captivity. Her dress is decorated with rabbits. She also wears fern fronds, as the sandstone outcrops near Broadwater Warren are home to the world famous Tunbridge Filmy Fern. Broadwater Warren is now an RSPB reserve, and home to adders, slave ants and Nightjars in season. At nearby Eridge Rocks you can see the only sandstone outcrops in the south east.
The Tilgate Maiden
The Tilgate Maiden represents the ancient forest of Worth. Gideon Mantell a local Dr and fossil collector found the remains of a dinosaur here, alongside fossils of giant ferns and molluscs. The Tilgate maiden has an armoured breastplate and lizard prints on her skirt.
You can visit Tilgate Park which has a nature reserve, café, rare breeds centre, several lakes (one is the remains of a hammer pond), parkland, playgrounds, and wooded areas. Tilgate Forest can be accessed from Tilgate Park by using the pedestrian flyover, or the underpass to cross the M23.
The St Leonards Maiden
The St Leonards Maiden has a dress decorated with Lilies of the Valley, a red dragon lies coiled at her feet, and she holds two Nightingales aloft. These special features help to tell the story of St Leonard, who, legend has it, killed a dragon in these woods. Where the saint's blood fell during the fight banks of Lilies of the valley now bloom in spring. As a reward for ridding the area of the dragon God granted St Leonards his wish that Nightingales should no longer sing in the forest as they disturbed his prayer.
Today you can visit St Leonards forest, see the Lilies of the valley and enjoy walking along the rides that have been cleared as part of the Weald Forest Ridge LP Scheme.
