As we say farewell to the first decade of a new millennium, what does the future hold for the High Weald ?

The character of the landscape is essentially the same as it was 600 years ago; it is considered to be one of the best preserved medieval landscapes in Northern Europe. But will its special character be evident 600 years from now? Or will the pressures of a growing and globalised society prove too much?

As in the past, the people who live and work in the High Weald today are as much a part of its character as the landscape itself. Some of them have worked the land for decades, others are newcomers, the Anvil meets some of them to discover what, if anything, has changed during their tenure and what they think the future may hold.

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Hew Prendergast, Ashdown Forest Hew Prendergast has lived on Ashdown Forest for 21 years and held a place on the board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest for three years, following a career in plant science, working for Kew at Wakehurst Place, Hew then seized the opportunity to work... Read more	Vicky & Chris Agar, Spring Farm Alpacas Vicki and Chris Agar bought Spring Farm at Fletchling, near Uckfield, in 1998 as a 47-acre livery yard. Since then they have restored hedgerows, planted species rich wildflower grassland and bought two neighbouring plots of land including 38 acres of... Read more
Keith Datchler, Beech Farm Estate As a boy, Keith Datchler helped out at the dairy farm across the road before school. He has just celebrated his 41st year at the 2,000-acre Beech Farm Estate near Battle, working his way up from dairy herdsman to estate manager. Read more

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