During 2012 the Sustainable Development Fund supported Projects, with total project costs of £23,738; £10,635 of which were grants awarded by the Sustainable Development Fund.
Rolvenden Heritage Survey: Rolvenden Farmers Line
Awarded: £2938
Project description: The Rolvenden Heritage Survey report was launched to the local community, which was a local project to analyse and record settlement form in the parish of Rolvenden. This is now being developed further with funding from English Heritage.This project also incorporated a geophysical survey searching for the remains of medieval settlement at Lowden Manor in Rolvenden, in partnership with Brendan Chester Kadwell and Cranleigh University.
Volunteer Trainee Warden: Kent Wildlife Trust
Awarded: £600
Project description: Kent Wildlife Trust developed an on-line archaeological heritage trail for Brenchley Woods, by KWT trainee sponsored by the Sustainable Development Fund, in 2011. The funding supported the further development of a ranger to encompass a broader understanding of the heritage of the Kent Wildllife nature reserves based in the High Weald. They are also using this foundation to train future rangers within the organisation.
Cranesden Farm Bat & Bird Boxes: Mr & Mrs Farbrother
Awarded: £250
Project description: Installation of Bat and Owl boxes on a Farmstead as part of a wider habitat project.
Whitehouse Farm: Outward
Awarded: £767
Project description: Installation of a protective fence, to prevent further damage to an ancient woodland gill, due to grazing sheep. This is part of a wider wetland project to enhance the 11 acre site to be opened as a respite centre for adults with learning disabilities.
Volunteer Trainee Warden: Kent Wildlife Trust
Awarded:£750
Project description: Purchase of essential equipment and a storage area for the Tudley Woods volunteers to carry out vital habitat management.
Nature corridor: E Hosea
Awarded: £1,200
Project description: Emma Hosea,owner of Ashburnham Wood developed a nature corridor by planting native hedgerow joining up areas of the Wood. The Local scouts group were involved with the planting of the hedgerow and local volunteers were trained in hedgerow planting and coppicing skills.
Work in the Woods: Small Woods Association
Awarded: £350
Project description: Due to the success of the 'Work in the Woods' project money was contributed towards training costs for an apprentice. Jake Whitcroft was placed with John Waller, a greenwoods craftsman.
Community Hedgelaying: Standens Fruit Farm Association
Awarded: £750
Project description: Standen Fruit Farmers held a community training event to plant a native hedgerow to protect part of the traditional orchard site.
Ancient Boundary Hedgerow: Wittersham Oast B&B
Awarded: £500
Project description:The owners of Wittersham Oast B&B planted a hedgerow along an old boundary line to enhance wildlife habitats.
Holy Trinity Grounds Project: Holy Trinity Primary School
Awarded: £1000
Project description: The Holy Trinity Primary School produced five landscape and wildlife interpretation boards for their Community Woodland Trail, including a High Weald and woodland habitat information board section.
Wildflower Pasture: The Original Hut Co.
Awarded: £300
Project description: The Original Hut Co purchased wildlife flower plugs and seed to enhance pasture edges at the woodland camp site.
High Weald Hero Coppice Illustrations
Awarded: £300
Project description: Production of High Weald Hero coppice illustrations, by Kate Chitham, to be used to educate local primary schools the importance of woodland management.
Outdoor Story Telling: St Mary's Lamberhurt Primary School
Awarded: £300
Project description: St Mary's, Lamberhurst Primary School purchased a locally produced wooden story telling chair, installed as part of the School's living classroom and get out and explore area.