19/07/2026
Dear Friends of Waterhall
Our next Volunteering Session is on 01 Aug.
Plan A: An experiment with Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), the plant many people love to hate! It’s a native wildflower and a great source of pollen and nectar, valuable to many invertebrates. However, it is also classed as an injurious w**d due to its potential to poison livestock if it is accidentally harvested during haymaking. Ragwort is also currently the subject of a lively debate concerning whether traditional attempts to control it are effective, ineffective or even counterproductive. We’d like to test this at Waterhall with an experiment to determine whether cutting, pulling or leaving the Ragwort to seed and then die is the most effective way to limit the tendency of the plant to dominate the sward in future years. Ragwort is currently flowering in large quantities at Waterhall. However given the fine weather, it is possible that it may already have largely gone to seed by 01 Aug. If this is the case, Plan B is to continue working on the chalk scrape that we began creating earlier this month.
As usual, we'll meet at 10.00 a.m. at Waterhall Clubhouse (directions below).
If you intend to come, please book a slot via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waterhall-volunteering-task-01-aug-2026-tickets-1994417472348?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please wear sturdy footwear and clothing appropriate for the for the weather and suitable for working on rough ground. I'll provide gloves, tools and light refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits). Do bring some lunch if you would like something more substantial.
We'll finish by 14.00 but there's no obligation to stay longer than you want to!
If the weather forecast is looking particularly dire, please check your e-mail or our page for updates before setting-out.
Directions to Waterhall Local Nature Reserve:
By car:
To find us, use “Wilding Waterhall” or “BN1 8AX” for your sat.nav.
We’re just off Saddlescombe Road to the north of Hove. From the A27 exit at Hove, take the Saddlescombe Road north towards Devil’s D**e.
After a short distance take the right hand fork and we’re first on the right at the brow of the Hill (Waterhall Local Nature Reserve). We’ll open the barrier for you – there is a free car park for those attending events/activities.
By bus:
No. 77 to Devils D**e. Every day during the summer months ONLY (from late June until beginning of Sep). Outside of this time this bus only runs on Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays. Ask the bus driver to drop you at D**e Approach. Waterhall is to your right as the bus travels. When you get off, take the short path to Saddlescombe Road, cross the road & go through the gate into the field (usually containing ponies). Turn left and walk along the top of the field to the driveway which will take you down to the Waterhall clubhouse.
No. 27 to Green Ridge.
Get off at the windmill on Green Ridge, then follow the walking instructions below.
Walking or by bike (safe route, avoiding the busy roundabouts where D**e Road meets the A27):
Find you way to D**e Road. Head north (up hill) to the Hilltop Café (just before the big roundabout at the A27). Cut across the field (called Green Ridge) behind the café to the windmill. Go through the gate in the hedge on the left just before you reach the windmill. Cross the road (Mill Road) and take the path opposite. Go down the hill (it is steep so you may want to push your bike), over the footbridge which crosses the A27 and continue down the path to the track at the bottom of the hill. Turn left, go past the rugby club (which is on your right), through the gate & up the bridleway to Waterhall clubhouse (You’ll need to push your bike up the bridleway – or alternatively lock it up at the rugby club and pick it up on the way home).
What3Words (Clubhouse): ///lined.future.orchestra.
Looking forward to seeing you if you can make it!
All best,
Mike
