Four Courts Connect

01/06/2026

29/05/2026

28/05/2026

A rare Red-Backed Shrike at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - AKA the 'butcherbird', they kill larger prey, including small mammals, with a sharp peck to the back of the head, then take it to a ‘larder' where it's impaled on thorns or barbed wire or wedged somewhere to be eaten later! 🫣 📸James Tomlinson

14/05/2026

We really enjoyed reading the fantastic festival creative writing this year and selecting the shortlist, runners up and winners.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted young creative writers. Hip, hip, hurray🎉

This year’s shortlisted writers, runners up and winners and their families were presented with certificates at the festival opening event on 26 March, kindly hosted by . The Four Courts Connect community selected from the many entries and awarded certificates.

Thanks so much to Sussex Community Foundation for supporting the schools strand of the festival which connects up reading, writing and fun in the creative exploration of heritage.

Writing this year was inspired by ’s .

📷: Gertrude Burgess

14/05/2026

Have you heard of the Coffin Trail that travels from Burton to Bury? ⚰️

For nearly 1,000 years, villagers carried their dead along this very path.

The 1.3-mile route runs through chalk downland and offers glimpses of streams, woodland, hidden vales, historic buildings and incredible views. And it's just had a makeover!

Read more: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/exciting-makeover-is-completed-on-ancient-trail-in-south-downs-national-park/

📸: Anne Purkiss |

12/05/2026

Where did we go today? Watch our latest trip reel below🌼☀️

12/05/2026

A joyful to Seven Sisters Country Park, kindly supported by South Downs National Park.

07/05/2026

As you may be aware, we’ve been here a while. As a family we’ve been growing hops since 1690 but we actually came to Udimore 70 years ago when our grandfather having fledged the family farm in Kent arrived just over the border in Sussex.

What we do hasn’t changed all that much - we grow food, raise animals, we look after the land, and we try to make it a place people actually want to spend time in.

These days that also means good coffee, tasty food, somewhere for families to run around, and the occasional explanation of what’s growing in the fields (whether you asked or not).

It’s still a working farm at heart, just one that happens to welcome you all in.

Thanks for being part of it 😊

29/04/2026

23/04/2026