A Walk On The Wild Side

Our Community Cohesion Grants support a diverse range of projects that bring people together in East Brighton, and one of the recipients of our recent Autumn 2024 round were the Friends of Craven Wood.

 

East Brighton Trust were lucky enough to visit Craven Wood earlier in the month, and meet with one of the Friends’ founders Alan Cooke, who gave a tour of one of Brighton’s best kept secrets, located on the west side of Whitehawk Hill.

 

“It all started with a lottery grant about 12 years ago” Alan told us “which paid for the steps to be put in”.

 

The installation of the wooden steps definitely helps with accessibility.

It’s a steep, and in places, challenging climb to the top of Craven Wood. On the way up, Alan showed us ‘The Whispering Trees Trail’ where by using an app, you can discover more about 15 of the numbered tree species, including a row of around 100 elm trees, planted around 1880 and an orchard of apple trees, planted 12 years ago.

 

Alan spoke about the incredible work of the Friends of Craven Wood volunteers, which includes managing the woodland by removing ivy, clearing areas, while improving biodiversity, making the wood more accessible for visitors, and engaging local schools.

 

As we walked up, it was wonderful to be in such a calm space while being met with stunning views of the city, and the sea.

 

You can just about see the Isle of Wight, on a clear day.

 

The grant money from East Brighton Trust will pay for 5 more notice boards to be installed, to improve the educational aspects, highlighting the ecological significance of 5 different areas of the wood.

 

The notice boards’ QR codes will allow visitors to discover more about the plants and wildlife, guiding visitors along designated pathways.

Alan hopes the new noticeboards will be installed by May 2025 in time for the City’s Tree Festival.

 

Brighton and Hove City Council own Craven Wood, and the Friends have developed a wide range of habitats under the guidance of two of the City’s Park Rangers, including special butterfly-friendly plants which can now be found in the glade area, attracting over 25 varieties of butterfly which have been spotted in Craven Wood over recent years.

 

If you haven’t been up to Craven Wood, it really is an extraordinary place to visit, and you’ll be very pleased you did.