~ ‘Six inches of Soil’

The screening of this thought-provoking film was a great success, raising over £1,100 for the Royal Countryside Fund. The film, ‘Six Inches of Soil’ leaves you with a sense of deep gratitude and respect for the work of our farmers and food producers. In the discussion afterwards,

I was fortunate to host three very different, but inspirational farmers: Dan Burdett, a local organic dairy farmer; Elizabeth Buchanan, a regenerative and organic farmer of pedigree Sussex beef; and Rosanna Catterall, who runs a regenerative and organic market garden, in the Knepp estate. All three were passionate about the environment in general and soil health in particular. They are also deeply committed to the quality of their produce and share profound concerns for the plight of the regenerative farmer.

Thank you to Leysa Noble, for organising this well attended event and to Cumnor for hosting it.

~ Wealden Community Grants Programme 2025 - 28

Wealden District Council are asking registered charities, not-for-profit organisations and community interest companies to apply for this funding, to help them support Wealden residents and communities. The funding programme opened on 9th October and the closing deadline is Wednesday, 4th December 2024. Applications will be considered from organisations who wish to apply for funding of £5,000 or above per annum, for a period of three years. If you are interested or think you may be eligible, go to communitygrants@wealden.gov.uk

~ National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plan

Wealden will imminently publish the analysis of the regulation 18 Local 15 Plan consultation. The Local Plan process has been interrupted by the government consultation on the NPPF, which has created uncertainty. Due to the proposed reforms to the planning system, there is currently a lack of clarity from central government about what should happen to Local Plans that have reached the regulation 18 stage. We have highlighted this unfortunate position in Wealden District Council’s extensive response to the NPPF consultation, which can be found on the wealden.gov.uk website by searching ‘response to National Planning Changes and Other Relevant Consultations.’ I have also responded to the consultation and we continue to lobby the government for a planning system that is not beholden to developers and adequately values nature.

~ Parish in Bloom - Gold!

Congratulations to Fletching parish on not only winning gold in this year’s Parish in Bloom competition, but also on coming first in the group, The parish scored particularly well in community inclusivity and environmental responsibility.

Thank you.

Cllr. Christina Coleman

~ Wealden Food Partnership

As part of my role as a District Councillor, I am a core member of the Wealden Food Partnership. This is a fantastic organisation that works with food producers, buyers, food banks and other interested parties to promote a local food economy. The Wealden Food Partnership focusses on all elements of the food system including food security, food poverty, food waste and re-distribution, education, community food, farming, growing, processing, production and climate change - with the aim of creating a greener, more equal food system. Please do check out the new website at wealdenfoodpartnership.org.uk. and get involved!