A slow start to the summer, however it appears that it is now finally on its way and the British countryside is at its best. Due to the prolonged dry (albeit cold weather) most of the footpaths are lovely and dry – great for dog walking, no muddy boots, and no muddy dogs to wash down!

Beautiful long, light days are a perfect opportunity for getting out and about in the village. As always Leap have been busy keeping an eye on footpaths around the village, and on a monthly basis dedicating a couple of hours for trimming back any identified over grown paths. New volunteers are always welcome to join these mornings, which normally take place on the first Saturday of the month 10am-12pm – please do keep an eye on the Leap website for all details.

The village was very lucky once again to have the Ewhurst Secret Gardens open for all to enjoy. This was a wonderful weekend of magnificent gardens of various sizes and designs – such hard work and dedication must go into this annual event, making it one of the highlights on the events calendar.

Next up on the village events calendar is the Ewhurst ‘Clear Out Day’ on Saturday 4th July – the perfect opportunity for sorting out dusty corners of sheds and garages for any unwanted items that others may wish to find use for and enjoy! More details will follow shortly on the website.

Enjoy the Summer!

Finally a beautiful sunny spring day! Gosh how that lifts the spirits. The final week in February seems to have turned from Winter to Spring, though of course still the odd heavy shower passes by.

The mornings and evenings are getting lighter day by day, and so wonderful to see the village coming back to life following what seems like a long winter hibernation. During my daily early morning walk around the village the birds are singing their hearts out and a starling has already started making her nest in our eves. The snowdrops have been out for a couple of weeks and the daffodils are just about peeking out now – soon yellow splashes of colour will be brightening up the village.

As of recent I have not seen many foxes in the village – I hope they, along with the hedgehogs and badgers, are managing to cope with all the rain and wetness – it makes me wonder what their borrows and dens must be like. Another absence from the normal village life is the Saturday morning football matches on the Rec – this is normally a hive of activity, however just too wet to play for many weeks now.

I have been dog walking up on the sandy hills recently to avoid the wet footpaths in the village – I must say so refreshing to try new routes, and a good opportunity to recollect at what fantastic countryside we have right on our door step – we have discovered a great walk from Holmbury Hill car park down into Holmbury village, past the church then back up again onto the Heath in a large loop. We are so lucky to be able to find dry’ish sandy paths, my small terrier dog certainly thanks me for it!

Events are starting to take place again in the village, including the LEAPs very own Pub Quiz Night at the Bulls Head on Monday 3rd March – I have been to the quizzes previously at the pub and this is a great night out in the village.

Hopefully the next time I write the weather will have finally settled, with milder days and the promise of a long warm summer on the horizon, in the meantime enjoy the early Spring!

As I type the weather is so remarkably mild and long may it last, though the rain seems to have arrived following such a lengthy dry spell. Due to the very mild weather the leaves appear to be changing very late this autumn, however the conkers and acorns seem to be in abundance. Log fires are starting to be lit, and some evenings the distinct smell of the chimney smoke can be smelt around the village – a comforting thought for winter!

LEAP had a busy start to October with a ‘pond clearance morning’ at the village pond next to the church car park. The day dawned bright and sunny, and soon all rain coats and fleeces were discarded as the work commenced! A good turn out meant that huge progress was made on clearing back all the weeds and dead reeds from around the edge of the pond. The long term plan is to clear all the way around the pond, trim back the overhanging willow branches and clear the small drainage ditches running from the pond. This will then encourage more wildlife into the pond and lag irises and lilies could then be introduced, making the pond a very attractive feature in the village centre. This project has the full support of the Parish Council, and very careful consideration has been taken in assessing the site to prevent any disturbance to existing wildlife.

I went along to an excellent open day at the Sayers Croft Centre a few weeks ago. The Sayers Croft Field Centre was built in Ewhurst in 1939 to provide an educational basis for city children to come and learn about the countryside. After a spell of being used as a home to evacuees during WWII it returned to its original purpose of providing a residential centre where children can study the natural environment and wildlife. It really is a fantastic centre with up to 200 children visiting each week throughout the year. There are also a great variety of events for local children to participate in and volunteering opportunitieswww.sayerscrofttrust.org.uk

The next LEAP footpath working party is planned for Saturday 2nd November – a great and invigorating way to spend a couple of hours out in the countryside – thoroughly recommended!

Mid Summer – the longest day nearly here with wonderful long light days. Unfortunately still no sign of the summer weather arriving, however the English countryside is certainly at its best. Despite a late start the wisterias did not disappoint with wonderful blossoms tumbling over several houses in the village. Ewhurst has had a busy couple of months with amongst others the Horticultural Show, the Secret Gardens, and of course our very own LEAP Long Walk. The Secret Gardens were amazing and certainly most of them were a secret to me – I had no idea of the gardens so passionately created hidden behind fences and hedges.

The 8th June dawned bright and clear – just perfect for the LEAP Long Walk. A small gathering of people and dogs eagerly met in the village car park ready to follow a route through the village and up onto the Surrey Hills. Thanks to the warm clear day, the views from Pitch Hill were spectacular and far reaching to the South Downs. After a brief stop to admire the views, and a water stop for the dogs, we moved along the Greensand Way to Reynards Hill then back along the Jelleys Hollow path down into the village. On our return we were met by a very welcoming sight outside the Wilson Room of a long trestle table all set up for afternoon tea! What a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon in Ewhurst.

Next up on the LEAP events calendar is the Clear Out Day on the Saturday 6th July – a date not to be missed!