Heene Cemetery

Posted on by Michelle

Heene Cemetery is located on Manor Road, Worthing. Within the now closed cemetery (burials no longer occur there) there is an extensive wildflower meadow that is managed by the Friends of Heene Cemetery group. A team of volunteers carry out maintenance of the land by removing invasive species and replacing them with suitable native species, such as Common Bird’s-foot- trefoil, Meadow Crane’s-bill, Primrose, Wild Teasel and Yarrow. A comprehensive list, supplied by the Friends of Heene Cemetery can be found here: Heene Cemetery Flowering Plants List

  • Volunteers celebrating their 5th anniversary
  • An early primose

Access to the site is normally restricted to the public, however voluntary work is carried out on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons between 2pm-4pm during which members of the public are allowed to enter. New volunteers are welcome to visit on these working days and learn what the group does and where help is needed. Throughout the year volunteers run 4 open days and several tours. Visits by arrangement can be organised with the Friends of Heene Cemetery.

Mats are available to place on the paths suitable for wheelchair and impaired access.

The last year has been challenging, but Friends of Heene Cemetery have managed to keep the basic maintenance of the grounds under control with dedicated volunteers attending in pairs throughout lockdown by working in isolation and adhering to social distancing rules.

Even with the restrictions that have continually been changing this year, as a team they have managed to maintain, record, research and begin many different projects:

  • A new website was launched in July 2020 where the group celebrated 5 years of working together with a picnic.
  • Green Flag Award judging by Keith Percival
  • Two publications in the local paper, Worthing Herald.
  • A visit by Kate Greening WBC Cemetery’s manager and Harriet from Caring for God’s Acre
  • Rescued slow worms and lizards were introduced
  • Survey of mosses etc by Sue Rubenstein from Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
  • Survey of Fungi by Nick Aplin from Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
  • Introduction to identifying headstone materials by West Sussex Geological Society

The best time to see the wildflowers is from February to October.

For more information please visit Heene Cemetery – A closed cemetery in Worthing, West Sussex

St Aubyns Garden, Fishersgate

Posted on by Michelle

The St. Aubyns Garden is formed of a 30m2 wildflower verge at the corner of St. Aubyns Crescent and St. Aubyns Road, Fishersgate. It is maintained by the Eastbrook Community Gardeners, a small team of residents improving the appearance of their local spaces.

  • wildflower verge st aubyns
    A vibrant selection of Californian poppies and cornflowers
  • A beautiful urban wildflower verge bursting into colour

The garden was sown with wildflower seed in May 2020, however after a challenging year they plan to trial wildflower turf in Spring 2021 and hope to involve local children in maintaining and interacting with the garden when possible.

This site is easily accessible as it is in a residential area.

Visit the St. Aubyns Garden Facebook page for more information.

Breathing Spaces Community Flower Farm

Posted on by Michelle

Breathing Spaces Community Flower Farm is located at the Maybridge Keystone Centre in Worthing. It is run by Breathing Spaces CIC, a garden therapy and design company that provides the community with the opportunity to connect with nature and explore the healing benefits of gardening and flowers. In their small urban flower farm they have made space for growing wildflowers for the benefit of people and pollinators.

Breathing Spaces Community Flower Farm
Proposed site for the new wildflower strip

Breathing Spaces have started up a dedicated patch of around 4m2 and have already established wildflowers in other growing areas around fruit trees and in long grass areas. Using donated wildflower plants and collected seed, they hope to create a vibrant wildflower habitat. The long grass is cut down at the end of the season and cleared away in the traditional hay cut method. Examples of species include Campion ‘ragged robin’, Red Valerian, Dock, Sorrel, Cowslips, Yarrow, Tansy, Knapweed, Cornflower and Wild carrot.

The site is open during Maybridge Keystone Centre opening hours, the hours can vary so it’s best to check first before visiting. It is not wheelchair accessible at present. The site is accessed by walking across part of the playing field. The best time to see the wildflowers is around Early Summer.

There are plans to expand the wildflower strip along the back of the playing field.

Work experience for students with extra support needs and young unaccompanied asylum seekers can be arranged with Breathing Spaces and volunteers are welcome on Thursdays and Fridays, though please contact for up to date details due to current Covid restrictions.

For more information visit Breathing Spaces.

The Gallops, Findon Valley

Posted on by Michelle

The Gallops is an open greenspace that features several important habitats on its fringes, including chalk grassland and semi-natural woodland, as such it is listed as a West Sussex Area of Nature Conservation Importance and is a part of the South Downs National Park. Good access to the site is located between Bost Hill and Vale Drive in Findon, wheelchair users and the walking impaired may need support in accessing the site.

  • Common Spotted Orchid
  • The Gallops

Findon Valley Residents’ Association work in partnership with their local park rangers to enrich The Gallops with a patch of pollinator friendly wildflower mixes. As part of this partnership, in the Autumn local school children, volunteers and park rangers clear the ground and then begin sowing seeds in the Spring, an area approximately 60m2 is used for this purpose.

Among the various species found here you can spot Common Spotted Orchids, Eyebright and Field Scabious, the best time to see the wildflowers in full swing is during the summer months. 

To find out more about the volunteering opportunities with Findon Valley Residents’ Association and the work that they do, visit: Welcome to the FVRA (findonvalley.org)

Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve

Posted on by Michelle

The Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve extends along Shoreham beach from the land at Shoreham Fort to the Church of the Good Shepherd. It has 11 hectares of vegetated shingle.

  • Starry Clover on the reserve
    Starry clover on the reserve
  • Shoreham Beach LNR
    Shoreham Beach LNR

The end of May is the best time to see the flowers. It has the rare Starry Clover, Trifolium stellatum, and a population of Yellow Horned Poppy. Guided wildflower walks by arrangement.

The site is managed by Friends of Shoreham Beach LNR (FoSB). Volunteers are required for litter picking and clearing invasive species.

It is accessible anytime. There is a board walk for wheel chairs over most of the Reserve.

Visit the Friends of Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve website.

Lancing Ring Local Nature Reserve

Posted on by Michelle

Lancing Ring is a 23.5 hectare nature reserve, located to the north of Lancing and situated within the South Downs National Park. It is owned by Adur District Council and maintained in partnership with the Friends of Lancing Ring.

  • Wood anenomes in spring
  • Cowslips in the chalk pit
  • The woodland in spring

The reserve is comprised of many different habitats that support wildflowers, for instance: woodland areas that support species such as violets, early purple orchid and wood anemones; chalk grassland that supports round-headed rampions, cowslips, small scabious, birdsfoot trefoil, and pyramidal orchids; and meadows where you can find knapweed, yellow rattle, various vetches, eyebright and many more…

The site is open countryside and not really suitable for wheel chair users. Paths are generally dirt or grass and can be uneven, so may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties, depending on impairment.  It can get muddy during very wet periods. There are flowers at most times of the year, but the greatest concentration of flower are in the summer months. Access is via Mill Road through the main car park situated there and also at Halewick Lane, which also has parking located beside the play area at the foot of the hill.

During the summer, Friends of Lancing Ring host guided flower walks, although currently these are on hold due to coronavirus restrictions.

Volunteer sessions run on the 3rd Sunday of the month between 10am and midday when a variety of tasks are undertaken. For insurance purposes, new volunteers are asked to become members at a cost of £3 for the year and 50p for children. Members also receive 3 newsletters a year to keep them informed of what is happening and growing on the reserve.

Find out more about the work being undertaken by the Friends of Lancing Ring at their website: Friends of Lancing Ring | Your local nature conservation group (wordpress.com)

Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery

Posted on by Michelle

Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery is an active cemetery located off South Farm Road, it comprises of approximately 14.5 acres of land and provides a peaceful haven for wildlife and residents alike.  There is a rich selection of plant life throughout the cemetery: various grasses, deciduous and coniferous trees, bushes, and shrubs such as dog rose, holly and buddleia. Throughout the year, from spring to winter there are flowers to spot and enjoy, including snowdrops and primrose in late winter, lesser celandine in early spring and extensive swathes of oxeye daisies in summer.

  • Oxeye Daisies
  • Lesser Celandine
    Lesser Celandine

Since 2008, volunteers with the Friends of Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery Group have been maintaining select areas for the benefit of insects and wildflowers. Throughout the cemetery there are several areas (totalling around 180m2) that have been designated “no mowing” areas, wooden markers have been positioned to indicate this to grass cutting contractors.

The main entrance is located on South Farm Road, between Ardsheal Road and Carnegie Road. On Weekends and Bank Holidays there is an entrance on Carnegie Road. Access is best during daylight hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00am to 6:00pm from October to March, Monday to Sunday: 8:00am to 8:00pm from April to September. Main paths are wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

There is no parking available on site however there is ample parking on South Farm Road if required. 

Volunteers are encouraged to assist with regular clearance days which run the last Saturday of every month between 10.00 am and Midday. This is currently on hold due to Coronavirus restrictions; however, it is hoped that this will return soon.

For more information on the Friends of Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery and volunteering opportunities check out their website:  Friends of Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery (fbwc.co.uk) .

For general information visit: Broadwater Cemetery – Adur & Worthing Councils (adur-worthing.gov.uk)