Friends of Tidemills, Bishopstone

This precious and somewhat mysterious place, situated between Newhaven and Seaford on the East Sussex Coast, needs ongoing care and attention – why not join the Friends and give a couple of hours a month by helping us keep the place cared for – you will be made very welcome!

The Friends of Tide Mills is a small, informal group of mainly local people interested in maintaining and preserving the unique atmosphere of this area for the benefit of all. The group was started April 2005 and has now become the focus for anybody who feels the area is threatened in any way – we have an excellent working partnership with Newhaven Port Properties, the land owners, and, latterly, the South Downs National Park Authority, as much of the area is now within the boundary of this latest UK National Park.

Our prime objective is the collection of (mainly) seaborne rubbish (nearly 2000 bags to date) but we have also taken an active role in clearing vegetation such as Japanese Knotweed  and assisting other groups with the recording and conservation of the plants and animals inhabiting this special habitat known as “Vegetated Shingle”.

Our other main objective, now achieved we feel, is to put Tide Mills firmly “on the map” so that as many people as possible know about it and appreciate it as we obviously do.

We meet once a month, on a Sunday morning (always the 3rd Sunday of the month) between 10am and noon. We have litter grabbers and bags generously provided by Newhaven Port Properties. We just need you to work them! When we started in 2005 and in the early years of our activities around 6-10 of us would collect up to  25-30 bags of plastic and other rubbish. In recent years between 15-20 of us collect 10-20 bags, so we do feel we are now making Tide Mills much cleaner than ever before, but obviously the more of us there are the more of a difference we can truly make. That this litter peaks in or after stormy weather is sadly indicative that most of it is generated by those who rely on the sea for a living and the contempt they treat it with – fish net cuttings, discarded marine grease, oil containers etc.

In September each year we participate in the Marine Conservation Society’s National Beach Watch initiative. However it isn’t all about rubbish collection as we are regularly consulted over other matters that crop up from time to time – for instance; Newhaven Port expansion plans, incidents of pollution, nesting bird sightings etc. We also enjoy two picnics a year – after our August and December meetings.

No physical exertion just gentle, worthwhile exercise, in the, still free, sea air, you can work alone or with others. We generally work for 2 hours but any time that can be spared is equally appreciated – come for as long as you want, when you want, you will be made most welcome.