this speck of rock

Saturday 24 May
3pm – 5.30pm
FREE
All welcome
Capacity: 10 max

An observational walk and talk in the dynamic environment of the South Downs, led by ecologist and botanist Jonathan Timberlake.

Starting from Crowlink, the route will take us across level land for 1km to a barn on the Downs, to an ash grove for a rest and a drink, and then 1km down to the village of East Dean.

Along the way, Jonathan will reference geological time, human history, agriculture, ecology, vegetation and plants, inviting us to think together about the past, present and future of this landscape and its biodiversity.

What, actually, are we standing on? Is this a ‘natural’ landscape? How has it been shaped by humans? Why is this area regarded as being of particular conservation importance and what’s the extinct auroch got to do with it? What might be our caretaking role, now? These and other questions will emerge as we walk and talk.

The walk will go ahead in (most!) weathers. Please bring sun and rain protection, and water. And if you would like to share any access requirements with the organiser in advance, please feel welcome email Nikki at nikkijtom@gmail.com or call/text 07974 208279.

Jonathan Timberlake has spent most of his working life dealing with landscapes, agriculture, plants and conservation across southern and eastern Africa. Now living for over 20 years in East Dean, he has recently been carrying out plant surveys and compiling information on biodiversity for local planning. Jonathan likes to take a broad, ecological and historical view of landscapes, thinking about how they have been shaped by humans and other forces over the years, how soils and landform determine species distributions, and what the future might hold.

Nikki Tomlinson works as a curator and producer, organising art projects in the UK and internationally.

After 30 years of walking, and 7 years living, in the South Downs, I realise I have barely scratched their chalky surface - at once a speck of rock and an epic, revealing landscape.
I’m hosting this event as part of a research project supported by Arts Council England exploring how – and whether - to create a new initiative bridging performance, land and ecology in the coastal area between Eastbourne and Newhaven. Part of this work is based in the public space of the South Downs National Park. Seeing this landscape as a shifting one, in which we can both imagine and contribute to positive change, the project involves conversations and collaborations with artists, ecologists, farmers, rangers and organisations, and small public events as a form of field research, across 2025.
Nikki

Further information

Route
Starting from Crowlink National Trust Car Park, we will walk for 1km towards Birling Gap on level land, pausing to talk. After spending some time at a barn on the downs, we will walk to an ash grove, have a refreshment break, and then go 1km down into the village of East Dean. The route includes stiles and gates. If you are returning to Crowlink car park, it is a 1km walk from the village of East Dean. And if you are travelling home by bus, there is a stop in the village.

Meeting point
Crowlink National Trust Car Park
Crowlink Lane
BN20 0AX

What 3 words: ///feeds.reconnect.compounds

Travel:

By bus
Coaster Bus which runs from Eastbourne to Brighton: routes 12, 12a and12x all stop at Friston Pond. Get off at Friston Pond and walk 200m down Crowlink Lane to reach the meeting point in the car park.
Bus journey – 10mins from Eastbourne Station or 20mins from Seaford Station. 1hr from Brighton.

By car
Crowlink National Trust car park: £6 for a day (or free for National Trust members)
Free parking by St Mary’s Church, Crowlink Lane

On foot
Please meet us in Crowlink National Trust car park


Duration
Walk & talk: 2.5hrs

What to bring
Layers in case of wind and rain. Sun protection. Water.

Toilets
There are no toilets at the meeting point nor on the walking route. The nearest accessible toilets are at the Tiger Pub in East Dean

Access requirements
Please get in touch if you would like to share any access requirements with the organiser in advance.
BSL and/or audio description can be provided on request

Age recommendation
16+

Capacity
10 max