Families are invited to the Biosphere Half Term Road Show this week [February 18-24], offering family fun whilst seeking views on proposals to make the sea, city and landscape around Brighton & Hove and Lewes into a Biosphere Reserve.

Volunteers from the ‘Biosphere Here Here’ campaign will be at a different venue in Brighton & Hove every day from Monday to Saturday, showing a digital photo exhibition of the development of the unique landscape and wildlife found in the area, with a kids quiz and free give away of wild flower seeds, with questionnaires to fill in.

“We have a unique opportunity to create a Biosphere Reserve here.  These are international sites of excellence for nature conservation and sustainable development and they are working examples of a more balanced relationship between people and nature,” said Chris Todd, chair of the Biosphere Partnership. 

“We want to hear people’s views on our bid which will be presented later this year to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the body which awards the Biosphere Reserve status.  If successful, this would open up opportunities to seek funding for projects which improve the local environment.  It would be recognition of our world-class environment and would help raise awareness, boost civic pride and strengthen the local economy.”

“This week’s road show is a great opportunity for families to find out more about the Biosphere bid and have fun at the same time and I urge people to make the effort and find out more about this exciting project.”

For people who cannot make the road show times, there will be a static display in Jubilee Library all week, whilst for the more adventurous, the week culminates in a guided walk organised by the National Trust on the last Sunday of half term at Saddlescombe Farm entitled ‘3,000 years in 3 hours’, exploring the long history of the farm and its surrounding landscape.

The free road show events, which include a photo exhibition called ‘South Downs to Coastal Towns: our changing landscape’, will be at the following locations from 10am – 2pm:

Monday, 18^th February – Hove Town Hall, BN3 4AH

Tuesday, 19th February – Portslade Village Centre, BN41 2LL

Wednesday, 20th February – Whitehawk Library, The Hub, BN2 5FL

Thursday, 21st February – Preston Park Bowls Pavilion

Friday, 22nd February – Moulsecoomb Childrens Centre, BN2 4SE

Saturday, 23rd February – Brighton Jubilee Library, BN1 1GE

Sunday, 24^th February – Saddlescombe Farm (Guided walk – cost £3)

The following week, the roadshow will be at Hangleton Community Centre, from 1 – 3pm on Wednesday, 27^th February.

The proposed Biosphere Reserve area lies roughly between the River Adur to the River Ouse, including the majority of the South Downs National Park, Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe. It covers some 340 square kilometres, including extending out to sea and is approximately the same size as the Isle of Wight. 

The Biosphere Road Show is one of the ways that the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Partnership, is reaching out to the public during its three-month consultation which started on Monday January 28 and ends on Monday April 22.  Responses can be made online via www.biospherehere.org.uk or in writing, either posted in a ballot box on the stalls or returned in a pre-paid envelope.

The Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Partnership is made up of 20 organisations:  Adur District Council, Brighton & Hove Bus Company, Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton & Hove Community & Voluntary Sector Forum, Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth, Dorothy Stringer School, Environment Agency, Horsham District Council, Lewes District Council, Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Mid-Sussex District Council, National Trust, Natural England, Plumpton College, RSPB, South Downs National Park Authority, Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Sussex Wildlife Trust, University of Brighton and University of Sussex.

The National Trust guided walk at Saddlescombe Farm costs £3 per person and more details can be found here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/find-an-event/?propertyID=3776

Sussex Business Charity Heroes Revealed

Twenty-one Sussex businesses have been declared finalists in the Chestnut Tree House 10^th Birthday Business Awards 2013 for their creative support of the only children’s hospice in Sussex.

“Companies from across the county have raised thousands of pounds for Chestnut Tree House in a wonderful world of ways, with staff showing huge resourcefulness and commitment to help us make life better for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families,” said Hugh Lowson, Chief Executive of the charity.

“As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we want to say a huge thank you to them and we hope that many more businesses in the county will join them to help us. It costs £6,850 per day to provide all our care services, at the hospice and out in the community across Sussex, whilst just 8% of our funding comes from central government, so we are reliant on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to cover our costs.” 

Over 100 applications from businesses were reviewed this week by the awards judges, including explorer, entrepreneur and CEO of the Business Leadership Academy, Neil Laughton, angel investor and entrepreneur, Arjo Ghosh, MD of Natural PR, Paula Seager, and CEO of Chestnut Tree House, Hugh Lowson.  

The finalists are:

Outstanding Original Fundraiser:

Sue Addis – Donatello – Brighton

Chris Dell – Gallagher Heath – Horsham

Steve White – The Swimming Gardener – Worthing

The winner will be an inspiring and exceptional individual who showed true initiative and a drive to make things happen; a proactive champion of Chestnut Tree House.

Fundraising Team of the Year:

Family Investments – Brighton

Marlin Financial Services – Worthing

Mayo Wynne Baxter – Brighton/ Lewes/Eastbourne/East Grinstead/Seaford

The winning team will demonstrate how, through working together, they took ownership of their fundraising to the benefit of their company and the hospice.

Most Innovative Fundraising Idea:

Churchill Square – Brighton

Mike Holland – Brighton

Southern Water – Worthing

In this category, judges were looking for a new, unusual or simply downright barmy idea with a successful outcome.

Outstanding Voluntary Project:

British Airways – Gatwick

The Body Shop – SE Regional stores

Travis Perkins - Worthing

Unusual and creative projects that made the best use of volunteers’ personal skills, interests and passions will all be considered.

Outstanding Long-term Supporter:  

Best of British – Brighton

E3 – Brighton

Southern Water - Worthing

It all began ten years ago and some businesses have helped with fundraising, sponsorship or staff time for many of those years and the charity feels it is time to say thank you!

Outstanding SME Supporter: 

Juice FM – Brighton

Jeremy Silverthorne Jewellers – Worthing

Technetix – Burgess Hill

For this category, the judges looked for a recent project, within the last 12 months, where the staff of a small / medium sized company and their clients worked together to help Chestnut Tree House.

Outstanding Corporate Supporter:

Family Investments – Brighton

Mayo Wynne Baxter - Brighton/ Lewes/Eastbourne/East Grinstead/Seaford

4 Delivery – Crawley

Sometimes the benefits of fundraising go beyond the financial rewards; here judges focused on further reaching support and its benefits.

Finalists and other Sussex businesses are invited to a superb drinks reception and awards dinner at the South Lodge Hotel near Horsham on Thursday March 14 where the winners will receive their trophies.  The evening will be hosted by Juice 107.2’s ‘Mr Love’, Ambrose Harcourt, and TV actress, Julie Graham.  Both Julie and Ambrose are Patrons of Chestnut Tree House.

A limited number of tickets are on sale for £50 each or £500 for a table of ten by calling 01903 871821.

www.stbh.org.uk