A sign reading "Cuilfail Tunnel" with a red shield emblem, positioned in front of the entrance to a modern, curved tunnel.

East Sussex Highways – Cuilfail Tunnel clean

/in /by

Message from East Sussex Highways:

We will shortly be carrying out routine maintenance works at Cuilfail Tunnel, Lewes.

These works are scheduled for Friday 12th June 2026 and may result in delays between 8:00pm and 6:00am.

Please also note that East Sussex Fire & Rescue will be undertaking a training exercise during this closure.

LEAF (Lewes Environmental Advisory Forum)

/in /by
LEAF is a special interest group, which will rely on members of the community, with the requisite knowledge.
In late summer 2024 a group of local residents and councillors met to discuss how local communities could be more involved in safeguarding the local environment. One idea was to find a way to feed local environmental knowledge into the planning process. People felt that ecology reports (necessary for planning applications and drawn up by consultant ecologists and ESCC ecologists) sometimes missed things that were clear and obvious to local residents – like Nightingale sites.
A scoping group of local residents and councillors came together to draw up terms of reference for a potential special interest group. LDC planners have welcomed the opportunity to increase community engagement and helped develop the terms of reference for LEAF. LDC Planning has agreed to work with LEAF to ensure the group is kept up to date with planning applications (at all stages of the application process) and to allow the group to contribute to Ecology Reports. These contributions, properly supported, will carry weight within the planning decision process.
There are now two interim co-chairs and the plan is to run a pilot over the coming year. .
If you would like to get involved or ask further questions please contact Cllr Mark Slater (acting convenor for LEAF) at mark.slater@lewes.gov.uk
A frosty field with a wooden gate in the foreground. In the distance, three people and a dog walk along a narrow path under a clear blue sky. The grass and plants are covered in frost.

LOCAL FOOTPATH WARDEN

/in /by
Stephen Woodall, East Sussex Footpath Officer for the Ramblers Association is looking for someone to become the warden for Ringmer’s local footpaths.
The warden would be required to walk each footpath within their Parish every 12 months and highlight any issues relating to the footpath, which would then be sent to East Sussex County Council, who hold responsibility, for attention via their reporting tool.
If you are interested in this voluntary position please contact Stephen on 07928 869980 who will be happy explain further.
Green banner with white text: "The Monday Group," "Voluntary rights of way workers in Sussex," and a direction sign pointing to "Stiles," "Gates," "Steps," and "Clearance.

The Monday Group – Improving our footpaths

/in /by

The Monday Group is here to help you get more enjoyment from walking in our beautiful Sussex countryside. We are very lucky to live in such a lovely area, and many of you already enjoy walking our footpaths. Many of these are ancient rights of way, legitimised by use through the ages, and now accessible by right in law as public rights of way. We need to guard our heritage closely or we’ll lose it, and our fantastic footpath network is no exception.Three people stand near a parked car and small trailer in a grassy, hilly landscape. They are working near a wooden structure and fenced area under a clear blue sky.

The Monday Group at work on Malling Down

However, as walkers know so well, paths are often neglected, either because they are overgrown or too muddy or the stiles are in disrepair. The Monday Group is one of the oldest voluntary organisations in the area, and we’ve been doing our best to look after the local footpath network since its inception in 1961. We are a registered charity and in 2023 we were awarded the Kings award for voluntary services in recognition of our work over the years.

A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat crouches and climbs under a large, fallen tree branch surrounded by dense green foliage and plants in a wooded area.      A narrow dirt path winds through dense green foliage and bushes, with tree roots visible on the trail and sunlight filtering through the trees above.

Blocked path – before and after clearance

However, we can only put things right when we know about them, so now that spring is coming, and as you get out and about more, please let us know of any problems like paths that are overgrown or dangerously boggy, or stiles that are getting too old/wobbly or difficult to cross so we can deal with them. It’s easy to report things that need dealing with. Our stiles all have plaques with contact details, including a QR code. You can also contact us by phone, email, via our “Report a Problem” page on our website, or Facebook. Many people use ‘what 3 words’ to identify locations, or else just describe where it is as best you can. If you provide contact details, we can follow it up with you if we can’t find it.

A wooden gate stands open on a muddy path through grassy fields, bordered by wire fencing and weathered wooden posts, under a mostly cloudy sky with patches of blue.

One of our gates on Offham Hill

We can’t deal with everything, but we can deal with most of the problems that are reported to us. If the work is out of our scope we can refer it to the County Councils, who we work closely with. Our core area is from Albourne to Ringmer, north of the Downs, but we do work further afield. Recently for instance we have worked in Folkington near Polegate, and south of the downs including Telscombe and Rodmell and as far away as Motts Mill near Crowborough.

I’m the fundraiser for the Monday Group and we are always grateful for donations towards our work, but please also keep us in mind as you set out into the countryside and let us know if you come across any problems. We’ll do our best to fix them.

Mostly, however, get out and walk. Use it or lose it as they say!

Happy walking.

Jim Redwood Monday Group (fund raising)

Contacts:

Website: https://www.mondaygroup.org

Messages: hello@mondaygroup.org

Mobile: 07510 12716

Facebook:  facebook.com/MondayGroupSussex

A satellite view of Fingerpost Field, showing a large green park area with a skatepark at the lower edge, surrounded by roads and houses. The location pin marks "Fingerpost Skatepark" and nearby streets are labeled.

FINGERPOST FIELD PUBLIC CONSULTATION – COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY

/in /by
The Parish Council manages Fingerpost Field to ensure that it remains an accessible and enjoyable space for residents and visitors alike.
We are committed to enhancing the area by developing a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging recreation facility. Our aim is to upgrade amenities to promote the health and wellbeing of all users.
We welcome your feedback, as your viewpoints are essential in making sure our plans meet our communities needs and expectations.
A survey is now available for completing online via this website (you asked, we listened 😊). Please click through on the following link…..
If you would prefer to complete an electronic form or have a hardcopy, please contact us as follows…..
📨admin@ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk
☎️01273 813242
📳07565 704 342

Fingerpost Field Public Consultation – Community Feedback Survey

/in /by

Fingerpost Field in Ringmer is already home to a skatepark and children’s playground. We want to make it even better. Whether you’re a parent, teenager, sports fan, or just someone who enjoys the outdoors – your voice matters.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below and tell us what you think. Your feedback will help shape how this valued community space is improved in the future.

A campaign poster for James MacCleary MP, Member of Parliament for Lewes. It includes his photo, contact details, social media info, and a QR code to sign up for email updates. Text: “STANDING UP FOR YOU.”.

James MacCleary – How to get in touch

/in /by
Three people with bicycles look at a map near a historic stone gateway. An inset shows the “Cycle Lewes” map cover and details about cycling resources and information for Lewes.

CYCLE LEWES MAP, 5TH EDITION – FEEDBACK REQUESTED

/in /by

Please see below a copy of a Press Release about the Cycle Map.

There is a QR code that links to a Feedback Form on their website. They are particularly looking for feedback to improve future editions.

GenericArticleCycleLewesMapJune2025 Article Cycle Lewes Map June2025

A black-and-white QR code with the word "bitly" in the bottom right corner, displayed on a white background.

Indoor swimming pool with several swimmers in the water. The pool area has a tiled deck, metal ladders, and equipment like lifebuoys and kickboards along the walls. Ceiling beams and lights are visible above.

THE SWIMMING POOL IS BACK!

/in /by

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Ringmer Swimming Pool — a special event celebrating the return of this valued facility to the local community.

Venue: Ringmer Swimming Pool
Date: Saturday, 14th June 2025
Time: Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 AM

This event will include a formal ribbon-cutting and the opportunity to tour the newly reopened pool. We would be honoured by your presence as we mark this important occasion with our partners, supporters, and members of the community.

Opening Soon

 

Neighbourhood Plan Review Survey

/in /by

Our survey remains open for your views on the future of the village. If you would like to complete the survey please visit https://ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk/your-council/neighbourhood-plan/nhp-review