Eastbourne Borough Council Latest News | Wednesday 24 April 2024

Remember photo ID to vote

Polling day for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Election takes place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

Please remember you will need to bring photo ID to vote – check if your ID is accepted at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id

Treebourne Tree Care Saturday – 27 April from 9am to 12pm

Congratulations to 24th Eastbourne Brownies for their amazing litter picking!

On Monday, the 24th Eastbourne Brownies completed their first, very successful, litter pick around Old Town!

Using litter picking equipment donated by our Environment First team, the group focussed their efforts on Victoria Drive, the area around Ocklynge Junior School, and their own church hall site at St Elisabeth’s.

The girls were full of enthusiasm and enjoyed the process of helping to look after their community.

A perfect way to celebrate Earth Day with their own environmental efforts – well done to all involved!

City Nature Challenge returns this weekend

City Nature Challenge is back from Friday 26 to Monday 29 April!

The initiative encourages local people to explore and record our vibrant local wildlife. From fluttering butterflies to hidden urban foxes, what will you discover?

Joining this citizen science challenge is easier than ever. Here’s how to get involved:

1. Download the iNaturalist app: It’s free and easy to use.
2. Go outside: Explore your local nature spots—from the Downs to right outside your door.
3. Snap and Upload: Take photos of plants and animals and upload them via the app.
4. Share: Post your finds on social media with #CityNatureChallenge2024 and they’ll share your snaps!

The initiative is collectively led by the South Downs National Park, the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex and The Living Coast.

Find out more: YouTube – City Nature Challenge 

Campaign to encourage responsible dog walking

We are supporting the South Downs National Park ‘Take the Lead’ campaign which encourages responsible dog walking when out in the South Downs and beyond.

It’s pretty simple to be a responsible dog owner while out enjoying the countryside. Here are some easy ways you can ensure that you and your dog stay safe:

• Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and wildlife
• Bag and bin your poo
• Protect ground nesting birds – stick to the paths, especially between 1 March – 15 September

Taking responsibility for your dog is especially important in spring when young livestock are particularly vulnerable and pregnant ewes are in the fields.

Did you know that if a pregnant sheep is chased she can abort her lamb through fear and stress?

You might wonder why dog poo needs to be picked up in the countryside when lots of other animal faeces is allowed to linger. It actually comes down to a dog’s diet. Eating meat and processed biscuits not from the natural environment means that your dogs poop contains worms and germs which can be harmful not only to the livestock and wildlife who eat the grass, but also these germs can filter down into the water beneath the ground which is used for drinking water.

Be safe and always pick up after your dog – it’s the right thing to do.

The South Downs is also home to many ground-nesting birds, and any disturbance can stop a successful brood. It’s best to keep your dog on the path so they don’t think an egg found in the undergrowth is a tasty mid-walk snack.

Take a minute to watch the Take the Lead animation which is full of helpful tips on how to keep you and your dog safe while exploring the South Downs, while at the same time ensuring it’s a space for wildlife, livestock and other users to enjoy as well. YouTube – Take the Lead