Our Projects
In addition to keeping our local footpaths clear and keeping a close watch on planning developments in the village, the Conservation Group undertakes a number of projects every year. These range from village clean-up days, putting up the Christmas tree with its lighting, maintaining the historic lights in the village and supporting our designated charity, which this year is the Uckfield Food Bank.
Bulbs and Planters
Each year bulbs have been planted along the three roads which lead to the village centre. Flower tubs have been positioned throughout the village and a flower bed was created in the car park opposite St Bartholomew's church. In the spring of 2016 three planters were purchased and installed at each of the three entrances to the village. These planters are maintained by the Group's members
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Underhill Bridge
The Conservation Group continues to liaise with East Sussex Highways on Gatehouse Bridge, the small stone bridge which carries Underhill over Shortbridge Stream. This issue goes back to January 2020 when Highways removed the original iron handrails and replaced them with concrete posts and tubular steel poles. There was an outcry by residents over their unsightly appearance.
The Conservation Group took up the matter with Highways and in 2022 they agreed to reinstate handrails more appropriate to the heritage bridge. However, before this work could be undertaken the downstream headwall of the bridge, which was already cracked, collapsed into the stream and Underhill was closed to through traffic from January this year.
Shortbridge Stream is ecologically highly sensitive and the Environment Agency has not yet issued the necessary permits to allow Highways to begin repair work. They advise the work is consequently on hold until at least January 2024 and the lane remains closed to traffic.
MCG is very pleased that Highways has confirmed that the remedial work will reinstate the stone headwall to its previous appearance with railings fabricated to match the originals.
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There is still no firm date for the work to be done and Underhill has remained closed to traffic since January 2023.
Church gate
The wrought iron gate opposite the church car park has been in place for more than 60 years, but had got into a sorry state. The MCG decided to do something about this and arranged and paid for the renovation of the gate. The refurbished gate was reinstated on 15 September 2020 (see pictures below).
The gate is of historical interest to the village. It was originally presented to St.Bartholomew’s Church in 1947 by a unit from the 163 Infantry O.C.T.U. (Artists Rifles) who were stationed in Maresfield from 1945 – 47 and again in 1964 – 65.
Clean-up Days
Everbody on the village is invited to join in with our regular village clean up days. All equipment and materials are provided for you to have a walk round with your friends and family to see how many sacks of rubbish you can collect. A satisfying few hours that produces excellent results.
The Queen's Green Canopy
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) was a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The initiative invited people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Everyone from individuals to youth groups, villages, cities, counties, schools, and corporates were encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees.
MCG took part project which was deemed a great success in Maresfield.
Local residents chose seventeen different varieties and eighty-one trees and shrubs were delivered. There were also some mixed hedging packs which brought the total number of plants to over 200.
The most popular choices were Rowan, Hornbeam and Dogwood. Some of you have sent us photos of your trees and it’s great to see how well they are being looked after.
Victorian lamps
The MCG sought quotes to repair and refurbish the three Victorian lamps situated at the church, the cemetery and the recreation ground. These lamps have now been fully restored, reinstalled and are lit at night.
