Latest Events in Forest Row(October Updated)

Free CPD - Twilight Session for Teaching Staff Come join us for a free Twilight Session at the Ashdown Forest Centre ! This event is specially designed for Secondary School Teache rs and Support Staff who are involved with field studies, Science, Geography, Geology, outdoor learning, Environmental Studies and Natural History. Ashdown Forest holds a vast resource to teach. It can offer pupils opportunities of direct experience for field studies giving them a chance to observe, describe, record and analyse biodiversity and landscape management. We will introduce practical skills on a brief brief walk out into the Forest, indicating areas to visit and advising the best routes and areas suitable for your learning experience. There will be time for questions and discussion. Teachers will : • Gain a better understanding of the natural ecosystems found within the Ashdown Forest • Learn ways to access the site and look after it safely as a visitor. • Get to know and locate specific areas of interest. • Get examples of the unique and specific fauna and flora found on Ashdown Forest • Gain evidence of conservation successes and habitat management techniques • Build understanding of the landscape of the High Weald AONB • Have a chance to network with other local schools. Teachers will take away: • A deeper relationship with Ashdown Forest and understand it’s local relevance. • Tips and tricks on having a great day out. • A point of contact at for questions and advice. • A desire to return. Reserve your spot now! Information Source: The Ashdown Forest Foundation | eventbrite

Join our Education Team on the Ashdown Forest to explore ways we can be creative using the nature around us. We’ll explore woodland crafts using natural materials held in our forest school area. Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild! Different topics and activities every session. Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years and they will need to accompanied by an adult. Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches. Buy a ticket for each child attending, accompanying adults are free. Parking is included - you will need to register your car on arrival by visiting the Visitor Centre. Nature walks take place over uneven surfaces and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or advice. This event is not suitable for dogs. 21 August Thursday Boats and Rafts Design and make a tiny raft from sticks found on a walk. Add a sail decorated with leaf prints. 28 August Printing with Plants Take a closer look at some of our special heathland plants. Use them to create prints with inks and paints. If the sun is out try making a sun print. 30 Oct Crafty Halloween Special Gizzards, bones and fur – unlock the secrets of an owls feast! Games and making Besom witches brooms - an old fashioned Halloween morning of apple bobbing and toffee apples as a treat! Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite

Celebrate the season in style at our Christmas Spa & Beauty Showcase, an evening full of festive indulgence and beauty inspiration. Enjoy live demonstrations of this season’s must-have products, discover elegant gift ideas, and take advantage of exclusive offers on spa and beauty gift vouchers. Beautiful gifts and vouchers will be available to purchase during the event. Admission is complimentary. We look forward to welcoming you! Information Source: Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club | eventbrite

The highly anticipated event, "Life Drawing returns to Forest Row," is set to take place at the Forest Row Community Centre. This event will be held on April 13, 2025, at the venue located on Hartfield Road in Forest Row, RH18 5DZ. Participants can look forward to honing their artistic skills and exploring the world of life drawing in a serene and supportive environment. Join fellow art enthusiasts and immerse yourself in this enriching experience right in the heart of Forest Row.

Come join us for a fun-filled evening of creativity and relaxation at Hop Yard Brewing Co ! Grab a brush, sip on some delicious drinks, and let your inner artist shine. No experience necessary - our talented instructor will guide you through creating your own masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned painter or just looking to try something new, this event is perfect for everyone. Don't miss out on the chance to unwind, socialize, and unleash your creativity! Information Source: Sheila Rose | eventbrite

Join the Education Team on the Ashdown Forest to explore ways we can be creative using the nature around us. We’ll explore woodland crafts using natural materials held in our forest school area. Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild. Different topics and activities every session. Thursday 29th May - Make your own paper. We will prepare our own pulp, transforming fibers for woodland paper production. Add to your hand crafted paper with embedded flowers and leaves. You will get messy and probably wet! come dressed in old clothes. Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years and they will need to accompanied by an adult. Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches. Buy a ticket for each child attending but parents are free, parking is included but will need to be registered on arrival in the Visitor Centre and will only last for the duration of the session. Nature Walks take place over uneven surfaces and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or advice. This event is not suitable for dogs. Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite

Spoon Carving Come join a fun and creative spoon carving workshop at the Ashdown Forest Centre with local green woodwork expert John Waller . Learn the ancient craft of transforming a simple piece of wood into a beautiful and functional spoon. We will be using wood cut on the Ashdown Forest as part of the winter programme of conservation work. John will guide you through the process, teaching you carving techniques and helping you unleash your creativity. This course is aimed at the novice outdoors-person, and will cover axe and knife safety, tool selection and instruction in spoon whittling. You will take home a finished spoon. Please indicate at the time of booking whether you are right- or left-handed. This event is perfect for anyone looking to learn a new skill and enjoy a day of sustainable crafting in a beautiful setting. The course will take place outdoors in good weather or inside the Education Barn in wet or windy weather. Partcipants must be over18 yearsold. Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite

Join for a night of food and dancing to help raise funds for Friends of the River Medway’s pilgrimage.Enjoy the vibrant, eclectic sounds of Folkadelix while sampling a delicious variety of food and snacks — from hearty venison burgers to vibrant vegan salads and indulgent sweet treats. There's something to satisfy every palate. Please note: Tickets are £10 and do not include food, so be sure to bring cash for food and refreshments on the night. We can't wait to celebrate with you! Information Source: Friends of the River Medway | eventbrite

From Source to Sea: Opening Day This is a free event and open to all. Kindly note that the community meal will be donation-based. To reserve your spot, please register through the ticket link. Location: Weir Wood Reservoir, RH18 5HT (what3words: ///heightens.activity.butterfly) From Source to Sea is set to be a transformative nine-day pilgrimage following the River Medway’s journey from her source to the sea. This pilgrimage offers a heartfelt opportunity to deepen our bond with the River, to connect with the people and communities whose lives flow alongside her, and to discover together how we might step into true friendship and guardianship, nurturing the River’s health and vitality for generations to come. To find out more about the pilgrimage, visit our website . Our journey begins at Weir Wood Reservoir, joining in celebration of their opening day. From 12:30 PM onward, you’re warmly invited to explore the reservoir’s waters through free taster paddle and sailing sessions, alongside a variety of engaging activities. Throughout the day, we’ll offer talks, workshops, and creative experiences to gently plant seeds of connection and care that will grow throughout the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage will officially start at 3pm, when Guy Hayward, co-founder of the Pilgrimage Trust, will share his inspiring reflections on The Power of Pilgrimage . Following this, we’ll introduce the journey ahead and invite you to learn how to become a Friend of the River Medway, stepping into a lasting relationship of care and commitment. After this opening gathering, we will take a gentle walk together to Tablehurst Farm. The day will close with us joining together for a warming community meal (location TBC), singing, and the opportunity to add prayers to the ‘Sacred Cup’ – a vessel filled with water from the River Medway that will carry our collective hopes and intentions throughout the entire pilgrimage. See the 'agenda' for the full schedule. Information Source: Friends of the River Medway | eventbrite

The 250km Sussex Adventure Each ticket holder will receive the full Route Manual and Route via email 6 days before the event. Basic info for the SSX Mystery Tour to help you prepare: - 250Km (ish) - 80% Off-Road - 4000 Metres (ish) - One checkpoint - Make sure to bring everything you might need: Lights, Spares, Tools etc. - No Time Limit Information Source: Liam Yates | eventbrite

Join the Education team to explore the beautiful Ashdown Forest. We will be investigating whats happening in nature whatever the season, fun activities, games and adventures. Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild. Different topics and activities every session. 28th May - Snakes Find out about our resident reptiles and try your hand at printing snake inspired mono prints. We will walk on the heathland and discover some of their favourite habitats, if the sun is out and we are lucky we may even see some. Please rememeber long trousers for this activity. Wear old clothes as this could be a messy day. Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years and they will need to accompanied by an adult. Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches. Please buy a ticket for each child attending but parents are free, parking is included but will need to be registered on arrival in the Visitor Centre and will only last for the duration of the session. Nature Walks take place over uneven ground and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or need advice. This event is not suitable for dogs. Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite

Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite

Welcome to the Water is Love Film Screening! Come join us for a special event where we will be screening a heartwarming film about the beauty and importance of water in our lives. The event will take place at Michael Hall Steiner Waldorf School , a cozy venue for a discussion with the Director following the film. The evening is in collaboration with the Friends of the River Medway (FORM) and all money made will be donated to FORM. “Water is Love” follows a group of young people grappling with the climate crisis while they journey around the world to share inspiring stories of regenerative ecosystem design to create water retention in communities, villages, and regions. The film touches upon traditional ecological knowledge, how water makes climate, and the importance of restoring complete water cycles. Through inspiring stories from successful projects in India, Kenya, and Portugal, the film aims to spark conversations and actions that contribute to a regenerative and resilient world. As we’re facing both the growing devastating impacts of climate disruption, this film points to an often overlooked need and possibility: community-driven decentralized water management as a critical key for surviving — and thriving in — this century. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and celebrate the love we all share for water. We can't wait to see you there! Information Source: Tom Morris | eventbrite

Wax Ring Carving Workshops has arrived at Hop Yard Brewing Co. Forest Row. Have you ever wanted to create your own jewellery? This fun creative in-person event is the perfect introduction to jewellery making. Using age old techniques of creating jewellery in wax to be cast. Learn the art of carving, sculpting and mark making using jewellers wax to create your own unique ring design. Alice will guide you through the process, providing tips and tricks along the way. Your design will then be cast in Silver or Gold on request and delivered back to you. No experience necessary - just bring your creativity and enthusiasm! Don't miss this opportunity to craft a unique piece of jewellery. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult 7mm wax is provided and included in the class cost. If you'd like to make a larger ring this will be weighed and priced at the end of the class. Gold castings will be quoted on weight. Stone setting and engraving will be quoted per design. Rings may take approx 6 weeks for your ring to be processed and returned to you Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions before the class aliceashtonjewellery@gmail.com Information Source: Alice Ashton Jewellery | eventbrite

Welcome to Dungeons & Dragons as you've never seen it before. Inspired by Britain’s mythic, folkloric past, where people are cautious of the shadows between the trees; where settlements co-exist with ruins of civilisations built long ago and by ancient, unknowable beings. Old and New Gods jostle for power, and monsters are terrifying and strange to civilised and respectable folk - all run with small group tables, in an 18th century Sussex Manor House. Battle-hungry warriors, druids of the Old Gods, clerics of the New Gods, and scholars blessed or cursed with minds wild enough to wield magic, join forces with other characters, in this mossy, mysterious and magical world. Set in a fabled past, reimagined for modern D&D players – veterans and novices alike, come with us to hunt an ancient evil, haunting forgotten ruins and lightless forests, where only the bravest, cleverest, and most skilled will survive … and the enemy is always closer than you think. Specially written and presented by professional GMs, this adventure will be run for tables of no more than five, to keep action and interaction to a maximum. The event happens over two days, with the adventure split into chapters, with each section run by a different GM so that all can experience a range of different styles. Refreshments soft and alcoholic drinks will be available throughout the days, as will lunch on day 1, and breakfast and lunch on day 2. Age suitability: 16+ adults (each under 18 attendee must be accompanied by an attendee aged 18+) What players have said about previous Rogue20 game events: “Really loved it. Thanks! Can’t wait for the next ones! And it was fun to mix up the GMs. It gave each section a fresh start which was useful for such a long day playing.” “The whole day was a nice fun atmosphere. All the GMs were lovely and individual, the story was fun as were the players.” For those with dyslexia and additional neurodivergent needs, specifically designed character sheets are available, and all our GMs have experience in running games for diverse groups. Novices and veterans are all welcome and you will be brought into the groups that most suit your playing level. After booking an info pack will be sent to you, closer to the time. Our event writers and our GMs. Kidbrooke Mansion 18th century 'hunting lodge', surrounded by woodland and parkland, where the event is being held. Information Source: Jason Buck Storyteller | eventbrite

Welcome to the AUTUMN WOMAN HARVEST QUEEN with Gus Grima and Kriya! As our fertility wanes, we move from the Summer season of our lives to the Autumn. This is a time to CLAIM our harvest, EMBODY our wisdom and LEAD our communities! This workshop will help you: Explore the transformative power of Menopause and your earlier rites of passage Unpack fears and 'cultural baggage' around changing bodies and ageing Renegotiate your health, your work-life balance, your relationships, your sexuality, your lifestyle… Appreciate your embodied wisdom and embrace the new person you are becoming in this energetic upgrade! Gus is a Self-Discovery Coach who guides women through the shapeshifting terrain of midlife. With a foundational understanding of the body, shaped by her years as a nutritional therapist, she weaves cyclical consciousness, Human Design, and nervous system-informed emotional work to help women unearth their truest selves. Through her Shapeshifter framework, Gus supports women to release outdated patterns, reclaim their power and root into a steady, embodied self - creating lives that are aligned and true. Kriya is an Ayurvedic Yogic Practitioner, Priestess and Midlife Mentor with more than 30 years of experience in women’s health. She offers Ayurvedic consultation and bodywork, Yoga classes, courses, workshops, retreats, women’s circles and talks. By working with nature’s seasons and cycles Kriya supports women to nourish, honour and reconnect with their true essence, to realise and align with their self enlightened ‘wisdom goddess’. Information Source: Shamanic Womancrafting | eventbrite

NOTE! Please IGNORE map location. Exact location will be emailed 3-7 day before the course. Will be in or very near Forest Row. Beginning at 9.30 am and concluding around 2.00 pm, we will be foraging in different fungal habitats, for example, woodlands of various kinds as well as grassland (exact locations will depend on the quality/quantity of available fungi I spot when doing a recce the day before). Drawing on my 30-year experience of identifying and gathering fungi, the aim is to provide a general introduction to seasonally available fungi, how to harvest them sustainably and how to utilize them as food and medicine, as well as how to recognise and avoid poisonous species. I will also introduce, with hands-on examples in some cases, how to use fungi for other purposes such as painting, dyeing, ink making, paper making. You will taste a number of different mushroom products during the day, for example, candied fungi, pickled fungi, lacto-fermented fungi, liquid mushroom seasoning, mushroom cookies etc. In terms of non-food related fungi uses, whether you have children or not, such an added exploration is a really positive way to introduce fungi to them, bypassing the mycophobic culture of fear that abides in British culture. We will also work with some excellent fungi identification keys, as well as be introduced to a range of guide books. Much of fungi identification using the naked eye rather than microscopes (that is, identification in the field metaphorically and literally) is about a balance of probabilities that point to a particular species. The keys that we will use are excellent ones that, if used, will greatly aid your on-going confidence in beginning to accurately and systematically correctly identify a particular fungus down to genus level whilst out on your own. Provided for use on the day: Gloves, baskets, mushroom keys, hand lens. Suitable for those with both beginner or intermediate level fungi knowledge. Also includes more advanced cooking/preservation methods. IMPORTANT: Please note, the exact meeting point may not be as describe here. It may be here or within a couple of miles. This will be confirmed 3 days -1 week before the start of the course. Tickets can be for yourself, a family member, friend, or colleague. To help facilitate good communication, after booking please can you email me a mobile number for yourself or the person booked for (and and email address for them) to ferguspd22@hotmail.com Information Source: Fergus Drennan aka Fergus The Forager | eventbrite

This day will be full of songs of healing and celebration from many traditions around the world. John will also be sharing his very special HeartSong™ Project, an opportunity to weave beautiful harmonies together with focused kind intention. Community musician John Bowker is known for his ability to lead a group into a playful, relaxed and friendly space. To a place where the music becomes truly magical and where we can deeply connect with the grace and beauty in our lives. As John lives in Ireland, this is an a very rare opportunity to sing with him in the UK. No previous singing experience is needed, as all songs taught by ear. EVERYONE WELCOME! Lunch: There will be a 1 hour break for lunch at around 1.30pm and you are welcome to bring food to eat or go to one of the many restaurants, take aways or pizza places in the local area. Children: Due to the deep nature of John's work, this will be an adult only event. Parking: There is free parking available at the Community Centre Car Park in Forest Row. In your Sat Nav, type in the post code RH18 5DZ Contact If you have any questions about the day, please contact Mike on 07788 566313 or info@harmoniesoftheheart.org.uk The cost per ticket is £45 but a concession ticket is available at a cost of £30 by entering the promo code "Concession" Information Source: Mike Robeson | eventbrite

Forage for inspiration with artist Catherine Greenwood who will lead you on a one-day workshop to make your own printed Ashdown Forest inspired textiles. The workshop includes all art materials and top tips to print with lino and natural printing techniques on your own Tote bag and tea towel. About Catherine Greenwood Catherine is a local contemporary artist specialising in Printmaking inspired by walking & drawing. She is a member of @wildernessartcollective whose mission is to connect people to nature through art. Follow her on social media @catherinegreenwood_ or subscribe to her newsletter www.catherinegreenwood.co.uk What your day will look like Tea and coffee and snacks will be provided on arrival. Please bring a packed lunch and wear suitable footwear and outdoor clothing for all weathers. The morning will be spent gathering inspiration on a walk on the Forest, drawing and foraging fallen foliage. Catherine will demonstrate how to carve a simple Lino print design and print onto textiles. The afternoon will be spent printing your own Ashdown Forest inspired Tote bag and tea towel to take home. You will be guided at each step of the way and encouraged to experiment printing with colour composition and texture. Learn new skills and enjoy some special time on Ashdown Forest with guidance from an experienced environmental artist and printmaker. Catherine is an experienced art workshop leader and is happy to give any tuition that is needed, she has many years’ experience as an art walk leader on the South Downs and regularly teaches Printmaking in London, Brighton and from her own studio in West Hoathly, Sussex. More information about the event All tools and materials will be provided. Your car parking fee is covered in your booking. Please register your vehicle in the Information Barn at the Forest Centre on arrival. No dogs – this workshop is not suitable for our canine friends. By attending this workshop, you will be supporting us in our work to protect and enhance Ashdown Forest for future generations. Thank you! Information Source: Conservators of Ashdown Forest | eventbrite