Changing Chalk - Hearts and Histories of the Downs

a group of volunteers on top of Caburn Hill — Monument Mentors ready for action | © National Trust / Gary Webster

Inhabited for thousands of years, the South Downs have been shaped by the people who live on and around them. They are rich in history with hundreds of archaeological features across the landscape. The projects under this theme are all about helping communities become active participants in the discovery, interpretation, and celebration of the cultural heritage of the Downs.

Many people in the Changing Chalk area have a deep connection to the South Downs, but not this is not true for everyone. We know from previously-conducted research that certain groups of people aren't accessing the landscape, culturally and physically. We have consulted with these under-represented groups to better understand the barriers for them to participate in nature and heritage. By discovering this and identifying what is most important to them, we have devised a number of Changing Chalk projects that aim to celebrate and recognise a wide range of communities living on or next to the South Downs.

Edburton motte and bailey castle on the 'Fulking archaeology walk' trail at Devil's Dyke, South Downs, West Sussex — Edburton motte and bailey castle at Devil's Dyke | © Laurence Perry

Connecting the past to create a sustainable future

Humans have been on the Downs for over 6000 years. Thanks to this long and rich human history, we are using archaeology as a way to connect communities with the landscape. We hope this will create a sense of place, pride and feeling of ownership for many different people.

There are five projects under this theme that will allow communities to share their cultural heritage and historic connections in an impactful way. We hope to build new relationships with under-represented groups, encourage diversity of thought, and explore new approaches. We share a past on the Downs - we want to build a stronger future together.

Group of volunteers surveying archaeological features on the South Downs — Surveying archaeological features on the South Downs | © National Trust/ Josie Jeffery

Downs from Above

Lead partners - National Trust and Historic England

Working in partnership and using over 100 years of aerial photos and lidar (light detection and ranging) imagery, we have been able to create a new interactive map that will provide a platform for a citizen science survey. Through this map people can explore the archaeological sites on the South Downs near them and can contribute their own knowledge to the project.

Read more about the report that's just been published and investigate the new interactive map here.

We'll be running workshops and expeditions to show different communities the archaeological sites and explain their history. From what we learn, we hope to recruit volunteers who will continue to check, maintain and survey the sites to help protect our Downland heritage.

For more information or to get involved please email gary.webster@nationaltrust.org.uk

National Trust's Senior Archaeologist making site sketches during soil sampling | © Ben Thomas

Monument Mentors

Lead partner - National Trust

There are hundreds of Scheduled Ancient Monuments across the South Downs. Although they can be seen on maps, we want to record what can be seen of these Monuments on the ground. In this project, we are recruiting community members to ‘Adopt-a-Monument’ and come together to monitor and manage these nationally-important sites.

We will be running workshops and expeditions with local residents to inspire them to explore and understand more about these monuments, how they have become part of our landscape, and how they connect us to the past.

For more information or to get involved please email gary.webster@nationaltrust.org.uk or you can find out more about Schedule Monuments and download instructions to get started here

a group of young archaeologists dig a test pit — Digging a test pit at The Big Dig | © National Trust / Natalie Barb

The Big Dig

Lead partners - Lewes & Eastbourne Councils and National Trust

The Big Dig is aimed at residents in and around Eastbourne to help them learn how their town has evolved as a Downland settlement.

Over the next few years there will be public archaeological digs, workshops, walks and talks to show how people lived in Eastbourne in the past, right back to Neolithic times. There are also citizen archaeology events where people can dig their own test pits and bring their finds to be analysed by the Heritage Eastbourne team. This work will culminate in an exhibition of all the finds that we make.

For more information or to get involved please email Katherine.Buckland@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

a group of people on a hill looking for butterflies — Butterfly workshop in the South Downs | © Neil Jakeman

Writing our Legacy @ Changing Chalk

Lead partners - Writing Our Legacy and National Trust

Writing Our Legacy will be running a series of workshops for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people in safe and welcoming spaces, inviting them to respond creatively to their experience and connection with the Downs. There are seasonal programmes for the general public and events to showcase the work of people taking part.

For more information or to get involved please email info@writingourlegacy.org.uk

a forged metal horse — Cultural Heritage Forge Day at Devil's Dyke | © Natalie Barb

Cultural Heritage

Lead partners - National Trust and Friends, Families & Travellers

For hundreds of years, the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities have lived and worked here, working the land at local farms including Saddlescombe, or at the funfair that used to run at Devil’s Dyke in Victorian times.

This project aims to recognise and celebrate Gypsy, Roma & Traveller heritage as a vital part of the Downs story. As part of this we have commissioned a new sculpture together with interpretation materials which will be placed on the South Downs. There will also be a series of workshops and events to explain the rich cultural heritage of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities on the South Downs.

For more information or to get involved please email josie.jeffery@nationaltrust.org.uk