Changing Chalk

Changing Chalk: connecting nature, people and heritage

Working in partnership to connect nature, people and heritage for the future of the Downs

Changing Chalk is a partnership of organisations supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund working together for the future of the South Downs. Through this project, we are reversing the decline of the fragile chalk grassland, and connecting local communities to the nationally significant landscape on their doorstep. Led by the National Trust, the partnership connects nature, people and heritage. It is restoring lost landscapes and habitats, bringing history to life and offering new experiences in the outdoors. Find out more about the Changing Chalk partnership here 

Between 26 February and 2 March 2024 we excavated archaeological test pits in Manor Gardens and in the Parsonage of St Mary’s Old Town in partnership with the Blue Heart Project.

From the 13th century there were buildings in this area that were only cleared during the creation of Manor Gardens in the mid 18th century.  We are hoping that the test pits will indicate whether any trace of these buildings, gardens or the wells that served them survive beneath the ground.

The report will be available soon so check back to find out more about the latest discoveries!

Discover stories from the last 5000 years and explore the artefacts found in Eastbourne and Willingdon as you walk through and over the archaeology that tells us about life in Eastbourne as a Downland settlement. The walk is reasonably flat but is over open Downland so is more challenging at different stages. 

This walk is available as a self-led trail with information and 3D objects available digitally. Explore the route and the artefacts found along the way here 

An excavation took place in The Big Park from 20 - 27 September looking for more evidence of the people who lived there over the last 5000 years (or so!), exploring the story of Peacehaven as a Downland settlement.

Peacehaven residents were also invited to excavate archaeological test pits in their own gardens between 11 - 13 October. 

All training and equipment were provided and those taking part were required to have read the Safe Digging Practice advice. Read it here

The Downs and Towns have a long, shared history. The rolling chalk grasslands have shaped the development of the urban areas at its fringes, with people through the centuries relying on the unique landscape for their existence and later for their wealth. ​

Yet many of today’s communities are unaware of the unique story lying under the land they walk on every day. The Changing Chalk partnership took steps to unearth this hidden history with the launch of the Big Dig led by Eastbourne Borough Council's Heritage Eastbourne team.

The project engaged Eastbourne residents with the origins of their town and how the Downland environment has moulded everyday life for centuries. The project was designed to inspire and empower volunteers to help reveal the story through research and archaeology. The community-led activities in Eastbourne became a platform for other locales to explore their place within the South Downs.

2022

We started to trace the origins of Eastbourne as a Downland town and see how the environment has shaped its development and understand what life was like for the people who initially relied on the grasslands for their existence and later for their wealth.

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2023

BIG DIG FESTIVAL - Working with local volunteers digging small test pits in back gardens, allotments, school grounds and public spaces in carefully selected areas to explore the daily lives of Eastbourne’s past residents.

'Flying Archaeologists' were on hand to supervise and ensure all excavations and recording were done correctly while another team of finds specialists ran an 'incident room' to record and interpret the archaeology.

Events, talks and workshops also ran throughout the Big Dig Festival.

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2024

Events, workshops and performances in Original Pronunciation, via historic song, folklore and storytelling as well as learning how to wear and work in historic costume to understand more about the people who lived here.

During the Big Dig round 2 other Downland communities will have opportunities to carry out their own Big Dig projects with training resources, equipment and professional assistance provided.