Welcome to Greener Hassocks and Ditchling

Greener Hassocks and Ditchling – which brings together villages along the foot of the South Downs – has become Lewes Climate Hub’s latest partner group. Committee member Diana Penly gives an insight into what the group has been up to since it formed in 2009.

Greener Hassocks and Ditchling started in 2009 when a handful of local people sat down together to learn more about climate change and think about ways we could respond. We started holding events so we and others could learn more, raise awareness about climate issues and develop practical community projects.

About 15,000 people live in the villages of Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Keymer and Ditchling along the foot of the South Downs. We are linked together by transport, shopping and schools as well as by our shared environment. We are lucky to have a thriving community with so many active organisations. 

Over the years we have organised events, films, discussions and produced a monthly newsletter. We have held bird walks and stream clean-ups, planted fruit and nut trees together, built leaky dams in the woods and rain gardens in the park. We produced a Really Local Food Directory of food producers within a 10-mile radius, held an annual Seed Swap and ran a BioBlitz to identify wildlife. We also started a successful not-for-profit to build renewable energy projects. Last year we held a really successful Party at the Patch with music and kids’ events, which we want to make an annual event for the community.

We have project groups that are always looking for new members to help grow our activities. We welcome local residents to come along and have some fun!

We have several projects running across Hassocks & Ditchling that bring the community together. These include:

• Community Veg Patch – A shared space for growing food sustainably and promoting local food production
• Ditchling Orchard – A project that supports biodiversity and local food resilience by planting and caring for fruit trees
• Floods & SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) – An initiative focused on managing water runoff, reducing flood risks, and increasing awareness of sustainable water management
• Climate Hub – A space for discussion, education, and collaboration on climate and nature, bringing together people passionate about making a difference
• HKD Community Energy – A community project that increases local renewable energy generation and efficiency
• Repair Café – A community-led effort that repairs items and reduces waste
• Transport Initiative – Exploring ways to improve active travel options in our area, with a focus on cycling initiatives
• Library of Things (in development) – A planned resource where community members can borrow useful items, reducing consumption and waste.

We have a monthly newsletter and social media channels so that everyone can find out what we’re doing and get involved.

Our 2025 plan

Looking ahead, we have linked our 2025 activities to themes to help us focus our efforts and maximise impact. Throughout the year, we will be hosting Climate Hub events, community gatherings, and newsletters on these themes:

• February / March – Re-use, Recycle, Reduce: Promoting sustainable consumption, upcycling, and waste reduction.
• April / May – Biodiversity: Encouraging the protection and restoration of the countryside, supporting local wildlife, and promoting No Mow May.
• June / July – Transport: Exploring ways to encourage active travel with a focus on cycling to school.
• September / October – Water: Raising awareness of sustainable water use and flood prevention.
• November / December – Energy: A focus on renewable energy solutions, and energy efficiency.

Building partnerships

A key priority for us in 2025 is expanding our network with other organisations and groups. We believe that by collaborating, we can learn and share. We are part of SECA (South East Climate Alliance) and the Transition Network. Now by joining Lewes Climate Hub, we hope to learn from their successes and work with their other partner groups

Our network includes:

• Conservation groups – Partnering with local nature organisations to strengthen biodiversity efforts and ecosystem protection.
• Other Transition Groups – Learning from and sharing experiences with similar community groups focused on sustainability and resilience.
• Lewes Climate Hub – We have recently joined this network to engage with a broader climate-conscious community and build regional cooperation.

By joining forces with like-minded groups, we hope to ensure the resilience of our community for the next generation.

See latest news and activities here