Winterbourne Poems – on sale at Lewes Climate Hub

The Winterbourne Poems collection is a lovingly crafted joint project to celebrate in words and images the unique Winterbourne chalk stream that runs through Lewes. The perfect Christmas gift, it’s available to buy at Lewes Climate Hub.

Published as part of the upcoming Winterbourne Festival in March 2025, the Winterbourne Poems project was conceived in response to mounting local enthusiasm for the stream, concern for its health and emerging plans to restore it.

A year in the making, the book is a collaboration between community group Love our Ouse, the Lewes poetry collective Chalk and Stream, and local artist Michelle Hockey. Together, the artists explored the Winterbourne, gradually deepening their understanding and relationship with this exceptionally rare chalk stream that weaves a watered song-line through Lewes.

The result is a volume of 15 specially written poems and 16 exquisite lino-cut prints.

“This collection aims to bring the Winterbourne back into our consciousness,” says Natasha Padbury of Love Our Ouse. “It seeks to restore an awareness of the stream’s presence, its beauty and its resilience – to acknowledge the intertwined histories of water and people, and to revive the spirit of this unique stream.”

How can you get a copy? There are two ways:

Public copies – The book costs £10 and is available for anyone to buy! All proceeds will be reinvested into future projects by the collaborators. You can buy copies with cash or card at Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street, Lewes BN7 2LU, open Wed-Sat 11am – 3pm.

Community copies – A limited number of copies have been allocated to give to Lewes-based community, educational and environmental based groups. Some have already been given out, but you are welcome to request a copy if you think your group would qualify. Contact .

Poem by Olivia Sprinkel; Illustration by Michelle Hockey