Town's history gems

These include spectacular specimens of redwood trees within a wood adjoining Rocks Park Primary School and a nature trail through the wood, which also contains historic artefacts including the remains of an old vinery a vine greenhouse and a belvedere seat. A belvedere is a raised turret or summerhouse which can be used to view scenery.

Head teacher Mrs Jane Andrews said an industrial archaeologist had visited the site which used to be linked with Buckswood Grange. 'This is all a part of the town's history and if we could open it up to people it would be ideal,' she said.

A new sports pavilion has been built within the school grounds and once services, power and water are installed Mrs Andrews hopes the school will be able to share it with the community.

She said it would make an ideal meeting place for local groups both sporting and otherwise. 'I am sure there would be a lot here of interest to natural history or historical societies, but other groups might like to meet here too.'

The only stumbling block to the plans is raising the 10,000 needed to install the services. Fund-raising is under way and, as reported in the Sussex Express last week, 1,500 was raised towards the cost at the school Christmas fair, but there is still a long way to go.

Mrs Andrews said she would be pleased to hear from anybody who might like to sponsor the venture. 'Not only would they be helping give the children better facilities but it will mean better facilities for the community too,' she added.