Support us 

The Sompting Downs Barn enterprise, as part of the Sompting Estate, can do more for our downland environment and wildlife.  We need grant funding to pay for work that is not profit-making but directly contributes environmental benefits.  Managing woodland for conservation and planting trees, or restoring and managing dewponds, are two examples.  Sometimes volunteer time is needed too. 

If your organization can help us with funding or other resources and you would like to discuss projects that you might like to consider supporting, please email the Managing Trustee on somptingdownsbarn@dsl.pipex.com

The Sompting Estate and Downs Barn would like to thank the following donors for their support for our environment work:

In 2008, the South Downs Joint Committee Sustainable Development Fund provided £25,000 (about 15%) towards the initial costs of converting the Downs Barn

In 2009, the South Downs Society awarded a grant of £5,000 towards the cost of restoring the old farm pond site adjacent to the Downs Barn, and toward tree planting work in areas accessible around it. 

In 2010, the Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme (HLS), in addition to providing regular support for Lychpole Farm's ecosystem services, awarded a grant of approximately £16,000 towards the cost of restoring the larger and iconic Stump Bottom dewpond (see Estate Noticeboard).

In 2011, Natural England's Historic Buildings Grant Scheme, again through HLS, provided grant funding of just over £80,000 towards structural restoration works to save Lychpole's 210-year-old flint-built stables and granary buildings for the future. 

In 2012, the Sompting Estate is working with the South Downs National Park Authority on a range of habitat conservation measures over and above what is funded by HLS, some of which may involve volunteer action and some will need funded contractor work.