Pell Mell to Save Bexhill
DAVID EP DENNIS explains how a project that includes the repair of a rusty tide gate could help prevent annual flooding of Bexhill’s Egerton Park – but help is needed to get match-funding for the project.
Although Bexhill’s original town is on a hill next to the old manor site, the area of Bexhill’s coast was once marshland used by rich clients to hunt wildfowl. In medieval times, the area now called Egerton Park and The Polegrove, was called ‘The Pell’, a large lake fed by a torrent (hence the term ‘pell-mell’ for rushing water.)
When Bexhill’s urban infrastructure was being designed, no regard was given to the long-term effects of natural drainage of the Pell headstream, especially in winter. The strategy has been to constrain the natural flow into rapid transit channels pinned by housing estates and a formal park with lakes. Woodland has been removed and drainage slopes have been concreted over, making water run-off even more rapid. Since then, Rother District Council has not made any effective move to prevent the almost annual flooding of Egerton Park by the Egerton Stream.
Domesday Solution
Bexhill Wild Domesday Project has identified that the Pell torrent, now named the Egerton Park Stream, flows through Sidley Woods into Egerton Park. The efflux of rainwater to the sea is enabled by a currently damaged and rusting tide gate onto the beach. The tide gate shuts when the tide is coming in and stays shut to prevent saltwater coming inland. This has the effect of damming the Egerton Stream during high tides. If high levels of rainfall occur, the stream overflows and floods the park. Sea levels are still rising due to global warming.
During the ‘Year One’ phase of the Bexhill Wild Domesday Project, the Sidley Woods section of the Egerton Stream has been closely examined. A visit has been paid to the area by an expert officer of the South East Rivers Trust, who has confirmed that the provision of leaky dams, pools and scrapes would slow the flow of water. This slowing may be sufficient to stop the flooding while the high tide gate is shut, by reducing the rate of water reaching Egerton Park.
The South East Rivers Trust have confirmed that they are willing to design the scheme and obtain a licence from the Environment Agency to implement it. No work can start until the end of the bird nesting season. The Sidley Woods stream bank edge areas are marshy, and this is an ideal location for the planting of black poplar saplings. This tree species has suffered great losses at present and is on the way to extinction in England. It requires the planting of male and female trees next to each other to ensure furtherance of the species.
Other benefits of the Sidley Woods Project include the planting of berry-bearing blackthorn and hawthorn shrubs and the provision of a picnic table area for social enhancement. Path improvements to enable people with mobility disabilities to use wheelchairs safely in the woodland could also be achieved in a second enhancement phase.
Funding
To fund the project, a target total was set of £10,000 to cover the costs of equipment, including timber, stakes, a small mechanical digger, jackets and gloves for volunteers, insurance for volunteers to be obtained from Zurich TGV, shrubs, trees and picnic area tables and benches.
A crowdfunder was launched, and this immediately gained the attention of East Sussex County Council who emailed Bexhill Wild CIC to say they liked the project so much that they have confirmed in writing that they will pay £5,000 in match funding into the crowdfunder if it reaches half its aimed total of £5,000.
At the same time, 100 leaflets were distributed around Sidley by former town councillor Julie Norris, and this has resulted in some donations to the fund. However, many people in Sidley do not have extensive spare cash and so organisations are needed to help the crowdfunder reach its mid-aim thus generating the match funding from ESCC.
We have until the end of December to raise the funds to ensure that we get the match funding from East Sussex County Council. Please follow the link to the Crowdfunder to support the project: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/bexhill-wild-1.
Garden for a Fashionable Resort
- Construction of Egerton Park began in 1888 by developer and building contractor John Webb on land belonging to 7th Earl de la Warr – Reginald Windsor Sackville.
- The creation of lakes helped to drain the low-lying marshland. During the excavation of the boating lake the remains of an ancient boat and the fossilised bone of a dinosaur were discovered.
- The Victorian park contained the typical facilities of a fashionable private garden of the time; water features, shaded areas, lawns, bandstand and tennis courts, but was available for public use.
- Bexhill Corporation bought the park in 1901 and built a concert hall that later became the Bexhill Museum. A public bowling green and an indoor rink were added.
- The area to the west of Egerton Park – The Polegrove – was developed in the 1920s. By the 1930s housing surrounded the north, east and south sides. The model boat pond, rose garden and pergola were added and the swimming pool rebuilt.
- After World War II, the town’s role as a fashionable holiday destination dwindled and the park mainly became an amenity for local people. In 1960 the swimming pool was extended and a sun terrace and cafe created.
- Subsequently the pergola and theatre were demolished to be replaced by the Indoor Bowls Club. In 1986 the swimming pool was filled in and the bandstand removed.
Sources: Rother District Council/Sussex Gardens Trust
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