Video: A first trip to the South Downs National Park
October 10, 2022
Earlier this year four young people from London and Birmingham visited the South Downs National Park for the very first time.
The visit was organised by Kwesia, aka “City Girl in Nature”, who runs her own outdoor adventure website, and was supported by the charity Campaign for National Parks through their brilliant New Perspective bursaries.
The quartet of Kwesia, Palmiro, Mera and Toheeb explored the different landscapes in and around Seven Sisters Country Park, which was a perfect venue for the visit with its varied and striking habitats including Friston Forest, the iconic coastline, the chalk hills and Cuckmere River. I warmly welcomed the team at Brighton train station and we rode on Bus 12 together to Seven Sisters where the filming took place.
As well as the film participants, the weather also played its part, with a mix of changing atmospheric conditions, from the stunning bright sunlight to the damp cool drizzles; shiny bright silver to dull deep blue cloud ceilings, all adding character to the final piece.
Kwesia’s words about the film are profound and really resonate with me as the National Park’s Engagement Officer.
She says: “Just a year ago I didn’t know what a National Park was. This was my first time in the South Downs National Park. The landscape’s ability to recover and heal is phenomenal. Stories of deep history, migration and movement which mirrors stories of my own communities. Nature speaks. My mind is at peace. Being on this journey of connecting with Mother Earth in so many different ways. I not only am exploring the world around me I’m, exploring myself.”
The National Park is truly a place where people and place come together and seeing completely different perspectives on this place many know so well, shows how important it is to share different voices and experiences of our treasured landscapes. We’ve always been a National Park for everyone and long may this continue. We’ll go on encouraging individuals, families and groups from all walks of life to find a “home away from home” in the beautifully-diverse natural spaces of the South Downs. Easy access, well-marked places, a lovely community presence, and easily accessible shops and facilities makes this one amazing National Park for all. Soon we hope to be able to share the work of another young New Bursaries winner, who has also chosen to base their exploration in the South Downs National Park.
Joshua Esan, Engagement and Events Officer for South Downs National Park