 Thanks to the support of the High Weald National Landscape team, who awarded Kent Wildlife Trust the Farming in a Protected Landscape (FiPL) programme. Kent Wildlife Trust are delighted to share that this has enabled them to commission a full building inspection and historical survey of the Hopper Huts and Cook House at Furnace Farm. This important milestone gives them a strong foundation as they plan the future of these much‑loved heritage buildings.
The survey has provided a figure of £52,000 for the remedial work required to safeguard these unique structures, giving us a clear target to work towards as we explore funding opportunities. It also identified that the lightweight roof material on the Hopper Huts is likely asbestos cement, so further testing will be carried out. Any restoration work will have to include replacing the roof to ensure long‑term safety and resilience Over time, sections of the hopper huts roof have been damaged, with some areas missing altogether or fallen inside the huts. To protect visitors and prevent any additional deterioration, we will be installing temporary Heras fencing around the structures while we focus on securing the support needed to progress with a restoration project. We recognise the deep cultural and historical importance of the Hopper Huts and Cook House to both the local area and the wider community. As we move forward, we’ll be working closely with local residents and Lamberhurst Parish Council to shape the future of these cherished buildings together. Keep Saturday 29 August free as we are looking to celebrate the Hoppers Huts again! For more information, please contact: [email protected]
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 Conservation grazing is a natural and effective way to restore and maintain biodiversity across a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands and heathlands. At Furnace and Hoathly Farms, Kent Wildlife Trust's regeneration project is focused on bringing back species diversity and helping ecosystems recover by restoring habitats and enhancing biodiversity.
As the next step in this work, they will be installing essential fencing to enable us to introduce around six longhorn cattle (you can read more about why we chose longhorns in this newsletter) as conservation grazers. The first phase will begin at Furnace Farm in early March and is expected to take around three weeks. These improvements will enable us to reinstate grazing on the existing grassland, protect hedgerows, and create buffers around several woodlands to support their natural expansion and regeneration. This project has been made possible thanks to support from the High Weald National Landscape Partnership, through its Defra-funded capital programme, which invests in initiatives that create a thriving, beautiful landscape for everyone to enjoy. Public rights of way will remain open throughout the works. We’ll also be installing new kissing gates to ensure continued, easy access for visitors. Well‑behaved dogs are still very welcome onsite—we simply ask that they are kept on a lead near the grazers. This map shows where the fencing and gates will be. If you have any questions about the project, please contact: [email protected] A new identity for Hoathly & Furnace Farms Safer Internet Day 2026
Today is Safer Internet Day, a national initiative that encourages children, young people, and families to use the online world safely and confidently. The Tunbridge Wells Child Centred Policing Team is working closely with local schools to support pupils in understanding how to stay safe online, make positive choices, and know what to do if something worries them. Throughout the week, we are visiting schools, leading workshops, and offering guidance tailored to the challenges young people are facing online today. We encourage all parents and carers to take a moment to explore trusted online resources that offer practical advice about AI, online behaviour, gaming safety, screen time, and talking to your child about their digital world. Useful links: Keep Children Safe Online: Information, advice, support - Internet Matters A psychologist’s tips for raising digitally resilient teens - BBC Bitesize Talking to children about AI | NSPCC 7StepsToGoodDigitalParenting.pdf  The Parish Council has secured a grant from Tunbridge Wells BC for £19,000 grant to install 20mph zones across the village. We are working with the Kent Highways team to ensure we get the signage in the right place but we hope this scheme will lead to drivers being more considerate through our village. We appreciate this will not solve all the problems with traffic issues across the Parish, but the Council are working hard to raise awareness with a campaign to highlight the importance of cars being parked on the road not on the pavement! and having more speed surveys to see the impact of the 20mph zone. All we ask is you as residents take the lead and drive carefully through our Parish and beyond.
Join the High Weald National Landscape and Wonderdome to experience the constellations whatever the weather! Also learn about why we need to reduce light pollution and what you can do to help to book an hour slot  |