Upper and Lower Dicker village news highlights Bates Green Garden workshops and local events

Bates Green Garden is open for the season with workshops, guided walks and propagation sessions through 28 October 2026. Local notices include an Arlington Parish Council meeting on 19 February and a free stargazing evening at the Dicker Village Shop on 28 February.

Bates Green Garden has reopened for the season and will run a programme of seasonal tutorials, workshops and guided walks through 28 October 2026. Emma will lead guided walks focusing on border planning, garden design and seasonal horticultural practices, while the Garden Team will co‑run two plant propagation workshops covering seed sowing and taking cuttings. Sarah Wilesmith will lead nature walks on bird observation, song identification, woodland trees and fungi. Creative sessions in cyanotype printing and sketchbooking are also scheduled, with each workshop including full-day access to Bates Green Garden, the Wildflower Meadow and Beatons Wood, plus a complimentary hot drink and homemade cake. Local events and notices: - Bates Green Garden: seasonal tutorials and hands-on propagation workshops are scheduled; discounts are available for Friends, members and bulk bookings and the Garden is open until 28 October 2026. - Stargazing evening: a free event at the Dicker Village Shop on Saturday 28 February, run with Seven Sisters Astronomy Group, will offer conventional and smart telescopes, a short talk and a documentary on the rise of SpaceX starting around 7.15pm; the cafe will be open until 9pm and observers may remain on the green until 11pm; the event is weather dependent and no booking is required. - Arlington Parish Council: the next meeting is on Thursday 19 February at 7pm at Arlington Village Hall; draft minutes of the January meeting are available at arlington-pc.gov.uk. - Arlington Bluebell Walk: the site recently underwent a Visit England VAQUAS assessment; owner John McCutchan MBE noted that the scheme has been used since 2003, that the attraction was rated 80% last year and that it received a 'Hidden Gem Award' in 2015. - Local planning update: a revised draft Local Plan was presented to Cabinet on 14 January with changed housing numbers; Wealden District Council will repeat part of the Regulation 18 Consultation and the revised draft must be agreed by full Council, with proposed sites including Owlsbury and land west of Hailsham and concerns noted about flooding and service provision. Summary: Bates Green Garden’s seasonal programme offers a range of practical and creative sessions through late October 2026 while community groups and the Parish Council continue local activity planning. The Parish Council meets on 19 February and the Local Plan will proceed through a repeat of part of the Regulation 18 Consultation before being considered by full Council. A free stargazing event is scheduled for 28 February but is weather dependent.