As previously announced, Dallington is participating in this year’s High Weald Wild about Dark Skies Festival. Running from Saturday 28 October to Sunday 10 November 2024, the Festival promises a fortnight of stargazing, workshops, talks, walks and fun family activities. Find out more at https://highweald.org/get-involved/dark-skies/wild-about-dark-skies-festival/
In Dallington, local expert Doug Edworthy (Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society) will be giving a talk about the wonders of the stars and the impact of light pollution on nature, people and the sky . This will take place at Dallington Old School Village Hall on Saturday 2nd November at 7.30. That is the weekend of the new moon, which means it will be particularly dark so we may be able to enjoy the skies on the way to and from the hall.
Dallington School is also joining in with the festival. Paul Cox, Head Teacher, reports that the older children are currently working on a project based around the Dallington Village Dark Skies Festival. They have been visited by the amazing Rachel Bennington, who works for the High Weald. They have done lots of wonderful work around the stars and light pollution. They will also be writing some poems around the night sky – to be entered for the Messenger Magazine Childrens Writing Competition on the Dark Skies theme.
We hope to arrange some additional events later in the month, including a star gazing event and a bat walk (details tbc).
Dallington Parish Council supports the Dark Skies Festival and when commenting on planning applications, takes account of the High Weald Dark Skies Planning Advice Note which aims to reduce light pollution.