14 November – Finding and Identifying Lichens in East Sussex Talks

14 November – Finding and Identifying Lichens in East…

Saturday 14th November 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Keith Palmer will enlighten us as to the lichens that can to be found in local neighbourhoods including within Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and will demonstrate the diversity of the lichen flora of the county.

The talk will be illustrated by copious photographs of many species while the basic biology of lichens and the diverse characteristics they show will be covered though the focus will be on fairly common and conspicuous lichens.

Having been a naturalist since the mid-1960s, Keith arrived at lichens in the mid-80s. A one-time member of the British Lichen Society he surveyedover the next decade almost all churchyards in Kent where he then lived and a good many in Sussex, creating lists from over a thousand sites. While his main natural history interests have moved on in the present century, he retains an affection for lichens which after all do keep still while you are trying to study them at close quarters and, what’s more, can continue to be studied during the winter !

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st October.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

10 October – The Martello Towers Talks

10 October – The Martello Towers

Saturday 10th October 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Peter Hibbs will be enlightening us as to their history and purpose.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st September.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

12 September – Presentation by the Waterlife Recovery Trust Talks

12 September – Presentation by the Waterlife Recovery Trust

Saturday 12th September 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

A definite title and more details of this talk to follow.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st August.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

08 August – TBC Talks

08 August – TBC

Saturday 8th August 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Details to follow.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st July.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

11 July – Understanding Fossils Talks

11 July – Understanding Fossils

Saturday 11th July 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

In this illustrated talk Ken Brooks will explain how fossils are formed and their importance in reconstructing ancient environments, to the origins of present-day species. In the Hastings area we are fortunate in having a variety of fossilised remains, including plants, fish and dinosaurs and Ken will be sharing his knowledge of these with us.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st June.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

13 June – Northiam Naturally! Talks

13 June – Northiam Naturally!

Saturday 13th June 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Local Ecologist Brian Banks is collaborating with Northiam Parish Council on a local nature recovery project. A new nature reserve in Northiam has been established with the aim of better managing Ancient Woodland, creating two new ponds and better managing two existing shaded ponds. Funded by the Newt Partnership, there is the hope Great Crested Newts will colonise. Brian will also be enlightening us about Amphibians and Reptiles found locally.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st May.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

09 May – Pett Level Rescue Talks

09 May – Pett Level Rescue

Saturday 9th May 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Steve Hill from Pett Level Rescue will give us an insight into how the independent lifeboat saves lives around our coast.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st April.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

11 April – Rye Harbour: More than just Wildlife Talks

11 April – Rye Harbour: More than just Wildlife

“A look back at the story of Rye Harbour”

Saturday 11th April 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Roy Brigden, long standing Friend and volunteer of RHNR and part of the History Group at the Discovery Centre, will explore the changing face of the village, its people and surroundings over the past 200 years.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st March.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

14 March – Bee-keeping in Sussex Talks

14 March – Bee-keeping in Sussex

Saturday 14th March 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Aimi Rifat, from the education department at RHNR has previously been a professional bee-keeper. Come and find out more about local bees and honey.

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st February.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

14 February – The Artist Eric Ravillious Talks

14 February – The Artist Eric Ravillious

Saturday 14th February 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Local Artist Jim Northover will give a presentation on another local and well known artist Eric Ravilious

These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st January.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.