About the Green Tourism Business Scheme 

 

The Scheme was launched in 1997 by VisitScotland.  To gain an accredited Award - Bronze, Silver or Gold, businesses are assessed every 2 years by a registered environmental auditor.  We are graded against 150 measures of best practice showing a balance of environmental awareness, social and economic issues. 

green tourism business scheme

 

 Be a responsible visitor – seven things you can do to help save the planet. 

1. Conserve energy – Reduce energy by switching off lights and closing windows if heating is on.  The Energy Saving Trust provides information on what you can do at home

2. Give the Car a Rest – Leave the car behind, if only for a day.  Walk, cycle or use public transport.

3. Shop local – Use local products, they give you a flavour of the area and help support local communities.  We are fortunate to have some fantastic producers of food, drink, and crafts in our region.  Ask about local markets or local and regional organic produce – there is information on the top landing of local farmers markets. 

4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Try to avoid overly packaged goods and say no to that extra carrier bag.  Try and recycle any waste you have.

     5.    Be Water Wise – Please use water wisely.  Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and adhere to towel policies or other water saving initiatives.

6. Respect Nature – Help us to look after the landscape and wildlife by not littering, guarding against fire and using footpaths and cycle-ways responsibly.  In the green information folder there is a booklet on The Countryside Code.

7. Support Green Tourism Businesses – There are hundreds of businesses trying to reduce their environmental impacts through the Green Tourism Business Scheme.  Businesses are awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold for their efforts to be more environmentally responsible.  See www.green-business.co.uk for more information.

And most importantly, have a great time when you are here; we’d like you to come back!

Wildlife Update 2009

The management of wildlife is a continuing process requiring constant vigilance, and we at Nash are keen to play our part in encouraging the local flora and fauna to prosper.  We have an active programme of woodland management paying attention to diseased trees, and leaving those that have fallen to provide habitats for insects and fungi.  Due to the restricted and fragile nature of the woodland we are unable to give general access but this has attracted three roe deer on a regular basis.  As usual we had a wonderful display of bluebells in 2008, and are looking forward to a colourful spring.

The January rains have filled our pond which has proved to be a magnet for Mallard and Moorhen.  Although the water is only a temporary feature there is sufficient throughout the year to support a small population of rushes and marsh plants.

As may be expected, the bird feeders attract a variety of birds including Nuthatch and Greater Spotted Woodpecker, and we have seen and heard an abundance of the commoner species throughout the year.

Just outside the ancient woodland the beautiful Star of Bethlehem is emerging and promises to be as spectacular this year as it was last spring. 

We shall continue our crusade to encourage all forms of wildlife in our little patch and know that all our efforts will be amply rewarded.

Wildlife at Nash Manor

Most of the 8 acres at Nash Manor consists of land that has not been built on, and, being surrounded by countryside, it is inevitable that we play host to a wide variety of resident and passing species of wildlife.  Whilst much of the land is paddock, there is a strip of ancient woodland to the south, boarded by a ditch which eventually feeds the River Adur.  In addition to the lawns and gardens that surround the house, there is a seasonal pond to the east which catches the winter rains.

Most of the 8 acres at Nash Manor consists of land that has not been built on, and, being surrounded by countryside, it is inevitable that we play host to a wide variety of resident and passing species of wildlife.  Whilst much of the land is paddock, there is a strip of ancient woodland to the south, boarded by a ditch which eventually feeds the River Adur.  In addition to the lawns and gardens that surround the house, there is a seasonal pond to the east which catches the winter rains.

The Paddock

This area entirely covers and outcrop of greensand and is fertilized only by sheep and ponies, hence a very rich crop of hay is harvested each year.  The abundant grasses play host to a variety of insects, which in turn provide food for swallows, house martins and swifts.  A little owl seems to favour the fence to the far north west and the occasional buzzard, sparrow hawk and kestrel can sometimes be seen hunting.  The crow family is well represented with all 5 of its’ commoner members being present.

To the north of the paddock are to be found some splendid ash trees, which gave their name to Nash.  These are part of the history of the area, and are rich in folklore and sacred tradition stretching back to Celtic times.

 

Ancient Woodland

We are very lucky to have a small strip of ancient woodland at Nash, but as it is both environmentally fragile and somewhat dangerous underfoot, there has been little choice but to close it to general access.  However, visitors in May will still be able to enjoy the sight of a carpet of bluebells, accompanied on the less shady fringes by the vivid yellow of lesser celandines.  One or two wood anemones have been reported and there is an extensive patch of the inconspicuous wild moscatel.  Taken together, all these species provide indicators that the area is indeed a fragment of ancient woodland.  The wood contains some fine oaks together with; horse chestnut, holly, hawthorn and blackthorn which provide cover, food and nesting facilities for a variety of woodland birds including; both green and greater spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, chaffinch, greenfinch, great and blue tits and the migratory chiffchaff to mention but a few.

In addition to mice, rabbits, squirrels and foxes the wood gives sanctuary to a well-established badger set, and whilst the inhabitants are rarely seen there is evidence of their nocturnal activities. 

On the fringes of the wood, greater celandines has been found not far from the composting area and to the east greater horsetail is well established on the banks of the ditch.

The Pond

Prior to the recent lowering of the water table by the Southern Water Authority, the pond on the eastern boundary was full of water, which supplied the non defunct watercress beds in the wood, before filtering through to the ditch.  Now, water only appears after the winter rains but there is still sufficient to attract the attention of moorhens, a family of mallard and the occasional roe deer.

Whilst the well-established grey willows and alder still fringe the pond many of the water plants have not been so lucky.  However, a few moisture loving plants are still to be found including; yellow loosestripe, yellow flag, remote sedge, soft rush and marsh cudweed.

Miscellaneous

If one looks up toward the house from the pond, the tree closest to the buildings is a beautiful sweet gum, and whilst it is neither naturalized nor native it is still worthy of close inspection.  From the same spot but to the north a few Scots pine stand like stately sentinels, picturesque against the evening sky and a favourite perching post for greenfinches.

The front lawn is often graced by a family of pied wagtails in the summer and green woodpeckers can frequently be seen near the stone circle searching for ants.  At the far left of the trees on the front lawn is a fine cotoneaster hybrid, which produces an abundance of red berries which are attractive to both humans and birds.  Visitors are welcome to inspect Jacks Herb Garden which contains a variety of interesting herbs and flowers, and the nearby organic vegetable garden.

As supporters of the Sussex Wildlife Trust whose collection box can be found in the hall, we are committed to conserving and encouraging wildlife, and keen eyed visitors may spot some of the bird and bat boxes that have been installed.  We hope that all our guests will respect our wildlife by refraining from picking any of the wild flowers and keeping some distance from nesting birds.  Finally whilst the spring produces bluebells and birdsong, there is wildlife to enjoy all year round at the oasis of peace that we call Nash.

 

 

 

 

Press Release December 3 2007

Local MP helps Nash Manor to celebrate winning highest possible Green Tourism Award

Other guests attending the Nash Manor Open Day included: Len Warner, Horsham District Council; Derek Deedman, West Sussex County Council; Andrea Nicholas and Jon Proctor, Green Tourism Business Scheme; Andrew Walker,  Quality in Tourism; and representatives from many local businesses and other relevant organisations.

May said, “It was great to have Nick Herbert MP attending our Open Day and present us with our gold Green Tourism Award. We wanted to show our current and potential clients why we believe Nash Manor is such a special location. We are passionate in providing our guests with the most sustainable accommodation available.”

Nash Manor offers bed and breakfast to a wide range of visitors including walkers, mountain bikers, golfers, business people, as well as those attending health and healing weekends, workshops and business meetings.

Serving organic locally-sourced food, including home grown produce, Nash Manor also offers its own natural health and beauty products of high quality, carefully chosen on a pure, environmentally friendly, fair-trade basis.

Andrea Nicholas, Co-Founder of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, said, “Nash Manor is an excellent example of how a tourism business can implement practical and often low cost measures in order to achieve a significant reduction of their environmental impact as well as providing a more fulfilling experience for their guests. However to gain a gold award on the first visit is a considerable achievement.”

Liz Esler, a trained health therapist, said, “Our guests enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings as well as the opportunity to try a number of alternative therapies such as Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candling and Hot Stone Reflexology. Nash Manor has been awarded the Walkers and Cyclists Welcome Award for offering facilities such as lockable cycle storage, packed lunches and useful information for people walking and cycling Sussex and the South Downs.” 

For more information please visit www.nashmanor.co.uk or call 01903 814988.

Photo Caption: Local MP Nick Herbert with (left to right) Andrea Nicholas, Green Business Tourism Scheme, and May and Liz Esler from Nash Manor