Use it or lose it is author’s message as he aims to protect the Weald

David Bangs’ new book aims to raise awareness about the beautiful countryside and wildlife in the area

Use it or lose it is the message one Sussex author is giving about the Weald.

David Bangs has issued a call to arms following the launch of his latest book, The Land of the Brighton Line: A field guide to the Middle Sussex and South East Surrey Weald.

In the book he explores some well known and some lesser known parts of the area, with a view to raising awareness about the uniqueness of the landscape.

David said: “If we do not get some really serious structural changes at all societal levels we are going to lose this landscape.

“It’s just going to become precious fragments.

“It’s on the point of being lost. It’s a call to action to defend this particularly biologically and culturally part of the environment.”

He told how he has known the Weald his whole life.

David added: “I have been walking it on my own since I was about 12.

“About 35 per cent of the high weald is of woodland.

“It’s a very, very special place.

“It’s all the way from Hampshire through to the white cliffs of Folkestone and Dover.”

“We are blessed to be living in the Vale of the Weald, which has some of the loveliest, most intact, varied, and wildlife-rich countryside in Britain.”

David hopes his book will help get the Weald recognised and become an asset to professionals working in the area.

The title is the culmination of 11 years of wandering and writing about ‘every parish, nook and corner’

David said: “If we do not know this countryside, we cannot fight on its behalf, for what the eyes doesn’t see, the heart cannot grieve over

“[My book is] a call to arms to protect this amazing area.”

David’s book is available from local bookshops and landofthebrightonline.co.uk