The Greensward

The Greensward is the open land between the houses and the sea, running west from Sea Lane. It is private land belonging to the Association, it carries a West Sussex County Council public right of way, and we maintain it.

It is also designated by the County Council as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, and it earns that.

Looking west along the shingle bank of the Greensward, with timber groynes running out into a calm sea on the left, fences and houses on the right, a flagpole flying a Union flag, and a wide blue sky — Looking west from the eastern end, with the groyne field running out into the Channel.

There is a sign at the eastern end that has been quietly stating the position for years.

A white painted sign on a low timber post reading: this coastal greensward belongs to and is maintained by the Middleton-on-Sea Association, please help us to keep it tidy — “This coastal Greensward belongs to and is maintained by the Middleton-on-Sea Association. Please help us to keep it tidy.”

What grows and lives here

“The site consists of a strip of vegetated shingle along the seafront with a large population of Sea Radish, a plant that occurs in only three other sites in Sussex. This strip of vegetated shingle is backed by regularly mown grass and then housing.”

The Village Design Statement adds:

“A large variety of bird life can be seen on the beach and Greensward. These include cormorant, guillemot, curlew, lapwing, numerous types of gull and the ever-present oystercatcher. Families of herons are frequent visitors at low tide.

The Greensward is a natural habitat for the wild meadowland flowers that were once in abundance on the farmland before the sea overtook it. Bluebells can be found edging the shingle banks, indicating the unique blending of the countryside and sea. Valerian, vetch, milkwort, sea lavender and kale are but a few of the flowers to be found edging the shore.”

The Greensward and Old Point now form part of the England Coast Path.

The slipway

There is a concrete slipway onto the beach, provided and maintained by the Association. It matters most to people who would otherwise struggle to get down to the water, and it is well used in summer by swimmers as well as by members with small boats and windsurfers.

Shingle builds up against it, so we have it cleared periodically to keep the access open. The tide and the cost of the work both mean this happens as needed rather than to a fixed yearly schedule.

A track cut through the shingle bank down to the beach, with timber posts either side, the sea and marker posts beyond — The cut through the shingle bank down to the beach.

Keeping a boat

You can keep a boat on the Greensward and launch it off the beach. There is a charge for a space. It is one of the quieter benefits of living here, and it is not something most private estates on this coast can offer at all.

The beacon

There is a beacon on the Greensward by the beach huts, beside the gate that gives boats access down onto the beach. It is lit on special occasions.

A tall wooden beacon post topped with an iron fire basket, standing on the vegetated shingle of the Greensward with the sea and horizon beyond — The beacon on the Greensward, by the gate down to the beach. Unremarkable on an ordinary Tuesday, rather less so when it is alight.

The beach clean

Looking after it

The Greensward Sub-Committee is appointed by the Management Committee and works closely with the Coastal Sub-Committee. Between them they handle the mowing, the planting, the beach clean and the long-running conversation with the council about sea defences.