Life on the coast is a labour of love for a familiar figure who is still out and about working on pathways, despite his recent retirement
You might have seen Simon Hurt pedalling his bicycle around Eastbourne’s parks, gardens, seafront, and on the South Downs. For over 20 years he was part of a team managing Eastbourne’s beautiful green spaces.
He’s recently retired but remains passionate about Eastbourne’s green heritage, both within the town and the surrounding countryside. The town has miles of Victorian seafront promenades, with striking flowerbeds, open coast and dramatic cliffs, including Beachy Head with its famous lighthouse.
“One of my favourite walks is across the Downs to Birling Gap where there’s access to the beach,” he says. Armed with a camera, he captures incredible views, wildlife, and dramatic weather. He’s photographed badgers, foxes, lizards, birds of prey, mice, adders, butterflies and moths, newts and water snails, as well as a fantastic variety of birds.
“The wild flower meadows are one of my favourite photographic subjects and they’re usually buzzing with the sounds of bees and hoverflies from May. I hear the wonderful sound of skylarks in the warmer months, even though they fly so high they can be hard to see,” adds Simon.
Simon uses the network of bridleways to get across the Downs to Seaford and Newhaven, west of Eastbourne. He also cycles along quiet routes to Bexhill and Hastings.
“Looking after the town’s green spaces was always enjoyable but often challenging,” he says. “The squeeze on
