DO YOU have any memories of the various changes to Brighton’s Sheepcote Valley between the 1960s and 1990s?

Do you think that it is in a better state now than when it was used as a waste tip?

Tipping started in Sheepcote Valley in 1916 and gradually increased until it was on a large scale between 1952 and 1982.

The valley has been home to a large campsite for decades as well as Whitehawk FC’s old home ground.

Traveller families regularly visited or based themselves at the campsite.

Protests have been held over the years denouncing the use of the site as a waste tip and to attempt to save the camp site from being closed.

A protest was held in the valley in 1976, where demonstrators made a case for the site to stop being used as a waste dump and for wildlife conservation to be considered going forward.

When a public inquiry turned down the idea of a waste transfer station in the valley in 1979 it was stated that the residents were entitled, after all the years of detriment to their living standards, to have the opportunity of enjoying the tranquil outlook over an open and green valley that they were continuously promised.

Until the 1980s some of the area was still farmed and used as a tip.

In 1985, the campsite and a sports centre were under construction.

Another protest attended by hundreds of people was held in the valley in 1991 after it was announced that the camp site could be closed down.

Did you attend any of the protests in the valley over the years and if so what can you remember about the atmosphere?

Were there any guest speakers at the protest over the camp site closing in 1991?

The Friends of Sheepcote Valley was formed in 1997 and the volunteers have worked with Brighton and Hove City Council since then to improve the area for wildlife and visitors.

After years of hosting people at the campsite and hard fought campaigns by local people, guests still frequent the campsite today.