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History compiled by Lime Aid secretary Mike Benians The two pictures of the avenue, in summer and winter, were painted by Fay Barnacle  Lime Tree Avenue serves the residents of Manor Park (ca. 1100 dwellings – with a population of some 2500) living in the north of Uckfield, and provides the most spectacular pedestrian right of way for all those walkers visiting the town centre. Nearly half a mile long, this Avenue was originally planted with about 200 lime trees – probably at least 150 years ago. Since then, it has served as a majestic carriageway, leading to the Manor, Uckfield House, built on the brow of the hill, with breathtaking views over Buxted Park to the east, and Uckfield town to the south. In the meantime, the Avenue has proudly defined the boundary between the distinguished and titled Nevill family, owners of Uckfield House on the east side, and the Streatfeild (sic) family to the west.
Today, our legacy is just half that number of lime trees, with two ‘new’ estate roads carving up the Avenue into three separate sections, and with about 20 different private owners – including a 200 yard section owned by the Receivers for the Company which developed Manor Park estate. As a consequence of these multiple private ownerships, none of our Local Authorities will adopt the Avenue. The result has been a state of total neglect – steadily deteriorating, for thirty years.
'Not for profit group'  Lime Aid was the outcome of our Inaugural Meeting, convened last December 2005, and attended by a number of interested residents, walkers and dog owners – as well as eminent Councillors and Representatives from two important local organizations: the Uckfield Regeneration Partnership and the Uckfield & District Preservation Society. So, Lime Aid was born as a ‘not for profit’ voluntary Group (as yet not seeking Charity Commission registration) simply dedicated to the ‘restoration of Lime Tree Avenue - to its original glory’. Such aspirations include the need to fund detailed surveys, for urgent tree surgery to ensure safety, to complete medium and long term management programmes for the sustainable maintenance of both the trees and the 11 foot wide carriageway. As a comparatively new Group, we may claim to be still serving our ‘apprenticeship’.
Under the lee of our lime trees, on the east side of the Avenue, lies the Uckfield Community Technology College. With some 2000 students and staff, these young people can enjoy the unique environment provided by the Avenue – the majority arriving and leaving daily on foot, along a most spectacular tree lined carriageway. Also adjoining the Avenue are the College Arboretum and their Market Garden horticultural teaching facilities, including classrooms and ‘allotments’. Proposals are now under consideration for the integration of the College Arboretum and the southern section of the Avenue (currently still in Receivership) to create a small Public Park. Such a Public Park would be open to all, on a daily basis, whereas it is foreseen that the horticultural teaching facilities would be a ‘secure area’ – with access by the Public on specified ‘Open Days’.
Lime Tree Avenue also provides an approach to the Uckfield Leisure Centre (adjacent to the College) which will shortly be joined by a six-court Tennis Centre. With Manor Park, the Community College, the Leisure and Tennis Centres – many thousands of our Uckfield residents will benefit from the potentially unparalleled amenity afforded by the Avenue.
Aims In order to achieve its objectives, Lime Aid will seek to secure funding, to:
Resolve the problems of multiple ownership, by acquisitions and/or long term leases.
Commission a tree-by-tree survey, as a prelude to tree surgery to ensure safety.
Commission the recommended tree surgery, based on the tree-by-tree survey.
Prepare medium and long term programmes for maintenance of trees and carriageway.
Consider new tree planting and replacement planting where necessary.
Commission the landscape planning for the creation of the small Public Park.
Lime Aid must complete this regeneration, along with the Public Park project, such that the fully restored Lime Tree Avenue will be adopted by our Local Authorities, for the future benefit and enjoyment of every member of our Uckfield Market Town community.
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