Jane Dallaway

Latest posts

  • Early autumn at Winkworth Arboretum

    17 October 2026

    A grassy hollow with red, orange and green trees beneath a blue sky and big white clouds

    Winkworth Arboretum is a regular spot for us in autumn (see previous visits in 2021, 2024, 2025). We were a little earlier this year, so there weren’t as many trees aflame, but we did get to see some that are often past their best on our visits.

    Close up of autumn leaves in an explosion of red, orange, yellow and green

    Sunlit red, orange and yellow maple leaves against a patch of blue sky

    A hand in a knitted fingerless glove holding a cluster of golden oak leaves still joined at the stem

    I picked up a few fallen leaves and brought a couple home with me, but this cluster I put back on the ground where I found it. I loved that the leaves were all still attached together, and knew they wouldn’t survive the journey without breaking apart.

  • The calm before the runners arrive

    17 October 2026

    GoodGym Brighton helped out at Hove Prom Parkrun this morning. It was crisp but clear and still, so I took the chance to try my new fleece-lined hiking trousers. They kept me toasty!

    Empty seafront benches and railings on Hove promenade under a clear blue sky, before the parkrun runners arrive

    The course is two laps of 2.5k. My marshalling spot was on the second half, so once the runners had set off in the other direction, the other marshals and I got ourselves into position. The rest of the prom had people on it, but for a few moments, until the fast runners reached us, it was calm, with an uninterrupted view out to sea.

    Then the runners arrived. Last week the parkrun had to be cancelled because there weren’t enough volunteers, so it was brilliant to see the community hear the call and come out in force. There were 92 of us volunteering, and 782 runners.

    This was my first time volunteering, so I took an easy role. I’m not sure I’ve ever been thanked so often by so many people! The other first-time volunteers I spoke to had an equally positive experience too. I’d recommend it if you fancy an uplifting morning.

  • Sheffield Park loans out EnChroma glasses

    14 October 2026

    Poster at Sheffield Park headed 'Colour blind?', advising that EnChroma glasses for colour blindness can be borrowed free from reception. Two photos of the house and gardens show the scene before and after colour correction.

    I caught sight of this poster as we were leaving Sheffield Park today. I have no idea how many pairs of EnChroma glasses they have, or how popular they are, but it seems like a great opportunity for visitors to try them out for free and see if they make a difference.

    Disclaimer: I’m not colour blind, so I have no first-hand experience of colour blindness or of the EnChroma glasses.