Nov 2017-Jan 2018 Activities & Events _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dear Members It seems as we write that Autumn is coming in fast - and the question is whether this precedes a hard winter? Whatever the answer, there's plenty for us to do in this programme. Apart from the Saturday before Christmas, we have all the usual days covered. So plenty of opportunity to keep up our rural step counts. With a central core of walks in the Brighton to Ditchling area and the Selhurst park to Arundel area, there are walks further west, north to Surrey and east to Kent. Our Remembrance Sunday walk on Ashdown Forest is led by Pete Rice before he leaves for Australia and Bill Saunders leads the Christmas walk from Newtimber. Now a repeat of last quarter's advice about using postcodes with satnavs. Recently walkers were surprised to arrive in the grounds of a country Residential Home, but found walks weren't on the activity diary there! Many car parks don't have a unique post code and the one given on the programme will give you the general area. Using the grid ref as well should give you a much more exact location. On the Strolls front, we welcome back leaders to full participation after injury, while others take a winter break. The programme is nonetheless still full and varied. Walks have a new leader and welcome back a familiar face. All leaders put a lot of thought into planning their walks and their willingness is much appreciated. So do make he most of the opportunities on offer. Whether you are bringing friends and family on a walk or getting out alone to work off any feasting excesses, we look forward to meeting up. Rosemary Warren (Walks co-ordinator) Judy Robinson (Strolls co-ordinator) [email protected] [email protected] ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Notes for walkers & cyclists • Ensure you have read the ‘Walks Guidance Notes’ on our website www.southdownssociety.org.uk (go to ‘Who we are’ then ‘Public documents’) or contact the South Downs Society office. • Please remember to take care of your own safety on walks and strolls, and make sure you wear appropriate footwear and clothing and you are fit for the walk/stroll outlined. Participants are responsible for carrying their own first aid supplies. • For advice about a particular walk or stroll contact the South Downs Society office on 01798 875073 - The first three figures in the map reference, e.g. 121, refer to maps in the OS Explorer series • New walkers – please note that the start time on the programme is the time we start walking, and it is best to arrive at the meeting place at least 15 minutes before this time, to allow for putting on boots etc • E = Easy walk, mostly flat with few or no stiles, well-suited for more gentle walking - Strolls (grey background) are a maximum of 9 miles. Walks (white) are 9+ miles. All are circular unless stated otherwise • Dogs, where permitted, must be under control. Owners must do as requested by the leader. No extendable leads please • Make your own way to the meeting place and please consider the use of car sharing or public transport where possible • Cyclists: Members are responsible for their own safety - helmets can help prevent a head injury if you fall from your bike. Please note that terrain may vary from bridleways to public roads. Experienced cyclists over 18 only please. Registered Office: 2 Swan Court, Station Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1RL Tel: 01798 875073 email: [email protected] www.southdownssociety.org.uk The Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered no. 319437 and is a registered charity no. 230329 Date, start & Start details & OS Outline Route Length approx. finish Explorer (in time map reference miles) NOVEMBER Wed 1 Selborne Public Car NORE HILL and SELBORNE COMMON 6 1000-1245 Park The route will include a circuit of Nore Down and the famous GU34 3LE Selborne Common, both Nature reserves of renown. We will 133/ SU743336 return to the village for a pub or café lunch. Leader: Alan and Angela Megarry To ensure this stroll takes place please let us know of your intention to join it. Tel or e-mail by 8pm on the previous evening. (see leaders list) Thu 2 Whiteways Lodge CP Gumber Corner, Northcombe Wood, Sutton (Pub – White Horse) 13 0945-1545 121 / TQ002108 Bury BN18 9FD Leader: Brian Johnson Fri 3 Hartfield Road CP FOREST ROW CIRCULAR 5½ 1000-1245 Forest Row Undulating country side, generally easy walking mainly on clear RH18 5JZ tracks but be prepared for mud in places. The route follows an 135 / TQ443357 ancient trackway up and over the gentle hills to the north of the signposted from the valley of the upper Medway with fine views northwards towards centre of Forest Row the Kent border. Pub refreshment in Forest Row. along the Hartfield Leader: Peter Taylor Road Public Transport, Bus from East Grinstead. Sat 4 Stanmer Park CP (on Streathill Farm, Plumpton College, Streat, Ditchling (Pub – White 11 0945-1600 one-way system, just Horse, or Cafés) Ditchling Beacon after church and village Leaders: Clare Saunders & Mary Mulligan turning) BN1 9PZ 122 / TQ336096 Tue 7 West Grinstead Old Bar House Farm, Coolham (lunch) Pollards Hill Farm, Copsale, West 13½ 0915-1545 Station Grinstead 134 / TQ183225 Leader: Angi Alderson RH15 8LY Tue 7 The Crown Pub CP Airfield, Wiggonholt church, Parham park, Crown Pub for lunch. 5 1030-1300 Cootham, Storrington Leader: John Mayes RH20 4JN 121 / TQ074145 Wed 8 Halfway Bridge Lord’s Wood, Mill Farm & Upperton Common. 7½ 1000-1400 GU28 9BP (nearest) Picnic lunch or pub at Lodsworth near end of stroll. 133 / SU931221 Leader: George Stride Off A272 signposted May be able to offer lifts from Emsworth - contact leader. Halfway Bridge & park on old road at pub rear Thu 9 Barcombe Mills CP Spithurst Woods, River Ouse, Isfield, Rose Hill (Pub – Halfway 11 1000-1545 122 / TQ433146 House) Norlington BN8 5BX Leader: Ian Graham Fri 10 Ardingly Reservoir CP Balcombe Ouse Valley Viaduct, Great Bentley Farm, Pilstye Farm, 5 1000-1230 RH17 6SQ Stone Hall, return. Undulating High Weald scenery with great 135 / TQ335286 views. Lunch in Ardingly after stroll. Leader: David Sawyer Date, start & Start details & OS Outline Route Length approx. finish Explorer (in time map reference miles) Sun 12 Gill's Lap CP at jct of REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY WALK 11 0945-1545 B2026 and Kidd's Hill Airman's Grave (2 minutes silence) Nutley (Pub – Nutley Arms) Rd, Ashdown Forest Kings Standing Clump 135 / TQ467315 Leader: Peter Rice TN22 3JD Tue 14 Selhurstpark Droke, Bishop's Ring, Northcombe Wood, Sutton (Pub – White 12 1000-1545 121 / SU927118 Horse) Bignor, The Gumber GU28 0LZ Leader: Jim Oliver Wed 15 Royal Oak CP SUSSEX MARTYRS (1) 4½ 1000-1230 East Lavant Path to Summersdale, Centurion Way (site of martyrdoms of Ralph PO18 0AX Crockett and Edward James (Catholics)), Lavant House School. Pub 120 / SU863085 at end. Leader: Peter Harris Thu 16 Village Hall CP, Newdigate, Holmwood Common, Coldharbour (Pub – The Plough) 15 0915-1600 Mortimer Road, Capel Leith Hill, Buckinghill Farm, Bearehurst, Rugge Farm 146 / TQ176408 Leader: Ian Lancaster RH5 5LA Metrobus 93 Horsham – Dorking Fri 17 North End of France RUINS OF MICHELGROVE 6 1030-1500 Lane, Patching Myrtle Grove Farm, Michelgrove, pub (World’s End, Patching) en BN13 3XH (near) route. Patching Pond. Short afternoon. 121 / TQ089069 Leader: Roy Shaw Sat 18 CP by Parish Church, Skeynes Park, Troy Town, Trevereux, Crockham Hill (Pub – Royal 12½ 0930-1545 Church St, Edenbridge. Oak) Coakham Lodge Farm, Skinners Farm Entrance via narrow Leaders: Susan & John Stent lane at south end of High St with King & Queen pub on the corner 147 / TQ445462 TN8 5BD Tue 21 Ditchling Village CP DITCHLING FIGURE OF EIGHT WALK 12 1000-1600 122 / TQ326151 Clayton, Wickham Farm, Ockenden's Wood, Keymer, Ditchling BN6 8TT (Pub – White Horse) Sussex Border Path, Blackbrook Wood, Newtons Farm. 6½ a.m. 5½ p.m. Leader: Brenda Mann Tue 21 Exceat Woodland CP Friston Forest, West Dean, walk around the village, gradual ascent 5 1000-1230 BN25 4AD to Seven Sisters Country Park, to Cuckmere Haven, via Exceat 123 / TV518995 Church site, and back. Pub (optional, Cuckmere Inn) near end. (charge) Leader: Ingrid Streeter Thu 23 Stoughton Down CP Bow Hill, Stoughton, Watergate, Compton (pub or tearooms) 13½ 0915-1545 OL8:120 / SU815126 Handle Down, East Marden PO18 9JG Leader: Dave Meyer Date, start & Start details & OS Outline Route Length approx. finish Explorer (in time map reference miles) Fri 24 Outside Waitrose, A SHORT BUT INTERESTING STROLL 2.5E 1100-1230 Lewes Good paths and pavements to riverside (just one stretch may be BN7 2LP muddy), Lewes Priory and Southover Grange Gardens. Pub or café 122 / TQ418102 in Lewes at end. Add the Castle after lunch? Leader: Judy Robinson Bus 28/29 Brighton/Tunbridge Wells stop Waitrose. Lewes rail station is ¼mile distant. Sat 25 Clayton Windmills CP SDW, Ditchling Beacon, Western Brow, Stanmer Park (Pub or Café) 11 0945-1545 122 / TQ303134 Upper Lodges, Lower Standean, New Barn Farm BN6 9PG Leader: Mary Breeze Buses 40 Brighton – Cuckfield and 270 Brighton – East Grinstead. Both pass ½ mile from the CP. Tue 28 Wivelsfield Recreation Blackbrook Wood, Streat Hill, Ditchling Beacon, Ditchling (Pubs & 12 0915-1600 Grnd CP, off Eastern Rd Cafés) Sussex Border Path, St Georges Retreat. 122 / TQ346200 Leader: Richard Mason RH17 7QG Wed 29 Corner of Nepcote Downland easy morning stroll. Lovely views around back of 5 0945-1245 Green, Findon Cissbury Ring. Undulating – no steep hills. Few (if any) stiles.