I’ve just posted a new press release of Sussex Area Ramblers’ Association on their website. You can read the post entitled Footpaths "Now Open" here.

I’ve just posted a new press release of Sussex Area Ramblers’ Association on their website. You can read the post entitled Ramblers Celebrate New Bridge At Hellingly here.

Finally, I have a more substantial item to look at in my role as Footpath Secretary for Wisborough Green. This relates to a problem for walkers near the village.

There is a path which leads up to the A272 east of Wisborough Green, on the stretch before it is joined by the B2133 from Loxwood. There is also a path which leads up to the same stretch of the A272 from the south, but at a point some 350 meters further down the road. Walkers who wish to follow a route using both these footpaths have to walk down the verge of the A272.

The proposal is to provide a permissive footpath to link the two foopaths. The landowners concerned have given their consent to the proposal. The reports connected with the proposal were accepted by the Rights of Way Committee on the 17th November.

My view is that it is a sensible proposal, as I can say from personal experience that the A272 is not a road you really want to walk along for any substantial distance. Indeed, it is a general failing of the footpath system around Wisborough Green that there is no footpath that runs roughly parallel with that road. This is something that forced me to change the pub stop for one of my favourite walks from the Cricketers in Wisborough Green to the Bat & Ball at Newpound Common nearby. The problem was that there wasn’t a footpath into Wisborough Green I could follow, just unsatisfactory walks along one road or another.

I’ve just posted a new press release of Sussex Area Ramblers’ Association on their website. You can read the post entitled Ramblers Object to Motorcycle Madness at Broad Farm Hellingly here.

A short stretch of bridleway (part of bridleway no. 809) is to be closed for repairs for two consecutive periods: five days from the 26th July, then five days from the 31st July (i.e. 10 days from 26th July – I don’t know what cackhanded bureaucratic process necessitated doing it this way). This bridleway runs along the section of the disused canal to the west of Loxwood and the stretch closed is north of the crossroads by Barberry Bridge.

Again this is all uncontentious, so I have nothing more to add.

The first communication I have received in my new role as footpath secretary regards the temporary closure of a public footpath (no. 802) and public bridleway (no. 1351) near Loxwood. The closure is for five days from the 30th June, and is to allow repair work to improve the surface of the bridleway.

The footpath leads east from Drungewick Lane, at the point where it passes Drungewick Hill Farm. It meets the bridleway roughly in the middle. The bridleway runs roughly north-south, from the Loxwood Road to Gibbons Mill.

This all seems very uncontentious, so I don’t really have any more to say on the matter.

I have recently taken on the role of a footpath secretary for the Ramblers’ Association in Sussex. I am taking on two parishes in West Sussex: Loxwood, and Wisborough Green. Broadly speaking, a footpath secretary is responsible for monitoring the footpaths within his or her parishes, from the physical condition of the paths to legal matters relating to them.

While many of the parishes in East and West Sussex have a footpath secretary, some do not, and anyone wishing to volunteer to take on one or more vacant parish is more than welcome. Please look at the vacancies page on the main Sussex Area website for a list of the vacant parishes.

Ramblers Association members will be offering you a chance to change your life at the South of England Spring Garden & Leisure Show.

Local members from Mid Sussex will be staffing a stall at the Ardingly Spring Garden show on Sunday 4th & Monday 5th May 2008 at the South of England Showground – Ardingly from 09:00 to 17:00.

More and more of us are unfit, overweight and fed up. But with over 4,000 miles of footpaths in Sussex, much often through really beautiful countryside you can change that. Walking is simple, doesn’t cost the earth and is proved to make you feel better.

There is no need to feel frightened of starting out. Every week Ramblers leaders lead different walks all over the county with lengths of between 2 and 20 miles. You can meet new friends and discover new places, getting fitter at a pace that suits you.

Area activist Chris Smith says:

It’s spring – what better time could there be to start a better life?

Just turn up at the Ardingly Spring Garden show and find our stall to find out more. If you can’t make it contact have a look at our web sites at www.ramblers.org.uk, www.sussex-ramblers.org.uk, and www.midsussexramblers.co.uk.

For more information contact:
Chris Smith, RA area press secretary
email chris.smith@hbhelp.co.uk
web www.hbhelp.co.uk
phone 01273 47 40 70
fax 01273 48 69 66
post PO box 2660 Lewes BN7 2R

The Ramblers’ Association and the South Downs Campaign Invite you to join a South Downs Walk (no. 35.) Friday April 11th.

Meet at 10.30am in Fernhurst Car Park (GR SU898284).

These walks are designed to highlight beautiful areas that should become part of the future South Downs National Park. Bring picnic lunch. Possible lifts from Waterlooville area, Petersfield, or Haslemere.

Tom Franklin, the new RA Chief Executive will attend. A good chance to meet Tom!

Keep the Western Weald in the South Downs National Park!

Join us and enjoy the beauty of the South Downs.

Further details on these and future walks from the leader, Owen Plunkett, tel (023)92254959, mobile 07963480366 or e-mail owen.plunkett@tiscali.co.uk.

Ramblers and members of the public braved the wet & windy weekend weather to show their support for the creation of the South Downs National Park. They attended the 34th South Downs Walk organised by the Ramblers’ Association and the South Downs Campaign. The walk took place very appropriately in the Western Weald, a beautiful area threatened with exclusion from the future national park.

The walk, which started from Milland included the beauty spots of Older Hill & Woolbeding Common. Even in the unfriendly conditions experienced by the walkers, these areas had their own charm and there were stunning views across the common with the South Downs beyond.

The walk was attended by Keith Roberts, the Campaigns Director of the Ramblers’ Association. He said:

I cannot understand why the Inspector of the Inquiry has suggested that this wonderful area should be excluded from the SDNP. It is at least equal in landscape quality to the rest of the Designated National Park. If it is left out there is a real danger that it will lose its AONB status and the protection that gives. The Ramblers’ Association are pressing for the creation of the SDNP without delay, but the Western Weald must be included.

The leader of the walk added:

We have now had 34 of these walks to highlight areas that should be included in the SDNP and approximately 1000 people have taken part.

There will be another walk in this series on Friday 11th April, which will be attended by Tom Franklin, the Chief Executive of the Ramblers’ Association. The exact venue is to be decided, but will again be within the Western Weald. Further details can be obtained from Owen Plunkett on 023 92254959 or by e mailing owen.plunkett@tiscali.co.uk.