Many thanks to Steve for leading the walk. If you attended and want to leave a comment, feel free to do so.

The AGM was, as is customary, preceded by a walk, which started at 10 am and was approximately 5 miles long. It took in the countryside and local features around Boxgrove and was very well attended, as can be seen from the following photos:

Lunch was at the Anglesey Arms in nearby Halnaker.

The AGM itself started at 2:30 pm and was very efficiently chaired by Clive Grumett. Nicky Philpott from Ramblers Central Office was in attendance. The first half consisted of some brief reports from the Chairman and the Secretary (and acting Treasurer) Anne Parker. There was also the election of officers for next year. I was reappointed Area Webmaster, while my fellow Sussex Young Walker Steve Kisko was appointed East Sussex Publicity Officer. The second half featured a talk by Judi Darley of Chichester Harbour Conservancy on the habitat of the harbour. Procedings wound up around about 5 pm.

I’d like to offer many thanks to South West Sussex group for their efficient organisation, excellent venue and highly enjoyable walk.

Hampshire Area of the Ramblers invites you to
help us to
Celebrate the first anniversary of
The South Downs National Park
Walk and Rally
Sunday April 1st, 10.00am
6-8 mile walk
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
We hope to provide drinks & light refreshments.
Speakers include Kate Ashbrook. Further details to be arranged

Contact Owen Plunkett on 023 92254959

This walk took in the traditional sights of the Jack and Jill Windmills near Clayton (see this website for more information), and Ditchling Beacon, but for some variety, the walk started from and ended at Hassocks.

Most of the walk took place in the morning, which saw us work our way up to the windmills and along to the beacon, before coming back down to Ditchling for lunch.

As the Bull proved to be rather busy, we decided instead to go to the White Horse. They were a little overwhelmed by having more business than they had anticipated, so service was a little slow, but the food was excellent and worth the wait.

Following lunch, there was a short walk back to Hassocks.

If you attended the walk and would like to leave a comment, feel free to do so.

The South Downs Society has a set of ‘joined up’ walks across access land which have been in existence since before the inauguration of the South Downs National Park. There are 6 walks and details of them can be found at http://www.southdownssociety.org.uk/access-map.html.

South Downs Society wants to publish them with the endorsement of the National Park Authority but there are a number issues such as unresolved disputed access land which need resolution.

As a start to the resolution SDS, NPA and Ramblers have met recently and have discussed the way ahead for these maps. This brought up the issue of all access land within the National Park.

Are you passionate about those areas of the Downs where the public have the freedom to roam, those areas of downland and heath which are often off-the-beaten track, brimming with wildlife and with great views? Many of the sites are difficult for the public to enjoy because there’s no gate or stile linking the site to the road or footpath that runs alongside. The National Park Authority has asked us for a list of places where we think a gate or stile is needed. Can you help? If so, please contact:

Brian Bailey
Access Officer
Sussex Area Ramblers
brian.ramblers@ntlworld.com

Many thanks to Claire for leading an enjoyable walk. If you attended, and want to leave a comment, please do so below.

I am interested in walks to be held sometime from January to April 2012. Walks have traditionally been held on a Sunday, starting at 10 am or 10:30 am, and we have aimed to hold at least one walk every fortnight. I would prefer walks on Sunday, but if you want to put forward one on a Saturday, that would be fine. I would consider advertising weekday walks, although you should bear in mind that people are less likely to be able to make them.

I need the following information in connection with each walk:

• Your name and contact details (phone, e-mail – whatever you prefer)
• A suggested title for the walk
• The date of the walk
• The start time of the walk
• The start location (please make this as clear as possible – a grid reference and explorer map number are preferred)
• The anticipated length of the walk and rough difficulty of the walk (1 = Easy, 3 = Average, 5 = Hard)
• Whether there will be a pub stop, or some other place people can buy food at lunchtime, or whether they need to bring a picnic

Walks can be submitted via the Submit Walk page or by e-mailing us at contact@sussex-young-walkers.org.uk.

It would be nice to see some new walks leaders. I understand if you are a bit nervous about leading a walk for the first time, however, we can provide you with any guidance you need.