LDWA SUSSEX GROUP NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 10 

Welcome to the LDWA Sussex Group Newsletter. This is the fifth Newsletter for the purpose of communicating what activities the Group and individual members are participating in and also to raise general interest in walking associated activities. All contributions, comments etc. are very much welcomed.  

GROUP NEWS
Those that received the previous Winter 09 Newsletter may have read that Andy Chesworth stepped down as the Group Walks Organiser in January. Trevor Beeston has now stepped into the Walk Organiser’s shoes and contact details are as on the website and in Strider.  Whilst members will have just received the August Strider, the deadline for the December Strider fast approaches. Therefore, Trevor is presently working on the next walks programme to cover the period from January to April next year, which all seems a long way off!
Each Local Group submits their walk’s programme to the National Local Group Secretary for publication. John Phillips was elected the LDWA’s new Local Group’s Secretary at the National AGM held in Skipton back in March. This role was previously held by Nicky Wood but John’s responsibilities also extend to incorporating the role of the Group Walks Coordinator.

CHALLENGE EVENTS
Congratulations to Chris Coates for completing twenty 100 challenge events. Chris has received a “20” badge and commemorative paperweight from National Committee to recognize this achievement. Well done!
Here are a few brief recollections from Chris: 

1984	Dartmoor: first completion. Walked last 70 miles with Tony Twyman, who was a shade eccentric (even by our standards!). Remember him thrashing his legs with nettles at 73 miles, to try to cure cramp. Ran last 4 miles, to get under 32 hours.
1985	Yorkshire: included the 3 Peaks, except the top 300 feet or so of Whernside. Torrential rain on Saturday, snow on Pen-Y-Ghent, followed by a heatwave on the Sunday. Discovered the joys of Germolene to repair the nether regions.
1986	Downsman: hard on the feet. Fastest completion ( 28:41) – supporters’ car didn’t catch me ‘till Jevington. Collected from finish by my friend Terry, who had offered to drive as Margaret was expecting our first child. Inexplicably taken to visit the Mormon Temple at East Grinstead on way home to Surrey.
1987	Snowdonia: not easy, but spectacular. Sunday morning walk down the coast from Portmadoc to Harlech was nice.
1988	White Peak: zipped round this one. Changed shoes at 8 miles, as a blister was coming. Had a nice pint near Chatsworth on the Saturday evening. Memorable toilet break, just after dawn, on top of the aptly named Lose Hill. Snow showers on the Roaches. Finished early enough to have a bath and go to the pub for a pint and dinner.
1989	Brecon Beacons: a bit hilly ! Over the Brecon Beacons ( all of them) on Saturday, and back across the grain of the Black Mountains on Sunday. With a steep 1100 foot climb at 90 miles.
1990	Chilterns: not much fun. The route was in loops, so you sometimes saw people who were 30 miles ahead of you. This was the only time I had a serious blister, which needed some management, and this the first time I went into the second night. Got lost after dark on Sunday (following someone who claimed to know where he was going, but didn’t !). There was a problem with the showers at the end, so had to wash under a cold tap before getting the train home across London. Funny looks on the Underground !
1991	Lancashire: this was the first one where I travelled with the Sussex Group. Pub lunch on the way up, then out on a pub-crawl round Morecambe. Hard to get going the next day after 8 pints….   But the walk was OK. When I finished, my bags were in Bernard Clifford’s car, and he was away supporting brother Paul, who was about 25 miles behind me. Eventually gave up waiting and got a taxi to the hotel. Had a bath, and realised that the only clean clothing I had left was – one sock. Still slept though !
1992	North Downs: miles of North Downs Way, and even more miles of concrete tracks, in a heatwave. Needed a huge amount of water on the Sunday.
1993	Cleveland: some long slogs across the moors, interspersed with lovely places. This was the one where they had problems with distances: some people thought it was as much as 108 miles. Presented with “10” badge at the end.
1994	Dartmoor: why did I start again? We had a lovely long family weekend staying in a farmhouse, spoilt only by me doing another 100. Bum started hurting at 20 miles, but I got to 80 miles before remembering that I had Napisan cream in my bag, which worked like magic..
1995	Shropshire: travelled with the Group again, with Group legend Jim Wild in the party (in his late seventies, and walked in jacket and tie). Followed Jim’s lead and switched to Whisky Macs after 8 pints, by which time we’d had fish and chips, and were in a Karaoke bar with Paul Clifford singing “My Way”. Kept awake most of night by room-mate Jim talking in his sleep about living wills.   Hard to get going on the walk: might have dropped out at breakfast, but someone washed my feet with hot water and pushed me out again. Felt better at the end than I did at the start !
1996	Yorkshire again: very strange day. Felt fine up until the day, but was totally out of sorts – my head was somewhere else. Met family at 29 miles, dropped out and went for a nice meal in the pub at Buckden.
1997	Downsman again: a bit slower this time. I did the main event, which was less memorable than the Marshal’s Walk, when I offered my frame tent for the checkpoint on Firle Beacon. It was wet and very windy: we had problems getting the tent up, and needed help from the first walker to arrive, Ken Falconer. Tied the tent to 2 cars.
1998	Peak district again: a different route, of which I remember very little, apart from a stony track near the end.
1999	Durham: we stayed in a cottage which had no electricity or gas, so educational for the kids! Hard walk on the Pennines, and memorable as I shaved off my moustache in the bath after the walk, which surprised the family.
2000	Kent: I was working away in Libya, so was well prepared for a heatwave (see 1992, above).   It was cold, and rained, all night, and I was heading for hypothermia. Was going to drop out at breakfast, but I saw people who had dropped out shivering on the floor , and I decided that I’d live longer if I kept moving . So I set off, the weather cleared and the sun came out.   Still had to walk through knee-deep floods on the Sunday, but got to the end OK.
2001/2	Lakeland, postponed a year to 2002 due to foot & mouth disease ( in cattle, not the LDWA). Began with 2 miles uphill from B&B in Windermere to the start; then the event soon hit high, rocky ground. Even walking round Crummock Water was difficult, on the Sunday morning, although the place is lovely. Walked with 2 chaps, Phil and Dixon from around 70 miles. At 90 miles, in the dark just after Grasmere, we were going through a gate and Phil disappeared behind us. I found him lying on the ground, apparently unconscious; this as 4 days after I’d passed my First aid course at work, but I wasn’t knackered then. After a few minutes he asked me if he’d just had a minor epileptic fit, so I said “Yes, I knew that”.   He got up and carried on, although he collapsed twice more before the end. The marshals at the last checkpoint took no notice when I told them this guy was in trouble, and let him proceed, which meant that Dixon and I had to walk with him. It turned out that he was a runner, and expected to finish in 30 hours, so he had only carried medicine for one night. We finished, and all crashed out in the hall.
2003	Wensleydale: another jaunt round Yorkshire, with no great problems. Went by train, but couldn’t find a B&B in Ripon, so slept on the floor at the school before and after the walk. Ouch.
2004	Exmoor: I had torn my Achilles tendon, running in March, and was waiting for an operation. Decided to go and start the event, as I’d never been to Exmoor. But I saw sense at 30 miles and dropped out when it started to hurt.
2005	Chilterns again: better than the previous one, but what is it about the Chilterns? The showers at the end were about 400m from the hall, and there was no hot water again. I believe they’d forgotten to change a timeswitch.
2006	Cheviots: another hard one, with minimal support for many miles over the hills. There was a problem in the night, and I later found that David Mitchell from Wessex had a heart attack. I saw his boots, but didn’t realise how serious it was. The rest of the route was much easier, and I did the second half quicker than the first half (for the only time). Finished, and found that you don’t get another badge for 20, not even another “10”.   Until now – I finally have something to show off !

 PAST EVENTS 

The South Downs Marathon - 2010.
Sunday 25th April saw the third outing for this marathon (more or less) distance event. The previous two took place around Harting Down at the western end of the Sussex Group patch. This year saw a move to East Dean in East Sussex. The name of the event, evolved at enormous expense over a couple of pints in the Dorset Arms, Lewes, allows such flexibility of venue.
The two areas, separated by some 60 miles, have somewhat different topography. The South Harting area is heavily wooded, particularly on the southern slopes and the line of The Downs is fairly straight. East Dean is very near the eastern end of the Downs - this year's route crossed some of the Seven Sisters where the Downs meet the sea - and the line of The Downs is irregular with gaps, overlaps and changes in direction. A combination of urbanisation and two thousand years of cultivation, supplemented by the current policy of grazing vast numbers of sheep, have left a more open landscape, much given to cereal growing on the gentler slopes.
The East Dean and Friston village hall is a very well equipped, if pricey, event venue. To prevent the small public car park being overwhelmed the adjacent field, normally let to the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre, was hired for the day.
With the new location came organisational changes. A single indoor checkpoint was provided at the Reading Rooms at Glynde, with water points at Norton and near Lullington. This format is not original, having been pinched from other LDWA events.
By the time the final checks on the route description were being made winter was losing its icy grip. The flood plains near Alfriston were still under water but elsewhere the mud was drying, the spring flowers appearing and the country side was losing its battered look. For the two weeks before the event the skies cleared and the sun shone - it was still cold. - would the weather hold?
The day of the event arrived and with it showers and low cloud which covered one of the best features of the route - the views.
Of the 107 who entered 76 started and 74 finished. One entrant, prevented by the Icelandic dust from taking part in a road marathon in Europe, soon became lost. She was taken in by some residents in Bishopstone and subsequently picked up by the marshals returning from Norton. The lady had never done a cross country marathon before and was expecting tarmac roads and a marked route.
Another entrant, a runner from London, having fallen victim to Southern Railway's alternative bus service, arrived nearly an hour after the last runners had departed. Being confident that he could catch up and after his efforts to get to the start he was sent upon his way. He was not the last to finish.
The entrants and the organisers agreed that this was a successful event, marred only a little by the weather.
A few photographs of this event and details of next year’s South Downs Marathon can be found on the website
Pathtrekker.

FUTURE EVENTS 

Sussex Stride
To remind everyone, this event takes place over the weekend of 18^th and 19^th September. It’s 51 miles over the East Sussex Downs starting and finishing at Longhill School, Rottingdean. There will be no entries on the day and entries close on 10th September. Limit of 150. This event forms part of the KSS Triple Challenge and on successful completion of the Stride this will be the first time around those qualifying participants may apply for a KSS certificate and badge. It is planned that the Sussex Stride will take place again in 2013.  

CAN YOU VOLUNTEER? – WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF HELP ON THE SUSSEX STRIDE THIS YEAR – IF YOU ARE ABLE  TO ASSIST WITH MARSHALLING PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS BAINES-HOLMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ON T: 01273 772076, E: chrisbainesholmes@btinternet.com 

(Also see “A message from our Secretary” below) 

South Downs Marathon
Following the success and feedback from participants, next years’ SDM will again take place from East Dean. Further details will be available in due course.

A Polite Request – A message from our Secretary
At our recent Sussex LDWA Committee Meeting, it was announced that the LDWA had provided details of 13 new members who live in Sussex. As secretary of the group I would like to welcome you to the group. The Committee hopes that we will meet you at some stage and this is what leads me to the main point of the article.
There are 96 LDWA members on the e-mail list all of whom live in Sussex. Most of you have joined the LDWA to participate in the excellent challenge events. Fair enough! If you don’t wish to participate in social walks or any other activities organised by the Sussex Group that is understood and appreciated.
Do you ever wonder why Sussex only puts on one challenge walk on an annual basis? When you attend challenge walks in other counties do you ever consider from where the volunteers come who turn out on checkpoints regularly year in year out?
The Sussex event is organised, managed and run almost exclusively by the members of the Sussex LDWA Committee with help from one or two people who participate in social walks. We would very much like to put on at least one more event on a regular basis but we simply do not have the support that other groups have from their LDWA members.
The polite request is for those of you who participate in challenge walks on a regular basis to offer some assistance in the manning of checkpoints at Sussex LDWA Group events. We are not asking for help at every event. Perhaps you could volunteer for one event every three years. We would have more than enough help to run two events each year on a regular basis. Surely this is not too much to ask?
Those of you who have been LDWA members and attended challenge walks over a number of years have gained a lot from the organisation, is it not time to put something back? Sussex is a wonderful county in which to walk. Those who attend our few events are always telling us how much they enjoy walking here. It is time to have two events each year but this will only happen if volunteers can be found to help. The committee is made up from very ordinary people like yourselves who have busy lives. We can find the time, so please will you!
Here’s Hoping!
Anthony Mitchell (Sussex LDWA Group Secretary)

DID YOU KNOW…..?

Cows and Calves
Walking through the countryside will inevitably mean crossing fields full of livestock. Regular walkers will be so used to it and by applying commonsense and using their experience, encounters with livestock are not normally an issue.
However, from time to time the ears prick up when you hear of a death or injury in the news headlines. 
It was therefore of passing interest to read the judgement of the McKaskie v Cameron case handed down last year. Back in May 2003, Ms McKaskie was seriously injured by cows with calves when crossing a public right of way through a field with her dog. Ms McKaskie brought a claim for damages against the farmer.
The Judge found that on the facts of the case before him, the farmer did have a liability to Ms McKaskie and the County Court awarded around £1m in damages. Leave of appeal was granted but a settlement was finally agreed out-of-court.
Interestingly, the defence in this case asserted that walking through a field with cattle was an obvious risk, but the court disagreed, concluding that walking across a field with stock, even with a dog, was NOT, an obvious risk. Does this case therefore mean that walkers will no longer come across a field with cows with calves in (and not forgetting horses with foals) ?
No, it seems not yet anyway. The decision in this case was based on the particular facts and evidence presented in the case before the Judge. Therefore, there is no binding precedent. This case does not change the existing legal position for farmers in relation to livestock kept in fields through which there is a public right of way. However, it does seem to have provided a useful review of the various grounds for claims and what might be interpreted “reasonable care” or reasonable measures that a farmer may consider appropriate to implement.
Reasonable care may extend from providing better and more signing, fencing off the right of way across the fields, diverting the public right of way (which can be a lengthy process) to moving cows with calves to alternative fields where no public right of way exists.
Only time will tell if we notice any changes on the ground. 

South Downs National Park

On 31st March 2010 the South Downs became Britain's newest National Park and the 10th to be designated in England. Andrew Shaxson was elected Chair of the Planning Committee for the South Downs National Park Authority at a meeting held on 15 June. Neville Harrison was also elected as Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee.
The South Downs National Park Authority will be a centrally-funded, public body run by a Board of 27 Members. The Authority will be able to make planning decisions and develop new projects & partnership programmes that promote the purposes of the South Downs National Park. It will be interesting to see whether or not the spending cuts proposed by the Collision Government will impact.
Until April 2011, during the National Park Authority's shadow year, the role of the Planning Committee will be to establish efficient Planning procedures and policies. This is in preparation for when the South Downs National Park Authority becomes the sole local planning authority for the National Park area from April 2011 onwards.

JOURNAL 

A RETURN TO BLANKENBURGE AND A WEEKEND WITH THE IML (THE INTERNATIONAL MARCHING LEAGUE WALKING ASSOCIATION)

May Bank Holiday 2010 

As the Eurostar had already been booked and the hotel reservation made, it was sheer coincidence that the April edition of Strider contained an article by Rod Heywood on the activities and scope of the IML. Having heard little about this organisation, I was interested to learn more and was pleased to read in Roy’s article that those wishing to sample an IML offering he could recommend “Blankenburge” in Belgium as a starter.
The good thing about buying a Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels is that it includes onward train travel to any Belgium station. Stepping off the train on a sunny evening in Blankenburge would mean that it would be the first time I had stayed in this North Sea coastal resort since my first school trip away from home during the 1970 World Cup and it’s World Cup year again (and with something horribly familiar – England lose to Germany again!).
The Tourist Information Office outside the station was open to 8pm to allow registration for the event, although I subsequently found out that there would be no problem in registering in the morning. The event had walks over 2 days offering distances of 6, 15, 24 and 42km (marathon). Although, I was asked which distance I would expect to walk on each day, it was not by any means prescriptive and the decision would be made in the morning.
It was dry but overcast the following morning as I arrived at the “Grote Markt” where it had been taken over for this event. Given that I had no previous form on IMF events, I decided to register for the 24km route and was provided with a walk card and a route plan for “Day 1”. A booklet of vouchers were issued which could be exchanged for fruit, cake, drinks etc. and included the chance of a free beer not normally available at LDWA checkpoints unless like me you’ve done, like me, the Real Ale Ramble!). Free bottles of water were also available at the start.
It would be impossible to get lost given the sheer number of participants, the map and the excellent signing. The route for Day 1 would take a westerly direction initially along the glorious sandy beach before heading south and out into the Belgium countryside following lanes and footpaths. It must be emphasised that this is Flanders in Belgium and it is flat, very flat. However, this does not by any means take away the interest particularly given that the route passed through several picturesque Flemish villages.
The walk card would be either scanned or clipped along the route at designated checkpoints to enable times to be recorded. It sounds formal but the emphasis was not on speed but on making the walking an enjoyable and relaxed experience. The flavour was “international” with participants displacing flags and badges from all over the world. Many were clearly going to make their walk last all day whilst taking time out at the numerous food and watering holes along the route which were occasionally supported by music and dancing. Now and then amongst the hoards of walkers making their way at their own pace would be singing armies from Belgium, Holland and Germany marching with purpose and proudly displaying their national flags.
The Grote Markt was buzzing as I crossed the finish line around mid afternoon giving me ample opportunity to sample the cafes and bars in the town which were starting to fill up with walkers.
It was in the back of my mind that the walks for “Day 2” would be the same ones as Day 1 or in reverse. I was therefore pleased to learn that whilst the same four distances were offered, the routes today would be to east and south of Blankenburge which took in the lovely village of Lissewege. Lissewege is also called the white village, after the white chalked houses.  I had contemplated doing the marathon but opted at the last moment to do the 24km distance again. Now that I had a handle on what these walks were about and given my enjoyment of the previous day I decided to take the relaxed approach. Beer was had en-route!
On handing in my walk card at the end of the second day, I was presented with a medal. Other memorabilia was available for purchase. After completing a first event the IMF does offer walkers the opportunity to purchase an “International Walkers Passport”. I decided to buy one which I subsequently got stamped to certify that I have completed my first march in Belgium. There are presently another 23 IMF events across the world held annually.
I don’t know when or where but I am sure that I will want to get another stamp in the Passport at sometime.  

Trevor Beeston