Winter 10/11 Newsletter
LDWA SUSSEX GROUP NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 2011
Welcome to the LDWA Sussex Group Newsletter. This is the seventh 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
The Sussex Group of the Long Distance Walkers’ Association Ltd hold Committee meetings four times a year (normally at the Trevor Arms, Glynde) plus an Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the beginning of the year.The Committee is as follows:-
· Chris Baines-Holmes (Chairman)T: 01273-772076 E:chrisbainesholmes@btinternet.com
· Shirley Greenwood (Treasurer)
· Anthony Mitchell (Secretary)T: 01342 – 811361 E:anthonymitchell@btinternet.com
· Trevor Beeston – (Walks Organiser and Newsletter editor)T: 07816108373
E:beestont@aol.com
· Gillian Aitken
· Chris Coates
As of 30thJune records show that there are 173 members (recorded as recent or current) of the LDWA that live in Sussex. Unlike some other Group’s there is no separate Sussex Group membership. All updates, including Newsletters, are distributed to all those on the database for which we have a current and valid email address. This is presently 113. Should anyone change their details (and still wish to receive communication!) please let a member of the committee above know.
CHALLENGE EVENTS
PAST EVENT – SOUTH DOWNS MARATHON 2011
The South Downs Marathon has now become the only annual challenge walk organised by the Sussex LDWA.
Firstly, let’s not forget the 9 members that took part in the Marshal’s walk on 22ndMay and whom completed the 28 mile route on a dry, fairly sunny but very windy day.
This year the main event took place on Sunday 26thJune starting, as last year, at the East Dean Village Hall. 77 participants set out, some running but the majority walking.
The initial phase of the route took the participants over what could only be described as the “Misty Sisters”. Once through Exceat and West Dean to Litlington the mist did begin to clear giving spectacular views for the rest of the day but also increasing temperatures that caused problems for one or two participants later on.
Once across the Cuckmere River the route passed over Cradle Hill and down to Norton. After nine miles the first checkpoint proved a welcome sight. Water bottles were replenished and biscuits hastily consumed before setting off again to climb Beddingham Hill. The TV masts mentioned in the route description are visible long before they are reached, but this is a section of the route where one can appreciate the beauty of the South Downs as it is not used by many other walkers.
Once over the hill it was downhill to the main checkpoint at Glynde Reading Rooms where the marshals were offering copious amounts of malt bread and other tempting morsels. Steps were then retraced briefly before heading to Firle which required the negotiation of a field of very inquisitive Shetland Ponies with their foals. The most arduous climb of the day back up on to the Downs and past Firle Beacon then had to be negotiated.
It was then past another checkpoint but this one was part of the British Heart Foundation walk, so those participants who kindly gave the marshals their number (there was at least one!) no doubt caused all sorts of confusion for the organisers. The route came off the Downs and bypassed Alfriston to reach the final checkpoint at Chapel Hill. This water stop proved extremely popular as the heat was by now affecting most participants.
The next climb involved a detour from the usual South Downs Way over Folkington Hill which gave spectacular views across to Dungeness. From here the route went through Jevington picking up the South Downs Way to climb Bourne Hill quite a gentle ascent compared with some of the earlier hills. The participants then left the South Downs Way for a gentle meander over Willingdon Hill and back to the East Dean Village Hall.
Judging by the post-event comments (a sample of which are set out below) the participants thought that it had been an event of high quality and an excellent challenge. The hot weather had no doubt increased the challenge but it had also ensured memorable views. Many said they would be back next year when the route will remain the same but this time in April.
“Many thanks to all your team for a wonderful day on theSussexDowns . I thought I heard in the East Dean village hall that the event next April may be over the same route, great idea as everything about today was perfect”.
“Just to say thank you for a wonderful day on Sunday. A fantastic route, beautiful scenery and (in my opinion anyway) perfect weather. I know that some may have found the heat a little too overbearing but for us heat-lovers, it was perfect! Thank you so much for all your hard work which resulted in a great event for us all. Count me in for next April and I am requesting the same conditions for next year please!”.
Thanks to the organisers for a very enjoyable walk; stunning views on the route and the description was very easy to follow. The marshals' encouragement was welcome in the challenging heat! Also for a non-local, it was quite easy to get to the start including by public transport: I stayed overnight in Eastbourne and caught the bus to/from East Dean on the day.
“Many thanks and thanks to all the helpers for making it such a magnificent day. I've never walked so far in a day, ever”.
In summary, there were 95 entries,77 starters, 18 non starters, 7 retired, 70 finished. Fullresults and photographs can be found on the Group’s website www.ldwasussex.org.uk
Finally, a very big thanks to Chris Baines-Holmes our Group Chairman and Event Organiser whom without the SDM would not happen!
PAST EVENT – THE HOUSEMAN HUNDRED
It’s hard to believe that two “100” events have now taken place since 2009 when members of the Group were hard at work helping out with the organisation of the Wessex 100 held over the Spring Bank Holiday of that year. This year saw theevent returning to Shropshire with a route based upon Ludlow. Anyone that has been involved with organising a Challenge Event and volunteering to help out or run a Checkpoint will know what it’s all about. Here’s what it could have been like at one of the 13 on this year’s Houseman:
Checkpoint Scene.
The LDWA 100 mile Challenge Event, late spring Bank Holiday . Day two, at a checkpoint (CP) 90 miles out. It is dusk and there is a hint of rain in the air.
Half an hour earlier a 4X4 had roared into the CP, disgorging five supporters. As their man had not yet arrived they set off back along the route, leaving the 4X4 in the access. Now they have returned, their man located. They sit, occupying six of the seven available chairs. A box containing food and drink is brought from the vehicle. The CP staff look on as their offers of tea and cake and bananas in custard are politely declined.
Their man complains of a blistered foot. Another box, containing enough medication to supply an ED for several hours, is rushed from the 4X4. The foot is stripped of old plasters and old skin and bandaged, new socks are donned and, securely booted, their man limps off. The supporters, with the merest nod to the CP staff, reload the 4X4, climb in and roar off to the next CP.
A few minutes later another walker arrives. She is slender, neither young nor old, pale of face and also limps. She gives her number, smiles at the staff and accepts tea and bananas in custard. She declines an offer to look at her foot, declaring that she will manage as it is 'not far now'. Five minutes later she rises gingerly, thanks the staff and sets off into the solitary night, walking with that stiff legged gait that identifies a ninety miler. It is raining.
Who, then, is the most heroic? Those fully supported who know that they can depend on their well ordered comfort and aid or the loner who may find occasional company along the way and must depend on the cheerful and well organised CPs. In the end they both have to survive the weather and the terrain and put one foot before the other for the whole hundred miles. Perhaps all of them are heroes.
Pathtrekker.
FUTURE EVENT - KSS TRIPLE CHALLENGE
In the last Newsletter we were able to report that the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Triple Challenge had completed its first cycle with thirty-three entrants finishing all three events. So now the cycle continues with the Surrey Tops which will take place over the weekend of17th and 18th September.
FUTURE EVENT - SOUTH DOWNS MARATHON 2012
As mentioned above, next year’s SDM will take place in April. It will be on Sunday 1stApril (no joke!) and will follow the same route as this year starting and finishing at East Dean. Details are now on the LDWA website and in the latest edition of Strider.Entry forms will again be available via the Group website from 1stJanuary. Can you volunteer to help out.If you are able to help out on next year’s SDM and assist with marshalling please contact Chris Baines-Holmes on T:01273 772076, E:chrisbainesholmes@btinternet.com. All marshal’s will have the opportunity to take part in the Marshal’s Walk which is provisionally planned for 4thMarch.
GROUP WALKS
PAST WALKS
Including the SDM Marshal’s Walk there has been a variety of led walks across the County so far this year. Many thanks to all those who have taken time out to plan, “reccy” and lead a walk and, of course, to those who have turned up to participate despite the damp conditions at times. Here are write up’s of two of those walks!:
The weather forecast had indicated that the walk area was on the eastern fringe of a large depression, heading east. The day was overcast and windy, with rain in the air.
Our party of nine set off from outside St Bedes school, heading west along the cliff top. This is the deceptive route to Beachy Head, undulating gently to begin with and ending in a short but very steep climb to the Head itself. In the somewhat less gentle undulations toward Belle Tout the wind varied from dead calm to storm force.
The coast road was crossed as we continued towards Cornish Farm, passing the Sheep Centre on the way to East Dean. Up the hill, mysteriously named Hobb's Eares, to Friston Church, the last resting place of, among others, three unidentified merchant seamen from WW2. Over the A259 and into the glutinous Friston Forest. Here, as a counterpoint to winter's desolation, were snowdrops and early primroses.
Litlington was eventually reached and a short but muddy trip along the Cuckmere River brought us to Alfriston and The Smugglers, our lunch stop. This seldom crowded hostelry retains a bar snack menu on Sundays and serves the famed local brew - Harveys Best Bitter.
We returned on a slightly drier route to Litlington then up to Lullington Heath to join the South Downs Way above Jevington. Down past the Church - Church Lane resplendent with hundreds of snowdrops - into the village. Then the long drag up Bourne Hill to pick up the Weald Way. The rain was more persistent for the exposed trek past the golf club to the A259. Over the road and on to the last lap, always longer than expected, finally down the steep hill to St Bedes.
A fine walk over familiar but always interesting countryside, magnificent in its winter desolation but sown, here and there, with the harbingers of Spring.
Pathtrekker.
The 8 Bells Ring – Sunday 13thMarch 2011. Leader: Chris Coates
Mud !
A select group of walkers met at Leechpool Wood car park, east of Horsham station for a walk to Bolney, led by Chris Coates. We were joined by several members from Sussex (welcome to Mary and Richard from Worthing, whom I had not seen before), Steve from Essex and his friend from Hampshire.
We set off on the council-marked trail through the woods, before turning right at a sign saying “Have you seen Gertie?” which apparently referred to a model pig made out of wicker by locals, missing and presumed stolen, and heading south.
There was minor excitement at Mannings Heath, by the Dun Horse pub (excellent for a visit if you’re in the area – they have Harveys in barrels on the bar, and a giant chess set). I knew we had to turn right, then left after crossing the road, but this was the wrong road –– this one was left, then right: the TR/TL trick was at the next road crossing, 10 minutes further on. Luckily, Richard was following the route with his GPS, so was able to confirm exactly where the path was and spare the blushes. I had marked up the route on the map when I did a recce, but obscured the detail of where the path was!
There was another tricky bit in the woods further on, where the path was hard to follow in the mud and trees, and we went a bit too far to the right. Although I was pretty sure we just needed to head south to rejoin the correct route, it was really helpful when Richard’s GPS gave a map reference, so we knew exactly where we were, because the next track junction was rather tricky. A bridleway had been diverted recently, so there was a very sharp turn just before Cooks Farm. (Cooks Farm is a really interesting place to visit if you like palm trees and other “architectural” plants; they also do free tea and coffee, in the hope that you will buy plants, although sadly not open on Sundays).
We carried on via woods, tracks and Earwig Lane, before reachingthe biggest tree-swing in Sussex, which hangs from a branch about 60 feet up a tree which is itself on a slope, so it can be quite scary when you see the ground disappear from under your feet.Steve from Essex jumped up and stood on the seat to swing, which was brave, as we don’t know who owns it, or how strong the ropes are. We got our cameras out, though…
Lunch was taken at the Eight Bells in Bolney, who had kindly reserved a table in the bar, despite not being sure how many to expect. The Harveys was excellent, and the food was good. Possibly best of all, they still have a stone floor in the bar and ‘convenience’ areas, so we didn’t need to take our muddy shoes off. We were joined at the pub by Margaret (Mrs C), who walked back to Horsham with us after enjoying roast beef.
The return route was mainly on the High Weald Landscape Trail, via Slaugham, and was slightly drier than the first half (i.e. only very muddy), and a little shorter, ending back at the car park by joining the Horsham Riverside Walk which winds entertainingly up through the woods.
The route was about 20 miles, measured initially off the map by the leader with a trusty piece of calibrated string, and confirmed by Richard’s GPS (well, up until 15 miles, when his battery went flat !). With hindsight, this walk is better in drier weather, when the shade from all the trees can keep the sun at bay. We did the route once before, in autumn, and there were dozens of toadstools in the woods, so if repeated, it will be in a different season.
Chris Coates
FUTURE WALKS
Details of the Groups Walk programme to the end of the year may be found in Strider and on both the Group and National LDWA websites. To remind you:
Sunday 7 August IN AND OUT OF THE MENS
C18 ml. Start 9am from The Mens Car Park (signed Sussex Wildlife Trust, just off A272 between Billingshurst and Petworth) Map EXP 134 GR TQ023237. Route via Fittleworth, Byworth and Flexham Park. Pub lunch at Byworth. Leader: Paul Farrell.
Sunday 21 August EDENBRIDGE CIRCULAR
20 ml. Start 9am Market Yard CP in Croft Lane, Edenbridge (off High Street,signed free car park) Map EXP 147 or LR 187 GR TQ444463 (Note : anyone coming by train - nearest station is Edenbridge Town (London - Tun. Wells line) 200yds away. Edenbridge Station is approx.1/2 mile away). Route via Froghole, Toys Hill, Ide Hill, Hanging Bank, Weald, Bough Beech. Pub Lunch. Leader: Richard Donovan
Saturday 3 September JEROME'S SUMMER DOWNS APPEARANCE
20m. 09.00 from Lower Street cp Pulborough. Map: Exp 121 Start GR TQ053186. Up and over the South Downs. Pub lunch in Burpham. Leader: Jerome Ripp
Wednesday 14 September MIDWEEK WALK NO.1 - GLYNDE/ALFRISTON
c16ml. 09.30 from the cp in Glynde, beside the river. Map: Exp 123 Start GR TQ457088. Hilly. Lunch at Alfriston. Leader:Chris Baines-Holmes
Sunday 2 October BELLS AND CUCKOOS
19ml. 08.30 from the Cuckoo Trail cp, Hillside Drive, Horam, just off B2203 near junction with A267. Map: LR 199 Start GR TQ578173. Circuit to the south west of Heathfield visiting East Hoathly and the Cuckoo trail. Lunch at the Six Bells, Chiddingly. Leader: Chris Baines-Holmes
Saturday 29 October WOODINGDEAN WANDER
15ml. 09.00 cp North of Woodingdean on B2123. Map: Exp 122 Start GR TQ357064. Via Pickers Hill Farm, South Downs Way and Standean Bottom. Pub lunch at the Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell. Leader: Kay Armstrong
Sunday 13 November MID-SUSSEX MEANDER - THE DOWNS AND THE WEALD
c20ml. 09.00 from Burgess Hill Stn. Start GR TQ306188. Through the outskirts of Hurstpierpoint, Wolstonbury Hill, Clayton Hill, Ditchling Beacon returning via Streat and Ditchling Common Country Park. Pub lunch at the Half Moon, Plumpton. Leader:David Winnard
Sun 11 December CHRISTMAS WALK AND LUNCH
09.00 from Alfriston Long Term cp (Note: bring change for the CP (£4.00)). Start GR TQ521034. Map LR 199. Pub lunch and carols at the Cricketers, Berwick. Leader:Les Smith.Contact:Chris Baines-Holmes 01273 772076 to confirm place for lunch.
If anyone would like to volunteer to lead a walk, perhaps including part of your favourite walk in your local area please contact Trevor Beeston, Walks Organiser (details on website). We have to start thinking about 2012 already!
DID YOU KNOW…..?
South Downs National Park
On the 1stApril the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) went “live” and took up its statutory responsibility for leading and planning the future of the UK’s newest National Park.It is the 8th largest Planning Authority in Britain in terms of planning applications received each year and also one of the largest in terms of the geographical area it covers.
Management of the South Downs Way is now overseen by the SDNPA, while the remaining and extensive Rights of Way network throughout the National Park is managed by the relevant Local Authorities.
You will see that the South Downs National Park’s website has a link to the LDWA national website via www.southdowns.gov.uk/enjoying/outdoor-activities/walking-in-the-south-downs/
Coastal Access
In March this year, the way in which the all England coast path will be created was announced by Natural England as it published its Coastal Access Scheme. Government approval of coastal access scheme means implementation of the route can now begin on implementing the first stages of the coastal path – these are planned on a stretch of coast at Weymouth, in order to have the new rights in place there in time for the 2012 Olympics. Implementation is then due to start in 2011 in 5 other areas – Cumbria, East Riding, Kent, Norfolk and Somerset. We wait to hear when they propose to look at the Sussex coastline.
THE END