Category Archives: South Downs

From Steyning to the Ring

Posted on 06/08/2023 by campaignerkate

On a day of unpromising weather, I walked from Steyning to Chanctonbury Ring, and it was great. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, National parks, National trail, Poetry, Public paths, South Downs, walking, walks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Valiant Valerie

Posted on 04/03/2022 by campaignerkate

I learnt a great deal about my Rambler friend Valerie Plunkett at her funeral on the South Downs. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Birds, campaigns, National parks, National trail, Obituary, Public paths, Ramblers, South Downs, walking | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Worthing’s well-kept secret

Posted on 20/08/2021 by campaignerkate

I joined a reunion to celebrate victory in a campaign for access to Worthing’s downland, but the access land is a secret. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, National parks, Open country, Open Spaces Society, South Downs, walking | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Mr Sussex Walker

Posted on 27/06/2020 by campaignerkate

A tribute to Ben Perkins, Sussex walker and campaigner, who has died. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, National parks, Obituary, Open country, Public paths, Ramblers, South Downs, walking | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy tenth birthday, South Downs!

Posted on 01/04/2020 by campaignerkate

Ten years ago today, 1 April 2010, the South Downs National Park came into being.  The campaign for park’s designation was long and bumpy, lasting for decades.  The South Downs was the unfinished business from the 1949 National Parks and … Continue reading →

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A magical landscape

Posted on 16/01/2020 by campaignerkate

Just over ten years ago Hilary Benn signed the confirmation order for the South Downs National Park. Continue reading →

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Day on the downs

Posted on 10/10/2019 by campaignerkate

A six-mile walk across downland on the western edge of the South Downs National Park. Continue reading →

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A special day for the South Downs

Posted on 29/09/2019 by campaignerkate

Twenty years ago today John Prescott announced that the South Downs would be a national park. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, National parks, South Downs | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A people’s charter

Posted on 31/03/2019 by campaignerkate

Today is the seventieth anniversary of the second reading of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Bill on 31 March 1949. It was a significant piece of post-war legislation. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, National parks, parliament, South Downs, wild country | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Eight years old today

Posted on 01/04/2018 by campaignerkate

Happy eighth birthday to the South Downs National Park, born on 1 April 2011 as Britain’s newest national park. I was sorry to miss the celebratory event in Midhurst, West Sussex, yesterday.  It was as usual organised by the indefatigable … Continue reading →

Posted in National parks, South Downs | Tagged | 1 Comment