South Downs Walk No.27

Over forty ramblers and members of the public turned out to enjoy the latest South Downs Walk and to support the plan to create the South Downs National Park. The walk from the Sustainability Centre near East Meon was organised jointly by the Ramblers' Association and the South Downs Campaign. Despite the bitter weather people from as far away as Guildford took part.

The morning walk took them north and then west along the South Downs Way. On reaching Old Winchester Hill, they had spectacular views to the south over the Solent and the Isle of Wight and to the north over the Meon Valley with distant views of Black Down near Haslemere. They returned to the centre crossing some newly opened Access Land on the way.

The hardier walkers stayed to enjoy lunch at the Sustainability Centre before joining the afternoon walk over Hyden Hill, Small Down & Salt Hill. The leader of the walk, Owen Plunkett explained that, "After a thirteen month inquiry on the South Downs National Park, it had been expected that the inspector would have made his recommendations to the Government. However there was a delay due to a very controversial High Court judgement, which excluded some land from the New Forest National Park. This had implications for the South Downs and existing National Parks and the issue needed settling before any decision on the South Downs could be reached".

Details of this walk and the South Downs Campaign can be obtained from the leader, Owen Plunkett, on 02392 254959.

The group of walkers on Old Winchester Hill.