Sussex Day 2012: Part 7 – Eyesore on the ridge

Sussex Day 2012

Leaving Fulking behind the time had come to make my way up onto the South Downs themselves.

I left the road taking a footpath heading south, in a narrow space between two fields, the one on the right empty but the one on the left was occupied by two lively and curious horses.

My route up to the ridge was obvious from this distance, a deeply carved path snakes up the hill and my target marked on top of the hill by one of the metal giants that stride across the Downs, spoiling the view for miles.

Eyesore on the ridge

The South Downs Society have suggested that if Eon get permission to build their offshore wind farm and its associated onshore cable route then the opportunity should be taken to bury these power lines as well. I am sure there will be many cheers if or when this particular eyesore gets toppled.

Copyright © 2012 John Gasson.

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Sussex Day 2012: Part 6 – “He sendeth springs into the valleys”

Sussex Day 2012

Slightly further along the road, in fact practically on the edge of the village is the Shepherd and Dog pub, with splendid views of the Downs, this fitted much better my mental image of a country pub, however the real interest here for me was next door to the pub.

An important feature of these villages at the foot of the Downs are the many springs emanating from the hillside. More than that they probably owe their existence to the presence of these springs.

Previous residents of Fulking have utilised this water source for their benefit, with the installation of a hydraulic ram pump to distribute water throughout the village.

The story has it that in years gone by the streams of water have been dammed and the road flooded, the resulting pools used for sheep washing.

I don’t know whether there is still a pump inside the beautiful little pump house, there was certainly quite a flow of water, although we have had a lot of rain recently which could account for the volume of water.

Fulking pump house

I find it amazing that such care and thought went into the design and building of this pump house, which could have been so plain and simple. Even the door hinges are quite possibly the most ornate I have ever seen.

Copyright © 2012 John Gasson.

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Sussex Day 2012: Part 5 – Once a week each way

Sussex Day 2012

The next stop on the road running along the foot of the South Downs was Fulking, a small picturesque little village, consisting mainly of houses and farm buildings.

Particularly noticeable is the need for car ownership here, parked cars lined both sides of the road and a quick glance at the bus stop revealed one of the possible reasons for this.

The village receives only two buses a week, passing through on its way from Midhurst to Brighton and back again ever Monday. Assuming that they don’t run on bank holidays that means less than a hundred buses a year pass this way.

Once a week each way

One wonders if it gets much use. Anyone out walking this way and hoping to catch a bus home will likely have a long wait.

Makes me feel quite fortunate to have an hourly bus service but a few steps away from my front door.

Copyright © 2012 John Gasson.

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Sussex Day 2012: Part 4 – Where I needed to be

Sussex Day 2012

Leaving the church I continued on west, parallel to the Downs themselves. The road continues for several miles along the foot of the Downs, creating a string of small villages.

The rest of Poynings passed quickly by, mostly houses and one pub, The Royal Oak, which looks a little too trendy for my liking.

Soon the houses lining the road ended, or at least became more isolated and the views to the South Downs really opened up, this was where I wanted to be.

The road rises and falls gently on its journey west, occasional footpaths shoot off southwards to begin their assent of the hills, all the time the range of hills stretching out ahead as far as the eye could see and the haze would permit.

This really was where I needed to be. For many months I have gazed longingly from a distance, now they were almost within touching distance, not long now and I would be upon the hills at last.

For the last couple of years I have wondered about the feasibility of an alternative South Downs walk, not on the top of the hill, but from the foot of the hills.

At the foot of the South Downs – Where I needed to be

Roads like this stretch many miles along the foot of the South Downs, unfortunately they don’t provide a complete link, and many of them are probably too busy to contemplate walking along now.

They may not offer such far-reaching views as can be found on the top of the hills, but with views like this the route would be by no means boring.

Copyright © 2012 John Gasson.

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Sussex Day 2012: Part 3 – Church visiting

Sussex Day 2012

The footpath passed down the side of a school and emerged onto the road. Climbing slightly the road took me south to Poynings church, sitting at a junction of roads.

Poynings church has always seemed quite big to me, at least when seen from a distance, however up close it didn’t seem quite so big, although it has to be said that the square tower is quite impressive in size.

Having never been inside the church I thought I should take advantage of the opportunity and was surprised to find myself being congratulated by the vicar/rector for finding my way to the church.

She seemed a little surprised that I wasn’t there for the meeting or the florist come to set up for the wedding, but had just wandered in off the street, but was made welcome nevertheless. After a brief spell to admire the interior I took a stroll around the exterior.

The churchyard seemed quite small, smaller than I had expected. There were a few standing headstones, but try as I might I couldn’t remember anyone in my family tree who might be buried here, in fact I couldn’t remember any family connection with Poynings.

As unlikely as it seemed this little string of villages at the foot of the Downs seem to have been largely overlooked by my relatives, but then I suppose they were always more Wealdsmen than Downsmen.

Holy Trinity Church, Poynings, West Sussex

Copyright © 2012 John Gasson.

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