Celebrating our Centenary this year, we have some exciting events planned as well as funding some projects that will make a real difference on the Downs. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their continued support and invite all our new friends to join us today. Be a Friend of the South Downs.
As a member, you have access to over 200 walks and strolls a year. Your membership helps support our team of District Officers who monitor planning applications throughout the South Downs National Park. Your membership also helps support our extensive educational programmes with schools.
The Friends of the South Downs has agreed a major programme of spending totalling over £100,000 in our Centenary year, to benefit the Downs in the short term and the long term. The Friends can spend this money because they are fortunate to have recently received two substantial legacies. You can help us make these legacies go even farther by supporting us. Be a friend.
Bigger Items of Spending in the Plan
- £60,000 to the National Park Authority for the refurbishment of the iconic 18th century pump barn building at the Seven Sisters country park, which will be used to showcase the Downs for visitors and provide space for activities.
- £20,000 for projects to encourage children to learn about and appreciate the South Downs. We’re running the projects with bodies like the National Park Authority and Youth Hostels Association. We’re aiming at children for groups who are less likely to visit the Downs. The plan is to teach them about the landscape and history, and most of all encourage them to appreciate and value the Downs.
Be a Friend and Support our Projects
- providing attractive wooden benches, converting stiles to gates to improve access and placing information boards at significant locations.
- helping make a path more accessible for people with limited mobility, planned location Devils Dyke.
- Contributing to the cost of staging a play based on Hilaire Belloc’s famous book The Four Men about a walk across the Downs.
- Financing prizes at Brighton University for academic work relevant to the South Downs.
Upcoming Centenary Events
- 7 August – Pulborough Stroll of 8 miles including complimentary lunch at the Society Offices
- 10 August – An exclusive stroll around Lord Egremont’s private woods at Flexham Park
- 18 August – a Sunset stroll to the Devils Jumps
- 16 September – Amberley Guided Village Tour and Afternoon Tea.
- 25 September – A Talk by Alastair Appleton (from BBC Escape to the Country) exploring wellness and mental wellbeing amidst the beauty and tranquillity of the South Downs.
Be a friend and join today!
