Hike report - 1981

At the planning meeting in December it was decided that we would once again head for the south of England, this time the hike would take place on the Downs, to the north of Brighton. Malcolm Duff again provided the transport and again we all met outside Timothy White’s in North Finchley on the Friday evening. The personnel had however changed – Graham Hicks replaced Malcolm Rush and we welcomed Clinton Hudgell (11th Finchley) and David Kennett (15th Finchley) for the first time. This made a record number of 10 hikers.

Despite the increase in numbers ‘Jennifer’ was still able to accommodate us, together with Curly’s mother who we had agreed to take to Brighton so she could visit her daughter. After an uneventful journey we arrived in Woodingdean, on the outskirts of Brighton, where we dropped off our extra passenger and left the van for the weekend.

Having filled our water containers we headed off in a north easterly direction and up a footpath towards the radio mast on Newmarket Hill. A suitable place to spend the first night was found, so up went the tents and off to bed we went.

It did not seem long before we were back on the trail, having risen, had our breakfast and packed all the gear into our rucksacks. After a short while we joined the South Downs Way and did something we had never done before. We followed the same route to that we had used on a previous hike – the South Downs Hike in 1973. This involved heading north, under the railway bridge and over the A47, onwards to Plumpton Plain and the spot where the path turns to the west.

Here we took a narrower path to the north, down the escarpment via Novington Farm to the main road, that we then followed into the centre of Plumpton.

Lunchtime was spent in the Half Moon Public House, the same pub that we had used to while away the Saturday evening of the 1973 hike.

We eventually emerged fully refreshed and ready for the afternoon trek.  At this point two members of the party, David and Graham H decided to avoid the biting north-west wind and took a different route to the evening stop. They followed the B2116 to Westmeston and then the minor road into Clayton.

The remaining eight stuck to the original plan and walked up Plumpton Bostall, a track leading back to Plumpton Plain where we rejoined the South Downs Way.

We continued west to Ditchling Beacon and enjoyed the views from the trig point. But there was no time for a rest and we ventured on.

With the pathway stretching ahead as far as the eye could see we lined up diagonally, one behind the other and set off. It was not long before Clinton realised that he was at the front of the line and everyone had been using him as a windbreak.

Our next landmark was the Jack and Jill Windmills to the south-east of Clayton.  Here we left the South Downs Way and followed the pathway down the hill, past the church and into Clayton, where we met David and Graham.

A campsite was quickly found and before long we had erected the 4 hike tents. Water was obtained from a local resident enabling the preparation of a hot drink and the evening meal. All this done as the night sky got darker and darker.

Once the washing up had been done and the tents secured we made our way to the pub (The Jack and Jill Inn) for a few drinks in the warm.

Knowing that the Sunday lunchtime stop was only a short walk down the road at Haresdean there was no rush to get up the next morning. Things were very relaxed, and with it being a pleasant morning we took our time over breakfast and washing up before striking camp.

Despite the laid back approach we were still ahead of schedule, so we found a suitable place to take some group photographs before our arrival at the local pub.

With lunch over it was time for the final leg of our journey. We took the footpath heading east to Lower Standean where we turned towards Brighton. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and there was now steady rain. The footpath led through the outskirts of town to Hollingdean Station. From there we followed the main road a short distance before turning left towards the racecourse.

We continued on the same road all the way back to Woodingdean and the van.

Having boarded ‘Jennifer’ we made our way home having completed another successful Winter Hike.