About Polegate Rambling Club
Polegate is a
village located on the edge of the South Downs just north of Eastbourne, East
Sussex.
Polegate
Rambling Club was founded in 1969 under the title of Polegate Field Paths
Preservation Society, with the aim of protecting local rights of way for
walking. The annual subscription then was 2/6d (12.5p). The first of the short,
fortnightly rambles was a woodland walk and leaders were known rather formally
by initials and surnames.
The membership
remains fairly consistent at approximately 150. Many members are retired
but anyone free to walk from time to time on a Thursday is welcome to come
along and try a few walks before deciding to become a member.
Normally two
rambles are arranged for Thursdays, a morning 'short' walk of 4-6 miles and an
all-day 'long' walk of 8-11 miles. For
those whose priorities lie more with fresh air and gentle exercise than
moderate physical challenge, 'leisure' walks of 2-3 miles are organised
fortnightly.
Those on the
Long and Short walks normally meet at 9.30a.m. in the public car park adjacent
to Wannock Road recreation ground, Polegate from where we drive to the start of
the walks. We encourage 'car sharing'
so as to minimise our environmental impact.
For each ramble, a 'suggested voluntary payment' or SVP is indicated. The SVP is based on the road distance to the start of the walk and is considered to be the amount which reasonably covers the costs incurred by the driver.
. Any additional parking charges are shared
between all the car occupants.
For the Leisure
walks, members usually go direct to the nominated starting point and meet
there.
A Programme of
Walks is published giving details of meeting places and times. The Programme also specifies whether those
taking the Long walks are required to take a packed lunch should the lunchtime
stop not be at an inn or hostelry where refreshment can be purchased. Those on the Short walks usually take a
snack and a drink, hot or cold, for a mid-morning break. The Short walks finish around midday when
some walkers go home and others may stay out to buy a 'pub' lunch.
Additionally,
various social events are organised by the club during the year. These include coffee mornings, slide shows
with a speaker, an annual lunch, summer barbecues, Christmas meal and days
out.