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It is important to note, that whilst every effort is made to reproduce information within this website correctly and accurately, it should be remembered that this is a community run website, that is as such not run for commercial gain. Therefore all information displayed within these pages is either as supplied, or reproduced from information, articles, drawings, photo’s or any other media type considered appropriate, in an effort to reach the wider community as a whole. The website or its editors/compilers can not be expected to check ever detail or seek every persons agreement before publication, if it is deemed to be within the public domain, it can/will be reproduced. Whilst every effort is made to be both informative and fair to all, no matter who or what, it is not the intention of this community website to be contentious nor discriminately, it is the intention of this website that good old fashioned common sense will prevail at all times. Email: iancroucher@hotmail.com or you can always use the good old postage system if you prefer. Write to: The Webmaster. Hollies. Plantation Road. Hillbrow. Liss. Hampshire. GU33 7QB.

FANCY GETTING OUT & ABOUT — SOMETHING NEW TO SEE

PERHAPS SOMEWHERE TO TAKE THE CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN

THEN TRUNDLE ON DOWN THROUGH THE PAGE HERE.

NEW IDEAS NEEDED & ADDED ALL THE TIME, FIND SOMETHING YOU THINK OTHERS WOULD ENJOY

THEN PLEASE SEND IT IN

When it just gets all a bit to much, turn that computer off, put that pen down, take your piny off and GO FOR A JOLLY GOOD WALK, it will do ABSOLUTE WONDERS for you!

Hilaire Belloc wrote, “ Thus, to walk without an object is an intense burden, as it is to talk without an object… On the other hand, walking with an object brings out all that there is in a [person], just as talking with an object does.” Why do we need a purpose and what does it achieve?

Still today, in spite of the many countryside TV programmes, books, DVD’s etc, people do not know what is just around the corner, or ‘in their own backyard’.

Country walking and even more so, cycling is still a minor pursuit, these very forms of exercise are considered at the best primitive and the worst for the fanatics only, we probably know more about the hotels, foreign food and beaches, then we do of our own countryside.

So why walk and cycle? Because, it is healthy, it keeps are muscles and organs in trim, to gives us an opportunity to converse with like minded people, but more importantly, it enables us to see the beauty of nature around us.

In West Sussex we are blessed with some the most picturesque villages, woods and spectacular views of not only, the countryside, but of the sea as well.
Why not visit your local library, civic centre, village hall, tourist information office, all of these places have many leaflets, not only of the countryside walks, cycle paths, bridleways, but also the benefits of walking and cycling with a purpose.

There also some links below which you can explore to find out more about the wide variety of walking and cycling routes and opportunities.

Click for Cycling Maps and Routes

Click for Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Click for Interactive Map to plan your own routes

Don't keep this information to yourself - tell everyone you know and help to promote walking & cycling.

Like Walking, well have you had a look at “Best Walk in England” http://www.bestwalks.com/

Look at www.walking-routes.co.uk or www.walkinginwestsussex.co.uk if your into Walking whether it be for pleasure with a group of friends or loved-ones, or to get or keep fit or just to blow the cobwebs away, there’s nothing like a Good Walk

http://www.go4awalk.com/home/index.php

So what's going on in and around the Parish of ROGATE itself? well just click on

this link and all will be revealed: www.pagemost.com/default.aspx?search=Rogate

WALKERS HIGHLIGHT SOUTHDOWNS MIDHURST AREA
by
Dr Owen Plunkett, P.O. Hampshire Area Council
Rambler's Association

Twenty-eight people took part in the latest South Downs Walk, organised by the Ramblers Association and the South Downs Campaign to highlight areas that should be in the future South Downs National Park. In addition to a number of local people there were others from all over Sussex , Hampshire and the newly appointed Countryside Campaigns Manager for Ramblers' Association, Patrick Grady, travelled down from London specially for the occasion.

The eight mile walk included some beautiful countryside with a mixture of riverside, woodland and downland., with sections along the river Rother and in Cowdray Park.

Midhurst is one of a number of very attractive market towns that are in the Designated National Park boundary proposed by the Countryside Agency .Campaigners are very keen that these market towns that also include Arundel, Petworth, Lewes, Steyning and Petersfield should remain within the boundary when the final decision is made.

The leader of the walk, Owen Plunkett, who is a Vice Chairman on the South Downs Campaign, summed up the latest position on the designation process. He expressed the frustration felt by campaigners at the latest delay caused by a High Court ruling to remove land from the New Forest National Park, This had implications for the South Downs, the existing National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Beauty (AONB's) but has been resolved by the introduction by the government of two amendments that clarified the definition of natural beauty.

However, this still left the problem of the land removed from the New Forest N P. DEFRA had objected to this and the case was heard in London on November 1st.. Early reports from our supporters suggest that the hearing went well and that the objection will be upheld which will clear the way for the designation process for the S D to go ahead. Owen Plunkett reminded the walkers that " Back in 1947 the South Downs were first chosen by the Hobhouse Commission as one of twelve areas suitable for National Park Designation. Next year (2007) will be the 60th anniversary of that Hobhouse recommendation and it would be fitting if the Park could be created in that year. Although we are hoping for a government announcement then, it is more likely that the park will be set up in 2008.".

SCIENTIST NOW SAYING

“WALKING IS ONE OF THE BEST FORMS OF EXERCISE”

When it just gets all a bit to much, turn that computer off, put that pen down, take your piny off and GO FOR A JOLLY GOOD WALK it will do WONDERS for you!

Cycling Maps and Routes Interactive Map to plan your own routes Walking, Cycling and Horseriding

Don't keep this information to yourself - tell everyone in your organisation, and help to promote walking and cycling.

Hints and Tips for dealing with Ticks

and “Lyme Disease” when Walking.

If you’re a walker then read this!

Hill walkers in Scotland are at increased risk this year (2007) from ticks. The warmer weather is likely to see an increase in these annoying little blood sucking insects that not only bite but can also be a source of debilitating conditions such as Lyme Disease.

Ticks are parasites that are found in vegetation where they wait to attach themselves to an unsuspecting host - a sheep, a mouse, a deer or increasingly a passing human.

That's bad enough, but probably one in three ticks are thought to carry Lyme Disease which is transmitted by a bite. Image © bbc.co.uk

More on this tick problem

I have been suffering health problems since 2004 and have only just discovered that I have Lyme which was most likely contracted during a holiday in the Lake District, as I became ill as soon as I got home. I am now being treated, though some of the damage is irreparable, unfortunately. If I had any idea at all about ticks and their prevalence, I would not be in this position now. I'm very disappointed that several medical consultants, e.g. neurologists, etc., did not investigate the possibility of Lyme, despite one of them noticing a bite on my leg:-( Still, at least I know now and hopefully my health will improve. Please keep tick awareness at the top of the agenda.” Jan Davies, Suffolk.

I read Jan Davies with interest. There are many who believe that the condition ME also known as CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is, at least initially, set off by Lyme. The problem is, medics still say that a course of antibiotics sorts the problem, but the pathology is complex. One can test negative for Lyme after antibiotics but the test can check only circulating blood, not the tissues. Thus, there can be a chronic state. In the US, the medical bill for the state would be huge if they admitted that antibiotics don't always solve the problem. Lyme is set to be an increasing problem in our part of the world with global warming. There are others who say that chronic Lyme is not ME. However, the jury is out. So, always visit the doctor for a blood test immediately, cover up and, for any disbelievers out there- ME is REAL!”

Maura Coyle,

Hints and Tips for dealing with Ticks and Lyme Disease when Walking and Hiking

How about a handy little tool to remove them safely!

“I've just read your article about the dangers Ticks are presenting this year and thought you might be interested in this view. I wouldn't recommend removing an embedded Tick with tweezers because of the danger of it leaving the head or mouthparts behind or, worse, of it bursting, especially if it has fed. My usual walking companion is an English Springer Spaniel, mad as a March Hare even at 13 years of age. He adores mountains, water and the sorts of places you can pick up Ticks; not necessarily in that order. I've been using something called the O’TOM Tick Removal Tool on him since he was a pup and of the many dozens of Ticks he's picked up only one has failed to come out cleanly, mouth parts and all (and generally still alive) and that was probably due more to my ham-fistedness rather than any failing of the tool. It's basically just a bit of bent plastic with a notch at one end - generally the best tools are the simplest.

It's much cheaper to buy then any other tool I've seen and fantastically easy to use, instructions are on their web site. Details can be seen here. They are designed for dogs really but I wouldn't hesitate to use it on myself should I ever acquire a Tick. I've seem them for sale at the large Pet Chain Stores and at a few vets. When I bought mine - being so simple it has lasted quite a while - the vet's recommendation was that she hoped whoever designed the tool had made a lot of money out of it as it's that good at what it's designed for. Regards Tim Edge, Downham Market. O'TOM^® - TICK TWISTER^®

Looking for something to do?

Fancy a family day out today?

Then click the link below for

literally 100’s of great ideas!

http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/

www.walkinginwestsussex.co.uk Walking in Sussex offer over 100 FREE walks, details of all the books, maps and walking groups in the county, well worth a “CLICK”

Another Satisfied Customer, so they must work!

Hi Ian, I was reading through the website and saw the articles on ticks and the dangers they carry. I bought my O'TOM at Springfield Veterinary Practice in Lamberts Lane, Midhurst a couple of years go. You get two in the pack and they have been invaluable at removing ticks from my two dogs. Unfortunately I missed some and found them fat and bloated around the house - yuk! I was at the doctors this afternoon and was sitting next to a woman who had tried to pull a tick out of her arm, left the biting parts in the arm, and was having to have it dug out and treated with antibiotics - not a nice thought. Judi Lion

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