News, April 2008

SURG members' newsletter

You should receive our email newsletter once a month, and we aim to send it out as close to the first day of the month as possible. The newsletter is sent to all current SURG members, whether you walk with us regularly or not. So if you don't receive the newsletter or programme, please do let us know.

Have you signed a Gift Aid Declaration?

If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to consider signing a Gift Aid declaration.

Gift Aid is a statement by a taxpayer that they want a charity to get back the tax paid on their charitable donations (which includes membership subscriptions to the Ramblers' Association). It costs you nothing, but will increase the value of your membership fees to the Ramblers’ Association by 28%.

So far only 42% of SURG members have signed up for Gift Aid. If we can raise this figure to nearer 100% it will raise hundreds of pounds for the Ramblers. It takes just a few minutes of your time to fill in the online Gift Aid declaration form on the Ramblers website. If you’re not sure if you’ve signed already, contact Anna Elliott, SURG Membership Secretary, and she'll be happy to tell you.

Spring Programme changes

There have been a few changes to the published Spring Programme:

That Was The Walk That Was

As we build up to our 10th Anniversary celebrations, we've been busy transferring our photo archive into our new photo gallery so that you can look at walks past.

There are photos from 2005 and 2006, including walks, socials and trips to Herefordshire, the Lake District and the Isle of Wight Christmas Party. If you're new to SURG, take a look at what we've been up to over the last couple of years. Or if you're an old hand, see if you're in one of the shots.

We'd like to add more photos from SURG's early years, so if you have any digital photos from before 2005 please send them to the SURG Website Officers and we'll add them to our gallery. And don't forget that photos of recent walks and socials are welcome at any time!

South Downs Campaign (SDC) to save the western Weald

SURG is now one of the 145 organisations supporting the SDC’s work to Save the western Weald. The western Weald, stretching from Pulborough to Petersfield and north to the county boundary was included in the territory of the Proposed South Down National Park and has long been considered part of the South Downs area. It is now under threat of being left out of the National Park. The South Downs Campaign is working to keep the special area of the western Weald in the new National Park.

For more information:

Paul’s Pick of the Pubs: The Rose Cottage Inn

Nestling at the foot of the South Downs is this charming little pub with stacks of character and a landlord to suit. There’s even a parrot occupying the bar at times!

The Rose Cottage is in the heart of classic walking country just a few miles from Berwick or Glynde stations, so it makes for an ideal stop off whether you’re doing a 15 mile hike across the Downs or a more gentle 6 mile stroll in the Weald. If you’re driving there's only one road in Alciston and that's a dead end, so you won't pass it without noticing!

The pub sells good ales and real cider – one from a nearby farm – along with very good food. It can get busy at times but there are plenty of seats outside for fine days (if we get any this year!). Note that the pub closes at 3pm for a few hours, even on Saturdays.

Paul Russell

The Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, East Sussex BN26 6UW. If you fancy visiting this pub with SURG, it will be one of the many pubs featured on the Alfriston Ale Trail on Saturday 3rd May (members only).