The South Downs Way
Ramblings
BBC
4.5 • 768 Ratings
🗓️ 13 October 2016
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Clare Balding walks the The South Downs, from Bo Peep to Alfriston, in the company of writers June Goodfield and Lynne Truss. They've both been involved in a project for local people to write a new version of Eleanor Farjeon's poem, A Sussex Alphabet. Eleanor may be best known for the words to the much loved hymn Morning Has Broken. June and Lynne adore the South Downs although Lynne admits to being something of a timid walker, happier to be in a group and to carry a big stick. The day's walk inspired Clare to add her own contribution to the enterprise, after Amanda Elms of the South Downs National Park, explains the lifecycle of the Damselfly
D is for Damselfly
Summer's golden glow started to fade With a walk ancient footsteps had made Regular steps along the grassy path To the rythmic beat of a wooden staff. Gentle chat as we looked far beyond When we spotted a stray from the nearby pond
A long insect lying on the ground Not making a movement or a sound. Pairs of bright blue spots along its back Like eyes shining on a cloth of black.
Wings open, their delicate filigree Paused and framed for all to see. "What is it doing?" I began, Ignorant of their brief lifespan.
"It's dying" came the instant reply I swallowed hard and tried not to cry. A beautiful creature swift and fast Living the day that would be its last.
Without a whimper, minus a mess A Damselfly in silent distress.
Producer: Lucy Lunt.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is a BBC Radio 4 download. You're listening to me, Claire Balding, with another edition of ramblings. |
| 0:07.4 | We've got a fresh, windy day today and I'm high up on the South Downs Way, not far from Alfreston, which is in fact where I'm going to be walking towards. |
| 0:16.7 | I'm sure you know, though, South Down's Way is one of the great long distance paths in England. |
| 0:21.6 | It stretches for about 100 miles from Eastbourne to Winchester. |
| 0:25.5 | And today, if you want to follow where we are, I'm on OS Explorer, Map 1,2, 3, which is Eastbourne and Beachy Head. |
| 0:32.7 | But Amanda Elms can tell me more about it, because I'm very impressed with your jacket, |
| 0:37.3 | which says South |
| 0:38.2 | Downs National Park Authority on it, that gives you authority immediately. Fabulous. |
| 0:43.7 | Incredibility. I'm glad you feel that way, Claire. And in fact, we're really fortunate today |
| 0:48.6 | because the South Downs Way is not only the biggest long distance trail here in the South, |
| 0:53.3 | but it's also the only one entirely within a national park |
| 0:56.4 | and actually just pausing here as the wind comes off the coast into our faces you can see the sea gulls just closer to the coast over there and we see the sea |
| 1:06.4 | that's right so the downs are a fantastic bridge between the amazing countryside we've got here, which is of national park status, but also linking down to the communities which live on the coast. |
| 1:17.4 | And what's the town and the white buildings we can see there in the distance? |
| 1:20.5 | So we're looking down towards New Haven, which is a very industrial town and it's wrapped around by the South Downs so it's a really well-located community. |
| 1:29.8 | We've got a freshly cut stubble field on our right a lovely wide chalky path |
| 1:35.3 | and down to the left suddenly one of these heavily wooded deep valleys and also with me is June Goodfield |
| 1:40.9 | because June you're the reason that I've come to the South Downs today. |
| 1:44.9 | And this is your area, this is your home place. |
| 1:48.0 | Well, I was actually born in Stratford, Navon, but I've lived most of my life in Orpherson, |
| 1:53.7 | and it is my area, and I absolutely adore it. |
| 1:58.0 | And you're involved in a project that's trying to get more people to care, I suppose, |
... |
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