Right Of Way

South Downs folk again took the government at their word and took back their 'freedom to roam' - 200 people mass-trespassed and camped over, reclaiming areas incorrectly signposted “Private - No Right of Way” and picnicking on Balmer Down, which dates back to the Iron Age. Walkers expressed shock at recent wanton destruction of hundreds-of-years-old beeches on Offham Down, but were impressed at the rapid recovery of the herb-rich turf, rescued from ploughing by campaigning last year. Only 10 of Brighton Council's wildlife-rich old down pasture sites have formal public access, though all 53 are supposed to. Take them back on the regular trespass days.