Tuesday 25th August began with perfect walking weather – sunny but with a cool breeze. It was surprising therefore that only three members of the Lewes Footpaths Group set out from Burgess Hill for a 6-mile circular walk via Hassocks. From the southern outskirts of the town, we crossed the Batchelors Farm nature reserve and followed a path across the fields with the landmark water tower on our left. It was built by J Every, an engineer from Lewes in 1909.

After that, there was a short, but rather nerve-racking, walk along a busy road with no verge. It was a relief to turn onto a delightful tree-shaded bridleway which eventually brought us to the Oldland Mill. This ancient windmill was almost completely derelict before it was rescued by a team of dedicated volunteers who rebuilt and restored it and brought it back to working order. The volunteer team was working there as we passed and were kind enough to give us a guided tour. It was fascinating to see the mill's inner workings and we were impressed to learn of the amount of flour ground there, which can be bought in local shops. 

From there a quiet lane took us westwards and then across the road from Keymer to what had previously been a path across open fields, now completely covered with new housing estates. We crossed the A273 to reach the former Hassocks golf course, now abandoned and a pleasant open space. Walking northwards along bridleways and footpaths brought us back to the outskirts of Burgess Hill. The walk was led by Anne.