Sunshine on St Leonards

This year's New year walk was scheduled to be an stroll around Burton St Leonards followed by an afternoon tea at the Royal Victoria Hotel.

Sixteen members and partners arrived in the glorious winter sunshine on this cold January afternoon. James Slinn welcomed everyone and gave an introductory chat about the history and development of St Leonards by the father and son team James and Decimus Burton in the early 1800's.  

Perry Puddefoot then lead us on an hour and a half walk around some of the highlights of the area including the Assebley Rooms now a Masonic hall, the South Lodge, Crown House, St Leonards Park and the beautiful gothic revival house on the East side of the park. 

We finished the walk looking up to the Burton Family Tomb, a small sandstone pyramid which is located off West Hill Road but is sadly no longer accessible because of landslip.

After the walk a delightful afternoon tea was arranged in the dining room of the Royal Victoria Hotel. a spectacular sea view on the first floor gave us a wonderful sunset as we tucked into our cream scones.

Big thank you to James and Perry for researching and planning the walk and Sandra Slinn for organising the tea booking.