On 19 June, Petersfield Town Mayor Councillor JC Crissey joined Simon Williams, Headmaster of Churcher’s College to officially open the first section of a new permissive path for the Petersfield Community.    

The new path will provide a link for the Petersfield Community with the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Serpent Trail and is located at the rear of Penns Place by the River Rother. The purpose of the path project is to replace uneven field and grass with a firm path that will enable easier access for all.  Additionally, it will be accessible throughout the year, whatever the weather, rather than becoming a muddy bog in winter months. 

Part of a three-year project, the community path venture has been possible thanks to a funding partnership between SDNPA and Churcher’s College. The first section has taken months to plan and two days' solid work from over 100 Churcher’s students from the Third Year (Year 9) and Lower Sixth (Year 12) alongside several staff members, all headed up by Churcher’s teacher and Green Team guru, Tony Ostersen. 

Simon Williams, Headmaster, said: “Churcher’s College is always delighted to contribute to the Petersfield community to which we belong. This project enabled our students to put their path building skills to use again; we have previously built community paths at Merritt’s Meadow and around the Petersfield Heath Pond. When the need was identified for an accessible permissive path at Penns Place, we leapt at the chance to take on the project. We will be back over the next two years to complete the remaining sections for Petersfield to enjoy.” 

The new path runs through Petersfield’s new Tercentenary Wood, planted by Churcher’s College in 2022 as part of the school’s 300th anniversary celebrations. Churcher’s students were also able to carry out some essential tree maintenance on the 1800 trees, which represent a wide range of English varieties, ensuring the wood continues to flourish and grow.