Meet our Walk Leaders

Gill Mattock

Eastbourne Walking Champion

I trained as a walk leader in 2005 and have been leading walks for local rambling groups ever since.  I also regularly lead walks for social groups, charities and visiting ramblers.  Since retiring I have had more time to walk and have tackled national trails like the South Downs Way and round the Isle of Wight.  This year I am attempting the 1000 Mile Challenge.  In 2019 I was appointed Eastbourne’s Walking Champion where my role is to encourage and support walking activity in all its forms.  I love the Downs and enjoy sharing my favourite walks with others.  

---

Alan Wenham

I am a native of Eastbourne, and in spite of my great years still find the town fascinating. Everywhere one looks there is a great story to tell. I deliver around thirty talks a year on local history and some of my talks can be found on YouTube. I lead two Eastbourne history walks last year and enjoyed the company. This year I have two new ones to present.

---

Kim Adams

I trained as a tour guide in Lincoln in 2006 and led walking tours of that wonderful Norman city, before moving back to East Sussex in 2015. Eastbourne presented a new challenge for me as a tour guide but I’ve found that the stories are just as interesting. I currently offer guided walks throughout the summer months along Eastbourne promenade as well as around the Meads area. Details on my website, www.eastbournewalks.com. My main interest is in social history and how key people have influenced the development of a place. I particularly enjoy telling the story of the 7^th Duke of Devonshire and how his influence made Eastbourne what it is today.

---

John Riley

My wife and I have been keen ramblers since the mid-1970s, when we joined the Eastbourne Rambling Club. When I retired from work in 2011 I joined the Polegate Rambling Club and became Club Secretary the following year. We lead for both Clubs, in all around 12 walks per year usually about 10 miles in length. Our holidays are always in the UK. We book self-catering accommodation and spend our time walking. But we are always glad to come home to our lovely South Downs, which we never tire of walking.

---

Julie Ford

Julie Ford created Instepp® to simultaneously exercise the upper body and the legs with a 2.3kg resistance. “People often say that they haven’t got the time or money for the gym,” she explains. Instepp is a fun answer to keeping fit outside in the fresh air, individually, with family and friends or in the comfort of your own home. It’s a great aerobic strengthening workout for indoors —especially walking up and downstairs. Accredited by osteopaths and physiotherapists, Instepp provides ‘functional movement’ (using the whole body) as well as improving mental agility and physical fitness. “Your brain has to concentrate as you co-ordinate both your arm and leg movements” says Julie. “It’s such a simple idea — it’s ready to use any time, anywhere and it’s attainable, sustainable and fun”

---

 Alan Jones

I have lived in Eastbourne for 40 years and it was the Downs that were a main reason for me to return here after 3 years away. I have always loved walking in this area and I am now a keen member of a rambling group, leading 5 mile and 10 mile walks in the countryside. I also take regular walking holidays to explore the wonderful national trails we have in this country.

 

---

Kath Boak

When I moved to Eastbourne in 2014 I joined 2 walking groups, and I walk with them regularly. But 2023 will be my second time of leading a walk in the Eastbourne Waking Festival. I have chosen a fairly easy walk on the Lower Downs, and I will combine it with a chat about one of Eastbourne’s famous ladies, Mary Ann Gilbert, who founded the allotment system.



 

---

Richard Page

I joined Ramblers Holidays trips to France, Majorca, Malta and Gozo in my 40s, and I’ve enjoyed day trips in the UK from my homes near Nottingham Guildford Brighton and now Eastbourne. My motto is “walking for pleasure” – I love open countryside and exploring new pathways, most especially when the skies are blue, well, this is the Sunshine Coast! Eastbourne has everything one could wish for – expansive views on the Downs, little-used paths in abundance, busy paths for those who prefer them, undulating coastal paths, level paths on a beautiful seafront, lots of public parks and gardens. I’m very thankful for my surroundings and delighted to encourage others to explore and to enjoy a healthy walking lifestyle.

---

Lindsey Gwynne
I have been walking with a local rambling club for 4 years now, taking my turn to lead, enjoying the spectacular views of the amazing landscape that we live in, and the camaraderie of my walking buddies. The walks I lead usually include stories of local or historical interest. I also enjoy occasional longer walks with friends and taking walking holidays to explore other parts of the UK. This is my third year as a Walking Festival walk leader.

---

David Beer
I have lived in Eastbourne for 34 years and enjoy walking on the local Downland footpaths. I am a retired biology teacher with a keen interest in Natural History. For a number of years I have carried out biodiversity surveys for the British Trust for Ornithology, Sussex Ornithological Society and Butterfly Conservation.  I am Chairman of the Eastbourne group of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and have led walks focusing on birds and butterflies. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many walking holidays in the UK and further afield but our Downland is hard to beat both for spectacular views and the biodiversity of the chalk grassland.

---

Liz Pearson

I have a love of walking the local downland and singing and have been doing both since I was a child. Join me for a short walk that combines these, from the start of the South Downs Way to Beachy Head. A hill to begin, but levelling out towards the Beachy Head Story Museum, where I will be sharing some songs about the place, both self-penned and traditional. There will also be a chance to explore the museum before we take in the incredible cliff view and return.

---

Yanaëlle Thiran
Yanaëlle is a Belgian dance artist who moved to England in 2012 and have been living in Eastbourne since 2020. Her dance training journey took her from London Contemporary Dance School to Art Factory International (Italy), and from Trinity Laban to the University of Chichester. Now her portfolio includes various roles and projects as a contemporary dance teacher, performer, choreographer, and co-director of Company Concentric. You can find Yanaëlle teaching dance and training at Eastbourne Dance Space; practicing yoga on the beach; walking around town and improvising in all sorts of outdoor locations. Indeed, she doesn’t only dance in studios and theatres, but also performs live works or shoots dance films in spaces such as art galleries and public gardens. She has even performed at a railway station and hosted interactive performances online through Zoom. Taking part in Eastbourne Walking Festival 2021 inspired her to design the Performance Path. Follow it to enjoy four dance solos created in response to four particular places in Eastbourne.

---

Judith Koller

A lover of nature and avid Nordic walker, I have had a successful career as an outdoor instructor for 15 years. In 2016 I unfortunately contracted Lyme disease, this had a huge impact on my life and body but it also started my wellbeing journey. I started Nordic walking as a form of exercise as it supports the joints and offers an effective workout without any strain on the body. Seeing the benefits for myself I trained as an instructor.
I also teach pilates which I found to go hand in hand with Nordic walking. Both these methods work on posture and body alignment. Working 90% of muscles in the body . Hope to see you at a Nordic walking taster session.

 

---

Jacky Ford
Walking has been a passion for me ever since I got too old to chase a hockey ball! I started regularly leading walks for a group on the Costa Blanca 15 years ago and I was also a secretary for the group. I am from Devon where I have walked extensively on Dartmoor and the South West Coastal path. Now I live in Hailsham and am a member and leader of Hailsham Ramblers. I am enjoying getting to know the area on foot and I am happy to lead a walk for the festival, as I so enjoy and apprecite being led by others.