THE Serpent Trail walk, a new 64-mile trail from Haslemere to Petersfield, was officially launched at Swan Barn Farm last Friday, putting the town on the map as Surrey's gateway to the South Downs National Park. Ramblers, schoolchildren and representatives from local councils joined guided walks on different sections of the route, which is designed to offer easy bus or train links, with a 70 service running between Haslemere and Midhurst seven days per week. Surrey County Council has provided money from its sustainable transport fund for new signposting between Haslemere station and the start of the Serpent Trail and the project was set up by the Sussex Greensand Heaths Project working with the South Downs National Park. For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.