Line up of vans at the van camp held by Daras

The fourgonnettes at work.

The Club And Its History

The South Downs Escargots was started in 1987 by Simon Day and Kit White who used to travel every month to the Kent And Sussex Hillhoppers in the Tunbridge wells area. They felt a club was needed further west and so the Escargots were formed - Meetings were first held at the Bolney Stage in Bolney and then at Sheffield Park Station at the Bluebell Railway. The club later split into two - as the Hillhoppers had since closed - until members living in the east of the area formed the French Ticklers Club. The South Downs Escargots organize the annual London to Brighton Run which will attract over 300 cars,with help at the London end from the Thames Tortoises. A monthly newsletter - Snail Trail is produced and sent out to regular attendees of the club who come mainly from Crawley, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Worthing and the Brighton area. Membership is free and events include barbecues, treasure hunts, quizzes, meals out, camping weekends and much much more. The infamous singing group 'The Fourgonnets' was formed by the Escargots in the late 1980's with song's written by Simon and Kit about 2CV's and there derivatives to the tune of well known pop songs. These were performed at various events to audiences, the best remembered being the international at Worcester Rugby Club in 1989. You never know the Fourgonettes may reform and tour again - watch this space!!! The Escargots meet up every 3rd Tuesday at the Royal Oak at Wineham, West Sussex. (Wineham Lane, 1 1/2 miles south of the A272 east of Cowfold.)