CAMPAIGNERS who want to see Petersfield and the surrounding area included within the proposed boundary of the South Downs National Park met in The Square on Sunday to rally their cause, before ministers make their decision. Dubbed 'Western Weald Day', the gathering was intended to highlight the beauty of the area, and a walk was organised so people could see for themselves what was at stake. Actress Honeysuckle Weeks (best known for her role as Samantha Stewart in Foyle's War) showed her support to the cause with this message: "I was very lucky to grow up in the Western Weald, in sight of the Downs and cannot think of a place that I would rather be. It is a fantastic and precious area and truly deserves the highest possible protection that a national park can bring." More than 60 people turned out in The Square for the demonstration, not just from Petersfield, but from across Sussex, Hampshire and parts of Surrey. Most of the Western Weald is in West Sussex and Honeysuckle Weeks herself grew up near Petworth, an area which is at risk of exclusion. The day was supported by Tom Franklin, chief executive of the Ramblers' Association who gave a short speech about how long people have waited for this decision, saying: "It would be bizarre if the Government approved a National Park for the South Downs with a big bite - the Western Weald - missing from it. We've waited 61 years for this national park and we want the real thing, not a watered-down version." Also present was East Hampshire MP Michael Mates, who urged people to go out and collect signatures on the petition which he would present to Parliament in December. Western Weald Day, which was organised with the help of CPRE Hampshire, marked the anniversary of the publication of the inspector's report when it was first discovered that the Inspector had recommended that the Western Weald be excluded from the South Downs National Park. Afterwards, 32 people went on a walk, led by Owen Plunkett of the Ramblers' Association, and also a vice-chairman of the South Downs Campaign, in the surrounding countryside, to see for themselves the beauty of the area that risks being left out of the South Downs National Park.