recreation Notable teams Hailsham Town Football Club, known as The Stringers (from the town's history as a rope-making centre) play in the first division of the Southern Combination Football League. Hailsham Cricket Club is one of the oldest in East Sussex having been established in 1871. The club has been playing at their ground on Western Road in Hailsham ever since, and have on a number of occasions throughout their history won championship awards. Today, the club fields four Saturday teams and a weekday twenty20 team, as well as a number of junior teams. Hailsham Active Hailsham Active (formerly Hailsham & District Sports Alliance) was set up in 1995 with the objective to unite sports clubs and societies within the Hailsham district, provide support for member clubs, and to promote sport within the town as an essential activity for residents. Leisure facilities The Maurice Thornton Playing Field in the east of the town and provides additional facilities for football (junior and senior), as well as stoolball and athletics. The Freedom Leisure Centre recreation complex, located near the town centre, has facilities including a gym and swimming pool (with a flume and water slide). Several 10-pin bowling lanes were added in 2006. Hailsham Outdoor Bowling Club is based at the rear of the complex. Knockhatch Adventure Park provides a variety of leisure pursuits on a large complex including a ski and snowboard centre, birds of prey centre, tractor and trailer rides, boating lake, crazy golf and other activities. The Arlington Speedway/Stadium, situated just outside Hailsham, is a 350-yard long concrete oval motor racing track. Racing normally takes place on a weekly basis and more frequently throughout the summer months. Leisure activities Fishing is permitted in season at the Hailsham Country Park lake, off Gleneagles Drive. Horse riding is popular in Hailsham and there are several livery stables in the area. For walkers and ramblers, there are numerous footpaths, woodlands, riverside and field walks in the Hailsham district. Information on suitable routes may be obtained from the Hailsham Town Council and Wealden District Council offices. There is an active branch of Ramblers (formerly known as the Ramblers' Association) in Hailsham, which organises a weekly series of walks. The local authorities promote cycling, and there is opportunity for safe cycling along the Cuckoo Trail, which runs through Hailsham and connects to Tunbridge Wells, Heathfield and Polegate. Additional sports facilities As part of the