LONDON STROLLERS GROUP Website: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/london-strollers Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/londonstrollers WALKS PROGRAMME: OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2020 Welcome to the Ramblers’ London Strollers Group, which is part of the Inner London Area. NOTES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING COVID-19: Please note that, following discussions between Ramblers’ Central Office and Sport England, it has been agreed that as organised ‘outdoor physical activity events’, Ramblers’ group walks are exempt from the restrictions on social gatherings, known as the ‘rule of six’ in England (from 14 September). This means that group walks with up to 30 people (at the discretion of the Walk Leader) can go ahead, subject to each walk meeting certain requirements, including compulsory booking, maintenance of a register for Test and Trace purposes, and completion of risk assessments. Ramblers Central Office has published guidance for those wishing to join group walks. Please be sure to read this carefully before going on a walk. It is available at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/coronavirus Some important points are as follows: 1. BOOKING YOUR PLACE ON A WALK If you would like to join one of the walks listed below, please book a place by following the instructions given below. Please note that the booking arrangements may be different for different walks. Numbers on walks will be limited, so if you subsequently find that you are unable to attend, please contact the Walk Leader to cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place. Please do NOT turn up for a walk without booking, as we will have to turn you away. 2. CONTACT INFORMATION A register will be taken before the walk sets off. The contact information you have given when making your booking will be used. This data will only be used to get in touch about the walk, or to share if requested with the government’s Test and Trace system. The register will be destroyed or deleted by the Walk Leader after 21 days. FORMAL NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19, and following guidance issued by Central Office, the Committee has reluctantly taken the decision that this year’s AGM will be held online, using the Zoom platform. The meeting will be limited to a maximum of 25 participants, including members of the Committee. The AGM will take place on Tuesday 10 November 2020 at 7pm. The meeting will be open to members of London Strollers only. Unfortunately we are unable to include Associate Members or other guests this year. At the meeting, formal business will be conducted as usual: the Group Committee will present a report of last year’s activities, including the annual accounts for approval of the membership, and a new Group Committee will be elected for the coming year. The existing Committee have all indicated that they are all willing to stand for re-election, with the exception of the Membership Secretary, who will be standing down. Anyone wishing to stand for office on the Committee should advise the London Strollers’ Secretary ([email protected]) by 25 October 2020. Please note that only members of London Strollers are eligible to act as Committee members. If any member of London Strollers wishes to submit motions for discussion at the AGM, these should be submitted in advance to the London Strollers’ Secretary, by 18 October 2020. If you wish to take part in the meeting, please register your interest with the London Strollers’ Secretary ([email protected]) by 18 October 2020 at the latest. You will then be sent a link to the meeting, to be used on the day. Copies of the agenda will be provided by email. Details of how to join a Zoom meeting for those who haven’t used it before can be found at https://biz30.timedoctor.com/how-to-use-zoom/#join-meeting (Scroll down to Section C). OTHER NOTICES 1. Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on our walks unless stated otherwise. 2. Please note that, whilst walk leaders attempt to give an accurate finish time, the actual pace and length of the walk depends on several factors, including walker speeds on the day, café and toilet queues etc. The finish time should therefore be treated as an estimate only, and cannot be guaranteed. Walkers will wish to bear this in mind when booking other events close to the finish time. WALKS Thursday 1 October: SURREY DOCKS AND DEPTFORD Start: 10.45 Rotherhithe station (Zone 2, London Overground). Finish: Cutty Sark station (Zone 2/3, DLR). Greenwich station (Zone 2/3, DLR and trains to London Bridge) is a short distance away. A linear walk of about four miles on solid surfaces and without hills, via Surrey Water, the Albion Channel, Canada Water (toilets available), Greenland Dock, sections of the Thames Path and Pepys Park. Toilets and refreshment possibilities at the end in Greenwich. Should finish by about 12.45. This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance with the leader. Leader: Micky Kohn (020 8364 0156 - preferably 4pm - 8pm, or [email protected]). Sunday 4 October: CRYSTAL PALACE TO STREATHAM Start: 10.30 Crystal Palace station (Zones 3/4, trains from London Bridge or Victoria. No London Overground here today). Finish: Streatham station (Zone 3, trains to London Bridge and Victoria). The Rookery on Streatham Common, one of London's prettiest public gardens, is one of the highlights of this walk which also includes Westow Park, Norwood Grove and one of the most rural stretches of path in Inner London. This is a joint walk of about four and a half miles with Blackheath Ramblers, and should finish around 13.30. This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance. Leader: Helen Abbott ([email protected], 07930 367984). Thursday 8 October: I CAN’T GO BACK TO THE RIVER Start: 11.00 Cheshunt station (Zone 8: Freedom Pass can be used on London Overground service, but not on Greater Anglia. Recommended train: Liverpool Street 10.15, Hackney Downs 10.24, Stoke Newington 10.28). A 6-mile circular walk exploring the New River and the Lea Navigation in this area, following watercourses for much of the way. Bird spotting opportunities. Tea and toilet stop halfway through, in the one built-up section of the walk. Further toilets available later in the walk, and a possible ice-cream van! Finishes around 15.30. This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance. Leader: Helen Abbott ([email protected], 07930 367984). Saturday 17 October: CAPITAL RING 9: GREENFORD TO SOUTH KENTON Start: 11.00 Greenford station (Zone 4, Central line or National Rail to Paddington). Finish: South Kenton station (Zone 4, Bakerloo line, London Overground). This 5.5 mile walk covers the second section in our exploration of the Capital Ring. Two longish ascents, which we will take at a comfortable pace, some uneven ground, and one stile. May be muddy after rain. The route explores the interesting village of Harrow-on-the- Hill. Tea and toilet stop halfway through, otherwise bring a snack. Finishes around 15.30 This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance. Leader: Helen Abbott ([email protected], 07930 367984). Thursday 22 October: RICHMOND CIRCULAR Start: 11.00 at place to be advised a few days before to those who book. A leisurely walk of about five miles on pavement, parkland and riverside, with a little of the Thames Path and the Royal Park, accompanied by some rock 'n' roll history. We will pause at a number of points for water and snacks. There are many places for coffee/tea and cake in Richmond after the walk, which should finish around 14.00. This walk is limited to 30 people who must book in advance at https//www.eventbrite.com/e/free-walk-5-mile-richmond-circular-some-river-thames-som e-rock-n-roll-tickets-120623874255. Leader: Des Garrahan. Sunday 25 October: KENTISH TOWN TO HAMPSTEAD Start: 11.00 Kentish Town station (Zone 2, Northern Line and Thameslink). Finish: Hampstead station (Zones 2/3, Northern Line). A four-mile linear walk through Kentish Town, Hampstead Heath and the Vale of Health. Easy-going on good paths with a great view from Parliament Hill. Should finish by about 13.00. This walk is limited to 20 people who must pre-book with the leader by email or by leaving a phone message. Leader: Mervion Kirwood ([email protected], 07398 258012). Sunday 1 November: GREEN LONDON WAY 14: STOKE NEWINGTON TO HACKNEY WICK Start: 10.30 Stoke Newington station (Zone 2, London Overground from Liverpool Street) Finish: Hackney Wick station (Zone 2, London Overground). Descending into the Lea Valley from Springfield Park, this section of the 'alternative Capital Ring' explores Walthamstow Marshes and the Middlesex Filter Beds. A joint walk with Blackheath Ramblers of about four and a half miles, finishing around 13.30. This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance with Helen Abbott ([email protected], 07930 367984). Leader: Des de Moor. Thursday 5 November: HORSENDEN HILL AND HARROW Start: 11.00 Alperton station (Zone 4, Piccadilly Line). Finish: Harrow on the Hill station (Zone 5, Metropolitan Line and trains to Marylebone). A walk of about five miles featuring the Grand Union Canal. Horsenden Hill (over or around, depending on weather conditions), Harrow village and school, finishing around 13.30. Refreshment possibilities at the end. This walk is limited to 20 people who must book in advance with the leader.