walkerSOUTH EAST No. 96 December 2016 Walking Ambassador for London - a campaign success

e are delighted that for London to have a Walking this is an enormous step towards Ambassador for London, and this the Love London, Ambassador, and Sadiq Khan's London becoming a walking new focus on walking for health, W Walk London office advertised the post of city, and we are proud of the part transport and leisure could be campaign to make London a Walking and Cycling Ambassador we played in bringing this to transformative. walking city has achieved a in the summer. Whilst there has fruition. Whilst Boris Johnson Volunteers from Inner London major campaign success. been disappointment in some had a Cycling Ambassador, there Area and the Greater London One of the three main asks was quarters that the role is part-time, has not previously been a Walking Continued on page 2

Visitors to Greenwich and its magnificent park can now visit Queen's House again following its14-month A £2.4 million restoration of Crystal Palace Park in south London has seen the six sphinxes on the renovation. The 17th century royal house, considered one of the finest architectural buildings in Britain, is terrace repainted in their original terracotta red. They survived the 1936 fire which destroyed the free to visit daily. The Thames Path passes close by. palace itself. The Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk both cut through the park.

ore than 60 Aylesbury Ramblers met on Saturday 8 October Aylesbury in Aston Clinton to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary. White Cliffs M Three walks of varying lengths set off from Green Park before meeting up later to enjoy a lunch, social get-together followed by a Ramblers toast and the cutting of a celebration cake. festival success And to leave a more permanent mark of the anniversary the group donated two gates to replace broken stiles on the Outer Aylesbury Ring celebrate route, one of the group's many successful projects. The gates have since been installed by the North Bucks rRIPPLE footpath group, led by Bill Piers, and under the direction of Buckinghamshire County Council. 50 years More on the anniversary on page 16

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke (centre) helps launch the festival. Photo: Rob Riddle his year's White Cliffs Walking Festival, put on by Kent's White Cliffs Ramblers, attracted a record Tnumber of walkers with 1,102 people joining the walks. This made it the most successful in the three years of the event which this year was held between 25 and 31 August and organised by a team headed by Helena Trevelyan and Lesley Stephenson. The first of the anniversary walks leaves Green Park in Aston Clinton. Photo: Stephen O'Shea The 39 events ranged from history or special interest walks of Continued on page 3 2 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 3 walkerSOUTH EAST Chilterns Heritage Trail revived Distributed quarterly to members of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, new spiral-bound by the Chiltern Society in With a little help from guidebook for the November. It revives a walking Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, Chilterns Heritage route described in a guide Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and A Trail, a 50-mile circular route published by Chiltern District Surrey Areas. through all 14 parishes of Council in association with Chiltern District, was published Bucks Ramblers in 2000. the Walking Partnership THE RAMBLERS Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, he Walking Partnership, and the countryside in which we We also gave money to the have been done by volunteers of do so. Details are at www. London SE1 7TW. an initiative set up by walk. These funds have enabled Colne Valley Park Community the Chiltern Society.' ramblersholidays.co.uk/ Tel: 020 7339 8500 Fax: 020 7339 8501 Ramblers Worldwide T us to buy equipment to help Interest Company of which we are Groups not currently registered the-walking-partnership. Email: [email protected] Holidays in 2012, provides promote our group at local events a member in response to an appeal with the scheme can still Web: www.ramblers.org.uk funding to registered groups and provide better facilities and to help them with environmental Company registration no: whenever one of their members accommodation for our annual improvements in an area in which 4458492 Registered charity no: 1093577 takes a holiday with the general meeting. In addition, our group often walks. We also company (now known as through the Chiltern Society, we gave money to Ruislip Woods EDITORIAL Ramblers Walking Holidays) have funded new kissing gates Trust with the proviso that this be Editor: Les Douglas and nominates the group before in the Chilterns. The Chiltern used for the promotion of walking Email: [email protected] travelling. Society obtains the approval of in the woods. I would stress that Tel: 020 8809 2338 (please leave message) The funding, which is paid to the landowner and local authority we cannot use Ramblers funding groups at six monthly intervals, and undertakes the installation. to help other organisations so we DESIGN AND PRINT is based on £10 for each member Our gates carry a plaque saying have to be careful to distinguish Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255 booked on a UK holiday, £20 for 'Donated by Hillingdon Ramblers between funding and money The plaque acknowledges the connection. Opinions expressed by contributors short-haul holidays and £30 for in association with these holidays. received through the Walking are not specifically endorsed by The village sign at Chenies features the parish church and manor house. long-haul holidays. The Walking Partnership scheme Partnership.' The Ramblers. So far the leader in the field is has certainly enabled our group Tony Wells of Wycombe ISSN 1747-4140 The 2000 guide credits Bucks runs through Chenies, Chalfont St Hillingdon Ramblers which has to purchase and participate in Ramblers said: 'We have certainly C 2016 The Ramblers. Ramblers stalwarts Brian Shelley Peter, Old Amersham, Penn Street, All rights reserved. received £2,040 since the scheme expenditure beyond the restraints made good use of the funds with planning the route, Barry Great Missenden, Chartridge, began. Other top beneficiary of our annual budget. A great received, and have financed a Copy Date: For issue No. 97 Totterdell (who died a few years Ashley Green and passes Chenies Ramblers groups in the south east scheme and Hillingdon Ramblers number of gates to replace stiles. is 12 January 2017. ago) with writing the route Manor, Milton's Cottage and the include Chelmer & Blackwater are delighted and grateful to We have been fortunate too in description and Alan and Jean Quaker village of Jordans. The (£1,790), Wycombe ((1,580) and receive such generous donations that for a while Buckinghamshire Kelly with testing the walks. In guidebook divides the route into Croydon (£1,520). from the company." County Council added an extra recent years the route has become eight stages most of which are Colin Acreman, Treasurer Barbara MacDonald added: gate for each one we bought, so it neglected and as well as revising and accessible by public transport. of Hillingdon Ramblers said: Over the years we have spent was like a supermarket's 'buy-one- expanding the route description, Copies of the new guidebook "We joined the Walking Walking Partnership money on get-one-free' offer. However, there Chiltern Society volunteers have cost £5.95 in bookshops or can be Partnership scheme in March a laminator to use on display was a snag as the county council replaced lost or damaged signs. ordered direct from the Chilterns 2012. Knowing how very materials, a gazebo, a display stand only supplied the raw materials The circular route which starts Society's online shop at www. popular these holidays are with and two tables for use at events for the gate and did not install This gate installed by Chiltern Society volunteers near Little Chalfont was funded New waymarks now sign the revived route. and finishes officially at Chesham, chilternsociety.org.uk. by Hillingdon Ramblers. Other gates funded by the group have been installed at our members, we were eager to like the Ruislip Woods Festival them but we are extremely lucky Coleshill and Chenies with a further gate likely to appear soon at Turville. join and benefit both our group and the Ickenham Festival. that in our area the installations Photo: Colin Acreman Continued from page 1 running of the event."' Before the festival, artists to interpret the to create 'sculptural one or two miles to the 32- volunteers were out clearing London can become a National views through art, poetry benches' along the route mile White Cliffs Challenge Inspiring views paths used for the walks, Park City once councillors in 436 and sound. at Gibbet Hill, Reynards put on by the Long Distance ome strik ing Inspiring Views project The project, delivered Hill, Winterfold and some of which can become Making London a wards, which is two-thirds of the Walkers Association and sculptures were which has worked with by Surrey Hills Arts and Hascombe Hill. For more overgrown with vegetation in total, declare their support for which attracted 102 entrants installed along landowners to open up funded through the Mittal information on the project, summer. Averil Brice, White National Park City the project, and currently around S who had to complete the the Greensand Way in hidden views, improve Foundation, commissioned visit www.inspiringviews. Cliffs Ramblers Secretary 45% of wards are on board. The route in 11 hours. There number of Ramblers Surrey as part of the access and commission five sculptors and designers org. and Kent Ramblers public Reynolds, National Parks England campaign is currently crowd- was only one retirement - volunteers and staff rights of way manager, has Director Paul Hamblin, Andy funding for a new huge folded map from a walker who bravely members attended the a team of 40 volunteers A Mitchell from Thames Tideway as a tool for exploring the city, and battled on for 24 miles Making London a National Park who can be called on and and Nigel Clifford from Ordnance to show how much of London is before succumbing to City event at the Royal Festival Survey. parkland (open space, waterways, blisters. Other festival teams went out clearing Hall in September. Five short films imagining wildlife habitats) and how it all events included part of the paths in the Betteshanger, Hosted by comedian Josie Long, London as a National Park City joins up (paths, trails, cycle routes North Downs Way from Northbourne and Elvington the evening included a plethora of were showcased on the night. and public transport). Dover to Shepherdswell, areas and in the St speakers from a mudlarker to a fire These films show London's green We will continue to update on the a Deal Smugglers Walk, a Radigunds area of Dover. fighter, and from children keeping spaces and waterways, and the campaign as it progresses, as we see walk at Sandwich which All these paths were used by bees at school to a photographer, different ways people engage with many synergies with the National took in a climb up St Peter's festival walks. Averil said: all talking about what London as them, and are available to view on Park City idea and with our Love church tower, a Dover "The approach of the festival a National Park City would mean the campaign's website at www. London, Walk London campaign Hills and Valleys Walk, a is always a busy time for to them. Among the speakers nationalparkcity.london. The first ask around access to green spaces. Bleriot Walk visiting places vegetation clearance but this 'Guerilla geographer' and lead campaigner for a Greater London National Park City, were former Director-General of film explains what the National Clare Wadd associated with the French year was exceptional with Dan Raven-Ellison, speaking at the Royal Festival Hall event. Photo: Clare Wadd the National Trust Dame Fiona Park City idea is all about. Publicity Officer, Inner London Area aviator who flew across the the wet weather and warm Channel in 1909, a fish and conditions resulting in a Continued from page 1 have used these platforms to build chips walk, and the Three massive growth in vegetation contacts with both individuals Pits Walk visiting the sites of causing many wonderful Forum will continue working and organisations interested in coal mines which closed in paths to almost disappear towards the other two campaign the campaign and whose own New pedestrian and the 1980s. from view. Battling through asks, to ensure equality of access work overlaps with it. In August White Cliffs Ramblers head-height nettles and to our amazing parks and green we ran our first Twitter hour on Chairman, Margaret brambles is unpleasant and spaces so everyone has a green the topic of Making Walking in cycle bridge announced Lubbock, said: "This third off-putting and we wanted space close to their home; and London Cool in response to a festival was the biggest and our special visitors to have to champion the Thames Path t the start of October the transport focussed crossings of could open as early as 2020. challenge Val Shawcross, Deputy best so far, aided by the the best possible walking and other strategic routes so that Mayor of London, Sadiq the Thames. At the moment no designs have Mayor for Transport, made at our splendid weather over the experience." they remain safe and open to all Khan, announced the The bridge, one of a range of been agreed upon, but the bridge, meeting with her earlier in the A August bank holiday. Many Plans are now being made Londoners to walk. acceleration of the project to new river crossings in the east, being variously called the Brunel summer. During the hour there happy people from Kent, for the 2017 White Cliffs We continue to promote the build London's first pedestrian will provide better access to the Bridge and the Rotherhithe were around 100 interactions and Walking Festival which has campaign through social media and cycling bridge, which Thames Path, as well as giving Bridge, will need to be able to the UK and indeed abroad the account now has over 750 been provisionally scheduled including Twitter (@Ramblers_ will link Rotherhithe and new options to walkers wanting to open for shipping to pass under. had a most enjoyable few followers. days with the preparations for 24 - 30 August. London) and Instagram Canary Wharf, as part of his cross the Thames as part of their Clare Wadd At Winterfold, Giles Miller created 'Perspectives', a shelter within the woods with a clear view towards the South Downs. The surface of Clare Wadd (lovelondonwalklondon), and commitment to greener public leisure walks or commutes. It Publicity Officer, Inner London Area wooden shingles is engraved with words and messages from local people and visitors. behind the scene paying Graham Smith Publicity Officer, Inner London Area dividends in the smooth White Cliffs Ramblers 4 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 5 Facebook sites Country sometimes Path work appreciated OXFORDSHIRE enley & Goring Ramblers recently experienced the n addition to our county, and maybe get ideas to good work that the South Chilterns Path Maintenance Oxfordshire Ramblers develop within your own group. goes to town HVolunteers do three times a month. IFacebook page, which offers Some of the sites are 'Facebook A third of the volunteers come from Henley & Goring Ramblers. a selection of what we are doing groups', to which you have to At the end of August they cleared a really overgrown path close to iving as we do in a lovely area, which includes throughout the county, six of apply to join. Simply click on the Bix and on the same morning progressed with path clearance close to on-line the Chilterns and Thames Valley, we get lots our groups now have Facebook 'Join' link near the top of the page. Stoke Row. The work was well appreciated, as we used the Stoke Row of visitors from other groups on our walks, sites: Bicester & Kidlington Once accepted you'll be able to L path twice in one week, once on our last evening pub walk and then including some from London. We like our walking Ramblers, Henley & Goring post material to the site. For all again for a Sunday walk. On both occasions we drew the attention of programme to be varied so we, too, often go on Ramblers, Oxon 20s and 30s the sites, do 'Like'some or all of the the walkers to all this good work that many are not always aware of. walks outside our own area, including city walks in Walkers, Oxon Weekend posts, so that word gets around. We used the Bix path in early October. We would like to take this London. Walkers, West Oxfordshire Also, leave comments; let's engage opportunity to thank everyone involved in improvng our paths, and a Over the years we've done quite a few, usually short, but Cutting remarks Ramblers and Vale of White using this medium. Even if you special thanks to Stephen Fox for coordinating and helping with the with a theme to add interest. Our most recent London Horse Ramblers. These, of do not have a Facebook account work on the above paths. ur Thame & Wheatley and tree overgrowth. with us but are not sure who to walk in September took in Covent Garden, Chinatown course, will focus on activities you can still look at our various Alie Hagedoorn Group's path maintenance Two other Oxfordshire groups approach, drop me a line. If you and Soho. We enjoyed the colour and bustle of the within their own groups. sites: have a go. Chairman, Henley & Goring Ramblers crowds and the singing of the Royal Opera Chorus as we Oteam got cracking in also do path maintenance work: can handle a pair of secateurs or a Why not follow several of Dave Cavanagh ate lunch in a pavement cafe in Covent Garden. Quite August. They used the tools Banbury & North Oxfordshire, rake, there's a role for you. them? In this way you'll see what Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers a contrast to the peace of rural Oxfordshire and a picnic recently purchased with and Blitz & Klean in the Bicester Dave Cavanagh colleagues are up to around the [email protected] Oxfordshire Area funds to clear and Kidlington area. If you would Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers under a tree that is the background to our local walks. a severely overgrown stretch of like to do path maintenance work [email protected] We've done several 'Blue Plaque' walks around areas like footpath near Postcombe. Chelsea and Westminster. It's amazing just how many Shortly afterwards the Vale Path Thame & Wheatley famous people lived in some streets over the centuries! Volunteers from Vale of White A Royal Parks walk provided a surprisingly green Horse Group had two working Group in pole position! route with lots of interesting statues and gardens. A parties, both in the parish of hame & Wheatley members three groups via various routes to Pole walk down the Lea valley culminating with a visit to Hinton Waldrist. The first path travelled to Longmynd Bank, at 1,700 feet the highest point the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was enjoyable and again surprisingly rural in feel despite its urban context. Passing the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park when walking the was ostensibly just a matter of Hotel, Church Stretton, on of the Long Mynd, with its views Thames Path from source to barrier. Photo: Joan Clark clearing nettles etc. As they were T A couple of our walks have focussed on buildings of 12 September for three full day's of across to Wales. After descending, Bix path before. Photos: Stephen Fox removed we found several fallen rambling in the Shropshire hills. all three groups amazingly coincided historic or architectural interest. One walk started at what better than to follow the Thames Path from source trees and collapsed fencing, which Walks of varying grades were to meet in the afternoon at the Green the Barbican, then took in buildings over time from to barrier? We did that as a series of day walks once a explained why the path meandered. organised each day by leaders Bob Dragon pub in Little Stretton before the remains of the Roman walls, mediaeval monasteries month over an 18-month period. It really is fascinating It is back on line now. A path Ward, Ruth Cornish, Peter Bozier returning to base. and hospices, historic markets, the Guildhall, Wren to watch the river 'grow' at every stage and to see so along the south side of the Thames and myself for the 34 walkers. The final day's walking saw one churches, the Monument, right up to the ultra modern many places and buildings that have played a crucial role was next. The task involved more On the opening day, all three group ascend Ragleth and Hope edifices like the Gherkin and the Shard. We did a Legal in history. head-high nettles plus Canadian groups headed out to Caer Caradoc Bowdler hills, climbing 2,100 feet of London walk from Temple Bar round the Inns of Court So, if you would like to join us for a walk in our lovely balsam, which is simultaneously hill. Rising sharply from the town ascent. The remainder of the party and taking in the former newspaper offices and churches countryside please do. If London readers have ideas for attractive and invasive. We used to a height of 459m/1,506 feet, the took the train to Ludlow, described in Fleet Street as well as the narrow alleys and courts interesting London walks we'd be delighted to hear from our brush cutter and shears to deal isolated hill is listed as a Marilyn by John Betjeman as 'one of the that surround Dr Johnson's house. We did not neglect you too! We can be contacted at http://www.ramblers- with those and young blackthorns (not a Munro!). The easier walk loveliest towns in England'. before the river or the waterways. We did one walk along the oxon.org.uk/HGContacts.htm/. sprouting in the path, and other took to the lower slopes, while the taking the Shropshire Way to picnic canal to Camden Lock then enjoyed the exotic smells Joan Clark handtools to cut back brambles Thame & Wheatley path maintenance team at Postcombe. Photo: Ruth Cornish others made for the summit, with in Stanton Lacy, before retuning via and sights of the food stalls at the market there. Henley & Goring Ramblers Bix path after. Photos: Stephen Fox the medium walk descending sharply Hope Gutter. Of course if you really want to do country to town, to the village of All Stretton before a On the final evening, thanks 750 feet ascent in the Becker valley were expressed to all the leaders and smartphone on a call out to Ending on a high note to a footpath traversing Stretton particularly Bob Ward who made Did you know this? check if there is any medical golf course, one of the highest in all the arrangements for the break. Olympic Park walk data that he/she may need n the summer of 2014 Vale This was particularly hazardous for pedestrians who used the path as s a mobile phone can use anybody else's the country. Meanwhile the longer Appreciation was also shown to the to know, so if you do have Path Volunteers, the path toddlers as many of the briars were we worked. icester & Kidlington Elizabeth Olympic Park and permanent legacy of the useful if you get into phone as well as your own. route took walkers to the summits of Longmynd Hotel. Good food, good an outstanding medical maintenance group of Vale growing at a low level. We cleared the path again last members enjoyed a which is dominated by the Games. difficulties? Yes it Finally, if you register I Little Caradoc and the Lawley before fellowship and good fun, the recipe I condition (even just your of White Horse Group, worked As this was a metalled path the year. On more than one occasion walk from Limehouse Arcelor Mittal Orbit, a 115 Mary Gough is, but it can be much with the 112 network, you descending to All Stretton and a for an excellent holiday break. B blood type) it can be passed on clearing an important public responsibility for its maintenance I drew our work to the attention Basin to the Queen Elizabeth metre high observation tower Chair, Bicester & Kidlington Group more than a simple become eligible to send shorter way home. Mike Smith on even if you are unable to right of way - Footpath 17 - in lay with the Highways Department of the town council, pointing out The second day's walk took all Olympic Park in east London communications device. an emergency 112 text Thame & Wheatley Ramblers respond. the town of Faringdon. of the county council - but they that it should not be down to a on 2 August. And not just for when you message. This will work This is a metalled path about 250 were not doing it. The county volunteer group to clear an in-town We walked along Limehouse are rambling. in very bad signal strength Finally, download a metres in length and three metres council's Countryside Access Team path, albeit one with public right Cut, the first navigable canal Firstly, what number do areas because the data Grid Reference app. This wide, between low stone walls. It gave us permission to clear it. of way status. We had intended to be built in London and you dial? Most people still required to send a simple can provide you with your is an important pedestrian route as Unfortunately Highways said that to include a further session in this linking the River Thames with use 999, which works. 112 text message is much less unique location at the press it links the town centre to a large it was not able to fund the provision year's autumn season. However, the River Lea. We stopped for is much better. Why? than that required for a of a button, so if you have health centre and supermarket. It of skips requested by us to remove thanks to pressure from Faringdon coffee at the House Mill on Firstly, it works throughout voice message (send 'register' to report a problem to the also forms part of the Vale Way, a 27- the arisings. Consequently, as part Town Council, we believe that Three Mills Island, London's Europe. Secondly, it uses to the 112 number). emergency services you mile recreational route which links of the clearance work, we had to the county council's Highways oldest surviving industrial not just your own network, What else? There is an can tell them exactly where the market towns of Abingdon, transport 25 large Hippo sack-loads Department has now recognised centre where centuries of but will hunt through all app known as ICE. You you are. (You need a smart Wantage and Faringdon and of arisings to the nearest recycling the importance of this path milling and distilling have available networks for the can download it and log phone for the apps and the connects the Thames Path with the depot during three work sessions. as it undertook a clearance in now given way to film and strongest signal. If the all your medical data on text alternative, but 112 d'Arcy Dalton Way. It had become We also cleared three sack-loads September. So, all being well, our television production. Our phone is locked, 112 will to the app. An ambulance works for all phones). walk ended at the Queen very overgrown with brambles and of assorted litter. Members of the work and perserverance will have Setting out from Limestone Basin in the drizzle. Photo: Mary Gough override the lock, so you medic will always look at a Bruce Gomersall briars to the extent that it was barely team, sporting high-vis jackets paid dividends. The group take a break by the Lightspout waterfall on the Long Mynd. wide enough for one person to walk bearing the Ramblers name, Jim Parke Photo: Ken King through without getting scratched. were complimented by the many Coordinator, Vale Path Volunteers Other matters be made in due course. Network before. Also I see on the news that The process of recording 'lost Rail has given a date for the a local farmer wants all hedges Footpath matters ways', which need to be claimed bridge on Uffington Footpath 4, to be left uncut (the footage was New-ish to Ramblers? iversions, claims etc: order for Charlbury Footpath by 2026, is in its very early and the closure order has been mostly of a large bramble bearing hen you joined Ramblers you were probably assigned to a The Oxfordshire Golf 6 has a plan of the proposed stages; I have a long list which made; unfortunately there is no abundant fruit) to feed the birds specific group, based on your postcode. DCourse diversions are development attached to the needs to be re-visited. practicable alternative route. and bees. I have no problem with W Hopefully, if you joined - at least in part - to go on led still being discussed; the golf explanatory notes. The order Oxfordshire County Council Clear the way! Remove the this provided that plenty of room walks, you are enjoying the experience of walking with 'your' group. But club's need to keep the paths off has been made for the claims to say they will fast-track claims obstruction from the path of my is left for users of field-edge paths you are not limited to walking with them, you can walk with any group the playing areas results in some paths on the Blenheim Estate under the new legislation, but this people! (Isa. 57:14, from the Day and paths between hedges are kept in Oxfordshire. Quite a few of our members criss-cross the county as the roundabout routes. at Bagg's Bottom and along has been further delayed while the of Attonement service) clear. In the meantime we are whim takes them. Not only does that take them to pastures new, it also The saga of Churchill the Evenlode. Both diversions stakeholder committee prepares This year has seen one of the threatened with further cuts, so enlarges their circle of friends. Beyond Oxfordshire the world, or at least Footpath 4, where the on Bicester Footpath 6 have the regulations, which are not most prolific growth seasons that clearance groups will be even the rest of Great Britain, is your Ramblers' oyster, you can join any of the order had several typos and been confirmed, as have those now expected for some months; ever, with tangled overgrowth more necessary than ever. 40,000+ walks that take place each year. a useless map, is nearing on Harpsden Footpath 23 and in the meantime we need to do needing to be snipped where I David Godfrey Bagging up the arisings. Photo: Jim Parke All done! Photo: Jim Parke Dave Cavanagh conclusion; the same council's Launton Footpath 17. the research so that claims can can't remember ever having to snip Area Footpath Secretary Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers 6 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 7 via Loseley Park and the River Wey these though it remains to be seen a 2004 planning agreement which Edwards the East team, each with significant pressure and it is obvious Area AGM to Shalford Village Hall. Contact: Footpaths how many are within the scope of was meant to obtain the dedication two assistants. that insufficient resources are being Keith Chesterton 01483 563392 in Volunteer Path Wardens. of a new footpath from the Cowley allocated by the county council to this urrey Area members are advance or 07581 729423 on the day. Sale area by Walton Bridge over to Donation: The LDWA kindly work despite the statutory obligation and access Definitive map modifications: Weybridge beside Broad Water. This offered Surrey Ramblers a donation the council has to maintain the rights formally invited to the next Walk 2: A five mile circular from The new regulations (due to have would then link up with the Thames of £400 towards path maintenance. of way network. If it were open SURREY Annual General Meeting Shalford Village Hall at 10.30am. Volunteer Path Wardens: Surrey S been published in April) governing Path to give a good circular walk of East Surrey Group used the funds for this footpath would be well walked. of Surrey Area to be held at This will be an undulating walk in County Council provided further the new process for Definitive Map about three miles. A local private its programme of replacing stiles with given that to the east it provides 14.00 on Saturday 17 January the countryside around Shalford. training courses for Voluntary Path modification orders, have still not school owning the necessary piece of kissing gates. a link to Godstone station and at at Shalford Village Hall, Kings Contact: Mike Roberts 01483 Wardens in September and October. appeared. I have circulated to land, which had been putting forward its south westerly junction it links snippets Road, Shalford, near Guildford. 277749 in advance or 07890 000213 Twelve members completed the Local Footpath Secretaries a useful arguments about pupil safety, appears Public Footpath 269 Bletchingley with three other rights of way. Last first and a further 16 attended the The postcode is GU4 8JE, grid on the day. paper from the Open Spaces Society to be realising that it would be in its and Godstone: Since at least month I contacted Mike Goodman, ref TQ 004468. The hall is about second. Surrey Ramblers now has 82 concerning the cost of application interests to cooperate with the local August 2014 this footpath has Chairman of the Environment and Lunch will be provided at the end trained volunteers, all issued with the 300 yards south east across the appeals under the new regime. Rather community. The dedication could been unwalkable due to deliberate Planning Committee of Surrey of the walks before the AGM starts. necessary tools by the county council. common from the junction of than free referrals to the Secretary of also lead to the release of other public obstruction near Lower South Park County Council and Helena Shalford station can be reached All Local Footpath Secretaries can State, the new system will provide for funds to dredge Broad Water which is Farm, Bletchingley. There are also Windsor, the local county councillor Station Road/Kings Road or walk by hourly train from Guildford or now see all the reported path problems referrals to the magistrates court with badly silted up. locked gates, broken stiles, etc, for the Godstone and Bletchingley Chair rescues seat! via Chinhurst Lane and first left or in their areas and allocate appropriate Redhill. Alternatively, there are fees of £205 to make an application further along the path. It has been area and am awaiting responses. We ur Chairman, Gordon Lewis, led a team of walk, irrespective of age. His ethos continues today Kings Road first right. frequent buses (services 53/63 every ones (waymarks and vegatation) and £515 for a contested matter. SCC Countryside staffing: reported to the SCC Countryside will encourage the county council to Voluntary Path Wardens. Like ramblers at the end of July on a mission and ramblers know that not only will they have the The event will be hosted by 20 minutes - takes 8 - 10 minutes) The Countryside department has team by numerous walkers and to take action, which may require many highway authorities, Surrey New path from Walton Bridge to now reorganised roles in view of the although an officer joined me on a site legal enforcement action against the to renovate Jim Spencer's seat, a local benefit of a walk in fresh air around our lovely area, but Guildford Group. Lead organiser from Guildford Friary Bus Station O is Basil Minor, their Chair has a backlog of over 2,500 reported Weybridge: I've been working with difficulty in recruiting Countryside visit in May 2015, no action appears landowners. landmark at Norbury Hill. more importantly that they will be among friends. I'd and alight at Shalford station stop. ([email protected]), I will path problems on their system and residents' groups and local councillors Access Officers. Hannah Gutteridge to have been taken to reopen the Rodney Whittaker The seat had been put in place in 2015 to like to thank the team who helped in cleaning the seat.' Car parking is available at the hall or we hope to clear a good number of to try to resolve issues arising from heads the West team and Mary Ann path. The Countryside team is under Area Footpaths & Access Officer commemorate Jim Spencer, the first Chairman and Life Mole Valley Ramblers has a busy programme with be the Area contact. there is street parking nearby. President of Mole Valley Ramblers, who had started the half day and full day walks and popular midweek There will be two morning walks Full details about the AGM group over 35 years ago. Since that time the much- rambles. Visit us at www.molevalleyramblers.org.uk before the AGM. including the agenda and annual boarding the group met at Priory used seat has been an ideal resting place for passers-by, for more information. Walk 1: A six mile linear from report will be on the Area website All aboard Country Park for a riverside walk Guildford railway station at to Sovereign Quay. but over the years the weather has taken its toll and the Susan Moyle www.surreyramblers.org.uk from ourteen Leighton Buzzard 10.30am, uphill to Guildown, then The group continues to be very seat looked in a sorry state. After much debate, it was Mole Valley Ramblers late December. BEDFORDSHIRE Ramblers took to the active with both long and short decided to ask the experts whether the seat could be water on 22 September saved and with excellent advice from Norbury Park Saw F Sunday and midweek walks and with a trip on the John Bunyan on 17 January. Anyone who wishes lots of social activities. We are Mill, Gordon led his team to the rescue. to learn more about these roles should Community Boat from Bedford First, the build-up of moss and debris from overhead Area now looking forward to joining please refer to the Area website www. bulletin towards Kempston. trees had to be removed with stiff brushes before a together just before Christmas surreyramblers.org.uk. If you are The boat is run as a charity by preservative was added; then washed off and left to dry. vacancies for a walk followed by mince pies interested in discussing the roles or volunteers supporting the Bedford A week later, Gordon returned to add a coat of oil as and Milton Keynes Waterway and mulled wine. You can follow urrey area is still looking to can offer assistance please contact me. a finishing touch. The result is that the seat is now as Trust which aims to build a us at www.lb-ramblers.org.uk or fill the Area Publicity Officer Graham Butler good as new and back in commission for everyone who canal between the Great Ouse at ramblerslb on Facebook. and Area Secretary roles. Acting Area Secretary needs a rest. S Post festival thoughts Bedford and the Grand Union Julian Chritchlow We will also be looking for an Area [email protected], Gordon comments: 'Jim Spencer was more than Canal at Milton Keynes. Before Leighton Buzzard Ramblers The team with the restored seat: left to right are Fiona Membership Secretary at the AGM 01424 845052. hether wet or dry, come rain come shine, and increased phone calls and emails. We will never simply the first Chairman of the group, he inspired Spencer, Gordon Lewis, David Sangwine, Cliff Weight and people to get out and enjoy the countryside and to Christine Eagle. Photo: Susan Moyle everyone enjoyed the eighth Bedfordshire know how many bookings and potential walkers were Walking Festival (10 - 18 September). lost but judging from the many phone calls and emails Croydon get to the top WMums brought their toddlers, interest seekers the number may have been significant. interesting diversion to Wilderness brought their knowledge, walkers brought their Looking ahead to 2017 the festival dates will be Saturday Island we came through Grove rucksacks and the Greensand Ridge Challengers 9 to Sunday 17 September with the Greensand Ridge Wandle walks Park to our third refreshment stop were up to the challenge and over 5,000 miles were Challenge over the second weekend of 16 - 17 September. at Village Perk in Carshalton. covered during the nine days. The festival is growing and constantly evolving, so our walk leaders from waiting for the second group of Samantha and her staff gave us Despite adverse weather on both Saturdays and the much so that if we are to continue with the success we Sutton & Wandle Valley walkers to join them. So this could excellent service and there was still Friday morning, and despite Plusnet closing down the need to attract more people to help with the organising FGroup led four public be seen as a reward for their early more cake! website a week before the festival because it was too and promotion. We also need to find someone to answer walks on Saturday 17 September rising! The last part of the walk was led popular, support for the festival reached record levels the numerous phone calls in the weeks leading up to and through four boroughs. Ready to board the John Bunyan. Photo: Mike Shephard At 11am I met a large group by Steve who told 14 of us all about with many walks having more than 20 people and one during the festival. This is in addition to finding a new It was all part of Wandle outside Colliers Wood station and the Carew family and their dealings had almost 80. The Greensand Ridge Challenge was webmaster. If you would like to help please contact me. Fortnight, two weeks of community we were pleased to welcome Mayor with the Tudors while we were fully booked and already bookings have been received Barry Ingram events celebrating the River Wandle North Wales revisited of Merton, Cllr Brenda Fraser and walking through Beddington Park. for next year. [email protected] and its valley. Walkers were or three nights from 30 Mawddach Trail seeing the estuary consort, Lloyd Fraser. Twenty four We visited Waddon Ponds and The festival would not be possible without the support sustained throughout the day by100 of Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire councils, September, 23 members led at its best and the stop at the George of us then continued along the ended up at the Mum's the Chef Climbing Blencathra. Photo: John Tickner 'Wandle cakes' provided by Village Greensand Trust, Forest of Marston Vale, Bedfordshire by me and Mike Connolly, III Hotel at Penmaenpool proved Wandle Trail towards Mitcham, cafe in Wandle Park, where yet F Bakers in Carshalton and paid for K, in all honesty, when being a big tough macho man of the enjoyed the southern part of popular. However a small group visiting Merton Abbey Mills, Rural Communities Charity, RSPB, Shuttleworth Trust, with a grant from the Heritage more refreshments were consumed we got to the top we did mountains, complete with designer Villager magazine, advertisers and all of the Ramblers the Snowdonia Natiuonal Park was tempted by the sight of Cadair Morden Hall Park and Ravensbury Lottery Fund. At every refreshment and the last cakes. have to share the glory stubble, I'm hardly likely to choose volunteers. A big thank you also goes to our webmaster basing ourselves at Barmouth. Idris beckoning in the sunshine Park along the way. After a walk Overall, it was a very enjoyable O On Friday afternoon after and tackled the mountain by two stop these cakes appeared and were and feeling of achievement with a one of the easier options, when I can who told me at the beginning of the year that this would through the National Trust's consumed with enthusiasm. day. There were many Ramblers rambling group from Uttlesford in scare myself speechless. However, be his last. Mike Dawson has done a terrific job every torrential rain on the way, we different routes. In the evening Watermeads we joined football who participated but also several Mayor of Leighton-Linslade, Cllr Stephen Cotter, greeted followed the Quaker Trail near we assembled at the Arbour Hotel The day began at Earlsfield Essex, who just happened to be on those ramblers with more brains than year since creating the website for the 2008 festival. walkers at the start of the Greensand Ridge Challenge. fans for refreshments at the KNK station and the early start meant people who found out about the the same HF holiday as us! me (yep, that's quite a few) chose The removal of the website caused a lot of frustration Photos: Barry Ingram Dolgellau in dry conditions. to enjoy a three course meal in Stadium Sports Bar and, yes, more Saturday dawned wet and congenial surroundings. that just eight walkers turned up for walks via social media and who This was the main aim of our first their walk with more care and had cakes! After that it was only a short miserable but that did not deter Monday was another sunny day the first leg with Joan. They visited really enjoyed getting to know new day's walking, the top of Blencathra. wonderful days out just the same. conveniently stopped shortly before above us. Then on through Salford the group from following part and the group travelled inland to Wandle Meadow Nature Park and hop via the not-so-beautiful Willow places. So thank you to the Wandle It certainly is a large lump of rock I forgot to tell you that our we arrived at Tame Bridge Parkway Park, past historic Aston church to of the Wales Coast Path north Ganllwyd for a morning walk in the the bridge which for many years was Lane industrial estate to the third Valley Forum and the Living A day Aston Hall, a great Jacobean house. and the way up to the summit as 'holiday' ran from 16 - 23 September, and our journey along the secret of Barmouth making use of the Coed Ganllwyd National Nature known as the 'Bridge to Nowhere' meeting place, Mitcham Junction Wandle Landscape Partnership for An option for the afternoon described in the HF booklet under and was expertly organised by fellow secluded world of the Tame Valley trains on the Cambrian Line. One Reserve, taking in Rhaeadr Dhu, until it finally got joined up. After station. helping to promote the beauty that was to either continue our walk or 'Harder Walk' was up 'the steep and Croydon Rambler, Geraldine Deas. in Brum Canal over eight aqueducts, along contingent completed the 12 miles the Black Falls in English. We have refreshments at the Watermill Cafe, Frank then led 16 walkers over the Wandle has to offer and the take the coach into Birmingham airy arete of Hall's Fell'. Nowhere in We stayed at the attractive old hotel vel Valley's coach trip to high embankments and through from Tal-y-bont to Harlech, while not visited North Wales for some Merton Abbey Mills, they were able Mitcham Common and along part social and health benefits of getting to spend the afternoon at leisure the booklet did it mention hanging of Derwentwater with beautiful Birmingham on Sunday 16 deep cuttings to pass 13 locks at another took a shorter walk from years and never based ourselves in to view the Chapter House, Merton of the Beddington Farmlands path. out and about in the fresh air! there. Those who walked were on by your fingertips and scraping views of the lake from the garden October proved to be one Perry Barr to join the Birmingham Llanbedr to Harlech and explored Barmouth before but before leaving Priory, under the big Sainsburys/ We came out at Hackbridge and Melanie Nunzet your knees up rocks. But it was a or your bedroom window if you I treated first to an 11 lock climb as & Fazeley and Grand Union Canals the castle. for home we all agreed that the of their most successful trips of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal M&S at Colliers Wood, while rejoined the Wandle Trail. After an Sutton & Wandle Valley Group joyous relief when we got to the top! were lucky enough (unfortunately I Sunday was an ideal walking group had left it too long. recent years. at Spaghetti Junction. Here were climbed gradually to meet the Having done quite a tough one had a view of the car park instead). day with warm, sunny conditions. Tony Sheward The rain forecast for the morning five levels rising to a towering 80 feet Digbeth branch of the Grand Union Kingston group organised four to start with, the 'Harder Walks' This was my first HF holiday and I Most members did all or part of the Ivel Valley Walkers rambles during the national Canal at Aston top lock. After that for the rest of the week didn't seem was very impressed with everything Ramblers Walk About festival there was a relatively level section too bad in comparison. We 'did' organised, the rooms, meals, staff between 3 and 10 September. before a further climb over 13 to encourage new people into Scafell Pike, Causey Pike, Haystacks and walk leaders. locks, through tunnels and under walking, and sponsored by and Fairfield with Cofa Pike. I'm John Tickner buildings before finally emerging at the People's Postcode Lottery. beginning to sound like a bit of Croydon Ramblers On the first walk, 26 people Farmer's Bridge for a short walk on met at Hampton Court station an expert now! In our group from to Old Turn Junction. We enjoyed for a five mile circular around Croydon there were about 22, and we PS Referring back to the previous walking the canalside here, made Bushy and Home Parks. The joined forces with about 16 members issue of this esteemed publication, I so attractive with bars, shops and happy party is seen here by from Uttlesford. Now I must point can only assume that you are far too walkways, before boarding the the side of the Waterhouse out that we were given a choice busy rambling or on holiday, to send Pond in one of Bushy Park's coach back to Bedford. woodland gardens. of walks each day listed as Easier, me any limericks - so my Guinness Along the Tame Valley Canal. Photo: Barry Ingram Barry Ingram The group at the Black Falls. Photo: Barry Ingram Photo: Brenda Horwill Medium and Harder. Obviously, me money stays in my wallet! 8 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 9 A Kent Coast to Coast The RGLF ten years on – almost! he Ramblers Greater London Valley Walk, London Loop and Thames past and present, as well as some wider he phone rings, "Dad, scenery of woods, hills and open the bottom we get to a place called Forum (RGLF): What is it? Path), plus another 25 that we call the thoughts on the Ramblers itself. These it's Martin, I've got grassland was a joy. We passed Jumping Down. When we get up TWhat does it do? 'extended walks network'. In 2016 the responses revealed a real need for change: TFriday off. Shall we do Etchingwell and onto the village of the hill the other side, I think it It is a group of people - two from forum has been heavily involved with the either change RGLF or replace it with that coast to coast walk you Lyminge. The rain came down and will be time to have a short rest" I each of the six Ramblers Areas that Thames Path Partnership in organising something else. My thanks to all who talked about?" This was not full waterproofs came on. However say. At the top of Jumping Down include territory within Greater London: the Thames Path 20th anniversary walks. responded with comments which reveal the famous Wainwright's Coast Martin had decided to wear trendy is a bench where we sit and take Inner London, Essex, Herts & North The RGLF worked closely with Central a real enthusiasm for having an effective to Coast, but our very own Kent knee length shorts, more suitable for in the views and have a sandwich, Middlesex, Bucks Milton Keynes & Office on the Ramblers Olympic 2012 organisation. coast to coast, just over 30 miles a holiday in Spain, together with his and water. I then utter the fateful West Middlesex, Surrey and Kent. They plans. Behind the scenes, again with So, what happens now? RGLF will from Hythe to Whitstable. waterproof jacket - more about his words, "I think we are going to consider issues relevant to members who Central Office, we have been lobbying continue, but much more work will So at six on the morning of Friday shorts later. miss the worst of the rain. All that have an interest in walking in London mayoral candidates, and as a result, be undertaken to bring closer links 17 June, we set off from Hythe Despite the rain, our spirits were thunder seems to be passing us - issues that were often not visibly dealt the new London mayor, Sadiq Khan, with the relevant Areas and groups, seafront, aiming for the Elham not dampened, although everything by." Within a minute of setting off with by Central Office. pledged in his manifesto to complete the with a new website and much better Valley Way, just north of Hythe. else was, either through rain or again, thunderstorms arrived, the So, how has it done over the past nine Thames Path, improve the Capital Ring communication. Further, we hope that Light rain was falling but maybe sweat. Martin pushes the pace above rain was torrential. It was as if the years? The forum holds regular meetings and London Loop, and open up more the new Ramblers Chief Executive will that was just early morning drizzle three miles per hour as he regularly angels had just emptied their bath and sends representatives to meetings of walking routes around London - ie our take a closer interest into what matters - I wished! Before long we were in checks his super-duper smartphone, water over us. We trudged on west Transport for London's Pedestrian Safety extended walks network! to members in London. countryside above the town, lush reporting on time, distance, speed, of Barham, splashing our way along Group and the Canal & River Trust's Unfortunately one of the forum's key We need to take the opportunity to and green. altitude, and probably sniper alerts the tracks. Thunder was all around. London Users Forum. During the years founder members, David Sharp, died ensure that the new mayor honours his The drizzle stopped and we went as well. Our waterproofs stopped most of 2010 to 2014 it organised public walks, in 2015 and progress on the extended pledges, and the RGLF needs all six Areas along a footpath beside a golf club, The rain is steady but not the rain but couldn't prevent some including the London Loop, Capital walks network has slowed. As you may and 23 groups in Greater London to help now about 6.30am. Because of the torrential, but that is to come. dampness creeping inside. By this Ring and explorations of other routes be aware, the previous mayor favoured us by taking a much greater interest in low cloud and trees on either side, Passing the quintessential Kent time Martin's trendy shorts had in west, south and east London. These cycling but now we hope that, with what is happening within its boundaries. it was quite dark. Suddenly, a man village of Elham, the path is changed colour from a light tan to a walks have involved many London-based Sadiq Khan in post, we can persuade Most Areas and groups recently let me appeared, dressed in camouflage straight forward, and we begin to dark brown colour, his legs splashed groups, combining together to highlight the Greater London Authority and the have their views on this matter, and we and carrying a rifle with telescopic see the odd dog-walker and pass the with mud. the amazing amount of opportunities for mayor to re-commence central funding hope that you will now want to engage sights. Thoughts of mass killers customary "Good morning" One But spirits were high. We had walking throughout Greater London, for both the existing strategic walks and further with us. So, please watch this raced through my mind. It didn't stops to talk to us. "How far are you covered around 16 miles and in both urban and rural settings. To the extended walks network. space and contact me again if you have help when his next utterance was, going?" he asks. We say, "Probably Canterbury didn't seem far away, further this knowledge, there has been Recently, I asked Areas around London more thoughts about this matter. a focus on the seven 'strategic routes' what they thought of the forum - brave Tom Berry "I've killed six already." "Rabbits" to Whitstable" He laughs out loud only another six miles in the Called 'The Ramblers', this seven-metre high sculpure in painted steel he then said, and suddenly we and carries on his way. Maybe this pouring rain. We travel through (Capital Ring, Green Chain Walk, or foolish you might say! I had some very Chair, Ramblers Greater London Forum by artist Ray Smith, was installed at Heston Farm Estate in Hounslow Not far to go: John Grace on the Crab & Winkle Way. started breathing again, even trying friendly encounter pleased the gods flooded lanes, flooded tracks, still Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, Lea useful responses concerning RGLF's role [email protected] in 2001. Photo: Tom Berry to grin. We left on good terms, as it stopped raining. undeterred knowing Canterbury Canterbury, We were now walking and this walking is clearly using and then CRACK, a shot rang out. We crossed the Elham Valley looms ahead, where we discuss quite a bit slower. Our legs had different muscles. Witty banter has Another victim for the sniper. road, and back onto the Way, up the stopping and catching the bus back stiffened up whilst having a snack disappeared now. But soon we arrive Following the well way-marked hill and into Covert Wood. Pleasant to Hythe. but they loosened up. Before the at Whitstable harbour. Whitstable Elham Valley Way, the varied walking and slightly downhill. "At Through the lovely villages of super-duper smartphone died, is one of my favourite Kent towns, Bishopsbourne and Patrixbourne, Martin managed to announce that it has a character all its own. I Overcrowded Kent? where the Elham Valley Way we were now walking at 2.6 mph. reward Martin with an ice cream, joins the North Downs Way, and Thank goodness I had my walking with a flake, I am so good to him! am a Shropshire girl and always will be even on to Canterbury, arriving about poles, they helped a lot. North of We savour our ice creams and then though I have lived in Kent for more than 50 years. Inspired 2pm. The rain has stopped thank Canterbury we link up with the set off to catch a bus to Canterbury, I There is nothing I like more than inviting my goodness. Crab and Winkle Way, which more then another to Folkestone. Kentish friends to visit my roots. I proudly stand them izzie Ballagher, the South Downs Way's 'Poet in Residence' Amongst the throng of shoppers, or less follows a disused railway line. On the buses, we sat apart to on top of a hill, and show them 360 degrees of unspoiled in 2015, writes poems which come out of her walking. French school children, workers It's a very simple path to follow, also allow us to stretch our weary legs. countryside, spanning for miles into the mountains of To her mind walking and writing are as closly interwoven as out for their lunch break, beggars, used by cyclists. Easy walking now, But as the bus filled up, I noticed Wales, giving the appearance of being never-ending. Not L a city or motorway in sight. The only sounds come from sailing and navigating. She lives in mid-Kent and walked regularly students and sightseers, we rest still mainly in the countryside but that other passengers preferred to with Maidstone Ramblers but now tends to walk alone in order to our weary and wet bodies on a the well made paths make me feel stand than sit next to either of us. grazing sheep and the call of birds. focus on her writing. Lizzie has kindly offered South East Walker bench and eat another sandwich, I it's too well-made for my liking. And so we arrive in Folkestone A visiting friend of mine recently stood beside me on some of her work and we publish the first below, inspired by a recent wonder why people are looking at us Give me mud, tree stumps and wet where Ann is waiting to take us that Shropshire hill and said 'It makes me realise just how walk along the Royal Military Canal on Romney Marsh in Kent. a bit funny. Martin explains we have grass any day! to Hythe to pick up Martin's car. overcrowded we are in Kent'. My response was 'Kent is walked just over 22 miles, walking Although aching a little, I feel The 30-metre walk from the bus amazing. We have nearly 700km of rights of way available at 2.9 miles per hour. OK. Martin explains he knows to Ann's car proves torturous. Our to us. Many of these pass through woodland and cross By Black Waterside I looked up at the sky and said he has blisters and his ankles are legs have stiffened up having been rolling fields. We have the North Downs and stunning to Martin, "It looks clear to the aching. The paths are wide and in such confined seats on the buses. views across the Channel from our coastal access. In the Clouds lower, doubled in still water. Above, north towards Whitstable. It's mainly straight, the rain keeps away The car is collected and we both get spring our ancient woods are filled with acres of bluebells. Beneath, an iron-clad heron leaves its feeding ground, only another eight miles, why don't although we can still hear thunder to our homes, a hot bath and a cup 'We see glorious changes in the seasons. Many of these Flaps skyward, neck retracted, clanking. Fierce we go for it." Martin rolled his around Canterbury. On the Way, of tea beckoning. wonderful places take us completely off the beaten track. Yellow eyes, yellow beak pierce the predatory wind. eyes, smiled and said "OK, but the there are regular signs telling us how We meet up on the Sunday and If you were blindfolded and taken there you could be battery on my smartphone won't far it is to Whitstable. This proves laugh so much about our adventure, anywhere in the country. Kent has so much to offer its Pattering madly in the mud, its shy white egret last that long, so we don't have all unhelpful as each mile feels like what we experienced in mind and inhabitants. So many of our rights of way bring us peace Cousin searches for a fishy morsel then, hearing us, the statistics." Another blessing I two. I try to keep the conversation body. Gone were the aches and and tranquility. Takes to immaculate wings. How thought. going but Martin is a little pains and all that was left was a They provide us with a wonderful place to take exercise. Such perfection's born of river slime, who knows. So off we went again, through unresponsive. I think he is in a little great day out. It's so good for our wellbeing to be able to escape the rat the busy shopping area of pain. He is more used to running John Grace race. The sad part, too many people are wrapped up in Where water brims, grasses stir, rushes skirr their daily grind to set foot on Kent's delights. They may To the ripple of wind's fingers, to the whisper of wave rings never know what they are missing. Flung wildly: marsh and air and water linked - A path in East Kent on a bright spring day. Photo: Averil Brice Averil Brice As wedded as the bride and bridegroom swans. Briefly Swans! Now silkweed parts, and under a lazy sun Bending to horizontal in stark November light Serpent Trail - A new guide was published by the South Downs National Park in October. It revives Great birds sail, murmur and whistle: stretch pale necks an 'S'-shaped 64-mile route opened in 2005, through the heathlands between Haslemere, Surrey, of Defence providing a new a felled oak might have to Seven Sisters railway have been built over or are like candlefire into the dark, inverted arcs and Petersfield, Hants, by way of Petworth, West Sussex. Copies (£3) are available from the South mile and a half stretch along taken in Tudor times before line in north London is inaccessible so this is more Downs Centre in Midhurst. If ordering by post, send cheque (payable to South Downs National Park Briefly the edge of the Longmoor being used for shipbuilding. described in the third a walk for the enthusiast. Of gothic lancets formed of sedge and reed. Authority) to South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9DH. Shipwrights Way - In east military ranges. The full Details of the route are at pamphlet to be published Copies are available for free Just so ... swans' down blows down, snows down. Hampshire, the missing links route, which also forms www.shipwrights.org.uk. by Haringey Federation of Curls, swirls of feathers rest, nest and turn on brown silt banks. in Haringey libraries or can Ruislip planets - Visitors to Ruislip Lido in west London can now explore the planets of our solar in the 50-mile Shipwrights a part of National Cycle Residents Associations and By black waterside, swans flex white wings like seraphin. system whilst walking around the 60-acre lake. New displays plot the planets in a trail created Way have been completed Route 22, runs from Alice Railway walk - A three- Haringey Friends of Parks be downloaded from www. by Hillingdon Council and the West of London Astronomical Society. At each board a QR code is with a new link path into Holt Forest to Portsmouth, mile walk following the Forum. The line closed haringeyfriendsofparks.org. © Lizzie Ballagher available to scan with mobile devices, which link to the trail's audio guide. More information at Liphook and by the Ministry reflecting on the journey course of the Palace Gates in 1964 and some parts uk/palace_to_railway.php. www.hillingdon.gov.uk/walktheplanets. 10 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 11 Southend Basildon Greenway's Area Walk ssex Area's special walk Millennium Walk 25th anniversary for the Ramblers 'Walk About' festival was held ESSEX ur group celebrated its has been maintained. E on Monday 5 September. The 25th anniversary in June Prior to the group's formation, booklet republished day was warm, still, and just by ending walks with Geoff Forward and his wife or many years South pier) with the wide views across O right for walking. We met at some fizz and cakes. Elizabeth were in the Southend Manningtree station where extras East Essex group sought the Thames estuary, before Also, on 11 June, we helped group (now rebranded as South East Network Rail, not content with to find a good circular cutting through woodland and F out with the Billericay Patient Essex group); the Area Chairman, closing crossings, managed route around Southend-on- across the urban hinterland Participation and Wellbeing Event, knowing that they lived in the to delay the train containing Sea, but it was not until the to the countryside behind the set up by GP practices in the area Basildon area, asked Geoff if he a number of our members West Essex visit the Dolomites late 1990s that the problem town, passing by the old village to promote heath and fitness. Geoff would join the working party set up including the walk leader. was solved. of Rochford as the route returns Forward, supported by several to form the group covering Basildon Fifty members from eight n September, 47 members the range of walks that could be breakfasts were plentiful but At that time I was working to complete the circuit. members, led two walks of about and he has been involved in the groups filed their way out of the of West Essex group flew to undertaken. this did not stop walkers from to find a route from Southend Copies of the booklet, which two and a half miles. Those who group ever since, including serving station and waved goodbye to Preparing to set off from Manningtree station. Photo: Ann McLaren Verona and travelled on to We had three excellent leaders enjoying the indulgencies offered I to Saffron Walden - which has recently been republished, took part enjoyed the walks and as Chairman. It seems that Geoff is our President, Ann McLaren The conversation now changed Perry replied that it sounded La Villa (1,500m) in the Badia provided by the holiday company. at the various mountain lodges became the Saffron Trail - and are available from Dorothy Cosh, were surprised to find open spaces now the only founder member still who was trying to take photos from the world order to ordering fun. He also said: 'I love Essex and count numbers at the same valley. Prior to each evening meal the and village cafes of chocolate I investigated several ways of Publicity Officer for South East and footpaths in Billericay where active in the group, leading walks, pints and sandwiches. After being although I'm almost loath to time. We walked up to the remote This was for seven days of plans for the following day were cake, pancakes and lots of strudel. leaving the town. Subsequently Essex Ramblers, at seeramblers@ they lived but did not know existed! sitting on the committee, compiling watered we continued on the Essex promote visiting it because one of walking in the Dolomites with the explained so each person could It was a trip to remember. Many it occurred to me that by using gmail.com, telephone 01702 and lovely 14th century Lawford Way down to walk alongside the its beauties is that it is so empty'. The event resulted in at least one newsletters and serving as Footpath church and through open fields choice of three walks of varying select which level of walk appealed said it was one of the best group one of the routes from the 206424, price £3. person joining the Ramblers and Officer. Several members who river, through a nature reserve Standing alongside the house, to them. Then on to an enjoyable holidays abroad and may well be a east end of the town, with the David Hitchman and along tarmac paths dropping and up to Wrabness church, looking down towards the estuary levels of difficulty each day. The has since walked with us a number joined in the early years are still down into the older part of dinner with reasonably priced hard act to follow. proposed route of the Saffron South East Essex Group where following the collapse of and across the recently cut fields holiday was with Adagio, the small of times. active and walk regularly, while Manningtree and out to the River house wines flowing in the usual Pat and John Juchau Trail which leaves from the west the tower the bell was placed in a and seeing no movement, it group guided holidays programme The group was formed when the some continue to lead walks. Stour. At the riverside the tide West Essex group manner. The West Essex Ramblers end, it was possible to achieve a cage in the graveyard. That was is possible to understand the offered by Ramblers Walking Area adopted the national policy Most of our members come was out, the birds were enjoying 200 years ago and, it was pointed statement and reflect on our good circular route of about 25 Holidays. of establishing a local group in from the Basildon and Billericay lunch and the many signs asking out, delaying DIY is not a recent county. Stripping blackberry We were fortunate in having miles using public rights of way each district or borough council area, with some from Wickford us not to feed the swans were invention. bushes we found our way to the and a little parkland. mostly ideal conditions for area, mainly to liaise with the local and Rayleigh. We are regarded as obeyed as we walked to our break Returning to the riverside we station and the much quicker With the year 2000 walking with some long sunny authority. Basildon Greenway a friendly group and always make at Mistley Towers. These were saw for the first time the object of journey back to Manningtree. approaching it was decided built as a church by Robert Adam days and clarity of wonderful Group - so called to distinguish it new members welcome. Our most our walk: the house designed and I would like to thank Len to publish the walk as The as the start of a spa for the town. built by Turner Prize-winning Banister for organising and mountain views. The jagged from Basildon Rambling Club, an popular walks take place on Tuesday Ramblers Millennium Walk. independent club which predates mornings, when we usually get large Now only the dreams and towers potter and textile artist Grayson leading the walk and providing limestone peaks never failed to remain though the more successful That year, and for a few years us - covered the area administered numbers out, and our longer walks Perry. This is a building not meant an informative leaflet, Jeff Coe for impress, and particularly the maltings is still operating after to disappear into the landscape, it his support and to everyone who following, our group organised by Basildon District Council. continue to be supported by a loyal snow-topped Marmolada, at 122 years. Crossing the fields and is vibrant and thought-provoking. came and supported the day for it as a challenge walk which Although responsibility for public group of walkers. 3,264m, the highest summit in sampling the woods of Furze Hill, It is an Essex one-off, as is the making it such a success. originally proved very popular, rights of way matters was transferred Here's to the next 25 years! the Dolomites. we arrived at Bradfield for a pub builder. When contacted about Alan Goffee but unfortunately did not from local councils to Essex County Maureen Newman An added bonus to the holiday lunch. the Festival of Walks, Grayson Essex Area Chair survive the loss of the original Council, the pattern of local groups Chairman, Basildon Greenway Group were the included bus and lift organisers. The value of the passes which enabled free travel route is that it takes in much of along the valleys and up and down Southend seafront (including the the mountains. This widened The group near Boe. Photo: Jan Latham Happy 10th birthday for Chiltern Weekend Rail crossing closures – the battle continues BUCKS Walkers n September's South East public to the proposed closures, but the route is transferred to a busy to be upgraded. for walkers, but in nearly half of t seems like only yesterday for the 20s-30s group but wanted Walker I warned that there were very few changes to the road and increased by 880 metres. There is a lack of logic and an the diversions the added length briefs that Chiltern Weekend to continue with its physically and INetwork Rail's plans to close original proposals and no responses Although these last two were very inconsistency in Network Rail's is over 830 metres. At Whipps IWalkers met in the Memorial socially active style. 130 foot crossings in East Anglia to the public disagreement on the much bigger than the rest, no approach. The ALCRM is used Farmers crossing near Upminster, Centre in Gerrards Cross to So 10 years on members met in (with 62 in Essex alone) were a closures. action appears to be proposed to to show unsafe crossings. Two the proposed diversion is at least News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex become a Ramblers group within Maidenhead on a warm July evening real threat not just to walkers but The apparent number of address these concerns. However, crossings got the highest possible 4.7 kilometres, which would add its own right. to celebrate the anniversary with to members of the public and had responses, which counted only letters and emails have not been safety rating. They are to close. an hour to any walk. These are not Group was not doing footpath work. Mick Hill, who chaired the new food, drink, dancing and general national implications. replies to the online and paper included in the count of responses. Others 'considered high risk' are diversions, they are new routes. Peter and Diana In the early 1970s they were part of a small group from committee, led our first walk in mirth. A rolling slide show of the Things have moved on with a questionnaires, was disappointingly Nor have responses from bodies not. In one length of track with Katherine Evans, our Area West London and Wolverton who planned, waymarked Ashridge. That was 10 years ago, best pictures from the group's history second round of meetings with low; the average number of such as district and parish councils, four crossings within 1.3km, three Footpath Secretary, and I met Gulland stand and prepared the North Bucks Way at a time when the in the second half of 2006! It was was screened to prompt some great Network Rail taking place from responses per crossing was seven, which one might expect to have are to close and one to remain open. Ramblers Senior Policy Officer only other named path in Bucks was the Ridgeway. They even longer ago that founders Sean memories. The four Chairpersons Moore, Chris Candy and me, past and present - Mick Hill, Sean 21 September to 1 October. These although there were 38 replies a substantial impact. However, They all have a similar high risk Janet Davis at Central Office went on to write two editions of the Ramblers guide to along with the late Kate Doherty, Moore, Anne Mograby and Sandra open meetings were supposed to where a community is to be cut representatives of Network Rail at rating. The one to remain open on 21 September to discuss our down the North Bucks Way in 1973/4, followed by the footpath met over a home-cooked casserole Rooney - cut the cake and we look respond to the feedback from the in half and 25 responses where the second round of meetings said is to be upgraded. The question is concerns. Janet is drawing up an ong-serving footpath checker Peter Gulland, guides 'On Foot in the Vale of Aylesbury' and 'The Vale in Wendover to discuss how we forward to the next 10 years. they had been read and would be why the others cannot be similarly Advocacy Plan detailing the steps having completed his 2016 path check returns of Aylesbury Walker' which included a detailed guide for might kick off plans to create a new Andrew Zelin taken into account upgraded. needed to campaign against these for the Aylesbury parishes of Haddenham and the Aylesbury Ring, plus two books of walks from their L home village of Haddenham. group for people who were too old Chiltern Weekend Walkers At the second round, the Although the ALCRM is used proposals. She is also working to Kingsey, is retiring from footpath work. Between 1986 and 1992 they organised and often led information sheets provided by for rail services, nothing similar build relationships with people Together with his wife Diana he has been carrying out the Bucks & West Middlesex Area coach rambles on Network Rail for each crossing is offered for roads. The transfer and organisations of similar views, path surveys and maintenance in many North Bucks which, once a month in spring, summer and autumn, contained details of risk assessments of walkers to busy roads, some including county councils, to build parishes since about 1968, starting work with the West they brought ramblers from West London and South under the All Level Crossing Risk without pavements, using single joint positions, fight the closures London Group as the then newly-formed Aylesbury Bucks for a day's walking with the Aylesbury Group in Model (ALCRM). This model track bridges and blind corners, is and confront the methods being North Bucks. takes into account the number of completely ignored. The number used by Network Rail. Legal advice They both served on the Area committee from 1984 trains, sighting time, sun glare, of people killed by cars, compared is being sought on the possibility which Peter chaired from 1988 to 1992 and then served as number of crossing users, and near with trains, is not mentioned of a Judicial Review of Network Group Countryside Secretary from 1996 to 2002 keeping misses. One wonders why this as a safety issue. One of the Rail's proposals, and there is the an eye on planning applications which affected footpaths. information was not provided at the proposed closures was the subject possibility of engaging a consultant Between them their contribution has served footpath first round of consultations. of a discussion between the local to advise on technical issues. maintenance, walking and the Ramblers magnificently Crossing usage was also stated, community and Network Rail This will be a long campaign over decades making them very deserving of our sincere taken on weekdays and weekends. in the last year. Agreement was against an organisation apparently thanks. So as Peter hands back his 'patch' in good order On some crossings there was reached on a solution, but closure set to shut every crossing in the but in his own words 'with mixed feelings' perhaps he minimum usage. These of course is still proposed. When asked why, country sooner or later. The is not quite finished yet as he says that he will still be are to be closed. The largest useage Network Rail replied that it was Ramblers is a campaigning carrying secateurs on their rambles for many years to over a day was 796, or one person not cost effective. As the proposed organisation and we need to show come. We wish Peter and Diana well in any new ventures every two minutes. Unsurprisingly, solution would have removed a 'high this again and defend our walking that they take on. this crossing also had the highest risk' crossing, it is clear safety is not network. Roy Johnson incidence of near misses and the the main driver; saving money is! Alan Goffee It's time to celebrate! Photo: Martin Shewen Peter and Diana at work on a local path. Aylesbury & District Ramblers Photo: Martin Shewen Foot crossings like this are threatened. plan is now not to close it but for it A few extra metres is not an issue Essex Area Chair 12 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 13 Area Annual Who you gonna call? MK Ramblers get around lthough many parishes have footpath the parish council to match 1:1 any funds raised by local n weekends in July, August all three walks. The Saturday walk Island again. I would like to say that Report and Annual checkers, some of whom may be Ramblers people for Donate-a-Gate replacements with a limit of and September, a group of went well, Cardiff Barrage to Barry group members are kind hearted and A members, few have active footpath groups two a year. Omembers walked sections Island, which included the island forgiving. I know because I was that General Meeting that feel they can initiate and oversee improvements We have been working hard all year in Wing and have of the Cross Britain Way from loop. Sunday was a bit embarassing leader. On Sunday we walked from on their patch. completed the gating of the eastern section of the county Nottinghamshire to Shropshire. to start with as the only person Summerhouse Point to Ogmore he Area AGM will be held as we go round. Even though Unfortunately the walk leader was unable to find the meeting place at by Sea. We had a great three days With the demise of the Parish Paths Partnership council-promoted Wing Millennium Circular Walk A Hereford bull kept us out of this Derbyshire field on the Cross Britain Way in August! at 1.45pm on Saturday the upgrade of the Risborough scheme and the county council's 'cuts', parish councils that had fallen into disrepair. Ascott Estate agreed to unable to take part in the first section, Summerhouse Point was the leader. walking with lots of sunshine and no 4 February 2017 in line (as part of the East-West Rail can feel helpless. However, some are beginning to two timber kissing gates, which were donated by CPRE having gone down with flu and When he phoned to say that he rain, which was surprising as many to London, it has become very litter- long distance walks. They also have T shingles. As hotels were booked the was lost the group kindly gave him places throughout the country had strewn, with overflowing bins and lots the Park Room of the Stoke project) has been cancelled we will recognise that there's a new action force that they can Buckinghamshire. Our Ramblers contact in Wing is the unenviable task of having to check walks went ahead with Ian Dunford permission to meet at Barry Island, torrential rain. We have now covered of fly-tipping. Mandeville Community Centre, call upon - namely North Bucks rRIPPLE. now seeking funding for six gates on the west side. By the walks out in advance to ensure also look at proposed stand-alone kindly taking over as leader. You may probably because they thought he 83 miles, so will continue to eat into While all these long distance walks off Eskdale Road (grid reference alternatives agreed with Network We are, therefore, encouraging the formation of this time next year we hope all of the Wing Millennium remember him from the wedding might at least be capable of finding it. the remaining 787 miles with 10 days have been going on a great team of that the paths are walkable. The parish footpath groups, whetreby locals can volunteer Circular Walk will be stile-free. Busy times ahead! SP 835107). Eskdale Road is a Rail as details may be of interest cake in the last issue. The end of the walk caused even more over Easter next year. walk leaders has been getting on with work that goes into these walks often turning off Station Road and to be responsible for negotiating improvements and Bill Piers because the company is committed Over the August bank holiday embarrasment for the leader because On the Lea Valley Walk we have what the group is all about, local goes unnoticed and unrecognised. is readily accessible by bus and to eventually removing all at- repairs with local landowners and then, with the county North Bucks rRIPPLE Group we continued walking the Wales the walk was three miles short of the completed the first four sections and walks. These unsung heroes walk Ian Andrews train (as for the pre-AGM walk, grade crossing points here and council's endorsement of the agreed changes, we will Coast Path. This time we stayed at predicted distance, the reason being have reached Lea Bridge. It has been week in and week out, often with far carry out the work. below). everywhere else. Bridgend, which was fairly central for that he had included the loop of Barry a very nice walk, but as we got nearer greater numbers than take part in our Milton Keynes Ramblers We are working closely with Wing Parish Council, have There is a car park, which may The school is a few minutes met with the Chairs of Mentmore and Great Horwood, also be in use by others if there walk west along Station Road from and have locals actively promoting us in Brill and he annual general meeting of Kent is an event in the main hall of Stoke Mandeville station and is Area will be held at Kemsing village the Centre. Access to the Park Dinton. Our Donate-a-Gate scheme is being promoted Area served by bus routes 300 (High using our A4 flyer titled 'Got a horrible stile in your Thall on Saturday 4 February, 10am Room is via a path to the right of Wycombe to Aylesbury) close by parish? Why not change it for a gate?' downloadable for a 10.30am start. The meeting will be the main entrance. The room is and 50 (Aylesbury to Wendover/ KENT AGM hosted by Sevenoaks group. from the Donate-a-Gate tab on the Area's website. booked from 1.00pm and will be Halton) along the Wendover Road If a parish council is prepared to sponsor one gate, then available for anybody attending supported Kent Area Secretary, at the other end of Station Road. If the county council may well consider sponsoring a second the morning walk to eat packed Robert Peel, who provided the coming by car please do not park - both of which we would install. One parish council UXB drama lunches. If you require further tent and Ramblers' merchandise at the Community Centre which Chair has checked and determined that the council has calling here was unexpected information about the meeting to hand out, including copies of may be in use by others during the the power to repair and maintain public footpaths and drama close to the place please contact me. One of two gates installed by the group on the Ascott Estate South East Walker. morning. We hope parking will bridleways in the council's area (Highways Act 1980, ss in Wing thanks to a donation from CPRE Buckinghamshire. Ramblers tent at this After the formal business T Nigel said: 'Our stalwart team be available around The Green 43, 50). In that particular parish the proposal will be for Photo: Bill Piers year's East Kent Ploughing there will be an opportunity for of White Cliffs volunteers engaged but, should there be an event at Match held at Nonington questions and discussion. This is with many interested visitors who the school, Roy will be on hand to Annual meeting of on 28 September, when an passed our stall, and we distributed your chance to make your views suggest alternatives. unexploded World War II bomb more than a hundred current walks known on how Ramblers operates, was unearthed by one of the Copies of the Annual Report Hillingdon Ramblers programmes and invited people whether locally or nationally. ploughs. will be available at the meeting footpath volunteers to join us. As always this was a At 11.30am, security staff asked Please come along and exercise very busy event, with corporate or, from early January, on request us to evacuate the area after the your democratic rights. Following walk the Essex Way round 50 volunteers met way to address safety issues. Graham to fix. A big issue lately has been tents focussed on farming needs from me, either as a PDF file (with discovery. Everyone at that end a break, with light refreshments alk leader Liz Lloyd members to enter a raffle, the prize home to lace making, and stopped in Lenham Community stressed that policy is to give early the damage done to Byways Open as well as craft and produce stalls. 'Annual Report' as the subject) or of the field moved back a safe available, there will be a stood, crib sheet for which is a tour of the house for to look around Cressing Temple A Hall on 15 October for a consideration to applications for to All Traffic by four wheel drive The main attractiuon, of course, in print (requests, accompanied by day discussing footpath matters. closure. A contentious proposal to distance as a bomb disposal unit presentation on the Restoring the in hand, ready 10 people. We are keeping our Barns near Braintree, the earliest vehicles. While the debate on the was the ploughing competition, a stamped addressed envelope of W All sessions were led by staff from close a crossing just south of Otford question of whether the damage is from Ashford, helped by police, Record project to claim rights of to explain the history and fingers crossed... English settlement of the Knights which is always dominated suitable size for an A5 booklet), to Kent County Council's public station is currently being considered the consequence of unreasonable use made the device safe. way not currently on the definitive architectural significance of Liz, who has a beach house Templar. Paycocke House in (photographically at least) by the rights of way team. and if an order is made the matter or inadequate maintenance rumbles Nigel Cussans, Membership map before the 2026 deadline. 4 Park Farm Way, Lane End, High Grayson Perry's Dream House nearby, is very familiar with the Coggeshall is a 16th century half heavy horses with manual ploughs Averil Brice, Kent Ramblers' is likely to be considered at a public on, the fact that dealing with the Secretary of White Cliffs Ramblers Wycombe, Buckinghamshire at Wrabness. Known as the Taj 61-mile Essex Way and was able timbered house with very attractive and the pair of traction engines This will be led by Jonathan Clark volunteer Public Rights of Way inquiry. The decision is likely to problems is a huge drain on the said; 'There was a dull thud as the HP14 3EG. An abbreviated Mahal on the River Stour, the to show us the highlights of the gardens and the well-stocked tea of Buckinghamshire County Manager, welcomed everyone provide guidance about the relative county council's limited budget is bomb succumbed to its belated which work together.' version of the report, excluding house was built as a shrine to walk, including Greensted's Saxon room was welcome. Council and Ross Osborn, who and praised the good work Kent's weight to be given to safety and undeniable. Another problem came fate. We then returned to the The Ramblers team comprised contact details, will be published a fictional Essex woman called church, Willingale with its two is coordinating the project in The walk was broken down into volunteers are doing in protecting other considerations for application to light when a concrete footbridge business of the day and thoroughly Nigel, Pauline Pidduck, Robert Buckinghamshire. on the Area website, http://www. Julie and was designed to explore churches in one churchyard and 10 sections, two or three weeks rights of way, both by scrutinising in other cases. spontaneously collapsed due to enjoyed the occasion and the good Peel, Margaret Lubbock, Averil Before the meeting there will bucks-wmiddx-ramblers.org.uk. the special character and unique Great Leighs which has one of apart and Liz's meticulous research proposed network changes and The lunch break was a great corrosion of the reinforcing rods - weather. Brice, Ruth Tucker, Lorna be a walk led by Roy Johnson Notice of any formal motions qualities of the county. the six Essex churches with round into train and bus times enabled us through the many maintenance opportunity for people to catch up many bridges of similar design have This was the 72nd East Kent Copland, Len Jeavons and Steve The house can be rented for towers. We visited the 'Lace Brice. Nigel added: 'Please join us (telephone 01296 486350 or email to be proposed at the AGM to travel in seamless style without teams that were now dealing with a on rights of way activity across Kent, had to be closed as a precaution Ploughing Match and held on the holidays and Liz persuaded group Cottages' at Great Waltham, once farmland of Mr and Mrs Solley next year if you can.' pathsec.aylesburyramblers@gmail. should reach me no later than one undue travel delays. The highlight variety of path problems including to buy some books and to enjoy the pending replacement which is time- and family. As in previous years, Graham Smith com) starting at 10am. We meet week before the meeting, ie by of the walk for many of us was the overgrown vegetation. She noted excellent fare provided by a team of consuming and expensive. Reports view as we emerged from a wooded that the title of Parish Path Warden volunteers. of paths blocked by crops are members of White Cliffs Ramblers White Cliffs Ramblers at The Green in front of Stoke Saturday 28 January. We still have area onto high ground and saw the was being replaced by Parish After lunch David Munn, the numerous but any individual report Mandeville Combined School a number of vacancies for Area waters of the River Stour glinting in Footpath Observer to reflect more county council's rights of way is unlikely to lead to immediate (grid reference SP 833104). The officers, including for the Area the autumn sunshine surrounded meaningfully the nature of the job. manager for West Kent, gave a talk action - instead Graham's team use walk of about 5.5 miles including Secretary; any offers of help, or by open fields with golden bales of In the first session Graham on the Ordnance Survey map. He the reports to build up a pattern return to the meeting room, is over enquiries about what is involved, straw standing in neat lines. We Rusling, Kent County Council's quickly dismissed the Landranger to identify particularly errant flat farmland paths with a mostly are welcome. did indeed 'explore the special Public Rights of Way and Access maps as inadequate for walkers landowners for targetting. It is reasonable surface and includes John Esslemont character and unique qualities of Manager, described the challenges and focussed on the Explorer therefore important that lack of an Acting Area Secretary of ensuring that matters relating to maps. While there probably isn't immediate response does not deter 17 stiles. The walk highlights a Essex' to quote Grayson Perry. rights of way are properly addressed much that the assembled audience walkers from making reports in section of the HS2 route and its email: johnandjean@ Elise Harvey when planning applications are collectively didn't know about future. Indeed, Graham welcomes construction and the effects on the thamesinternet.com The group near Julie's house at Wrabness. Photo: Elise Harvey Hillindon Ramblers considered. To secure the best maps, footpath workers always enjoy all reports of faults because these are local path network will be discussed telephone: 01494 881597 Getting on with the business of the day at the Ramblers stand. Photo: Nigel Cussans outcome for walkers it is important talking about maps and showing off essential for building up a picture of ur group has a long however, as there appeared to be and find traces of earlier mining, to have the right input at as early a their knowledge as they did during what needs doing and for prioritising tradition of holidaying no clear path, but we were happy and at Willersley Castle we were stage as possible in the process. this highly interactive session. those faults that are inconveniencing Coast guide delivered West London away together, and in 2016 we to retire to a pleasant tearoom in actually staying at the mansion The second session, dealing In the final session Graham most people. O with rail crossings, was also led by Rusling explained the huge There was no time for the planned any thanks to the £5 including postage you can buy visited both the Mendips and the Shepton Mallet. I discovered from a Arkwright had built, although he Graham. As is widely known within challenges facing his team. He open forum but the day had certainly Peak District. local tourist office that we were not never lived in it himself. It is now 130 or so readers who the new guide (normal price £7.50) the Ramblers, Network Rail is keen quoted frightening figures about the been a full and lively one. In June a small group of us made the first to be thwarted by problems an excellent centre for exploring this Mordered a copy of Kent with a free copy of Ten Favourite to close a large number of crossings number of faults reported compared Robert Peel Area's guide to the section of Walks in the Kent Countryside. If our way to the beautiful city of Wells, on the East Mendip Way. part of the Peak District and our of railway lines by public rights of with those he has the resources Secretary, Kent Area the England Coast Path from you missed out last time but would where we stayed in comfortable In September, a party of 20 was varied walks were blessed by warm Camber to Ramsgate following still like a copy then please send a guest houses, from which we made welcome at the Christian sunshine and puncutated by tea the offer in the last issue of cheque payable to Kent Ramblers explored the city, its restaurants Guild's Willersley Castle Hotel and cake in a series of welcoming South East Walker. to 15 Woodland Way, Petts Wood, and magnificent cathedral and in Cromford. Two expert leaders, cafes. We looked around Matlock I do apologise for keeping some Orpington, Kent, BR5 1NB or walked out in all directions. Heavy arranged by the hotel, took us on a and Bakewell, and on our 'rest day' buyers waiting for their copies. to pay by direct transfer into our rainfall earlier in the year had series of well-planned walks which some took the opportunity to visit This was due to problems with bank account (which we prefer) made the paths, fields and hedges covered fields, woods, uplands, nearby stately homes. This is such the printers - after many missed email us at books@kentramblers. rather overgrown, but we had some canals, lakes and rivers. The area a good walking area that I feel we deadlines we had to abandon one org.uk. Be sure to mention South fun helping each other over stiles is part of the Derwent Valley Mills could spend at least another week firm and engage another. All orders East Walker if you want the special that had all but disappeared from World Heritage Site, important in there and cover quite different have now been fulfilled and I am price. view. Finding our way back from the development of the Industrial ground. happy to extend the offer until 31 Robert Peel Graham Rusling addresses the meeting. Photo: Robert Peel December 2016. For the price of Secretary, Kent Area Group members on the Heights of Abraham above Matlock. Shepton Mallet to Wells along the Revolution. We were able to visit Margaret Lydamore Photo: Margaret Lydamore East Mendip Way proved too much, Richard Arkwright's cotton mill West London Group 14 South East Walker December 2016 South East Walker December 2016 15 Making walking fun Thames Path e are lucky to have of our shorter more local walks. INNER LONDON BERKSHIRE a number of walk The good weather and the fact that leaders who look the walk had good public transport in London Wout for something interesting access certainly aided this walk's or quirky that may catch the popularity. tella Stocker comments debate in the House of Commons imagination of our members. In recent times we have had insights (SEW September 2016) in September. And we have been bites Our leader Sam had spotted that walks around the village of Sthat the Thames Path keeping up the pressure on the Cow Parade, a public art event Sonning to view their bi-annual isn't continuous through government, the Mayor of London displaying brightly coloured and scarecrow competition and last year central London, and has been and Lambeth Council. decorated life-size cows dotted we marked the 800th anniversary compromised in recent years. Contrary to the assertion, the around neighbouring Surrey, of the signing of Magna Carta with would be worth incorporating into a walk beside the Thames as the We remain wary, especially developments along the Thames Group focus: Loddon Valley Ramblers a walk. The event captured the flotilla of boats passed by. of further developments that and the Thames Path at Battersea group's imagination and we had an Dan Harris may interrupt or block existing will open access through the impressive turnout of 25, a figure Membership Secretary, Berkshire Hammersmith Fulham footpaths inside and outside the complex, nearer to the river bank, visit Ellan Vannin we would associate more with one Walkers (20s-30s) Group old London County Council area that hasn't been possible for many e were an excited and culminating in a long coastal path a coach trip around the island was and recognised as public rights of years. And at Convoys Wharf bright-eyed group of walk, with splendid views over the scheduled with the benefit of a local & Wandsworth way and the Thames Path is no in Deptford, that development - W 29 when we assembled Irish Sea to the Mountains of Mourne, guide. Highlights included a visit to exception. whatever its other faults - will see at Gatwick on 19 June to fly to ending with a descent into the port Castletown, a former capital of the hroughout our 25 years of Having said that, it has been as a new routes closer to the river bank, Douglas. Two or three hours later, of Peel, where we repaired to tea island and Castle Rushen. We also walking we have always result of planning agreements with for the first time since Tudor or we were somewhat less bright-eyed rooms, ice cream parlours or the pub, visited Niarbyl for lunch, a beautiful been keen to offer as developers over many years that Stuart times. And we know of and excited, as our flight had been according to choice. The elite group west coast promontory where we T has opened up the river - however other areas where improvements cancelled and easyJet did not seem took a different route, an impressive could again see the Mountains of much as possible to those who well equipped to deal with the 12 miles with 550m of ascent. join us, whether they are new to imperfect and however many are likely to be made, or in train, Mourne. In the afternoon we visited opportunities may have been lost by around the Thames Barrier. Work consequences. Tuesday offered the challenge of the motorcycle museum and the walking, long timers, just able to We were eventually bundled into either climbing the island's highest for example the London Docklands continues by other groups and Laxey Wheel. join us for a limited period, and taxis to transfer to Bristol where we peak, Snaefell, 621m, or ascending by Development Corporation - to us Areas and the Ramblers Greater Thursday saw us boarding a steam of whatever age or background. just made the 5pm flight. However, tram. Two groups formed according to train to Port St Mary followed by a At the Cow Parade that had never been free for use London Forum, to open up more of In my personal experience our all was well, and we arrived at our preference, and from the summit both coastal walk to St Erin, via the historic since time immemorial. In 2015 the north bank, and complete the walks have always been friendly hotel just before 8pm, and just in time followed the same route, dropping village of Cregneash. We were told and sociable, and that is so swift action meant that the access connection between the source and for an excellent dinner. down to cross the TT course, and that the views were magnificent, but 30th anniversary tea party important - otherwise I would not at Limehouse Marina, run by a the sea. On Monday, we met our leaders, ascending again to Crag Ouyr, and they were more than a little impaired outh East Berks group the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show. We have continued to come back for subsidary of the Canal & River A big part of our efforts went into Geoff and Joan, who led us on a from there following a glorious ridge by the sea mist which hung around celebrated its 30th anniversary also had the chance to watch some more, since 1997 when I joined Trust, was not limited at night. We helping devise and run the Love nine-mile walk with 500m of height walk to the summit of North Barrule. until the afternoon. That day we in August with a tea party at real tennis being played on a recently gain. We started at the Tynwald Hill, The descent from there was very steep S the Ramblers. One of our newer cannot relax, as residents in some of London, Walk London campaign, walked 8.5 miles/430m and the elite Eagle House School in Crowthorne. completed court. The weather was which plays host to an open meeting and the way unmarked. When we members told me that joining us these riverside apartment buildings designed initially to target the group 12.5 miles/670m. Douglas Buchanan, who used kind to us and upon our return we sat seek to reduce or stop access to candidates for London Mayor and of the parliament once a year, in a finally got to Ramsey, we had climbed We were all enormously impressed to teach at the school, led a three- down to a lovely tea with a celebration was the best thing he had done in ceremony going back to the Viking 900m over 11.5 miles or 300m over walkways through their properties, Assembly to support key demands by and grateful to our leaders who mile walk through the Wellington cake to mark our 30 years as a group. years, and that is so encouraging. settlers. After an interesting talk, we seven miles according to group. and we need every help we can get to raise the profile of walkers and looked after us really well. Our hotel, College estate where we were given the Brian Poulton Our walks include all those set off from St John's on a fine walk, Wednesday was a free day and opportunity to visit the show garden to monitor these local planning increase resources to invest in the the Ellan Vannin (the old Manx South East Berks Ramblers favourite and ever-popular places entitled 'Living Legacy', first seen at applications, and then fight to existing network of walking routes name for the Isle of Man we learned) such as the Chilterns, South and Group members enjoyed another city break, this time in Rochester, on 24 September. oppose and frustrate them. and to improve and expand it (see in Douglas, had a superb seafront North Downs, sections of long The walk, led by Jo Buchanan, started along the Medway before visiting the Norman location, served terrific food and had We are actively opposing the the Love London, Walk London distance paths such as the London castle, cathedral and the Six Poor Travellers' House in the High Street, where travellers the fastest wifi I have experienced in had to satisfy the city authorities they were of their good standing. The reward was Loop and Capital Ring, London- Garden Bridge that will seriously update on page 1).. any hotel! a room with a fire and a hearty breakfast - quite a luxury in those days! - George injure the Thames Path - in terms Whilst the redevelopment at based walks both long and short, Fletcher. Photo: Nigel Davies We were provided with 'go not forgetting our own Thames of views as well as the walkway - Tideway Village at Nine Elms will anywhere' bus passes which proved Path. We run walks with a theme, to time. for a chat and to catch up with and supporting the Thames Open affect the moorings and houseboats, extremely valuable with services both for example spies, flowers or There have been many popular each other over a meal and a drink. Spaces Campaign against this the Thames Path is not, as far as we frequent and reliable. Only three of architecture, and a spooks/ghost- weeks and weekends away to places Maria Jones has also organised fantasy magalith. Our support are aware, directly affected. the 29 of us had visited the Isle of themed one at Halloween, albeit such as Chichester, Lymington, social events including visits to art was quoted by Kate Hoey, MP Dominic Pinto Man before. We were all very pleased to have discovered it. At the start of the anniversary walk. Photo: Jeff Lawrence in daylight hours. We sometimes Steyning, Salisbury, Brighton, Isle galleries and meals out, all of which for Vauxhall, in the adjournment Vice Chair, Inner London Area Pat Perridge highlight historic associations, of Wight, the Jurassic coast, Nice have been much appreciated. At the summit of Snaefell. Photo: David Turner Loddon Valley Ramblers and have included visits to castles and the French Riviera. These All this has been happening since Planning for later life and houses. There have even been have been ably planned and led by those early days and it's difficult memorable and we also have lots 'dark walks' on the South Downs, Elizabeth Parsons, Jo Buchanan sometimes to believe that it's now of photographs to remind us of outh East Berkshire led by Lorraine Gray, and the late and Cecily Campbell Smith among 25 years. We will continue to Austrian break the spectacle. group was represented at much-missed Joe Merriman led others, for which grateful thanks. work together towards our next To echo Chairman David a Planning for Later Life eventeen members of East with impressive panoramas and S a most inspiring full moon walk. Then there have been city visits to anniversary, but no group can afford Bailey's words when he thanked event in October, organised by Berks Ramblers arrived in views of the Untertal valley. our guides at the end of the trip, the local Age Concern group. Joe was one of the first leaders I Oxford, Ely, Rochester and others, to be complacent about the need for Schladming, Austria, on 2 Another day we went to 'Wild met and he led an annual French- to sample the best that these places new people, especially leaders, and S this was the best overseas walking Our stand proved popular with July for a week's walking in the Wasser' where we walked the visitors who were attracted by an only conversation walk, which I offer with, of course, a walk. These I hope that anyone reading this will holiday the group have had. We area around the Alpine resort Alpine Trail through Hell's Gorge all had a wonderful time and came autumnal floral arrangement and found a bit alarming; Joe would are more like a traditional day out. give us a try. that hosted the 2013 Alpine and across a 50m-long suspension home feeling refreshed with smiles panels featuring photos from some add pithy comments to walk We visit local pubs for evening Thank you everyone who keeps World Ski Championships. bridge at a dizzying height over on our faces. The only problem of our walks over the years. Our outlines, such as 'we might not get socials most months and Yuko us out and about walking in We stayed at the family-run the ravine. The trail led us to the now is where to next? group Health Walks have been back tonight' or 'we could end up Uchida is providing a good lead whatever weather. Hotel Mitterhofer, close to the Great Riesach waterfall, which Rosemary Davies enthusiastically supported by Dr anywhere, and expect to get lost'. here, it seems we are becoming very Rose Harley town centre, and were very well pounds down through a cleft in East Berks Ramblers Martin Kittel, Chairman of the local placed for wonderful walks in the rocks and drops 140m (460 We also lead and assist the sight- proficient in knowing what's out Chair, Hammersmith Fulham & Currently the Thames Path diverts from the riverside around Convoys Wharf in Clinical Commissioning Group. the surrounding mountains. feet) over two steps. We were Chairman Shirley Poulton with disabled in their walks from time there. It's a chance to get together Wandsworth Group Deptford. Brian Poulton One morning, instead of having fortunate that there had been a Dr Martin Kittel. Photo: Brian Poulton South East Berks Ramblers breakfast in the hotel, we were heavy thunderstorm during the invited to the Walcher family night and so the force of the water with the Routemaster' and 'The will be able to attend the AGM to chalet in Ursprungalm where made it very dramatic. Longplayer'. He has appeared at elect our committee for the next 'Heidi' was filmed in 1988. On our 'free' day there were lots No more wet feet a variety of festivals including End year, elect our representatives to Mattheus cooked a delicious of things to do. Some members ur group funded the Area AGM of the Road, Latitude and Green General Council 2017 and hear breakfast and entertained us on visited the sights of Saltzburg, materials needed for a Man. With Bob Stanley from pop/ what the Area has achieved in the the accordion before we set off on some went to Berchtesgaden, new footbridge installed he Inner London Area People's Institution;, which came O dance group Saint Etienne he co- last year. our walk to the lakes! others took a cable car to the in May by Bracknell Rangers, Annual General Meeting out in June. 'A Walk in the Park' Each day we had the choice of a summit of Dachstein. It was fun with help from Bracknell wrote the script for How We Used The meeting will be preceded will be held on Saturday formed the basis of a lengthy article long or short walk led by Andrea to listen to everyone's experiences Conservation Volunteers. T to Live, a BFI archive film directed by one or more walks arriving at and Heidi or Jurgen from the over dinner that evening! It replaced one which was, to 4 February from 2pm - 5pm at in The Guardian when it was by Paul Kelly, which premiered at the venue in good time for the 'A Team' who were superb and On our last walking day we put it mildly, deteriorating. The Bloomsbury Baptist Church, published and featured on Radio the 2013 London Film Festival. meeting. Full details of these walks helped contribute to the success visited Spiegelsee, or Mirror new crossing will enable walkers to 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, 4's Four Thought in September. He will be showing a 15-minute will be on the Area website www. of the holiday. The walks they Lake, which must be the most cross a ditch on Binfield Footpath London WC2H 8EP. Travis Elborough is a cultural film about London parks which he innerlondonramblers.org.uk nearer created were all quite different. photographed lake in Austria. 2 (which links Ryehurst Lane with One day we took the cable car up We were lucky to have a sunny Bottle Lane - grid ref SU 858726) Guest speaker will be Travis commentator and journalist made with Paul Kelly. the time. to Planai mountain and walked day with splendid views of without getting their feet wet. Elborough, author of 'A Walk in whose other books include 'The We hope as many members of Clare Wadd The first peak of the day. Author Travis Elborough will be to the summit of Krahbergzinken the Dachstein range - all very Photo: Andrea Sulzer Brian Poulton The newly installed footbridge and gate. the Park: the Life and Times of a Bus we Loved: London's Affair our Area and groups as possible Inner London Area Publicity officer the guest speaker South East Berks Ramblers Photo: Rob Solomon 16 South East Walker December 2016 Continued from page 1 Looking back over Diary Dates Until Saturday 17 December: and memories from the National Trust's Aylesbury Ramblers Mapping Victorian Lives village of West Wycombe. Features Charles Booth's maps which used Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe colours to detail street-by-street levels of www.wycombe.gov.uk/museum, 50 years wealth and poverty. 01494 957210 LSE Library, 10 Portugal Street, London WC2 ylesbury group which celebrated funds and health and safety concerns. www.lse.uk/library/exhibitions Saturday 14 January - Saturday 29 April its 50th anniversary in October, In 2000 the Round Aylesbury Walk, a 2017: officially came into being on 1 shorter 12-mile route, was launched after Until Sunday 5 February 2017: James Pulham and Son A Landscape Photographer of the Year Exhibition exploring the history of one of October 1966 by founder members Ray current member Mike Roe approached The winning entries from this year's and Jennifer Knowles and Jennifer's father Aylesbury Vale District Council and got some the most important landscape designers of competition go on show. Bill Pike. money towards waymarks and signposts. the Victorian and Edwardian era.. Extra Waterloo Station, London SE1 Current member Diane Bonwitt was the By 2011 the group launched its website. events on Saturday 11 February include first Secretary, followed by Ray Knowles, Following a trial 'Members Tips and guided tours of the restored Pulham factory Until Wednesday 1 March 2017: site. then Clive Bostle in 1988. Others followed, Queries Corner', Maurice Crump created Maps and the 20th Century - Drawing the Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon, Herts including Graham Seymour, Jim Cornwell our excellent and successful website. Our Line EN11 8BH and Jim Robinson. Jim also chaired the webmaster is now Stephen Putman. An exhibition of extraordinary maps and the www.broxbourne.gov.uk/lowewoodmuseum, group, followed by Oliver Statham, then Dan In July 2011 Roy Johnson, current Footpath role they played, from the original sketch for 01992 445596 Sullivan until passing to John Docherty last & Countryside Secretary, carried out a full the London Underground map to satellite year. survey and tidy-up of the 32-mile Aylesbury imagery of the 1990s. Admission charge. Saturday 28 January - Sunday 23 April The old Ramblers slogan 'Working for Ring and identified another circular route. British Library, London NW1 2017: Walkers' typified the ethos of the group This utilised the higher ground and was the www.bl.uk/whats-on, 01937 546060. Sussex Modernism: Retreat and Rebellion from the outset. They met the aims of this basis of the Outer Aylesbury Ring, a 54- Exhibition examining why radical artists Until Sunday 10 September 2017: simple and excellent summation of what mile route comprising 14 sections of walks. and writers were drawn to the rolling hills, Wildlife Photographer of the Year the Ramblers is all about. They organised The project involved the efforts of 80 group seaside resorts and villages of Sussex in One hundred winning images (from 50,000 programmes of walks, path maintenance, volunteers, a magnificent effort. The route, the first half of the 20th century, often entries) of wildlife around the world. installing bridges, steps, stiles and clearing now waymarked and with guides and maps, challenging the idea of the county as an Admission charge. overgrowth. These were grim times for was launched on 18 May 2013. idyllic escape. Natural History Museum, London SW7 footpaths in North Bucks, referred to then In May 2014, building on the willingness www.nhm.ac.uk, 020 7942 5000. Two Temple Place, London WC2 as 'bandit country', where work was vital to of our volunteers and to counter the cuts in www.twotempleplace.org, 020 7836 3715. keep paths open. funding by the county council, path check Saturday 17 December - Sunday 8 January: Frank Ridgeway, a Parish Footpath and maintenance walks were launched by Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks Saturday 8 April 2017: Secretary, and our Footpath Secretary Roy Johnson. Over 20 people participate Returning again, our annual festival of walks Map and Compass Awareness Course Ed Kendrick, carried out this work from with path maintenance with an average and an opportunity to get more people North West Kent Group is holding another the 1970s. This work is also remembered turnout of 10 members twice a month, doing walking with us. course for those wishing to improve their by former Chairman and current Parish simple repairs, Additionally, 25 path checkers skills. It will be held at the Grasshopper on Footpath Checker, Robin Carr. cover 55 of the 111 parishes in the district Monday 19 December - Tuesday 28 the Green, Westerham, starting 10am. Cost In the early 1980s the Aylesbury Ring route council area. Following up on this work, in February 2017: £3 (lunch extra). To register, please contact was identified by Ray Knowles and John 2015 Bill Piers started a group replacing stiles Tales from the Village Chris Baker on 01322 341722 or chrisw. Maples, and in 1989 a detailed route was with gates and carrying out repairs as directed An exhibition featuring photographs, objects [email protected] by Friday 31 March. published in the Vale of Aylesbury Walker. by the county council, and is establishing a This was a Ramblers publication written by 'Donate a Gate' scheme for North Bucks. current members Peter and Diana Gulland. The group now has around 300 members In the 1990s the group continued with and organises about 130 walks a year ranging their walks and maintenance activities, in from four to 14 miles. conjunction with the county council's rights For more information on the group Getting there of way department under Mike Walker. The contact Stephen O'Shea at secretary. work continued, then faded before completely [email protected] or visit www. stopping in 2000 because of a shortage of aylesbury-ramblers.com. All the region’s transport news

This new free guide breaks the South Downs Way national trail into 12 accessible stages all of which start and end with a bus stop or railway station. Andy Gattiker, who manages the trail, said: "Sometimes people think they need at least two cars to break the South Downs Way in to sections, but in reality you don't need any. This guide proves that with a little bit of planning, bus and train are a great option for a linear walk." Bus users can take advantage of the Discovery Ticket which gives unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and the south of Bill Piers, leader of the North Bucks footpath England for £8.50 adult (family and child tickets work group rRIPPLE, stands by the gate also available). donated by Aylesbury Ramblers. The plaque The guide is available from local tourist The 50th anniversary cake was cut by Peter Spinks, reads: 'Gate donated by Aylesbury Ramblers Group Publicity Officer. Photo: Stephen O'Shea celebrating 50 years of walking in 2016'. information centres or from publications@ southdowns.gov.uk or 01730 814810, and can be downloaded from www.southdowns.gov.uk/ publications.

Chiltern Railways project to create Christmas closures will mean a second London Marylebone to Oxford that trains will start and finish at Ealing route reaches completion in December Broadway instead of Paddington from 24 when the service between Oxford - 29 December. Trains services between Parkway and Oxford opens. Liverpool Street and Ingatestone Billericay will also be disrupted between Boxing Day trains will run on 24 December - 2 January. the London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway route, calling at Gerrards Cross, Carousel Buses is running a limited Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Princes Sunday service on Route 40 from High Risborough, Haddenham & Thame Wycome bus station to West Wycombe The anniversary celebration organisers Stephen O'Shea (Secretary), Peter Spinks (Publicity Officer), Parkway and Bicester Village. and Stokenchurch. Mary Lunnon and Bob Turner (Treasurer). Photo: Roy Johnson