Ramblers Volunteers at the heart walkNews and information from the Isle of WightALK of all Issue 129 Area and Groups we do Autumn 2016

If only There’s always room for more... ISLE OF WIGHT Ramblers has had some we could control success increasing our volunteer pool this year, thanks in large part to the work of our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jacky Carter. You may be surprised at the numbers: the we currently have 116 volunteers carrying out 171 different roles. One area in which this growth in volunteering has had a marked effect weather... is in the increase in the numbers of new walks leaders – which of course translates into a bigger and more ALSO varied walks programme, including the IN THIS ISSUE sunset walks described below. • Coastal Trail: the journey begins • Ruby wedding surprise But there is still much work to do to • Walking with your dog ensure that we have a bright future – • The Island’s Gift to Nature there’s always room for more! • Only connect • Walk of the world Volunteers are involved in a very wide • Secrets of Northwood House range of tasks, and you can commit as • Victorian walks much or as little time as you wish. • Autumn walks programme If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Jacky on 506077.

WE ARE OFTEN asked to organise walks have been successful in recruiting more sunset itself, the sky magically turned to a of shorter or longer distances on specific volunteer walk leaders, so there should crimson colour. days of the week and sometimes in the now be more choice. Our last programme evening. had some 127 walks and events in the Sadly, the walk in June was spoiled by four-month programme. poor weather with rain at Bay for Well, we do our best to try to meet the 7pm start. Understandably, no one everyone’s expectations. Many of our Two sunset walks, led by David Howarth arrived for the start of the walk, but by members are retired and can make in the West Wight, took place in May and 8pm, the sun was shining with excellent most times, but we are very aware that June. Three people joined the first walk views across The Solent. there are members working and unable which went from Freshwater towards the to join us during the week. Recently we Needles. It was a glorious evening and, at Now, if we could only control the weather... Welcome... Ramble up the Hamble Up-coming Ramblers’ holidays Chitty’s chug ... to walkTALK, the newsletter from Paphos, Cyprus overland to Oz This autumn holiday will be based in the eastern Mediterranean during October/ the Isle of Wight Ramblers. If you’re TWENTY FIVE MEMBERS enjoyed November, 2017. new to walking, or if you’ve not seen a social event last March when Nick Enquiries have been made for a 14-night holiday to the island of Cyprus, staying walkTALK before, why not join us? Pointing (pictured), owner of Chitty, at the four-star Athena Beach Hotel, on a half-board basis. Flights and transfers Benefits include: the car that he built and then spent are included. This beachfront five months driving to Australia, gave •280 led walks on the Island each hotel is within walking a talk about his adventure. (See year; distance of the picturesque WalkTALK, winter 2015 edition). •a variety of social events; harbour and archaeological sites. It is child-free and is Nick’s wife was a keen fan of the film •walking holidays and day trips; popular with bowlers, walkers Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and an idea •national Walk magazine and and golfers. The hotel boasts to build the car grew and became a walkTALK; three fresh water swimming reality, and the adventure started. •discounts from leading outdoor pools (right), indoor pool The car’s chassis was from an old suppliers (eg Cotswold; Blacks) and and jacuzzis, tennis courts Land Rover, which needed major Ramblers Worldwide Holidays; and bowling green facilities, maintenance to make it roadworthy, plus an Elixir Spa, gym and •support for an organisation and at considerable cost the car hairdressing salon. campaigning for greater access to the was fitted with racking and a roof. countryside. Paphos is a small, Disaster struck on the way to the Joining us couldn’t be easier. Just go to picturesque town situated on ferry port but the AA gave much- www.iowramblers.com and click on the the west coast. It is steeped in history and is included in UNESCO’s list of World needed help and support. A DAY IN mid-June saw a group of ramblers joining the Jennie M ferry at Cultural Heritage sites. The Paphos area has charming villages in its mountains, membership link. The journey through Europe, Iran, Trinity Wharf, for a journey to Warsash on the eastern side of the River with centuries-old monasteries nestling in them. Prices – which includes an Afghanistan and Malaysia brought Hamble. itinerary with two-three days walking per week – will be available shortly. administrative challenges. Eventually A three-mile riverside walk led to the Brickworks Museum heritage centre at Somerset... in Llandudno Nick and his wife made it to Australia Bursledon where two guides showed us both the handmade bricks and the This spring break will be based in and crossed the Outback to join 546 development towards automation of the process using steam driven machinery, Llandudno, north Wales (right) from family and friends – all on a budget some of it still operational. This is the only complete steam-driven brickworks in Total membership for Isle of Wight Ramblers 22nd to 28th April, 2017. of £15,000. Main Group 485; Wightsole 61 the UK. A welcome café provided our group with tea and cakes. We will be staying at the Somerset At the event – held at Arreton Hotel on the sea-front near the Our journey continued crossing the river to the western side of The Hamble Community Centre – the special Great Orme, with an excursion to and a picnic lunch stop in woodland at Mallards Moor. The weather forecast ride in Chitty was won by Rambler Snowdonia and Conwy. The price A warm welcome to new members had threatened heavy showers, and towards the end of the walk, it certainly did Margaret Buckett and her four is £299 per person for a standard rain, so the group dispersed, with some sheltering in local pubs where football grandchildren. Most people took Main Group room – unfortunately this holiday is was being shown. home Easter prizes in the extensive Natasha Gaskin currently fully subscribed, although raffle, whilst everyone enjoyed an Terry & Corrine White A water taxi ferried the group back to Warsash to await the boat to Cowes. a waiting list has been started. Melanie Surry excellent high tea. Many thanks to Jackie and Tim for providing an excellent day trip enjoyed by Walking the Wrekin Jane Dunkley Ryde Thanks go to Carol Henley for an everyone. We’re planning an autumn break to The Wrekin, Shropshire from 4th to 10th Jacqueline Fletcher Freshwater excellent event and to husband Bill September, 2017. Alison Logan Ventnor who led a short walk prior to the talk. Mr & Mrs Boddington Newport We will be staying at the three-star Buckatree Hall Hotel (below), set in scenic Chris Head Cowes gardens with a miniature lake, and surrounded by beautiful countryside and Susan Farringdon Switzerland spectacular views. It is situated at the foot of The Wrekin, near the market town of Annette Domoney Shanklin Wellington. The cost per person, based on twin share, is £489 (single supplement Charlotte Winter £55). Tony Richardson Ryde Some walks will be led by a Valerie Horne Ryde local Rambling Group with a Mrs J Johnson Sandown day or two in the Ironbridge Wightsole Gorge (five miles from the hotel) Mr & Mrs Steer Northwood Weston-SUPER-Mare walking along the River Severn, Stephen French Rookley THIS YEAR’S SPRING break to Weston- Ramblers. An excursion to Bristol was with an opportunity to visit Blists Mr & Mrs Freeman Newport Super-Mare was an enjoyable success. included and many of us took the Hill Victorian Town and some opportunity to visit SS Great Britain. of the many museums, such as Mr & Mrs Hopkins Shanklin Our group of 45 members travelled Shelagh Burton Ryde On our free day, Ed Filbrook led us Coalport China, Jackfield Tile with Dunwood Travel and stayed at the on a local walk from the hotel through and the Coalbrookdale Museum Birchfield Hotel. Weston Woods to Sand Point. of Iron. A group admission for The weather was a lot colder than The Birchfield was comfortable, served up to ten museums will cost last year – including a couple of good food, and provided the best approximately £20. snow flurries! – but we remained dry entertainment. Naturally, we took full for our Cheddar Gorge walk, led by advantage of the free drinks each To enquire about, or to book a place on any of these holidays, please contact Tony Strange from the West Mendip evening! Jackie or Tim Hough on 868517, or email [email protected]

2 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 3 A new coastal trail Ruby wedding surprise for the Pettitt family ISLE OF WIGHT Ramblers has now received 150 donations Volunteers for gates to replace stiles across the Island, helping many at the more people to enjoy walking and access the countryside. heart Residents and visitors can see that this scheme is really the of all making a difference to people’s lives. we do The gates commemorate many things, and it is always fascinating to read the tributes as you are out walking. One of the most recent gate installations was from the Pettitt family journey and was opened on a sunny day in April. Jim Pettitt said, “We have just returned home from the Isle of Wight and wanted to share with you a picture of us at our gate on the Chale footpath. “I managed to keep it a surprise from most of my family – and begins... a complete surprise from my wife! We were really pleased with it, and I’m relieved to say so was my wife. “Thank you so much for getting it installed in time for us to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary. We’re looking forward to visiting it every time we come back to the Island in the future.” Walk About Britain

A decades-long dream is about to come true for Isle of Wight Ramblers, but it will only materialise with the help of local volunteers The Island’s Walking your dog Gift to Nature IW RAMBLERS HAS campaigned for many full consultation with both users and in the countryside COUNCIL CUTBACKS HAVE years to see a new long-distance coastal landowners. Natural England will produce WHETHER AMBLING ALONG leafy lanes, lead to the transfer of some trail around the Island – a trail with sea a report which has to be agreed with the through forest, or discovering access THE RAMBLERS IS launching Walk About Britain, parks and reserves to Gift to views along its entire length. The reality is Minister of State. The Natural England land, the countryside is a great place for Britain’s biggest walking festival, which will run from Nature, which now needs to on the horizon: survey work on such a trail team will be based on the Isle of Wight you and your dog to explore and enjoy. 3rd to 11th September. develop and raise funds to has now begun. from late spring 2017. Here are some steps to take for worry- ensure a sustainable future. free walks. To support the festival locally, Isle of Wight Ramblers Nationally, work is underway to create will have a variety of walks which will all be open to the Isle of Wight Ramblers has agreed to work • Control your dog so that it does not It has created the Red Squirrel a long-distance trail around the entire public. Walks from 2-15 miles are planned. with the Isle of Wight Council in preparing scare or disturb farm animals or wildlife. trail – a great place to see coast of England. At 2,700 miles long, it a survey document which can be used by wildlife, on foot or by bike. The • A short lead must be used over access Walking leaflets are available for those people who is due to be completed in 2020. The path Natural England in determining the new flat, two-mile section between land and common land between 1 March prefer to do their own thing. Over 60 Island walks are will be four metres wide in most places, route. We have held briefing sessions with downloadable from our website; we have 12 Rambles by Blackwater and Merstone with access to the low tide level whenever Main picture Freshwater Bay from Fort and 31 July. Leads must also be used all passes Birchwood Pond and a number of volunteers willing to help, Redoubt year round near farm animals. Leads are Bus leaflets available; and there are accessible walks possible. Headon Warren, Totland the former railway station at with the aim of completing the survey by Below not needed on public footpaths unless you at Yarmouth, Sandown and the Tapnell Trail. See www. Inset The Ramblers has produced iowramblers.com. Merstone. The route of the trail will be determined late autumn and production of the final guidance for those volunteering to survey cannot rely on the dog’s obedience. report during the following winter. the coast path by Natural England, and there will be • Farmers are entitled to destroy a dog Walk About Britain has only been possible because We are often asked where to that injures or worries their animals. We Ramblers Central has secured £200,000 from the Post see red squirrels and wildlife have seen some very graphic images of Code Lottery. Thanks to their generous support we on a walk. One option is a hide, the harm dogs can do to farm animals. will inspire more people to get out and experience the with information, at Parkhurst enormous benefits and joys that walking can bring. Forest, but IW Ramblers has • If a farm animal chases your dog, it is its own Walk, IF YOU WOULD safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t IW Ramblers intend to link into this initiative by: starting at Sandown Station LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO risk getting hurt by trying to protect it. • arranging four extra short three-to–five mile walks and continuing through the HELP WITH THIS PROJECT, • Everyone knows how unpleasant dog during that week to encourage people to try walking Alverstone Mead reserve. There PLEASE CONTACT mess is and it can cause infections, so with IW Ramblers, is another hide here, so you MIKE SLATER, PROJECT always clean up after your dog and get rid • publicising the Walk About Britain week through will have a very MANAGER, ON 01983 of the mess responsibly. our website and our range of walking leaflets, and good chance 752997. • On our Group walks we ask that all dog through traditional and social media, of seeing squirrels at owners use a lead less than two metres • branding all IW-programmed walks during that close quarters. in length. week with the Walk About logo. 4 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 5 Much of the footpath improvement taking place across the Island involves making new connections between routes that would otherwise remain isolated, while other work includes replacing existing, but decaying, infrastructure. Over the next three pages, walkTALK reports on some of these important volunteer projects

Improvements at Pelham Woods PELHAM WOODS IS a Wight Nature Fund boundary and links with Inglewood Park. Reserve in the south of the Island. Other permissive paths wander through the woodland from the south to the north and It is an area of mixed woodland containing north east. native plants such as harts tongue fern, lesser celandine and bluebell and the more exotic The section of permissive path within the green alkanet, buddleia and pendulous sedge. wall creates access to other paths, avoids the Badgers and red squirrels ensure it has a necessity of walking along Undercliff Drive, Only wide attraction for the public. A number of and serves as an approach from St Lawrence. springs create a stream and wet area adjacent There is parking close by. to the southern boundary. Several footpaths It is currently closed at its western end where pass through the woodland with a number of a bridge crosses the stream and a section of circular and connecting permissive paths. connect boardwalk negotiates a fairly lengthy wet FOLLOWING Improvements at The southern boundary consists of a stone wall area. Rotten timber constructions have been CLEARANCE OF a bordering Undercliff Drive, with a permissive in place for some years and are vital to the section of seawall path created from west to east. At the western usage and access, but Isle of Wight Ramblers near end the path is accessed through the wall and has agreed to part-fund the cost of repairs Windmill earlier in Gaggen winds its way to the public right of way to (pictured) with match funding from East Wight the year, work has the east. It then continues round the eastern Landscape Partnership. been proceeding to resurface this section over the summer. Path WORKS TO IMPROVE Gaggen Path, which provides The end access between St Helens village and The Duver, of the path will have recently been completed (pictured, right). be cleared after the bird nesting Regular users of this popular route will see a season, followed by dramatic improvement in the quality of the surface resurfacing in 2017. thanks to works undertaken by RJ Cook and overseen by the National Trust and IW Ramblers. Kissing gates to replace stiles have been Improvements at A new wooden bridge has been installed over the installed at four sites on creek, providing a route for residents at St Helens the path and it is hoped who wish to access the Duver and a new esplanade. Volunteers to improve access at two The project forms part of a wider programme of at the further hedge crossings. Brading Down to the Coast works to improve footpaths in heart This project was the Yar Estuary. of all we do commissioned by East This work was also commissioned by East Wight Wight Landscape Marsh Landscape Project. Project. 6 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 7 If you’re interested in Volunteers the development of our at the footpaths network, here’s heart how you can have your say of all on the next ten-year plan we do walk THE ISLE OF WIGHT Council is of the obliged to produce a plan for our rights Improvements at of way. The document covers a ten-year period, and a new edition will be produced by the end of 2016. A period of world West consultation has now started to obtain the views of landowners and users of Longstanding ramblers John and Janet Whiteman report on the world’s the paths to establish changes that may biggest walking festival – Holland’s four-day ‘4daagse’ Wight be needed. Janet says... STARTED IN 1909, the Walk of the World were likewise showered with these Isle of Wight Ramblers will be (the 4daagse) – originally a military event flowers. The entry into the city and responding to this survey, but we urge John and I have been on similar with a few civilians – has become the towards the finish, the St. Annastraat, is our members to consider the changes walks in Holland for many MANY PEOPLE REGRETTED the Whilst the government is keen to see world’s largest walking festival, with a called Via Gladiola. that might be needed in your locality. years. passing of steam trains and the local walking and cycling promoted, there is maximum of 47,500 participants walking For example, there may be dead-end During the week of the 4daagse, the The atmosphere is fantastic. branch networks which served our not a pot of cash that can be used for either 30, 40 or 50 kilometres each day. communities well from Victorian times such infrastructure. So it is a question paths, or places where it is necessary to accompanying festivities always draw You don’t actually see this to the mid-20th century. of being opportunistic and spotting new walk along busy roads, or there may be The first day of walking is always a large crowd. It is known as one of the number of people as they are developments which might assist. no footpaths at all linking villages and the third Tuesday in July. Each day biggest festivities in the Netherlands, way in front or very far behind The Island had a rail network, west to towns. You’ll need to be quick: surveys walkers go through the biggest town, drawing a crowd of one million visitors. you. Food and drink are available east, north to south. The decision to Recently a planning application for a must be completed by 16th September. Elst, Wednesday Wijchen, Thursday It starts on the Saturday before the all along the route, and there is close the railways was based upon the solar farm at Wellow was submitted. Groesbeek and Friday Cuijk. The routes walks and ends on the Friday. There is There are just seven questions in the first aid for those who need it. stark financial realities of the time, The site included a 1km stretch of old always stay the same unless there is a free music during the week and special survey (shown below), and it should The walks are on a scale not but with little or no vision of future railway. IW Ramblers contacted the specific need to change, as in 2007 when events on each day, such as the famous only take a few minutes to complete. seen in the UK – the police even social needs. The infrastructure was council’s planning department, and walkers went through Waalkade on the firework display on Monday night. Surveys must be completed online by hold up traffic on major roads largely abandoned. The motor car was along with many groups such as Visit Wednesday. The only cancellation in 16th September 2016. To access the Amongst the festivities is a rock festival to allow people to cross, and king and motorways and bypasses were Isle of Wight and Cyclewight, we have 90 years (apart from WWII) was in 2006 online survey, go to: https://www. that takes place every day. As far as a when you near the finish the constructed. been successful in seeing this route when thousands dropped out because of surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IWRoWIP week ahead people will reserve spaces public cheer you on to the end. developed as a new bridleway. The extreme heat. Two deaths occured that Today we talk about the need to connect alongside the Via Gladiola by placing bridleway connects with the rights of To view the old plan, go to https:// year. Having received your gladioli and communities and for sustainable chairs and even sofas. way between Shalfleet and Newbridge. www.iwight.com/Residents/ medal, it’s time to repair to transport – walking and cycling are On the Friday as walkers near the finish, All stiles have been replaced with gates Environment-Planning-and-Waste/ • If you’re interested in taking part, log the local tavern to celebrate a encouraged in an attempt to reduce the public award the walkers with along this route. Rights-of-Way/Public-Rights-of-Way/ on to the official 4daagse site (English) at wonderful walk with a hearty pollution and improve our health. With gladioli, a symbol of force and victory Rights-of-Way-Improvement-Plan- www.4daagse.nl/en drink. hindsight, it would have been so simple In Newport itself, a lot of preparatory since Roman times, when gladiators to have converted our railway tracks to work has been done to see the 2016-Consultation cycle tracks and paths for shared use. formation of the Gunville Greenway. MIKE SLATER Indeed today, we have recovered many This is a proposed scheme to create a LED a warm- such railway routes and seen them multi-user community link from Sea up for Walk the Walking develop into shared paths. Street to the junction with Gunville Warm up Wight. During Road. But it is a patchy and fragmented the walk the buddies network. The West Wight to Newport So, little by little, the connections are Wight route was also area is poorly served. The Freshwater being made, with perhaps a safer and surveyed prior to Yarmouth path abruptly stops near sustainable environment for the Island. to the main Thorley. event taking place.

FOLLOWING THE RECENT well-attended walks leaders supper, we have been buddying new walks leaders. This walk was led by Mike Slater, with new leader Linda Jones. The IW Ramblers most recent programme – of 127 events in four months – reflects the success of this scheme.

8 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 9 THE WARD FAMILY has been associated Church Lodge. The house was constructed with the Isle of Wight since the 18th of Bembridge limestone. century when George Ward purchased Many lavish events were held at both Bellevue house and estate, which later ictorian Northwood and Cowes Castle. Queen V became Northwood. SECRETS OF Victoria hosted a birthday party for her walks George Ward was a very good friend of son when trees were brought specially on the Isle of Wight , the famous Regency architect from Kew gardens. Unfortunately all of and Regent Street archive materials have been lost and in . Nash had a country home at details of visitors and events are sketchy. David Howarth reviews two new books giving an insight at Cowes Castle which he built George Henry Ward had no children, in 1798. Shamefully, this has now been into life in Victorian times when walking was becoming but had 11 siblings, including a brother, demolished. a popular activity NORTHWOOD William Ward. He was an MP and famous A chapel next to Northwood was replaced cricketer, buying the lease of Lords IN THE LATE 19th century, Britain’s middle class enjoyed greater leisure by St Mary’s Church in 1816 and John ground from the Lord family. He had time and more disposable income than previous generations, enabling Nash built the tower. There is now a chapel eight children and the house was then families to travel further afield for day trips and holidays. at the base of the tower with various Ward unexpectedly inherited by Dr William memorials. Below ground is a mausoleum, George Ward from his uncle. He chose For many people living in the south east, it was possible to take a train to but the entrance has never been found. not to live at Northwood and decided to Portsmouth or and then cross the Solent by steamer to Ryde The church had to be rebuilt in 1867 as it build a more modest house at Weston or Cowes. The transport network on the Island was well developed and it was structurally unsound, but the original Manor in Totland in 1870. GW Ward sold was possible to reach every town and village by train, horse-drawn coach tower remains. all the contents of the house in a 15-day or coastal ferry. Promenading along esplanades, up piers, and rambling in grand sale at which Prince Albert bought the countryside became popular during the Victorian period. Between 1837-41 Northwood House a marble statue, now seen in the gardens was rebuilt by the son of George Ward, These books, written by Andrew Gill, invite the reader to retrace the at Osborne. Victoria and Albert were George Henry Ward – only the cellars and steps of those first 19th century visitors. They include information frequent visitors to Northwood House. ice house have survived from the original about transport services but the author assumes that readers will walk building. WG Ward was uncompromising in his own to the attractions he describes, taking in the scenery as they ramble. beliefs and enjoyed the cut and thrust of Accordingly, he explains where to go, how to get there, what to look for, The walled estate had four gates and two of debate with intellectual friends such as and provides the history of places visited. these remain today at Nunnery Steps and Huxley and Ruskin. Originally, there were several guide books available. The two titles shown Tennyson was also a here are facsimiles of the “Blacks Guide to the Isle of Wight”, printed in friend and neighbour. 1883. The original book can be quite difficult to find and is costly, so these In 1902-6 there were two booklets are a welcome addition for anyone interested in the history Benedictine nuns – who of our Island. HOUSE had escaped from anti- The booklets can be obtained through Amazon at a cost of £4.99 each in clerical laws in paperback, or £2.99 each for the Kindle electronic versions. – living at Northwood. Eventually, in 1929, the grandson of WG Ward gifted the house and 26-acre park to Cowes Urban District Council. The Isle of Wight Council withdrew from managing the house in 2010 and it is now in the hands of a charitable trust that has ambitious plans to restore it.

At a recent Northwood House event a lecture about the life of the Ward family from Island historian Yvonne Rowles was

followed by a guided tour. David Howarth Main picture Looking out on the grounds from an upstairs room Inset Monogram of WG Ward, from a stained glass window was there Inset left and right Upstairs, downstairs – Northwood House retains some of its opulence as seen in this contemporary view of the bar area, and by contrast, a servant’s room (awaiting restoration) 10 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 11 News round-up Where is Harry’s tree? Harry Oldham and his wife Sue are long-standing members A DONATION OF £50 towards Donate-a-Gate has been of the Isle of Wight Ramblers – Harry is a long-distance received from Marple Ramblers who visited the Island in walker and Sue has served as membership secretary. Both May. Rod Senior and Jackie and Tim Hough led walks are also enthusiastic volunteers in other capacities. around Culver and Brading for this visiting Group. The donation will be added to money received during the Harry recently wrote to us and the following is an extract Walking Festival for walks led by David Howarth. from his letter.

VOLUNTEERS ARE CURRENTLY busy carrying out a “I’ve attached two photos of a quirky tree photo survey of the Yar River Trail from Niton to St Helen’s that we passed on the “Woods and Coast” walk Duver in order to establish the need for improvements to led by Shaun Parsons as part of the Isle of the signage. This is part of the Down to the Coast Project. Wight Walking Festival. I was thinking it might To date, five of the nine sections have been completed. make a nice little Where Is This? item for the Discussions with the Rights of Way department will take newsletter, to get people thinking.” place to establish where new signs will be located. We agree with Harry, but where is his tree? If you don’t PLANT POSITIVE PROJECT aims to control invasive recognise it, see the answer, below. non-native plants such as Himalayan Balsam. An East Wight Landscape Partnership team of volunteers are busy removing plants on the Wroxall stream and East Yar. Water quality should be improved and habitats enhanced.

THE EAST WIGHT Landscape Partnership office has been established at Branstone Farm near Newchurch as part of the cooperation between farm owners and the Partnership.

RICHARD GROGAN HAS been appointed lead officer with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He was formerly with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

FUNDING HAS BEEN withdrawn by the Isle of Wight Council for the Walking and Cycling Festivals. Discussions to consider the future of these events are being held. Christmas lunch – change of date THIS YEAR’S LUNCH will now take place on Saturday 3rd December, at Shanklin Conservative Club. The cost is £20, which includes full Christmas dinner, mince pies and coffee. A vegetarian option

will be available.

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Steve Oatley. Shaun including group, the of Some Fishbourne. in grounds

Contact Carol Henley on Abbey Quarr (original) old the of corner north-eastern the at 537445 by November 27th. trees oak old very now four or three of fusion a was it fact In Contact information Area Council IOW Group Committee Wight Sole Group Items for the next edition of walkTalk Area Chair Mike Slater 752997 Chair VACANT Chair Gary Clarke 867098 Thank you to those who submitted material Area Secretary VACANT Vice Chair VACANT Deputy Chair Tracey Darch 867603 for this edition. If you would like to contribute Treasurer David Howarth 759823 Secretary Steve Gibson 07901 Treasurer Dave Aitken to the next edition, published in January 2017 Footpath Secretary Mike Marchant 564909 555789 Membership Suzanne Aitken please send to: Membership Gwyneth Byerley 566560 Treasurer Jackie Hough 868517 Publicity Alison Cardy Access Officer Mike Slater 752997 Newsletter Distributor Tim Hough 868517 David Howarth, Red Oaks, 4 Woodlands, Countryside Officer David Howarth 759823 Walks programme Steve Gibson 07901 Footpath Sub-Committee Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0FE Secretary Mike Marchant 564909 Newsletter Editor Steve Williams 524007 555789 Tel: 759823 Planning Cttee Adrian Tavill 562565 Publicity Officer David Howarth 759823 Social Secretary Carol Henley 537445 Members Charlie Davidson 756788 Email: [email protected] 522665 863189 C’ttee Member John Gurney-Champion Committee Pam Dana Glenn Sharman 506077 247405 By 7th November 2016 at the latest. Volunteer Co-ord Jacky Carter Members Ann Pearson Helen Williamson 07718 339836 Path Reps David Yates Anna Willshire David Yates Print: St Mary’s Hospital Print Unit 685936 520155 Co-ordinator John Rolfe John Rolfe The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number 4458492. Registered charity in England and Wales number 1093577, registered charity in Scotland, number SC039799. Registered Office: Second Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW 12 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com