eBoot – June 2016

This month’s edition includes:

• 2016 coach trips • Summer solstice night walk • The Greater Avon Valley Way • Wednesday walks • A walks programme • Bristol Walk Fest • Committee business • Route planning • National consultation • Forthcoming walks • Commercial corner

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ bristolramblersgroup/

2016 coach trips

All tickets for the first coach trip in 2016, to the north Devon coast, have now been sold.

There will be a second trip, to Dartmoor, on 18 September. Further details to be announced shortly.

Summer solstice night walk - Monday 20/Tuesday 21 June

John Wrigley writes: Weather permitting, this walk is definitely on! We will be walking in the light of a full moon to meet the Summer Solstice. See the current programme and previous e-Boot editions for additional details.

Although it’s essential to bring a torch, the Black Mountains are part of an official internationally important “dark sky” area so, given a clear night, you will be walking in spectacularly bright moonlight with amazing shadows. These are some of the darkest skies in Western Europe. As I’m away for the 10 days prior to the walk, I need extra time to firm up arrangements including car sharing, so please contact me at [email protected] by June 5 if you’d like to come.

The Greater Avon Valley Way

Nigel Andrews writes: I have devised a new 48 mile route from Bradford- on-Avon to Portishead via Bath and Bristol. It is designed to be fully supported by public transport, with stations at Bradford-on-Avon, !1 Avoncliff, Freshford, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol and, one day, Portishead. For now the Bristol to Portishead section is easily accessible from bus services.

The walk explores the hills on both sides of the Avon Valley as it leads from Bradford-on-Avon to Bath. The Cotswolds Way is then followed for a while before we head for Keynsham via Bitton. A stretch along and above the river takes us to Troopers Hill before we wend our way to Temple Meads. The path heads out of Bristol to reach Leigh Woods and the undulating countryside of the Failand area. Eventually we reach the coast for the final couple of miles to Portishead.

The inaugural walk of this new route will take place on Saturday 8, Sunday 9 and Monday 10 October for A and stronger B walkers. You are welcome to join us for any or all of the days, and details of public transport times will appear in the October to January programme. This is your chance to complete a long distance path without having to arrange overnight accommodation.

I would also be happy to lead this walk in shorter midweek stages next year should there be sufficient interest.

A detailed route description will appear on the Group website later this year for those wanting to navigate the route themselves.

The working title for this route is the Greater Avon Valley Way. If anyone can suggest a snappier title I would be pleased to hear of it. However, following the recent internet poll for the naming of a new ship, I cannot guarantee that the most popular suggestion will be adopted!

Wednesday walks

The Wednesday walks programme is very popular, attracting large numbers of participants. Unfortunately, it is proving increasingly difficult to sustain the programme because of a shortage of walk leaders. Margaret Ruse is therefore calling for new leaders to put themselves forward to lead some Wednesday walks and to contact her (0117 9684140 or [email protected]). Walks do not have to be “ambitious” and new leaders may find it helpful to share the leading with a friend.

Planning and leading walks can be very enjoyable and rewarding, and the future of the programme depends on the availability of willing volunteers!

A walks programme

In the very near future, there will be a spreadsheet on the Group’s website showing A and hill walks offered so far for the October to January programme. This information will help those who like to plan around !2 future Group walks, as well as leaders who are thinking about what to offer for the next programme. The information is, of course, provisional and subject to change until the publication of the final version in September.

The spreadsheet is a ‘read only’ document. Prospective leaders wishing to offer walks should contact the relevant coordinator:

Standard A walks and Hill Walks; Nigel Andrews [email protected]

Longer A walks: Gwyneth Littlejohn [email protected]

Midweek A walks: Tony Parsons [email protected]

The website will also have a ‘read only’ link to the B walks spreadsheet.

The Bristol Walking Festival

At the time of writing, the 2016 Walk Fest is nearly over. The programme was extensive and varied, and numbers participating seem to have increased over previous years.

There will be a drop-in Thank You and Review Event for the Festival on 22 June 2016 from 3-6pm. It's an opportunity to give feedback on this year's festival; make suggestions about next year; share photos; witness the prize draw and enjoy complimentary refreshments. For more info visit: www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk. Venue to be advised: if you would like to attend, please contact [email protected].

Notices

Committee meeting Your Committee met on the 18th May for a relatively short meeting. Topics discussed included the upcoming coach trips, an update on the Walking Festival, walk leader training and matters to do with Avon Area. It was agreed that Gwyneth Littlejohn would take over from Nigel Andrews as the coordinator of the Longer A Walks.

The Committee welcomed the next Walks Programme, larger than usual because of the increased number of walks. We are greatly appreciative of all those walk leaders who make such a programme possible. Numbers on walks on Sunday suggest that members appreciate the fact that on some Sundays there is a choice of 3 or 4 walks.

The membership secretary will try to ascertain from new members how they find out about us so that we can maximise recruitment in the future.

Route planning !3 There are many free websites offering tools for route planning. A good one is https://www.walklakes.co.uk/maps/. This provides a simple means of plotting your route, calculating the distance, and providing a downloadable GPS file.

And see https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/os-locate for an app to convert your GPS location into a grid reference.

Urban walking - consultation The national Ramblers recently committed to a new strategy to ensure that everyone will have access to green space close to their front door and have safer, healthier and more attractive walking environments to enjoy. With this aim in mind, the national Ramblers have begun to draft the Ramblers’ policy on urban walking. They will be consulting members and volunteers throughout the process.

If you would like to be involved or find out more, please contact Kate Conto, Senior Policy Officer at: [email protected]

Forthcoming walks

Full details of the walks programme are in the published programme and on our website and also on the national Ramblers Walkfinder.

1st June - Northern Quantocks (Wednesday walk, 10 miles) This is a joint walk with the East Devon Ramblers, and will be led by former Bristol Ramblers member Bob Hewett. The walk explores the northern end of the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel coast. Starting at the free National Trust car park at Staple Plain (south-east of West Quantoxhead) it first descends to Wescombe Combe and then gradually climbs to the Quantocks summit at Beacon Hill (310 metres) before descending to the coast. Subject to the weather conditions, there should be views across the Channel to south Wales. We plan to stop for our picnic lunch on the coast near the ruin of Kilve Chantry, before making our way back to cross the Quantocks again via a long climb on The Great Road (track). Contact Bob Hewett on 01395 516897 if you require further information.

4th June - Downs/Westbury/Badocks Wood/Southmead (Saturday walk, 5 miles) Meet at the Water Tower on the Downs for this walk which follows hidden paths, open stretches of green, the and Westbury village where there is a range of eating places. Walkers can continue through Badocks Wood to Southmead and Bus 2 or 76. A First Day Rider costs £4. This walk was devised by Geoff Harman and is adapted from Walk 14 in Bristol Backs.

5th June - Forest of Dean (B walk, 12 miles)

!4 From the car park at Woolaston, we will ascend slowly to Clanna Woods. Using little-used footpaths, we make our way to St Briavels for our lunch stop. Returning through Hewelsfield, we then follow a short section of the Way before enjoying fine views over the Severn Estuary as we drop down to the car park.

8th June - South Wales linear (Wednesday walk, 10 miles) This is a train-based walk taking in hills north west of Newport, in- cluding the peak of Twmbarlwm (419m). The walk leaves from Crosskeys station just after 11.00 on arrival of the 10.34 from Cardiff Central (Ebbw Vale line). After an initial canalside section of about 1 mile, we start a steady climb up to the peak (about 340m of ascent), stopping at the top for a picnic lunch. After lunch we con- tinue northwards more or less on the level along the ridge with (weather permitting) excellent views across the Bristol Channel. We then descend into Pontypool where we take a bus or train back to Newport for connection to Bristol (probably arriving back in Bristol 17:00 – 18:00).

In the event of bad weather, we’ll do a lower-level circuit taking in some of the Cwmcarn forest paths and the visitor centre cafe, be- fore returning to Crosskeys for the return journey.

Travel notes: It’s cheapest to buy return tickets from Bristol to Crosskeys, and then buy a single ticket from Pontypool to Newport on the return. The return is £17.20, or £11.35 with a railcard, plus £4.60/£3.05 for the single on the return. These prices are for catch- ing the 09.21 from Temple Meads to connect with the Crosskeys train at Cardiff. If you’re catching the 09.45 from Parkway to Cardiff, or are prepared to catch the 09.30 from Temple Meads with an addi- tional train change at Parkway the return part of the fare comes down to the off-peak price of £12.60, or £8.30 with a railcard.

11th June - Trowbridge (Wessex Wanderer Walk, 3 miles) Please join Ann, for this FREE guided tour of Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, provided by two excellent Blue Badge Guides. The tour will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and will be an oppor- tunity to see what Trowbridge has to offer. Just comfortable walking shoes will do as there are no muddy paths to walk over. The tour will finish by lunch time and there are opportunities to have lunch at the local pubs, cafes or alfresco. Trains: catch the 09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads and arrives at Trowbridge at 10.29. There is no spe- cific train time for the return back to Bristol Temple Meads as this is left for the individuals.

!5 It would be best to book with Ann by 9th June: her number is on the Bristol Group programme and also the red Wessex Railway walks programme or via or website at www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk

19th June - Rhiangoll Ring (Hill Walk, 15 miles) Starting with a gradual climb up Pen Tir we continue to the summits of Mynydd Langorse and Mynydd Troed, before crossing the valley via Castell Dinas and along the ridge to Pen Alt-mawr, finally drop- ping down at Pen Gloch-y-pibwr and back to the start at Cwmdu. Al- though mainly a walk on moorland ridges, overall there is approxi- mately 4,500 feet of ascent, some of which is steep. There will be a pub stop at Castell Dinas, if the pub is open!

19th June - Southstoke Shuffle (B walk, 12 miles) This walk is a full 12 miles with two long steep climbs. It starts gen- tly, strolling along the lovely valley of the Midford Brook in hot spring sunshine with the winter mud but a distant memory. We then take the steep long climb up to Southstoke where we pause to mourn the sad passing of the Packhorse pub. Sandwich eaters will pause a little longer, while the rest struggle on to the Cross Keys, a nice foodie pub with a garden. After lunch we will walk up the back passages of Bath, joining the Skyline walk for an airy descent to the canal for the afternoon tea stop. Then comes a steep climb above Prior Park and across the plateau. The walk is also suitable for A walkers not inclined to the hill walk.

19th June - Maud’s Causeway (shorter B walk, 8 miles) Maud’s Causeway is found in a part of Wiltshire which we don't visit often. Not far from Chippenham, it winds through villages and hamlets, which have changed little over the years. You will have to come along to find out who Maud was.

21th June - Lansdown (evening walk, 5.5 miles) Starting from the public car park behind the Swan in Swinford (693691 explorer 155) at 6:30, we will go up to Landsdown via Up- ton Cheney.

25th June - Bruton Circular (Wessex Wanderer Walk, 4 miles) This walk is being led by Ann. Catch the train from Bristol Temple Meads at 08.39 to arrive at Bruton at 09.48. There will be short wait for the Weymouth train and then a short morning walk through the town, up to the Dovecote and around the surrounding countrysid. There are various options for lunch including pubs, cafes or alfresco. The afternoon is free and this will allow the opportunity to visit the Hauser and Wirth Art Gallery (which is free, with donations !6 to Somerset Wildlife trust I believe). See http://www.hauserwirth- somerset.com/ for details. The trains back home are at 14.26 or 17.25 from Bruton. Further details about Wessex Railway walks can be found on www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk

26th June - Bicknoller (B walk, 12 miles) This walk will be a figure of eight walk with Bicknoller post the crossover point. Starting in Kilve, we will climb up to Bicknoller post before heading over to West Quantoxhead and joining the Coleridge Way to Bicknoller. The return route is up Short Combe to Bicknoller post and Beacon Hill before descending via Smith's Combe to follow the Coleridge Way again towards Kilve. There will be two steep climbs plus some undulations, but the reward, weather permitting, is glorious views of the coast and Exmoor, a couple of hillforts and a nice pub.

28th June - Beese’s Tea Gardens (evening walk, 5 miles) We will walk from Brislington village to Beese's Tea Gardens and back, starting at 6.30pm. It's a surprising walk, if you don't know the area, linking green spaces and including a delightful walk along the River Avon. Sadly the tea gardens will not be open, but you may be inspired to visit during a summer weekend.

29th June - Arlingham (mid-week B Hill Walk, 16 miles) Tony Kerr is leading this walk round the Arlingham Peninsula on the . There should be fantastic wide views of the river, quite a few bird sightings on the mudflats, perhaps a few fossils poking out of Hock Cliff, and the final abandoned stretch of the . The highest point is 63m above sea-level, so the grading of 'B Hill Walk’ could be seen as a touch generous, but the going could be soft and muddy if there has been rain.

29th June - Weymouth for Isle of Portland (Wessex Wanderer Walk, 6 miles) Catch the 8.41 from Bristol Temple Meads to arrive at Weymouth at 11.03. We will then we catch the bus to Portland Heights (bring bus pass) with great views of the Causeway. We walk towards the old fort/prison and then down to Portland Castle and around the new Marina before walking the Chesil Causeway (can be windy) to Ferrybridge and around the coast to Northe Fort and Weymouth Harbourside. Easy walking, some on muddy paths. There will be free time to enjoy Weymouth at the end, or you could visit Lodmoor (common terns nesting) or Radipole Nature reserves (bearded tits if you are lucky). Bring snacks for a light lunch (but we will stop at a coffee shop en route), and eat (lots of fish and chips) before getting the train back at 17.30, arriving at Bristol around 8pm..

!7 Commercial corner

!

Ramblers Holidays (and Ramblers Holidays Worldwide) is the Ramblers holiday walking partner. If you book a holiday with Ramblers Holidays, this Group will receive a contribution if you let them know that you are a Bristol Ramblers member (£10 for UK holidays, £20 for short haul, £30 for long haul). See www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/page/ thewalkingpartnership.

Note that this has no impact on the price you pay for the holiday.

Discounts for Ramblers members Most outdoor gear shops offer discounts to Ramblers members.

!

Cotswold Outdoor is the Ramblers national sponsor, and their discount is 15%.

!

Taunton Leisure sponsors this local Group, and also offer 15% discounts, rising to 20% at their regular special events. The next special event is on the 9th June.

!8