REMINDERS to all WALK LEADERS MARKET DRAYTON & DISTRICT 1. It is essential that you reconnoitre all walks in advance. GROUP 2. Ensure that there is ample and permissible car parking to avoid problems on the day. 3. During walks there are occasional difficulties from problems such as blocked footpaths, cropped fields, dangerous stiles etc. In these cases the leader should record the details of the problem and report it to the Walks Programme and News appropriate local authority. The method of contact for the usual authorities are as follows: Autumn/Winter 2019/20 Shropshire: Outdoor partnerships 01743 255056 or 01743 255058 For your diary Staffordshire: Report online at:- The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Beacon Centre, https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/environment/RightsofWay/home.aspx Prospect Road, Market Drayton at 7.00 pm on Thursday November 7th. Then select:- “Report a Public path obstruction” and then select “Login to Report the Issue” and complete the online form. Bank Holidays: 25th December, 26th December and 1st January British Summer Time ends on Sunday 27th October. East: Public Rights of Way team 01270 686069 Telford & Wrekin Council Senior Rights of Way Officer 01952 384687 The next committee meeting is scheduled for January 8th, 2020 Area AGM is on Sat 18th January, at Church Stretton Methodist Church

Message from the Chair:

The Summer Walks Programme has been well supported despite members holiday commitments. Rain has been a

slight problem causing the cancellation of one or two

Wednesday evening walks. The annual Barbeque and

croquet match took place at the end of July. A big thank

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity ( & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no you to Tony and Hilary for once again hosting the event SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales no 4458492). and leading the walk. The weather was good and the Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. fiercely competitive croquet match was won by Claire and Tony.

12 1

The 3 Ps group has been active throughout the summer COMMITTEE doing footpath maintenance work for both Shropshire and Chair Chris 01630 672601 Staffordshire. Secretary and membership Heather 01952 250948 Email: [email protected] We continue to have large numbers on Tuesday walks Treasurer Jeff 01630 673685 which is very encouraging especially as many of the Footpaths John W 01630 656252 Social Secretary Steve 01743 791882 members lead walks for the programme. Please have in Publicity Bill 01948 661906 mind the following points: Walks Secretary Claire 01630 673050  Do remember to contact the leader if you intend to Email: [email protected] Member Dot 01630 672332 go to the start of a walk independently.  In view of the large numbers on some walks please WALKS - general information try to share cars. Parking can be a problem. 19 cars Unless stated otherwise, the meeting place for all walks will be the Swimming Pool Car Park, Phoenix Bank (GR SJ 676339, postcode TF9 1JT) in Market seems to be the record! Drayton.  Managing the larger numbers on a walk can be a challenge so please do keep the leader at the front! Walkers are strongly recommended to travel to the walks via the Market Don’t go ahead even if you think you know the way! Drayton meeting point, to ensure minimum demand for car parking at the start of the walk. Those intending to travel direct to the start MUST ALWAYS ensure that the leader knows of their plans. The weekend away in October to Sowerby Bridge has proved very popular. We have now nearly filled the hotel. The Market Drayton Group encourages car sharing as this reduces the Thank you to Claire for all the work she has done in parking places required at the start of the walk. Drivers appreciate voluntary organising the accommodation and the walks. contributions from passengers; as a guide we believe 5p per mile per passenger is an amount which reasonably covers the costs incurred.

Dates for your diary: Packed lunches and adequate drink are required for all walks. 7th November AGM at the Beacon Centre. The meeting is usually concise giving lots of time to socialise and partake The group regrets that in the interests of safety we do not allow dogs on of the excellent refreshments provided by members. walks. Registered assistance dogs are allowed to walk with their owners.

5th January 2020 -The Post Christmas lunch organised by

Steve.

2 11

Tuesday Walks continued Starting 9.30 am from swimming baths car park all walks are leisurely or THIS PAGE IS MEANT TO BE BLANK moderate of about 5, maximum 7, miles in length. Walks will start within a 45 minute drive of Market Drayton. Those intending to travel direct to the start MUST ALWAYS ensure that the leader knows of their plans.

24th December Christmas Eve. No walk

31st December Wybunbury Claire 01630 673050 07811 532259

7th January Bridgemere Carole 01630 801610 07977 946655

14th January Bishops Wood Margaret Hl & 01782 796688 Helen G 07854 377981

st 21 January Sutton, Woodseaves & Beth & Robert 07814 558047 Tyrley

28th January Gnosall Bill & Barbara 01948 661906 07962 848212

10 3

Sunday walks Those intending to travel direct to the start MUST ALWAYS ensure that the Tuesday Walks leader knows of their plans. Starting 9.30 am from swimming baths car park all walks are leisurely or moderate of about 5, maximum 7, miles in length. Walks will start within a 45 th 6 October minute drive of Market Drayton. Those intending to travel direct to the start 8.5 miles moderate walk from Welshpool. Walking through the grounds of MUST ALWAYS ensure that the leader knows of their plans. Powis Castle, down on to the Montgomery Canal and then to the airfield and st 1 October Maer Cathy & Carole 01630 655068 returning across fields. Parking at Smithfield Car park by TIC Fee £4 all day. 07967 000326 Postcode SY21 7DD GR SJ225075 There are toilets.

8th October Eccleshall Margaret Hy & Leader Roy N 01630 620281 Depart 08.30 01630 653781 [7 miles] Irene 07989 288865 th 13th October 15 October Overton-On-Dee Ray G 01630 654319 Weekend away in Sowerby Bridge. Details from the organiser will be sent to [6 miles] 07717 068812 those booked for this event. nd 22 October Market Drayton Loop Tony & Julie 07760 195076 Organiser Claire 01630 673050 [6 miles] 01630 656940

07811 532259 th 29 October Audlem Vanora th 01630 653510 20 October [5.5 miles] 10 miles moderate walk to include Hopesay Common, Wart Hill & th Wistanstow. Ascent less that 1500ft. Parking at the Shropshire Hills 5 November Hinstock John & Margaret 01630 656252 Discovery Centre SY7 9RS Grid Ref: SO 435825 [6.25 miles] 07776 487594

12th November Pontesford Steve & Pauline 01743 791882 Leaders Paul & June 01939 220133 Depart 08.30 [6 miles] 07969 954566 07853 044333 th 27th October 19 November Bickerton John D 01948 860297 9.5 mile moderate walk from Hathersage, taking in Padley Gorge and Carl [5.5 miles] 07913 401935

Wark Hill Fort. 1400ft of ascent. Parking at Hathersage – Oddfellows Rd. th Fee £6 Postcode S32 1DU Grid Ref SK 231 814 26 November Hilderstone Phil & Sue 01630 673175 [5.5 miles] 07530 335181 Leaders Jeff and Janice 01630 673685 Depart 08.30 Offers of walks for next programme 07836 276242 (February 2020 to May 2020) this week please rd 3rd November 3 December Betley Tony & Jeanette 01630 673607 07940 365767 11 mile moderate/strenuous walk from Carding Mill Valley to include Hope

Bowdler, Nant Valley and Caer Caradoc. NT car park, please park near NT 10th December Hinstock Diana and Esme 01630 638001 kiosk, GR SO447943, post code SY6 6JF. 07397 989445

01630 653489 Leaders Ken & Helen Depart 08.30 17th December Bridgemere Joan & Peter 01630 653569 07487 325270 4 9

Saturday walks 10th November Those intending to travel direct to the start MUST ALWAYS ensure that the leader An 8.6 miles moderate figure of eight walk with 1350’ ascent in the knows of their plans. Bickerton hills, through wooded hills and heaths, including parts of the . There are magnificent views of the Clwydian Range th 5 October mountains. Parking at the free NT car park at Pool lane (off Goldford Lane 9.5 miles moderate walk from Higher , Cheshire. To include raw opposite Pool Farm, Bickereton) – GR SJ503530; SY14 8LN Head, and the Sandstone Trail. Parking at the Candle factory GR SJ522565. Postcode CH3 9PD Leader Paul M 07813 300997 Depart 08.30 Leaders Cathy & Carole 01630 655068 Depart 09.00 07393 603578 on the day th 07967 000326 17 November 2nd November 9 miles moderate walk from Rushton Spencer. To include The Cloud and parts of the Staffordshire Way. Parking at old Station CP, Station Lane, next 8 miles moderate walk from Bridges via Adstone Hill to the Long Mynd, return via to The Knot Inn. GR SJ 936 625. Nearest postcode SK11 0SE. the Port Way and Golden Valley. SO 393965, nearest postcode SY5 0SP

Leaders Steve & Pauline 01743 791882 Depart 09.00 07969 954566 Leaders John & Margaret 01630 656252 Depart 08.30 07776 487594 th Offers of walks for next programme 24 November (February 2020 to May 2020) beginning of December please 11 miles moderate walk from Lyth Hill Country Park. GR SJ476072 Nearest postcode SY3 0AU. Walking south on the Shropshire Way returning via Longden and Great Lyth. 7th December

8 miles moderate walk in the Hartington area parking in the carpark in the centre of the village near to the pond. Nearest postcode SK17 0AQ GR SK127604 Leader Hilary 01952 541633 Depart 08.30 07773 246942 Leader Margaret Hl 01782 796688 Depart 09.00 Offers of walks for next programme 07854 377981 (February 2020 to May 2020) this week please 4th January 8.5 miles moderate walk with 1400ft ascent including the Roaches and Hen Cloud 1st December from Tittesworth Reservoir car park. GR SJ993602 Nearest postcode ST13 8SW 9 miles moderate walk starting at the Hanchurch Picnic Site: GR SJ839397 Fee £5 for whole day. There are toilets at the visitor centre. Nearest postcode ST4 8SA

Leader Claire 01630 673050 Depart 09.00 Leader Vince 01630 638551 Depart 08.30 07811 532259 07768 852329

8 5

8th December 5th January 8.3 miles leisurely walk from Ellesmere to Welshampton via Spout Wood and Mill Wood returning via Crimps Farm with good views of the Mere New Year Festive Lunch at The Wharf Tavern Cheswardine and St Mary’s Church. Finally walking beside the Mere and into Cremone (GR SJ 705295, postcode TF9 2LP). A short walk from The Wharf at 10am Gardens to return to the car park. Parking at Cross Street car park. Free before lunch. Please do not arrive at the Wharf for the meal before 2pm on Sundays. SY12 0HG SJ401349 to avoid the congestion of last year.

Leader Claire 01630 673050 Depart 08.30 Leaders Steve & Pauline 01743 791882 From The Wharf 07811 532259 07969 954566 15th December Depart 10.00

8 miles moderate walk from the Forest Glen car park along to the Ercall, th 12 January circle round and then up and over the Wrekin. Parking at the Forest Glen car park , GR SJ 638093 nearest postcode TF6 5AL 8 mile leisurely walk with only 350ft of ascent from the village of Gawsworth (between & ). The route will take us past Gawsworth Black & White Hall and Gawsworth Church, along the Macclesfield canal and Leaders Steve & Pauline 01743 791882 Depart 08.30 07969 954566 across Danes Moss. The crossing of the bridge over the main Railway Line S.O.T. - Manchester will be the steepest climb of the day! Parking on road 22nd December just before reaching Gawsworth Church. Post Code SK11 9RN GRSJ891696 7.5 miles walk in the Hills including , Bickerton and parts of the Sandstone trail. Parking at Bickerton Hill NT car park – GR SJ503530; Leaders Peter & Brenda 01270 811650 Depart 08.30 SY14 8LN. 07970 365800

Leaders David & Freda 01630 653776 Depart 08.30 19th January

th 10 miles moderate walk from Consall Nature Park( car park) in the 29 December Staffordshire Moorlands.GR SJ994484 Nearest postcode ST9 0AF 10 mile leisurely/moderate walk from Edgmond near Newport Shropshire. Circular walk through Edgmond and near to the Harper Adams Agricultural Leaders Paul & Chris 01630 672601 Depart 08.30 college to Caynton, Calvington and Chetwynd. 07813 809770 Parking at Edgmond playing fields car park on Shrewsbury Road, Edgmond, TF10 8HU. Car park is free of charge. Grid reference SJ 723 198. 26th January

9 miles moderate walk in the Clwydian Hills around Nannerch to include Moel Leaders Alison & John 01952 541772 Depart 08.30 Arthur Hill Fort. Parking at GR SJ 169 689, a large lay by at the side of the 07481 896621 A541.

Leaders Bill & Barbara 01948 661906 Depart 08.30

07962 848212

6 7