Ramblers Season’s Greetings to all our readers walkNews and information from the Isle of ALKWight Issue 121 Area and Groups Winter 2013 Joan Deacon was the founder of the Isle of Wight Ramblers. She died last year and has now been immortalised in a new accessible trail at

FOLLOWINGIn Athe VERY stormy nightspirit in late Five members of of Joan’s family attended the event ( Joan). Sister-in-law October, the Isle of Wight Ramblers opened the some pictured below Joan Deacon Trail at Rookley. The inaugural Wendy Deacon and her partner Barry Brown walk, part of this year’s Autumn Walking travelled from Bury. Brother Alan Simpson Festival, went ahead with a good turn-out. and nieces Clare Simpson and Margaret Allan travelled from Glasgow. The trail starts from Road, Rookley and takes in panoramic views of Down. IW Ramblers’ chairman, David Howarth, said: It is just over two miles long and all nine of “It was a poignant moment for IW Ramblers. Joan Deacon has been the inspiration for the the old stiles have been replaced with gates. current volunteers who wish to continue the Some path improvements have also been excellent work that she started.” made by our work party and we hope further Healthy strides improvements to the path condition can be A trail leaflet will be produced later this year, for the Island made, improving accessibility. as part of our Rambles by Bus series. IW Ramblers has also produced three accessible THE ISLAND’S MP Andrew Joan lived in Rookley and produced trail trails at , Tapnell and . Turner recently set out on leaflets for the parish council, including Each trail has no stiles and is fairly level – the a walk with IW Ramblers to this walk. Gates have been donated to IW trails encourage more people to walk and to explore some local paths Ramblers by family members and Rookley assist those with limited mobility. Trail leaflets and talk about the fantastic Parish Council as part of our “Donate a Gate” are available at tourist information points and benefits of walking. scheme. Rookley councillor Ian Rigaud Barrett can be downloaded at He said: “Walking is one of attended the opening ceremony. www.iowramblers.com the best ways to explore and it’s been wonderful to be out walking with the Ramblers. I hope more people are able to experience the many benefits walking has to offer.” The Ramblers has also taken over the running of the Walking for Health centre in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, which supports around 14 schemes on the Island that provide ALSO IN THIS ISSUE free, short, led walks over Check out The Chequers easy terrain to help people Off the beaten track become active and stay focus healthy. JB, Jubilee and Jacquetta A changing world Pictured Mike Slater discusses the coastal path alignment at Government reviews coast path decision with MP Andrew Turner Notice of AGM Humans, dinosaurs and a certain bear Fifty years of the AONB A walk in the northern woodlands Long Distance Walkers Association Winter walks programme WightSole winter/spring programme www.iowramblers.com walkTALK Social events, holidays, shows, media and reports OUR WALKER FRIENDLY welcome to walkers, leaflets showing local You don’t need Welcome... Pub scheme has so far with facilities for muddy walks varying from two ... to walkTALK, the newsletter from the Barn dance bash been adopted by over 70 boots often provided. If and a half miles to nine experience to be a Island hostelries and are you see our sticker in the miles – The Wilderness Isle of Wight Ramblers. If you’re new to ANOTHER OF OUR popular walks’ leader walking, or if you’ve not seen walkTALK all listed on our web site window, you know you’ll Walk,The Ramsdown barn dances (with callers) IN GENERAL, PEOPLE are not before, why not join us? Benefits include: www.iowramblers.com. be welcome. Ramble and The and an American supper. experienced when they first start •260 led walks on the Island each year; Chillerton Challenge. A very enjoyable evening – Each pub promises to The Chequers at Rookley leading walks.Volunteers often just •talks and discussions about Island partners not required! give a warm (pictured) has So, if you’ve worked up want more of their type of walk, features and heritage; produced three a thirst on any of these whatever that might be. •walking holidays; Friday 7th March 2014, walks, you’ll know what to •national Walk magazine and walkTALK; 7.15 pm. do... It’s not just about distance – at The •discounts from leading outdoor suppliers Wootton Community Hall, Ramblers we encourage different (eg Cotswold; Blacks) and HF Holidays; Brannon Way, Wootton. levels of walking speeds, style of •support for an organisation campaigning Entry £2. walks – and breaks. And our walks

for greater access to the countryside. Book now for Tim and Jackie’s There is free car parking 25cms x 5.5cms (non-printing trim line) leaders could be young or old. opposite. Joining us couldn’t be easier. And if you pay Jersey jaunt 2014 So, if you would like to investigate Carol Henley Tel: 537445 Check out The Chequers...WALKER FRIENDLYwww.iowramblers.com PUB whether you could be leading a walk by direct debit, there’s £10 off the price! NEXT YEAR’S GROUP walking and sightseeing In association with the Isle of Wight Ramblers Just go to www.iowramblers.com and holiday in September/October 2014 will be to St Bonny Brownsea then do get in touch. click on the membership link. Helier on the Channel island of Jersey. A big thank you to all show helpers from Pam Dana We won’t pressure you. We will work BROWNSEA ISLAND – A WARM WELCOME to new members: Our hotel will be the three star Metropole (pictured ONE OF THE ways the work of The to man the stands at the shows. with you. We have the people and the dramatically located in Poole above), which is set in beautifully maintained Ramblers is publicised on the Island resources to train you, and will make Main Group Harbour – is the destination for And special mentions for the following Mrs J Bond Freshwater gardens. Not only does it have an outdoor is through attendance at the summer sure that you have all the help you two, one-day coach outings individuals: Mr P Bowskill swimming pool but also an indoor pool, steam room, shows – Show, the Garlic Festival feel you need to get experienced. next summer. Mrs J Bowskill Ryde jacuzzi and gym. The hotel is within easy walking and Wolverton Garden Fair. • John Gurney Champion, for distance of the centre of St Helier, the famous A walk around Brownsea will allowing us to store display panels Ms W Hagenauw Bembridge We are able to showcase the work we To find out more, please contact Howard Davis Park and Havre de Pas beach area. be led by John Rolfe – or there at his house; Mrs J Walder St Helens do – both nationally and locally – and Steve Gibson are self-guided trails if you • Howard Duffus for helping Pam Mrs C Finnis Seaview We have recently stayed at the Mayfair, the raise awareness of the many issues [email protected] prefer. There is an optional visit set up all three shows; Mr A Hintermann Zurich Metropole’s sister hotel, and had a tour of the that face the Island’s countryside. 07901 555789 to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s • Ann Wellings for helping with lots Mr D Yates Metropole which we found to be of a high standard reserve and lagoon. You can Pam Dana, of the group committee, of paper work. Mrs S Fisk for its three star rating. Mrs P Luton eat in The Villano Café or take who organises IW Ramblers’ presence In 2013, the shows went very well with Mrs H Davis Ventnor The bedrooms are light and spacious yet a picnic lunch, and there will at these events, is helped by a number no problems and we hope everyone Mrs B Rowbury Yarmouth homely, with tea and coffee making facilities. A also be time to look round of people: enjoyed their shift. large restaurant serves cooked and continental Poole on our return. Mrs A O’Neill • members of the Group and Area breakfasts, and a four-course evening meal, both • Please contact Pam Dana on 863189 Mr D Chiverton East Departure will be from East committees; with waiter service. There is also an all-day coffee if you would like to help. Many, many Mrs M Chiverton Cowes or Cowes (please • members who give up their time shop and a games room. Guests will enjoy special thanks – we look forward to 2014. Mr T Ridley Ventnor buy own ticket); coach from evening entertainment and a lounge bar with a Mrs M Ridley Ventnor Southampton to Poole Quay relaxed ambience. Mrs K Goodall Wootton will be £12 per person (there Isle of Wight Walking Festival celebrates with Donate-a-gate Bridge Date Saturday 27th September - Friday 3rd October could be a small refund if we THE IW RAMBLERS’ Donate-a-gate scheme goes from Mrs C Taylor Wroxall 2014 can fill the second coach). Mr C Baker Ryde strength to strength, with 85 gate donations and 17 Price £379 per person to include coach from Please make cheques gates and/or plaques awaiting completion. Mrs C Baker Ryde Southampton to Poole, Condor ferry crossing, payable to “IW Ramblers” and Mrs J Jenkins Whitwell coach transfer from port to hotel, six nights’ dinner, send to the address below by For lovers of walking and the countryside, a Wightsole (for younger walkers) bed and breakfast accommodation, all taxes, road the end of February. commemorative footpath gate is an opportunity to set Mr K Harvey Ryde tolls, port taxes and VAT. up a memorial that will provide practical ease of access The ferry from Poole Quay Three days walking with a Blue Badge to fellow walkers for years to come. Excursions is £8.50 and the admission Guide including transport (approx £35 per person); to Brownsea Island is £5 for One particularly significant gate has been provided Total membership one coach excursion to the Jersey War Tunnels (£25 non National Trust members. by IW Ramblers from donations received during the for the IW Ramblers per person) 552 The Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Isle of Wight Walking Festival held last May. Main Group 516; Wightsole 36 £72 per person single room Supplements reserve and lagoon visit costs supplement (£12 per night) Elaine Cesar, senior events officer with the Isle £2.50. These charges can be £17 per person (unless own Insurance – of Wight Council, which organises the festival, Insurance collected and paid as a Group please give details). opened this gate to commemorate the event’s 15th on the day of travel. anniversary. The inauguration of this special gate took This holiday is now fully booked but there is a If you or your friends are place during the opening of the Joan Deacon Trail at reserve list should anyone drop out. If you’re interested, please contact Rookley (see full story, page 1). interested in going on the reserve list, please Jackie or Tim on 868517. contact Jackie by email or phone (see below) giving • If you’re you looking for a novel and inspiring way to mark the life and passing of a loved one or to your name, address, telephone number and email Dates Thursday 26th June commemorate a special event, please call address, as soon as possible. or Tuesday 15th July 2014. Mike Slater on 752997.

For either of these trips, please contact Jackie Hough, Rookery Nook, Forest Pictured Mike Slater, IW Ramblers’ Donate-a-gate officer, looks Road, Winford, Sandown, PO36 0JY. Tel 868517. [email protected] on as Elaine Cesar cuts the ribbon on the 15th anniversary gate 2 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 3 It’s said a change is as good as a rest, so Coastal erosion causes major difficulties for the Isle of Wight Council, why not vary your walks with one of the but at last part of the coast path at Whitecliff Bay has reopened Island’s lesser-used permissive paths? Janet THE REINSTATEMENT OF the coast Ramblers have been campaigning path here has involved a number of to reopen the BB10 path, which Whiteman, of the IW Ramblers Footpaths path diversions, and the installation closed in 2008. of a bridge and boardwalks, as Sub-committee, gives us some ideas We can now look forward to walking well as stabilising the path material along the spectacular part of our (pictured, below). coastal path between The section along Black Rock Ledge and Bembridge. We would like remains closed, but it is hoped to be included in the new long- Off the that this will re-open within the next distance English coast path where beaten year. Local people and Isle of Wight roll back of paths is automatic. Back on the track Bembridge Bembridge Trail The maps of these routes, with further information including an explanation of the term “permissive paths”, can be found at naturalengland.org.uk/permissivepaths. Click on Defra, UK-Rural Affairs-Natural England and choose Isle of Wight from the County List. Scroll right down to click on the area you wish to see. Or you can use the Isle of Wight Ramblers website iowramblers.com, using the Island Path Map link followed by clicking on Permissive Maps. focus

Ningwood Common A woodland the earth bridge (GR 503 869) turn left and Rowridge Farm There are quite a few walk around Nature Reserve, take the new path alongside the cricket Permissive Open Access areas, one at starting in Solent Road at a kissing gate field to the main road. Crossing the road Rowridge Farm, which falls alongside (GR 396 901) which goes through a here is very dangerous due to fast traffic the Tennyson Trail, whereby the historic wooded area and would be muddy in and a road bend. The access path links burial barrow known at Gallibury Hump THE RELAUNCH OF the Bembridge Trail wet weather, and exits through a gap in with the path going past Standen House can also be visited. Gates are at access took place in October after many hours of the hedge (GR 397 901) back in Solent and up to the Bembridge Trail. Distance points GR 441 853 and 443 854. Access hard work and effort by dedicated volunteers Road. The distance is 0.7 km and the 0.3 km and the access ends 31 January ends 31 July 2016. and organisations, including the installation access ends 31 July 2018. 2018. of the new information board by the Farm Another small access Bembridge Point Signpost. Harry Ferguson Farm, Yarmouth Fleetlands Farm Corf Copse, , area on Limerstone Down with views over To mark the occasion, Elaine Cesar (pictured A lovely walk across fields with views a lovely path has been created alongside West Court Farm. Access points are GR above, right) of the Isle of Wight Walking of , Yar Estuary and Yarmouth a busy road. About 15ft from the 441 834 and 444 833. Access ends 31 May Festival was invited to cut a ceremonial Harbour. Cross the stile (GR 352 879) entrance to Corf Camp (Scouts), go 2020. ribbon. After the formalities, a short located on the cycle way and signposted, through a kissing gate (GR 419 897) and West Court Farm A very large area of reception was held at the Pilot Boat Inn over the fields, down to Wilmingham Dairy immediately turn right. Go down the field the downs above West Court Farm, which where complimentary tea and cakes were Farm and road (GR 360 878). A distance of with hedge on right to go through another links up with the area mentioned above served, followed by an optional short walk 0.9 km and the access ends 30 April 2017. kissing gate and down towards farm (Limerstone Farm). This area has various along the start of the Bembridge Trail. Compton Farm, Freshwater Compton house. Exit through kissing gate (GR 422 footpaths and bridleways going over The event was organised by Barbara Farm is involved with the Higher Level 900). The road that runs parallel is part of Limerstone Down and onto the Worsley Clough, Point Tidy Up Project Leader Stewardship and have created a lovely the Coastal Path, so this section off the Trail. From Limerstone Road at Footpath (pictured above, left). path from the corner of the camp main road is very welcome. Distance is 0.5 sign SW6 and SW7 path leads to an site (follow wooden camping sign to km and the access ends 31 October 2017. access point GR 454 829 with footpath SW7 to another access point GR 454 childrens’ play area for start of climb) (GR Westover Farm Site ‘B’ Another IW Ramblers takes on Health Walks scheme 831. Traversing along the downs to pick 376 851). Up through a beautiful meadow lovely path instead of walking along up footpath SW 6 to GR 444 833 and from Moving the Island’s health walks from the NHS presents The Ramblers with some challenges of wild flowers, to skirt a chalk pit and Lynch Lane, . Enter/exit the Limerstone Road footpath SW9 goes THE ISLAND HAS 14 health no walk being longer than options – if these “displaced” insurance can be purchased. finish at a gate (GR 376 852). Here one path at (GR 420 853) and wind in and out to another access point GR 446 830. So walk schemes which are 90 minutes. This means that walkers join The Ramblers, Of course, the choice will be can go through gate and immediately through the trees and wild flowers, and around these three footpaths there is now organised by The about a third of the health we will of course have to their own. turn right and follow wide grassy track to the fields beyond, passing Gotten Leaze Ramblers and McMillan walks (those longer than 90 accommodate them – either in quite a large area of open access. Access We will be in discussion the top of the downs and onto Tennyson and Westover Park Farm track to exit/start Cancer Support. Locally, the minutes’ duration) will need to our existing Groups or in new ends 31 March 2020. with these groups over the Trail. (GR 384 853). Distance is only 0.2 at (GR 423 858). This path seems to have NHS organises training and find a new home. Of course, “flexigroups”. coming year to explain the km. Access ends 31 January 2018. administers the scheme. no-one wants these walks to been extended and ends near to Westover • We hope to bring you more permissive The walks could continue benefits of membership and discontinue. Newclose Farm, Newport Take the Park. Distance 0.7 km and access ends 31 paths and bridleways to enjoy in future From next spring, all health as an affiliated group of the the achievements of the Isle of cycle path from Shide to Blackwater. At May 2017. editions of WalkTALK walks will be accredited, with There are a number of Ramblers where discounted Wight Ramblers. 4 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 5 AT TIMES WILD and windswept, They cremated their dead and Dylan Thomas’s descriptive phrase, “a whack of wind”. at others benign, a wide path buried the remains in urns. Here, The Longstone appears quite suddenly, as if by surprise. The Priestleys leads away from Jubilee car park the burial mounds – or barrows Mysterious and enigmatic, it has stood in this quiet spot, at Brighstone, up onto – date from the early Bronze for thousands of years – a craggy witness to the long Down, crossing the chalk downland Age, around 4,000 years ago, passing of time. Believed by some to have been a place of of Brook Hill to Brooke Hill House, once the but the downland was cleared by sacrifice in a dark past, there are rumours of more modern J.B. Priestley (known J.B. home of writer J.B. Priestley and Neolithic farmers some 2,000 years pagan rituals taking place. Well, that’s the romantic view, as Jack) was one of the his archaeologist wife Jacquetta before that. Now a Site of Special but in the cold light of day, we know the stones are almost country’s most noted writers Hawkes. Scientific Interest (SSSI), the area certainly the remains of an entrance to a narrow burial – two of his best known titles is important for archaeology and It’s a fair uphill haul. This is mound which dates from the Neolithic period. It’s the are The Good Companions and rare species. National Trust land, part of the Island’s only megalithic monument. and An Inspector Calls. Jubilee Island’s magnificent south- Descending Pay Down the track The name of nearby Mottistone, meaning the Speaker’s During the Second World War, western coastlands that run from leads to Brook road. Turning left or Pleader’s stone, almost certainly derives from The only Churchill’s broadcasts on the lighthouse at St Catherine’s, here, a very short stretch of road Longstone. the BBC were more popular terminating in the dramatic Needles walking will take you to the drive that those of Priestley. It was Rocks. leading to Brook Hill House. Sadly A grassy path leads down to Strawberry Lane. Turn left while he was living at Brook Hill here. As the lane begins to rise an almost overgrown Jacquetta The walk is circular and will take a we cannot view the house at close House that he met and married structure can be seen on the left. couple of hours or so, depending quarters as it is a private property, Jacquetta Hawkes, in 1953. She When the writer J.B. Priestley on how often you pause to drink in but glimpses of the roof and These are the remains of a lime kiln, thought to have been was, according to Priestley, “ice and his wife Jacquetta Hawkes, the views. There is a stretch of road chimneys are visible later on. built at the end of the 19th century. Once common on the without and fire within”. the archaeologist, left Brook (or rather, quiet lane) walking at the Although the house and grounds Island, the purpose of lime kilns was to convert chalk into Jacquetta Hawkes, also a writer, was an archaeologist of quicklime by burning it. Quicklime was spread on the land Hill House for the mainland in end. But if you can drag your eyes are private, the driveway doubles international renown. Above all she was interested in the away from those vistas for a while, as a public footpath which leads to reduce soil acidity. lives of peoples as revealed by scientific excavations, there are other things to discover 1959, it was not without regret. into the National Trust’s Mottistone At the top of the lane, a left turn will quickly lead back but is probably best known for her book A Land, written en route. On this airy walk from Jubilee Estate. Here, there is a brief to Jubilee car park. (Take care here, it is the main road in 1951. She excavated The Longstone in 1956, with the car park at Brighstone, you The chalk track rises steadily, contrast with the lofty views on top linking Brighstone and Calbourne). help of county archaeologist Jack Jones (later curator of and before long the views south of the down – the path meanders Castle Museum), her son Nicolas and Frank may find yourself asking, were So, were they right to leave? towards St Catherine’s Down, pleasingly amongst woodland Hayles, the gardener at Brook Hill. they right to leave? and all of the coastal plain around before opening out once more Unlacing your boots back at the car, you may very well Priestley’s son Tom recalled that his father “was Atherfield become visible. Further onto the down’s southern flank. A think not. How could Jack Priestley and Jacquetta Hawkes community-minded in spirit and had local friends”, but ahead, as the ground levels out, pause at the wooden bench here bear to say goodbye? Probably only with the greatest also, “we ‘stubbed our toes’ on class in the Island. My there is obvious evidence of human will reward the walker with superb reluctance. All good things must come to an end, as the father, not being ‘county’, was not much liked”. The daily occupation from ancient times. views all the way to the Dorset saying goes. Life is transient, but it is somehow reassuring routine at Brook Hill involved writing until lunchtime, This dramatic landscape has been coast if the visibility is clear, or, in that the Bronze Age barrows, and The Longstone itself, tennis, tea on the terrace, and a lavish dinner when influenced by our ancestors for stormier conditions, it is a good are perhaps the only really permanent things here, in this Priestley would challenge his guests to look at the lights of Words and pictures: Stephen Williams thousands of years. place to muse momentarily on place, high on the chalk downs of the Isle of Wight. Bournemouth and “thank God you’re not there”. In 1957 J.B. Priestley and Jacquetta Hawkes helped found the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. In 1958 a major public meeting was organised to promote CND on the Isle of Wight, which coincided with the successful campaign against a nuclear power station at Newtown. In 1959, the Priestleys finally left Brook Hill and moved to Staffordshire. Later, he wrote: “If we were so happy up there at Brook Hill House why did we sell, pack up and leave the Island? It was all very well for us living there, but our family and friends had to keep getting to and from the Island. This was not very easy in winter with its sudden blinding fogs cutting us off from the mainland… So we took pity on our family and friends and moved somewhere more accessible. But I am not sure we were right”.

6 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 7 Government reviewing coast path decision Humans, dinosaurs – The Isle of Wight THE GOVERNMENT HAS decided to The national Ramblers charity formally Long Distance review its decision to exclude the Island challenged this decision, and now the Walkers Association from the English Coastal Path. government has decided to reconsider. and a cercertaintain bear THE ISLAND’S LONG IW Ramblers believes it would be AS PART OF the Autumn Walking In July this year, DEFRA decided that distance walking group was an injustice if the Isle of Wight was Weekend, the Isle of Wight Council the Isle of Wight was not a priority for re-formed in April 2013 after the only coastal English county to be arranged a special walk in aid the national coastal access programme. a seventeen-year lapse. It is excluded from a national coastal access of Children in Need. This Instead, it recommended IW Ramblers led by Ventnor author and programme and we eagerly await the was a 10-mile coastal work with local landowners and the former Royal Navy Warrant outcome. walk from Officer David ‘Rowdy’ Yates. council to see what could be acheived to Compton Bay led voluntarily. David Howarth by well-known long David (pictured) had A changing distance walker Jill previously led several long Green.This year’s distance walks, following Isle of Wight Ramblers’ Annual General Meeting walking weekend the 2009 publication of world MEMBERS ARE INVITED to attend Arrangements theme was his second book Beaches this year’s Group and Area AGM 9am Local Walk dinosaurs, so Bars and Blisters of the which will take place at 11.15am 11.15am Group 1 AGM participants Isle of Wight. David has The Ramblers must adapt on Saturday 15th February 2014 at 12pm Area AGM were asked to now walked round the Island 19 times. to face future challenges... Community Centre. The out- 1.15pm Lunch (provided dress the part. The group seeks to combine longer distance walking with going committee will present a report by Tom and Jean sightseeing and a chance to meet like-minded people. MANY PEOPLE JOIN the Ramblers to Lunch was at Isle of last year’s activities, including the Denoon) A wide variety of coastal and inland walks has now been go walking with a group and to enjoy of Wight Pearl at annual accounts, for approval of the 2.30pm Talk by Kate established to attract walkers of all ages. Distances from socialising. Brighstone, with a membership, and a new committee will Ashbrook, Ramblers’ guest appearance ten to 73 miles are covered, and a 24-hour round-the- But The Ramblers is much more than be elected. We will: National President from Pudsey Bear. Island walk is programmed each year for the same day a walking club.It is the guardian of • consider the annual report, 3.15pm Tea/Coffee Transport was on hand (and direction) as the world famous Round the Island the footpath network and protects • consider the income and to take everyone back Yacht Race. Most of the walks are quite casual, with lots of our countryside for the benefit of all expenditure and the balance sheet, Nominations/Motions to Group, Area to Blackgang. beaches and bars. walkers. In a fast changing world, we • appoint office holders and the or General Council to be submitted The IW Ramblers is pleased that David has now joined need to be fleet-footed to adapt. This walk was a lot of committees, in writing, before 20th January 2013 fun – and we raised IW Ramblers as a member of our Area Council. We are There has been much activity during • nominate representatives to the to David Howarth, Area Chairman, 4 over £600! programming a number of joint LDWA and Ramblers the summer to identify the key areas General Council, Woodlands, Bay, Isle of Wight walks. where change is needed for the • appoint an independent examiner PO39 0FE Pictured Pudsey Bear with • For further details, see our next walks programme. Ramblers to develop and to become a for the accounts, David Howarth sporting a David Yates can be contacted on 07718-685936 vibrant organisation. • discuss and consider motions Note Appointment of a Rambles dinosaur hat submitted in writing. Throughout the summer, teams of Secretary, Social Events Secretary, WANT TO BE ON OUR EMAIL LIST FOR WALKS? trained people have been talking to NB If certain office holders or an Area Council Representative Spring Contact Gary on 299511 or email [email protected] walking groups throughout the UK to independent examiner cannot be and a Footpath Sub-committee 2014 Wight Sole If you are lost or running late, Gary’s mobile number is 07804 856249 understand what is needed in future. Representative, will be made at the found, the AGM can authorise the For younger ramblers – friendly welcome guaranteed! Latest details: www.wightsole.org first Group Committee Meeting after Locally, we have held discussions committee to fill these vacancies at the AGM. within our area and groups to debate their discretion at a later date. Sun 5th January Sun 16th February (half Meet at Wootton Recreation lunch and drink at pub. Allow this topic, while meetings of Area Downs and Undercliff term) ground off Footwats at 10:30 4 hours. Agenda Meet by the Rhylstone Track and Field – plus a bit of for a gentle walk to the beach GR 480901 Chairs around the country have taken 1. Welcome bandstand for a 5-6 mile woodland then to Combley Woods and Suzanne and Dave 282322 place. Our Chairman, David Howarth, 2. Apologies for absence walk. Park in Popham or Start 10:30 at Shanklin back via Steam Railway line. attended events at Gerrards Cross and 3. Approval of last year’s AGM report and any matters arising Sun 20th April (Easter Luccombe Road. Railway station for a 7 mile 8-9 miles, allow 4 hours. Wrexham. 4. Presentation and approval of annual reports and accounts Sunday) GR 583809 walk. Allow 3 hours. Bring a packed lunch. Another Mystery A report showing the national impact 5. Election of committee members and independent examiner Kerry 07883 040120 GR 581819 GR 539923 Check e-mail, website or of The Ramblers can be found at 6. Discussion of motions Tracey 867603 Alison 810220 County Press for details. www.ramblers.org.uk/~/media/Files/ Close Sun 19th January Niton Far GR TBA About%20us/Ramblers_Impact_ Sun 2nd March Sun 30th March Meet in Niton on Allotment Coast to Quay Gary 07804 856249 Report_2011_2012.pdf The Wellow Wander Please send lunch bookings (£5.50 per person) to Road at 10:30. Along coast to Meet 10:30 at Bouldnor Meet 10:30 at Sun 4th May (Bank Holiday St Lawrence up to Stenbury Pictured Ramblers CEO Benedict Southworth Ann Wellings, Group Treasurer, 66 Silver Trees, Shanklin, IW PO37 7ND viewpoint car park. Bouldnor seafront car park. 8-9 miles, Weekend) addressing members at Wrexham back via Whitwell. to Wellow via Hamstead and allow 4 hours, bring a packed Still MysterIous I/we wish to attend the IW Ramblers AGM GR 510767 on to Yarmouth with lovely lunch. Check e-mail, website or What do you think about the future of Alison 810220 Solent views. 9-10 miles, GR 611850 County Press for details. The Ramblers? Name(s) PLEASE PRINT Sun 2nd February allow 5 hours. Bring a packed Martin 867603 GR TBA You can have your say by completing Mystery Walk lunch. Sun 6th April Gary 07804 856249 the online survey at https://www. Check e-mail, website or GR 367899 Forest, Farms and Fields Sun 11th May surveymonkey.com/s/GoAllOut. It only County Press for details. Chris 822013 Meet 10.30 at Parkhurst takes about ten minutes – and you’ll Walk the Wight GR TBA Sun 16th March Forest for a 7.5 mile walk Please see iwhospice.org to be helping to shape the future. I/we enclose a cheque for £ payable to the Isle of Wight Ramblers Michael 565301 Steam and Sand round to . Pack register. 8 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 9 A walk in the northern woodlands THE EIGHTH WALK in the series We continued towards Combley – there Parts of this woodland between the “Landscape Characters of the Isle was some surprise at the extent of the bridleway and the main road are Forest of Wight”, celebrating 50 years of Bestival site which was in the course of Enterprise, accessible to the public with the AONB, gave twenty walkers the erection. Looking down onto Combley extensive tracks and paths, whilst other opportunity to see how woodland creates Farm the group heard how Combley sections remain as nature reserves and a different outlook in the northern part of (Cumbley) was a manor and farm on the private woodland. There are extensive the Island. Downend Isle of Wight estates. The farm private fishing lakes specialising in carp years was formerly a grange of Quarr Abbey, and trout – these can be fished by day Since mediaeval times most woodland licence. has been north of the central chalk of some 800 acres. It was acquired by Sir ridge, being on heavier soils not really Thomas Fleming with other possessions Maps demonstrate that the large wooded suited to agriculture. These large areas of Quarr Abbey on 29th May 1609. areas around contain of plantation and mixed woodland are Combley Roman Villa was uncovered plantations but have their origins in The Isle of Wight: England in miniature. a dominant feature in the landscape. there in 1910 and is now within the ancient woodland, much of which still Bouldnor, Parkhurst, Firestone Copse and grounds of Robin Hill. exists. These are being encouraged to That’s what they say, isn’t it? This year, Combley Great Wood are larger forests increase with native species. Duxmore Manor was also acquired and we’ve been celebrating that diversity managed by Forest Enterprise but a the whole estate covered some 4,000 Members are invited to visit Kemphill number of the smaller ones are in private with a series of walks in the AONB. acres. The lands stayed more or less Moor Wood and Combley Great Wood to ownership. explore these extensive woodlands for TH intact until dispersal in 1956. THE 50 ANNIVERSARY of the AONB partnership The walk was designed to visit examples themselves. Leaving Combley we followed the long has continued with more Ramblers-led walks in of woods in private and national bridleway through Combley Great Wood. John Hague the varying landscapes of the Island. Throughout ownership and to see how they fit within the year, we have ranged across the whole Island the general landscape of small enclosed and seen chalk downs, sandy ridges, the Undercliff, fields. varied coastlines, woodlands – and a variety of farmed landscapes. Understandably, many people Leaving Havenstreet the group consider Island scenery to be England in a nutshell. negotiated small fields to reach Kemphill Moor Copse. This small piece The latest walks took place at Arreton, with a climb of woodland has been purchased to St George’s Down; woodland near Havenstreet; by Ron Holland, a local farmer and and Newtown Harbour – which is a national nature accommodation provider. Developing a reserve. management plan with Forest Enterprise Our eleventh and final walk in the series was a has allowed him progressively to improve special event. The AONB office kindly agreed to the condition of the woodland, in the first pay entrance fees so that we could walk around instance by creating access tracks and the Osborne estate, which included a guided visit letting in the light. Visitors can wander to Osborne House. Unfortunately there were some the tracks and see the variety of wildlife disappointed members as all 40 places were soon attracted to the area. allocated. David Howarth arranged this final walk, We walked along the public footpath and but was very nearly unable to lead it, owing to an noted the open and airy feel – Ron was unfortunate incident. clearing some of the conifers at the time. “There are no public footpaths near Osborne Bay, Continuing the stroll to cross the steam so special arrangements had to be made,” he said. railway line (with acknowledgement “I reccied the walk and purely by chance this from two passing trains) we were able to coincided with a private visit to the Island by Prince view the overall landscape from higher Philip whose helicopter landed at Osborne. But I was ground. We noted the rising land towards a little too inquisitive and security personnel made it Robin Hill/Downend and the edge of quite clear that I was not welcome. I came close to Down with the Seamark and it being thrown into the Tower!” became obvious that the woodland of this area was contained to the north side of the upland. In the distance, above the treeline, there was a glimpse of the • On the opposite page, John Hague describes Millenium Tower at Portsmouth. the northern woodlands walk, the eighth walk in the series which took place in the summer.

. Opposite page, top to bottom Ramblers assembled on the Causeway at Newtown Harbour; Newtown apple stop!; On the beach at the Osborne Estate; Rambling through summer fields at Arreton

This page (top) Most woodland on the Island occurs to the north of the central chalk ridge; (bottom) pausing on the approach to Pondcast Farm

10 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 11 THE BACK PAGE... THE BACK PAGE... THE BACK PAGE...THE THE FINAL SOCIAL event in the Sundays at Three sessions was held in November. These events were organised by West Wight Marketing Group and raised over £900 for IW Ramblers, which will fund the purchase of three new gates in the West Wight area. Each event was accompanied buy a three- mile walk. One recent Ramblers’ ladies event at Fort Redoubt saw a keep abreast of retro and vintage car display, including this donations for Air pristine Ford Cortina Ambulance from 1971. Right on – and we’re digging that crazy hair...

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THE WEATHER WAS perfect for the six-mile walk arranged by Carol Henley in aid of the Air Ambulance in August this year. Participants were treated to a cream tea afterwards, in Carol’s garden, and a total of £80 was raised in donations and merchandise. A talk was given by Pat Knight, a volunteer from Air Ambulance, who said that third world women needed help to retain dignity and prevent abuse. IW Ramblers’ ladies donated old bras for this cause.

Isle of Wight Ramblers Queen’s Award for Voluntary Contact information Service Area Council IOW Group Committee Wight Sole Group Items for the next edition of walkTalk Area Chair David Howarth 759823 Chair Vacant Chair Gary Clarke 299511 Thank you to those who submitted material Area Secretary David Howarth 759823 Vice Chair Vacant Deputy Chair Tracey Darch or 07804 for this edition. If you would like to contribute Treasurer Lynda Woolford 716021 Secretary Rio Bellgore-Gullit 07800 Treasurer Dave Aitken 856249 to the next edition, published in April 2014 Footpath Secretary Mike Marchant 564909 528626 Membership Suzanne Aitken please send to: Membership Bobby Carlin 740332 Treasurer Ann Wellings 863402 Publicity Alison Cardy Access Officer Mike Slater 752997 Walks programme Steve Gibson 761927 Graphics/Web Toby Davies David Howarth, Red Oaks, 4 Woodlands, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0FE Countryside Officer David Howarth 759823 Social Secretaries Anne Parker 864401 Footpath Sub-Committee Publicity Officer Howard Duffus 755469 Linda Sheasby 884263 Secretary Mike Marchant 564909 Tel: 759823 Newsletter Editor Steve Williams 524007 Committee Pam Dana 863189 Planning Cttee Adrian Tavill 562565 Email: [email protected] Committee John Hague 862842 Members Carol Henley 537445 Members Charlie Davidson 756788 Members John Gurney- 522665 Ann Pearson Janet Whiteman 296957 By 6th March 2014 at the latest. Champion Anna Willshire Print: St Mary’s Hospital Print Unit

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