News and information from the Isle of Wight Wishing our readers a Merry Issue 139 Area and Groups Christmas & Happy New Year Winter 2019 Ramblers Roadshow Coming to COWES

Ramblers roadshows are training events which are held across Britain. An event will be held on Saturday 2nd May which will also be the start date of the Island Walking Festival. This is an opportunity for members to brush up their skills and to meet Ramblers staff.

Northwood House is the exquisite venue for a day when members can mix and match training. There will be morning and afternoon sessions and a buffet lunch will be provided. Topics will include: • Walk leadership training • First aid for walkers • Navigational skills (using a smartphone) • Footpath law basics • Footpath law advanced

Sessions can be booked online at www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer roadshows. The day is absolutely free for volunteers or those interested in volunteering with the Ramblers. Saturday 2nd May is the fi rst day of the Island Walking Festival, and on this occasion we are also inviting festival participants to this special event. Welcome...... to walkTALK, the newsletter from LOVELY the Isle of Wight Ramblers. If youʻre SOCIAL new to walking, or if youʻve not seen walkTALK before, why not join us? LITTLECOTE EVENTS Benefi ts include: • 280 led walks on the Island each year; • a variety of social events; • walking holidays and day trips; • national Walk magazine and walkTALK; • Discounts from leading outdoor suppliers (eg Cotswold; Blacks) and Ramblers Worldwide Holidays; 23 IW Ramblers enjoyed a • support for an organisation weekend break to Berkshire for a 3-night stay at the Grade I campaigning for greater access to listed Tudor mansion Littlecote the countryside. House nr Hungerford, set in 113 Joining us couldnʻt be easier. Just go acres with the River Kennet to w w w.io w.ramble rs.com and click on running through. Luxury the membership link. awaited when we were upgraded to either historic following day. We took the Avon Welcome to our six new members who courtyard rooms or historic & Kennet canal tow path as far have joined since our last newsletter four suites in the old 14th Century as the Crofton Pumping Station months ago. manor house. where we saw the old steam The House is full of history and powered beam engines and mystery, from Henry VIII’s enjoyed coffee and cake. Then courtship with Jane Seymour, to up the hill to Wilton Windmill 501 before descending through the the Second World War, during Total membership for the Isle of Wight Ramblers woods of the Bedwyn Trail back Main Group 452; Wightsole 49 which the US 101st Airborne Division had their Headquarters to the canal. Some took the easy here. There is now a Museum in option and enjoyed their tea and the original house dedicated to cake on a horse drawn barge. its military history. We enjoyed Our fi nal walk took us from the an interesting history tour of its House through the grounds to the architectural treasures, notably Roman Villa with its superb the 110ft Long Gallery, the oak Orpheus mosaic fl oor. Then, over panelled Great Hall and the the bridge to the idyllic village of Cromwellian Chapel, probably Ramsbury where a pint of the the only complete example of local ale was promised at “The YOUR DATA its kind in England. Bell” but unfortunately, we As a member of Isle of Wight Ramblers arrived too early and they could you will always receive Walk magazine, only serve us soft drinks or coffee! Walktalk, our walks programme, and All the more reason to hurry AGM information. You must opt in to back to the hotel to watch the receive email information. rugby or enjoy the leisure facilities. Preferences can be changed at www.ramblers.org.com/my-account The meals at Littlecote were or telephone 020 7339 8595 excellent with a good variety and choice. We had reserved Walktalk is also published on line at seats in the theatre to enjoy 3 www.iowramblers.com. If you do not good shows ranging from wish to receive a paper version tell Michael Jackson to Shirley Bassey Patricia Macaulay-Fraser. Our guide, Lyn, took us on a music including a very good tour of the house and explained vocal harmony group The Four about the resident ghosts. Lyn D’s. This was a successful and lived in the village of Great enjoyable weekend which we Bedwyn and this was the will probably repeat sometime at starting point for a walk the another Warner’s historic Hotel.

2 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com Up-coming Ramblersʻ holidays SUMMER HOLIDAY 2020 “THE COUNTY HOTEL” KENDAL

Monday 24th – Friday 28th August 2020

The 3* County Hotel enjoys a central location in Kendal, the gateway to the Lake District, and is the very fi rst of Daish’s new Town & Country Hotels. It has recently undergone an extensive four-month refurbishment programme and will offer a smaller and more boutique accommodation experience as it has only 40 bedrooms, a lounge, bar, bistro restaurant and coffee shop. Free Wi-fi . Two led walks or coach SORRY excursion included plus a free day. no singles left 4 Nights 5 days – Cost: £295 per person based on twin share half board and return coach travel from the Island.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Where are we? Answer on page 8 Another Quiz and a Meal

A Krazy Kwiz night will be held on Wednesday 4th March 2020, at IW Indoor Bowls Club, Brading Road, next to MacDonalds near Ryde, at 5.30 for 6pm. Many of you went to the successful event last September. Full details will be sent to you, just contact me on [email protected] A sheet will come fl ying through the ether to you. Vernon, Social secretary

www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 3 Change of Area Chairman

Patricia Macaulay-Fraser, David Howarth, Rod Senior and Pam Dana

David Howarth has stood said that he is looking forward achievements of Isle of Wight down as Area Chair from to the challenges ahead. Ramblers over the last decade. October. We are fortunate to have a high David was presented with a level of volunteers and I would His successor, Rod Senior, has Ramblers Volunteer urge members to consider held a number of positions at Commendation at a recent taking on leadership roles Somerset as well as being Area Council meeting. He said which can be very rewarding.” Group Chair on the Island. Rod “I am proud of the AGM Outgoing Area Chairman, 2020 David Howarth, says a fond farewell We hope that you will come our achievements over the last • Work Party Leader to organise along to the AGM on 25 decade, and this would not have our monthly maintenance happened without the support of programme. January 2020. some 150 volunteers. This is about • Shows Organiser. This involves a third of our membership on the We try to make our Annual General organising setting up the Island. This includes path Meetings (AGMs) a social displays and ensuring that representatives, newsletter occasion, with homemade cooked volunteers are available. lunch, and plenty of opportunities distributors, walk leaders and the to chat to others. We also have like. • Historic Paths Project Leader. A volunteer is needed to people along to talk to us. This However, we do struggle to fi nd coordinate the activities of year we are pleased to welcome people who take on volunteer people researching lost ways. our MP Bob Seely. John Taylor leadership roles. I have found this from Natural England will update work to be very rewarding, and I • Planning Offi cer. A weekly list of everyone on the latest have made many new friends planning applications is developments with the Coast Path. across all walks of life. received. Comments are made And our enthusiastic trustee, about those applications We currently have volunteer Aynsley Jardin, is travelling to see affecting rights of way. us, and will talk about recruitment vacancies for: • Coordinator of our Path of volunteers. • Area Secretary to assist the Representatives. This is my eighth and fi nal year as Area Chair in organising your Area Chairman. I am proud of meetings and the AGM. So please do consider joining our team. You will be fully supported.

4 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com AGM 2020 AGENDA Annual General Meeting 9.30am for coffee and chat 10.00am Group Agenda • Approve Annual Report Saturday 25th • Approve accounts and balance sheet • Appoint office holders and committee members: • Group Chair January 2020 • Group Treasurer All members are invited to join us at • Group Secretary • Walks programme Arreton Community Centre. IW • Social secretary For SATNAV PO30 3AD • Holidays • Committee members • Representative for Area Council • Appoint external auditor • Discussion of motions or change to constitution Please send all nominations for • Any other business officer posts and any motions for 11.00am Area Agenda debate to David Howarth • Approve Annual Report by 11 January. • Approve accounts and balance sheet Motions will be discussed • Appoint office holders and committee members • Area Chair by the group and area • Area Treasurer committees prior to the meeting. • Area Footpath Secretary [email protected] • Area Secretary • Area Membership Officer • Area Countryside Officer • Members of Area Council • Appoint external auditor • Appoint two representatives for General Council, 4th / 5th April at Bristol • Discussion of motions and/or changes to constitution AGM Lunch 12.00pm Tea and Coffee Please complete the form opposite 12.15pm Bob Seely MP 12.30pm John Taylor, Natural England will discuss and post it with your cheque the future Island Coast Path alignment (payable to Isle of Wight Ramblers) to: 12.50pm Questions to our trustee, Aynsley Jardin Group Treasurer 1.00pm Lunch 2 Forest Road 2.15pm Short walk Winford Booking form for AGM lunch on 25 January 2020 PO36 0JY Name...... Price includes two course home cooked lunch and Address...... all refreshments throughout ...... the day......

...... Postcode...... £7 per head Tel no...... I WOULD LIKE PLACES AT £7 PER HEAD www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 5 Yar River Trail RELAUNCH

As part of the “Down to the Coast” project, IW Ramblers volunteers have been improving the Yar River Trail and creating two new link paths. The main improvements needed on the Yar Three new leafl ets are ready for the May Trail can claim a T-shirt and there will be a River Trail were between Brading and 2020 launch with a series of four walks small celebration for all who walk the fi nal Bembridge – specifi cally along the old sea enabling the whole Yar Trail to be covered in section to the sea at St Helens. wall which had become very muddy and four consecutive days. Day walks are planned All the launch walks are featured in the next sometimes impassable. for each link. Ramblers programme and also appear in the Clearance was undertaken by Ramblers work Those who walk the whole of the Yar River Walking Festival 2020 event. parties and by a local contractor. Major surfacing works followed to clear and create a good path on the top of the sea walls, so Western Yar Estuary Trail Improved creating an all year walking route. Gates replaced stiles and a hard surface in part now 2010 will be fondly remembered as the landowners reported diffi culties with offers access for the less mobile to observe year of our fi rst access project and the the gates – some of the wooden gates the bird life on the marshes. birth of the donate a gate scheme. Stiles were left open or did not close Access for the heavy machinery proved to be were replaced with gates and 120 effectively. exceptionally diffi cult during poor weather tonnes limestone laid to improve paths. IW Ramblers and the Rights of Way conditions. Time now for some TLC. Department decided to tackle this The 4 mile circular route has been very problem, by installing a new type of popular with residents and tourists gate and improving one very muddy alike, and really appreciated by less stretch of the path. Three gates have mobile people who can follow the route been replaced, and we will all be along good paths with no stiles to cross. monitoring their effectiveness. Care is always needed to satisfy the needs of landowners and especially with stock control. Generally, we replace stiles with kissing gates. The advantage of kissing gates is that they do control livestock, and cannot be left There are two link paths – from Ventnor, the open. Unfortunately, kissing gates Wroxall Stream link follows the line of the cannot be used by certain users. watercourse. From Shanklin, the Scotchells We were fortunate to get agreement Brook link follows the watercourse and with the landowners along the creates a circular walk. Freshwater Way, to use pedestrian The Trail and the two new links have had gates which are accessible by everyone. improvements to signage by the addition of Unfortunately, over time, the waymarks and logos denoting the route.

6 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com IOW Ramblers work to safeguard and improve the Island’s Footpath Network 2019 Path Maintenance Work parties been restricted to 10 gates because we footpath opportunities and problems. This year we established new have not had a dedicated Donate a Gate Comments and objections have been arrangements where the ROW organiser in post. This brings the total submitted as appropriate. Maintenance Supervisor leads parties of number of donations to 213 gates. Three Liaison Meetings take place volunteers on the fi rst Tuesday of each between the ROW Department and IOW Historic Lost Ways month. Ramblers. This helps to reinforce our When defi nitive maps of Public Rights of Steps along public rights of way at constructive partnership. Way were drawn up by Local Authorities Godshill, St George’s Down and Chale IOW Ramblers represent walkers’ during the 1950s many public footpaths have all been repaired. Slippery interests on the Isle of Wight Local were not included. We have until 2026 boardwalks have been covered with Access Forum. to identify and claim these routes. We wire netting. In Shorwell a permissive need volunteers to join our team We are regularly responding to General path has been reinstated by removing researching archives and making claims Public enquiries about footpath and two stiles, installing a new gate, for these historic paths. access issues. repairing steps and path clearance. Unfortunately, several planned work The Coast Path Project Coordination and Leadership Footpath Volunteer Opportunities parties have had to be cancelled because A Natural England Team is planning an volunteers were not available. We will be improved route for the Isle of Wight Ramblers volunteers have campaigned reviewing our approach in January. Coast path. We have identifi ed four key to ensure the public can share access to locations where a satisfactory outcome the countryside for healthy outdoor Parish Path Reps is at risk recreation. Our work to safeguard, Our 28 Path Rep volunteers are the eyes improve and extend the Island’s footpath • Around the shoreline of the Osborne and boots on the ground, walking all the network relies on dedicated people able Estate paths in their Parish to identify problems to coordinate and lead a range of such as an unsafe stile, a fallen tree, a • The Coast Line to the north of Quarr volunteering activities. Abbey missing sign or a fi eld of maize blocking � You may have recently retired and a path. Around 200 path reports are • At Colwell Bay be looking for a new challenge. submitted to the ROW Department each • MOD Newtown Ranges You are probably comfortable using year. A data base of reports and � IOW Ramblers have been campaigning maps and IT. remedial action is kept and reviewed and lobbying with partners to seek with ROW. � You will certainly want to work with improved access at these locations. other people to secure and develop We currently have vacancies for Cowes better access across the Island. and Chale. Representation and Liaison If this sounds like you, please contact Throughout the year Planning Mike Slater Tel 752997 to discuss Donate a Gate Scheme Applications and PROW Orders have how you might help. During 2019 new gate installations have been reviewed to identify potential Castlehaven Footpath Reopens Part of the Isle of Wight’s coastal footpath was formally reopened at Castlehaven in Niton. The restoration of the Village Green and the NT46 footpath are the result of many years’ work between the Isle of Wight Council’s Rights of Way team and Niton and Whitwell Parish Council with assistance from Gift to Nature and the Niton Harbour Club. Councillor Dave Stewart, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Ward Member for Chale, Niton and Whitwell, said, “This is great news for the local community and people will be able to enjoy this unique location for years to come. Congratulations to the Parish Council and the Isle of Wight Council for all their hard work. As Ward Councillor, I am proud of what has been achieved and look forward to enjoying this community asset. Well done everyone.” Graham Biss, Managing Director of Natural Enterprise said “Castlehaven Village Green is the newest site in our Gift to Nature portfolio and has some of the most stunning views. We realise how important it is to local people and visitors and have enjoyed working with Niton and Whitwell Parish Council to enhance its appearance”. www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 7 Colin Black We were sorry to hear of the death of Colin Black. Colin was a popular walks leader and a gentleman. His particular passion was a love of the countryside and was a coordinator of the Access Section of the Natural History Society. His knowledge was particularly useful when describing the countryside to members of his walks. Colin was also a lifeboatman and had an interest in naval history. His daughter, Marilyn said “Dad always enjoyed walking in the countryside” Colin was also a Path Representative for the Ryde Area.

First Aid for Walkers Course Two half day courses were held by St John Ambulance at their headquarters in Newport. Funding for the courses was Christine Ford provided by the Postcode We were sorry to hear of the death of an Isle of Lottery. Wight member who moved to Flamstead in Each course was designed Hertfordshire. Christine was 71yrs old. A specifi cally for walkers and murder investigation has taken place and a included the likely emergency man arrested. Mrs Ford was known locally for situations that can arise when tending an area of the church garden. walking in the countryside. Christine had moved from the Island but kept 19 Isle of Wight Ramblers in touch with local members. She enjoyed

attended. going on the Group Holidays.

of a brave young RAF pilot who died in his Hurricane, rather than parachuting out. parachuting than rather Hurricane, his in died who pilot RAF young brave a of

Where are we? are Where This monument was erected very recently alongside the Bembridge Trail between Arreton and Shepherd’s Lane/Heasley Manor, to the memory memory the to Manor, Lane/Heasley Shepherd’s and Arreton between Trail Bembridge the alongside recently very erected was monument This

AREA COUNCIL Contact information FOOTPATH COMMITTEE Items for the next edition of walkTALK Area Chair Rod 07871 049312 Secretary Michael Slater 752997 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Thank you to those who submitted Acting Secretary David Howarth 07477 600337 GROUP COMMITTEE Planning Vacant material for this edition. If you would like to ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Web/Media/Publicity David Howarth 07477 600337 Chair Rod 07871 049312 Members Maureen Le Roi 612668 contribute to the next edition, published in ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––– Newsletter Editor David Howarth 07477 600337 Secretary Steve Gibson 07901 555789 Howard Duffus 07428 461619 April 2020. Please send to: ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––– Footpath Secretary Mike Slater 752997 Walks Programme Steve Gibson 07901 555789 David Howarth, Red Oaks, 4 Woodlands, ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Path Reps. Coordinator Vacant Treasurer Jackie H 868517 WIGHT SOLE GROUP Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0FE ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chair Gary 867098 Membership Secretary Patricia Macaulay-Fraser Newsletter Distribution Tim H 868517 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tel: 759823 / 07477 600337 07894 466881 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Deputy Chair Tracey 867603 Email: [email protected] ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Social Secretary Vacant ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Countryside Offi cer Maureen Le Roi 612668 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Treasurer Dave 297304 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Shows Coordinator Vacant ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– By 7 April 2020 at the latest. Area Treasurer Carolyn Lymn 565508 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Membership Suzanne 297304 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Committee Member Roger 07740 541153 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– C’ttee Members John Gurney-Champion 522665 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Publicity Alison 07792 913044 Design: NHS Printing Services ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Pam Dana 01983 863189 Print: NHS Printing Services ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 Offi ce: Second Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW 8 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com