walkerSOUTH EAST No. 99 September 2017 Coast path makes progress in Essex and Kent rogress on developing coast path in Kent with a number the England Coast Path of potentially contentious issues Pnational trail in Essex and to be addressed, especially around Kent has continued with Natural Faversham. If necessary, Ian England conducting further will attend any public hearings route consultations this summer. Ramblers volunteers have been or inquiries to defend the route very involved with the project proposed by Natural England. from the beginning, surveying Consultation on this section closed routes and providing input to on 16 August. proposals. The trail, scheduled Meanwhile I have started work to be completed in 2020, will run on the second part of the Area's for about 2,795 miles/4.500km. guide to the Kent Coast Path which is planned to cover the route from Kent Ramsgate to Gravesend (or possibly It is now over a year since the section of the England Coast Path further upriver). I've got as far as from Camber to Ramsgate opened Reculver, site of both a Roman fort in July 2016. Since then work has and the remains of a 12th century been underway to extend the route church whose twin towers have long in an anti-clockwise direction. been a landmark for shipping. On The route of the next section from the way I have passed delightful Ramsgate to Whitstable has been beaches and limestone coves as well determined by the Secretary of as sea stacks at Botany Bay and the State but the signage and the works Turner Contemporary art gallery at necessary to create a new path along Margate. Even on a fine day near Margate the lone the edge of the North Foreland coast walker can find deserted promenades. Golf Course near Kingsgate Castle The first part of the guide has have not yet begun. sold well, proceeds since publication On the coast near Reculver. Photo: Robert Peel In June Natural England issued having covered the printing costs a consultation document on the so that sales are now generating proposed route of the 36 miles/58km profits for the Ramblers. Copies section from Whitstable to Iwade of the Part 1 Camber to Ramsgate Let's walk in Beds (where the path will make a detour guide are still available from www. e hope the yellow- History' tour at Cardington, and programme. Enquiries can be to go around the 32 mile/51km kentramblers.org.uk/books and topped programme the 'Fascinating Secrets of Queens sent to organiser@bedswalkfest. coastline of the Isle of Sheppey). for this year's Park' in Bedford. We also have co,uk. Much of the route follows the anyone quoting South East Walker W before 30 September can have it at Bedfordshire Walking Festival a walk entitled 'Five Mills and a One of the best things about existing long distance path, the (9 -17 September) will feel 16th Century Church' which will the festival is meeting new faces a special price of £5.50 (including Saxon Shore Way. However, there as welcoming as the many include a baked potato lunch and a and renewing acquaintances with are several improvements facilitated postage but not the additional book yellow-topped marker posts tour of one of the mills. Each year people we see year after year. by improved sea defences near available free to those paying the our volunteer footpath workers the festival seeks new innovations Whether you are one of the new Seasalter and a new bridge across price advertised on the website). have been installing on paths in and this year we will have a 'Trails faces or one of the regulars may Milton Creek. Nevertheless, Kent Robert Peel the Beds countryside. and Tales' evening social walk and we offer you a hearty welcome Ramblers Coastal Access Officer, Secretary, Kent Ramblers Inside are 18 pages of walks for talk at Clophill and hope the weather stays kind Ian Wild, anticipates that this is almost all ability levels together The nine days of good walking for you to enjoy our range of walks likely to be the trickiest section of Continued on page 2 with 30 pages of information culminate with the two-day and events. about the county, the Ramblers, Greensand Ridge Challenge over Barry Ingram England Coast Path - Stretch Progress and all the organisations which the weekend of 16-17 September. Chair, Bedfordshire Ramblers South East Hub Team - 30th June 2017 support the festival. The walks This enjoyable yet challenging

Stretch Names programme is colour-coded so 40-mile walk crosses the county 9 1 Shoreham to Eastbourne ") Tilbury 2 Eastbourne to Camber Woolwich ") MEDWAY Grain ") Sheerness that readers can easily choose the from east to west along the ridge 3 ") Camber to Folkestone Gravesend ") 6 4 5 Folkestone to Ramsgate 8 type of walk most suitable for of greensand which divides ") 5 Rochester Ramsgate to Whitstable ") Herne Bay 6 Isle of Sheppey Ramsgate ") them. the county. The route offers ") 7 7 Whitstable to Iwade Sittingbourne 8 Iwade to Grain Along with a range of rambles walkers much to savour and the ") 9 Grain to Woolwich Canterbury ") Sandwich ") Maidstone Stretch Progress in the beautiful Bedfordshire satisfaction of a certificate on England Coast Path and associated access rights now open KENT countryside there will be a completion. Approved but not yet open, 4 establishment works planned ") Ashford ") or in progress Dover number of 'Informative Interest Many of the festival walks ") Royal Tunbridge Wells Proposals published but not yet determined Folkestone ") Walks' where the leader will do not require booking and Proposals in development Other provide information (sufficient are free. A number do require 3 County & Unitary Boundaries but hopefully not an overload) on booking and have a charge Rye ") Lydd ") EAST SUSSEX WEST SUSSEX points of interest. Examples of which is clearly shown in the these include a 'Castle to Castle' programme as well as on the ") Lewes Hastings ") 2

") Brighton 0 2 4 8 12 Kilometres walk from Yelden to Sharnbrook, website at www.bedswalkfest. Eastbourne 0 2 4 8 12 Miles ") a 'Reading the Landscape Around co.uk. Most bookings can be 1 © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Natural England ³ Licence No. 100022021 Us' walk from Leighton Buzzard, made either via the website or by a 'Small Village with a Big using the bookings page in the The programme The England Coast Path in Kent. Photo: Natural England 2 South East Walker September 2017 Continued from page 1 Grain to Woolwich New London went along in June to meet Although they have yet to publish riverside access is expected to be the young and enthusiastic their preferred detailed route, they included as part of the planning Loop guidebook Iteam at Natural England were expecting this to follow mostly consent. who are developing plans for existing rights of way where these Elsewhere along the route, the 48-mile/78km Grain to exist beside the Thames. They deviations from the Thames are published Woolwich stretch of the England were also expecting to incorporate likely. They were expecting the Coast Path. This was going to be new access to Broadness Salt route to be diverted inland around completely new version of about half of which was then signed the Grain to Gravesend stretch Marsh at Swanscombe where, if most of Grain, with a spur to the the guide to the London and described in leaflets. but the upriver end was changed a theme park and entertainment village itself. They doubted if they Loop has been published The guide was written by to Woolwich in April to better centre development goes ahead would get cooperation to develop a A by Aurum Press. Following the David Sharp, already the author link with the Thames Path. (Paramount pulled out in June), route around the firing range over demise of its original author, of the Thames Path guide in the Lees Marshes, the old BP refinery David Sharp, it has been written same Aurum Press series. In an site to the active gas and container by Colin Saunders, who already introduction, David wrote: "The terminals. has the companion guides to the Loop was planned to take in the There are also industrial wharfs Capital Ring and North Downs best countryside while trying to at Greenhithe and Northfleet where Way in his portfolio. ensure that every key point where they are not hopeful of gaining There are several changes, the you would want to join it or leave access. main one being that, instead of it was accessible with a Travelcard, From Dartford to Woolwich the the original 15 sections, it has been or for London's lucky pensioners, a route is likely to follow the Thames reworked to match the official Freedom Pass. But London is an Path Extension 24 sections, thus avoiding the odd shape. Across the north, the They are not expecting the confusion that existed under the urban boundary is easy to define; Environment Agency to provide old arrangement. indeed it is significant that the Loop access across the flood barrier at Three route improvements are touches on several Underground the mouth of the River Darent described, all north of the Thames, termini - Uxbridge, Stanmore, and expect the route will need to though they are unofficial at High Barnet, Cockfosters - the divert towards Dartford and back present, as Transport for London edge of London in every sense. up the other bank of the river. You and the relevant highway authorities South of the Thames, the pattern can read more on this stretch at have yet to authorise the changes. is much less certain, and coming to http://tinyurl.com/ECP-Grain-to- This means that the original routes the Thames Valley, the Loop can as signed can still be followed if Surrounded by wetland marsh at the end of the Hoo peninsula, Grain Coastal Park Woolwich only cross by the most pleasant line remains one of the remotest spots in southern England. Jim Briggs preferred, but Loop walkers should it can find - the true outer edge of find the suggested new routes more London's development would be amenable. somewhere out beyond Staines." At Harrow Weald Common, a "But by thus following London's Proposals published short cut following a nature trail edge" wrote David, "actually avoids a double crossing of busy Old walking out the pattern, you gain Redding Road. At Borehamwood, fascinating insights both into for Mersea Island coast a recent development allows walkers how London grew, and how just Natural England published its fantastic views of mudflats and developing the most suitable route. to avoid the long and tedious slog a handful of enlightened citizens up Deacon's Hill Road through proposals on 28 June to improve saltmarshes abundant in coastal This is the second stretch of the kept the growth in check. The pleasant residential roads and the public access along a 13-mile wildlife. Access to the mudflats England Coast Path to be developed Loop here has a wonderful story to extensive scrubland of Woodcock stretch of coast around Mersea and saltmarshes themselves will be in Essex, as proposals for a route tell." Hill Village Green, with extensive Island in Essex,opening an eight restricted on safety grounds as they between Maldon and Salcott have views across Hertfordshire. And week period for people to make are unsuitable to walk on. The path's already been published. Proposals representations or objections. proposals recommend 'roll back' in at Turkey Street, a most peculiar for the Burnham-on-Crouch to sculpture, leads to a path beside Mersea is Britain's most easterly areas where there is a likelihood of Maldon, Salcott to Jaywick, Jaywick inhabited island. The path coastal erosion, allowing the path Turkey Brook, avoiding a roadside to Harwich and Harwich to Shotley stretch. highlights Mersea Island's rich to realign with the new line of the Gate stretches will be published historical and cultural past, on coast in response to erosion. Copies of the book signed by later this year. Initial work on the occasion going inland for safety The proposals for the trail take in Colin can be obtained for £8.33 remaining three stretches in Essex reasons away from unsuitable areas the wide open and isolated stretches plus £2.00 post and packing (Tilbury to Southend, Southend to of sea wall. It also creates a safe off- of the northern coast, the historic from Footline Press at www. road connection between seawalls town and beaches of West Mersea. Wallasea and Wallasea to Burnham- footlinepress.co.uk. either side of The Strood causeway They also reveal the beautiful on-Crouch) will begin later this which is the only road link to Cudmore Grove Country Park year. First guide the mainland. The island holds to the east of the island, as well as Aidan Lonergan, Natural The first guidebook to the complete evidence of pre-Roman settlement. providing spectacular views of the England's Area Manager for Essex London Loop (or London Outer A recent discovery of a prehistoric coast and estuaries. said: "The England Coast Path orbital Path as it became known) The Turkey Brook Guardian, described by mammoth tusk adds to the mystery The route was created in is a hugely exciting development was published by Aurum Press in its creator Tim Shutter as an "amalgam of what hidden treasures the island collaboration with landowners and and landowners and local people February 2001. It brought together of fish, bird, squirrel and dog perched on for the first time, a walker's guide top of a turkey egg speckled with pebbles still holds. local people, including in particular have been essential in shaping our from the brook", watches over the London The England Coast Path on members of the Ramblers, whose proposals and in enabling two new to the full 140 mile/224km route Loop at an open space known as Turkey Mersea Island is enriched with help and knowledge were integral to sections of path to join with existing around the capital's periphery, only Street Gateway in the borough of Enfield. footpaths to make a safe and enjoyable continuous path around Mersea Island. Representations and objections were due to be received by 23 August, after which - if the route is approved and when the necessary work is carried out - it will become part of the England Coast Path, the 2,700 mile long-distance walking route and England's newest National Trail currently being developed around the entire coast of England by Natural England. Woodcock Hill on the south side of Borehamwood, provides an improved route which Mike Cannell avoids a dull road stretch. A plaque at the summit explains that during the Napoleonic wars this was the site of a telegraph station relaying messages in a chain from the Essex Area Media & Information Admiralty in London to the navy at Great Yarmouth. Messages were sent south to Mersea Point. Photo: Natural England Officer Hampstead Heath or north to St Albans. South East Walker September 2017 3 walkerSOUTH EAST Distributed quarterly to members of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, National Young Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey Areas.

THE RAMBLERS Ramblers weekend Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford embers of the to host the 2017 event. moderate walks in the Pentland to Marlins Wynd bar for a spot of House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, Metropolitan Walkers, Edinburgh Young Walkers and Cademuir Hills and leisurely dancing with the DaHooley ceilidh London SE1 7TW. Inner London's group arranged an action-packed weekend walks along the Fife coast. The band. I think it's fair to say that our Tel: 020 7339 8500 M for people in their 20s, 30s and starting with a city orientation walk Metropolitan Walkers members dancing improved as the evening Fax: 020 7339 8501 Email: [email protected] early 40s, joined other young on Friday night, taking in Calton present all participated in different progressed and by the end we were Web: www.ramblers.org.uk Ramblers groups in Edinburgh Hill - one of Edinburgh's seven hills walks, with John Harradence being doing the Gay Gordon (almost) as Company registration no: on 5 - 7 May for a weekend - for fine views of the city, followed the most adventurous with his hike well as the Edinburgh members! 4458492 of walking, socialising and by drinks and food at the Hemma up Ben Ledi. I was lucky enough to Sunday involved a trip back Registered charity no: 1093577 networking. bar in the Old Town. With 90 join 28 others in the Pentland Hills to Hemma for brunch and some EDITORIAL Last year, Tiger Bay Ramblers young Ramblers there, the bar was which Rebecca Dawson, one of the knowledge-sharing about running Editor: Les Douglas hosted the first gathering of soon heaving and alive with chatter. group, managed to capture on video young Ramblers groups, before Email: [email protected] young Ramblers groups in Cardiff It was here that our hosts began (https;//www.youtube.com/watch? a brisk walk up Arthur's Seat. Tel: 020 8809 2338 bringing together 80 young walkers coordinating people into walking vQHc2oH9ptR8&feature=youtu. The weekend ended with saying (please leave message) from 20 groups in England, groups for Saturday. be). The weather was certainly on goodbyes to new friends and DESIGN AND PRINT Scotland and Wales. Such was the A staggering array of walks was our side as it was a beautiful day. promises to meet up in a year's time. Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255 success and support for the event put on for Saturday, ranging from Despite our varying levels of Katharine Robinson that Edinburgh Young Walkers, led strenuous hikes up Beinn Each, exertion, we all donned our dancing Publicity Officer, Metropolitan Opinions expressed by contributors by their Chair Andy Malby, agreed Ben Ledi and Ben Lomond, to shoes on Saturday night and headed Walkers are not specifically endorsed by The Ramblers. ISSN 1747-4140 C 2017 The Ramblers. All rights reserved. Jack Lewis of Berkshire Walkers adds:

Copy Date: For issue No. 100 his inspiring weekend Anyway, to cut a long story with the Berkshire Walkers I have the experience next year and to is 12 October 2017. gave many of us in the short, we hope that Young discovered areas of the county I welcome everyone to our part of TBerkshire group food for Ramblers will join us to visit did not know existed whilst also the world then! thought and have put ourselves our part of the country for next forging new connections not just Keep an eye on our Facebook forward to host the 2018 event. year's National Young Ramblers with people in my group but page (https://www.facebook.com/ There may be a couple of Weekend to be based in Reading from others too, thanks to this NYR2018) and Twitter (https:// conflicting memories about how over the weekend of 15 - 17 June. year's well organised event in twitter.com/NYR2018 feeds for this came about (whilst spinning From a personal point of view, Edinburgh. We hope to repeat more information. around the ceilidh dance floor!), but I remember we discussed it between us before talking to the organisers of last year's event. Ramblers Greater London Forum A new future Walking & Cycling Commissioner n exciting future beckons in making sure the Mayor of for the Ramblers Greater London honours his pledges to London Forum (RGLF) in improve the Thames Path, Capital A Ring and London Loop, and to open its fight to improve an amazing up more walking routes around 1,500 km of existing and potential London. The forum's website will trails in the capital. At this year's be improved and it will engage more AGM ideas were discussed and actively in social media. Other accepted which were then passed work will look at introducing a One of the walks arranged by Edinburgh Young Walkers. Photo: Ramblers Scotland to the Ramblers Board of Trustees volunteer ranger system whereby for consideration. individuals and groups will check Their view was that they would their local walking routes within like the RGLF to work informally London for problems and report Hogging the limelight in cooperation with the six relevant them to the forum, which will press t our AGM, it was new potatoes. And, as a bonus, resulting in an amiable queue of Areas on campaign activities. In boroughs to take remedial action. thought to be a good the campsite laid on an hour would-be Robin Hoods. response, RGLF accepted the Working together means more can idea to hold a summer of archery, which more people Lawrie Smith Board's advice and - as a start - will A be achieved, more quickly! social event, and it did not take than expected wanted to try out, Chairman, Bromley Ramblers be talking with Kate Ashbrook of All of the above must surely fit in long to decide that a hog roast the Area Working Group to help with the Board's suggestion that the would be the perfect answer. facilitate a cooperative approach. forum concentrates on campaign So, without further ado, a scout First and foremost, it will activities. However, as always to campsite was booked, a caterer be banging the drum for more achieve results needs the input sourced, tickets were printed, attention to be paid in London to of more people willing to spare a leaders for the pre-roast walks walking for health and pleasure little time. You do not need to do recruited, and the planned date - or what we call rambling! - for anything right now - unless you hastily changed as it clashed with individual fitness and well-being, want to! The forum has a meeting Wimbledon men's final day! It for the fun and sociability of scheduled for early October and will was quite a damp and chilly day walking with family and friends, then contact you through the usual - but the smell of a 45-kilo hog and to make new friends. Area and group channels. However, roasting away cheered everyone The forum will work with all if you really do want to get in touch up. of the Ramblers Areas and groups please feel free to contact me. Soon the wine was flowing who have an interest in London, Tom Berry as well as the conversation, and and with the 'Love London, Walk Chair, Ramblers Greater London 80 of us sat down to enjoy some London campaign and the Mayor Forum delicious pork, with plenty of of London's recently appointed [email protected] crackling, apple sauce, salad and Tucking in. Photo: Lawrie Smith 4 South East Walker September 2017 Group focus: Hampstead INNER LONDON insights

the walk, by an artist and another walker. I was able to talk about the London National Ramblers with the other attendees, some of whom knew us better than others, and the afternoon generated a Park City campaign lot of interest on social media. amblers in London is boroughs and the City of London, We're asking all Ramblers to help supporting the campaign recording videos, taking photos and make London a National Park City Hampstead members take a break by the Chantry Post on the South Downs Way during a 12-mile circular from Amberley station. Photo: Jane Rosoux to make London a National tweeting as he went. He was joined by by asking your ward's councillors R to declare their support. A single Park City as we see a lot of synergy local councillors, mayors, community he Hampstead and District Group was formed 33 years ago in email can make a big difference to between a national park city and project leaders, and other interested 1984. Our group originally covered the whole of Inner London this campaign - so please do send a walking city. The national park parties who showed him their local north of the Thames but, as the Area's membership increased, new city campaign is celebrating the a message. There is a template T areas and listened to him explain the groups were formed, and our territory now covers the London boroughs of spirit of London, and aims to email on the website http://www. concept. En route he walked through nationalparkcity.london/recruit_ Camden and Islington, although our walks attract participants from all breathe more life into London, hundreds of London's parks, green over London and further afield. which has more green space than your_ward commons and leafy streets. We look forward to London The majority of our walks are between nine and 13 miles, but our programmes most cities of its size in the world. I joined him for an afternoon in The campaign has been running becoming the world's first national also feature a number of longer walks of up to 20 miles at a faster (but not ultra- late June, when we enjoyed a walk for three years now and is focusing on park city and to the positive impact fast) pace, which also attract good numbers of people. getting support from ward councillors. from Fulwell to Berrylands, through this will have on our walking Making good use of London's advantage as a public transport hub, our walks London can become a National Park Bushy Park and on the London Loop. environment. take us throughout the south east of England as far as Wiltshire and Suffolk, City once the Mayor of London and We were joined by two different Clare Wadd although there are also quite a few within the Greater London travel zones. the majority of elected ward teams councillors for different sections of Chair, Inner London Area Despite our name we have very few walks on Hampstead Heath! have declared their support for the Last year, in conjunction with the North West London Group, we started move. So far, the Mayor has given working our way round the London Countryway, a 205-mile circular route his backing, as have 238 ward teams through the countryside around London, devised by Keith Chesterton in the across 31 boroughs. The support of early 1970s before the construction of the M25. Despite being only 13 miles just 86 more ward teams is needed. from Charing Cross at its nearest point, it passes through some very attractive For a month in June and July the campaign was promoted countryside rich in churches and other buildings of interest. We hope to through Dan Raven-Ellison's complete the circuit at Broxbourne in autumn 2019. #BigWalkAroundLondon, which In recent years the group has had a three or four night stay at an HF Holidays also served to highlight London as a centre in the run-up to Easter and a five-night holiday at the end of July, usually walking city. Dan walked 500km, based in student accommodation, as well as its traditional New Year break. spiralling in from the outer boroughs This year we enjoyed good weather at Selworthy in Exmoor National Park in and ending at Temple, which is April, saw the best parts of Hadrian's Wall from our base at Cumbria University, the geographic centre of London. Carlisle Campus, in July and are looking forward to a four-night New Year His walk took him through all 32 In Bushy Park with Dan Raven-Ellison on far right. Photo: Clare Wadd break in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Jane Rosoux Inner London Committee Walks Organiser, Hampstead & District Group members' evening stroll Welsh, French and n a wonderful sunny pub. The flowers in the parks were introducing Van, he thanked evening in June, members wonderful, especially by the lake everybody there for the work they London entente Oof our group and Area in St James's Park and in the rose do for the Ramblers and said he was n unusual email landed in group visited Richmond, Wimbledon, committees met to share ideas garden in Hyde Park. sure of two things: The Ramblers the inbox of our Secretary Putney, Southwark Cathedral, and best practice whilst walking We were delighted to be joined by could not possibly achieve its Ain January. It was from Greenwich with a river cruise through some of the central both Van Griffiths, Ramblers' Chief mission without volunteers, and that Aberystwyth Ramblers - they have (organised by BlackheathRamblers), London parks. Executive, and Des Garrahan, to have strong Areas we need strong regular exchanges with a group of St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of This is the first time we have run Ramblers' Chair. It was the first groups. Van explained that she had walkers from Brittany and this year London, a five-mile walk through the this event, which also gave group opportunity many in the Area had always loved walking and that, in the French wanted to visit London. central London parks and evening committee members the chance to had to meet Van, who took over as many ways, although the role was Could we help them? After various strolls along the South Bank and hear more about the role of the Area Chief Executive at the end of last a challenge, it was very much her exchanges of emails and a meeting in to see the Houses of Parliament in Inner London. We were pleased year. We paused briefly at around dream job. She was delighted to February when the Welsh organisers by night. They also managed to to have committee members from the halfway point of the walk to be invited to events such as these, were in London, a programme was squeeze in a few pub visits which almost all of our groups present on allow a little time for both to share where we were able to celebrate our drawn up. The Bretons had a list they enjoyed. Everyone seemed very the evening, and we wore different their thoughts with us about how successes and, even though she was of attractions that they wanted to pleased with the walks and visits and badges according to our roles to what we do fits in to our charity still learning about the job, she was see anyway, some of them were many thanks were offered at the end. make it easier to find others to share nationally, and about the future of determined to forge a one team for incorporated into walks, some were The Aberystwyth group has offered experiences with. the Ramblers generally. Des began walking approach throughout the offered for inclusion but they wanted to host us on a visit to Wales at some We walked through St James's by saying that the Ramblers is a Ramblers. to see them separately and some were future date. Feedback provided via Survey Park, Green Park and into Hyde charity whose mission is enacted rejected because there simply wasn't Helen Wheeller Monkey shows that all attendees Park to the Serpentine, before by its volunteers, supported by its time. Kensington Chelsea & Westminster thought it a worthwhile event and retracing our steps and continuing members, enabled by its staff and Over four days from 3 May, the Ramblers would be interested in attending our talk over a drink in a nearby governed by its trustees. Before another similar evening in the future. Many cited the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and experiences with other groups as the best thing about it, and around half expressed interest in finding out more about the Area. There were also some useful suggestions of what we can improve should we run something similar next year. Thanks again to everyone who took part in the evening and gave their feedback afterwards. Clare Wadd The walkers with Des Garrahan and Van Griffiths on the far right. Photo: Clare Wadd Chair, Inner London Area Members and visitors at the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. Photo: Helen Wheeller South East Walker September 2017 5 through TfL and the boroughs and with other stakeholders, working to Have your say on both protect, improve and promote Walk leader courses the Walk London network and create wo more free one-day challenging walks in upland areas. walking in London new leisure walking routes. The Walk courses for those thinking The courses will be held from London network includes the Thames Tof volunteering to lead 11am - 4.30pm at Bankside ayor of London, Sadiq vehicles on London's streets. Path, Capital Ring, Loop, Green a walk or wanting to brush up Community Centre, 18 Great Khan, has published • New homes and jobs - more people Chain Walk etc, which are so valuable on their leading skills are to be Guildford Street, London SE1 a draft of the Mayor's than ever want to live and work to us as walkers in London, and which held in London on Saturdays 23 0SU, close to Southwark tube M have suffered from under-investment September and 18 November. and London Bridge. Courses are Transport Strategy. The document in London. Planning the city sets out policies and proposals to around walking, cycling and public in recent years. The courses, organised by Inner open to all Ramblers members, reshape transport in London over transport use will unlock growth in We hope that all Ramblers London Area, will include all the regardless of group, and are free, the next 25 years. Transport has new areas and ensure that London members in London will be able to basic skills of walk leading including subject to availability. Advance the potential to shape London, grows in a way that benefits find a few minutes to respond to the choosing a route, what to do before, booking is essential on http:// including the streets Londoners everyone. consultation to support the proposed during and after a walk and dealing innerlondonramblers.eventbrite. com/ walk, live, work and spend time on. Chapter 3, Healthy Streets and measures to improve and promote with incidents. It doesn't cover The Mayor wants to change Healthy People, talks about the walking in London, including technical navigation skills or leading Des de Moor London's transport mix so the city benefits of active travel, and proposal proposal 4. The consultation can be works better for everyone, by using the 4 in this section is about the Mayor, completed quickly and there are free Thousand poster challenge Healthy Streets Approach to prioritise text boxes to have your say on the amblers in London are We've set up a special human health and experience. There matters of particular interest to you. on a mission to promote Instagram account are three key themes at the heart of Ramblers has 13,000 members in membership and walking #Ramblers1000PosterChallenge the strategy: London, so our voice has the potential R in London with a challenge to put where volunteers can add photos • Healthy streets and healthy people - to be very influential. up 1,000 Ramblers posters across of the posters they've put up and creating streets and street networks The public consultation on the the capital. their locations, with a prize of some that encourage walking, cycling strategy is open until 2 October Most supermarkets and cafes now Ramblers merchandise going to and public transport use will reduce 2017. You can express your views have community noticeboards, as whoever puts up the most. There's car dependency and the health by completing the questionnaire on do some pubs and chemists - along also a pledge volunteers can fill out problems it creates. TfL's website https://consultations. with libraries and doctors' surgeries. on www.innerlondonramblers.org. • A good public transport experience tfl.gov.uk/policy/mayors-transport We want to promote the Ramblers uk to generate support. - public transport is the most -strategy/?cid=mayors-transport- as widely as possible as an active Anyone wanting some efficient way for people to travel strategy, emailing your comments organisation in London, with 23 posters should contact chair@ over distances that are too long to [email protected], or by groups and 13,000 members across innerlondonramblers.org.uk. to walk or cycle, and a shift from calling 0343 222 1155. the capital - a membership number Clare Wadd private car to public transport could Clare Wadd we believe we can grow. Chair, Inner London Area dramatically reduce the number of Chair, Inner London Area

Holyport SL6 2NA (grid ref SU 891774). At 10.30am there will be Area AGM a choice of two walks of four to six erkshire Area's annual miles each, followed by lunch in the BERKSHIRE general meeting will hall at 12.30pm (bring your own Btake place on Saturday food, tea and coffee available, or visit 25 November at Holyport, near a nearby pub). The meeting itself Maidenhead, hosted by East will start at 2pm, followed at 3pm Berks Group. with a talk by Robin Harford on bites The venue will be Holyport War Walking with plants: A wild edible Memorial Hall, Moneyrow Green, journey through the landscape. Is shared use always a good idea? Dedication recognised he Thames Path is a National Trail, originally ay Clayton of Pang encourage local children to walk to Tconceived in 1948 and Valley Ramblers has been school. He assisted with footpath opened in 1996, with the Rawarded a commendation clearing and was a major player in Ramblers being the major driving for his "significant impact on the West Berks project to replace force behind the campaign to behalf of Ramblers" and on stiles with gates to make paths establish this unique walking 20 May, ramblers, friends and more accessible. He also worked trail. The metre rule shows how narrow the Thames Path is near the Roebuck Hotel at guests gathered for a lunch with a project which gets children In the past few years, cyclists Tilehurst. Photo:Alistair Lax buffet at Purley Barn to present with special needs out into the have pushed, successfully in many the award and acknowledge countryside. for shared use should be three Just because these local clashes cases, to have sections of the trail Ray's exceptional commitment metres wide. In places the usable don't escalate and are not reported Pang Valley Chair, Alistair Lax, open to them, and this lobbying to rambling. part of the path in question is only doesn't mean they don’t happen! called Ray "the linchpin of the Ray, now 86, has been rambling pressure has recently resulted in a 1.3 metres, and in one section there There is an understandable group and an inspiration to all". since his teens. He is a member consultation by Reading Borough is a 1.5 metre gap between a metal nationwide desire to promote The commendation was presented of the group committee, having Council to open that part of the fence and the drop into the river. cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle, by John Stoves, the group's joined in 1998, and has attended Thames Path which passes through It is hard to see how cyclists and both in terms of the individual Treasurer. John also presented Ray many meetings in his roles as Reading to shared use with cyclists. walkers meeting at such a pinch health of the cyclist and the with a potted acer in recognition Footpath Officer and Countryside A majority of respondents were point can pass each other safely. reduction in cars on the road. of his valued work for us, and Officer. For almost 20 years he in favour, but there were specific The general point relates to the However, it has to be asked whether Ray's wife Gill was presented with single-handedly arranged the objections, particularly based on basic principle of shared use which the aspirations of the cycling lobby a bouquet as a mark of gratitude group's programme of walks where the narrow sections of the path. leads to the interaction of cyclists should take precedence over those for her continued support. After his wealth of local knowledge was This topic is an emotive one, and and walkers, and the conflicts that of walkers, who are also engaged in the presentation a fine buffet extremely valuable and has led this particular instance raises can arise. Whilst the majority of a healthy pursuit. Perhaps it is time lunch was served and a handsome more than 200 walks himself. specific and general issues. The cyclists are reasonable and polite, for Ramblers to be more single- cake decorated with walking boots Indeed, he still leads short walks. main specific issue here is the width every walker will have experienced and a rucksack was cut by Ray. minded about promoting walking His involvement with national of the path. It is recommended by aggressive and rude behaviour paths for walkers. initiatives includes a project Jo Stoves both the Department for Transport from some cyclists - often on a Alistair Lax to produce maps of paths to Pang Valley Ramblers and Sustrans that a path proposed path in theory closed to cyclists. Chair, Pang Valley Group

group had an excellent lunch at the A day in the Cotswolds Catherine Wheel pub after a five- mile walk which visited the church orty eight members of our Bilbury in the Cotswolds on and Arlington Row, a 14th century group travelled by coach to Wednesday 14 June. wool store which was converted to the picturesque village of The weather was perfect and the F cottages in the 17th century. The cottages appear on the inside cover of many UK passports. We had a perfect day, thanks to Social Events Organiser, Doug Buchanan, and Chairman Shirley Poulton. Brian Poulton At the presentation are (left to right) Alistair Lax (Chair), John Stoves (Treasurer), Exploring Bilbury. Photo: Brian Poulton South East Berks Ramblers Ray Clayton and his wife Jill. Photo: Pete Moody 6 South East Walker September 2017 OXFORDSHIRE Scouts clear the way n the warm evening of Mike Sergeant, with a view to the on-line 20 June, the 1st Bartons scouts working under his expert OScout Group, supervised supervision. by their leader Joanne Miles, He was willing to do this so a and Mike Seargeant, convenor proposal was put to Dan Weeks, of the Blitz & Klean path the county council's Countryside maintenance group, undertook Access Team's footpath officer for Improving the a clearance session on a bridle the area. Permission was granted path in Sandford St Martin subject to satisfactory insurance parish in north Oxfordshire. cover for the scouts and the Joanne and her friend Freda completion of a risk assessment Oxfordshire Way Volens are local Parish Path plan. Wardens. Earlier in the year I Accordingly, 16 scouts, ver the last few years the funded by Trust for Oxfordshire's visited the parish at the request accompanied by their leaders and Oxfordshire Way, which Environment. of Joanne and Freda to advise Mike, set to work. After two hours Oruns for 65 miles from This project is ongoing. Please on some path problems. Whilst of secateuring and lopping, the Bourton-on-the-Water to Henley- help by reporting any issues on the walking the footpaths we noticed task was completed and a group on-Thames, has developed a county council website at https:// that one of the bridle paths, photo taken. Job done! reputation for being in poor www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/ 336/17, was very overgrown and Jim Parke condition, making it difficult for content/report-issue-public-right- Joanne asked me if her scout group Parish Path Warden Network walkers to find their way and to way or by contacting your Ramblers could clear it. I then approached Coordinator fully enjoy the route. footpath officer, details of whom Henley & Goring Group made are in our walks booklet. an initial assessment when they Along the route there are a walked the route last winter, after number of issues which require which they sent reports to the A new gate provided by the Oxford cooperation and agreement from county council's Countryside Fieldpaths Society is installed on the the landowner. Our footpath Access Team (CAT) and Ramblers Oxfordshire Way. Photo: Jim Parke officers and/or parish path wardens groups through whose areas the has been carried out by all groups. will keep these issues alive with route passes (West Oxfordshire, Although the route has mainly CAT, to make sure the problems Bicester & Kidlington, Thame & gates rather than stiles, some of the are rectified. CAT officers are Wheatley, and Henley & Goring). old stiles are still in place and need grateful for our contribution to Members of the Oxford Fieldpaths to be replaced. Some new gates improvements on this route and Society (OFS) and the Cotswold have been funded by OFS and by have been working with us. We Enthusiastic workers. Wardens are also contributing to groups and individuals. Twelve are delighted that there are so many improvements. To date we have stiles at Model Farm at Hampton volunteers willing to contribute to collectively replaced almost 200 Poyle will be replaced later this year the route's improvement. waymark discs, and clearance work by the local Chiltern Society group, Susan Maguire Publicising group walks

ould you lend a hand in publicising your Ramblers. group's walks? You don't have to be a member If you are interested in one of these jobs, go to our of a committee to do this. You don't even website at www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk, click on the C Before. After. Photos: Jim Parke have to go walking with the group with the group group's link on the right, then click on the group's in whose region you live. You don't even have to go Contacts link to send an email to the Chair of that walking with the group in whose region you live. group. All you need is a desire to encourage more people to Dave Cavanagh walk with Ramblers groups for their enjoyment and Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers benefit, and to support Ramblers more generally. There Seventy go are three ways in which you could help out a group's hard-pressed publicity officer. I am asking you to offer to do just one of these tasks so that the job is not burdensome. on a picnic - Publicise all a group's walks for free in local newspapers and local 'what's on' type publications. More than 70 members of Oxfordshire Ramblers converged - Publicise all a group's walks for free online, eg on Broughton Castle on Sunday 25 June from all points of the Oxford Mail online or other websites. compass for our annual picnic. The location was selected by - Publicise selected group walks in parish magazines. Banbury & North Oxfordshire Group and hosted by Oxon 20s The latter job could be split amongst several & 30s Walkers, who provided a huge spread of cakes and other volunteers, each promoting walks in parishes near to delights. Our special guest was Alex Mannings, Honorary where they live. Non-members may give us a go for up Treasurer of the Ramblers and a member of the Board of to three walks before they decide whether to join the Got one of these? It's all you need to publicise walks. Trustees. Photo: Dave Cavanagh Thame & Wheatley celebrate 20 years

wenty years ago the South Oxfordshire Ramblers became Tsuch a large group that it split into three - Henley & Goring, Didcot & Wallingford and Thame & Wheatley. Thame & Wheatley celebrated this anniversary on Saturday 20 May with a walk, not surprisingly, from Thame to Wheatley. The 10 mile/16 km walk, which included morning coffee at the Oxfordshire Golf Course, a visit to Rycote Chapel, lunch at the Fox and Goat in Tiddington, finished with tea and birthday cakes at the URC hall in Wheatley. Congratulations Thame & Wheatley! On the anniversary walk. Photo: Mike Smith Ruth Cornish Picnic at Broughton Castle. Photo: Alex Mannings South East Walker September 2017 7 Footpath matters Surrey Area iversions, claims etc: The railway bloc; for them to succeed it will have to be shown that footbridge on Uffington FP4 has been one of the exemptions applies. Dcompleted; there is now a similar proposal The closure order at the Florey Building, on AGM 2018 for the level crossing at Denchworth FP2. There the proposed Oxford Green Spaces Way, has been he next AGM will be held on Saturday 10 February 2018 is a new set of proposals for the Oxfordshire Golf withdrawn in the face of objections from Ramblers, at Bletchingley Village Hall, 78 High Street, Bletchingley Course, involving a more convenient diversion of CPRE and local residents. There is a new proposal to (near Redhill), Surrey RH1 4PA (grid ref TQ 326508). FP15. divert Eynsham FP30 to avoid a proposed office block; T The event will be hosted by Reigate Group. There is also a proposal to divert non-definitive paths this goes through Flood Zone 3a rather than Zone 2. The AGM will start at 2pm and it is planned to follow our usual around Windrush Towers at Blackbird Leys, but I Other matters: The paths around Dyke Hills in format of offering two walks in the morning followed by a buffet suspect that the cladding will have to come off first. The Dorchester-on-Thames, leading to the river, have all lunch for those staying for the AGM. It is hoped to provide assistance order to divert the paths round Lobb Farm, Tetsworth, been fenced off, causing a blazing row locally. The back to Redhill after the AGM for those without their own transport. which go through 1970s buildings, has been made. No fencing is all legal, but it is unsightly and locals are now Further details will be published in the December issue of this fewer than 33 claims to upgrade restricted byways to trying to claim use of the whole meadow as of right. publication. The agenda, previous minutes and annual report for the BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic), all made after David Godfrey Ramblers year ending September 2017, will be available on the Surrey the February 2005 deadline, are being considered en Area Footpath Secretary Area website www.surreyramblers.org.uk in December. Members are reminded that local groups (there are 16 in Surrey) will be holding their own AGMs in late October and November and are encouraged to attend both their group AGM and the Area AGM and to get involved in helping to secure the future of Surrey's network of paths and open spaces. Graham Butler SURREY Acting Area Secretary [email protected] snippets Roadshow walk ingston Group led the walk at the end of the Ramblers Roadshow day at Sandown Park on Saturday 13 May. The Footpaths and access Kevent included workshops, skills sessions and a market place with retailers including Cotswold from Kingston-upon-Thames. ootpath maintenance budget: After the for the year of 79.5%, the first time the figure has been In the afternoon, we heard an excellent speaker, Bonita Norris, the local elections in May, Surrey County below 80% since 2014. In order to undertake the May youngest British woman to climb Everest. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed 'Ask the Experts' and the Volunteer Awards. There were also refreshments Council confirmed the cut in the footpath path inspections we had to find a volunteer to help F prepare the paperwork at the county council's office at throughout the day and the whole event was free for members. maintenance budget from £300,000 to £100,000 Merrow. Guildford Group responded admirably with Brenda Horwill and Steve Mitchell, Head of Countryside, issued a Publicity Secretary and Secretary of Kingston Ramblers briefing note describing the consequences. their Chair, Basil Minor, finding a number of willing helpers. Duncan Ellis prepared all the paperwork over Local Footpath Secretaries reporting paths unusable several mornings after initial training and is happy to because of vegetation growth have received replies do so again in November. Basil is providing another repeating the message of the briefing note. The summer volunteer to input the results. I hope we will be able vegetation cut was restricted to heavily-used or strategic to continue with BVPI checking of paths as the trained paths, likely to be less than 30% of the total. volunteers give us an accurate snapshot of the state of Repairs and replacement of path furniture (gates, our paths. However, I will depend on Surrey Ramblers stiles, etc) will be similarly limited and only statutory providing volunteers both before and after each of the roadside signing will be undertaken. Volunteers biannual checks. already contribute about 2,000 days of work each year Volunteer Path Wardens: Twenty one members The 45 walkers on Telegraph Hill, the high point of the walk organised for the Ramblers on the public rights of way network and efforts will be Roadshow at Sandown Park. made to increase this. attended training on 24 March, a further two on Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI): The 21 April and another two on 12 June. The last two November 2016 BVPI results showed a lower figure of dates were for evening courses which was helpful for 74% of paths 'easy to use' with over a third of paths members who are not available during the day. failing in Area 1 (Runnymede & Spelthorne, Staines, Rodney Whittaker The AGM season Surrey Heath and Guildford). This gave an average Area Footpath & Access Secretary is approaching WW1 centennial commemorative walk don't know about your required - all over very quickly n Monday 27 March a party of 34 people War graves including that of one J Arsenault - but not AGM but in Croydon undertook a commemorative walk to the John Arsenault who was buried in France. At the and efficiently. Hooray! our AGM is really quite mark the centenary of the First World cemetery's war memorial a short service was held in I Now, we haven't quite finished O memory of the 15 million people who perished in the enjoyable and pleasant. We have because sometimes we have an War battle of Vimy Ridge. Sixteen walkers from free tea or coffee served if you Canada and France were accompanied by members 'war to end all wars', a hopeful epithet that turned out invited speaker to give us a chat to be sadly misplaced. get there early enough, and in of Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers. They were on something that may be of Walk leader Barry Holland said, "The day was a great a back room we have a member led by Barry Holland, with Bill Monaghan, himself interest. On occasions I have success and the weather was very kind to us. There's who will sell you a lovely pot of a Canadian by birth, acting as back-marker. The been asked to produce an audio little to see of the huge training camp that was once homemade jam or marmalade, nine-mile route began and finished at Witley in visual pertinent to Croydon here, but we were able to make a small contribution to then there is Natasha, a very Surrey. Ramblers - do you remember the the memory of this historic event." He added, "I'd like good photographer and artist The day formed part of a long distance pilgrimage in to thank Witley Parish Council, the National Trust days of showing transparencies who will sell you a very nice the footsteps of Canadian soldier John Arsenault, who and all the Ramblers who attended." on a screen with some suitable greeting card or photo. lost his life on the first day of the four-day battle of Vimy David Hamill Then there is Gill, the potter. accompanying music? Ah!, those Ridge in April 1917. The commemorative journey was Publicity Officer, Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers There is also the second hand were the days I hear you say! organised by the Odyssée de la Culture association, books and maps table which is Well, this is when my bargain based near Vimy in France. Starting from Chéticamp always worth a visit and another in Nova Scotia, their itinerary comprised seven days in Leki pole comes in handy - to table full of unwanted rambling Canada, four days in the UK and nine days in France, prod those in the audience that regalia - two Leki sticks for £10 - including nearly 200 miles on foot. The significance of may be struggling to stay awake! what a bargain! Witley is that the Canadian troops, transported by sea Anyway, the crux of the matter After your welcome cuppa, from the east coast of Canada, underwent training on a look for bargains in the back is what do you do at your AGM? Witley Common prior to embarking for the battlefields room and a chat to your rambling And if you don't go - why not? of France. Private John Arsenault would have known friends we have lunch of soup Give it a try, you may enjoy it - the area well. and sandwiches followed by fruit. but try and stay awake! The Surrey walk started from Witley parish church, Then the business part of the where they set off to circumnavigate Witley Park, John Tickner meeting begins. Over the years we Croydon Ramblers formerly the estate of Lord Pirrie, who oversaw the have managed to streamline this design of the ill- fated Titanic which sank in 1912. bit by asking those attending to This year's Croydon Ramblers The walkers arrived at Witley Common (National read the individual reports whilst AGM will be on Saturday 4 Trust) for lunch, a buffet provided courtesy of Witley having lunch and then voting November. Not all group AGMs Parish Council. In the afternoon the party progressed Odyssee de la Culture walkers from Canada and France assemble for changes in the committee if offer all that Croydon does! to Milford Cemetery, which contains some First World at Milford Cemetery's war memorial. Photo: David Hamill 8 South East Walker September 2017 Bootiful t was one of those typical Harrods or Waitrose for February days; showers Chingford. which were regular enough I John and I followed the well- to stop you taking off the waterproof, temperatures which tested technique of dashing were high enough to make you for an empty table ahead of uncomfortable when walking our colleagues. uphill and, of course, the mud. I don't know if it was the The Essex mud is rush, or the squeezing into the affectionate; it clings to your chair (John is a fairly bulky boots. You can always tell athlete) - but at that moment, an Essex walker by the size the pocket of his trousers split of their thighs, developed and all his loose change passed from the heavy lifting they do down his trouser leg. A few during the winter time. I have pieces following the conduit also been told that all Essex formed by his gaiters found members have gardens which their way into one of his stand proud to those of their boots. We now had, what is neighbours because of the commonly called, a situation. a shower of dirt on the floor amount of soil they shift from Whilst I was getting the - this fuelled his agitation so their boots after each outing. drinks in, John considered the removal of gaiter with Anyway, the group had his predicament. By the time more mud and a seemingly reached their lunch break on I returned he had decided to amplified crash of coins on Tawney Common having retrieve the coins in situ; this floor even had me looking walked from Theydon Bois. was a brave decision because, away to show that I was What is surprising about the at that time, the landlord paying no part in the scene. pub, the Mole Trap, is that was something of a martinet The removal of the boot was although it is isolated, it is and publicly abused people hastily completed and the nearly always packed. So there who seemed to be acting coins retrieved. we were; hot wet and sticky. outside the norms of civilised The remainder of the lunch John, like the others covered behaviour. break was spent replacing his boots with plastic bags. John was in a cramped boot, gaiter, plastic bag, These were the days before position and, given his and searching for coins and ramblers started looking like physique, it was difficult for pushing mud under the chair. surgeons or scene-of-crime him to raise his leg to reach When we got outside, John investigators with their white his foot whilst concealing discovered that he still had a or blue shoe covers - you the activity under the table. coin in his boot. could tell where people came Eventually he was able to pull Len Banister from Tesco for Walthamstow, off the plastic bag sending West Essex Ramblers

landowners confirming that Beginning at 10am, the their permission had been nine mile walk took four Beating the bounds obtained and that participants hours, with two toilet stops would conform to kindly provided by local eating the bounds is a borders of Hertfordshire and The insurers of the village requirements such as keeping residents. Cakes baked by custom going back to Cambridgeshire, has recently hall did not ask for an dogs on leads and walking village residents and soft Anglo-Saxon times. It B seen divisions over the future additional premium but laid in single file, because about drinks were also provided. was usual to make a formal perambulation of parish of the village hall; walking down several conditions, three-quarters of the walk Mediaeval walks were boundaries on Ascension Day or the bounds was seen as a way including that route leaders took place off public rights of apparently often followed during Rogation Week to hand to restoring a sense of unity. were appointed, there was a way. Landowners' consents by feasting. The modern down knowledge of the limits of I was privileged to be asked register to check participants were readily given, although equivalent is the barbecue, the parish so that matters such as liability to contribute to church to act as a walk leader on in and out, the route was pre- in some cases slight detours and at least as many people as repairs or the right to be buried Rogation Sunday, 21 May, walked to check for hazards, around the edge of fields had had participated in the walk within the churchyard were not when about 30 people - and that all landowners to be made because the parish were already eating when we disputed. around a tenth of Langley's were contacted to confirm boundary occasionally cut arrived back at the village The priest and other population - and six dogs, set that they had public liability across fields. Walk leaders green. parochial officials wouldout to walk the bounds. insurance. covered the route two days Anne Rivett, one of the head a crowd of boys who Organising the event For insurance purposes, a before the event to familiarise organisers, said "The walk would beat the parish took considerable effort. letter had to be sent to nine themselves with it and to was a success because lots boundary markers with green meet the insurers' conditions. of people came who'd never boughs; sometimes the boys Participants on the walk joined in before. We're themselves would also be were given briefing notes thinking about doing beaten. The object of taking covering things to look something similar next year, boys on the procession was to out for, including rare maybe a short walk combined ensure that witnesses to the plants, woodlands and with a picnic to bring in boundaries would survive as Nuthampstead Airfield, athose who don't want to go long as possible. former World War Two US the full distance. And we Some English parishes base, not accessible by public made a decent profit on the still carry out a regular paths. When we returned to barbecue, which will go to beating of the bounds, as public footpaths from private village funds. People were a way of strengthening the land, there were frequent very generous." community. Langley in exclamations of, "Oh, I know Mike Cannell north west Essex, on the Locally-made cakes were popular. Photo: Mike Cannell where we are now". Uttlesford Group South East Walker September 2017 9 Break for the Essex border ith work continuing to Rainham Marshes and that elusive such as the artistic graffiti; some graffiti, some of artistic quality; a on the coast path, Lotte boundary with the London Borough for the worse, such as encroaching colourful, stimulating change from W Sherman thought she of Havering. growth from the wayside shrubs and the shades of grey. would seek out the point on the I was encouraged by reading Peter brambles, natural decay and erosion Coming within sight of the QEII route where Essex meets London. Caton's Essex Coastal Walk (2009) of the path's surfaces. bridge we felt like ants crawling My walk was from Grays along to walk this section and see if there When it comes to the route details, under that awesome construction, the Thames to Purfleet, where the were any subtle changes. Some have there is little to write; just keep the nearly 200 metre high towers London Loop can then be followed taken place:a few for the better, the river on the left, plodding on looming above. towards Purfleet - you cannot get Further along, the first waymarkers lost. Set out from Grays railway on posts direct walkers to Purfleet station leaving by the Thames-facing station. Turn left on the road here exit and without difficulty you will and follow this to the Royal Hotel find the river path. Signposts point on the left where you can pick up to the welcoming large Grays Town the route of the London Loop past Wharf metal arch, through gardens the Purfleet Heritage and Military and to the promenade. Centre and over Mar Dyke bridge to Along the way I kept my camera reach the RSPB Rainham Marshes handy; sure enough, there were the visitor centre (open daily except shopping trolleys tipped over the Christmas Day and Boxing Day). seawall, mentioned in Caton's book. Once here and suitably refreshed Compared with his view, one trolley in the visitor centre's cafe, stroll had collected more flotsam and only another few hundred metres to six trolleys were visible; were the other the WW1 gunnery placement and three submerged in the mud or had dilapidated wire fence on the county they been recycled? A considerable boundary. stretch of the concrete wall next to From here I headed back to paths 170/141 is decorated with Purfleet station (around five and Start at Grays Town Wharf a half miles/8.5 km in total from Grays) but one could continue for about five miles/8 km along the London Loop to Rainham station. Both stations are on the London Fenchurch Street to Grays line.

Ashdown Autumn

Earth: Pleat after crease of hillside and heath blends Into the long indigo distance Where earth becomes

Air: Coil after curl of cumulus Graffiti adorns the sea wall Passing under the QEII bridge & cirrus ascends Into the fleece-frothing emptiness Where air becomes

Water; Drop after drip of rainsquall & dewfall descends Into the cloud-shadowed wilderness Where water becomes

Earth: Becomes air Becomes water, yet still No radiant heat until

In the forge of the forest Brawny-limbed blacksmith beeches Strike out sparks & kindle flames On autumn's fearsome anvil:

Fire!

C Lizzie Ballagher On the Essex/London border, this former Ministry of Defence fence once secured the Rainham Marshes firing range. 10 South East Walker September 2017 West London BUCKS AGM and social embers of West London your Christmas card postage as we Group are invited to the exchange cards during the evening. group's annual meeting During the evening you will hear briefs Mand Christmas social evening on reports covering the past year - Tuesday 12 December from 7pm holidays, walks and footpath work. at NorthfieldsCommunity Centre, Come and tell us what you think of News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex 71a Northcroft Road, London the format of the programme and our W13 9SS. website www.westlondonramblers. The venue is near Northfields org.uk. Please do come along and station on the Piccadilly Line and enjoy the evening and if you would Aylesbury's path-check walks close to local bus routes. like to get involved and want to Please bring some festive food know more then please contact us at his April saw us complete used paths after we have visited. worked through the list and added to share for the finger buffet. So [email protected]. three years of monthly This largely relates to clearance in one or two of the northerly 45 bring something you enjoy. Tell Martin Harris Tworking walks, 36 in all which is short-term and will need parishes. others you are coming to save on Secretary, West London Group where we checked all the paths re-doing every two or three years An added benefit is that we have in 26 Aylesbury Vale District to keep paths easily walkable but recruited five new path checkers Council parishes, eight of which the one really valuable and more so new blood from our volunteers were large parishes requiring lasting effect is ensuring paths are which is very valuable as we only Milton Keynes get about two visits plus two circular walks well waymarked. just about manage to keep their - one Outer Aylesbury Ring and We have started writing to each number constant with a lesser n March we had a couple last year. This was thanks to the one Bucks County Council. parish after our visit saying what number of parishes being checked of 10-mile hilly walks, one hard work put in by the committee An additional six walks we have done and asking them as some of our ageing path checkers Itaking in Ivinghoe Beacon to make it viable and especially refurbished the Aylesbury Ring to help especially in encouraging who used to check multiple parishes and the other Whiteleaf Cross Diane Dean and Peter Hurst, the where we put up over a hundred landowners to clear around stiles give some of them up. above Princes Risborough. two walk leaders on the day. Over more waymarkers. Each 'walk' and gates and to reinstate paths We have now reached the point Jim Monaghan, in combination 30 people made the trip to Marlow generally lasts three or four hours after ploughing. where the parish where we first with Julie Fletcher, led his first where there was a choice of an depending on how much ground Parts of some of the outer checked - Whitchurch - which walk, nine miles from Bow eight or 12 mile walk, as well as is covered and the amount of parishes have been badly neglected still does not have a path checker, Brickhill via Aspley Heath and the option of not doing either and clearance needed with an average but my choice for the worst parish will appear back on the three plus Brickhill Woods. This was some having a lazy day by the Thames. turnout of nine to 10 walkers. checked is Dunton and worst path years list again along with others achievement, having walked with In June and July, over two Work has mostly been on is Oakley 28, 250 metres of which from the previous Ramblers' year. us for 15 years, but it is surprising beautiful sunny weekends, we undergrowth clearance around are unwalkable. Rolling into the next year we can what retirement does for you. This walked over 50 miles of the stiles, gates, bridges, signposts, etc, We have never managed to find look forward to revisiting some of wasn't the easiest of walks to begin Greensand Way in Surrey. I say but included minor repairs, putting a path checker for each parish the parishes that we first checked with, especially with the number 'we' but it was only four of us, not up hundreds of waymarkers and and many had not been checked which should be interesting as well of tracks there are in the woods. the usual 11 or 12, mostly due to reporting all the problems that we for years so when I started these as some new parishes that lost their They have since led another walk, family commitments. The first could not fix to the county council. path check walks three years ago I path checker three years ago. this time in Salcey Forest. day wasn't bad with Gibbet Hill Our work has truly made a targeted the southerly 66 parishes Roy Johnson The first of our long distance being the only hill of note but day difference confirmed by feedback in our traditional area that had not Footpath & Countryside Secretary, paths for this year was the North 2 was a bit of a shock with Pitch from walk leaders whose walks have been checked for three plus years, Aylesbury Ramblers Bedfordshire Heritage Trail which Hill followed by Holmbury Hill we completed over a series of six then Leith Hill. Luckily the cafe linear walks. Although we had under the tower was open! On all walked in Bedfordshire before day 3 the route skirted Westcott, this route took us to areas of the Dorking and Reigate, which is county unknown to us, so our nice for walking but not when thanks go to those enthusiastic you want an ice cream. We had people who brought the walk into to wait until the end of the day existence. at Earlswood Common where At Easter we continued our our dreams came true. On day journey on the Wales Coast Path, 4 we got our ice cream early, covering 124 miles from Ogmore after 3.5 miles at South Nutfield. Before and after a visit by one of the path-check walks. by Sea to Llangain over 10 days, We ended the day at Limpsfield one of which was a landmark for Common, then made our way me as it was the 500th walk that I back to collect cars at Earlswood have led for the group. Common where, you guessed it, Donate a gate hits £10,000 In June we managed to gather we had another ice cream! n just 18 months since its Council and Thame & Wheatley appreciation of the Oving inhabitants enough people to revive our Ian Andrews inception, the Area's Donate Ramblers, as well as the landowner, has been overwhelming and a great annual coach trip after an absence Milton Keynes Ramblers Ia Gate scheme has received also contributed towards the cost. incentive for the team to help them £10,000 for the installation of We are continuing to install achieve their aim of having all their gates. North Bucks rRIPPLE around one gate per week and are paths open and usable. meridian line runs through the town (ramblers Repairing & Improving looking at developing circular walks Each kissing gate we install has Abbey tour and is marked with mosaics in the Public Paths for Leisure and from pubs getting publicity from the a 100 x 100mm post attached to it abbey gardens. We thought the town Enjoyment) volunteers going out local CAMRA's branch magazine by coach bolts. Pedestrian gates ur series of walks along was well worth visiting and arranged pretty much once a week have Swan Supping. Our work with have two such posts. With the the Lea Valley Walk the tour through the local tourist installed 80 gates eliminating Oving Paths Action Group (OPAG), funds raised, we have decided to Ocontinued on 23 May with information centre. The four mile mostly dilapidated stiles. into getting stuck into resolving use redwood posts treated to a UC4 the section from Enfield Lock to stretch on to Broxbourne displayed Two notable recent achievements the village's 50 documented path 15-year rating that cost around Broxbourne. an abundance of flora and fauna were the removal of two normally problems, could be of great benefit to £7.50 each. Furthermore we are We stopped off at Waltham Abbey and offered the reward of a riverside locked-closed and dog walker- the Black Boy pub in Oving, a pub using heat-shrunk PostSaver sleeves, for a guided tour given by a member cafe just before reaching Broxbourne unfriendly field gates, whichthat caters for 20 or more walkers for at around £2 each, on each post of the local history group who took station and the journey home. incorporated awkward stile-like lunch, serves real ale, has a car park, which will hopefully give them an us around the town and talked us Elise Wright steps. These gates have been replaced open toilets at the start of a walk, and even longer lifespan. It's pointless through its history. The Greenwich Hillingdon Ramblers by Centrewire Bristol gates that a choice of several well-maintained installing a 50 - 80 year galvanised incorporate small self-closing and and accessible circular walks, is onto gate with a three to four year poorly self-latching pedestrian gates at one a winner for Ramblers, U3A and treated post attached. The county end. Both were Donate a Gates, one other walking groups. council no longer provides us with just in Oxfordshire at Kingsey on the Oving is in 'bandit country', timber so the Donate a Gate scheme footpath to Chinnor Rugby Club in but is being tamed thanks to the is funding this enhanced installation Thame, and one in Westcott. The dedicated group of villagers who specification. 4,4m wide gap at Kingsey required formed OPAG. The parish council Do take a look at our activity the design and procurement of a is fully committed and supportive reports on www.bucks-wmiddx- massive spacer/adapter that was and has itself pledged £500 per year ramblers.org.uk/donate-a-gate and kindly sponsored by a Haddenham from the precept. Since January also our YouTube videos, searching walker for £100. This was sent away OPAG has raised sufficient money to under North Bucks rRIPPLE. for galvanising and drilling and enable a number of the worst stiles Bill Piers looked very much the part when close to the village to be replaced North Bucks rRIPPLE Coordinator finally fitted. Oxfordshire County by us with gates. The response and [email protected] Exploring the abbey grounds. Photo: Elise Wright South East Walker September 2017 11 Committee are offering themselves Area AGM for re-election. Current Chair Barry Ingram does not seek re- his year's AGM will be on election and Nick Markham has BEDFORDSHIRE Sunday 26 November at been proposed as replacement. TStreatley village hall. The Area needs a Secretary There will be a morning walk and a Membership Secretary and at 10.30 followed by lunch and a offers to fill these roles would be bulletin speaker. The Area AGM will start really helpful. Please contact at 2.15pm. The Treasurer and Barry Ingram at barry.ingram74@ Chair/Secretary of the Footpath btinternet.com.

state in the 1980s and 1990s to one of the best networks in the Footpath activities Thanks David! country. David and his team of five full-time rights of way officers he Footpath Committee's such as the A5/M1 link or the east/ entral Bedfordshire promotion to Highways Assets plus definitive map officer and June report showed plenty west rail link. Often they need to Council, in common Manager. It is with sadness backroom staff showed just how of activity with public path visit sites or make contact with other with other authorities, that David, after having time T C the network should be managed. orders, planning applications and parties and they do this because they merged its rights of way to evaluate the role decided to Sadly, it is all change as staff consultations, all either having care about the footpath network team into the highways resign and left at the end of have transferred into Highways been dealt with by or being dealt which too many walkers take for department and in the last July. and some have left. Looking after with by our volunteer footpath granted. issue we congratulated David David worked for the council rights of way has been reduced officers who put in a lot of time Footpath Officers play this Leverington formerly Team for many years and was one of the from five people to three with one and expertise to ensure their important role often in the Leader of Rights of Way and prime movers in getting the rights on secondment. replies are in the best interests background and often unseen. Countryside Access on his of way network from a deplorable David was instrumental in of the Ramblers, yet pragmatic, Compare them to a walk leader who, helping us get started with realising we live in a real world rightly so, gets compliments for our RIPPLE activities, paid which is constantly changing. leading a good walk, but when was for our power tool courses and Their work may involve buildings the last time a walk leader said "We encouraged everyone to get being erected over a path, someone are able to do this walk today thanks involved. One of his last acts was wanting to build a paddock, new to the efforts of our local footpath to oversee the creation of new paths housing developments, new roads officer?" in woodland and alongside the River Hit near the A507 between Shefford and Meppershall. Back Footpath round-up in January along with RIPPLE volunteers, new marker posts and entral Bedfordshire some not even applying to walkers. clearance work was carried out Council has recently made Bob Tarron, Chair/Secretary of the and in July, again with the help of Ca start in adding town Footpaths Committee, includes RIPPLE volunteers, the work was paths to the definitive map with these in the monthly footpath finished by adding more yellow- 31 footpaths and three bridleways reports sent to footpath officers and topped marker posts, some more in Biggleswade. walk leaders should check or go clearance and putting hand rails Bedford Borough and Luton have online to ensure a trouble-free walk. on the side of a bridge. also made a start on their rights of The A5/M1 link road is now open Another RIPPLE task finished: Satisfaction all round after fitting hand rails to a Thank you David and we wish way within the towns' boundaries and paths which were affected have bridge near the River Hit. Left to right: Ian Jarry (volunteer), Cris Nicol (Central but it will be a long time before the now been closed or re-routed whilst Beds Council Contracts Manager), Roy Carter (Ivel Valley Walkers Chair and you good health and happiness volunteer), David Leverington (former Central Beds Council rights of way team in whatever you do in the future definitive map is updated. others are being reopened. This is leader), Derek Turner (footpath Officer, Ivel Valley Walkers), Laurie Low and Eric and, if you're free. please join us Temporary closures are an good news as there is some interesting Cartwright (volunteers). Photo: Barry Ingram for our walks and our RIPPLEs. irritation, some necessary, some and enjoyable countryside in the extended too readily by councils and area.

this but starting from a low base. areas mentioned however most of the there was a good turnout on this, To this end, volunteers have been work with Central Bedfordshire has two or three more people would have RIPPLE activities involved mainly in waymarking. been large clearance and reopening enabled us to complete the work. lanning, consultations once or twice a year and it is Yellow-topped marker posts have of inaccessible paths at Heath & Footpath officers were mentioned and diversions are just impossible to keep paths clear during been installed between Wootton Reach, where after three big work for their work and at this point Pa part of dealing with the summer when every living plant and Cranfield, in Knotting,days involving locals and lots of our volunteers deserve a big vote footpath problems. Councils is growing and reproducing as fast Ravensden,Souldrop, Pertenhall, volunteers, a path around a quarry of thanks. There are the ones who have a statutory duty to maintain as it can. RIPPLE volunteers are not Sharnbrook and Renhold over the was finally reopened and a new turn up every time and those who rights of way as these are in there to do the job of the contractors past 12 months. The addition of bridleway which we reopened last come when they are able but no the same legal category as or the council but to provide yellow-topped waymarks is a good year was refreshed. A lost bridleway matter when they come everyone roads. Paths need maintenance assistance where necessary. One start as evidence shows walkers use at Thorn Turn, mentioned in the who participates makes a valuable and landowners and council of the problems Bedford Borough marked paths more frequently and last South East Walker, has been contribution towards the public contractors generally do a good has is that following years of help to keep the network usable. reopened, and most recently a half rights of way network. Thank you job in keeping paths open. underinvestment in the rights of way Along with marker posts, clearance mile footpath from Chalton, near to everyone involved in footpath Contractors service paths either network they are trying to correct work has also been carried out in the Luton, towards Fancross. Although activities.

a marquee had been booked Lea & Icknield Norwich trip for our lunch-time stop in e have recently completed On the social front, we held another Sullingham at the Ferry the rather lengthy process of Quiz Night, this time with a full hirty three Ivel year so far with afternoon House pub on the banks of the changing the group's name complement of seven teams. Our quiz Valley members temperatures around the River Yare. Unfortunately, W took a coach trip one of our members fainted to Lea and Icknield (Luton) Ramblers. master, Keith Blackburn, never fails to T 90F/32C degrees mark. Locals know the origin of the name; come up with something different with to the Norwich area on Frequent stops were made here, probably as a result of the River Lea rises in Luton and the town which to challenge us, including this 18 June, which proved to to take advantage of any shade the heat, but pub manager and to consume fluids and stands on the Icknield Way, an ancient time, anagrams of the word tanglier be the hottest day of the Sonia and first-aider Lynn really pulled out all the stops track. However, visitors to the group have (there are five) and words in the English to treat our casualty. Despite often been puzzled and wondered where language which end in dous (there are this, the programme for the we are based. The consensus was to keep four), After a nail-biting finish, The day was able to continue and, 'Lea and Icknield', so it was agreed to just Crofters were pipped at the post by remarkably, everyone arrived make the slight amendment. Teacher's Pet, with The Dunbars coming in Norwich for the homeward Seven members attended the recent third. journey. All agreed that the Area first aid courses, run by our own We're now looking forward to the Norwich area was ideal for a Derrick Pike, where we learnt how to Bedfordshire Walking Festival where we coach trip and wondered why deal with just about any emergency will be providing a walk on five of the it was 22 years since we were which could occur on a walk. We all days, and later in the year, hosting the last there. agreed that it was a worthwhile venture, Area AGM. Tony Sheward but hope that we never need to put our Rosemary Hasker Phew! Taking a break in the shade. Photo: Barry Ingram Ivel Valley Group new skills and knowledge into practise! Lea & Icknield (Luton) Ramblers 12 South East Walker September 2017 Chief Exec joins ESSEX Essex walk hen Vanessa Griffiths and the support groups need, were was appointed as the just some of the topics discussed. Ramblers CEO, I In fact, only when the apple pie and extras Wemailed her on behalf of Essex ice cream were served were there Area to wish her luck and invite any pauses. If only Area Council her on a walk in our county. meetings were like this, imagine the and their marriage ended in divorce That walk took place on 27 June work we would all get done! and a landmark custody battle. when 34 members from 13 of our With luck we were in the pub when Wanstead Park Walk Many people do not know how 18 groups met at Matching Green the heaviest rain fell, after which we est Essex Ramblers on an unprecedented scale with important and historic the park is. to walk with Vanessa. There were walked in fine weather to the 11th hosted a walk around gossip columns reporting every To top it all a delightful tea and cake smiles all round, except from the century Matching church with WWanstead Park on detail of their magnificent home break was had at the refreshment weather gods who decided for the its 17th century Wedding House, 27 May, led by Dave Brewster in Wanstead. But just a decade kiosk in the park. An enjoyable few first time in 10 days to save us the manor house and Home Farm Present was Geraldine Roberts, later William had flittered away hours was had by all. watering our gardens. clustered around a mighty oak tree. author of The Angel and the Catherine's inheritance, even selling Mervyn Martin We walked across the fields and It was in front of this that the whole Cad: Love, Loss and Scandal off her beloved Wanstead House, West Essex Ramblers through ripening corn to Matching group smiled for the camera and in Regency England, the story Tye for lunch at the Fox pub. posterity. about the history of the park. There were many conversations There were still smiles as we made with Vanessa over a wide range our way to our cars and Vanessa Dave gave a fascinating of issues, but again and again, returned to London to fight battles commentary on the the high society communications came up. Not on our behalf. It was clear to scandal that gripped Regency only communications between everyone that the day was a success. England. The day she turned 16, Central Office and groups but Over lunch Vanessa remarked that Catherine Tylney Long became between groups and between it was often easier to talk frankly the wealthiest heiress in England members. Members spoke not only while walking than in more formal and the public found their 'angel'. to Vanessa but also with those from situations, and I am sure that this Catherine was the most eligible other groups, creating a dynamic is true; to be able to talk and listen of young women and courted by lunch time and making the point, to our CEO in relaxed and pleasant royalty but, ignoring warnings, she as do the Ramblers road shows, of surroundings benefited everyone. married the charming but feckless the benefit of meeting others in Much useful information was dandy, William Wellesley Pole, relaxed surroundings. gained and many confusing and nephew of the Duke of Wellington. Dave Brewster addresses the group. Author Geraldine Roberts is the one wearing Issues such as Network Rail and misleading issues were overcome. The pair excited the public's interest sunglasses. Photo: John Roberts its next phase of railway crossing This most enjoyable day was created closures, website support, publicity by Vanessa finding time to meet to the public of the work done our members. She wrote to me to keep paths open, support afterwards to pass on her thanks to Lea Valley Friends celebrate 15 years for working parties, the need members for their friendly welcome for regional meetings to build and "for sharing their wisdom with eople often say 'from year and our membership has now range from a visit to Copped Hall networks and exchange knowledge, me so freely, I thoroughly enjoyed small acorns big oak trees reached 120. The committee is where we will tour the house and the Tapestry IT project, the value the day and came back re-energised Pgrow' and this is how we thrilled at this and is constantly gardens before enjoying a cream of the information in the CEO's and full of their ideas". We too tend to think of our group. looking for ways to reach more tea. On another occasion we monthly newsletter, the Lost Paths would like to record our thanks project, better and easier access to and hope she gained as much as we We are celebrating 15 years this potential walkers. The celebrations will have a special lunch which will recognise and applaud the information held by Central Office, all did. core members who started the the England Coast Path and our Alan Goffee celebrations, the Festival of Walks Area Chair group. We regularly take a holiday together and this year we will visit Herefordshire. We have local bi-monthly lunches where we hear the latest walks being discussed. Living next to beautiful Epping Forest means we are often on forest land. So with the exercise and stimulating commentaries from our leaders the whole experience is a joy. Thank you to all concerned in making this our 15th year so wonderful. Pauline Macfarlane Celebrating 15 years of the group at Fishers Green, near Waltham Abbey. Lea Valley Friends Walking Group The group pose at Matching church. Ramblers CEO Vanessa Griffiths is in lime green. Photo: Brian Hayes

to get work done; getting plenty Anyone wishing to get involved of volunteers, including parish with the Finding the Way campaign observers, to identify work; and can email Averil at averilbrice@ training more working parties to do icloud.com. the work or pay to use contractors. Graham Smith KENT This would be in partnership with White Cliffs Ramblers the county council, as people cannot go out and do work off their own backs because this could lead to legal calling issues. Inner London's South Bank Group has expressed interest in donating two new gates and as soon as we have campaign at the Area AGM found two suitable locations we will Finding the Way in February, to encourage be in touch with them. It would be walkers to get involved by lovely to invite the group on a walk to here has been a taking action themselves, helping on footpath work dedicate the gates and for them to be positive response to following the article in the themselves in any way among the first walkers to use them. Tthe Finding the Way June issue of South East possible, including financially. We have also received a donation campaign to help walkers Walker. The initiative involves getting of £100 from a member of White improve rights of way by Averil Brice launched the permission from landowners Cliffs Group. It's a positive start. Averil at a new gate. Photo: Steve Brice South East Walker September 2017 13 shattered by the exuberant greeting at 5.32am of the sun. Once we were assured the sun had been truly Early start woken we set off for a tranquil Stepping Out early morning walk before ending fter a short distance on Bluebell Hill. oing for a walk ripping away long-held myths and at nearby Mickey's Diner where into our walk on 1 May, with Wayne Eaton, visibly proving that a diagnosis Here we witnessed, and they some continued the celebration by which started at 5.15am, former keen cyclist, of dementia may be challenging A celebrated, the rising of the May feasting on a 'Gut Buster' breakfast! G IT specialist and university but in no way eliminates a full, we met up with the Kits Coty Day sun. Any meditative state that Geoff Ettridge lecturer based in Kent, is entertaining, outdoor, exercise- Morris at the Kits Coty megalith we might have been in was soon Medway Ramblers enlightening. Lovely bloke, loving life. great fun, but beware the People with physical disabilities sound of a pelican crossing. are likewise welcomed with every "A major vascular episode last outing offering two walks - one September has left me with a on easy flat terrain for wheelchair habit of just walking out into the users or those who find walking road if I hear the pelican crossing difficult and a longer version sound," he'll tell you. "Makes no throwing in the odd stile, uneven difference whether I want to cross ground, woods, rivers, seashores, or not. I just hear it and go! So for those wanting to go further riding my bike would be suicidal. afield. It has also made me so anxious at The idea stemmed from the the roadside that I often do not White Cliffs Walking Festival cross even when it could be safe to which offered walks for disabled do so and I need a little coaxing." people two years in succession A lively start to May Day. Photo: Geoff Ettridge Wayne has two different types of with barely a soul turning up dementia which have ruled out for them. Research identified cycling from his fitness regime, the extraordinary difficulties walk on the parish footpaths to but walking is still right up there that both carers - and those they which local residents are invited, as a favourite pursuit. He's entirely cared for - faced in making it In a lonely place partly through publicity in the local unabashed about letting people to the start of any event. Issues parish magazine serving Upper know his condition and places surrounding transport, finance, he parish is a very lonely and fields. At one point at the north Hardres and its neighbour, Stelling huge value on the exercise for confidence, ill-health could on and unfrequented place, end of the parish, from a forest path Minnis. In October 2015 I led a keeping him as healthy as possible any given day prevent attendance 'Tsituated on high ground you can sight between the trees the Canterbury Festival walk starting as long as possible. "Walks and with every opportunity lost, among the hills, having large cliffs near Ramsgate, a good 16 in Bossingham. One February are viewed by those of us with isolation could increase. Stepping tracts of woodland on each side miles away. The place is, as Hasted afternoon I was called by a resident dementia as fun, lively, healthy, an Out was specifically invented to of it'. observed, quite elevated. to inspect a stile where her dog had adventure, social, safe, controlled, break that potential vicious circle. been snagged on wire - it began to So wrote Edward Hasted in 1799 I walk the paths as often as I can, well-organised, inspiring, reliable, Sport England and Ramblers in his History and Topographical and report on my activities to the snow. Upper Hardres is a relatively varied, affordable, convenient, UK are backing the initiative. Survey of the County of Kent, parish AGM. I respond to faults small parish with about 11 miles of describing the parish of Upper detected and communicated to me public footpaths. well-paced and apart from our bus Support has also been received Hardres, 'or Hardes, as it is usually by the public by visiting the site Canterbury Ramblers has recently passes one of the most valuable from Tracey Crouch, the sports pronounced', where since 2009 I and, if necessary, filling online a appointed a footpath warden things that can be done for us." minister, Baroness Tanni Grey have been Parish Footpath Warden. report to Kent County Council or, convener, Ruth Adams, who ensures Wayne is therefore perfectly placed Thompson, one of GB's greatest I responded then to a trawl among its in the case of unclassified county that posts are filled. My activity as one of the key ambassadors ever paralympic athletes and the members by Canterbury Ramblers roads, of which there are two in (I don't call it 'work' or 'duty' as of the new Ramblers/Carers' Jo Cox Foundation. for wardens who would be willing the parish, by contacting directly it is always enjoyable) benefits Support initiative, Stepping Out, The ambition is to encourage to be attached to parishes within the Kent Highways. Over the years enormously from the support of to offer walks once a month carers and the people they care ambit of the group. that I have been associated with the parish clerk, Clare Hamilton, somewhere spectacularly scenic for, regardless of mental or I, a resident of the City of the parish these two bodies, and and her committee. Clare keeps me (and possessed of well-equipped physical disability, to enjoy the Canterbury, chose without Ramblers volunteers, have been informed of any planning matters tea rooms/hostelries in the outdoors, gaining fitness and hesitating this most remote from very supportive, clearing congesting that might affect footpaths. The the city of the parishes listed - all vegetation, as well as stopping up a parish AGMs are lively events, with vicinity) to carers and the people friendships while they do so. One of a 20 minute drive from my place pipe that suddenly started gushing food and drink, where I have the they care for. The project is carer, Connie, who cares for her to the capital of Upper Hardres, water onto a downhill stretch of opportunity to display my 'wares' confined to Kent in 2017 but the son and has the painful condition Bossingham, with its pub, the Cat's Wood Road, a mile-long such as maps of walks, including prototype could be scaled up to a fibromyalgia herself, explained Hop Pocket, and village hall. On unclassified county road, that takes a three pub walk, or summaries of national campaign if successful. the effect of a walk following the the way, trees give way to Upper the walker north from Bossingham footpath law, to be able to bring my Walkers, the majority of them visit to Hole Park this summer: Hardres Court, with Henry VIII between fields and forest in a deep concerns to Canterbury councillors, from local Ramblers groups, have "It's a lovely, stunning place to associations, the fine medieval valley. who this year included the newly volunteered in hugely encouraging visit and I so enjoy the exercise. It church of St Peter and St Paul and On my first footpath inspection, appointed mayor of Canterbury, and numbers to support the walks, as boosts my energy level, optimism, the manor house before open fields starting from the Duck at Pett listen in turn to the always helpful identifiers of venues with easy hope. I'm a different person." and Bossingham itself. Extensive Bottom just outside the parish observations, questions and offers of wheelchair access, leaders, back- Two more Stepping Out walks woodland, Upper Hardres Wood boundary (where Fleming wrote assistance of parish residents. One to the north, Bursted Wood to the You Only Live Twice), I graded each day I shall have to depart my role - markers, photographers, sociable are planned for this year. On 29 north east and Atchester Wood to stile in my notes from A to E - I no but oh so reluctantly - it could be a chit-chatters and advisors on the September we will have a glorious the south east together with several longer do this - but I am pleased job for life! matter of cake. seaside walk between Margate smaller woods, envelopes the parish, to say that the remaining stiles are Rob Veltman Dementia is one of the disabilities and Reculver, followed on 27 just as Hasted describes. Public there for sentimental reasons, the Parish Path Warden for Upper that can be catered for - with October with an easy section of footpaths, including permissive majority replaced by light metal Hardres, North Kent Downs and members of various Kent walking the North Downs Way. paths and unclassified county roads, gates. Local Footpath Officer, Canterbury groups having already undertaken For more information on give the walker access to the woods I lead an annual summer evening South a course in supporting people these walks go to http://www. living with dementia. This is kentramblers.org.uk/carer_walks/ where Wayne came in, offering On Sunday 23 April massive insight into the condition, Sue Mott this group from North West Kent Ramblers decided they wouldn't run the London Marathon and opted instead for a walk in the beautiful Kent countryside. Their walk started from the pretty village of Brenchley, going through orchards with trees full of blossom, woods with the last of the bluebells and fields of rape, all in glorious sunshine. It was a day Stepping out on a carers' walk at Hole Park, near Tenterden. full of colour. Photo: Photo: Robert Peel Carole Flowerday 14 South East Walker September 2017 Full of hope in the Wish you were here? Peak District or our annual long-weekend away. 18 Blackheath Ramblers went to Hope in the Peak District on 5 May. F Over the four days we squeezed in nearly 50 miles of strenuous Mallorcan technology walking with many metres of ascent climbing Win Hill, Lose Hill, Jacob's Ladder, Kinder Scout and along Stanage Edge. Our evening meals and drinks went down well as did those Derbyshire breakfasts. baffles Uttlesford Ramblers Thanks to Alastair Fulton and Alan Tume for a brilliant weekend. n April, a party from our key and the door closing was 15 and continually re-open while the Where next guys? group took themselves seconds, and it proved impossible key was returned. It took time to Keith Sargent Ito the Spanish island of to open the door, return the key to work this out, but most of us had Blackheath Ramblers Mallorca for a week. Based at its place and enter before the door cracked it by the end of the week. Puerta de Pollenca in the north closed; we calculated that at least We mostly ate well, if rather of the island, the walks took 30 seconds would have been more too copiously, but here again in a variety of scenery, from realistic. challenges presented themselves. mountains to spectacular coast Thus it became necessary to go those familiar with Spanish bar- and (apart from one day which out in pairs, so that one individual restaurants will know that the tested our waterproofing and was could block the door while the toilets tend to be situated furthest cut mercifully short) the weather other returned the key without from the entrance, and hence was just right for walking with being locked out. For the lone distant from any source of natural temperatures around 20c. traveller, the alternative was to light. Our admittedly unscientific The walks themselves were unlock the door, leap inside, grab survey sample of three suggests that relatively easy, and the real physical a conveniently situated plant pot, 66.6 per cent of men's toilets in and intellectual challenges came place this in the doorway and let Mallorca have lights on timers - no Tucking in to another enjoyable meal. Photo: Keith Sargent from the local hospitality industry. the door slide across, hit the pot doubt in the best interests of energy Our hotel, mostly decorated in saving - which come into effect dark nicotine brown, was entered after 30 seconds. by electrically-operated sliding The outcome - because it is In the Wye Valley doors. During the day, this was impossible to locate the urinal, e s t fine: you walked towards them, unzip and get rid of a couple of beers London they opened automatically, and you in half a minute - was confusion: G r o u p entered reception. does one grope in the dark in W members took But reception closed at 4.30 in midstream to find the light switch a walk over the the afternoon. After that time, (always more than an arm's-length Biblins suspension returning residents were required away) and risk missing the target, bridge which links to enter a code to access a key that or continue to point and hope? the English and could be used to open the door. In any event, for the avoidance of Welsh banks of Great in principle, but the key then embarrassment it is best not to be the River Wye at needed to be returned to its place wearing light-coloured trousers. Symonds Yat. to enable the next resident to enter. Mike Cannell That offending key safe. Their Wye Valley The interval between using the Uttlesford Ramblers Photo: Mike Cannell break was based at the Christian Guild- owned Lindors Country House Snowdonia challenge Hotel at St Briavels. ach year we hold a tease with a misty summit. On our third we ascended past Margaret Lydamore challenge event around Next day we made our second the slate spoil heaps up to the West London EApril or May and this ascent of Snowdon, this time boulder field at the summit of Ramblers No jumping up and down here. Photo:Bob Scanlan year Jill and Steve Dowling from Llanberis taking the Elidir Fawr. Hidden inside the bravely took on the baton infrequently walked north west mountain is the Dinorwig power and organised three fabulous ridge heading up over Moel station, so a good place to put challenging days in the Eilio, FoelGron, Foel Goch and the kettle on for elevenses. On Snowdonia National Park. Moel Cynghorion before joining to Mynydd Perfedd, Foel Goch Dartmoor in May Our first ascent of Snowdon the Snowdon Ranger path to and Y Garn, with fantastic views was via the South Ridge, one of the summit. The mist did clear of the Glyderau and Carnaddau the best routes to the summit momentarily after Foel Gron, ranges. We returned to Nant but also one of the quietest. We opening up a pleasing vista of Peris following the Afon Las. returned via the Watkin Path Llyn Cwellyn and Mynydd Over the three days we which is eroded in places but Mawr. Snowdon's summit was completed 4,000 metres of ascent we were heartened to see some again shrouded in mist and the making this a challenge we will very large bags of boulders ready keen wind encouraged an early all remember! for some repair works to start. retreat to lower levels where, Sandra Rooney Snowdon was, as ever, being a happily, the sun broke through. Chiltern Weekend Walkers

Crossing a leat. Photo: Ali Melabie ot another account of a about the history of the moors. We holiday taken by a group walked along some of the medieval Nyou may say? But how leats, a water supply system from the many of us have had this kind of tops of the moors down to farms and weather on the moors? Two days hamlets, and came across several dry and sunny with far-reaching stone circles in the mist. views and varied walks taking We stayed at the Two Bridges in the high moors and the river Hotel, ideally situated to reach walks valleys. which were ably led by members of The last day did treat us to Caradon Ramblers as one of our typical Dartmoor weather but we members moved to Devon and would have felt cheated if we hadn't joined them. It's electrifying! Enjoying a brew on Elidir Fawr atop Dinorwig power station. Photo: Steve Dowling experienced it personally. Not only Ali Melabie did we enjoy the scenery, we learnt Mid-Berks Ramblers South East Walker September 2017 15 Springtime on sunny Sicily Cross Britain Way ver the May bank holidays we continued our trek along the Cross Britain Way. Firstly it was from Much Wenlock Oto Buttington, via Wenlock Edge, the Long Mynd, the Stiperstones and the Offa's Dyke Path. A tough weekend covering 43 hilly miles. This was followed by another hilly 44 miles from Buttington to Bala, via Welshpool and Lake Vyrnwy. For the latter we based ourselves at the Cain Valley Hotel in Llanfyllin, which could accommodate the whole group and provide us with good food and service plus a plentiful supply of local beers. Ian Andrews Milton Keynes Ramblers

A rest stop to admire the view in the Madonie mountains. Photo: Joan Clark arly May saw 19 Henley Initially we walked some lower on to Giardini Naxos, close to & Goring Ramblers set level paths but then steadily moved the city of Taormina. Here we Eout on a walking holiday to the higher mountains between continued our activity-packed in Sicily. Our destination was 1200 and 1600m, where we were days with an excellent guided the picturesque historic town rewarded with spectacular all walking tour around the historic Cross Britain Way walkers take a rest at Lake Vyrnwy. Photo: Ian Dunford of Cefalu, on the Tyrrhenian round views towards the Aeolian city and, for many of us, a trip up northern coast, where we were islands and Mount Etna. Along Mount Etna. ideally placed for excursions the way we met some wonderful We would all like to thank Peter into the Madonie mountains. characters like Julio the goat Stone for his organisation and A step back in Our guide for the first week herder, who demonstrated how to leadership before and throughout was the adorable Carmelina make cheese the traditional local the trip (and the endless supply of time at Avebury Ricciardello, who runs Sicilian way and Mimmo the winemaker mints on the walks!) ur group enjoyed a superb trip away in June, travelling Experience. There are few and restauranteur, who provided Tony Godfrey to Ogbourne St George in Wiltshire to explore Neolithic footpaths and hiking routes us with one of the most memorable Henley & Goring Ramblers monuments around the World Heritage Site of Avebury. mapped in this part of Sicily but meals of our trip. O For a longer version of this report Group member Helen Walker led a10-mile walk on the Saturday Carmelina knows all the best After we said an emotional go to www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/ which visited the Sanctuary, West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury routes. farewell to Carmelina we moved henley-goring/reports.html Hill, followed on Sunday with a seven mile walk to follow the Ridgeway to visit Fyfield Down and Spring break in Devon Overton Down. Thanks to Helen who provided so much information on the history and culture of the Neolithic people, and to Audrey Parsons who arranged the hotel and transport. Ruth Cornish Thame & Wheatley Thame & Wheatley members at Avebury. Ramblers Photo: Ruth Cornish Tewkesbury stay ourteen of our members everyone met up for a meal together enjoyed a weekend in on both evenings. FTewkesbury in mid-May There were some heavy showers organised by Jeff and Sue Petts. on the first two days but it didn't Three walks took place covering spoil enjoyment of the walks and a variety of terrain, including a 10- we all agreed that the weekend was mile walk in the Malvern Hills on a success. the Saturday. The group stayed in Rosemary Harker a number of different places but Lea & Icknield (Luton) Group

On the geology walk from Beer to Branscombe. Photo: Helen Shepard n May, Leighton Buzzard On one day members were treated with a drink and crab sandwiches Ramblers packed their cases to a geology tour of the Jurassic at the Anchor pub in Beer. Iagain for a five-day break at coast from Beer to Branscombe. Everybody enjoyed the walks Exmouth in Devon. Members Phil Davidson, the senior warden and scenery. The weather could split into short, medium and at the Charmouth Heritage Coast not have been better with Devon long walks most days with the Centre joined members on the walk looking its best in the spring long walk party covering the where he talked about the geology sunshine. East Devon Way from Exmouth and palaeontology of this World Michael Shephard to Colyton Heritage Site. We followed this Leighton Buzzard Ramblers Walking in the Malvern Hills during our stay at Tewkesbury. Photo: Eric Peppiatt 16 South East Walker September 2017 Follow the Diary Dates

Until Saturday 23 September: Paul Stewart - River: the Life of the Arcadian Thames Works by award-winning photographer Paul Stewart, includes images of the landscape, Little Arrow working life and the people of this stretch of the Thames in west London. was moved to write this commentary on one of our walks where the leader kept Riverside Gallery, Old Town Hall, Richmond, TW9 1TP. 020 8831 6000. announcing we were following the 'little arrow'. It was not long before she herself became Little Arrow with accompanying banter in the style of By the shores of Until Saturday 7 October: St Ann's Hill: From Hillfort to Country Park I Exhibition telling the story of the people and buildings which have shaped this Gitche Gumee, etc. It was all good fun while walking and reflecting on the almost universal adoption of GPS in walking and the residual resistance of those that feel the prominent feature of the Chertsey landscape. Free. Chertsey Museum, Surrey, www,chertseymuseum.org.uk, 01932 565764. use of technology almost spoils a walk by missing an opportunity to get lost by misuse of map or compass. Until Sunday 8 October: Constable and Brighton Over 60 of John Constable's works are on show to explore ways he was inspired by the town and its surrounding countryside. Admission charge. Free self-guided walks around Brighton in Constable's footsteps are available in free guide leaflets available at the venue Little Arrow leads us onwards. or downloaded from the website. Onwards through the great green forest. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, www.brightonmuseums.org.uk Forest with its dimmed down sunlight Until Sunday 8 October: Forest Charter 800 for all Sunlight makes its shadows darkness An exhibition celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Epping Forest Charter which was Little Arrow leads us onwards signed in 1217 by the very young Henry III and has provided protection to the rights of 'free men' to enter the forest and earn a living from it. Closed Mondays. Little Arrow holds her token. Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge/The View, Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH Symbol of the Great Proud Spirit. 020 7332 1911 Spirit of the finger pointing Thursday 7 - Sunday 10 September: Heritage Open Days Pointing onwards through the darkness Open days with free entry at a wide range of properties, many not normally open to the public. A separate event covering most of London follows next weekend. Other walkers have their tokens. www.heritageopendays.org.uk Tokens from the Great Proud Spirit Others bow to map and compass. Saturday 9 September: Victory Wood Heritage Day Have no faith in Great Proud Spirit Explore the underground bunker at the Woodland Trust's Victory Wood. Kent. Want to question Great Proud Spirit Open 12 - 3pm, free, booking essential. How to see through dark dense forest. Dargate Road, Yorkletts, Kent CT5 3AH [email protected], 03303 333300 Muttering now from those who follow Saturday 16 - Sunday 17: Open House London Are we led by Great Proud Spirit Hundreds of buildings of all kinds open their doors for this annual architectural festival. or our leader Little Arrow? www.openhouselondon.org.uk

Edge of forest, now the upland. Sunday 17 September: Epping Forest Centenary Walk Sheep and grass and sunny upland Now an annual tradition, this led walk covers the length of the forest from south to Joyful chatter from the walkers north. Organised by the Friends of Epping Forest with help from West Essex Ramblers, Walkers happy walking onwards. walkers can cover the whole distance or join for just part. Starts 9 am corner Forest Drive/Capel Road near Manor Park station, halts for lunch from 12.30 to 1.15pm at Little Arrow leads us onwards. Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and finishes at Bell Common, Epping, about 4.30pm. www.friendsofeppingforest.org.uk. Enquiries before the day on 020 8418 0730 or on John Dougill the day to 07973 289801. Reigate Ramblers Saturday 23 September: Explore with Map and Compass For Helen and her new toy and with apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow A one day course at Bexhill-on -Sea, 10am - 4pm, for beginners and those with little who had no GPS to guide his Hiawatha. experience to gain confidence in map reading and land navigation. Consists mainly of fieldwork in the surrounding countryside.there is sufficient demand. Standard charge £10, reduced rates available. Contact John Harmer (01424 773998 or email john@ harmerfamily.plus.com. A further similar course and an advanced More with Map and Compass course will be arranged if there is sufficient demand. Sunday 24 September: Wandle Festival walks As part of this year's festival in south west London, there will be led walks to St Mary's church in Beddington Park where girls from the congregation will re-enact the lives of the orphans who lived at nearby Carew Manor when it was home of the Royal Female Orphanage Asylum. Walk 1 starts at Colliers Wood station at 10.45 (four to five miles with a lunch stop in Morden Hall Park and arriving at Mitcham Junction in time for Walk 2), Walk 2 from Mitcham Junction station at 2pm (meet at bus stop on bridge, three to four miles) to St Mary's church. Walk 3 from East Croydon station at 1.30pm to St Mary's church. For more details contact Melanie Nunzet of Sutton & Wandle Valley Ramblers at [email protected] or call 07944 833605. Tuesday 26 September: Chiltern Hills: The Fight for Beauty An evening hosted by the Chilterns Conservation Board with keynote speaker Fiona Reynolds DBE, formerly Director General of the National Trust and author of The Fight for Beauty: A Path to a Better Future. 7.30pm, Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. Box office: 01494 582900. Saturday 30 September - Sunday 1 October: Surrey Hills Wood Festival Family-friendly event celebrating all things wood, including demonstrations by coppice workers. Admission charge. Birtley House Estate, Bramley, Surrey GU5 0LE. www.surreyhills.org/events/the-surrey-hills-wood-fair/ Friday 6 - Sunday 29 October: The Great Storm 30 Years On Photo exhibition showing the devestation caused to the local landscape. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. The National Trust would welcome more photos and memorabilia for this event - email [email protected] if you could assist. Leith Hill Place, Surrey RH5 6LY Monday 30 October - Saturday 25 November: The Wey Landscape Partnership Showcases improvements being made to the River Wey. Dressed up: Missing or damaged waymark posts are not unknown but Roy Johnson, Footpath & Countryside Haslemere Educational Museum, Surrey Secretary for Aylesbury Ramblers, was taken aback to find this post in Edelsborough parish appears to have www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk, 01428 642112. been given a second job. Photo: Roy Johnson