Farewell to an Essex Stalwart and Campaigner
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walkerSOUTH EAST No. 101 March 2018 Farewell to an Essex stalwart and campaigner ssex stalwart and published guides which included member of the Friends of Epping and the surrounding area from campaigner Harry Bitten, Short Walks in London's Epping Forest and went on to become a inappropriate development. The Ewho died in September Forest and its immediate surroundings leading campaigner whenever he last three decades of the last century 2017, played a major role in (1976), The Three Forests Way saw threats to the forest. Mike saw a very rapid development of the popularising walking in Essex (1977), The St Peter's Way (1978), Whiteley writes: membership of West Essex group, through his collaboration in the The Epping Forest Centenary Walk Harry was born in Bow in East and Harry played a full part in 1970s and 80s with fellow founder (1978), The Harcamlow Way (1980) London in 1925 and, ironically, getting the network of footpaths in West Essex Ramblers member and The Essex Way (1984). Harry also died in Bow in 2017. Perhaps the area opened up and into regular Fred Matthews. cared passionately for Epping it was the tough economic climate use. He was also a keen (and rather Together they devised and Forest and became a founder of the mid 1920s which produced fast!) leader of rambles. such a determined battler with a Harry left school when he was social conscience taking brave and 14 and soon after joined the civil principled stands often against service. During the war, he had a overwhelming odds. No cause was spell in the Home Guard - yes, he too insignificant for Harry to ignore; used to recall that it was as chaotic and along the way he had some as it's depicted in 'Dad's Army' - important victories. before joining the Royal Navy then Harry Bitten Harry's involvement in the hostilities ended. Ramblers dates from 1972, when The use of the atomic bomb on to popularise walking as a leisure he joined the recently formed West Japan led the young Petty Officer activity. For the more energetic, Essex group. Fred Matthews, former Bitten to lead a below-decks protest Harry and Fred produced walking President of Essex Area, was a work and to present a petition to the routes for long distance paths, the colleague from the Colonial Office Admiral, which was 'duly noted'. Essex Way and St Peter's Way, which and fellow member of the West After the war, it was back to the are still popular today. Meanwhile, Essex Management Committee. Colonial Office and a collaboration Harry had married Peggy in 1955. From 1983 to 1999, Harry was the with Fred Matthews in the production They had four children and settled Countryside Officer, campaigning of books featuring mainly walks in Chingford, only a stone's throw Just some of the titles produced by Fred Matthews and Harry Bitten. vigorously to save Epping Forest in Essex. These books did much Continued on page 2 Dover chippie rewarded Canal Approach Dover chippie has been rewarded for providing 20 - 30 portions of fish and chips with only Greenway project feeding walkers during the annual White a few minutes warning, the chippie has also given A Cliffs Walking Festival. copies of the festival's walks booklet to customers The Fish and Chips Walk is a popular feature of the and promoted the festival on its Facebook page. gains support annual festival, with walkers hiking 10 miles from Now the takeaway has received a Certificate of Walmer to Dover, and having a meal at the Castle Appreciation by the festival organisers, the White project supported by and Folkestone Gardens, with new Take-Away, in Castle Street, at the end. Apart from Cliffs Ramblers. It was presented to takeaway owner the Ramblers has been crossings and street lighting as well Luigi del Duca by former Dover Mayor, Pam Brivio, A successful in securing as the new route. a member of White Cliffs Ramblers who led the bid £2.9 million of investment Walking and cycling between to secure 'Walkers are Welcome' status for the town. from Transport for London's Canada Wharf and Deptford Cllr Brivio said: " Luigi and his staff do a fine (TfL) Liveable Neighbourhoods currently requires crossing Evelyn job for Dover, and helping on the Fish and Chips programme to help make Street (A200), a busy, polluted Walk illustrates one of the main aims of Walkers streets and green spaces in and dangerous road. A section of are Welcome - a business demonstrating how Dover North Deptford safer and the former canal provides a unique welcomes walkers." more accessible and encourage opportunity both to make local A festival Certificate of Appreciation has also been walking and cycling, including journeys easier, safer and healthier awarded to the Rohan outdoor and travel store in the creation of a new traffic-free and to restore some of the area's Palace Street, Canterbury, for their efforts to promote route along part of the former rich industrial heritage. The new the festival. Grand Surrey Canal. greenway will link to the Thames This year's festival will take place from 23 - 29 The project, which has been led by Path National Trail, the Mayor of August and the Fish and Chip Walk has been local park user group DeptfordFolk London's proposed new walking earmarked for Friday 24 August. and supported by Sustrans, the and cycling crossing between Graham Smith London Borough of Lewisham and Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf White Cliffs Ramblers other local organisations as well as (also supported by Ramblers), major the Ramblers, will transform the new housing developments in the Cllr Brivio presents the certificate to Castle TakeAway owner Luigi del Duca. Photo: Graham Smith See also Festival time on page 6. experience of walking and cycling in the area around Deptford Park Continued on page 3 2 South East Walker March 2018 South East Walker March 2018 3 love of walking and the joy of epitomises the sheer exhilaration of SOUTH EAST being outdoors, and were clear that being under a great big sky! Oxfordshire Ramblers on air walking is for anyone. The value Helen Barham Chair, Oxon Weekend Walkers walker Essex rail crossings – the story so far arly in January, However, the broadcasts were Cavanagh, former and current of social interaction and the mental Distributed quarterly to members Oxfordshire Ramblers live and unscripted, so we didn't Chair of Oxfordshire Ramblers stimulation of conversations with of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, he public inquiry into Suffolk, Essex and part of network. In addition, costs (eg objections to the Order. To get were given a golden know what we would be asked; respectively, who gave a broad varied people on group walks also Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton the proposed Network Hertfordshire. Both the Transport footpath maintenance) and health an idea of the scale and scope of E Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, opportunity by BBC Radio potentially nerve-wracking! But perspective of Ramblers across the emerged as strong themes. As Dave Rail Essex Level Secretary and the ORR supported and safety responsibilities would the inquiry go to http://essex-level- Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and T Crossing Reduction Order was be transferred from Network Rail Oxford to talk about the host James was relaxed and jolly, county. Dave was an old hand at pointed out, it's surprising how far Surrey Areas. the initiative. crossings.persona-pi.com/ Ramblers and walking, as part of and responsive to our answers, and this having talked in December you can walk when engrossed in adjourned by the inspector in A consultation period followed to cash-strapped local authorities. It had been expected that the a 'get healthy' theme for the new we all found that the time just flew about the Ramblers Festival of conversation! THE RAMBLERS October last year on day three, during 2016 in which Network Late in 2016 Network Rail Essex inquiry would commence late year. by! Winter Walks. Rich Twine of our As a fillip, we were each asked to Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford due to Network Rail failing to Rail and their agents Mott revised their proposals; however, in 2017 after the Cambridgeshire House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, follow the correct procedures MacDonald presented their the closure programme remained and Suffolk inquiries. However, We had a seven-minute spot each Viv Boorman kicked off the group wrapped up the week with choose a record to be played at the London SE1 7TW. essentially the same with one or day for a week (8 -12 January) on week talking about Walking for a very entertaining chat covering end of the interview - the closest to Tel: 020 7339 8500 with regard to issuing 56 notices proposals, at public exhibitions, at Network Rail sought and gained James Watt sits in on the regular Health in Abingdon. My slot sailing and Oxford United as well Desert Island Discs we're likely to Email: [email protected] to land owners and mortgage a variety of locations in Essex. I two exceptions. The proposals approval for an earlier hearing Lilley Mitchell afternoon show. was on Tuesday, talking about as his absolute joy of escaping to the get! I was initially stumped, but Web: www.ramblers.org.uk companies. attended two of these exhibitions were posted on Network Rail's stating that all documentation Company registration no: website but were not advertised, We each provided a short biography Oxon Weekend Walkers, followed Ridgeway. then the obvious choice popped The inquiry is expected to and was advised by Network had been completed and issued! 4458492 recommence later this year.