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HAMPSHIRE RAMBLER July 2015

* General Council 2015 * SDNP 5th Anniversary * Coastal Access * The Big Path Watch * European Ramblers Assn * Path Changes * New Area Chairman ~ From Our New Chairman, David Nichols ~ Hello I am David Nichols and I was elected to be the Ramblers’ Chairman for Hampshire at the AGM held in February this year. Some might already know me from my being the Hampshire Area Mem- bership Secretary for the past 7-8 years. I am also Chairman and Member- ship Secretary for the Portsmouth group which I joined in 1990 and have walked with ever since. The group’s walking and social activities are very important and I would mention here that you can become as involved as you wish with both and certainly the social side is as important as the active walking. Members of group 96 which involves members who merely wish to walk, are looked after by Ruth Croker and myself for sending them a copy of this magazine. Contact details are on the rear cover. I would however suggest that those members might be missing out on the many social activities that the local group might provide and would encourage participa- tion. My thanks to Owen Plunkett for the past eight years in the chair and he remains as Public- ity Officer and our interested party in the South Downs National Park. I would draw your attention to an article later in this edition of the celebration on Easter Saturday of the Fifth Anniversary of its creation. I wish you all a happy walking summer although as I write the temperatures are already rising!

~ VE Day: First Days of Peace - Ben Robinson, in a BBC film, reveals the postwar revolution that altered the English countryside into a landscape that could not only feed the nation but also be seen as a place of leisure. It features an interview with Kate Ash- brook, President of Ramblers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/…/ve-day-first- days-of-peace-11052015

~ Coastal Access by Alan Marlow ~ Natural England have at last announced their plans for completing the Coastal Access path. The map opposite, published in early March, shows that work will begin on sections of the coast path in Hampshire later this year. If these plans survive after the general election we can expect that NE staff will start consultations with the Ramblers and other interested parties before the end of 2015. Once the timetable is clear, the Footpath, Access and Walking Envi- ronment committee will co-ordinate our actions across all the Ramblers groups with parishes along the coast. Cover photo by Alan Mather: New Forest walk, near Copythorne 2 Coastal Access Completion by 2020 - Provisional Timings and Stretches 6th March 2015

1 Aust to Brean Down 52 Gretna to Allonby 2 Brean Down to Minehead 53 Allonby to Whitehaven New coast path and 3 South West Coast Path 54 Whitehaven to Silecroft associated access rights now open 4 Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle 55 Silecroft to Silverdale 5 Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove 56 Walney Island Work in progress 6 Lulworth Cove to Christchurch 57 Silverdale to Cleveleys 51 Est. start 2015-2016 7 Christchurch to Calshot 58 Cleveleys to Pier Head, Liverpool Berwick- ") 8 Calshot to Gosport 59 Birkenhead to Welsh Border upon-Tweed 50 Est. start 2016-2017 9 Isle of Wight Est. start 2017-2018 10 Gosport to Langstone 49 11 Langstone to East Head Est. start in stages 12 East Head to Shoreham 2015-2017 13 Shoreham to Eastbourne 48 Natural England Areas 14 Eastbourne to Camber 1 52 1 ") 15 Camber to Folkestone Newcastle ") Carlisle 16 Folkestone to Ramsgate 47 17 Ramsgate to Whitstable 53 18 Isle of Sheppy 46 19 Whitstable to Iwade 2 45 20 Iwade to Grain

21 Grain to Gravesend 54 55 Scarborough ") 22 Gravesend to Southend 23 Southend to Wallasea Island 56 57 44 24 Foulness, Potton and Wallasea Islands 3 25 Wallasea Island to Burnham on Crouch ") 43 Blackpool ") Leeds 26 Burnham on Crouch to Maldon Hull ") 27 Maldon to Salcott 58 28 Mersea Island 4 42 29 Salcott to Jaywick 59 ") Liverpool 30 Jaywick to Harwich 41 31 Harwich to Shotley Gate 32 Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Skegness ") 38 33 Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey 5 37 34 Bawdsey to Aldeburgh 40 35 Aldeburgh to Hopton On Sea 39 36 36 Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling 6 Great Yarmouth ") 37 Sea Palling to Weybourne 38 Weybourne to Hunstanton ") Birmingham 9 39 Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge 35 40 Sutton Bridge to Skegness 33 41 Skegness to Donna Nook 32 31 42 Donna Nook to Humber Bridge 8 34 ") 43 Humber Bridge to Kilnsea 7 28 29 Felixstowe 44 Kilnsea to Filey Brigg 27 30 45 Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge 25 26 46 Newport Bridge to North Gare 23 24 47 North Gare to South Bents 1 10 22 London ") 48 South Bents to Creswell ") Bristol 18 17 21 49 Creswell to Bamburgh 20 2 11 19 50 Lindisfarne 16 51 Bamburgh to Scotish Border Folkestone ") Bridgwater 14 ") 15 8 ") 11 Southampton 10 Brighton 13 7 ") 14 3 ") Exeter 12 13 12 4 5 6 9 ") Newquay ") Plymouth

0 25 50 100 150

Kilometres

3 ~ European Ramblers Association by Liz Neilson, President of European Ramblers Association ~

I am the president of European Ramblers Association – an organisation with member organisations in 33 European countries representing more than 3 million registered walkers and more than 100 years of expertise in creating and maintaining walking trails. ERA was born in the 60s when northern European workers started to go on charter holidays and visit other parts of Europe. The walking federa- tions found the best way to explore Europe could be on foot and created a system of long-distance trails criss crossing Europe. Trails maintained by the national member organisation – but connected by our network. Today we have 12 long- distance trails covering more than 50.000 km. The longest of them is E4 going from Tarifa in Spain via France, Switzerland, Germany, Aus- tria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece to Cyprus. In total 11.800 km. In Great Britain we have E2, E8 and E9. Some years ago the European Ramblers Association launched the label “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe”. Like the “Blue Flag” for the beaches, it is a guarantee of high quality - is our label, a guarantee for a trail of outstanding high quality. Such a system has to capture the complexity of different landscapes, infrastructures and route character in comparable dimensions. To allow for the variety and uniqueness of the landscapes and walking routes in the different regions of Europe, the criteria system has been constructed with maximum flexibility. It uses the years of practical experience in countries that already use quality criteria to plan and upgrade walking trails. The transparent criteria are the system’s strongest quality. The label makes attractive routes measurable and ensures a good experience for the hikers. The rating/grading as ‘Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe’ is an award as well as a method to optimise the overall route infrastructure. The criteria can be used as a checklist and help regions that have to build up their walking route network. In regions that already have a functioning route network, such a system can strengthen the walking tourism further. The logo ‘Leading Quality Trails- Best of Europe’ can be used on national as well as inter- national trails. Certification is only available for complete trails. Minimum is a distance of at least 50 km with three daily stages. All the criteria can be found at the ERA homepage where you also can find a presentation of qualified trails. You can also find information how to become a Leading Qualified Trail – Best of Europe. The Lechweg in Austria was opened as the first Leading Quality trail in June 2012. The Lech valley is a well-known 5 star ski-resort – but in summertime most hotels were closed. The 7 communes involved decided to create a 5-star hiking resort for summer tourism and developed a trail from the spring of the Lech River to the fall where it goes into Germany. Last summer- season – the first full hiking season after the opening - they had 4.500 extra nights in the hotels, the public transportation along the trail had many new customers and the shops registered a lot of tourists with a rucksack on their back. In 2015 five different travel agencies have Lechweg in their program and several guidebooks are available.

4 These are the current qualified trails, but many more are in the pipeline: Lechweg Austria/Germany Escapardenne / Eisleck trail Luxemburg / Belgium Kullaleden Sweden Mullerthal trail Luxemburg Zeugenberg runde Germany Veldenwanderweg Germany Moselstieg Germany Menalon Trail Greece Gendarmstien Denmark Albtraufgänger Germany

E-Path Certificates European long-distance paths go between European countries - from North Cape to Crete and from the At- lantic to the Carpathians and the Black Sea. There are 12 E-ways, bearing the name of E1 to E12. ERA seeks to encourage walkers to use the E-paths to strengthening the mutual understanding between people. ERA wants to encourage cultural exchange, develope an understanding of different environments, increase knowledge of the countryside and the people who live there. ERA awards walkers who have used the E-paths in an outstanding way. ERA has two special certificates: E-path Certificate 1: walkers must walk on the same E-path in three different countries - in each of the 3 countries a distance of at least 50 km. E-path Certificate 2: walkers must walk on at least 6 different E-paths (and it does not matter if they are in different countries) - on each E-path a distance of at least 20 km.

The walker must present the documentation to his member organisation (member of ERA). After the verification, the organisation applies to ERA for the certificate. The signed certificate is sent back to the ERA organisation. In this way, the ERA member organisation has the possibility to award the certificate at a special event or meeting and motivate other people to walk on E-paths.

~ New Forest Ramblers 45th Anniversary Celebrations ~

Bolton’s Bench, Lyndhurst, before a walk with MP, Dr Julian Lewis. Altogether 45 miles of walks and a barn dance were organised. 5 ~ Ramblers Celebrate South Downs National Park Anniversary by Owen Plunkett ~ The South Downs National Park reached its 5th birthday at the beginning of April. Ramblers in Hampshire & Sussex marked the occasion with an event in Midhurst & the surrounding area. This began at the National Park Park Centre in Midhurst with pres- entations by Margaret Paren, Chair of the National Park Authority

& Kate Ashbrook, the President of Ramblers. Margaret Paren spoke about the achievements of the last 5 years & the plans for the future. Kate Ashbrook explained that more funds are needed and the access to many parts of the downs must be improved. When Access Land was designated, the wrong criteria for Downland was applied and as a result only a small amount was chosen. Following these talks, a 7 mile walk within the the Western Weald, a beautiful area that was almost excluded from the National Park, was enjoyed by all . It was only after a vigorous campaign with strong public support that the Western Weald was included inside the boundary. Following a picnic lunch, the walkers returned to the Centre for tea and a celebratory drink.

6 They were also given the opportunity to see the excellent displays in the Centre. Kate Ash- brook, president of the Ramblers said: ‘We warmly congratulate the South Downs National Park on its fifth birthday. This was the culmination of a long campaign, and we have already seen the value of the designation many times over. But we must not be complacent, there is still much to be done. We must campaign to join up the isolated spots of land where the public has access so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful South Downs landscapes to the full. The next government must recognise that putting money into the national parks is an investment because they help to provide clean water and clean air, and health and happiness to the popula- tion. We are backing the Campaign for National Parks’ Stop the Cuts Campaign, making it clear that national parks provide top value for money.’ Owen Plunkett, the organiser of the event , added,”We were delighted to have such a success- ful event. We have had similar events each year and have always had a good response.” Details for future such events can be obtained from Owen Plunkett on 02392254959 or by E mail: owen,[email protected].

~ Southwick Solar Farm by Alan Mather ~ As you can see in the photograph, the new massive solar farm under construction at Southwick has a surprisingly low visual impact. It is completely surrounded by trees, & the panels are at a shallow angle to the ground. Peter Sollars recently led a walk for us to view the installation. When completed there will be a total of 50,000 solar pv panels delivering 40 megawatts of electricity. The site covers 200 acres. Power generation commenced in March, 2015.

7 ~ South East Hants Volunteer News by Margaret Mathieson ~ Twelve volunteers were involved in successfully clearing the excess vegetation, left after the farmer had flayed the hedges, along Footpath Southwick and Widley 36. Eight were involved on Monday to tackle the longer north to south limb, and on the following Friday four completed the task by clearing the east- to west section. The photographs taken by Terry (see attachment) shows how smart this once impass- able section of the footpath now looks. Cutting back the early growth of brambles, in particular, will keep the path clear before the full force of the summer growth begins. In the meantime Kate Small is going to regularly walk the path and attend to any easy clearance work but she will call on our help if required. Our first ‘Footpath Warden’. We could do with another volunteer to do a similar job along Footpath Hayling Is- land 95 , the first clearance work we did. Any offers? Elliot Rowe, the Senior Countryside Ac- cess Ranger for the Central East region, has sent a list of possible footpath clear- ances. These have all been inspected and the clearance work was completed during the inspections as it was mainly clearing access to stiles. John Cartwright, SCAR for the Southern Region, has recently emailed to ask if we are available for some vegetation clearance, and I now await his instructions. Unfortunately, he has no stiles to gates work scheduled which is a pity as I had hoped we could get some observation/ training in this area. Finally, we have the list of equipment. We have the funds, we now need to PURCHASE THE TOOLS. Thank you to all the volunteers for their help and don’t forget to pack your secateurs as the warmer growing weather approaches.

We have the sad news of the sudden death of Neville Maton. Neville no longer walked on a regular basis with SE Hants but the volunteering gave him another way to stay in contact. He was our photographer on our first ‘job’ on Hayling Island and regularly turned out on Friday vegetation clearance work. He will be greatly missed.

8 ~ Some reflections on General Council 2015 by Owen Plunkett ~ I have attended a total of seventeen General Councils, most of which were as a member of the Board of Trustees. This year, however, I attended as a Hampshire Area Delegate. I am sorry to say that this year’s event was very disappointing (Easily the least inspiring of the seventeen)! Above all, that old “Ramblers Spirit” seemed to be missing. There was chaos for many parts of the Council. A great deal of time was wasted in the proce- dures for the election of Board candidates. This resulted in less time being available to discuss the motions in detail and some were not reached. It was also disappointing that a really good candidate for the Chairmanship, Robert Peel, was disqualified on a technical matter. One of his proposers had inadvertently also proposed a candidate for the Board, which apparently is against regulations. Why wasn’t this spotted when the nomination went in? I mean no disrespect for the other candidate who was elected unopposed. There has been much discussion about Governance. There were several motions on this, but these were poorly worded and scrapped, and the matter referred back to the Board. Judging from the limited discussion that did take place, the proposals for one member one vote seemed unpopular with a large number of delegates. Concern was expressed that in spite of two resolutions passed last year over the lack of progress on re-claiming Lost Ways, little progress has been made. There were some good moments too! One of the highlights was the discussion between our President, Kate Ashbrook and Dame Fiona Reynolds, who, among other posts, was Director of the National Trust for twelve years. I was pleased to hear Fiona say that she was strongly opposed to fracking. The following day Council comfortably passed a resolution from Greater Manchester & High Peak for the Ramblers to develop a coherent policy on the fracking issue. It has been very disappointing to many of our members that the Ramblers have taken no part in the debate and left it to 38 Degrees, Friends of the Earth and other such bodies to lead the way. Let us hope that a much more proactive approach is now taken!

~ The Sussex Border Path by Peter Sollars ~ Following a request from a West Sussex RA Officer and after receiv- ing HCC permission, the Footpath Secretary for SE Hants RA has installed new-version Sussex Border Path (SBP) plastic discs on relevant HCC posts just inside the Hampshire border. Although the SBP has been in existence for many years, there were no earlier-version discs or signs along the route within Hampshire. The discs, with their bird outline logo, are shown in the photograph and provide a clear indication of the route. The eastern section of the SBP, after tracking around Thorney Island, moves into Hampshire to Lumley, just north of the coast at Emsworth. The Path then continues in a northerly direction through New Brighton, Southleigh Forest, Rowlands Castle, Finch- dean and Chalton plus a short stretch at Rake. The SBP provides interesting walking through different scenery, moving around the county borders of West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, East Sussex and Kent; a long 150 miles adventure! 9 ~ New Zealand Tour by Barry Taylor ~

A paradise for ramblers... So what is it us ramblers want? Well, we’re a diverse bunch aren’t we? Some of us want a short stroll, preferably circular, of an hour or so, then there’s others who like longer; maybe half or a whole day. Good weather is a must: not too hot or cold; and of course no rain or mud. Good scenery would be good; lakes and mountains, some coast perhaps and interesting vegetation. We don’t want dangerous animals or things that bite and sting either. It’s handy if the natives are friendly and speak English (most of us are not good with foreign languages), and we’d like our pounds to go a long way... So where is this country? Well, I’ve just come back from there: it’s New Zealand. It doesn’t quite tick every box; wet and cold weather is not uncommon if you want to hike in Fjordland’s alpine country, even in their summer. Everywhere else is rather pleasant, with the added bonus that their summer corresponds to our winter. The scenery is absolutely magnificent: think Hobbits and Lord of the Rings films! It’s not quite perfect of course; there are wasps in the forests, and the sand-flies (like a Sottish midge) do bite; gener- ally only a problem on the wetter west coast. However, there are no crocodiles, snakes, bears... The Department of Conservation (DOC) looks after about a third of NZ; basically, all the areas of natural beauty. As well as its conservation activities it maintains a huge network of well-signed footpaths; from a 20 minute stroll to nine multi-day tramps, over-nighting in huts. These Great Walk Tracks require a good level of fitness as you can expect to walk up to six hours each day – with a 12 kg pack, as you have to carry all your food, sleeping bag and cloth- ing. In high season the hut bunks are booked well in advance so you have to move on, what ever the weather! For a taster, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be experienced, considered to be one of the world’s top one day hikes; and you can get transport to and from the start and finish! If you get tired of walking then there are a surprising amount of historical sites, albeit fairly recent and therefore, to my mind, more relevant. Museums exist describing the life of the early immigrants, their farming, logging, gum digging, gold mining and their interaction with the resident Maori. A visit to NZ’s first capital, Russell, and a few days in Auckland is a must. Everyday items cost about the same as here, except petrol is about 20% cheaper, and diesel much cheaper; 60p litre, being tax free. Distance driven is taxed instead, but usually cov- 10 ered by the rental company. A car is almost essential for travelling around, but driving is simple as it’s on the left, and roads are mostly wide although they may be bendy through mountain passes. Town streets are especially wide with ample free roadside parking, although it’s compulsory to park on the side of your direction of travel. Speed limits are strictly enforced. Every rea- sonable sized town has a tourist information bureau stocked with a huge range of leaflets, free maps and other material. Directions to campsites and other attractions are very well-signed so that a satnav is quite unnecessary. North (or South) Island Atlas & Guide by Hema Maps contain all the touring information needed, including dump station locations for camper-vans! All large towns have a Countdown or New World supermarket, often better stocked than UK ones at similar pric- es, and, they even have bag-packers! Coffee culture is huge; there’s cafés everywhere , usually selling delicious home-made confections. High street dairies and bakeries are, in fact, quite similar to the cafés, selling far more than milk and bread. For getting around you will need your own transport; accommodation is plentiful, most towns have a motel (£50 - £75/night per self-contained 2/3 bed room). Then there are farm-stays and campsites which all have cabins for daily hire. However,probably the best way to tour NZ is by camper-van as NZ is really set up for this. Proprietary campsites are everywhere, costing about £10 per person, perhaps with £1 to £2 extra for electricity and occasionally a small charge for the showers. It’s not even necessary, however, to stay in campsites, since 2011 freedom camping has been enshrined in the law. Sadly, because of abuse by tourists using non self-contained camping cars, many townships have enacted bye-laws either banning free camping or restricting it to self-contained vans only. It would, in theory be possible to free camp indefinitely as dump stations can be found all over, in towns, car-parks and so on, although there are fewer places to fill water tanks. A good intermediate between proprietary sites and free camping are DOC sites, which are mostly basic, but in really beautiful locations. Almost all have toilets, often long-drops, and water (sometimes from a near-by stream). Some sites are tents only, and many are at the end of unsealed, but perfectly OK, roads. The downside? Well, the cost of course and to make it worthwhile, especially if you’re walking and want to experience it all, you will need about three weeks for North Island and a further two for the South.

11 ~ The Big Pathwatch Project by Alan Marlow ~ Many of you will have seen the publicity generated by Ramblers central office about The Big Pathwatch project, which is being launched nation- ally this summer. The plan for this project is that the general public, as well as all Ramblers members, will be invited to undertake surveys of all the public rights-of -way in individual 1 kilometre squares shown on the OS map. The details for each square and the instructions for the survey will be downloadable from a mobile phone app, or from a specially designed web-site for those who do not have a ‘smart’ mobile phone. In addition, if the objective of involving the wider public in this project can be achieved, then we would hope to benefit from increased Ramblers membership from people who become inspired to take an interest in our paths. Many of you will also be aware that across Hampshire we already undertake extensive rights of way surveys on a regular basis. We use the results of these surveys to keep track of the overall quality of the path network in the county and we are in regular dialogue with HCC about our findings. We don’t expect this new survey to tell us much about the overall path network in Hampshire that we don’t already know. The stated objective of the Pathwatch scheme is to generate statistics about rights of way across the whole of England in a way that will enable direct comparisons to be made between local authorities. However, we have concerns about the overall quality of the data that may be reported by the public and we will need to monitor this locally to ensure that inaccurate information is not needlessly sent to the county council. We already have a good working relationship with the HCC Countryside Service. It will come as no surprise to anyone that in the current financial climate the biggest challenge that we all face is a significant reduction in local authority funding and services (across the board, not just in the countryside). Our ma- jor objective therefore, is to work with HCC as best we can to help to overcome some of the consequences of the cuts. We are expand- ing our volunteer project work across as many Ramblers groups in Hampshire as we can. To find out what is happening in your group you should contact your local Footpath Secretary. At the time of writing there are still a number of practical details about the Pathwatch project to be decided centrally; local group FP secretaries will be kept up to date. When the project is finally announced publicly please encourage your family and friends to take part. It will be helpful to keep your group FP secretary informed of any particular problems they may find, and your group membership secretary will be pleased to know about any potential new members you might identify as a result of this activity. If you have any questions please contact me or your local group FP secretary. 12 ~ Hampshire Path Changes by Peter Sollars ~

Confirmed on-the-ground and shown on the HCC online map.

Path-numbers (table below), together with the parish name in LARGER FONTS, are as designated on HCC’s Online Map website. Changes will subsequently be finally recorded on the HCC Definitive Map and eventually should appear on Ordnance Survey maps.

Parish Path Status Details. Including Location & No.

Ellingham, Har- Footpath 23 Diversion of Footpath 3 within the mineral extraction site, bridge & Ipsley west of Plumley Farm. The existing route to be restored within a timescale. Sopley Footpath 502 Dedication. The footpath which tracked between farm buildings has been diverted east at the south end, away from the buildings and meets Chidden Lane 35m further south- east towards Chidden. Michelmerch & Footpath 4 & Recycling facility development package; diversion of part Timsbury 502/503/504/505 of FP 4 eastwards and a series of short Footpath ‘stubs’ FP 4, 503 / 504 / 505 off FP 4, plus 502 connecting to Bunny Lane Hound Footpath Dedication of two, 3m wide, footpaths; 502 tracking SE 502/503 from Priors Hill to Cunningham Gardens and 503 tracking SSE to Cunningham Gardens. Fareham Footpath Formal extension, at the east side and north end of the Fare- 523/528 ham creek; east-side footpath (523) now has a short ‘stub’ Footpath 528 tracking NE to the A27. Greatham Footpath 1 Le Court (Emshott), 570m Diversion north, away from the apple orchard area, higher up towards the linear copse. Footpath is now signed and on the HCC Online map Whitehill Bridleway 502 MoD Dedication of NE-SW track to the east of A325 and Borden residential area; among trees and close to steep bank and River Wey. NE-end starts near Lindford Bridge continuing via Bordon Inclosure to Alexandra Park. Now shown as an off-road, Bridleway alternative for the Shipwrights Way Sherfield on Bridleway 16 Diversion of part Bridleway 16 tracking through Lance Lodden Levy Farm; concurrent Creation Agreement with the owner of the land. A track to the NW then NE outside the buildings is now available. The new route is now shown on HCC’s Online map and already on OS map EXP 144 (but NOT on HCC’s Def. map!).

13 14 ~ To Find a Walking Group Near You ~ These are the constituent groups in Hampshire. You should be able to find information about each group here; their activities, walks programs & how to make contact: Alton http://www.ramblers.co.uk/groups/groupInfo.php?group=WX01 Andover http://www.andoverramblers.org.uk Eastleigh http://www.eastleighramblers.hampshire.org.uk/index2.html Meon http://www.meonramblers.hampshire.org.uk New Forest http://www.newforestramblers.org.uk North East Hants http://www.nehantsramblers.hampshire.org.uk North Hampshire Downs http://www.ramblersnhd.hampshire.org.uk Portsmouth http://www.portsmouth-ramblers.hampshire.org.uk Southampton http://www.sotonram.hampshire.org.uk SE Hants http://www.sehantsramblers.hampshire.org.uk Waltham http://www.ramblers.co.uk/groups/groupInfo.php?group=WX11 Winchester http://winchesterramblers.org.uk/ Romsey http://www.romseynet.org.uk/ramblers/index.htm 20s,30s http://www.hantswalk.org.uk 40+ http://www.walkinggroup.org.uk

Hampshire Ramblers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hantsramblers/ To find any walk: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/find-a-walk.aspx?layer=walks&tab=walks&group=WX03 To join Ramblers: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-member.aspx Ramblers website: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ Hampshire Ramblers website: www.hampshireramblers.hampshire.org.uk FRENCH HOLIDAY HOME

HAMPSHIRE RAMBLER magazine DEADLINE for content receipt for the next issue is: • 18th century farm house within 15 minutes of the beautiful north west coast of Brittany. • Fully refurbished with accommodation for up to six people. THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST • Rural, tranquil setting, ideal for exploring the ancient Celtic towns and villages. Please contribute to your Newsletter! • Easy access to the GR34 coastal path and facilities for sailing, horse riding and golf. Send All Copy To: • A good centre for people who enjoy open- air activities and a retreat Alan Mather, Editor from the pressures of contemporary UK society. The charges for 2014 are £320 per week for mid season 30 Hill Park Road, Fareham, Hants, PO15 6EW and £420 for July & August. Charges include heating Tel : 01329 284427 and linen supply. For details please contact Ron Phillips ~ Telephone: 01489 690883 By email to: Mobile: 07505887244 email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.kerael.webspace.virginmedia.com/kerael.htm

15 ~ Your Hampshire County Committee ~ Chairperson & Membership Secretary Vice Chairman & Access Officer David Nichols Alan Marlow 3 Walton Road, Gosport, PO12 3QG Underhill House, Beech Copse , Winchester, Tel: 02392 529490 SO22 5NR Email: [email protected] Tel 01962 890 031 ~~~~~~~~~ Email: [email protected] Secretary ~~~~~~~~~ David Nixon Footpath Secretary 27 Brading Avenue, Southsea, PO4 9QJ Peter Sollars Tel: 02392 732649 17 Keydell Close, Horndean, Waterlooville, Email: [email protected] PO8 9TB ~~~~~~~~ Tel: 02392 595107 Treasurer Email: [email protected] Rachel Norris For RoW network problems and policy matters contact: tel: 0772455576 Alan Marlow Email: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ Publicity Officer Owen Plunkett HR Editor 31D Queens Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7SB Alan Mather Tel 02392 254 959 30 Hill Park Road, Fareham, Hants, PO15 6EW Email: [email protected] Tel : 01329 284427 ~~~~~~~~ Email: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~ Hampshire Ramblers Website Webmaster: Mark Austin HR Printed by Speedwell Lithoprint Limited Website: www.hampshireramblers.hampshire.org.uk Unit 15, Parham Drive, Boyattwood Industrial Estate Email: [email protected] Eastleigh, Hants., SO50 4NU Tel:02380 612486 Individual Members Representative ~~~~~~~~ For members not attached to any Hampshire Group Members Change of Address Please inform Central Office Ruth Croker Tel: 02073 398 595 tel: 01425 656360 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ We are Britain’s biggest walking charity. We’ve been working for 75 years to promote walking and to improve conditions for everyone who walks in England, Scotland and Wales. The Ramblers is a registered charity England and Wales No. 1093577, Scotland no. SC39799. It is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration no. 4458492.The Hampshire Area of The Ramblers’ Association has over 5,000 members in Hampshire who belong to one of fifteen Groups. Guided walks are arranged every week by all our groups who will be delighted to welcome you. To contact a group, please visit www.hampshireramblers.hampshire.org.uk or get in touch with the Membership Secretary.

Disclaimer ~ Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy of this newsletter, those concerned in the preparation cannot be held ac- countable for errors, omissions or members’ personal comments contained in articles or advertisements, nor the actions of any advertisers. The views expressed within these pages are not necessarily those of the Ramblers or those who have been involved in the preparation of this newsletter.