From the Chairman for April to July 2015 Newsletter discussions on the Ramblers Vision and Governance Documents which you all had an opportunity to reply Dear Ramblers to late last year. Apparently there were only 780 The start of Spring, hopefully and time to get out and responses out of 110,000 members plus 300 pages of really enjoy our walks. I always think this is one of the narrative. Watch this space. happiest times of the year when the first Spring flowers Averil Brice made a stimulating presentation with are out and the birds are singing. photographs to show what we, the volunteers, Some of us can feel quite virtuous, having walked achieved in 2014 with vegetation clearance. Let’s throughout the winter. The winter mud has again been hope that 2015 will be as good. a challenge as well as the rain. However it did not stop You may see that there is a new initiative called The the intrepid walkers who came to the January Pudding Big Path Watch which will be rolled out later this Walk from my house. Seventeen of us had a short cold year. This has been funded by the Ramblers Holidays walk (it rained quite hard for around 30 minutes) and Charitable Trust and is aimed to provide a snapshot of we all agreed that a four mile road walk was the best the whole of the UK’s footpaths. We will await we could achieve before the sumptuous tea with instructions. puddings. The spread was simply wonderful – better I hope you will enjoy the forthcoming walks and than any restaurant. Hot crumbles, spotted dick, cold events in the programme as well as book your diaries collations – the choice was salivating and most people for the White Cliffs Walking Festival 27 August – 2 decided to have a little of everything, starting with the September 2015. hot dishes. Very best wishes to you all Six members of our group went to the Kent Area AGM, held at Longfield village hall by Dartford and Margaret Lubbock Gravesham Ramblers. Usually AGMs are rather boring Chairman, White Cliffs Ramblers but this one was not. Most contentious were the 3 Volunteer Vegetation Clearance White Cliffs, Maidstone, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, North West Kent, Dartford and Gravesham, Tonbridge The clearance team has enjoyed a rest over the winter and Malling. Several other groups showed a keen months. However, since the end of November we have interest at the Kent Area AGM on 7th February. They cleared CH14 where it runs parallel with the Thanet were given a document to help them set up and Way and CB190A, near Adisham Station. Both paths, details of how to obtain help if needed. each 400 metres, were completely blocked. They are now impressively clear. In the New Year we cleared Please remember that it is important to let us know several fallen trees from HE186 and HE185, both in the about any vegetation problems you encounter, Swingfield area. These were discovered whilst Steve especially if you are planning to lead a walk. We rely and I were out walking on our own. on your input. Please make sure we get sufficient We have not had any recent requests for clearance, notice to raise a team to deal with it. but expect that to change when the nettles and brambles begin to grow again. We plan to take a look We hope that all our amazing volunteers will still be at all the paths cleared last year and make sure that able to support us again this season. We can’t thank they are kept in order. Priority will be given to paths you enough. needed for the Walking Festival in August. Stiles and gates – some information KCC will be holding a 2 day LANTRA training course covering the use of strimmers. This is planned for April. We all encounter stiles and gates that are in need of KCC has ordered new strimmers and equipment for us repair or replacement. It is often assumed that they to use. It will make a huge difference to the amount of are the responsibility of the local authority. This is work we can carry out. not true. They are the property of the landowners. It is their responsibility to maintain them. Many owners There are now 7 active volunteer clearance groups in are unaware that they could be held liable should an Kent. 4 accident/injury occur as a result of them not being fit CAWs - Countryside Access Wardens are official for purpose. badge carrying Local Authority wardens. They are trained by the local authority and not allocated areas. When stiles are reported to KCC they are placed in a They are ‘hands on’. They fit the coloured discs, priority list based on the danger they pose to the coloured tape and arrows to mark the rights of way. public. KCC will contact the owners and ask that they They also fit the end plates on the footpath posts, attend to them. The owners are often given the option showing the number of the path. They are issued of the work being carried out by Ramblers volunteers. with definitive maps and small hand tools. They carry out minor vegetation clearance around stiles and KCC is keen to encourage the use of kissing gates in other areas. They report issues to the local authority, place of a stile. They are much easier to access, last and have their own designated area on KCC’s fault longer than a stile and require very little maintenance. reporting website. KCC receives thousands of reports about stiles every year. They have very few staff or the resources to deal LFOs - Local Footpath Officers are mainly Ramblers with demand, so only the high risk ones or those Volunteers. Many are CAWs. They have their own preventing further access along the footpath (blocking parishes to monitor. They report problems on the the route) will get priority. If the stiles are a bit wobbly, local authority public website as they encounter but still useable, or if you can easily get past, they are them. They investigate proposed changes to rights of likely to remain very low down the list. way, i.e. closures and diversions, and are often We have had quite a bit of success contacting the involved in a battle to preserve rights of way if owners directly ourselves. It seems to be the best way appropriate. It often involves representing Ramblers forward, provided we are tactful and diplomatic. at official hearings. Theirs is a vital guardianship and campaigning role to ensure that nothing ‘slips through CAWs, LFOs, Parish Wardens – what’s the difference? the net’.

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Parish Wardens - These are also Ramblers volunteers engagement with the work of Ramblers– and an who adopt a local parish/s. They are asked to walk increase in members and volunteers. each path in their parish/s once a year and report any issues they find to the local authority using the public The survey will not repair the issues discovered, but it fault reporting website. will highlight them and bring them to the attention of those who can set the wheels in motion to resolve They all fulfill a different but vital role, being the eyes them. and ears on the ground safeguarding rights of way for Averil Brice everybody. There are a huge number of public rights of way, so you can never have enough volunteers. If Walks with a difference, in this programme you are not already doing one of these jobs and would like to become involved, please contact Averil and Fri Apr 3 (Good Friday) A South Downs Way Loop Steve Brice. c26/20ml. Meet 09.00 in Eastbourne at western The Big Pathwatch end of promenade (B2103) by South Downs Way marker post, GR TQ600972 Map: Exp 123. Park Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust is funding a survey near school on left. The 20ml is a circular route of the entire rights of way network in England and on the South Downs via Beachy Head, the Seven Wales. It will open in June and it is hoped that as many Sisters and the Cuckmere valley; return on the members as possible will volunteer to survey a path(s) South Downs Way. The 26ml is the same but with in their area. the addition of Firle Beacon and Willingdon Hill. They hope that this project encourages thousands Lunch stop at Alfriston. Ls: (26ml) Graham Smith more people to feel a sense of ownership of and pride T: 01304 367853; (20ml) Joy Davies T: 01304 in their paths and that this leads to greater 825302 7

The ADRA Visit We have planned two walks that are in this It’s time once again for the annual visit of the French programme, 2nd June and 25th July. ADRA group. (from Dunkirk). The 2nd June walk is an early evening walk from Leeds village that gives superb views of the DATE: Tuesday 12th May. Normally they come on the castle. first Thursday in May but this year it coincides with the The 25th July walk is a figure 8 around the ever last 'little boats’ trip to Dunkirk and some of our French popular Kings Wood area near Challock. friends are involved in, and want to witness the Pub meals are optional on both walks, but need celebrations. to be booked ahead by emailing me. Both pubs are happy for us to use their facilities prior to the WALK: A LINEAR WALK to commence at Goodnestone, start of the walks. See programme for precise Lunch at the Five Bells at Eastry and Finish at details. Northbourne. Hopefully starting at 10 o’clock with Margaret M-W flexibility for the boat arrival etc. Trip to Hadlow Towers Thursday 11th June, a very As usual with around 55 French people coming it would interesting experience not to be missed! be helpful if anybody wishing to come lets Jill or I know, from the point of view of the pub but also to Meet in Hadlow, grid ref: TQ634496, post code TN11 organise cars at either end. OEG at 10.30 to climb Hadlow Tower’s large number of steps (see page 28 of the Kent Ramblers Annual Ted & Jill Roche Review). Cost £4 each, followed by lunch in the village, then a 4.5 mile walk. Please contact Lorna, Joint walks with Medway Ramblers 07980 309419, as this tour needs to be pre booked, Jim Bushnell from Medway Ramblers has been paid for in advance and numbers are limited. joining us recently on several walks and Jim and I Lorna Copland came up with the idea of putting on some walks 8 together and inviting walkers from both groups. White Cliffs Ramblers Walking Weekends 2015/16 Please bear in mind that the walking will probably be a little more strenuous than our usual walks here in COME AND JOIN US! East Kent. Rhona Hodges and Margaret Lubbock have chosen to We’d like you to join us but you will need to: lead a long distance trail: (a) book your own accommodation at: Travelodge The High Weald Landscape Trail Hickstead Hotel (off the A23 Southbound) for Friday We have chosen this particular walk for several 29 May and Saturday 30 May. Currently they have reasons: “Saver” rooms, which cannot be cancelled, at a cheaper rate than “Flexible” rooms which can be It is a 95 mile route linking the area’s ridge-top villages cancelled up until the date of arrival. The easiest way from West Sussex, through Kent to East Sussex. The to book is to ring the booking line on 0871 984 6038. route starts at Horsham and meanders through the Of course you are welcome to join us if you prefer to AONB to finish in Rye. make an early start from home on the Saturday We will only need to book accommodation for the morning. starting weekend, since after that, we will be able to (b) confirm you will be having dinner with us on the drive to the required route for the weekends. Saturday night so we can (hopefully) book a table for This route is waymarked with an appropriate logo. all of us. Full details are available at http://edition.pagesuite- (c) confirm you will be coming by Monday 4 May professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=174f1759-bc9d- 2015 AT THE LATEST to enable us to book taxis or 4435-a677-04c353407719 minibus for the Sunday. However we will be breaking the weekends into more DAY THREE (14.6 miles) AND DAY FOUR (12.5 miles) manageable chunks than in the guide. will be 12/13 September 2015. Saturday 30 May 2015 14.5 miles approx. CONTACT: Rhona Hodges on 01303 258022 Sunday 31 May 2015 11 miles approx.

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Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2842 Thurs Hothfield Common CP 10.00 11 Mod Black Horse, Jim S 2 Apr TQ 972458, RADO 3 Pluckley 01233 666487 Fri 3 April (Good Friday) Eastbourne: (a South Downs Way Loop), park western end of promenade, near school, TQ 600972, 09.00, Graham (26 miles) 01304 367853 Joy (20 miles) 01304 825302 See article, page 7 for further details 2843 Sun Barfrestone Factory CP 10.00 5.5+ Mod Micro pub, Barfrestone, John Gil 5 Apr TR 262503 Fig 8, 5.5 3 for snacks or take own 07780 679534 food 2844 Thurs Stanford, Old Rd layby, 10.00 10 Mod Tiger Inn, Les P 9 Apr Nth of Drum Inn TR 299414 4 Stowting 01303 863495 2845 Sun Chartham,Brice Ave, 10.00 12.5 Mod Hare & Hounds, David J. 12 Apr TR 104544 RADO 3 Blean 01303 269151 2846 Sun Breech Down 10.00 6 Mod Elham Valley Vineyard Les P 12 Apr TR 204485 3 01303 863495 2847 Tues Barham Primary School 10.00 6 Easy Darrell 14 Apr TR 206501 4 01304 611242 2848 Thurs Lamberhurst CP, 10.00 11 Mod Globe & Rainbow Jim S 16 Apr TQ 677363 RADO 3 01233 666487 2849 Sun Brabourne Lees, park on road 10.00 10 Mod Honest Miller, Brook Lorna, 19 Apr by shop/PO, TR 081406 3 07980 309419 2850 Sun Sandwich Guildhall CP 10.00 6.75 Easy Pubs & Cafes in Brian G 19 Apr TR 329582 Sandwich 01843 291814 2851 Thurs Seabrook Point-end of canal, 10.00 10.5 Mod Brockhill Park Cafe Rhona 23 Apr park on road, TR 188348 3 01303 258022 11

Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2852 Sun Wingham CP, 10.00 12.5 Mod Wickhambreaux Carol H 26 Apr TR 244576 2/3 07913161796 2853 Sun Fordwich, Bluebell Walk, 10.00 6 Easy Ethel 26 Apr park on road in or near 2 Marlowe Meadow TR 180600 RADO 2854 Thurs Hawkinge Community Centre 10.00 9.5 Mod Pubs & Café in Elham Averil 30 Apr (not V.H.) TR 215398 3, 01303 892252 2855 Sun Lympne Village Hall, 10.00 12 Mod Walnut Tree, Joy 3 May TR 119349 4 Aldington 01304 825302 2856 Sun Godmersham Church, park 10.00 6 Mod, One steep hill Tony T 3 May next to church, TR 062505 07590 635744 2857 Thurs Ringwould, 5 Bells, 09.30 16 Fast The Crown, Eve R, 7 May 7 Churches walk TR 358450 3 Eythorne 01304 362124 2858 Sun Appledore 09.30 15 Fast The Swan Inn, David J 10 May TQ 956296 RADO 3 Wittersham 01303 269151 2859 Sun Bridge,Patrixbourne Rd, 10.00 5.5 Easy Pubs offering Sun lunch Brian G 10 May Meet by Recreation Ground, close to end of walk 01843 291814 TR 185543 2860 Thurs Dover, Western Heights North 10.00 11 Mod Valiant Sailor, Gavin T 14 May CP TR 312410 3/4 Capel-le-Ferne 07903 456463 2861 Sun Wingham 10.00 10 Mod, Half Moon & 7 Stars, Ted 17 May TR 244574 flat Preston 01304 364856 2862 Sun Elham Sq, 10.00 5 Easy Rhona 17 May TR 177440 3 01303 258022 13 Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2863 Tues Kingsdown- Oldstairs Bay 10.00 6 Mod Darrell 19 May TR 379478 4 01304 611242 2864 Thurs Kingsdown Road CP 10.00 10 Mod Pub stop Evelyn & Diana 21 May (sea end of Granville Rd) 3 01304 824344 TR 378504 01304 372090 2865 Sun Appledore 10.00 12 Mod Swan Inn, John P 24 May TQ 955295 3 Wittersham 01304 823705 2866 Sun Chartham Church, 10.00 6 Easy Ethel 24 May TR 107551 RADO 3 2867 Thurs Chartham Wyevale Garden 10.00 5+5 Mod Wyevale Garden Centre Olive & Jill 28 May Centre, TR 116557 Fig 8 3 01304 823705 01304 364856 Sat 30 & Sun 31 May: High Weald Landscape walk. For details see article in programme, pg 9 Contact leader Margaret L & Rhona - 01304 831011 / 01303 258022

2868 Sun Seasalter, Whitstable Road, 10.00 12 Mod Faversham pubs & Rob & Madeleine 31 May (opp café) TR 071649 RADO 2 cafes 01304 366716 2869 Sun Nackington Church, 10.00 6 Mod Alan C 31 May TR 156546 3 01304 201395 2870 Tues Leeds Village, George Inn CP, 16.30 6 Mod Evening meal at pub, Margaret M-W 2 June TQ 824531 3 approx 19.30. Limited 01795 843927 NB: Joint walk with Medway to 25 re eating in pub, maglou1@yahoo. Ramblers (Jim Bushnell) email/ring co.uk 2871 Thurs Rhodes Minnis - West Wood 10:00 10.7 Mod The 5 Bells, Brabourne Anne & Tony 4 June car park TR 144439 4 01304 372814 Please give your walks to Tony & Anne for next programme 14 Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2872 Sat Dover, Crabble Athletic, 07.30 6 Mod Breakfast in Dover Joy 6 June TR 299428 Breakfast walk 3 01304 825302 2873 Sun Hawkinge, Fernfield Lane, 09.45 12.5 Mod Lydden Bell Averil 7 June Park on road TR 221408 3 01303 892252 2874 Sun Stelling Minnis, 10.00 6 Mod Rose & Crown , if you Diana & Anne 7 June Park on road near pub 3 want Roast Sun Lunch 01304 372090 TR 143470 Book via Diana by 31st May max 10 2875 Tues Staple Church 10.00 5.5 Easy Darrell 9 June TR 269563 2 01304 611242 2876 Thurs Hadlow Tower 10.30 4.5 Mod Lunch in local pub/cafe Lorna 11 June TQ 634496 1 Then walk. Book with 07980 309419 (£4pp), Lorna, by 10 May, pg 8 Sat Boules or Petanque 19.00 Tony T 13 June th 07590 635744 New to the game, rules are fairly Book with Tony by 6 June simple and game is fun. see page 20 Must wear beret!! To win 2877 Sun Northbourne Village hall CP, 09.30 18 Fast 2 Fitzwalter Arms, Eve R 14 June 3 Pits Walk 50ppp Goodnestone 01304 362124 TR 334523 2878 Sun Grove Ferry picnic site, 10.00 6.6 Easy, Not same walk as last Brian G 14 June TR 236631, flat programme 01843 291814 Parking £1.70 all day 2879 Thurs Lyminge, Coach & Horses pub, 10.00 6+3 Mod Coach & Horses Tony T 18 June TR 162409 Fig 8: 3 07590 635744 WALKS MUST BE IN TO TONY & ANNE BY 28TH JUNE Thank you 15

Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2880 Sun Staple, The Black Pig, park in 10.00 6.5+ Mod Bring sandwiches to Rob G 21 June road, not pub cp. Fig 8: 4.5 2 eat in garden, just in 07580 039671 TR 278563 case, (Father’s Day) 2881 Thurs 25 Cranbrook CP, 10.00 10 Mod Goudhurst , pub or Margaret L & Rhona June park by Co-op s’market 3 bring own picnic 01304 831011 TQ 774358 01303 258022 2882 Sun Dover, Elms Vale Rec ground, 10.00 13.5 Mod Valiant Sailor, Alan C 28 June TR 298414 5 Capel 01304 201395 2883 Sun Dover, Western Heights 10.00 7 Mod The Chance, John Pi 28 June (not overlooking sea) 4 Guston TR 314411 2884 Thurs Bossingham Village Hall 10.00 11 Mod Black Robin Roy & Maggie 2 July TR 152489 50ppp 3 07553 957825 2885 Sat Breakfast Walk 07.30 Joy 4 July Ring Joy for details 01304 825302 2886 Sun Minster Railway station 09.30 11 Mod Plucks Gutter Carol H 5 July TR 312641 2 07913161796 2887 Sun Dover, White Cliffs Visitor 13.30 6.5 Mod Lighthouse during walk. Helena & Rowena 5 July Centre, 2 01304 820445/ TR 336422 614789 2888 Thurs Eggringe Wood CP (nr Sole St) 10.00 11.5 Mod Rose & Crown Roy & Maggie 9 July TR 097504 3 07553 957825 2889 Sun Eggringe Wood CP, 10.00 10.5 Mod Poss pub lunch, or Averil 12 July TR 097504 3 bring picnic 01303 892252 Different Route from above walk 17

Date Start Time Miles Pace Lunch Leader 2890 Sun Deal Sea Front 10.00 5 Mod Food available at stalls Les P 12 July Walk, followed by Royal Easy near bandstand, 01303 863495 Marines Concert, concert starts at 14.00, TR 378515 bring chairs if staying 2891 Thurs Herne, School Lane 10.00 10 Mod The Golden Lion, Richard B 16 July TR 184660 3 Broad Oak 01233 812510 Sat 18 July: Summer French Challenge. See article, page 20 23 or 30 miles. Lunch stop Wissant. Contact Graham 01304 367853, 07815 452324

2892 Sun Bridge, Patrixbourne Rd, Park 10.00 6+4.5 Mod Red Lion, Bridge, Bev & Nigel 19 July by Rec ground, not pub cp. 3 (dog friendly) 01304 611834 TR 185543 Fig 8 Restart 13.30. 2893 Thurs Eastling, Carpenter’s Arms CP, 10.00 7+6.5 Mod Carpenter’s Arms, Margaret M-W: 23 July Tea/coffee available in pub 3 Eastling 01795 843927 from 9.30 AM TQ 962566 Rob G: Fig 8 07580 039671 2894 Sat Challock Village Hall CP, 10.00 6+5 Mod Halfway pub, Challock Margaret M-W, 25 July 50ppp, TR 011505 3 Limited to 25 re eating in 01795 843927, NB: joint walk with Medway pub, email/ring Margaret Jim Bushnell group (Jim Bushnell) Fig 8 2895 Sun Dover, Russell St CP (free Suns) 10.00 7 + 5 Mod Plenty of choice in Dover Alan C 26 July TR 322415 Fig 8 4 01304 201395 2896 Thurs Plucks Gutter 10.00 5.5+5 Mod Dog & Duck, Plucks John P 30 July TR 269634 Fig 8 1 Gutter 01304 823705 RADO = Registered Assistance Dogs Only 19 Tea & Scones at the lighthouse, Sunday 5th July, and leave them for later if you wish. This is always afternoon, was to have been followed by a tour of an excellent concert. Fan Bay tunnels providing the work was completed, (scheduled for May). We have just heard that the Boules Night works will not be completed in time. Helena & Join us for Boules at The Bell Inn, 1 Seabrook Rd Rowena will however lead an afternoon walk from Hythe, CT21 5NB. Buffet available at pub, essential the National Trust Visitor Centre, (bring membership you book with Tony T, 07590 635744 By 6th June cards re parking) to the South Foreland Lighthouse, where they will stop for afternoon tea and scones. Sat Jul 18 Summer French Challenge c30ml or c23 A visit to the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, or tunnels, on ml. Meet at 05.50 latest at Castle Hill, Dover GR the White Cliffs will be organised for a future TR 323415 to take the 0640 (times to be programme. If you wish to read about them, here confirmed) P&O Ferries sailing from Dover to is a link, Calais, then a short drive to Coquelles for a https://fanbayshelternet.wordpress.com/about circular walk. The 30ml walk will visit Cap Gris Nez and the viewpoints of Mont de Couple and Cap On Sunday 12th July, at Deal Memorial Blanc Nez. The 23ml will exclude Cap Gris Nez. Bandstand there will be a Royal Marines Concert, Lunch stop at Wissant and hopefully finishing with commemorating the 11 musicians of the Royal some shopping at the Auchan hypermarket and a Marines School of Music who tragically lost their meal. If interested, please contact leader by June lives in September 1989 when the school was 20th at the latest for confirmation of times and bombed by the IRA. The short walk starts at meet point in Dover. Don’t forget your passport! 10.00, lunch available at local stalls, bakeries, C: Graham Smith pubs, cafes or bring a picnic. The concert starts at T: 01304 367853 M:07815 452324 or email: 2pm. You can bring chairs to the start of the walk [email protected] 20 Other Events in this programme: Information from Molash Parish Council website:

Alan’s Greek Holiday is scheduled for 9 -19 May (fully The famous Five Church Walk is an annual charitable walk booked). covering a total of 16 miles using country paths/tracks/byroads to provide the intrepid hiker with a th Map Reading & Navigation Course, Sunday 7 June, challenge. Don't fancy the challenge of 16 miles? Then you 2015. will be relieved to know that shorter walks of about 4 miles As a reminder, please note that David Jones’ Map can be done between the churches. Reading & Navigation course will take place on Sunday The churches are: Molash - Chilham - Boughton Aluph - 7th June in Lyminge. The course aims to be an Boughton Lees and Challock. Start at and finish at any introduction to navigation skills and is ideal for those church that tickles your fancy! Refreshments and toilet needing basic skills or to improve existing ones. A study pack, with useful information, is sent to participants 4 facilities available at each church. weeks before the course starts. There is no need to buy The date is Monday 4th May (Bank Holiday) with a any equipment beforehand. The current course is full. registration from 09.30 and start at 10.00. Final check-in by David Jones: Tel: 01303 269151 18.00. [email protected] Please note new Sponsorship forms available and entry forms can be email address. completed on the day. All monies raised go to charity. So get your shorts on, wear a jaunty hat and sturdy walking th Ramblers 80 Anniversary. shoes and bring your mates along to enjoy a good day! It’s the Ramblers 80th Anniversary year. Contact Geoff Jenkins on 01233 74059801233 740598 or Ramblers are holding a raffle where you can win 1st email [email protected] for more details. prize of £5000, 2nd prize of a Walking Holiday for 2, and 3rd prize of £500, tickets from This is not a Ramblers walk or a led walk. There is fundraising @ramblers.org.uk usually good signposting along the route. 21 Recent Group Events Review of Christmas Walk 2014

CHRISTMAS CRUISE ROUND CALAIS – DECEMBER 13. The Barn Dance SEVENTEEN of us – which has got to be a record - turned up to the annual White Cliffs Ramblers/Kent The Barn Dance, last November, which was held as part Long Distance Walkers Association winter French of the club’s 25 yr anniversary celebrations, proved to walk, including a couple from Belgium. be such a success that masses of people (well, one or It has to be at least 15 years since I first put this 14- two anyway) have requested that the event be mile walk on the programme. We all met by the P&O repeated this year. So bowing to popular demand we desk at Dover Docks at 7.30am, for the 8.25am will endeavour to do just that. sailing. We had a smooth crossing on the Pride of Kent, getting to Calais at about 11am French time The venue last year (Kingston Village Hall) although (10am our time). We set off, going through Calais and modern and comfortable with excellent facilities, then passing the fortifications of Fort Nieulay to the Auchan hypermarket at Coquelles. Then it was proved to be somewhat on the small side for the through Coquelles to pick up the GR (Grand galloping hordes of White Cliffs so we will try to find Randonnee) which we followed to Cap Blanc Nez. The somewhere larger. Maybe Barham? weather was improving all the time. It certainly wasn’t cold, and there seemed to be more sunshine As soon as we return from our sojourn in foreign climes the further we walked. We were treated to the sights Jill and I will have to get cracking, first to secure the of hot air balloons and paragliders as we approached hall but secondly to engage the ‘Hoodeners' who are the Cap. We also had some spectacular views of the always well booked in advance. November seems to be White Cliffs of Dover we had left behind. We had our the favourite month (something to look forward to) lunch in the December sunshine on Cap Blanc Nez, and the refreshment contributions from all which which at 134 metres (439 feet) is a fine and quite seemed to work well last year will be repeated. spectacular viewpoint.

Details to follow in August-November programme. Ted and Jill Roche 22 We then dropped down to the village of Escalles, then to On 4th March, 40 of us saw “Made in Dagenham,” Peuplingues, where we had our first beer. Then another the musical not the film! This is based on the mile and a half to Coquelles and our next bar stop. By historical event of 1968 which led to equal pay then it was just about dark, and we followed the road to legislation for women. The singing and dancing Auchan for a bit of shopping and a meal at the were brilliant and it was extremely funny and hypermarket’s restaurant - and one or two more beers! enjoyable, After that we followed the road into Calais and saw the No prizes for guessing who gave us that town’s Christmas lights, which were very impressive, particularly around the theatre and the town hall. We got opportunity, thank you again Olive and John. to the docks just in time for check-in for the 9.45pm (8.45pm our time) ferry back to Dover. After a very Margaret held her Pudding Walk, mentioned pleasant crossing on the huge Spirit of Britain ferry, we earlier, on January 17, an excellent excuse to scoff arrived back at 10.15am. It had been a very good day – a several puddings while pretending to ourselves that fine walk in good weather, with a very nice crowd of we’ve walked 6 miles and therefore deserve the people. treat of all those delectable puddings set out on Graham Smith one table!

John and Olive held their well attended Mince Pie Walk, Today, March 1st, we held our Annual Lunch, on a the walk culminating in what started out as mince pies bright sunny Spring like day, same place, Rose and but has become a plentiful lunch at their home. Their Crown at Stelling Minnis, where Stewart and his generous hospitality was very much appreciated. staff do so well, good food, generous portions, well cooked, timed and organised for 50 people, staff A well attended (40) and very enjoyable theatre trip to very obliging and helpful, no mean feat! Shaftesbury Theatre, London held on Nov 28th to see Thank you John. Memphis. Thanks to John and Olive for kindly organising it. 23 A Wine and Wisdom Quiz night presided over by Colin Alan’s holiday to St Ives in Cornwall will take place and Rhona Hodges was held at St Peter and St Paul between 13th & 20th June. (fully booked). church in River on Friday 6th February, a good venue, thank you Evelyn and Don. This was a very enjoyable High Weald Trail evening spent testing our mental faculties but also 12 and 13th September will be the dates on which the offering entertainment. As usual Colin was endlessly High Weald Landscape Trail will be completed, see inventive. We hope that we will be able to organise article earlier re the first part. another quiz before the end of the year. Rhona and Margaret. Future Events Margaret Lubbock hopes to organise a walk and visit The Second Annual White Cliffs Walking Festival 2015 to Downe House, where Charles Darwin lived, in late September 2015. More details to follow in the next This year’s WCWF will take place from Thursday August programme. 27th to Wednesday September 2nd. Walks will vary from Margaret Milstead –Williamson’s New Forest three mile strolls to more demanding walks of twelve th th holiday will take place 11 -16 October 2015 (fully miles. All walks have interesting features which will booked.) include: local history, flora and fauna and even reptiles! There are Area Council meetings scheduled for 12.06.15, 25.09.15 and 11.12.15, usually attended by Please keep these dates free in your diary, so you can 3 of our committee members. enjoy a week of pleasurable and healthy activity. As the festival continues to grow, we would also really General Council Weekend is 28/29 March 2015. appreciate any help that individuals can offer in the week itself and the immediate lead-up period. A Barn Dance and Quiz will be planned for later in the year, watch this space. Warm wishes, Helena and Lesley 24

New Path between Madeira Walk and Harbour National Street Gazetteer for Thanet HMU, 1999, Parade, Ramsgate, is a principal source of information on PROW Article from Gordon Sencicle footways which are maintained at public expense and 'adopted', are highways and therefore public I sent a written representation supporting KCC for footpaths. the inclusion of a new path between Madeira Helen Slade, the Inspector for The Planning Walk and Harbour Parade, Ramsgate. Others were Inspectorate, Bristol, approved the order from the Ramsgate Society and the former MP. The written representations. path consists of a flight of steps with gates at each That's not the end of the story, for Mr Pasnteli, end. the cafe owner, has not accepted the Inspector’s There was one objection from the owner of Cafe decision, and continues to obstruct the path at Rokka, who claimed he had been there since 2005 weekends, by stacking chairs along the pavement and neither he nor the previous owners, one of where the steps arrive at Harbour Parade, so whom was now dead, had ever seen anyone use making the width of the path about a foot. I the steps. This is where his case unfolded. arrived one Saturday evening in December to He claimed he had applied for the gates due to find the lower gate shut. A man saw the four of unruly behaviour, which had been refused by us looking, and was in and out of the cafe every Thanet District Council. This implies he wished to 30 seconds. We went into an adjacent cafe for a control the use of the steps by the public, drink, and when we came out the gate was open. therefore acknowledging their use of the route. I think he was aware he was being watched. KCC He went on to say somebody had fallen on the have been informed, and we will be doing more steps, and the steps had been repaired by the checks. A bit cold at the moment for sitting local authority. No local authority spends its outside taking more photos! money on private paths. The Updating of the 25 In late 2009, we joined the ramblers and had not seen the The Benefits of Walking, research BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS Spring 2009 Newsletter until recently. There is an article MEDICINE which I couldn’t resist reproducing, which starts seriously Walking groups come out trumps for boosting overall health with the benefits of walking then continues with: without side effects Benefits include reductions in blood pressure, body fat, total Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at cholesterol and depression risk Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A 85 years old systematic review and metaanalysis. To spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at £400 Joining a walking group is one of the best and easiest ways to a month. boost overall health, with virtually no side effects, suggests an analysis of the available evidence, published online in the British My grandad started walking 5 miles a day when he was 60. Journal of Sports Medicine. Now he’s 97 years old, and we don’t know where he is. A number of studies involved participants from 14 different countries, with a wide range of long term conditions, including Every time I hear the dirty word “exercise”, I wash my arthritis, dementia, diabetes, fibromyalgia, obesity/overweight, mouth out with chocolate. mental health issues, and Parkinson’s disease.

Analysis of the pooled data showed that walking groups have wide ranging benefits, above and beyond making people more I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers physically active. them. People who joined these groups registered statistically significant falls in average blood pressure, resting heart I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures rate, body fat, weight, and total cholesterol. out what I’m doing. The evidence was less clear-cut for reductions in other risk factors, such as waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and blood fats. The only reason I would take up walking is so I could hear But walkers also experienced improvements in lung power, overall heavy breathing again. physical functioning, and general fitness, and they were less depressed than before they started walking regularly. Doctors We all get heavier as we get older, write that “Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide ranging health benefits.” because there’s a lot more information in our heads. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Anon 26

THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MARGARET LUBBOCK 01304 831011 TREASURER MARGARET MILSTED-WILLIAMSON 01795 843927 SECRETARY AVERIL BRICE 01303 892252 SOCIAL SECRETARY Vacant, volunteer required MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY ROB RIDDLE 01304 366716 WALKS SECRETARY (long) TONY BRISTOW 01304 372814 WALKS (short) & NEWSLETTER SECRETARY ANNE B 01304 372814 SPONSORSHIP/ ADVERTS JOHN POLDEN 01304 823705 PRESS/PUBLICITY GRAHAM SMITH 01304 367853 GROUP LIBRARIAN TONY THORN 01303 260955 WEBMASTER GAVIN TREVELYAN 01304 820445 COMMITTEE MEMBER LES PRESTON 01303 863495

We welcome new walkers, whether they have been members of other groups, walked on holidays, or exercised the dog or ambled down to the shops. However, most of our long walks take about 4 hrs (plus an hour break midway) and we average 10 miles. If you think this is too much for you, start with one of our short walks which take about 2/2.5 hrs and average 6 miles, or arrange to finish your first walk at the halfway point.

“All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members being of paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important, therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards associated with it and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to happen”

The ramblers Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England an Wales. Company registration No 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales No1093577.. Registered office; 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.