NORTH WEST GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS NEWSLETTER (FOR WALK PROGRAMME 172) June - September 2021

Dear friends…After a long absence we are back with our usual programme of walks. Hopefully, you have kept safe and well during this difficult period. If there is a silver lining to the pandemic, it is the discovery of hidden delights when walking locally. The pandemic severely disrupted the Group’s affairs, suspending our walk programme and cancelling the annual picnic, Xmas lunch and group holiday (though, later, some of our walkers enjoyed a short break in Devon). When restrictions eased sufficiently we introduced rolling walks programmes where walks had to be booked in advance, numbers were restricted to no more than twelve, pub stops were no longer possible. Despite the stops, starts and difficulties imposed by tiers and travel restrictions our leaders rose to the challenge. I am greatly indebted to our leaders for their patience, flexibility and resilience. I cannot thank them enough. But the disruptions meant we had to rely on the internet and email to keep members informed. Now we are slowly getting back to normal. There is no longer a restriction on numbers on group walks and no need to book in advance, though it is still necessary to keep a register. We are especially delighted to have welcomed many new members following a national upsurge of interest in walking. I hope you will all be able to join us on some of our walks in this programme. Sadly, since our last newsletter 18 months ago, a number of members who have given so much to the Group over many years have passed away. They include: Stan Richardson, Bill Souter, Harry Nobbs, Dick Ashby, Keith Simmons, Les Lindsay, Bill Roberts, Sylvia Hogg, Les Anderson and Iris Tredwin. Their memory will be cherished. We shall continue to erect memorial gates as and when we can on our most popular walking routes. Should you wish to contribute to the gate fund, please contact Treasurer, Mike Hickie (01474 393136, mob 07887 948203). Thank you those of you who participated in the ZOOM AGM. Though brief, it worked well. Keep safe and well and enjoy the walks. Stuart (Chairman)

Dates for your diary…… Group Picnic This year’s picnic will be held at Lullingstone Country Park on Wednesday 14 July, commencing at 10am. There will be a choice of three walks – see programme. Bring your own food, drink and something to sit on. There is a café for those who may wish to purchase food. There will be a charge of £1 for cake – please contact Carole Flowerday - 020-8852-4897 or fl[email protected] if you are able to bring a cake to share. Car park £1.50.

Christmas Lunch We are (hopefully) returning to Darenth Golf Club for the Group’s Christmas Lunch, to be held on Wednesday 8 December, 2021. Details in the next newsletter, but make sure to put a note of the date in your diary now! SNIPPETS Assemble with a commemoration at Castle on “Assemble” is the Ramblers website exclusively Sunday 26 September. Planning is still at an to log onto the site to enable them to access early stage and only a couple of walks are the latest news, guidance, learning opportunities listed at the moment but many more will and manage their own contact details etc. To log follow. You can keep up to date by going to on: the Wealdway40 webpage which can be found 1. Go to https://ramblers.goassemble.com by following this link: Wealdway 40 2. Tap “volunteer portal” in the top right hand (kentramblers.org.uk) corner of the screen. 3. You should then see an orange and grey “My What Three Words Ramblers Account login box” Consider the scenario. You are on a group 4. You log into Assemble with “My Ramblers walk when, unfortunately, somebody trips over Account” (the details you use to log into the and badly sprains their ankle. It looks painful. Ramblers website, Ramblers App etc.). You think medical help is required, but when you phone you are asked for your If you don’t already have an account and location……”Errr…along the footpath near haven’t logged into Assemble before you’ll the edge of a field” (not very precise), “grid need to sign up to “My Ramblers Account”. To reference TQ…etc”. - (maybe, but not all do this: mapping software has grid references and 1. Click “Sign Up” on the orange and grey box unless you give four numbers you are still and choose an email address and password. identifying a large area); GPS reference… Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be sent a (complicated). So how do you do it? verification email. Follow the instructions in the email, and you’ll soon be logged onto What Three Words is an App you can Assemble. Next time you visit Assemble and download for free onto a smart phone. It is a see the orange grey box, just enter your My navigation tool in which the Earth’s surface is Ramblers Account details (i.e. email and divided up into 3 metre squares. Each square password) to log in. If you have trouble just has its own identification label, comprising just send an email to: three words. For example, the starting point for volunteers [email protected] one of the medium walks in this programme is “avoid.stud.crowds”….but which walk is it? All Wealdway 40th Anniversary Walks emergency services have access to this system. Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers are coordinating So, when asked for your location you can just a series of walks this September to mark the quote the three words and using the same 40th anniversary of the opening of the system they will locate you exactly. Wealdway. This fine route runs for 82 miles north-south across Kent and Sussex from The picture? Some of our long walkers at the to . Members and non- start of their walk - great to be back! members are being invited to book to join one or more of these walks. Events will culminate

ADVICE. It is your responsibility to minimise the potenal for accidents to occur. Take special care when walking on roads or crossing fields with farm animals. Keep an eye on people in front and behind you to reduce risk of anyone geng lost. Dogs can come on walks at the discreon of the walk leader; they must be kept under control at all mes and put on a lead through farmyards, animals or growing crops. You should be prepared to let your dog go if animals start to charge towards you. Should an accident occur, please ensure the walk leader is aware and that an incident form is completed. When entering pubs, remove muddy boots or cover them. Consider using sun protecon and carrying a basic first aid kit and an emergency contact card. Be prepared for changes in the weather!

….and finally, for up-to-date news: NWK website: www.nwkramblers.btck.co.uk / RAMBLERS’ website – www.ramblers.org.uk / Kent Area’s website – www.kentramblers.org.uk