www.ramblers.org.uk/north-devon www.facebook.com/northdevonramblers Our group AGM this year will be on Saturday the 7th November.
We are again at the Black Horse in Torrington as we were well looked after last year. Angela will be taking lunch bookings and leading the morning walk. Our formal meeting will commence at 2 pm and take just over an hour. Three of our long-standing committee members will be standing down and we need some new, enthusiastic recruits. Some jobs are 'behind the scenes' and some more 'front of house'. All committee members are available to put interested individuals in the picture as to the time involved and skills needed for these roles so do please ask. Our committee meetings are held four times a year. Please consider taking this opportunity to give something back to our group that gives so much pleasure to us all.
Special Events Winter Walking Festival On Wednesday the 18th November at 7.15 pm we have a skittles evening at The Black Horse Inn, Over the hectic Christmas period and at the start of a new year is when people look to the countryside Church Street, Braunton. Supper will be a Chicken Tikka Masala with rice and poppadoms or a and walking as a way of reinvigorating themselves, getting a bit fitter and trying new hobbies. We vegetarian alternative, both £6.95. Numbers will be limited, so to book please send a cheque made have five walks as part of Ramblers Winter Walking Festival that we would like you to publicise for payable to North Devon Ramblers for £7.30 (35p for prizes) to Linda Lee, 9 Grange Avenue, us. Encourage family, friends and work colleagues to give us a try. There are a good number of Barnstaple EX31 2DS. shorter walks on this Winter programme, including our new 'Short and Sweet' ones so there is no th The Castle Centre, Castle Street, Barnstaple will be our venue for a social evening on Friday 15 excuse for not coming out and making new friends.
January at 7.15 pm. Bryan and Rita Price will show pictures and describe their 'Coast to Coast - Wainwright's Way' walk. Brian Newbound will also show a selection of digital pictures. Please bring along some food to share for supper. Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a small charge to cover the room hire. STOP PRESS!! SAD NEWS
Our annual lunch will be on Sunday the 24th January at the Barnstaple Hotel. A booking form is Just before we went to press with this programme we heard that our Group President, Joyce Stanley enclosed with this programme but we will again be in a private room with numbers restricted to 45, so had died. At almost 95 I think we thought that she would go on forever. Joyce did not seem fazed by book early to avoid disappointment. anything. Even at 93 and with deteriorating eyesight she still took a seat on the top deck of the bus that she caught to Filleigh when she attended the Devon Area AGM. Joyce joined Ramblers' in 1958 We would welcome offers to organise or to help organise a group away break for next year. We have but here in North Devon it was in 1977 that she became one of the founder members of our group. She a huge amount of previous experience but tasks such as this should not always fall to the same few chaired the group until 1996 and then became our Group President, still being actively involved and members. The booking of accommodation can be done by one person with others leading walks. Do attending AGMs and committee meetings until the past few months. In the early days she was please give this some thought. considered quite formidable (perhaps ever the school teacher) but this concealed a sensitive side.
AREA AGM NOTICE As well as leading many programme walks Joyce helped to organize walks for our away breaks. Her last break with the group was at Hope Cove in the spring of 2012 when she managed two of the walks. This is formal notice of the Devon Area AGM. A 'hard' copy of the Annual Report (with AGM In 2007 when we stayed at Hartington Hall YH in the Peak District Joyce was astonished to be details) will only be sent to those members who have previously requested one. If you are a newer allocated a single, en-suite room with tea making facilities. She was used to youth hostels where one member or you wish to change your mind contact Joan to order a 'hard' copy. The AGM will be hosted had to do chores, slept in a dorm and had to self-cater. Joyce contributed so much to the North Devon by the Plymouth Group and will be held on Saturday 13th February at Clearbrook village hall, off the group and to Ramblers'. She will be sadly missed by those who knew her with her lovely smile and A386 south of Yelverton. Full details will be listed in the Annual Report which will be available on considerate nature. The end of an era! the Ramblers Devon Area website www.ramblers.org.uk/devon at the end of December. The format will broadly follow that of previous years with morning walks preceding the formal business and an We are holding a walk to celebrate Joyce's life at Dulverton on Tuesday 1st December and would love opportunity for lunch with members from other groups in our Area. This year our speaker will be from to see as many of you as possible. If you cannot manage the walk do please come along for lunch at Ramblers' Worldwide Holidays and we understand that special offers will be available on the day. the Copper Kettle in Dulverton at about one o' clock.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales Number 1093577, Registered Charity in Scotland, Number: SCO39799. Registered Office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW Happy Rambling! Reported problems
Many thanks to ALL our walks leaders for our Winter/Spring 2015/16 walks programme, which Our group Footpath Officers, Jon and Joan, have a few problems reported each month. If a problem promises to be yet another amazing selection of walks from you to enable us to get out and about in the report is accompanied by a photo taken on your walk it is even better as it makes it easier to show coming winter months. Your continued leadership skills are appreciated by all who attend these walks. Devon County Council the problem. With the local government cutbacks our footpath monitoring is If you haven’t walked with us before do give one of our walks a whirl you won’t be disappointed. even more important. In July we had an excellent result. When a Cornish Ramblers member was doing a walk recce at Clawton with friends on the 16th July they met with so much overgrowth on the paths Presently the submitted walks come to me in a variety of different ways so to enable me to keep better that they were forced to give up. The various problems were reported to DCC both by the member and housekeeping could I please ask you to complete the walks on the walks leader form which can be by Joan. On the 22nd July the lady received a 'phone call from DCC to say that the paths would be found on the North Devon Group web site, and, either email it directly to me, post, or ask for a hard cleared. The Caradon Group did their walk on the 2nd August and were delighted to find that DCC had copy and hand it in when on a walk to any of the committee members present. I will also carry some indeed cleared the paths. Well done DCC and to Carol for sending in the complaint. Another way you with me when out walking. Thanks a lot. Walks for Summer/Autumn 2016 programme to be submitted st can help protect our paths is via “Big Pathwatch” at www.ramblers.org.uk/bigpathwatch by March 1 please.
As you have probably noticed we have six short walks named “Short and Sweet” which Barry Neal and Facebook Lynne Clement are leading, to not only encourage members who have maybe not walked for a while and perhaps find it useful to begin the walk fairly central to Bideford/ Barnstaple area, but this is also to The Group website is continually updated with walks and day-to-day information by our Walks welcome some new walkers from the Torridge Walking for Health Group who are also part of our Secretary. Refer to the front page in the event of bad weather for any special announcements. We are National Ramblers Group and who Lynne and I have been involved with recently. also on Facebook now so become a “friend” of the Group at www.facebook.com/northdevonramblers Thank you both for committing to these walks. Angela Neal Walk Programme Secretary. as events; changes; cancellations etc will be posted so you can get fairly instant updates. But as always, if in doubt, telephone one of the committee!
DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) REF START Fairviw CP Miles Barnstaple Sun 01/11/2015 Car Park/lay-by 1 mile north of SS 517 456 10:30 10:00 8 Slade Reservoirs-Torrs- SWCP. Jan Hartshorne Mullacott Cross. Wed 04/11/2015 Bradworthy Square (by pub) SS 325 140 10:30 09:30 8 Ruby Country. Lanes-footpaths and fields. Pauline Newbound & Barbara Hewis Thurs 05/11/2015 Short and Sweet. Bideford. Charles SS 455 269 10:10 N/A 3.5 Bus to Instow. Walk dunes; SWCP; Tarka Trail back to Instow for coffee. Barry Neal Kingsley Statue. Bus back to Bideford. Sat 07/11/2015 GROUP AGM Walk; Lunch; Meeting. SS 495 191 10:15 09:30 2 hrs. Torrington. South Street Car Park. Local tracks/lanes. (See Newsletter article) Angela Neal Sun 08/11/2015 Torrington Common Lower Car Park SS 485 195 10:30 09:45 8 Ramble along railway to Weare Giffard through fields and woods. .Return along Maggi Rogers. recently uncovered remains of Rolle Canal. Wed 11/11/2015 Meldon Reservoir SX 561 918 10:30 09:00 8 Reservoir-Sourton Tors-Lake and Dartmoor Way. Pauline Newbound & Barbara Hewis. Sat 14/11/2015 Hillsford Bridge Car Park SS 739 477 11:00 10:15 5 The Cleaves-Lyn Down. Chris and Roger Catlin. Wed 18/11/2015 Black Horse Inn. Braunton. Skittles evening. See details in Newsletter for bookings. Wed 18/11/2015 Nice and Easy. New Inn Goodleigh SS 599 341 10:30 10:00 4 Bradninch- Willesleigh. Optional pub lunch. Alan Edmiston. Sat 21/11/2015 Lynmouth Coach and Car Park. SS 724 494 10:30 09:40 6 Circular walk to Rockford. Optional pub lunch. Linda Lee & (Charges apply). Liz Layzell. Wed 25/11/2015 Front of Barnstaple Rail Station. SS 555 326 10:30 N/A 5 River-Venn- lanes, tracks and fields. Optional pub lunch at Chichester Arms. Margaret Beades & This is NOT a train journey and walk. Margaret Crowe. Tues 01/12/2015 Joyce Stanley Memorial Walk SS 912 278 10:30 09:30 4 Marsh Bridge; Court Down; One steep ascent! Lunch at the “Copper Kettle” To be appointed Dulverton. Exmoor House P&D Car Pk Dulverton. All welcome! Thur 03/12/2015 Short and Sweet. Velator Quay Car Park. SS 484 354 10:30 10:00 3.5 A level walk at a leisurely pace with a little local history and coffee at finish. Lynne Clement Some stiles. Sun 06/12/2015 Berrynarbor Car Park. (Free) SS 561 466 10:30 09:45 7 Berrynarbor-Hele-Widmouth Head. SWCP- fields-tracks and quiet lanes. Clarice Harwood Ascent 385m. HILLY! Prepare for a VERY muddy section!! & Jayne Ford Tues 08/12/2015 Small Car Park just before Moorlands SS 625 476 11:00 10:15 4.5 Holdstone Hill-SWCP-Trentishoe Down. Audrey & bungalow Phillip Baker
More walks overleaf DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) Fairviw CP REF START Barnstaple Miles Sun 13/12/2015 Prayway Head SS 767 411 10:30 09:30 8 Rivers,Moors and Good Views. Janice Hurdle Wed 16/12/2015 Nice and Easy. End of Marine Drive SS 458 432 10:30 09:45 2hrs. Morning stroll on Woolacombe Down. Optional lunch at The Red Barn. Dorothy & Woolacombe. Max Walker. Sun 27/12/2015 Bideford Quay. Bus to Appledore SS 455 267 10:20 N/A 3.5 Walk 10:40 start @ Appledore Seagate Hotel. Linear walk to Bideford. Joan & Mike Long Stop C 21A. Optional lunch at finish. Wed 30/12/2015 Lee Cross Car Park (restricted parking) SS 492 446 10:30 09:45 6.5 Slade reservoirs-Langleigh-fields- SWCP. John Vooght & Alan Edmiston. Thurs 31/12/2015 Barnstaple Square in front of Athenaeum. SS 558 330 09:30 N/A 3 Cycle tracks-Footpaths.(No boots required) Optional brunch at finish. Joan Long Sun 03/01/2016 Sandy Lane Car Park. Braunton SS 463 351 10:30 09:55 8 Saunton Down-Croyde-Braunton Burrows. Mostly footpaths. Richard & One steep hill. Could be muddy! Anne Hunnibell Thurs 07/01/2016 Short and Sweet. SS 455 269 11:00 N/A 3.5 Fields and lanes to Westward Ho! Barry Neal Bideford Charles Kingsley Statue. Sat 09/01/2016 Nr. Holewater Cross (forest parking). SS 701 345 11:00 10:15 6 Brayford-High Bray-Tarka Trail. John Vooght Tues 12/01/2016 Bude TIC Car Park (fee payable) SS 208 062 11:00 09:45 6 Coast path to Widemouth Bay; Marhamchurch; Return via the canal. Rita & Bryan Price Fri 15/01/2016 Castle Centre Barnstaple Social Evening (see news letter) Rita & Bryan Price Sun 17/01/2016 Stoodleigh Village Hall Car Park. SS 913 185 10:30 09:30 7.5 Stoodleigh-Oakford. John & Sue Cargill Wed 20/01/2016 Nice and Easy Baggy Point NT C. Pk. SS 432 397 11:00 10:15 4.5 Putsborough-Croyde. Optional pub lunch Pamela Selman
Sat 23/01/2016 Arlington Court NT Car Park. SS 612 408 10:30 09:45 6.5 Lanes and fields around Arlington. Some hilly sections. Could be muddy. Jeanne Orr-Munroe Sun 24/01/2016 GROUP ANNUAL LUNCH BARNSTAPLE HOTEL. See Booking Form enclosed. ALL WELCOME Tues 26/01/2016 Westward Ho! Pay & Display Car Park SS 423 291 11:00 10:15 4.5 SWCP-Greencliff-Abbotsham-Kipling Tors. Rita & Bryan Price near Pier House or free off road parking. Optional pub lunch @ Abbotsham. Thurs 28/01/2016 Woolacombe .Opposite Red Barn. SS 458 438 08:00 07:15 4 Woolacombe Down-local paths. Optional breakfast. Mike Long Wed 03/02/2016 Short and Sweet. Woolacombe opposite SS 458 438 10:30 09:45 4 A leisurely walk along Marine Drive to Putsborough Lynne Clement Red Barn Return along the beach. Sun 07/02/2016 Park and Ride Car Park Newport SS 563 318 10:30 N/A 8.5 Bishops Tawton-Venn Quarry-Landkey-Codden Hill. Clarice Harwood Barnstaple. & Jayne Ford. Tues 09/02/2016 Dulverton Exmoor House Car Park. SS 912 278 10:30 09:30 7 Hinam Lane-River Barle-Burridge Woods. Alan Edmiston (fee payable) & John Vooght Sat 13/02/2016 Velator Quay SS 485 354 11:00 10:30 4 Around Horsey Island. Sandra & Bill Slade Thurs 18/02/2016 Wheddon Cross Auction Field Car Park. SS 922 389 11:00 09:45 6 Snowdrop Valley-Luckwell Bridge. Chris & This walk can be shortened to 4 or 2 miles. Roger Catlin Sun 21/02/2016 Simonsbath Ashcombe Car Park. SS 774 394 10:30 09:30 9 Little Ashcombe- Picked Stones-Wheal Eliza. Jan Hartshorne Tues 23/02/2016 B/ple Leisure Centre at side in Car Park. SS 558 327 10:30 N/A 7.5 Riverbank to Tawstock-Woodland-Hall-Martin's Hill. Mary Cooper Can be MUDDY!! Sat 27/02/2016 Barnstaple Bus Station. Stand F SS 561 330 08:50 N/A 7.5 LINEAR WALK. Walk from Bucks Cross to Westward Ho! @9:50am. Maggi Rogers No 319@9:00 for Hartland. Or pick up Woods & SWCP. Could be MUDDY! Steep climbs. Bus Westward Ho! @ Bideford Quay Stop A @9:25. Tues 01/03/2016 Willingcott Cross. Woolacombe. SS 485 432 10:30 09:50 6.5 Woolacombe Down and Twitchen. Dorothy & Limited parking at end of cycle trail. Max Walker
More walks overleaf Path closures The Foot Health and Sports Therapy Clinic Due to the atrocious weather last winter a number of paths have temporary closure notices on them. At present there is @Floor One Fitness, Gammon Walk, Barnstaple. Tel:- 01271 858 717 no website that contains this information other than those on FootBalance is a personalised insole, the South West Coast Path www.southwestcoastpath.com individually custom moulded for you on the Ramblers Devon are approaching DCC in an effort to make basis of a foot analysis to ensure perfect arch this information readily available to walkers. However, if support for your feet. FootBalance insoles you become aware of a closure please let Jon or Joan know. support your feet by giving you the exact (details below) support you need underfoot and improves overall foot function. FOOTPATH PROBLEMS! Regularly wearing FootBalance custom If you encounter problems with footpaths, broken stiles, insoles helps improve overall body alignment, obstructions, overgrown access etc then please contact which in turn helps reduce the incidence of either:- Joan Long or Jon Bennett at the addresses stress injuries. FootBalance insoles customise overleaf, or e-mail them at the following addresses:- your footwear for ultimate fit and comfort so you can feel better every step of the way.
[email protected] Podiatry/Chiropody and Deep Tissue Sports Massage also available. [email protected]
Roughly speaking, Joan covers Torridge and Jon North Devon including Exmoor NP. Please try and provide as Please call for an appointment on:- 01271 858 717/07976 661 032 much detail as possible such as Grid reference, Footpath No, Parish and even a photo will help! Doing this will make the e@mail:- [email protected] or [email protected] task of pursuing the complaint with the correct authorities quicker and easier to rectify. If you check out the Devon County Council interactive map on:- www.devon.gov.uk/public_rights_of_way.htm and click PLEASE CHECK THE BUS TIMES WITH on the ‘my local paths’ section you can find the footpath Number and parish. If like me you are a map enthusiast, you THE TIMETABLE! will find it fascinating. Not available when going to print with this Walks Programme. Thank-you!
RAMBLERS TIPS. The North Devon Group warmly welcomes new members. Non-members, especially visitors, are welcome to join our walks, which are free. Just turn up! We do however ask regular walkers to join the Ramblers’ after 2-3 walks with us.
Always have strong footwear and carry waterproof clothing. Bring a packed lunch for early starts. Dogs must be kept on a lead whilst walking across farmland and under Complete Control at all times! Some members meet at Fairview Car park to car share and offer lifts. We cannot guarantee transport. The suggested, voluntary car share contribution is 8p per person per mile. There is a charge to park at Fairview Car Park between Monday and Saturday. (8:00am—6:00pm.) which is £1.60 per day at the present time. The time indicated on the programme for Fairview is the “LEAVE” time so please turn up with plenty of time to park and share transport if available.
The Group will move off at the start time indicated for each walk. You should be ready at least 5-10 minutes before the start to allow for notices to be read and the address by the walks’ leader.
More walks overleaf DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) Fairviw CP REF START Barnstaple Miles Thurs 03/03/2016 Short and Sweet. Meet at Kingsley SS 455 269 10:30 N/A 3 Coast path to Appledore. Coffee at finish. Barry Neal statue Bideford Quay Sun 06/03/2016 Whitstone Post SS 856 463 10:30 09:15 8 Worthy-Porlock Weir- Porlock -Hawkcombe Wood. Richard & Anne Hunnibell Wed 09/03/2016 Baggy Point NT Car Park. SS 432 397 10:30 09:45 8.5 Saunton-Lobb Hill-Putsborough. Steep in places. Alan Edmiston & John Vooght Sun 13/03/2016 West Buckland Village Hall Car Park. SS 658 313 10:30 09:50 10 Middlecott-Newtown-Filleigh Bridge.Fields,tracks and lanes. Maureen Hawkins Some steep hills. Wed 16/03/2016 Marine Drive Car Park. Woolacombe SS 459 432 11:00 10:15 4 Putsborough- Woolacombe. Optional pub lunch. Pamela Selman Sun 20/03/2016 Rough Tor Car Park. Bodmin Moor SX 138 819 10:45 09:00 9 Rough Tor,Brown Willy-King Arthur's Hall Jan Hartshorne Wed 23/03/2016 Barnstaple Bus Station. Stand K. SS 561 330 10:10 N/A 6 Linear walk starts at Caffyns Cross 11:00-Lee Abbey-Lynton-Barbrook. Linda Lee & No. 309 to Lynton Liz Layzell. Wed 30/03/2016 Barnstaple Bus Station. Stand I No 21 @ SS 561 330 09:55 N/A 3 Along the coast to Appledore. Sandra & 9:55 to Westward Ho!.Or meet @ Co-Op Bill Slade Westward Ho! to start walk at 11:10 am. Sun 03/04/2016 Robbers Bridge Car Park SS 821 464 10:30 09:15 9 Worthy Wood- Culbone Church-North Common. Steep descent to the Alan Edmiston finish. &John Vooght Thurs 07/04/2016 Short and Sweet. 9:55 Bus 301 outside SS 559 332 10:00 N/A 3 Walk starts Blakewell Farm @10:10.Level walking through Bradiford and Lynne Clement Queens Theatre. Barnstaple. Tutshill Woods. Coffee at finish. Sun 10/04/2016 Arlington Court NT Car Park. SS 612 408 10:00 09:15 7.5 Yeo valley to Loxhore and back.Lanes and tracks-some climbs . Steve Cheetham Could be muddy. Wed 13/04/2016 Withypool Village Car Park. SS 844 354 10:30 09:30 5.5 River Barle- Bradley-Withypool. One ascent. Margaret Beades & Angela Neal Sat 16/04/2016 Barnstaple Train Station meet 08:20 SS 555 326 10:20 N/A 9.5 Train to Exmouth. Old track bed/cycleway to SWCP above Exmouth. Angela Neal for 8:43 train. Drop down to promenade. Large part hard surface walk. Thurs 21/04/2016 Scobhill Gate SS 754 464 10:30 09:30 8 Hillsford Bridge-Watersmeet-Rockford. One steep climb. Lawrence Wickett Sun 24/04/2016 Torridge Valley Car parking/Picnic Site. SS 475 216 10:00 09:15 13 Annery Kiln-Hallspill-Gammaton Reservoirs-Cleave Wood. Jan Hartshorne Wed 27/04/2016 Beaford Village Hall Car Park. SS 552 151 10:30 09:30 7.5 Beaford Mill-Roborough Stewart Beer. Sat 30/04/2016 Okehampton Rail Station. SX 592 944 10:30 09:15 6.5 Granite Way-Red-A-Ven Brook-Okehampton camp. Barbara Hewis & Pauline Newbound.
Plea for new Walks Leaders Don’t forget to New Coastal Access check the Bus I would really like to get on board some additional walks leaders for the timetables for Our SW Coast Path could soon see some improvements under the Marine and Coastal Access Act. Natural England are to start their survey and land owner consultation in our area later this year. forthcoming programmes. I am not asking you to constantly submit walks. recent changes However, to move forward with this group I cannot always be relying on past Ramblers can have a positive input into this. Our Area Access Officer, John Skinner, is willing to act leaders to submit walks. Could you all please think about what you could after the Walks as spokesperson with NE but we need members who would like to make a difference to feed contribute. It really does not have to be a complicated route, I have plenty of Programme information to John and to check out certain parts of the path. The new legislation is groundbreaking walking books with routes that are easy to follow. I, along with other committee was printed!! in that it will not only provide a round England trail but a corridor with spreading room on the seaward members am always approachable even though I am not on every walk. It really side. It will also include a roll-back opportunity where there are cliff falls and erosion. is not rocket science and myself, and my colleagues would be happy to give any Please contact Joan in the first instance.
instruction or information on what would be expected.
From January there have been 1106 members walking spread over 100 walks. Care on the Hill
If you take a look at our group website you will find some useful advice in case of an emergency. How brilliant is that? Angela Neal This information was published a while ago in response to requests at Devon Area level. We welcome your ideas for things which could feature on the website and on your feedback. GROUP COMMITTEE CONTACTS.
Chairman Joan Long. 12, Bradiford, Barnstaple. EX31 4AD………………...... 01271 376 274 Secretary Currently vacant Honorary Treasurer Max Walker. “Draycote” Goodleigh, Barnstaple. EX32 7NG …...... 01271 342 273 Footpath Officer (Nth Devon) Jon Bennett. 31, Lynbro Road, Pilton. Barnstaple. EX31 1QG …...... 01271 375 906 Footpath Officer (Torridge) Joan Long. 12, Bradiford, Barnstaple. EX31 4AD………………...... 01271 376 274 Walks Programme Secretary Angela Neal. 10a Appletree Gdns, Bideford. EX39 3SL ………...... 07720 203 737 Publicity Officer Julian Tippett. 6 Croftswood Villas. Ilfracombe. EX34 9PW…...... …01271 863 727 Membership Secretary Linda Lee………………………………………………………...... …01271 373 638 Committee Member Christine Catlin. …………………………………………………...... 01271 375 670 Committee Member Lynne Clement...... 07757 384 893 Committee Member Teresa Tossell......
Please note:- All these positions are subject change after the AGM—See website for updates and changes in early November 2015.