SOUTH GROUP www.somersetramblers.co.uk

A local group of the Ramblers’ Association. Registered. Charity No.1093577. Promoting rambling, protecting rights of way, campaigning for access to open country and defending the beauty of the countryside.

APR 2016 - JUL 2016 WALKS

IMPORTANT

The short walk co-ordinator is now Phil Bradshaw 01458 850834 [email protected] He will be the contact person starting with the Aug- Nov programme. There are several weeks without leaders and Phil is encouraging new and existing leaders to help fill the gaps

A = Fast B = Brisk Medium = 5-7 miles Short = 4-5 miles approx Starting times of walks vary and need to be noted carefully.

NOTICES Group Committee Meeting:. will be held on Thursday 2 June 2016. Programme Distribution. will be on July 14th. Summer Supper 2016 Details:. Long Sutton Golf Club at 7pm. See 14 July for walk and booking details. Electronic copy. To receive the Walk programme and Somerset Rambler by e-mail contact Ruth at [email protected]. Walks leaders. Details of walks on the Aug 2016 – Nov 2016 programme need to reach the appropriate organiser by June 1st

Walk category Co-ordinator Thurs & Sat Medium Walks June Curtis Thurs Short Walks Phil Bradshaw Sunday Walks Jean Verkroost

Find us on line at http://www.southsomersetramblers.org.uk/

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Sat 2 Apr 10.00 6 miles Melbury Osmond GR573077. Park by the church. John O 01935 414745

Sun 3 Apr 10:00. B. 13 miles. Picnic. Meet at Stalbridge Car Park. GR ST736179. Via Stalbridge Weston, Goathill, Milborne Port, Henstridge Bowden, Yenston and Whitchurch. Mike P. 01963 363077.

Thu 7 Apr 10.00 6 miles The Quarry Inn, Keinton Mandeville GR548310 to Barton St David and Charlton Adam. Phil 01458 850834

Sun 10 Apr 10:30. B. 12 miles. Picnic. Meet at Cocklemoor Car Park . GR ST419267. Via Paradise. Registered assistance dogs only. Derek L. 01935 426842.

Thu 14 Apr 10.00 6 miles Hatch Beauchamp Village Hall GR302204 via Wrantage and Hatch Court Martin and Jean 01823 619887

Thu 14 Apr 10.30 4 miles Yarn Barton CP, Beaminster. GR481014 Fairly easy, varied walk towards Netherbury through farmland, woods and lanes. Two hills to be taken slowly. Wendy and Richard 01935 862340 07810 717370

Sun 17 Apr 10:30. C. 10 miles. Picnic. Meet at Hatch Beauchamp Village Hall. GR ST301204. Via Stewley, Beercrocombe and Curry Mallet. Jean V. 01935 826089.

Thu 21 Apr 10.00 6 miles Littlebredy GR585891 Car park by the garden which is being restored or in village near the church where the walk starts. Crow Hill, Greymare, Kingstone Russell Stone Circle, Foxholes Coppice Gerry 01935 881317

Thu 21 Apr 10.00 4.6 miles Rose and Portcullis, Butleigh GR520332 To the Hood Monument and return. Lovely views. Phil 01458 850834

Sun 24 Apr 10:30. B. 11 miles. Picnic. Membury Village CP. GR ST277030. Via Narfords, Wambrook, Bewley Down, Furley, Yarty Valley. Peter B. 01935 862229.

Thu 28 Apr 10.00 6 miles Unicorn PH, Bayford, Wincanton GR726290 Stoke Trister, Clapton. Views from Cucklington Ridge. Roger and Janet 01963 34965.

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Sun 1 May 10:00. B. 11 miles. Picnic. Start Cerne Abbas Kettle Bridge Car Park. GR ST664015. Via Redpost Hill, Minterne Magna, Buckland Newton. Tony W. 01935 477273.

Thu 5 May 10.00 6-7 miles Castle Neroche CP. OS EX128 GR273156 Interesting, undulating circle of contrasts with hopefully plenty of wild flowers. Registered Assistance Dogs only. Mervyn 01747 840896

Sat 7 May 10.00 5.5 miles Meet outside Perrys Cider Farm, Dowlish Wake. GR375126 Park in village or at New Inn. To Moolham and Kingstone. Marion and Derek 01460 57093

Sun 8 May 10:30. B. 10 miles. Picnic. Hinton St George. Meet at junction High St./Church St. GR ST419126. Via Seavington St Michael & Lower Stratton. Registered Assistance dogs only. Carl E. 01460 30163.

Thu 12 May 10.00 5.5 miles The Culm Valley PH CP, Culmstock, Devon. GR102138. Along the River Culm to Uffculm via Five Fords and Culmstock Village. Easy walk without hills. Steve H 01823 664227

Sun 15 May 10:30 B 11 miles. Picnic South Beach CP, Studland. GR SZ037825. Parking free for National Trust Members. Walk around Studland via Old Harry Rocks, Agglestone, Blackdown Ridge & Heathland. Ian W. 07478 672185.

Thu 19 May 10.00 5.5 miles Tibbs Hollow, Southover, Frampton GR619945. West of Frampton Church, over White Bridge and uphill to CP. Don 01935 477088.

Thu 19 May 10.30 5 miles The Crown Inn, Fivehead TA3 6PQ GR352227 To West Sedgemoor and RSPB Reserve. One steep up and down, one stile. Roger and Eileen 01460 241608

Sun 22 May 10:00. B. 11 miles. Picnic. Maiden Newton. GR SY593979. North to Cattistock, Sandhills, N.Chalmington, N.Holway Farm, Frome St.Quintin, Warden Hill, return by Chalmington and Wrazall Lane. Gerry E. 01935 881317.

Thu 26 May 10.00 5-6 miles Staple Hill CP. GR247159 Blackdown Hills, undulating, probably boggy. Roger C 01460 241608

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Sun 29 May 10:00. B. 11 miles. Picnic. Start Dorchester Max Gate. GR SY704899. Via Came Wood, West Knighton, West Stafford, Stintsford. Tony W. 01935 477273.

Details of walks for Aug-Nov programme should reach the relevant organisers by June 1st

Thu 2 Jun 10.00 6 miles The Bell, Winsham GR374063 Exploring the Axe Valley in springtime. Marion and Derek 01460 57093

Thu 2 Jun 10.15 4.5 miles Fox & Hounds, Cattistock GR592998 Via Lower Wraxal land Chilfrome, no stiles. Richard C 01935 473951.

Sat 4 Jun 10.00 6 miles Park near Rangers Hut, Ham Hill. GR478164 Walk with a difference. John O 01935 414745.

Sun 5 Jun 10:00. B. 12 miles. Picnic. Martock Shoppers CP. GR ST463194. Via Gawbridge Bow, River Parrett, Thorney, Stembridge, East and West Lambrook. David C. 01935 592536.

Thu 9 Jun 10.00 6 miles Fox and Hounds, Charlton Adam GR542289 Towards Cary Fitzpaine and Babcary Phil 01458 850834

Sat 11 - Sun 12 Jun The Quantock Walking Festival, 40 years of Sedgemoor Ramblers 10, 7 and 3 mile walks available each day. Tea and cake on return. Walks are free but booking is essential. Information at [email protected] or Alan or Sara on 01278 773730.

Sun 12 Jun 10.00. A. 15 miles. Picnic. Meet at Buckland Newton Church. GR ST687053. Via Bookham, Dorsetshire Gap, Plush. Sandra S. 07970 490653.

Thu 16 Jun. 10:00. 6 miles The Piddle Inn, Piddletrenthide GR705998 Don 01935 477088

Sat 18 Jun Leukaemia Busters Purbeck walks see page 6 for details

Sun 19 Jun 10:30. B. 11 miles. Picnic. Charmouth Sports Field, Barrs Lane. GR SY365937. Via Tizard’s Knap, Hardown, Mandeville Stoke & Prime Coppice. Assistance dogs only. Carl E. 01460 30163.

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Thu 23 Jun 10.00 6.5 miles Fox and Hounds, Charlton Adam GR542288 Via Charlton Mackrell, Kingsdon Wood and West. Peter and Maggie 01935 826821

Thu 23 Jun 10.30 4-5 miles Wyndham Arms, Ilton TA19 9EY GR350173 Meadows of the Isle valley, flat Roger and Eileen 01460 241608

Sun 26 Jun 10:30. B. 12 miles. Picnic. Uplyme Village Hall overflow CP. GR SY324934. Via Musbury Castle, Haye Lane, Charton, Holcombe. Peter B. 01935 862229.

Thu 30 Jun 10.00 6 miles Chard Reservoir CP GR336092 To Chaffcombe, Chillington and other Cs. Marion and Derek 01460 57093

Sun 3 Jul 10:30 B 14.5 miles. Picnic. Meet at Ilchester CP. GR ST523225. Via Long Sutton. Registered assistance dogs only. Derek L. 01935 426842.

Thu 7 July.10.00 7 miles Turn left at Portland Heights Hotel, pass the memorial on the left, park in second CP. GR690731 Walk around Portland. John O 01935 414745

Thu 7 July 10.15 5 miles. Fox & Hounds, Tytherington BA11 5BN. OS. EX142 GR770 452. Please park at rear of pub. Fairly flat with one short hill on road. Dogs on lead. Mervyn 01747 840896

Sat 9 Jul 10.00 5.5 miles 11 Manor View, Crewkerne GR440085 parking for 10- 12 cars – west of Crewkerne towards Roundham back via Bincombe David and Linda 01460 929350

Sun 10 Jul 10:00. B. 13 miles. Picnic. East Coker Village Hall C.P. GR ST537128. Via Hardington, Halstock, Pendomer. Undulating, some stiles. Rosemarie 01935 863152.

Thu 14 Jul 4.00 5.3 miles SUMMER SUPPER Programme Distribution Long Sutton Golf Club GR470241 Phil 01458 850834. At 7pm there will be a 2 course supper. 2 course carvery £12. Advance booking for the supper is necessary. Bookings and payment should be made to Ruth Goodland by 4 July. Cheques should be made payable to R Goodland and may be posted to 25 Rivers Road Yeovil BA21 5RJ.

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Sun 17 Jul 10:15. B. 12 miles linear walk. Picnic. Meet at Crowcombe Heathfield Station to get 10:40 train to . Fare £6.70 adult, £6.00 senior (2015 prices). GR ST137343. Via Paradise Combe, Dead Woman’s Ditch, Little Quantock Combe, Stable Cottage Tea Room. Please note there is limited parking so car sharing is advisable. Peter M. 01935 429477.

Thu 21 Jul 10.00 5-6 miles Hillfield Hill CP near Batcombe, Dorset GR636182 Via Ridgeway, Upcerne and Telegraph Hill Peter B 01460 78182

Sun 24 Jul 10.00. A. 16 miles. Picnic. Meet at NT car park, above Ringstead Bay. GR SY759824. Via Osmington, Sutton Poyntz, Poxwell, Holworth. Mark S. 07979 104984.

Thu 28 Jul 9.30 6-7 miles Catash Inn, North Cadbury GR634274 To Yarlington and Woolston Farm NOTE EARLIER START TIME Phil 01458 850834

Sun 31 Jul 10:00. A. 12 miles. Picnic. Meet at Burton Bradstock CP. GR SY490887. Walk along the beach (low tide) to West Bexington, climb up to Puncknowle and loop back via Hammiton Wood, with final stretch along cliff top from Freshwater caravan site to Burton Bradstock. Jean V. 01935 826089.

Sat 18 Jun Series of sponsored walks in the Purbecks by Leukaemia Busters Walks range from 4 (or 2) miles to 26 miles full details from Susan 02380 775590 or www.leukaemiabusters.org.uk/purbeckodyssey

ADVANCE NOTICE Mendip Ramblers Walking Festival 2016 27-29 August in collaboration with Cheddar Walking Each day three walks starting at 10.00, one shorter walk at 1.30. All walks start from the Scout Hut, Cheddar First School, The Hayes, Cheddar BS27 3HN GR ST456534 OS 141. Tea and cake after for a donation. Any queries phone Martyn 01761 471891 or [email protected] More details at www.mendipramblers.co.uk

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WALKS LEADERS GUIDELINES Parking As our C walks can attract up to 20 cars, walk leaders should ensure that parking is available, especially when parking in small villages. Our walks frequently attract large numbers. Accidents. If there is an accident requiring help the leader should stay with the casualty until help arrives, unless he can appoint a carer of whose competence he is sure. If the leader stays behind, the backmarker or a volunteer leader should continue with the party. The leader must notify the secretary or chairman of any accident other than the trivial. Backmarkers Leaders should always appoint a backmarker and count those walking. Footpath Maintenance Problems. Contact Somerset County Council Rights of Way 0845 3459155 or use the SCC website. The easiest access route is to Google “footpath problems in Somerset” and then click on the relevant SCC web site. This page then has a button to report faults. The Group Secretary has printed notes if further help is needed. . Gates should be left as we find them. The most appropriate signalling arrangement should be chosen. E.g. [1] Arm signalling: one arm raised, shut the gate; both arms raised, shut and tie the gate; both arms flapped, leave the gate open. [2]. Ribbon signalling. When the leader reaches a gate that is to be left open a ribbon is tied to the gate. The ribbon is removed by the backmarker and returned to the leader at the end of the walk. If there is no ribbon then the gate is closed and tied if a tie is present. that has been cut. Handbook. The Group has a copy of the Ramblers’ Association very comprehensive handbook for walks’ leaders, which can be borrowed on request from the secretary.

Our walks are open to anyone interested. If you want to know more about the Ramblers’ Association, or this programme, please ask any committee member. New walks leaders are always needed, so if you are able to lead a walk please contact the appropriate programme secretary. A copy of this programme is available free on our website or can be obtained on request from the publicity officer. Please send a stamped addressed envelope if it is to be posted. Walks are graded according to the following classification of pace:-

General note on pub car parking. It is common courtesy to use the pub for food or drinks if parking on their property. If not able to, park on roads or public car parks wherever possible

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PAGE 8 NOTES FOR WALKERS We walk together and the leader sets a suitable pace for the party - please do not force a faster pace. Strong footwear and waterproof clothing are recommended - we cannot stop the rain or always dodge the mud. Hazardous conditions –whenever there is a possibility of snow, ice or significant fog it is likely the walk will be cancelled so please check with the leader before setting out. This also applies if there has been an incident such as an outbreak of Foot & Mouth disease. Note that, in fairness, people using a public house car park should patronise the pub even if only for a drink. Dogs. Dogs are welcome on most walks, though the leader may specify “registered assistance dogs only in the programme. Dogs must be under total control and the leader can insist that they be kept on leads. Note. All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members always being the paramount concern, accidents will occasionally happen. It is important, therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards associated with the activity and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to arise.

OFFICERS Chairman: VACANT Secretary: Ian Rendall, 3a Tintern, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil BA21 3SJ. 01935 421235 Treasurer: Derek Lucas, 18 Sandhurst Road, Yeovil BA20 2LG. 01935 426842 Programme Co-ordinator: David Fawthrop, 11 Manor View, Crewkerne TA18 8JT Programme Organisers: Thurs & Sat medium walks June Curtis [email protected]. 01460 77057 Thurs Short walks: Phil Bradshaw [email protected] 01458 850834 All-day weekend:. Jean Verkroost.. 01935 826089. [email protected] Publicity Officer: Wendy Yates. [email protected]. 01935 862340. Footpath Secretaries: East:: Phil Bradshaw. 01458 850834. [email protected] . North: Jean Verkroost.. 01935 826089. [email protected]. South: Paul Cullen-James,. 01935 412327. [email protected]. West: Roger Cripps. 01460 241608. . [email protected] Footpath Working Party Organiser. Roger Cripps. 01460 241608. [email protected]. Minutes Secretary: Linda Fawthrop. 01460 929350. Representative on Area Committee. VACANT Committee members are: -Phil Bradshaw, Roger Clarke, Roger Cripps, David Fawthrop, Linda Fawthrop, Derek Lucas, John Oliver, Ian Rendall, and Wendy Yates.

The Ramblers Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, Company Registration No. 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1093577. Registered Office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

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