SOUTH EAST No. 89 March 2015

Strangewalker case of the missing boardwalk Ramblers honour Bucks path champion

he , he made massive improvements. Milton Keynes and Under his leadership the county’s TWest Middlesex Area of paths were transformed - in the the Ramblers has honoured the past walking in the less-trodden work of Mike Walker, former north Bucks was like negotiating Environment Group Manager an assault course, now the paths for Buckinghamshire County are in far better condition. It Council, with a commemorative is sad for all of us that Mike has gate on a footpath at Great retired from the council but we Missenden. are pleased he is still involved on Mike, who retired last year, national committees, promoting managed Buckinghamshire’s public paths and their value to the network of public rights of way public. We all have much to thank for 30 years. The Ramblers’ have him for, in making conditions celebrated Mike’s work with a for walkers, riders and cyclists in gate under the Chiltern Society’s Bucks so much better.’ ‘donate a gate’ scheme, on Great Says Mike: ‘I am truly honoured At the scene of the crime: (left to right) Eugene Suggett, Jonathan Lord MP and Brian Reader. Photo: John Plympton Missenden footpath 51. The that the Ramblers and Chiltern hen Ramblers Farnham Group undertake Luckily it was dry when the work gate is on the north-eastern edge Society, who do such great work to invited their monthly path maintenance tasks was done, but with autumn and of Hobbshill Wood from which encourage and protect access to the W local Member of for Surrey County Council, winter rain the path soon reverted there is a fine view over Great countryside, wish to commemorate Parliament along to a walk sometimes involving quite major to its usual boggy condition. Missenden and the Misbourne my achievements and those of the in November they were in work and on 21 September last year, The work involved considerable Valley. The inscription on the gate county council’s rights-of-way for a shock. For parts of the I joined their volunteer work party physical effort digging holes for the is: ‘Mike Walker, path champion staff. I am particularly pleased boardwalk Ramblers volunteers of 15 members plus two Surrey wooden ‘H ‘frames, fixing them in thanks from Buckinghamshire that the council’s relations and had installed over an often County Council trainees. We built position in the ground, then laying Ramblers’. cooperation with path users muddy path at just the 21-metre boardwalk over a very and fixing lateral wooden beams Says Kate Ashbrook, Ramblers’ and volunteers have improved weeks earlier had been removed. boggy area on Pirbright Footpath between the ‘H’ frames along the Area footpath secretary: ‘Mike has tremendously over the years. If I Brian Reader, Chair of Woking 410 (at grid ref SU 939582, north line of the path, and finally then worked tirelessly for Bucks County have helped to achieve that then I Group, explains: of the bridge over Stanford Brook). continued on page 2 Council for over 30 years and hope I have done a good job.’

Baroness Parminter of (centre front in photo) joined 35 Godalming & Ramblers for a walk in the Gathered at the gate are (left to right) John Esslemont (Area Treasurer and Puttenham area on 11 September. The life peer, who sits in the House of Lords on the Liberal Democrat benches was on a Acting Secretary), Paul Rhodes (Area Chairman), Mike Walker and Kate fact-finding mission to better understand the role played by the Ramblers in a local community. Ashbrook (Area Footpath Secretary). 2 South East Walker continued from page 1 fixing the wooden decking to the Then we learned, to the intense boardwalk to the lateral beams. All disappointment of both Surrey materials for the boardwalk were County Council and ourselves, supplied by the county council, the that the boardwalk had been Lea access on Ramblers supplied the labour. vandalised, with all the decking On the same day, the work party and lateral beams being removed - also installed a new fingerpost, five quite probably stolen as there was new waymark posts and did half a no sign of the missing wood. We the way – at last! mile of minor vegetation clearing advised Mr Lord, but he was still fter many years of to be installed during 2015. Line, which will link the Queen the path and another nearby. The keen to come on the walk. frustrated efforts to Leigh Hatts, author of the Elizabeth Olympic Park with the group were rightly very pleased On the day itself the weather provide access to the guidebook to the Lea Valley o2, partly by following a section with the results of their hard work. overnight had been dire with A Lower Lea in east London, some Walk, a 50-mile route following of the Lea, and the interest in Pirbright parish lies in torrential rain and the forecast progress is now being made the River Lea from its source at developing Cody Dock as a creative Borough but is part of Woking was equally dire. So there was a to open up the eastern bank Luton to the Thames, said: ‘It’s centre with plans to transform the parliamentary constituency. Just limited turnout for the walk of just between Bromley-by-Bow and been a long story. The London riverside into wetland, woodland after the work party completed its John Plympton (Farnham Group’s Canning Town. Thames Gateway Development and wildflower meadows. My task, Woking Group learned of the Work Party Organiser), myself Currently, most walkers heading Corporation had full planning guidebook is out of print at Ramblers’ campaign to get MPs out and Eugene Suggett from Central south along the Lea Valley Walk permission and £28 million in present but a new edition, which on a short walk on ‘Get Walking Office, though it did stop raining divert at Bromley-by-Bow to funding but failed to deliver before will include a revised route from Day’, Friday 14 November, so we almost on the dot of 11am. We were follow the Limehouse Cut canal to it was wound up in 2012. Recent Bromley-by-Bow to the Thames, contacted Woking MP, Jonathan able to show Mr Lord photographs reach the Thames at Limehouse. progress has come about thanks to should be available from publisher Lord, to invite him out with us to of the boardwalk as it had been Although it is possible to follow a the proposed sculpture trail, The Cicerone by the end of the year.’ talk about issues affecting ramblers immediately after completion, track beside the eastern bank of the generally, and also to show him and he could compare them with Lea south of Bromley-by-Bow this a practical example of Ramblers it after the vandalism. He was comes to an abrupt halt at Cody work in his constituency. Mr Lord very appreciative of our work, and Dock, a long-derelict part of an old is a walker himself, he accepted our shared our disappointment that it gasworks, and now a developing invitation, and we agreed a meeting had been undone so mindlessly so centre for social enterprises being place for 11am. soon afterwards. set up by the Gasworks Dock Partnership. A footbridge across the mouth of Cody Dock (grid ref TQ 386818) A walk for Fred - the crucial gap in the route - and ssex Area has been new steps linking the Lea Valley grateful for the notable Walk with the extended route at Econtributions made by the Twelvetrees Crescent bridge many members over the years (grid ref TQ 383825) are planned On the Lea near Cody Dock. since it was formed. It was felt that the achievements of these members should not be forgotten and a yearly memorial walk should be held to remember David Sharp retires one of this number. On 8 October 2014, West he December issue of on devising many of London’s layouts and been a reliable source Group organised a five- South East Walker was strategic routes and its successor of wise advice. He remains a Vice mile walk to honour Fred the last to be co-edited organisations, the Ramblers Greater President of the Ramblers nationally Matthews who died on 1 T by David Sharp who has given London Forum, as well as various (it is a life sentence). Together with January 2009. The walk, from many years (he declines to give roles for Surrey Area. On South his wife Margaret, who has also Connaught Water through a figure) of incredible service to East Walker his involvement has worked for the Ramblers in various Epping Forest to Higham Park the Ramblers going back to the covered writing most of our centre roles over the years, their house was lake and on to south Chingford, days of the Southern Area which spreads, contributing photos from more like a Ramblers production was led by John Francis who Fred Matthews as many will covered all the ground between his vast collection, editing the Surrey centre. Thank you David (and said a few words about Fred, remember him in his later years. Norfolk and the Isle of Wight. Snippets pages and so on (so expect Margaret) for all your hard work the person and his many Photo: Len Banister He has been active in many roles a drop in standards from now on). and very best wishes for your achievements. Many of the involvement by the highways ranging from the writing the original Even those little illustrations at the retirement years (though you will be walkers remembered Fred and department was continued Thames Path and London Loop head of each Area news is David’s welcome to withdraw your notice at were able to relate stories about on the nationally-recognised guidebooks, very much involved work. Most importantly, he has any time). him. five long distance routes Fred with the London Walking Forum quietly beavered away at the page Les Douglas Fred Matthews was a founder brought into being. These were member of West Essex group. the Essex Way, Three Forests His efforts set the group up in Way, Harcamlow Way, St 1970 and his work as General Peter’s Way and Epping Forest Secretary was instrumental in Centenary Walk He also wrote building West Essex into the the booklets detailing the routes largest group in the county. for these. Fred spent many years Fred played an important role in as a member of the Ramblers setting up the West Essex Path National Council and was held Adopter and Working Party in high regard at that level as he schemes. These, together with was in the county. his three books of walks in the When listing Fred’s formal local and neighbouring areas, achievements we must not forget stand today as his monument to how his enthusiasm for walking West Essex Ramblers. influenced everyone he met and Fred was a member of Essex helped raise Essex rambling to Area Executive over many the level it is today. years, eventually being elected This year we will be celebrating President. His work in initiating the life and work of John publicity and encouraging Dowding who was Essex Area’s many activities included Footpath Secretary for over 20 the annual Essex 100-mile years. The walk will take place walks. This gained publicity on Saturday17 October and for the Ramblers, brought details will be circulated nearer walkers together and got routes the time. opened and cleared by Essex Beam bridged: This new bridge over the River Beam on the Havering/Barking & Dagenham border in east London has been Alan Goffee installed as part of a project by Thames Chase Community Forest to link the parklands of the Ingrebourne and Beam valleys. It County Council. The level of Chair, Essex Area Ramblers carries a cycle and walking route over the river (at grid ref TQ 513850) linking the Bretons Outdoor Centre with Eastbrookend Country Park. South East Walker 3 walkerSOUTH EAST If trees could tell stories… Distributed quarterly to members of the Ramblers in , n Monday 15 June, were encamped on the other side. Ann Boleyn. It stands close to the For details of special events to be Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton 800 years to the day A consensus of opinion is that the remains of St Mary’s Priory, a 12th held at Runnymede check www. Keynes and West Middlesex, Inner since the sealing of the Magna Carta (or Great Charter) century home of Benedictine nuns. nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede. London, , Oxfordshire and O Surrey Areas and to members of the Magna Carta at Runnymede, was signed on an island in the Havering & East London, Lea Valley Surrey, there will be celebrations river - possibly Ankerwycke (grid Friends, Redbridge and West Essex on the meadow there with an ref TQ 000730) in the parish of groups. official ceremony in the morning Wraysbury. THE RAMBLERS followed later by picnics and Ankerwycke became a National Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford politics. Trust property too in 2011 House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. It was hereabouts that in 1215, and is managed as part of the Tel: 020 7339 8500 King John and the barons signed Runnymede estate. A short Park Fax: 020 7339 8501 the nearest thing Britain has had Circular Walk can be followed Email: [email protected] Web: www.ramblers.org.uk to a Bill of Rights and what was from the small car park in Magna Company registration no: to become the basis of a number of Carta Lane (off the B376 between 4458492 countries constitutions. Staines and Wraysbury) down to Registered charity no: 1093577 The precise site of the historic the Ankerwycke Yew, an ancient EDITORIAL event is not clear. The barons and yew tree thought to be at least Editor: Les Douglas their forces are thought to have 1,400 years old and likely to have Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8809 2338 held the meadows at Runnymede witnessed the events of 1215. Later (please leave message) on one side of the River Thames in the 1530s it might have been The ancient Ankerwycke Yew, considered by the Woodland Trust to be one of whilst the king and his followers the spot where Henry VIII met ’s top ten trees, and a possible site where Magna Carta was sealed. DESIGN AND PRINT Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255

Opinions expressed by contributors management committee made up The main point of entry to are not specifically endorsed by of County council, Park is currently via The Ramblers. Panshanger progress ISSN 1747-4140 Lafarge and Hertfordshire & the car park (grid ref TL 307125) C 2015 The Ramblers. screened wildlife viewing landscaped with advice from Middlesex Wildlife Trust. off Thieves Lane, . All rights reserved. area giving views across Humphry Repton around 1800 Osprey Lake (grid ref TL for the then owners of Panshanger Copy Date: For issue No. 90 A is 12 April 303124) in Panshanger Park, House which was demolished in near Hertford, was officially the 1950s though some features opened on 13 December. and cottages remain. It is within the 200 acres of A Friends of Panshanger Park the eastern half of the parkland organisation was formed in which opened to the public in 2013 to represent groups and March 2014 following about 30 individuals disappointed by years of gravel and sand extraction years of delay in the opening up which was due to end by 2000 but of the country park which was a overran. Extraction by Lafarge in condition of mineral extraction the other half of the parkland is rights being given in 1982 expected to be completed in 2016. following a public inquiry. The Panshanger Park was parkland now open is run by a The viewing area at Osprey Lake. Lottery support for parks and Mr Turner’s house he Heritage Lottery Fund The Canons at Mitcham was the vitality of historic Houghton has announced awards originally created as the grounds of Hall Park in partnership with Tto restore Turner’s house an estate administered by clerics of Houghton Regis Town Council and in Twickenham, The Canons St Mary Overie in Southwark and the Trust. at Mitcham, Stanmer Park in the park now includes three listed Brighton and Houghton Hall buildings. A grant of £3.98 million Park at Houghton Regis in will restore the house and grounds Bedfordshire. and provide a sensory garden and Sandycombe Lodge, The wildlife pond. Twickenham home from 1813 to Stanmer Park, set inside the 1826 of the landscape artist JMW National Park, was Turner, is unique in being the only designed in the eighteenth century surviving property in the country as the setting for Stanmer House, which was designed by a major artist church and estate village. It is now A Road to Rome: This line of nineteenth century buildings destroyed during World for his own use. The artist originally the largest public park in Brighton War II in Noble Street in the City of London stood on the Roman city wall and trained as an architect and drew up & Hove. A grant of over £4 million signs of this can be seen in the base of what stands today. It is one of the sights featured on ‘City Walk: Roads to Rome’, a route from St Pauls to the Museum the plans for the ‘country retreat’ will restore historic features, improve of London passing the Temple of Mithras at Walbrook, All Hallows by the Tower where he could live with his father. visitor facilities and encourage more and many sites with Roman links. A free leaflet produced by the City of London The house, which is currently on local people to visit. Corporation in partnership with City of London Archaeological Trust can be English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register, Central Bedfordshire Council has picked up at the City Information Centre at St Pauls, the start point for the walk. will receive a grant of £1.4 million. been awarded £2.2 million to restore Turner’s home in Twickenham Briefly • Around Marlow is the title anything devoted to walking but can also be bought for photographer friend Peter at London-based Freedom of a new booklet of 10 walks from the much-visited town of £4 (including return postage) Arkell have written ‘Freedom Pass holders, most of the ranging from three to 15 miles, Marlow’, says Martin. ‘Mine from www.musicinmarlow. Pass London - make the entertaining content can be written by local Ramblers is also a walks book with a org.uk/around-marlow. All most of your travel pass appreciated by anyone with member Martin Ashford. little difference, namely the proceeds go to Christ Church, with 25 special days out’. It a suitable ticket Published ‘Whilst there are plenty of inclusion with each route of Marlow. features interest walks in by Bradt travel guides, general books about the a short prayer for those who and around - up to 25 miles copies can be snapped up in Thames Valley and Chilterns, might find that of benefit.’ • London Ramblers member from central London - the bookshops for £12.99 (ISBN there does not appear to be The booklet is on sale locally Mike Pentelow and his capital. Although aimed 9781841625652). 4 South East Walker Surrey’s AGM SURREY here was some positive walks programmes. Our Area news in the annual report Webmaster, David Leedham, Tpresented to last month’s reported that since he has re-worked Surrey AGM but there are still the Area site, visits have increased. snippets areas of concern. And so too has the range of material Our Area Chairman, Lynette available online, not only events and Long, in presenting the annual reports of Area meetings but also a report, paid tribute to all her fellow booking system for training courses. officers, in particular Roy Battison, An appeal for more contributions our Area Treasurer, who was not was made. The Area Facebook page Andalucia visit seeking re-election. She indicated is up and running but currently has that she would seek re-election now few members looking at it. n late September a group of We stayed in two small country we had a guided walk around but had been looking for a successor The Area had produced its own nine Godalming & Haslemere hotels and enjoyed some superb the charming city of Ronda and who may be able to take over in new leaflet, ‘Get Fit and Meet Ramblers set off for a walks in three national parks. The enjoyed a fascinating last day in I November. She paid special tribute People’, for use by Surrey’s groups. walking holiday in Andalucia, terrain was challenging and the Malaga before catching a late to David Sharp who as Co-editor Bob Hayward, Surrey Area’s Spain, organised for them by an views spectacular as we climbed flight home. We plan to return to of this publication also edited the Publicity Officer, reported that we Englishman who has lived in the to 1,800 metres. We saw a great Andalucia to explore the province Surrey pages. David was standing now have a regular double page item area for over 20 years and runs a variety of wildlife but hardly of Cadiz. down and she reported that he had in Surrey Life magazine, which he small travel company there. any other walkers. By contrast, Julia Evans been presented with a card signed writes, and he has taken part in by the Area Council members and several radio interviews. One area a cheque. Christine Geary who was of concern is that the Area screens re-elected as Area Secretary at last have hardly been used and the year’s AGM had stood down mid- decline in the number of groups year and I stepped into the breach as having stands at shows needs to be Acting Secretary. reviewed. Anne Jamison, our Area Rodney Whittaker, who now Membership Secretary, reported holds the joint post of Footpath that the drop in total membership and Access Secretary, reported had been halted and the Area gained that relations with Surrey County an increase. The increase may only Council were very good and that Enjoying Andalucia. have been 50 over the year but we save staff considerable time by like the national membership, our undertaking the BVPI (Best Value numbers had stabilised. The Area Performance Indicator) surveys on Footpath Matters had 6,788 members at the end of five per cent of Surrey’s paths twice September 2014. Figures for the end a year and also because of the work Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI) of December 2014 showed a further that 11 of our groups do in replacing increase, so we are getting back on stiles and gates, clearing vegetation he November BVPI Tom Jenkins of Surrey County who took part. We are planning track. and building sleeper bridges. We exercise went well, with the Council has confirmed that all to get a total of the hours spent by The Area now has regular leader have also provided input to the Tdocuments being delivered completed reports were delivered Ramblers volunteers on this from training courses, organised by county council’s review of the to me before the end of October. to him on time. Well done to all May 2015 onwards. teams from several groups. These Rights of Way Improvement Plan. are well supported and are helping Graham Butler Banstead Footpath 125 to provide bigger and more varied Acting Area Secretary mentioned this issue in the has been a really complicated 2013/14 annual report. and protracted issue with huge I George Seaborn, the Local amounts of staff time/resources Staines Ramblers Footpath Secretary for & having been spent by both Surrey Banstead, and I have now secured County Council and Reigate & agreement from Ramblers Central Banstead Borough Council over celebrate 25 years Office they they will fund legal the years. Although I haven’t seen he 21 January marked the cutting and sharing of the action necessary to clear this the path itself recently, I suspect the 25th anniversary of celebration cake, a task performed badly blocked path which was the it’s not a very satisfactory situation the first walk for Staines by Mike Mitchell who was the only subject of unsuccessful injunction on the ground. We have to be T ramblers and we celebrated this person present who had been on the proceedings in the 1990s by really sure we have the right legal by re-creating that walk from original walk. Everyone agreed that the then highway authority, basis on which to progress it and Putney to Richmond. it had been a very successful event Reigate & Banstead. We are in the resources in place to follow it conversation with Steve Mitchell, through, so we are looking into Thirty two members joined us and thanks went to our leader, Mike Head of Countryside Access at options, but cautiously.’ We will for the walk along the Thames Path Heather, for his organisation. Blocked; a junk yard and jungle cover past Barnes to Kew Green where A further act of commemoration Surrey County Council, and his await hearing their ‘options’ before Banstead Footpath 125. Photo: latest email states: ‘This path initiating any legal proceedings. Rodney Whittaker there was a stop for refreshment. has been the printing of badges The last part of the walk skirted bearing our swan logo. These will Kew Gardens, ending up at The be distributed to all members along Countryside Access Management System (CAMS) Cricketers on Richmond Green with the next issue of our walks where we had lunch, along with programme. he head of Surrey County this long-awaited system will ‘go will be able to use the new form. 10 other members who joined us Elspeth Scott Council’s Countryside live’ on 31 January. Once we are happy it’s up and at the end. This was followed by Staines Ramblers TAccess team, Steve He adds: ‘.. we are planning to running properly, I’ll be in contact Mitchell, has told me that, with go live with both the main internal about training. We are hoping the ironing out of technical system/database and the new web most people will pick it up fairly difficulties taking longer than form that links into it, at the same easily themselves, but we can see anticipated, it is now hoped that time, so Local Footpath Secretaries how it goes and help out if needed.’

Personnel usan Anderson indicated the past 12 years. Path Warden work. I’m also to me her intention to I would like to record my thanks delighted to report that Maureen Sstep down as Footpath to her for all she did for the Ramblers Gullett has kindly agreed to take Secretary for Epsom & Ewell at and pleased that she will continue on the role and a formal proposal the group AGM in November to help with the biannual BVPI to that effect was ratified at a recent having undertaken the role for inspections and also her Voluntary meeting of the Area Council. Rodney Whittaker Area Footpath & Access Secretary The celebration cake. Photo: Elspeth Scott South East Walker 5 A truly festive occasion his year’s Festival of 11 walkers, all keen to work up a film location, the next minute Winter Walks was healthy appetite for their festive we were imagining ourselves Tcompleted in fine style by fare later in the day! amid the sound and fury of Farnham Ramblers attracting As usual, those looking to stretch such blockbusters as ‘Gladiator’, record numbers with over 250 their legs a little more in working ‘Warhorse’ and ‘Harry Potter & walkers enjoying a wide range off the seasonal excesses were also the Deathly Hallows. And for of walks around Farnham and well catered for. These included those of a certain age we could go the surrounding villages and nine-mile walks around the rural back to the 1970s and picture the striking countryside. villages of Puttenham and Peper jungle scenes in the BBC’s classic Maintaining its tradition of Harrow, while on Saturday 27 sitcom, ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’! arranging at least one walk for December, ramblers enjoyed the The mild weather throughout every day of the year, the festival tranquility of Ludshott Common most of the festival provided programme included 18 walks of and Waggoners Wells, a National the ideal backdrop to the usual varying lengths and challenges - Trust reserve including a series friendliness and warm welcome something for everyone. of beautiful ponds, streams and of Farnham’s rambles, which On Sunday 28 December, for waterfalls. frequently ended up with the example, a three-mile walk over Another common theme appropriate conviviality of a local the heathland near took reflected in the walk on Tuesday hostelry. in the Devil’s Jumps - three 23 December was a love of history, A big thanks as ever, too, to the small ironstone hills mentioned ancient and modern. One minute walks leaders, whose planning in his ‘Rural Rides’ of 1830 by we were marvelling at the series of and local knowledge made each Farnham’s most famous son, Bronze Age barrows in the Bourne walk continuously stimulating, William Cobbett. Similarly, on Woods, overlooking Frensham both mentally and physically! Christmas Day itself a four-mile Great and Little Ponds; and with Graham Noakes One way to get ready for Christmas dinner - Farnham Ramblers pass the Tilhill ‘amble’ around attracted the area used regularly as a major Farnham Ramblers House in Tilford. Photo: Graham Noakes Kingston’s popular Diary Dates Until Sunday 15 March: British Wildlife Photography short walks More than a hundred images are on display, selected from thousands ingston group’s monthly taken at a viewpoint in Richmond station, but inclement weather! of entries. Free. short walks of five miles Park and shows those involved in Apart from the leaders, just three Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton. Kare now into their fourth the first short walk of 2015, which people in this group were on the first 01582 548600, www.lutonculture.com. year and proving popular. was from Norbiton to North Sheen. of these short walks which was over This is a very good start to the We not only had to contend with the same route on 2 January 2012. Saturday 21 March: Explore with map and compass course A one-day course from 10am - 4pm providing an opportunity for Ramblers’ 80th year. The photo was rail replacement buses to Norbiton Brenda Horwill beginners and those with limited experience to gain confidence and experience in map-reading and land navigation mainly through fieldwork in the countryside near Bexhill-on-Sea, East , led by local Rambler, John Harmer. A further similar course and an advanced ‘More with map and compass’ course will be held during 2015 if there is enough demand. Cost £10, reduced rates available. John Harmer, 01424 773998 or email [email protected].

Until Saturday 28 March: Mr Bickerton and his birds An exhibition of photographs by celebrated early local bird enthusiast William Bickerton. Free. Hertford Museum 01992 582686, www.hertfordmuseum.org

Wednesday 1 April - Monday 31 August: Ravilious First major exhibition of the watercolours of British artist Eric Ravilious, known for his works featuring the chalk downs of southern England. Admission charge. Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21. 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk.

All smiles despite the weather. Photo: David Horwill Saturday 4 April - Sunday 4 October: Thames Stories An exhibition which draws on the museum’s art and archaeology n 5 September a party collections to tell stories about the River Thames. of 16 North West Kent Reading Museum. To the woods Omembers took a trip to 0118 937 3400, www.readingmuseum.org.uk. the beautiful and historic old town of Monschau in the heart of Saturday 18 April: Map and compass awareness course Following the success of previous years, North West Kent Group is Germany. holding another course for those wishing to improve their skills. It They had a splendid and will be held at the Grasshopper on the Green, , starting at picturesque walk through the valley, 10am. Cost £3 (lunch extra). To register, please contact Chris Baker along the river in the area and a on 01322 341722 or [email protected] by 13 April. lovely walk in the Eifel national park in the Germund area. They Sunday 26 April: Perivale Wood Open Day visited a number of very old villages, Annual open day of 27 acres of ancient woodland beside the travelling through an attractive Grand Union Canal in west London not normally open to public. range of wooded mountains, 10am - 4pm. Sunley Gardens UB6 and particularly memorable was a luxury boat trip from Bonn to Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 May: National Mills Weekend Konigswinter. A big thank you to Wind and water mills, including many not normally open to the public, Beryl and Harry for organising the will welcome visitors over this weekend. Some mills have been restored to holiday. working order, some are derelict and some are still working commercially. Photo: Jack Yan Carole Flowerday www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk 6 South East Walker Path check BUCKS and maintenance briefs walks ollowing our success in into two groups so that we getting a large number could cover more ground with News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Fof volunteers to test, each group splitting again or tidy up and promote our leapfrogging to make maximum group’s long distance path, the use of team members. At the Outer Aylesbury Ring, a few time of writing we had done six volunteers showed interest in more like this plus one checking Area Annual installing kissing gates as we an eight-mile Outer Aylesbury had donated money for five Ring circular walk where many gates. problems had been reported. General Meeting This sounded an interesting We now have a register of 16 idea so the ins and outs were volunteers with attendances investigated, including insurance ranging from five on the second he Area AGM was held on We encountered a couple of minor the footpath network, which thus and training, to make sure we did walk to 12 on the most recent. 10 January in Chalfont footpath obstructions, one man- gained a higher profile. Particularly the job properly. This all looked We now include all the walks TSt Peter, with just 27 made (an electric fence, as shown in in the north of the county the feasible but would require funds in our walks programme and of our over 3,000 members in the photo) and the other natural (a network became much easier to use being raised to pay for the gates on the Ramblers find-a-walk attendance. recently fallen ivy bush), perhaps a during his tenure. and realistically the amount we listings. Basic hand tools were Membership of the Area Executive portent of things to come as a result Mike remains on a number could regularly raise as a small also bought so that everyone Committee is unchanged, which of county council budget cuts: a of national committees related group would not buy much in the could be reasonably kitted out means that we still have a number matter of concern to members at to rights of way. He exhorted way of gates so newly-acquired and play their part. of vacancies, in particular for an the meeting. us to remain vigilant. With skills would not be put to good It has proved very successful Area Secretary. If you are willing to Following the meeting Mike reduced local authority budgets use. with volunteers finding it help in this, or any other capacity, Walker, former Environment Group throughout the country traditional We already had about 25 path enjoyable, interesting and please email me (johnandjean@ Manager for Buckinghamshire campaigning may not be enough to checkers to cover the 66 parishes different to a normal walk so thamesinternet.com) for further County Council, gave a talk avoid a deterioration of the footpath in our area of the southern vale we believe that the balance of information. on his experiences. During his network. and the 45 parishes of the northern walking and working is about Before the meeting Area working life he had risen through John Esslemont vale which we also administer. right with anyone of lesser ability Chairman Paul Rhodes led a walk, the ranks of council employees Area Treasurer This meant that in any one year still able to play their part and feel with 20 members participating. whilst retaining responsibility for and Acting Secretary even with a few of us taking on they have achieved something. some additional parishes on a This spreads the word and gets one-off basis we would only more people understanding and check about 50% of them so taking a more active interest in many were not being checked path maintenance; it has also regularly. We decided that a resulted in the recruitment of two better use of resources would be new parish path checkers. to set up a schedule of path check It’s early days yet but there and maintenance walks where are many options for expanding we would blitz a parish checking the scheme such as our group- all the paths, clearing stiles, associated routes - the Round bridges etc, putting up waymarks, Aylesbury Walk, Aylesbury Ring carrying out minor repairs and and Outer Aylesbury Ring; some reporting problems that we could of the northern parishes; local not fix to the county council. This county council-promoted routes; would help combat the effects of one-off path clearance jobs. county council budget cuts and Given enough bodies more than make a positive contribution to one a month may be possible keeping our footpaths open. though planning, organising and We asked for volunteers and following-up these events takes initially having about eight we a lot of time. We will see how it programmed a pilot walk in goes. May 2014 in Whitchurch parish Roy Johnson which nine people attended. Footpath & Countryside Given the success of the pilot Secretary we continued to do one a month Aylesbury & District but splitting the attendees Ramblers Ducking under an electric fence on the pre-AGM morning walk. Photo: Kate Ashbrook ‘Thank you’ lunch or the second year Thirty six of us went on a walk running, on 28 November led by Mick Hill to work up an Fthe Chiltern Weekend appetite for the fantastic three- Walkers organised a ‘thank you’ course lunch that awaited our lunch to show our gratitude return. About another dozen for the time and effort that volunteers joined us for the volunteers give to the group. meal. We were well catered for Many people contribute to make by Iain and Morag Thompson the group successful, not only the who are part of the group and committee but also walk leaders, run the walking holiday company social hosts and organisers of trips Walkfree Breakfree. and weekends away. Special awards A good time was had by all and were given to Sandra Rooney, Alan many said it was nice to have their Sheill, Gerry Paine, Chris Parsons efforts valued and appreciated. and Trevor Gent for outstanding Anne Mograby contributions to the group. Chiltern Weekend Walkers Volunteers enjoy the ‘thank you’ lunch. Photo: Anne Mograby South East Walker 7 Winter Hogmanay on Solstice walk the Isle of Wight ome 30 members of Eve dinner and ceilidh complete took a turn, but it all added to Chiltern Weekend with a Scottish piper to lead us the enjoyment. The owners SWalkers enjoyed a into dinner, Aud Lang Syne and a made sure we all had a great four-night Hogmanay New little tipple of bubbly to welcome time and made us so welcome. Year break at the fabulous in 2015! The roaring real fire was always Northcourt Manor in Shorwell, A ghost walk was organised in the grate in the main lounge near Newport on the Isle of on the Tuesday, which had a few to welcome us back, with lots of Wight, from 29 December to 2 surprises, Thursday was quieter cakes and as much tea and coffee January. with shorter walks, a bangers as we wanted. Superbly organised and catered and mash supper and a few It was my first time at for by Iain and Morag Thompson board games and fun quiz in the Northcourt Manor and will Celebrating the Winter Solstice. Photo: Marcus Kinch and helpers, the break combined evening. certainly be one of my holidays to n the Winter Solstice, Manor, Mentmore and Ivinghoe a variety of walks, wonderful To make the break more remember. Sunday 21 December, Beacon. In 2015 we will have the food and, of course, drink for affordable the daily chores were Trevor Gent O16 Aylesbury Ramblers addition of two new modern local some, and included a New Year’s divided up so that everyone Chiltern Weekend Walkers set out on an afternoon walk from icons which are under construction, Coombe Hill Monument to get the Calvert Incinerator (15 miles) some fresh air, meet friends and and in Aylesbury Vale the largest hopefully see the sun set from the wind turbine in the UK. top of the hill with homemade During the walk the weather mince pies and mulled wine. was overcast and very grey with the This annual event was started by occasional glimpse of the sun trying a fellow rambler who was unable to to break through the clouds but, lead this year, so I stood in to carry fortunately, just as we were getting on the tradition. back to the monument, the cloud We walked along familiar paths lifted slightly to give us a slither of and hills, mostly on the Ridgeway, a sunset and improve the view in from Coombe Hill to Ellesborough, the distance. To the west we could Beacon Hill and then round in just make out Didcot power station front of Chequers, although we did with its two remaining cooling not spot anybody famous. We then towers and the Wittenham clumps. climbed back up to the monument, We ate our mince pies and drank built in 1904, which is 260m above our mulled wine which was very sea level and commemorates the loss welcome and warming on this cold of 148 men from Buckinghamshire day. We then wished each other a during the second Boer War. merry Christmas and departed our On a clear day views of Aylesbury separate ways, looking forward to Vale are wonderful but today they an eventful new year. were mainly limited to the local Vicki Franco On the Ventnor walk on the first day of the Hogmanay break. Photo: Richard Llewelyn landmarks of Brill Hill, Waddesdon Aylesbury & District Ramblers

Smart trail opened Top ten operator Beds ‘Pevsner’ revised A new hi-tech nature trail installed at Ramblers Worldwide Holidays has been The Bedfordshire volume in the Buildings Briefly Farthing Down, Coulsdon, uses voted among the top 10 tour operators in of England • The first trees were ‘QR codes’ on numbered posts which the UK by readers of Wanderlust magazine. (or ‘Pevsner’) planted at the Woodland can be scanned by smart phones and similar The company, which has gained a 94% series has been Trust’s Centenary Wood at devices to tell visitors about the Saxon burial satisfaction rate, received the award at revised for the Langley Vale, Surrey, on 12 mounds, wildflowers, butterflies, birds and the Destinations travel show at Olympia in first time since December. Eventually the more. London on 29 January. its publication trust plans to plant 200,000 The trail starts at the northern end of the car in 1968. trees here - one of four park at Farthing Downs and results from a Every building Centenary Woods around partnership between Croydon council, City Berks first aid has been the UK - as a tribute to those of London Corporation, Friends of Farthing A first aid course for members of Berkshire revisited and involved in the First World Down and Quadron Services Ltd. More Ramblers groups will be held on the evening reassessed War. The site is next to details of this can be found at of Monday 27 April at the St John Ambulance by author Epsom Downs where Lord www.friendsoffarthingdowns.co.uk. Centre in Theale. Charles Kitchener inspected the This will cover the basics of dressing wounds, O’Brien and troops in 1914 (an event re- resuscitation, dealing with broken limbs, many others enacted on 25 January this Landmark anniversary damaged muscles, choking, shock, heart missed by year) prior to deployment and British troops were The Landmark Trust, which restores historic attacks, etc and those attending will get an Nikolaus trained. sites and rents them out as holiday lets, is Essential First Aid certificate valid for three Pevsner marking its 50th anniversary with a Golden years. are now • Inspired by a visit to Weekend on 16 - 17 May when it will open 25 Further details from David Turner of Loddon included Greenham Common, of its properties to public view. These include Valley Group (01189 784364, turnerd2@ for the first Berkshire, Dutch ecologists The Old Parsonage at Iffley, Oxfordshire and btinternet.com. time. have transformed a former an 18th century French silk workers house in The US airbase at Soesterberg Princelet street, Spitalfields, east London. county’s architectural attractions in the centre of the Entry will be free but must be pre-booked. Peckham high line range from the churches of the market towns of Bedford, Leighton Buzzard and , Netherlands into a nature Details at www.landmarktrust.org.uk. Plans to transform a disused railway line into reserve which opened to a new linear park in south London to the gardens at Wrest Park and from hat factories in Luton to airship hangars at the public on 13 December. have been drawn up by local residents Cardington. Greenham Common, Walk talk in Peckham. Their imaginative idea The new edition, which will inspire and common land until Adventurer Ash Dykes, who last year crossed is to make use of the former coal sidings inform walkers with an eye for architecture, requisitioned as an airfield Mongolia alone on foot - the first recorded between Queens Road Peckham and Rye is published by Yale University Press (ISBN in 1942, eventually closed person to do so - will be talking about his Lane where coal was once transferred 978- 030020821-4, £35) and observes the in 1993 and is now run as a experiences at the Epsom Playhouse (01372 from wagons to merchants’ lorries for local historic boundaries of the counties of nature reserve by the Berks, 742555) on Thursday 5 March and Radlett distribution. Huntingdonshire and Peterborough which Bucks & Oxon wildlife Trust Centre (01923 859291), Radlett, Herts, on More information on the plans can be found were partly absorbed into in on behalf of West Berkshire Friday 6 March. at www.peckhamcoalline.strikingly.com. 1974. Council. 8 South East Walker University accommodation; an underused resource any ramblers enjoy that inexpensive university Margaret, Juliana, Helen, Valerie, helpful and pleasant. and staff there will guide you to walking holidays accommodation is available in Jackie and her sister Jenny from So far we have been able to the right person. In some cases Mbut the costs of many great walking locations , we have stayed at do all our four-day trips for less it is dealt with by ‘Conference commercial walking trips during the summer months. the University of Chichester than £200 per head, staying over & Lettings’ staff rather than can be prohibitive for many. I have now been on four (2011), University of Brighton, at three nights. We plan four walks, student accommodation. Some Fortunately, there are cheaper university-based walking trips. Eastbourne (2012), University of with shorter walks on arrival and universities do not take bookings alternatives which can be with friends from Sutton and Portsmouth (2013) and University departure days Friday and Monday until the end of the spring term as just as enjoyable and many Wandle Valley Ramblers. of Winchester (2014). and longer walks on Saturday staff are busy with students. Not all ramblers may be unaware Together with my walking friends We have found that the standard and Sunday. Besides wonderful universities offer accommodation. of accommodation has been high, in walks (including the Isle of Wight We were disappointed and fact rather better than most B&Bs. by ferry from Portsmouth) we somewhat surprised, for example, Many universities have realised that enjoyed theatre trips in Chichester to find that Bournemouth could Bryan Reading as students are generally away over and Eastbourne and visiting not offer us anything. There the summer vacation this is a good historic sights in Winchester. we are limitations. This is a singles t is with sadness that for 12 years but in 1979 took the opportunity for generating income manage the catering by means only experience (no shared rooms we report the death of big step to become a full-time and consequently make available of a combination of meals out and no ‘single supplements’) and Bryan Reading, a member cartoonist. their best accommodation. The and cooking for ourselves in accommodation is usually only I cost per night has varied between the student flat. After four available for about two months of Aylesbury & District Bryan retired in 2000 and Ramblers, who will best be moved to Wendover, eventually £22 and £44. Higher prices include trips together we are now very of the year from early July to known to readers of South joining the Ramblers and was the optional extra of a cooked comfortable with each other and early September. And, of course, East Walker as the regular an active member of the group, breakfast provided in the university always have great exercise and everyone must be prepared to cartoonist, never failing to joining and leading walks as refectory. Also seafront locations some really good laughs. It is a ‘muck-in’ with catering and to come up with a new twist for well as acting as path checker are higher priced. Accommodation highlight of our year. devise and lead walks. Within each issue. for his home parish. This is usually in comfortable modern Universities rarely advertise these limitations university- Born in Sunbury on Thames was in addition to many other self-contained student flats, many their accommodation, but do not based walking holidays offer a in 1935, twice evacuated during duties, including being an active of which have en-suite bathroom let this put you off. All you need great alternative to commercially World War 2 and with a passion member of the Chiltern Society, and spacious kitchen/dining do is make a short list, Google organised trips often at less than for cycling, jazz, art and drawing, scouts, publishing cartoons in areas. We have always found the your chosen universities and half the price. real ale and British cars, his first local newsletters, churchyard university staff to be welcoming, get through to accommodation Sue Bruley job - interrupted by national care, school governor and other service - was with Smiths parish duties. He continued Industries, where he enjoyed contributing for Morgan and working on the advertising at MG car club magazines as well Motor Show stands which also as our own South East Walker. allowed him to indulge his love It can be truly said that he of cars. was an exceptionally nice man, He married Gisela in 1961; always willing to help, really they had two sons and moved pleasing and interesting to talk to Kingsbury in 1967 where with, a true friend to everyone they lived for 33 years. Whilst and he will be sorely missed by working Bryan, who was a all who knew him. member of the Cartoonists’ Roy Johnson Club of Great Britain, had done Aylesbury & District his cartoon work in the evenings Ramblers

Sue Bruley (top left) with walking friends (l to r) Margaret Clarke, Helen Thurston, Juliana Slobodian, Jenny Jullien and Valerie Bagley in August 2014 en route to a restaurant meal in Winchester. Photo: Jackie Deeks. South East Walker 9 Will the wheel turn full circle? ith the proposed of a problem with trains doing a route of the HS2 maximum of 60 - 70 miles an hour, Wrail link scheduled and with a limited service. to go through parts of the Vale The Great Central Railway of Aylesbury, it is interesting was never really profitable due to to note that for a distance of competition from other north-south about five miles it will follow the railway lines into London, and after track bed of the long-forgotten a decision by Dr Beeching the last Great Central Railway. This is train ran on this line in September Quainton Footpath 31 with its new ‘rubber’ crossing and steps at SP 731194. the section from just north of 1966 and demolition occurred at Quainton to just beyond Calvert most of the intermediate stations (grid refs SP 731194 - 684253). and railway structures. Nature took The Great Central was the over the abandoned cuttings and brainchild of Sir Edward Watkin, a embankments and in many places wealthy Victorian entrepreneur and it is hard to believe a railway ever a man of great vision and forward existed. thinking, who wanted to link the One local section did survive, major cities in the north of England however, and became a single track with London and ‘possibly the line running north of Aylesbury to continent via a Channel Tunnel’. service the landfill site at Calvert and Building of the double track line is regularly used by waste disposal began in 1894 from Annesley trains. Some of this section will be Junction north of Nottingham used for the route of HS2 and will where there was already an existing affect about 11 rights of way. railway going north to Sheffield and Obviously with trains travelling Manchester. The route of the Great at up to 250 miles an hour there Central came south from Annesley will be no more ‘at grade’ crossings. via Nottingham, Leicester and However, maps that I have seen do Rugby before joining the existing indicate that a lot of effort has been Metropolitan Railway at Quainton, put in by the Bucks County Council just north of Aylesbury, and sharing Strategic Access Officer and this line before diverting into a new members of the Ramblers, Chiltern station at Marylebone. The whole Society, British Horse Society, etc, line opened for goods and passenger in order to minimise the impact of traffic in March 1899. this railway on the local rights of way Whilst it had many innovative network. Diversions and closures engineering features - city have been kept to a manageable level tunnels, massive viaducts, huge and with little directional change in embankments and labour-saving some instances. I think that once Calvert Green Footpath 2 crosses the old Great Central line at SP 702228. island platforms at stations, the this line is completed, walkers initial scheme had many problems. will be generally satisfied with the The concept itself was under- amended footpath network. It funded and went way over budget. will be in the intervening years Landowners objected strongly to the whilst construction is taking place fact that the beautiful countryside that walkers will be considerably that they lived in would be spoilt inconvenienced. We can only forever by the railway. In one hope that after all the argument, instance at Catesby, a 3,000 yard aggravation, consultations and tunnel had to be built so that a expenditure of billions of pounds, landowner could not see the railway. HS2 lasts longer than the 67 years Because the railway ran through the dear old Great Central railway sparsely populated countryside with was in existence. limited local usage it was thought There is some excellent and and proved correct that the returns interesting walking round here so on capital investment would not please make the most of it before the make the railway viable. How shriek of a high speed train replaces many times in recent months have the rhythmic beat of the Great these statements been used about Central express that once came the proposed HS2 line. From along the tracks here. what I have seen on the 1930 six I have chosen three photographs inch to the mile Ordnance Survey in order to show readers the general maps, footpaths and bridleways lie of the land at the moment. You were sympathetically looked at and will have to use your imagination to I could find no sign of diversions. try to visualise the scenes once the Bridleways usually went over HS2 has been built. bridges, and whilst footpaths Mike Roe invariably crossed ‘at grade’ this Footpath Checker would not have been too much Aylesbury & District Ramblers The great Central ran on the low embankment to the left of the wire fence at SP 685252. 10 South East Walker BERKSHIRE Keswick week ollowing the success half of the Horseshoe and some of similar weeks in nipping off to climb Grasmoor FAmbleside, Pitlochry while the others rested. and Newtonmore in recent Tuesday and Wednesday bites years, in autumn the Berkshire were easier days and included a Walkers and a few extras morning walk near Loweswater from other groups spent a followed by a pub lunch, rowing week in Keswick in the Lake on the lake at Keswick, a walk District. Nine of us stayed at up Helm Crag and a visit to Gerald stands down Greta Hall Coach House, with the famous gingerbread shop in several others staying nearby at Grasmere. Having had two days erald Barnett stepped holiday at Dolgellau last April was Whatever he’s done has been to various campsites, B&Bs and of relative rest, we drove down to down as Secretary of the last of 37 holidays he arranged such a high standard that it’s been the youth hostel. Seathwaite on Thursday to tackle GEast Berks Ramblers at for the group over 17 years. That’s a major contribution to East Berks The week’s walking began on Scafell Pike in slightly cooler - the group’s AGM in November a phenomenal contribution to the being recognised as one of the most Sunday with a leisurely stroll but still clear and sunny weather. where he was presented with a group’s activities but he’s done far successful Ramblers groups for miles over Catbells to the tea shop at We were incredibly fortunate certificate of good service, Tate more than that. He’s been Secretary around. Grange, returning to Keswick with the weather for most of the Gallery vouchers and a case of red for almost 20 years, edited the group We owe Gerald a huge debt of alongside Derwentwater. On week, but on Friday it took a turn wine. newsletter three times a year and led gratitude and we wish him a long Monday we had a more strenuous for the worse with rain and strong Gerald’s organisation of our goodness knows how many walks. and happy retirement, hopefully hike around the Coledale winds. Luckily we managed to still walking but maybe spending a Horseshoe from Braithwaite, find plenty to do in Keswick, bit more time on the other things taking in Grisedale Pike and including a number of museums he enjoys and more time with Hopegill Head in bright warm (not least the pencil museum), tea Sheila, who of course has played a sunshine in the morning before rooms and a rather wet round of not inconsiderable part behind the splitting up in the afternoon, crazy golf. scenes. with some going straight back Chris Fox David Bailey down Coledale Beck, some Berkshire Walkers (20s-30s) Chairman, East Berks Ramblers continuing around the other group Kensington walk or our first walk of the new was St Mary Abbots church where Gardens. At the end of the walk year, Windsor & District the poet and novelist G K Chesterton we were delighted to visit the FGroup members set off for was married in 1901 and the poet Kensington Roof Gardens on the London on Saturday 3 January. Ezra Pound in 1914. We later passed sixth floor of a building which was Everybody travelled on the Green the homes of James Joyce, Charles once Derry and Toms department Gerald Barnett (right) with David Bailey. Line bus from Windsor, Slough Morgan, Siegfried Sassoon, Robert store. It was a rather dismal damp and Langley to Kensington High Browning, Henry James, T S Eliot day but all enjoyed a chance to walk Street for a literary walk through and William Thackeray, and visited off the indulgences of Christmas. West Berks Kensington. First point of interest the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Joyce Keegan update

nd so a new year of our our own entertainment. Fred dynamic programme Carter provided a quiz with a Astarts. Just before we ‘walking’ theme and once again move into spring, however, to Chris Reynolds was our master recap on some of our autumn of ceremonies. Chris kept us activities. much amused with his selection November brought our two of jokes when introducing the AGMs - the Berkshire Area and various acts. Maureen Nickless West Berks Group. The latter, entertained us with songs from a full report of which can be the shows. We are delighted found on our website, shows that Maureen, who has impaired that although we had, sadly, to vision, is able to join us on our say cheerio from the committee four-mile Sunday walks with to Greg McGill and Tony the aid of sighted support. Tom McDonald (who has looked Linley read Charles Woolfe’s after our website admirably for poem about the death of Sir John some years), Richard Fenton was Moore in the retreat to Corunna nominated to take Tony’s role, and we all raised a glass in his assisted by David McGregor. As memory. Rosemary Linley, reported last time, Greg’s role Kathryn Hunt, Lesley Webb has been taken by our Coach and Dennis Grundy each recited Walks Team, led by Colin amusing poems and jokes and Honeybone. Dorothy Woodhouse ended the The highlight of the season evening with a rendering of the though was our Christmas familiar song from ‘The Sound party when 60 West Berkshire of Music’ that Julie Andrews Ramblers enjoyed another adapted and sang at her 70th successful event organised by our birthday party. Social Secretary, Gill Kedgley. We all thoroughly enjoyed our Everyone contributed food and evening of ‘home entertainment’. drink and produced a wonderful Gill Kedgley and spread.. Once again we made Denise Buchan A passer-by took our picture at the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens. South East Walker 11 Stalwarts INNER LONDON commemorated am pleased to report success Cars can be parked in the Beechy following the appeal in the Wood car park, Crabtree Lane, IDecember issue of South East which is about 200 feet from the insights Walker for donations to replace plaques. Ignore the first stile on the plaque in memory of Ramblers the left and a little further up the stalwarts Ethel Chipchase, Geoffrey road you will come to our kissing Hollis, Leslie Nicholson and Eric gate on the left. Smith plus adding a new plaque for (b) Join the morning walk. This outh Bank Ramblers enjoyed local bus. On the Saturday we walked Geoffrey Stevenson. Both plaques will not involve much climbing. another of their long towards Swallowcliffe and on the are now in place on a kissing gate Lunch will be at a pub in Sweekends away recently, Sunday we tackled the other side of in Surrey. Mickleham. From Mickleham Wilts staying at Ebbesbourne Wake, a the valley going along the Ox Drove We will pause at the plaques during you can catch the 465 bus to small village in Wiltshire with no track and touching on Cranbourne a Geoff’s Jaunt (a series of walks named station. shop but an excellent pub next door. Chase. after walks leader Geoffrey Stevenson) (c) Join us for the entire walk. In break We went by train to Salisbury then Judith Robertson on Saturday 16 May and say a few the afternoon there will be some words about those remembered. If steep climbing but the pace will you would like to be present and wish be gentle. There will be a tea stop to say something, I would be grateful at Box Hill before we return to if you could let me know. I would Boxhill & Westhumble station. particularly welcome those who can If you intend joining us for lunch speak about the first four stalwarts. at the pub, it would be helpful if you If you would like to attend, you have could let me know at least a week three options: before the walk. (a) Just come to the ceremony. The Full details will appear at ramblers. location is about 20 minutes org.uk/find-a-walk in due course or walk up the public highway from you can ring me on 020 8350 1922. Boxhill & Westhumble station. Roger Kemp No walking gear will be needed!

A comfortable lunch stop was found on Saturday. Photo: Judith Robertson Bridget Harper ridget Harper, who served Jaunts. She was one of the most exploration walks before discovering as Membership Secretary regular leaders, famed for her walking the Ramblers and remained with Bof Inner London Area for pace, described as ‘brisk’. If you were them for the rest of her life. She was a number of years and was well- thinking of accompanying Bridget a regular Times Crossword finalist known as a walk leader for the (who was less than five feet tall), she and often helped feed the homeless at Area’s train and coach rambles, died would warn you that she ‘took no Christmas. peacefully on 12 December, aged prisoners’ when it came to walking. Her funeral was extremely well- 79. Many members attended her Following Durham University, she attended and afterwards Colin funeral and celebration of her life at went to Malaya to work for the Red Saunders, author of ‘Rambling Away Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, Cross. Once she went for a walk From the Smoke’ which chronicles on 30 December 2014. there, strayed into the jungle, and the history of the ‘Conducted Train Roger Kemp writes: Bridget was remained there all night. She found Rambles’ from London, led a local one of the stalwarts of the ‘Conducted that amusing. Having qualified as a ramble. A fitting tribute to Bridget; Train Rambles’, and later Geoff’s librarian she began to lead London Colin is a very brisk walker! The two plaques on Crabtree Lane (grid ref TQ 157525).

Our walks were led by two HF impressive Cetina Gorge. As the path of Croatia’s five UNESCO World leaders, Carol and Liz, and we had came to an end on the riverbank we Heritage Sites. Most of the rest of the two walk options each day. The were pleased to be picked up by the group went to the medieval city of Croatia visit harder options involved seven to ten boat which took us down river back Trogir, another World Heritage Site, miles and up to 660 metres of ascent to the coast. Our hospitable captain and the national park nearby with a with steeper and rougher terrain. provided us with generous quantities unique set of travertine waterfalls. Only three of our group opted for of red wine as we enjoyed the night Regrettably our wonderful holiday for Henley the more challenging walks every sky and lights of the coast. was almost at an end. Croatia is a day with others choosing to vary Our ‘free day’ was filled very easily. country we all want to return to! between easier and harder walks. Three of the party took the bus to Edward, Janice, We all walked in the foothills of see Diocletian’s Palace in Split, one Peter and Joan Ramblers the Biokovo Mountains and were ext time you put on your Goring members and friends spent rewarded with stunning views of wellies and waterproofs a week at an HF Holidays hotel in beautiful bays, scattered islands Nfor a local walk, try to October. and picturesque harbours. We saw imagine what it is like to go for The start of the trip was somewhat chamois looking down on us from the a walking holiday where the sun less appealing as the early morning skyline, spectacular black and yellow shines reliably all day every day, flight meant leaving Henley at salamanders, snakes and a range of the temperature is in the mid 20s, 2am or getting up very early after birds and interesting fungi. We were and you know that at the end of an overnight stay at a Gatwick lucky with the weather all week. your day’s walking you can stroll hotel. However, when we arrived at There was some mist and cloud high across the road to the beach, have a Dubrovnik for the drive to our base, up early in the week but wall to wall swim and sunbathe, followed by a the Hotel Bacchus in Baska Voda sunshine most of the time. It was warm shower and a hearty supper, on the Dalmatian coast, the early great to be able to swim in the sea at without having to cook it yourself. start was well worth it. Croatia is a the end of a day’s walking. In fact, without doing anything stunningly beautiful country with a On three days we enjoyed boat apart from setting out and enjoying 200km coastline and myriad islands. trips. For the first we sailed to the some wonderful walking! Pipe Baska Voda has a majestic range of island of Brac where we walked across dream you may think? No, that is mountains lying immediately behind one corner of the island through the exactly what it was like in Baska it, offering all sorts of walking olive groves and chatted to locals Voda, Croatia, where 26 Henley & ranging from leisurely to energetic. busily harvesting the crop. Another Lunch break on a walk on Brac, an island off the coast of Croatia. day’s walk ended at a river in the Photo: Joan Clark 12 South East Walker

BEDFORDSHIRE bulletin Area AGM wenty seven members accrued a large surplus of funds. received from a group, then the were present at the Area It is possible that if this surplus is payment is based on that budget. If TAGM held at Husborne not spent, Central Office will take not, it is based on these figures. Crawley village hall. There were some money back. Much discussion Training Officer’s report: Nick representatives from Ivel Valley, followed as to whether groups should Markham outlined the two courses Lea & Icknield, Leighton Buzzard receive more funding from Area. he had run and his plans for 2015 and North Beds groups. Barry pointed out that groups should (see booklet). The courses were Barry Ingram was in the chair. submit a budget setting out any extra deemed a success and a number Apologies were read from Kevin funding which they need. These are of participants had gone on to Barrett, Bob and Rita Tarron, Sue rarely submitted but, when they are, lead walks for groups. Nick Giordano, Linda Tongue and David they have never been refused. The asked whether members felt that Binns. The Chairman thanked issue was raised as to whether the any other types of training were Photo: Barry Ingram Leighton Buzzard Group for hosting surplus money should simply be required. Walk leadership was the meeting, the catering team for distributed to groups. Barry did suggested but there was a feeling A stone in Plantation Road, Leighton Buzzard, an excellent lunch, Tony Kimble for not believe this was possible. All that this might not attract the commemorating Group 60, Fighter Command Radar Control leading the morning walk and Chris agreed that it was undesirable for a participants who would most seen before the AGM on an interesting walk around Aspley Duxbury for taking the minutes. surplus of funds to be held either by benefit. Nick would consider Guise led by Leighton Buzzard members. Members were also Minutes of the AGM of 23 Area or groups and should be used running this if there was sufficient treated to a very informative talk and slide presentation November 2014 were proposed as a to further the aims of the Ramblers. demand. He would also consider by Ramblers member and local historian Edwin Herbert on true record by Nick Markham and The matter needs further discussion running a course on the use of World War Two sites around Leighton Buzzard. seconded by Ted Herbert. There at Area meetings. GPS. Nick outlined the differences were no matters arising. A number of specific items from between his own courses and those Edwin is co-editor (with Paul Brown) of ‘The Secrets of Q Chairman’s report; Barry read the accounts were highlighted. run by Central office and felt that - How Leighton Buzzard Shortened the Second World War’ his report as per the AGM booklet, These included the contribution his courses were more ‘hands on’. Published by the History Press, the book is available from available to all at the meeting. He to Ouse Valley’s book deferred to Nick also asked group secretaries Amazon (£13.48 post free), Guardian Bookshop (£11.95 post particularly wanted to thank a future years (but see item about and chairs to make sure that his free), Leighton Buzzard & District Historical & Archaeological number of individuals (see booklet) group’s demise below) and the £750 courses were publicised and to pass Society (£14.99 plus postage) and can be signed by the as well as officers, committee allocated to the Bunyan trail booklet on appropriate feedback. authors, or can be ordered from any good bookseller. members and walk leaders. He and signage. It was agreed that the highlighted a number of the newly constituted working party (see Group reports: see AGM booklet. previous year’s events, as well as the above) should be allocated the funds Independent Examiner, therefore different venues in order that achievements of RIPPLE and the it needs to complete the project. Election of officers:The following the post is vacant. travelling time be fairly shared health walks. Footpath secretary’s report: This were elected unopposed: There were no nominations for between group representatives. It A question was raised as to the is reproduced in the AGM booklet. • Chairman - Barry Ingram the posts of Secretary, Membership was hoped that this would also current state of documentation of the There were no questions/matters (proposer Andy Nunn, seconder Secretary and Publicity Officer. encourage greater participation. Bunyan Trail. After some discussion arising. John Le Warne. This was of some concern as these Rita Tarron was generally willing it was decided to form a working Membership Secretary’s report: • Footpath Committee Chair/ vacancies had existed for some while. to minute the meetings and this party to take forward the work This is reproduced in the AGM Secretary - Bob Tarron (proposer There was also no Vice Chair. It was provided consistency but if Rita already done on producing leaflets, booklet. It was pointed out that the Barry Ingram, seconder Chris agreed to discuss this situation at the was unavailable it would be helpful maps and a book. Ted Herbert agreed information received from Central Moss). next Area meeting. if the host group could provide a to lead the working party which will Office was sometimes difficult • Treasurer - Kevin Barrett minute taker. also include Tony Sheward, Mike to decipher. There was a new (proposer Bob Tarron, seconder Any other business; • Barry reminded the meeting of the Shepherd, John Hartley and Barry membership team at Central Office Andy Nunn). • It was confirmed that the ongoing consultation on the future Ingram. Area had already put in a and it was hoped that the situation • Independent Examiner: Bruce Independent Examiner of accounts governance and organisation of budget for this work. would be rectified. The question was Blott* (proposer Tony Sheward, could be a Ramblers member the Ramblers and that comments Treasurer’s report: This was also raised as to whether the payment seconder Stephanie Wilson) but should not be a committee were required by 30 December. reproduced in the AGM booklet. It to groups is based on the (possibly In the days following the meeting member of the group whose was pointed out that Area has, over erroneous) numbers received from Bruce Blott indicated that he was accounts he/she is examining. The meeting closed at 15.40. The the years and for various reasons, Central Office. If a budget is no longer willing to continue as • It was agreed that the Area 2015 Area AGM will be hosted by meetings should be held at North Beds group. Farewell old friend embers of Lea & Icknield to visit the spot on future walks. Group were able to say The last three months have been Ma last goodbye to John busy for our group. In October Foran on a recent walk. we repeated the previous year’s A year after his death, his ashes successful formula for our AGM, were interred on Jackdaw Hill on with the formal meeting being the Greensand Ridge, where a silver combined with a social cheese and birch tree has been planted in his wine/photo-sharing evening. In memory. John had always enjoyed November it was time again for the walking the ridge and particularly popular quiz night held as usual at admired the view from this hill the Red Lion in Great Offley. The so it seemed a fitting spot for his Leasiders stormed to victory with final resting place. A group of 28 Teacher’s Pet steadily pursuing and walked from Ampthill Park on a making up some ground in the final crisp January Sunday and John’s round. The Bodgers were in third The group gathered at John’s tree on Jackdaw Hill. Photo: Karan Dimmock ashes were buried around the tree, place and the wooden spoon went and we have revisited popular weather than last year. The once- We’ve had requests to put some even watered with a bottle of Crabbies to SuPaJeDi for the second year - locations such as Flitwick, Wendover a-month Wednesday short walks shorter walks in the programme ginger beer, his favourite tipple. A are they up for a hat-trick? and Woburn Sands among many are still proving popular and have but, as always, finding sufficient few minutes of quiet reflection and We have managed to fit in some others with our traditional New encouraged a handful of new leaders can be challenging. we continued on our way, secure in walking as well. Our winter Year’s Day walk from Dunstable members and allowed some of our Rosemary Hasker the knowledge that we will be able programme started in November Downs experiencing rather better older members to keep walking. Les & Icknield Ramblers South East Walker 13 Brecon weekend Bedfordshire Walking Festival 2015 (5 - 13 September) reparations are underway RU4 The Challenge 40-mile being asked to help increase the for the seventh annual trek along the Greensand Ridge distribution of programmes and PBedfordshire Walking Walk over the weekend of 12-13 posters to cover as wide an area as Festival organised by the September. Please book early. The possible. Ramblers members can Ramblers and supported by the Long Distance Walkers Association play a part by distributing at least three local authorities. will also be doing a section of the six programmes each. A festival spokesperson said: ‘We Icknield Way over the weekend of Bedfordshire is a great place to are delighted to have Luton Borough 5-6 September. bring a group or a friend for a few participating in the festival as Luton The programme itself is being days and we would like to hear from is often looked upon as having revamped along with the website any groups wanting to experience On Sugarloaf. Photo: Ian Jarry nowhere to walk, a perception and even more programmes the county. For more information, ighteen members of Ivel of Bwlch y Ddwyallt (with its which is not true as there are parks, will be printed and distributed. contact the festival organiser at Valley Walkers spent excellent view of the main Brecon open spaces and the town is the Participating organisations are bedswalkfest.co.uk. Ea long weekend in the peaks). From this point we headed starting point of the Lea Valley Brecon Beacons at the start of south east to visit the Wellington Walk, close to the Icknield Way last October. Memorial (where a bomber and Chiltern Way and a gateway to The weather was unsettled but crashed 70 years ago killing the Downs and Warden Hills. We most of the rain fell overnight so all the young Canadian crew) will be holding short practical ‘how the programme of two full-day before scrambling onto the boggy to read a map’ sessions as well as and two half-day walks went ahead plateau of Waun Rydd to gain the providing interesting walks.’ as planned. Those who were rash spectacular cairn of Carn Pica. Local authorities and enough to stay under canvas were From here there was a long grassy organisations will be providing less impressed with the weather. descent with views of the distant informative and interest walks as After meeting near Black Mountains and glimpses of well as health walks. The festival Abergavenny Friday lunchtime, the Talybont Reservoir. will also include the very popular One of the health walks last year at Coopers Hill, Ampthill. Photo: Lynda Kynnersley the group tackled the Sugarloaf While this was a return to on a warm afternoon which we familiar territory for some feared might be the last day of members, it was new country autumn. A six-mile circular route for many who were pleasantly Demise of Ouse Valley Ramblers involving the ridge of Rholben surprised by the variety of use Valley Group was members were not forthcoming and gives an opportunity to create and the woodlands of St Mary’s spectacular scenery and quality of by far the smallest and following their AGM in not only a group for Sundays but Vale provided contrast with the the walking. of the five Ramblers October when they were unable during the week as well. The bracken and rocks of the summit Ian Jarry O groups in Bedfordshire but to fill officer and committee posts population of Bedford and North itself, Graig Fan Las to the pass Ivel Valley Walkers made a valuable contribution to it was decided to close the group Bedfordshire is about 165,000 the Area over the last 20 years. down when the walks programme so a 1% take up would offer a It was the first Bedfordshire ran out in February. potential 1,650 new walkers. The group to create its own website and This leaves a big hole in North Area committee is willing to offer Retracing East it’s officers and committee ensured Bedfordshire as there is now no help and assistance to anyone it was a very friendly group. Over official ramblers group walking on interested in starting a new group. the last few years a lack of leaders Sundays. The potential to create a Please contact me either by email End steps resulted in walks being reduced to new group is enormous, as North at [email protected] or fortnightly and as members grew Bedfordshire Saturday Ramblers phone at 01234 353704. n 12 July 2001, Ivel was an oasis in a run-down industrial older and people moved away fewer only walk on that day apart from Barry Ingram Valley Walkers walked area. So it still was in 2014, but with members attended the walks. New mid-week summer evening walks, Area Chairman Ofrom Tottenham Hale to a convenient cafe opened in one of Tower Bridge via the Lea Valley the old mill buildings. Walk and Thames Path, as part In 2001, we left our customary had opened since 2001 and, with of their emergency programme pub stop to the Grapes by the them, more riverside views. As we to avoid foot and mouth disease Thames at Limehouse, having approached Tower Bridge, the full restrictions at the time. It was felt followed the Limehouse Cut from height of the Shard came into view, RIPPLE – to be time to retrace their steps Bow Lock on the Lea. We noticed a new landmark since 2001. and see how things had changed much new housing development One thing that had not been Restoring and in the last 13 years. along the banks of the Cut compared fully appreciated when the walk So, on Sunday 16 November to 2001. Unfortunately, the Grapes was planned was the impact of the improving public 2014, 25 members and friends has turned into an upmarket wine events marking the centenary of met in misty, overcast conditions bar so we took our pub stop at the the start of the First World War paths for local enjoyment at Tottenham Hale station to delightful Queen’s Head in a quiet and, in particular, the ceramic undertake the walk. For the first square just off busy Commercial poppies in the moat of the Tower ur footpath activities need more people so we four miles not a lot had changed. Road. The landlord told us that the of London. We benefited from the last year achieved a can get more work done. We enjoyed the open vistas across pub, along with others in the area, furore about the intention to remove Ogreat deal and were Dates for this year’s the Walthamstow and Hackney may have been the inspiration for all the poppies immediately after appreciated by both Central RIPPLEs for Central marshes, heard the excited shouts the Queen Vic in the television soap 11 November and there were still Bedfordshire and Bedford Bedfordshire are Saturdays of footballers and passed the spot ‘EastEnders’. hundreds of thousands on display as Borough councils. 11 April, 9 May, 27 June, where A V Roe made the first British The final stage took us along the we passed. It is really surprising how 11 July, 22 August and 26 aeroplane flight in 1909. Thames Path to Tower Bridge. More Tony Sheward much can be achieved September plus Thursdays Nearer to Stratford it became sections of the Thameside walkways Ivel Valley walkers in just three hours with 23 April, 28 May, 11 June, apparent that much had changed. enthusiastic and skilled 23 July, 13 August and 3 The industrial sites passed in 2001 volunteers. Our volunteers September. At the time of had been swept away to build the are able to do a variety writing we are still awaiting Olympic Park for the 2012 Games. of jobs, path clearance, dates from Bedford Borough Even in 2014 there was much shrub and hedge pruning, with whom we usually work redevelopment work going on to putting in yellow-topped on Tuesdays. Helping with transform the site, particularly at marker posts, kissing gates, our footpath work not only the Olympic stadium, destined to be stiles, sleeper bridges, re- is good for your health and West Ham United’s new home. marking and surveying. All well being but gives a sense Back in 2001, we stopped for volunteers do what they of achievement too. For a picnic lunch at the Three Mills are able to do, some come more details, contact me complex at Bromley-by-Bow. Even along to pick up litter whilst on 01234 353704 or email then, the former site of Britain’s others want to put in marker [email protected]. largest tide mill and adjoining posts and kissing gates. We Barry Ingram distillery and bonded warehouses A stop for tea during our walk retracing a 2001 route. Photo: Barry Ingram 14 South East Walker Footpath news OXFORDSHIRE Diversions, claims etc Other matters he order to replace the row is brewing over the dead-end section of Barton development, TThame footpath 13 with Awhich will extend the on-line a new path to connect with the estate north of the Oxford Phoenix Trail cycle track has northern bypass. now been made. The original plans had a cycle The order to divert Ewelme bridge connecting to Stoke footpath 22/38 out of the RAF Place and thereby through to married quarters has at last been Headington; this has been quietly confirmed, with the Ministry of dropped. Residents also don’t want TOE to toe2 Defence having contracted to the ‘rabble’ coming through, and f you are looking for funding a wonderful level-terrain amenity, financial situation. keep the diverted path clear of there have been suggestions that to finance improvements to had it not been for over a dozen • Expect your proposal to be assessed vegetation. the cycle access would be unsafe (a Ifootpaths then toe (Trust stiles, some of which were in very on the ground by a representative Two applications for diversions problem which is easily solved with for Oxfordshire’s Environment) bad shape. of toe2 and be prepared to modify - neither of them satisfactory - traffic lights as at the entrance to might be for you. The field officer obtained your proposal in the light of their have been received for Tetsworth University Parks). I suspect that My parish path warden’s report the agreement of the relevant recommendations. 51 and 52, two adjacent paths the proposed cycle track will be on the rights of way in Grove parish landowners for the improvements. separated by a double barbed wire dropped because of the cost. In kick-started a process that resulted After several meetings we submitted toe fence. the meantime the attempt to claim in the raising of £5,000 from an application to toe2 for £8,000, toe2 (Trust for Oxfordshire’s The diversions caused by the a town green alongside the bypass, toe2 and £3,000 from the parish followed by a revised proposal. toe2 Environment) is a venture set Didcot development continue to in order to prevent the access road council and Oxfordshire County agreed to fund our project, to the up through the Oxfordshire trickle through; two more have from being built at the west end of Council’s countryside access team, tune of £5,000. The parish council Rural Community Council to been confirmed and another has the estate, has failed. At present the enough to buy and professionally and the county council’s countryside initiate and support the strategy been made. Barton estate has only one exit, from install 16 gates (mostly ‘medium access team agreed to fund the development of community A path has been claimed along which one has to squeeze into the mobility’ kissing gates) and three shortfall, so that the whole route, environmental projects in the Coffin Way in Sparsholt, traffic on Headington roundabout footbridges. A key to success including a short extension of it, was Oxfordshire. after an adjacent owner built a without the aid of traffic lights. was the collaboration of several ultimately upgraded by contractors. toe2 is a successor to TOE, tennis court over it. David Godfrey interested parties. I sent my report, Dave Cavanagh a funder of community and Area Footpath Secretary with photographs of every piece of environmental projects from 1998 to footpath furniture, not only to the Lessons learned 2010. Grundon Waste Management appropriate access team field officer It is essential to involve a local is one financial supporter, it uses toe2 but also to the Grove parish clerk. community in your project, most to distribute its landfill tax credits. This was to prove decisive. The obviously through the respective toe2 provides guidance, support and clerk forwarded it to the Chair of the parish council. funding to communities wishing to Environmental Services Committee, • Parish councils do not pay VAT. deliver real and lasting improvements who suggested approaching toe2 for • Get your county council access to their local environment in one of funding to improve the situation. team field officer involved right the following areas of activity: I prepared four new reports, each from the start; their knowledge is • Promoting and improving the focused on a particular footpath invaluable. biodiversity of Oxfordshire’s or collection thereof, which were • toe2 is likely to fund only part of wildlife habitats and species One of many improvements: a stepless ‘stile’ replaced by a pedestrian gate. the basis for discussion amongst a the cost. • Increasing access to the local Photos: Dave Cavanagh specially convened sub-committee. • Proposals to toe2 should have countryside and green spaces This included the Chair of the local strategic value eg linking or • Encouraging and developing branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal contributing to links between energy efficiency and the Trust, as the canal towpath featured communities, and providing an sustainable use of renewable on three of the routes. enduring amenity to local people resources. We prioritised the footpaths to and others. toe2 is keen to receive grant be improved, taking on board the • The county council’s access team applications from throughout field officer’s advice, which proved will probably cover the cost of Oxfordshire. invaluable. Top of our list was a replacing footbridges and may three-mile circular walk, starting in attend to footbridge-associated http://www.trustforoxfordshire. the village, which would have been stiles depending on their org.uk/index.html Self service carol service Bicester & hat do you do when asked us to think about people the next stage of this event was a you get to the church throughout the world who were hot lunch. This year we hadn’t Wfor a carol service and suffering . With the tragedy of the far to walk to the pub where we no-one is there - no vicar, no mass shooting at a Pakistan school warmed up by the log fires and Kidlington’s organist, just an empty church! so recent in our memories, this was enjoyed an excellent lunch. That was the dilemma facing not difficult. We found out later that the vicar Henley & Goring Ramblers when We left the church warmed by had the wrong time written in his outing to they arrived at a rural church our performance but a bit chilled diary! at the end of their annual carol by the lack of heating! Fortunately Joan Clark service walk in December. The answer is obvious - a self service Stoke Bruerne carol service. The service sheets welve of our members The tunnel has no towpath so in were already printed, the readers enjoyed a rather wet and the past horses went over the top. had their readings ready and we Tmuddy autumn walk The boats were taken through soon found the hymn books for across the Northamptonshire by registered leggers, who lay on the words to our chosen carols. countryside from Milton Malsor boards and walked sideways on Impromptu ‘vicar’ for the day was to Stoke Bruerne. the walls. From the tunnel we Jeanne Stone, who led us through We stopped to look at the entrance continued along the old tramway the service. Marion Mawdsley to Blisworth Tunnel on the Grand to Stoke Bruerne where the tunnel became choir mistress starting us Union Canal. Construction began ends. Here there is a colourful canal on the right notes for the carols in 1793 but due to many geological museum which some of our group and the rest of us contributed problems it was not completed until visited. Others enjoyed a pub lunch our a cappella performance. We 1805. It is almost two miles long before returning to Bicester in the missed out on a sermon but Jeanne Looking for the hymn books. Photo: Margie Barass and is the third longest navigable sunshine. canal tunnel on British waterways. Hazel Thatcher South East Walker 15 Plans afoot A toast lans are afoot for Banbury Banbury’s official clubs and as such & North Oxfordshire have been invited to many of the PRamblers. town’s civic functions. This has We have had another successful to be good publicity and may lead for year with more people joining to greater understanding of our us and have lots of new ideas activities by the public. for the future, one of which is Three of our walk leaders have Tony to offer short Friday morning retired but we have had nine new walks. These are aimed at people ones to help lead us forward in the he invaluable service who do little or no walking at future. of our group footpath present and would like to try out One of our most popular Tofficer, Tony Clark, was the Ramblers. They will be easy activities each year has been the recognised at the group’s AGM walks with few, if any, stiles and Thursday evening walks. we at Watlington on 8 November may also appeal to some of our usually do about four miles or so 2014. Tony had decided to stand members who cannot walk quite before retiring to a pub garden for down after 11 years in the post, so far these days. The first one refreshments. Our members have and as a token of appreciation, we did in October had three new interesting knowledge to share and I happily presented him with people walking with us and two this year we were entertained by a a photographic memento, on of those have since joined us. bat expert. He had us spotting and behalf of members. We are hoping to attend various counting them and also trying to As the group’s first footpath venues and shows in the coming identify different mammals. officer Tony forged a special role, year. The show we did at Brailes We are looking forward to introducing a number of initiatives Tony Clark (left) with Mike Smith. Photo: Marjorie Sacks last summer was very well attended our future with confidence and aimed at assisting Oxfordshire with many of our members helping anticipation. County Council Countryside and Aston Rowant. up to facilitate projects to enhance out with the stall and much interest Roy Clements Services in their efforts to maintain Tony was instrumental in the town for the community, was generated. Another potentially Publicity Officer and Vice-Chair footpaths in the area. One of the the design of the Aston Rowant Tony produced leaflets describing important development is that Banbury & North Oxfordshire most important moves was the Discovery Trail, a five-mile walking routes in the area. we are now recognised as one of Ramblers recruitment of footpath wardens circular route through stunning Fortunately, Tony will not be in every parish within Thame & Chiltern scenery, which was hanging up his walking boots Wheatley boundaries to monitor officially opened in July last year. quite yet. He aims to maintain the condition of local paths. He also helped in creating a series his post as parish path warden co- Footpath clearance exercises were of short circular River Thame coordinator and continue to lead Christmas introduced and Tony played walks for the U3A, routes which his popular walks. a leading role in persuading are now regularly used by our Mike Smith landowners to improve access to leaders. Furthermore, with 21st Chairman, Thame & lights trip paths in Sydenham, Tetsworth Century Thame, a partnership set Wheatley Group Our first self-catering weekend ith only one night Plus in Weymouth exceeded all our setting off on another wonderful away but two walks expectations. When we arrived, walk. This weekend took place at W planned in the instead of disappearing to rooms the end of November when we were glorious Dorset countryside and until our evening meal, we all had blessed with two sunny and warm needing to keep costs down, we jobs, mainly in the kitchen, to days to make this the cheapest were limited in accommodation create our amazing meal. Shared weekend away that the group has choices. washing-up was fun too. The next had. From the fun point of view, A bunkhouse might not be morning we could have the early I would recommend self-catering. everyone’s ideal venue for a breakfast we had always craved, Susan Maguire comfortable night but Bunkhouse and make our own picnics before Henley & Goring Ramblers

Enjoying the London Christmas lights. Photo: Mary Gough icester & Kidlington Group tip for ramblers?). members enjoyed a night out Our walk continued through Bin London on 2 December. Leicester Square and Covent The walk started at Oxford Garden to eventually reach the river Circus where we walked through Thames by the Savoy Hotel. We the back streets to Selfridges. Each lingered on one side of Hungerford window evoked a surreal fairytale Bridge to admire stunning views or children’s storybook classic. We of the City of London and then spent some time looking at these returned on the other side to see Big before moving on to Bond Street, Ben and the Houses of Parliament. the most expensive real estate in the It was a photographer’s paradise. world. The lights were delightful. Our walk ended at the Two From there we walked through the Chairmen, a delightful 17th century Burlington and Piccadilly arcades pub just off Trafalgar Square. We to Jermyn street where we admired had reserved an area in the gallery the statue of Beau Brummell and and enjoyed their excellent food learnt that he recommended boots and wide range of drinks. be washed in champagne (a useful Mary Gough Enjoying the sunshine and views on the Dorset coast. Photo: Susan Maguire 16 South East Walker Vision of the Getting there All the region’s transport news New bus route 17 Thames From Aylesbury a new bus route 17 now runs seven days a week to Bicester, writes Simon Norton. This passes through the village of he Ramblers Greater will be mainly concerned with the the Thames estuary should be Waddesdon which is within easy walking distance of Waddesdon London Forum refurbishment and maintenance about rural regeneration, not Manor, the Bucks Railway Centre and Quainton windmill. Trepresents the Ramblers of the flood defences and looking urban regeneration. In the past, on several of London’s after the natural environment. industry has disenfranchised organisations where there is The Thames Barrier was closed people from the landscape and Bike Bus Explorer service an interest for walkers. The over 40 times in the last year, more particularly the Thames. He has From Cambridge railway station the Bike Bus Explorer service pulls a bike trailer westwards through Barton and the Wimpole Thames Estuary Partnership is a than the previous total, but Peter a vision of more bridges between Estate to Gamlingay (eastern end of the Greensand Ridge Walk). particularly important network was confident that it will continue Essex and Kent and a system of The service, supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council, as it brings together stakeholders in service until 2070. islands which can also be bases is not just for cyclists. Walkers are welcome and suggested to work towards ‘the best social, Quite apart from increasing for renewable energy. This theme walks along the route are available through links on the economic and environmental commercial traffic, Alistair Gale, was carried on by Jon Kirkpatrick, website: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/bikebus-explorer. outcomes’ for the Thames. Director of Corporate Affairs for Head of Sustainability, Europe, of The partnership’s annual the Port of London Authority, was Lend Lease. His firm is working forum, ‘Vision of the Thames’, pleased to announce that the 938 on developments which use trees Proposed cuts in bus services in held in November at the Royal seals present in the estuary this and grass to soak up excess water, Geographical Society, attracted year represented an increase of improve the environment and Hertfordshire about 200 delegates representing 200 over last year. increase physical activity. Hertfordshire County Council has published a revised consultation into proposed cuts in bus services in the county. commercial interests, the Taryn Nixon, Chief Executive The afternoon workshop Most of these affect evening (after about 7.30pm) buses on environment, leisure, local of the Museum of London - which I attended was chaired by county council contracted journeys but also Sunday daytime authorities and charities, attended Archaeology, emphasised the need John Meehan of Essex County buses on routes 97/98, 242, 306, 405, S1, S4 and SB1. Details are a programme of presentations in for access to the river which set up council. It was to address the at https://consult.hertsdirect.org/bus-services or call 0300 123 the morning and workshops in the the sequence of understanding, developers vision of the Thames 4036 for a paper version. Responses must be in by 10 April. afternoon. learning, caring and investing. and kicked off with an interesting The presentations were an The museum would shortly be description of how the charity eclectic mix covering development, establishing regular walks along Land Trust (represented by Cuts to bus services in East water quality, flood defence, the estuary to highlight its work Euan Hall, CEO) worked with commerce, research, archaeology and was interested in recruiting the developer Goodman (Paul Sussex and culture. to its 400+ team of volunteer Heslop) to provide an enhanced Cuts to bus services in are also likely to be made Whilst there were many archaeologists. outcome of industrial premises following a consultation last year. On 16 December the cabinet of East Sussex County Council decided to go ahead with cuts and references to last year’s theme of Adrian Evans of Totally Thames and an ecological asset on a fare increases despite the full council voting against and a lively global warming and London’s rejoiced in the fact that what brown field, Thames-side, site in campaign mounted by objectors. defences against its effects, this started out as a high wire crossing Thurrock. This rather cosy and year the notion of environmental of the river many years ago was reassuring tale was rather blown solutions played a greater role. now a north - south festival which aside by the third presenter, Peter Denham Golf Club station Andy Mitchell, CEO of Thames was going to extend to practically Jones, the CEO of the South East Tideway Tunnel (and ex-CEO of the whole length of the tidal Local Enterprise Partnership, who closure Crossrail) paid homage to Joseph Thames in 2015. suggested that people should wake Denham Golf Club station on the London Marylebone to High Bazalgette but explained that the The keynote speaker was John up to reality and acknowledge Wycombe line will be closed for three months from 16 March tideway tunnel was much more Letherland, a partner in Farrells that housing and factories would until 19 June for works to be carried out. During this time a bus than a sewer - it would have the architectural planners. Whilst be built all along the banks of the service will link with Gerrards Cross station. capacity to store water in times of not everyone will be enchanted Thames. His combative approach flood. Whilst hoping to minimise with the development on the plus his reference to ‘eco-terrorists’ disruption during construction, Swanscombe peninsula, Kent, did little to convince me that the Limited direct train service he undertook to leave the Thames of a leisure resort which his environment was safe in his hands. A limited direct train service now links London Euston with Shrewsbury (twice a day) and with Blackpool (once a day) for a better and more attractive river firm is working on, his talk was Still, it was encouraging to the first time in many years. when the project was completed. like a breath of fresh air. He see that most of the developers Peter Quarmby, Director of warned that human beings were and businesses represented did Thames Estuary Flood Risk being transformed from a rural hold the environment as a highly Southeastern trains Programme for the Environment to an urban species. Whilst important consideration for their Until August 2016, no Southeastern trains terminating at Agency, announced the award accommodating growth can operations. Charing Cross will call at London Bridge. Additionally, Sunday to CH2M HILL of the initial result in exciting developments, Len Banister Southeastern services that served Charing Cross will run to contract (£300 million) for the too often slices of Green Belt Ramblers Greater London Cannon Street instead. Thames estuary 2100 Project. He were under threat. He said that Forum Towpath upgrades Largest horse chestnut The Canal & River Trust has completed towpath improvement works along the Grand Union A 300-year old tree on the Hughenden estate near High Wycombe has been declared the Canal in the Watford area. Two miles of towpath have been resurfaced from Bridge Road in largest horse-chestnut in the UK. The tree, which has a girth measurement of 7.33 metres, to the Home Park Industrial Estate in Kings Langley and from Iron Bridge Lock at pre-dates many of the other trees on the Buckinghamshire estate which were planted by Cassiobury Park to Moor Lock at . former prime minister Benjamin Disraeli when he lived at Hughenden from 1848 to 1881. Further north, on the Northampton Arm of the same canal, an innovative scheme has seen a Previously it was thought that the largest horse chestnut in the UK was at Whitchurch, mile of towpath between East Hunsbury and Sixfields resurfaced using a material known as Hampshire, but that has a girth of just 7.2 metres. Flexipave which is composed of recycled shredded tyres and gravel held together by a special binder. Through to the sun Eurostar is running a new year-round direct service from London to Lyon, Avignon and Marseille from 1 May. Trains run on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Stour guide updated depending on the season. To mark the 20th anniversary last year of East Anglia’s Stour Valley Path, a new guide to the route was published. The 60-mile route follows the Stour from the river’s source near Newmarket to Cattawade, near Manningtree in Essex, where the New path at Henley river joins the estuary. A new public footpath to the west of Henley-on-Thames was opened by town mayor, Cllr The revised guide can be downloaded for free from www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org or Martin Akehurst, on 8 November. It runs south from Pack and Prime Lane, along the edge of bought as a printed pack for £6.50 (including return postage) from Deham Vale AONB & Stour Forty Acre Field, to meet Henley Footpath 6. ‘It was very unusual for a new footpath to be Valley Project, Dock Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1PE (01394 384948), cheques dedicated, there hadn’t been any new ones for a very long time’, the mayor said and thanked payable to Suffolk County Council. David and Kay Emanuel for allowing part of the path which runs on their land to be dedicated.