SOUTH EAST No. 91 September 2015

‘Narrowestwalker path in ’ ungated t is not often that a path one point, Brydges Place runs claimed it was private property in the centre of London between St Martin’s Lane and and started using it as a garage. Ifeatures in South East Bedfordbury with an offshoot City Council’s Walker but an alleyway, close to into Chandos Place. Dominic policy is generally against , has been the tells the story: gating so how this application subject of a 13-year campaign In 2000, a resident living next was granted is unclear. When spearheaded by Dominic Pinto, to the path, somehow obtained I first became involved in early Vice-Chair of planning permission from 2009, I discovered some unusual Ramblers Reputedly the Westminster City Council to features. The file was not in narrowest in London place doors across the Chandos the planning department but and only 15 inches wide at Place entrance to Brydges Place, continued on page 3 Brydges Place at its narrowest. A perfect match

hen Helen Box and keep up with the theme of how Steven Van Boxel they met, Steven proposed to W joined Oxon 20s Helen during a walk on the & 30s Walkers in September Long Mynd in Shropshire. 2012, little did they know that They celebrated their wedding they were about to meet their on 7 April this year and their perfect match. cake was artistically decorated They met on a very wet walk with a walking theme including along the and soon boots, map, waymark signs and realised they had lots in common beautiful countryside scenery. A spectacular cake, created by Little including a love of walking. To Alice Marten Cow Creative Cakes.

The happy couple. Photo: Alexa-loy.com Eager to start: Hundreds of people turned out for the sixth Bedfordshire Walking Festival last year and many more are expected to join this year’s nine-day event which begins on Saturday 5 September (see page 7). Photo: Barry Ingram 2 South East Walker Going the Way of St Augustine 19 - m i l e ( 3 0 . 5 k m ) and at the first of these it is possible direction) can be found at http:// pilgrimage route along to be a pioneer of ‘champing’, explorekent.org/activities/the-way- A the Stour Valley between or church camping, by prior of-st-augustine Ramsgate and Canterbury was arrangement. launched on 26 and 27 May, the Developed by the Green * In July, the Heritage Lottery feast days of St Augustine, the Pilgrimage Network Canterbury Fund awarded a grant towards a first Archbishop of Canterbury. Partnership, the route is an initiative £1 million plan to create a Pugin It begins at the Shrine of St run by the Diocese of Canterbury, and Augustine education and Augustine in Ramsgate and working with Explore Kent, the visitor centre at St Augustine’s passes through Minster and Churches Conservation Trust and Abbey Church in Ramsgate. Stodmarsh National Nature the Shrine of St Augustine. The church, considered the Reserve to the World Heritage For those who like a souvenir, a masterwork of Gothic Revival Site of Canterbury. Parts of the passport scheme is available which architect Augustus Pugin, is one of route coincide with the Saxon can be stamped at various points. 29 buildings in the town featured Shore Way and Stour Valley Some restaurants on the route offer on ‘The Pugins: A Ramsgate Walk. discounts to passport holders and Town Trail leaflet. Copies can be Along the way, two churches pilgrims are welcome in Canterbury found in the tourist information now in the care of the Churches Cathedral free of charge. centres at Ramsgate and Margate Conservation Trust are passed at A step-by-step guide to the route or from author Catriona Blaker West Stourmouth and Fordwich (in the Canterbury to Ramsgate via http://thepuginsociety.co.uk.

St Augustine’s Cross, near Cliffsend, commemorates the arrival of Augustine and his mission in 597. Augustine, the prior of a monastery in Rome, had been chosen by Pope Gregory the Great to ‘christianise’ King Ethelbert and his Kingdom of Kent.

A brass statue on Lady Wootton’s Green in Canterbury of King Ethelbert who Minster Abbey in the ancient capital of Thanet. welcomed Augustine to Kent.

Waymarks: the route logo represents the Chair of St Augustine All Saints’, West Stourmouth, where by prior booking an overnight stop can be made. The village name dates from when the mouth of the Stour in Canterbury Cathedral. (now several miles away) was nearby. South East Walker 3 walkerSOUTH EAST Views sought on Gates open to Distributed quarterly to members of in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Wandle reserve Keynes and West Middlesex, , Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and he Conservators of all the issues). The six themes cover atermeads nature bridges with public access from Areas. Epping Forest are public recreation and enjoyment, reserve, on the dawn to dusk and visitors can preparing a new 10- the preservation of the natural in pass through it when walking THE RAMBLERS T year management plan and are aspect, protection of the unspoilt W Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford south west London, opened the adjacent route House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, asking the public to contribute forest, regulation and management, to the public in May after from Waddon near to London SE1 7TW. their views to this through an heritage, and deer management. being hidden behind locked the river’s confluence with the Tel: 020 7339 8500 online consultation which runs Most readers who visit Epping gates for 100 years. The 11- Thames at . Fax: 020 7339 8501 until 20 September. They are Forest from time to time are acre (4.5h) site off London Once a trout stream, the Email: [email protected] asking for help to find out what likely to have views on the public Web: www.ramblers.org.uk Road in Mitcham, was one Wandle became one of the most Company registration no: you value most about the forest recreation and enjoyment of the first places to be saved industrialised and polluted 4458492 and which issues are important strand which includes accessibility, by the National Trust after rivers with at least two mills Registered charity no: 1093577 to you. paths and trails and public a successful appeal by trust operating at Watermeads. Based on the six key duties they transport, and many may be able to founding member Octavia Later, in the 20th century, the EDITORIAL are charged with under the Epping offer valuable contributions to the Editor: Les Douglas Hill and her sister Miranda. area was planted with cricket Email: [email protected] Forest Act 1878, the consultation other themes. The site now has new paths and bat willows. Tel: 020 8809 2338 covers six themes and divided into To participate in the consultation, (please leave message) 58 management issues (though they go to www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ don’t expect anyone to respond to eppingforestconsultations. DESIGN AND PRINT Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255

Opinions expressed by contributors are not specifically endorsed by The Ramblers. ISSN 1747-4140 C 2015 The Ramblers. All rights reserved.

Copy Date: For issue No. 92 is 12 October

This sandstone bench overlooking the river at Watermeads was placed here in Epping Forest heritage treasure: timber-framed Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, 1910 in memory of Octavia Hill’s sister, Miranda, a local teacher. near Chingford, built in 1543.

continued from page 1 opinion and eventually they would take action held in a private file by a lengthy meeting with to remove them. In A a senior planner and the cabinet member and January 2014, the key papers including lawyers and a further doors came down. We walk details of the previous review. then pressed for street application were Finally, in 2013, the name signs, which had missing. However, city council decided to existed up to 2002, be between when the file wasassert that Brydges Place restored and private eventually located, was a public highway property signs removed. trains a complete copy was and gave notice that It has taken another 18 made available to me - unless the obstructing months to achieve this he Abbey Line at modest cost. That, doors were removed, but the signs are now up. Trail, launched together with the Tin March, links results of my searching stations on the Watford the minute book of St Junction to St Albans Martin’s vestry, backing Abbey branch railway from the community line. The full waymarked association and advice route between the from the Open Spaces termini is about nine Society, got my work on miles (15km) along the the way. Ver and Colne valleys but The collection and submission of local offshoots to intermediate residents’ statements stations provide a range about the open nature of shorter options. and uninterrupted use of The trail is the the going back to initiative of the Abbey at least the 1950s, were Line Community Rail all significant in getting Partnership, set up in 2005 the council to look at the to promote the line, and matter again. With local installed by councillors involved Countryside Management and the endorsement of Service. A leaflet showing Inner London Ramblers all the route options is to pursue the matter, I available locally or can be and a local businessman, downloaded from http:// kept up the pressure. www.abbeyline.org.uk/ This culminated in the walks.htm. council taking counsel’s Signs now makes clear the legal status of the path. 4 South East Walker Margaret Sharp SURREY 1925 – 2015 any members colour slides and related to a joint gathered on 3 June holiday of theirs. Refreshments snippets Mto celebrate the life were always provided from the of Margaret Sharp who died materials that she had brought on 15 May, less than a month along. after her husband David. The She kept up her walking for couple met on a Ramblers several years after David had to excursion, married in 1957 take it easier. Her local walks, Surrey Area AGM and moved to Barnes in south mainly in the west London where they both area, with well researched local helped run West London and knowledge, were always very - a date for your diary later Richmond Ramblers. popular and well supported. For many years Margaret She published many of them in urrey Area’s Annual morning walks followed by a towards the end of December. also ran a walking group her book ‘Travelcard walks in General Meeting 2016 buffet lunch for those attending More details will also appear for Hounslow’s education West London’. Swill be held on Saturday the AGM. Papers for the in the next issue of South East department and led health She was an example to us all, 6 February at 2pm in St meeting (agenda, annual report, Walker. walks. was held in the highest esteem Andrew’s Church, Northey etc) will be available to view and Graham Butler Ted Masters, a past Secretary and in losing Margaret we have Avenue, Cheam, SM2 7HF. download on the Area’s website Acting Area Secretary of Richmond Group at the time all lost a friend.’ As usual there will be two - www.surreyramblers.org.uk - [email protected] when David was Chairman, writes: ‘Margaret was for a very long period Membership Secretary In the steps of Walker Miles of Richmond Group at a time when group programmes were mainly delivered by hand and a small group of members gathered in her house regularly to address and assemble them in rounds for delivery. She retained the role of Social Secretary until shortly before she died, organising group meetings during winter months, fixing up speakers related to travel topics - usually this included a talk by David Illustrated by his own Margaret Sharp Photo: Cathy Sharp

Honouring a walks pioneer. Photo: Tony Pearson ver 50 walkers association with Friends of St normal at the time of Walker gathered in Godstone Nicholas Church Godstone, Miles. Walkers were divided into Oon Saturday 20 June had organised a four-mile walk three manageable groups, each to celebrate the contribution to around the area using extracts with a leader and at the tea and rambling of Edmund Seyfang from Walker Miles’ booklets cakes after the walk, Diana Jones, Taylor, known affectionately and were able to compare his a local resident who is writing a as Walker Miles. Born in description of the landscape in book on Walker Miles, talked to 1853 in Camberwell, he saved the early 1900s with how it is walkers about their experiences many paths from neglect or today. At the top of Tilburstow of the walk. Diana aims to raise obstruction and wrote an Hill Common, which today is awareness of Walker Miles who abundance of guidebooks, covered in trees, he had outlined she considers to be the ‘lowland including 30 volumes of all the viewpoints that could be Wainwright’. For East Surrey booklets called Field Path seen! Walkers this was an excellent Rambles. He moved to Many members of the church, opportunity to raise awareness Six members of Epsom & Ewell Ramblers have replaced an awkward stile with a Godstone in 1908 but died only together with other local residents of the group and to attract many kissing gate at Chapel Hill in Westhumble, writes Bob Hayward. They dug down a few months later and is buried joined East Surrey Walkers, some newcomers. through the flint and chalk to install the gate and also took the opportunity to clear in St Nicholas churchyard. of whom were dressed in attire Tony Pearson a fallen tree from the path leading down to the gate, before celebrating in the East Surrey Walkers, in that would have been considered East Surrey Walkers nearby Stepping Stones pub. Photo: Jo Marmoy Les randonneurs anglais roydon and South East sightseeing tour of le Puy-en-Velay. Berks Ramblers combined The hotel chef provided regional Cfor a mountain walking meals and on three days our picnic holiday in the Auvergne in late lunch was brought to us by minibus. June, staying in Les Estables near The walks were adventurous, the Mount Mezenc (1753m). wildflowers a mass of colour and the The group of 32 took over weather warm and sunny. the hotel, where the friendly Rosemary Carlton staff provided full board and led Membership Secretary, two walks daily, together with a Croydon Group Enjoying a welcome break in the Auvergne. Photo: Lynne Scott Douglas South East Walker 5 Fishers Farm bridge n 11 August 2010, Surrey County Council closed Fishers Farm Bridge on Send public Ofootpath 52 as it was considered unsafe for walkers. Therefore the Kingston Group ramble on 6 July 2013 from Worplesden to Woking via Send had to make a wide detour. Two years later we discovered that the bridge had been repaired and the county council had reopened the footpath. Here are before and after photos, the second one showing the Kingston ramble group crossing the patched-up bridge on 4 July this year. Brenda Horwill Publicity Officer, Kingston Ramblers Fishers Farm Bridge. Brenda Horwill 20 years on and still Family walk going strong success utton & Wandle Valley café and a warm reception from nearby pub available as well. In Ramblers, who now have the borough’s deputy mayor, contrast to our borough boundary Salmost 500 members, Margaret Court, kept us going. walk the day was one of perfect were formed 20 years ago and One stalwart member, Andy weather. Both the walk and picnic it was decided to celebrate our Theofanous, completed the whole were very enjoyable and, surprise anniversary with a week of walk and in total 30 members surprise, there was yet another special events. We kicked off participated. All agreed that the cake-cutting ceremony! with a ‘Bring and Share’ party walk revealed what a green and To misquote the Bard, unlike on 9 May which was very well varied borough Sutton is. Malvolio in Twelfth Night, attended and voted a success The finale on 16 May was a nine- Sutton Ramblers believe ‘there by all the participants. As well mile figure of eight walk from shall be more cakes and ale’ and as a quiz and singalong there Brockham with an anniversary lots of good walks as well. was the official cake-cutting picnic at Brockham Green with a Peter Rogers ceremony. Having fun in the Woodland Gardens. Photo: Mavis White The next event was a walk hildren, parents and stickers. They were also given around the boundary of the grandparents joined an activity booklet to take away . Cin the fun at a family so that they can complete their Appropriately for a 20th walk and nature trail in the own nature walk, and the adults anniversary event, it worked out at Woodland Gardens of Bushy were given information about our just over 20 miles. At the planning on Saturday 25 April, group and the Ramblers. stage it had been anticipated we organised by Richmond This second family walk would be walking in sunshine at Ramblers. was organised because of the a leisurely pace with pleasant stops The children enjoyed picture enthusiastic response to a similar for refreshments. The reality was quizzes and riddles while event held in summer 2014. Once somewhat different. The day, searching for the trees shown again, the feedback was very 14 May, started dry but after on the nature trail map. After a positive and we hope to make these lunch the heavens opened and picnic lunch they had fun with family walks an annual event. it was torrential rain all the way. fox, owl and butterfly masks, Mavis White Nothing dampened our spirits and at the end of the trail were Publicity Officer, Richmond however and the prospect of hot rewarded with badges and Ramblers drinks and cakes at the end in a After the picnic on Brockham Green. Photo: John Gorman

firing ranges with no rights of way Sutton TQ2050/2060 with good coverage by trained now live in the county council whilst the boroughs have few Woking SU9060/TQ0050 volunteers of all areas. Over 200 office and it was hoped to roll it rights of way and Mole Valley and hours were spent on the exercise. out to the public soon. Steve also and access Godalming & Haslemere have SAWW, SABRE and SYW In order to keep a good pool of reported that responsibility for many. Also our SABRE, SAWW groups to assist Mole Valley and volunteers I’ve asked around for the 1,200 bridges on the rights of Big Pathwatch and SYW groups cover the whole Godalming & Haslemere groups. those wishing to undertake the way network in Surrey were being Surrey Area has encouraged all county. I hope this will be an Although squares have been necessary half day training and passed from the Structures Team Surrey groups to participate in acceptable compromise to give allocated to groups to ensure about 18 have expressed interest in Highways to Countryside the Big Pathwatch project (see the everyone a fair share. full coverage of Surrey, only with six people interested in Access for a two year pilot period. summer issue of Walk magazine or individuals (Ramblers members or becoming Volunteer Path wardens We already have two instances the Ramblers website for details) Group Squares otherwise) can report on paths and under the Surrey County Council of ‘temporary’ closures of public and to walk all of the public rights Croydon TQ3050/3060/ they must first have registered via scheme. It’s very encouraging to rights of way because of ‘unsafe’ of way in the county and the five 4050 the Ramblers website. have such a good level of interest bridges, one in Woking/Guildford London boroughs in the Area East Surrey TQ3040/4040 in maintaining our path network. for 18 months so far. The other (Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Epsom TQ1050 Local footpath secretaries is in Tandridge which has been Richmond and Sutton). I’m sorry to report that two of our Countryside Access and subject to successive temporary Farnham SU8040/9040 The Area has allocated grid Local Footpath Secretaries - Alan Rights of Way Forums orders for over four years. Godalming squares to groups. Rather than Lewis for Mole Valley and Duncan The West and East forums Meanwhile the landowner (as is allocate individual one kilometre & Haslemere SU8030/9030 Lawson for Kingston - have died. took place in early May with his right) continues to drive his squares we have allocated 10 Guildford TQ0030/0040 Robert Alcock has kindly agreed good Ramblers attendances at tractor over the bridge regularly. kilometre squares with a four Kingston TQ0060/1060 to take over for Mole Valley and each. Steve Mitchell, Head of We are told that Structures had figure grid reference for the south Mole Valley TQ1030/1040 we hope to have a successor for Access and Countryside, told the stopped funding these repairs and west corner of each. These will not Kingston soon. meetings that the public rights hope that Countryside Access may Reigate TQ2030/2040 necessarily reflect group territories of way maintenance budget had do better. as some (like Woking) have a very Richmond TQ1070/2070 Best Value Performance been cut by £125,000 for the Rodney Whittaker small area, others (like Surrey Surrey Heath SU8050/8060/ Indicators (BVPI) current year. The Countryside Area Footpath & Access Heath) have a large area of military 9050 The May BVPI exercise went well Access Management System was Secretary 6 South East Walker INNER LONDON Group focus: Capital Walkers he Capital Walkers, members of the group. insights London’s 35+ walking Although the group started off Tgroup, has gone from as a side programme of the already strength to strength since it successful Metropolitan Walkers formed five years ago. It has a (London’s 20s & 30s group), in membership of around 350, and fact the bulk of its membership has been the fastest growing is new to the Ramblers - often Blackheath’s group in the Area for some time people wanting to get fit, or now. Capital Walkers’ website finding themselves new to London is the main shop-window for the or wanting to make new friends. ‘London Marathon’ group, with over 100,000 visits They have brought their ideas and in the last four years, and its enthusiasm to complement the very welcoming Facebook page proven ways of organising brought is used by members to share by the initial members who had group activities, post photos, learnt the ropes with Metropolitan welcome new members and keep Walkers. existing ones in touch. The The group is now well Facebook page is kept public so established with its own culture people thinking about joining and socials programme, as well can see what the group is about. as two walks most weekends and Capital Walkers has a varied some fabulous weekends away programme of walks within and including a very special New Year outside of London, all accessed in Dartmouth last year. As with by public transport, on Saturdays, all groups, is always on the lookout Sundays and occasional evenings for people to lead walks. - and runs popular weekend and My contribution is as occasional longer trips away. walk leader - and I came up Its members also take an active with the name when we were part in the Ramblers at both struggling for something as Area and national levels, with strong as Metropolitan Walkers Phil Marson, Area Chair, an - inspiration struck while I was inaugural member of the group, walking of course. and with an incredible three Clare Wadd members of the Board of Trustees Area Publicity Officer - Moira Fraser, Teri Moore and www.capitalwalkers.org.uk/ Alex Mannings - being active @CapitalWalkers

17 ramblers made the start, 11 brave souls made the finish and we handed each of them a commemorative medal to mark the achievement.

n Saturday 25 April, the Marathon and headed down for refreshments, then back the day before the to the river close to the Thames along Wapping, round Shadwell OVirgin London Barrier. The walk took us past Basin, past the , Marathon, I led a marathon the O2 around to , passing London and Southwark walk for Blackheath Ramblers; past the Old Royal Naval College bridges before joining the main mostly following the Thames and Cutty Sark towards our first route on the Embankment on both sides of the river we stop, after nine miles, at Surrey at Blackfriars and on past tracked the official Marathon Docks Farm. After a short break Waterloo Bridge to the Houses route so as to enjoy the river we continued past Rotherhithe of Parliament, turning right past and avoid the heavy Saturday and Shad Thames to cross Tower to reach traffic. Bridge, on through Wapping to the official finish line on The We met at Blackheath station, Canary Wharf, we circled the Mall, roughly 26.3 miles from made our way to Greenwich before stopping a our start. A recent walk took the group past the Olympic stadium in . Photo: Clare Wadd Park, site of the official start of second time in Canary Wharf Cliff Benford

Briefly • The Queen’s Walkway in 12 farm produce outlets in • Kingston Group’s AGM • The An Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, with Windsor will open on Sunday 9 an area north and west of will be held on Tuesday 24 updated edition of the all shore excursions included in September, the day the Queen Uxbridge. Three short farm November at 7.30pm in the guidebook to the 50-mile prices. These include a 14-night is due to surpass her great- walks are included on a usual venue, Surbiton Library (85.5 km) route from the cruise from Dover on 18 March great-grandmother Queen leaflet available locally or go Hall, which is between the river’s source in Bedfordshire to include the Guadalquivir, Victoria as the longest-reigning to www.colnevalleyfood.org. library and fire station in to the Thames was published Gironde and Garonne rivers monarch in British history. The uk. Ewell Road, Surbiton. in August by Cicerone (ISBN and a nine-night trip on 16 route, a symbolic 6.373km long 9781852847746, £12.95). April cruising the Seine. Details (for 63 years, 7 months and 3 • Langley Vale Wood, the • Phoebe Smith, author of Author Leigh Hatts said: from www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk days has been designed to link Woodland Trust’s 640- ‘Wilderness Weekends: Wild ‘The biggest changes are or 01707 386767. 63 of the town’s sites with a acre Centenary Wood Adventures in Britain’s Rugged around the Olympic site royal connection. Each site site near Epsom, Surrey, Corners’ will be at Stanfords, in east London where the • Volunteers will be marked by a pavement was formally opened by 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2, long-awaited opening of the have been walking the plaque under which an iBeacon The Princess Royal on 24 at 6.30pm on Wednesday 9 path through Cody Dock has National Trail with rucksack will activate site and route June. The area, created to September, to share advice on improved the walking route mounted 15-angle-lens information on smart phones mark the 100th anniversary what to pack, staying safe in to East India Dock.’ cameras as part of a project to via a free app. of the outbreak of the First the wilderness and accessing create a virtual walk along the World War, will be planted mountain bothies. Bookings • River cruises in France and Farnham to Dover route on • Colne Valley Food Trail is with thousands more native (£3) can be made via www. Spain are offered in 2016 Google Trekker, the off-road not a walk but a listing of trees. stanfords.co.uk by Ramblers Cruise & Walk and version of Google Streetview. South East Walker 7

BEDFORDSHIRE Area AGM he Bedfordshire days prior to the meeting to Area Annual General the Area Chairman by email T Meeting will be held to [email protected]. bulletin on Saturday 21 November at Where no nomination is received, Maulden Village Hall, Flitwick nominations may be accepted on Road, Maulden, Beds MK45 the day of the meeting. Currently 2BJ, hosted by North Beds there are vacancies for Secretary, Saturday Walkers. The plan Membership Secretary and for the day is: Publicity Officer. All positions Bedfordshire Walking • 10am Arrive for tea/coffee and need people who are willing biscuits to put time and effort into • 10.30am Walk led by Tony making sure the Area helps and Festival (5 -13 September) Wilkins encourages groups to broaden • 12.30pm Buffet lunch their horizons, make positive n Saturday 5 September best and over the weekend of 13 you use the full-size train before and • 1.15pm Speaker from Ramblers moves towards delivering the the seventh Bedfordshire - 14 September the ever-popular after. Or why not walk Clophill’s Central Office Ramblers mission and continues OWalking Festival takes Greensand Ridge Challenge walking Scarecrow Trail. Do you know • 2 – 4pm Annual General to build links with other off with a programme which offers 40 miles over the two days. what the Head Ranger at Marston Meeting outdoor organisations through so much choice. From World War Every day there will be interest Vale Forest Centre does or where footpath work, and organising 2 special operations history in and informative walks including a there is a new walk and leaflet being Nominations for all officer and developing the annual the east to the Three Shires Way morning walk around the grounds produced? Have you considered positions should be made 14 Bedfordshire Walking Festival. in the north and from the source of Shuttleworth Park using paths how much open space there is in of the River Lee in the south and not normally open to the public, ? The walking festival offers Clophill’s historical landscape a fascinating look at the many bridges the opportunity to find out. and ambience of the with a visit to a renovated church over the Great Ouse in Bedford, the The walks in the programme are Footpaths route. Earlier in the year tower, a Three Hills walk and entire Monmouth Way - ‘England’s colour coded and each has a reference new marker posts and a Walk on the Wild Side from shortest long distance path’ - on the to the grid in the centre page map clearance work took place Ridgmont’s historic station, a 330th anniversary of the Monmouth to help you not only decide on your and RIPPLE in the Old Warden area Nordic walking experience and Rebellion, the walker wanting walk but enable you to select walks in including a lovely wooded Despite a slow start to the two Maps are Fun sessions. And informative and interest walks is a particular area. The health walks lane on the Greensand year our volunteers have that’s just the first day! spoilt for choice. have been put in a new section and Ridge. In Bedford Borough For walkers who enjoy ‘proper’ For those who enjoy a drink with for the first time walkers can book been very active. In Edworth, on the we re-visited Donkey Lane walks there is the Ridgeway their walk the programme includes a and pay on line for the Greensand eastern fringe of the in Keysoe which we had Extension, Haynes and the real ale walk and a Walk on the Wine Ridge Challenge, the Maps are Fun county, several hundred done two years ago and surrounding area, a Ridgmont Side at Bedfordshire’s only vineyard. courses and the Walk on the Wine yards of byway were noted that by doing a circular, a walk around Cranfield For those who like to do unusual Side and Ridgeway Extension walks. widened. In Toddington, good job then, usage had airfield and beyond, the Chalgrave things there is the opportunity to To see the full festival programme a similar distance of a increased and clearing this Heritage Trail, Oakley’s riparian ride on a miniature railway provided go to www.bedswalkfest.co.uk. well-used path and a time was much easier. part of the Icknield Way, Marker posts have been was also cleared and put in the new North widened to help light get Bedford Country Park and Training in and dry the surface. more recently between Recently volunteers had Keysoe and Riseley. fun widening a section Our regular volunteers of the John Bunyan are doing a really great Trail alternative route job but we could always at Cranfield which runs use more people. We parallel to the High Street. work once a month on This route is well-used a Tuesday in Bedford by walkers, dog walkers, Borough and on Thursdays families and horse riders and Saturdays in Central and clearing the nettles Bedfordshire. Contact me and brambles from the at walking@madasafish. edge of the path has com if you are interested. improved the appearance Barry Ingram

Course members gather in the car park before setting off on a practical test. Photo: Barry Ingram ap Awareness and to understand more about maps found skills into practice with a fun Using a Compass and how to use them. walk around the park. Cost is £5 Mcourses in July proved ‘In these days of satnavs, GPS per person per session and bookings popular with the Map Awareness and smartphones wouldn’t it be can be made on the festival website, one in particular attracting 18 fun to learn how to read a good www.bedswalkfest.co.uk. people. Nick Markham has old-fashioned map’ said Nick. More courses are planned for organised two Maps are Fun Each session will start with an later in the year. For information half-day sessions on Saturday 5 introduction to the basics of how to on these courses contact Nick by September at the Marston Vale read a map (ie where we are, where email at ivramblers.nm@ntlworld. Forest Centre as part of the do we want to go, what will we com. Bedfordshire Walking Festival. find on the way). After that there’s Barry Ingram The sessions are for those wishing an opportunity to put those new- [email protected]

into Bedford where it ran into St been in discussion with Network Bedford - Johns station located south Rail for some time and have of the river. Today the line is attended a number of public Bletchley operated by London Midland meetings on East West rail link and using single or two car trains. have prepared a response covering line The route spans Bedfordshire’s the proposals for all the ‘at level’ industrial heritage and the crossings. Bob Tarron, Chair of upgrade modern day regeneration and is the Footpaths Committee said a pleasure to ride and enjoy the ‘This has been a real team effort ocally known as the scenery. and at times we have consulted Marston Vale line, this Our team of Bruce Blott, Tom other members where local Volunteer Stewart Hinks clears a kissing gate. We also realigned the marker post. Photo: Barry Ingram Lroute was the first railway Henrick and Mike Tenwick has knowledge was necessary.’ 8 South East Walker Walking the Thames Estuary Path We started our second section at our local Bedfordshire countryside. Stanford-le-Hope; very different The route is varied and whilst in again, we felt miles from anywhere places the scenery is not particularly as we continued north-eastwards attractive there is a real sense of through more nature reserves and openness and remoteness to the marshes. This section takes in landscape. The area is dotted with the villages of Corringham and isolated churches and it is easy to Fobbing, where we found a handy feel as if you’re walking back into pub for a drink, having eaten our history. We didn’t see as much packed lunches in its abandoned wildlife as we had hoped but the and overgrown garden, This was route follows a succession of habitats followed by a seemingly endless so I think we were just unlucky. The stretch across Vange Marshes but path was generally easy to follow maybe I was just tired. although there were one or two Our final stretch started by places where an extra sign would following the railway line from have been reassuring. There are a Pitsea before heading across Bowers couple of diversions in place where Marsh to Benfleet Creek, where we found it difficult to match the for quite a distance the path was directions to the situation and spent Leigh-on-Sea. Photo: Rosemary Hasker so overgrown that it was difficult some time closely analysing the he Thames Estuary Path contacted Essex County Council start at Tilbury feels quite industrial to imagine that anyone else had text before choosing the way to go, featured in last December’s and they kindly sent me a 10-page and the walk takes you past walked it. There are houseboats only to pick the wrong route! But TSouth East Walker, and for written route description. The the cruise terminal, power station here and many seemed abandoned fortunately once we realised we were myself and three friends from Lea sketch maps on the website being and London Gateway port always and derelict - the area has a wrong we were able to navigate our & Icknield Ramblers, the timing fairly limited in detail, with the seems to be in sight. But this section distinctly Dickensian feel. By now way back on course without having was opportune. We had recently help of these instructions I was also abounds in history: Tilbury and we had reached the last leg along to retrace our steps. completed the and able to make a reasonable stab at Coalhouse forts are passed together the sea wall with views to the left of We had planned to celebrate the were looking for another route to transferring the majority of the with various bunkers and other Hadleigh Marsh and to the right of end of the walk in Leigh on Sea with walk - the Thames Estuary Path route to the Ordnance Survey map. WW2 structures. Quite a bit of this Canvey Island and Two Tree Island. fresh seaside fish and chips but, alas, looked promising. We decided to do the walks on section follows the sea wall; we were Unfortunately the sunny weather it was not to be. Unbeknown to us, We planned to break the route Sundays, for ease of travelling and amused by a series of small ramps set which we had experienced earlier in we had chosen to walk on the day of into three sections, giving us two parking at the C2C railway stations. into the wall signed as ‘Duck Ramp’. the day had given way to a persistent the Leigh Folk Festival and the Old walks of around 10.5 miles with a We would drive to the furthest Can ducks in Essex read? The path drizzle so we didn’t linger on this Town was swarming with colourful final leg of 7.5 miles. The dedicated point of our walk and take the train then turns inland into the Thurrock section, but it is a flat and easy route characters all of whom had similar website suggests walkers download back to the start - an easy journey Thameside Nature Park where we all the way to Leigh-on-Sea. ideas to us and there was no room to an app but, being a dinosaur as with half hourly trains on Sundays. experienced our only muddy stretch We all enjoyed the Thames swing a chip butty! far as technology is concerned, I The walk is full of contrasts; the - fortunately only short! Estuary Path - it is very different to Rosemary Hasker East Berks Ramblers Progress on on the missing link ast Berks Group chose to day in March at the source, which Goring Gap. walk the Thames Path was dry, as it often is, but you We have another new venture any readers will be Earlier this year significant ENational Trail from its could see where the stream had this year called ‘Get together aware of the long- progress was made when the borough source in Gloucestershire to been. The first three legs were and Stroll’. John Vint, our ex- running saga in which approved a planning application for a Pangbourne for their coach very windy, but luckily the wind Chairman who is now in his M East Berks Ramblers has been roadside footpath to be constructed. walks this year. was from behind us most of the 90s decided that as he could no involved with the Royal Borough The work was quickly carried out We had planned to do this last time. By June the weather picked longer manage the short leisurely of Windsor & Maidenhead over and the safety of walkers has been year but put it off after the severe up and the birdsong on the stretch walks we should put on some even the problem of the 30-metre considerably improved. spring flooding. The walk turned from Tadpole Bridge was amazing. shorter optional strolls of about ‘missing link’ in the Thames In the longer term, our campaign out to be incredibly popular and Each leg had its own distinct feel, two miles, based on a café or pub, Path at Maidenhead Bridge. for a riverside path continues; we had to turn people away, after with the river ranging from a where older members of our group This is the short stretch where we are seeking to ensure that 55 signed up for a 53-seat bus. slight trickle to full flow. Some could get together for a good pedestrians walking the National this remains an objective in the Perhaps the popularity was due times we walked in open fields, natter. We managed to put one on Trail need to leave the riverside and borough’s 10-year Rights of Way to the fact that each of the 10- 11 next through wooded areas with each month through the summer skirt around the properties known Improvement Plan and we will be mile stages is downhill! It makes reed beds and sometimes urban. and they have been a great success. as Bridge View. No footpath ready to step up pressure whenever a change to record height in terms We found friendly pubs for our The second was on a very wet day existed here and it was necessary the area looks likely to come up of descent rather than ascent. lunch stops and even for a final so six of them spent two hours in to either cross the A4094 twice for re-development, or if any other However, luckily not everyone drink at the end of the day. We the pub talking. We recommend (no zebra crossing or other safety opportunity presents itself. wanted to come every time, so no- plan to finish in Pangbourne that other groups give it a go! facility being provided) or actually David Bailey one had to run behind. in October, after climbing the Pera Marrs walk on this busy road itself. Chairman, East Berks Group We started on a cold but sunny only real hill on the route, round East Berks Ramblers

43 members of East Berks Group gather at the source of the Thames before a 12-mile walk to Cricklade. Photo: Pera Marrs The roadside path at Bridge View. The Thames is behind the buildings to the left. Photo: Eve Norton South East Walker 9 Walk the Line Roy’s base line sculpture trail in east time to time. The Line is intended London called ‘The to appeal to walkers, cyclists, A Line’ was officiallyjoggers and art enthusiasts and opened on 23 May. each sculpture is illuminated It runs between the O2 in after dark. Around three miles of North Greenwich and Stratford the route can be walked but it is High Street, more-or-less on the necessary to use the Emirates Air line of the Greenwich Meridian, Line cable car over the Thames and features changing works from from North Greenwich to Royal artists such as Damien Hirst, Victoria and then the DLR from Martin Creed and Gary Hume. Royal Victoria to Star Lane The ten inaugural works are on before picking up the River Lee loan to The Line for two years towpath. For more information with new pieces introduced from go to www.the-line.org.

The south east end of the base line in Hampton - in a quiet street appropriately now called Roy Grove (grid ref TQ 13870).

he origins of a dispute over the relative outbreak of war with France Ordnance Survey positions of the Greenwich which then acted as a catalyst Tmapping can be Observatory in London and for others to survey the rest of traced to a five-mile base line l’Observatoire de by England. in south west London which the use of triangulation. The Although most of Hounslow was used for the measurement English team, led by Major Heath has been built on over by triangulation upon which General William Roy, began the intervening years, the end all subsequent maps have the task in the summer of points of Roy’s base line can be been based. 1784 by measuring the survey found today in Hampton and The survey was carried out base line across what was on the north side of Heathrow for King George III and the then Hounslow Heath and airport, both marked by Royal Society between 1784 completed their mission in commemorative plaques and and 1790, largely to settle 1790, three years before the the barrels of cannons. One of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s last works ‘Vulcan’, the Roman god of fire and metalworking, is on display at Royal Victoria.

Close to the north west end of the base line, this cannon stands at a point on what used to be Hounslow Heath and is now just off the northern perimeter road of Heathrow airport - where it passes over the tunnel entrance to terminals 1,2 and 3 Entitled ‘DNA DL90’, this sculpture by Abigail Fallis uses 22 shopping trolleys in the (grid ref TQ 077768). shape of a double helix. It can be found on the bank of the River Lee between Cody Dock and Three Mills. 10 South East Walker West London BUCKS Group – briefs 60 years on! News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex est London Group other in Seaford at the end of June, was formed at an when members were able to enjoy W inaugural meeting long sunny days on the Downs. held at the Hammersmith Early records indicate that the Constitutional Club in January group’s first holiday together was A week in Hassness 1955 so, on 17 May, a group of to the Isle of Wight, an excellent current members met at Kew walking area. May saw 12 of us Bridge and walked along the return to Shanklin, and the same towpath to Hammersmith. We small hotel which welcomed us stopped for coffee en route and three years ago. It was a pleasure adjourned for lunch at a Greek to be joined on our walks, too, by restaurant not far from the bridge some ex-members now living in the - so doing our best to maintain area. We had two very fine days the largely social aspects of those of walking, the first one going early programmes. directly from Shanklin via the The very first walk, on Good old railway line and the Stenbury Friday 1955, was in the Thames Trail to Godshill and returning Valley, taking in Wargrave, via Appuldurcombe Down and the Shiplake and Henley-on-Thames, obelisk before dropping down to according to the only information Wroxall. The next day saw us on given on the programme. We the Bembridge Trail from Brading. The Hassness party. Photo: Kay Coleman followed this as closely as we could We explored the National Trust on a hot day at the end of June, owned windmill before making for fter lengthy journeys, took up the option of an extra two walking, along the Newlands but as I could not devise a way of the well-appointed Crab & Lobster Aylesbury Ramblers miles at the end for a glorious walk Valley. We were fighting a strong getting directly from Wargrave Inn on the coast path and then A arrived in dribs and drabs around the far side of Buttermere, wind for much of the way, making to Shiplake, we had to go via returning over Culver Down and at Hassness House, overlooking back to the house in time for our balance tricky at times, but the Henley - and tea - rather than end Bembridge Fort to Brading. Buttermere, late on a sunny welcome cup of tea and home- wonderful views will stay with me. there. Although West London is Unkind downpours saw most Saturday afternoon in May. I made cake, provided daily by the On the final day we walked firmly committed to an active and of us seeking shelter in Osborne was immediately captivated by helpful staff. to Buttermere, then round to continually developing future, we House and Carisbrooke Castle on the house and location. The Day 2 saw our first car-sharing Crummock Water. Some opted hope to have a couple more of these our third day but we were able to spectacular view from each room expedition east to Rostwaite, for a detour across the fields to ‘let’s look back at the early days’ finish our break the next morning disappointed no-one and it was then to Watendlath, following a the village of Kirkstile, where we events before the end of the year. by exploring Shanklin Chine in the warm and sunny enough to enjoy riverside walk to High Lodore, lunched in the churchyard, some Holidays and weekends away sunshine, and a final lunch at the teas on the terrace. down to the village of Grange, snatching a drink in the pub. have always been part of the group’s picturesque Fisherman’s Cottage On pulling back my curtains through the Borrowdale Valley We enjoyed convivial evenings activities, and this year has already on the beach before making our in the morning, I was entranced and back to the cars. in the comfortable lounge, seen two long weekends away, way home. as a pair of red squirrels cavorted Day 3: Another car-share whose large windows provided a one based in Ely in April, and the Margaret Lydamore in the garden below, chasing through Honister Pass. We then backdrop of spectacular scenery from one tree to another. This climbed to the Honister plateau as we played cards or scrabble or treat continued throughout the and on to High Pass. In spite of a relaxed and chatted with a glass week, also entertaining others. thick mist, we managed the ascent or two of wine. What I will carry Bird lovers were treated to to Moses Trod and down to middle with me from the trip is goodwill, daily sightings of lesser spotted path, on to Green Gable and Great laughter, delicious food and woodpeckers, yellowhammer Gable, up again to Beck Head for wonderful (though challenging) and chaffinches whilst the call lunch overlooking Wasdale. walks in breathtaking scenery. of the cuckoo encouraged us to Day 4: Some took this as a day Many thanks to Kay Coleman for keep going on difficult terrain off. I and a few others bused to organising the trip. throughout the week. Cockermouth. The arranged Mary Latham On Day 1, we strolled down to walk was up to Haystacks. I Aylesbury & District Ramblers Buttermere, bused to Crummock understand this was the toughest Water, marvelled at the bluebell ascent and descent of all. Those Hassness House is run by Ramblers slopes and climbed to Rannerdale who did it were justly proud of Worldwide Holidays and welcomes Knotts. For some of us, this was their achievement. bookings direct from individuals. something of a baptism of fire, Day 5: This was my first Contact them via 01707 331133 or although I was among those who experience of low-level fell- www.hassness.co.uk Enjoying the bluebell woods near Godshill before the big climb. Photo: Margaret Lydamore

one day in different directions He will be sorely missed and our Oliver Statham around Wendover to highlight the condolences go to his family. destruction the HS2 route will Julia Drummond 1941 - 2015 cause. Over a hundred people took Aylesbury & District Ramblers part. He also served on the Area ylesbury Ramblers are countryside matters and was very committee as a representative of the Kate Ashbrook, Ramblers’ president very sad to announce the actively involved in the campaign membership. and Area footpath secretary for A death of Oliver Statham to fight HS2. In 2010, when Oliver was born in Bedford and Bucks, Milton Keynes and West on 11 July. the Ramblers celebrated its 75th moved to Buckinghamshire in Middlesex, adds: ‘Oliver loved Oliver had been a member of anniversary, Oliver could not let 1969. He trained as an agricultural the local paths and walked them Aylesbury & District Ramblers this pass purely as a celebration engineer specialising in potato regularly, ensuring all problems were since 1983. He was a life member when the government had just storage and handling and went on reported. Nothing was ever too of the Ramblers and a very effective announced the route of HS2 which to become a world authority on much trouble for him and he would former Chairman and walk leader. was set to destroy so much of our this. Oliver worked for the Potato cheerfully take on tasks which he After giving up leading walks due best walking area, particularly Marketing Board and regularly gave would always complete to a very to the onset of ill health a few around Wendover where he lived demonstrations to growers from high standard. The huge turnout Oliver, just after being presented with years ago, Oliver remained highly with his wife Anne. Oliver set all over the world on all aspects of at his funeral demonstrated the high a watch for his long service with the committed to the Ramblers and to and organised eight walks on potato production. regard in which he was held.’ Potato Marketing Board. South East Walker 11 Vertical mile challenge North Bucks rRIPPLE fter completing the and we had good views and sun for Reservoir, where we had started. Yorkshire Three Peaks most of the day. It started with a Lots of photos were taken and we swings into action A three years running, steady ascent up to Corn Du, then were rewarded by an all-you-can-eat North Bucks rRipple and solidly they close, a Chiltern Weekend Walkers Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn and Fan-y-Big Chinese meal that evening. This (ramblers Repairing and second one was installed sought a new location for their on the main ridge, descending east was followed next day by a much Improving Public Paths the following week with flapjack-fuelled annual challenge. towards a reservoir. The final third more leisurely ‘warm-down’ walk. for Leisure and Exercise) more in the offing. This Graham Winnett and I came up of the walk involved a very stiff climb Thanks to Graham and Helen has been in action since farmer is also a fan of with the ‘Wales Vertical Mile’, a to Tor-y-Foel (which had looked Winnett and Sue Duffy for February and by mid-July dog latches, as he’s found 22-mile circuit taking in the best deceptively small earlier) and this organising this and to all those had made 30 site visits. dog owners searching of the Brecon Beacons in south taxed even the fittest of us, followed completing it for their hard work in Visits included meeting along field boundaries for Wales. Although a little shorter by a scenic path over moorland and the training! farmers and discussing places to get their dogs the pros and cons of gates through. With a strong than the Three Peaks, it was no down into woods by Pontsticill Andrew Zelin versus stiles; discussing well-designed dog latch soft option, involving perhaps with landowners problems there can be no excuses for more ascent (using the latest with their routing of paths straying off the footpath. technology - exactly one mile or off the definitive line; The group is making an 5,240 feet). installing two gates and impact to the seriously Training sessions in the Chilterns one kissing gate; replacing poor state of affairs in began on a chilly January morning, or repairing numerous North Bucks. However, the first being 14 miles led by Linda stiles; filling in holes one group covering nearly Shultz and continued weekly for four beside a stile; removing 90 parishes will never get months, with a special thanks for altogether stiles bounding things straightened out. Sandra Rooney and Gerry Payne for arable fields that the The answer has to be their tremendous contribution. landowner agreed were no more investment in rights So, in mid-May, 17 of us set out longer needed; installing of way maintenance and early on the Saturday to cover this rRIPPLE dog latches to more teams on the ground facilitate dog walkers doing the repairing and route. The weather was kind to us Vertical mile survivors. Photo: Jenny Stevens who are considered to be improving. At the last extremely useful advocates count Bucks County of clear useable paths. In Council had 1,400 issues, total we’ve clocked up up from around 1,100 in a MK Walkers out and about around 200 work hours. year. On Wednesday 15 July, Doing our bit is enjoyable une was a busy month for was a great opportunity to promote English Walk from East Hope to recently hired Ramblers and rewarding. Want to Milton Keynes Ramblers with our organisation, but this time Vindolanda. This is a walk that Central Office Delivery help - maybe set up your Jtwo excellent promotional to employees who were actively we have been doing on the May Officers Dumisani Nyathi own group? Contact opportunities. looking to get out and help prevent and August bank holidays since and Leila Nicholas visited me in Haddenham at We were invited to attend the the stresses of the workplace. 2012 when we started in Chepstow. us. We picked them up williamjsbpiers@gmail. 50th anniversary of Emberton Over the Easter period 12 Our final destination is Berwick- from Haddenham station com. Country Park, organised by Milton members of the group went down to upon-Tweed so there is not much and drove to Hoggeston Bill Piers Keynes Rights of Way, who kindly Cornwall to continue on the South farther to go. This walk came where we’ve been working gave us the space for a stand in a West Coast Path and managed to about because of a chance meeting closely with local farmers (The lower case ‘r’ in the prime location near the hog roast complete another 110 miles from with Margaret Nightingale who, to reinstate a number of group’s title is to follow and beer tent. To enable us to Newquay to Bideford. We plan with husband Brian, devised the long-problematic paths. the ‘r’ in the Ramblers cover the full spectrum of walking to finish in Minehead next Easter. walk and produced two books They had a good day out logo) and contributed to the activities we have on offer we Although we started the coast path covering the route. The walk leader installation of three dog invited Milton Keynes Health at Easter 2011, the walk started way was wandering around the indoor latches and an additional Walks to join forces with us. In back in February 2009 when we did market in Leek when he came low step at an awkward addition Rights of Way provided the Wandle Trail followed by the across the two books for a fiver on stile. They walked across a route description and map for , South Downs Way, Mary’s craft stall. It has turned out fields and saw two gates a local historical walk which we Clarendon Way, Avon Valley Path to be a great adventure as well as we’d recently installed and turned into a figure of eight and and coast path from Christchurch probably the longest coast to coast a completely new three- led for them with a morning and to Sandbanks. It can be linked back walk in England. step stile in an awkward afternoon walk. even further because in August To help fill the time between location on rising ground The following week our link 2006 we started the Shakespeare’s these long distance walks we are in a field corner. with Milton Keynes Health Walks Way in Stratford-Upon-Avon. also walking the Jurassic Way from This particular farmer paid off because they invited us It gets worse because over the Banbury to Stamford, with one has agreed to the provision to participate in the Volkswagen two May bank holidays most walk a month and which we expect of self-closing galvanised gates in place of stiles in Audi Group UK Headquarters’ of the same group headed up to to finish in September. fields holding cattle. This ‘Get Active’ Day. As they have Northumberland and walked Ian Andrews is a major breakthrough in over 1,000 staff on the site this another 78 miles of the Great Milton Keynes Ramblers the area, as there’s been considerable opposition to gates from farmers who are afraid they’ll be left open, Where have all the love-locks gone? Leila Nicholas and Dumisani Nyathi etc. However, after seeing help Derek Holland with a stile 00,000 padlocks weighing structure. throw the key into the Seine. We one go in successfully, improvement’. 45 tonnes were recently Since 2008 it has become a were witnessing history during our and seeing how cleanly Photo: Bill Piers 7removed from Pont Des tradition for lovers in the city to recent Paris walking tour as there Arts bridge over the Seine in Paris inscribe their names on a padlock, are now plans to clear other bridges, had supper in Place du Tertre and fashion shops. To complete when they became a danger to the attach it to one of the bridges and in the interests of safety. Why were with its lively restaurants before our ten miles we walked to the Isle we walking in Paris? Social events visiting Sacre Coeur and taking de la Cite and along the Seine to often spawn new ideas and during a the funicular down to Pigalle the Louvre. lunch stop last October our Thames where we stayed. The following Paris offers a wealth of experiences Path walkers decided they should day we looked around Belleville, for walkers and is reached in 2 take advantage of Eurostar and once home of Edith Piaf, with a hours 15 minutes from St Pancras in organise a French break. Four of famous Tuesday market and view London, making it very accessible us spent four days in the November over Paris from Belleville Park to Greater London groups (and for rain researching a varied programme which is higher than Montmartre. Kent walkers joining at Ebbsfleet). - interspersed with creperies, La Cimitiere du Pere Lachaise We would recommend strong pattiseries and restaurants to revive contains the graves of many famous footwear as many of the streets we us from the cold! Booking ahead people including Oscar Wilde, walked were cobbled and we were secured tickets at very reasonable Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, Simone glad that a cold wet November Paris rates, people reserved their own Signoret and Yves Montand and is bears little resemblance to Paris in accommodation and it proved to well worth a visit. Using the Metro the spring when we were fortunate be a very easily organised break for we moved on to the Marais district, enough to have beautiful sunshine nine of us. known for restaurants (one served a each day. We will be back! We walked over Monmartre on cheesecake which had won the best Elise Harvey Beside the Seine. Photo: Elise Harvey the afternoon of our arrival and cheesecake in Paris award last year) Hillingdon Ramblers 12 South East Walker John Dowding ESSEX memorial walk extras Successful candidate joins Redbridge walk n the lead-up to May’s group for a local walk from stressed over the election campaign. General Election, Wanstead station. I think Mr Streeting enjoyed the IRedbridge Ramblers invited It was kind of him to take time off walk and I guess it helped him relax the candidates from all five from his busy election campaign. and de-stress. main parties standing for the We had the opportunity to discuss We congratulate Mr Streeting for The long-sought bridge over the Blackwater at grid ref TL 856177. local Ilford North seat to join with him the state of paths, open going on to win the Ilford North walk will take place campaigned for from 1986 until them on a walk. Only one, spaces, , walking for health seat and hope he will join us again on Sunday 18 October its installation in 2007. It replaced the Labour candidate Wes and fitness, etc. His aide, Matt for a walk in the future. A in memory of John a long-missing crossing of the Streeting, responded and on Goddin, who accompanied him Mohammed Moazzam Dowding who was Essex river on the original route of the a bright and sunny Saturday mentioned that it was good for Wes Press & Publicity Officer, Area’s Footpath Secretary for path through nearby Ashmans morning in April he joined the to get out for a walk as he had been Redbridge Ramblers over 25 years. Farm, reported by a member of He probably took on the role Colchester Ramblers. By 1994, from the time Essex Area was the building of a new footbridge created in 1985 but was involved had made it to the top of Essex with the former Southern Area County Council’s list but was from the 1950s. John, who was then abandoned on cost grounds. an industrial/analytical chemist, John then served a Section 56 was passionate about public rights notice on the council and with of way and worked tirelessly a change in land ownership and for the Ramblers dealing with a the need for Environment Agency multitude of issues. Mags Hobby, approval, it was 2007 before the who knew John and succeeded bridge was finally installed on a him as Area Footpath Secretary diverted route. An elated John remembers him as a conscientious walked over it in October 2007, colleague with a dry sense of just after it was installed but sadly humour who always enjoyed a he died less than a year later. glass of cider. John was not a The figure of eight walk starts ‘group walker’ but usually walked 10.15am and resumes at 2pm alone. Nonetheless, he inspired from the pay and display car park Mags and now Katherine Evans in Kelvedon (grid ref TL 861187, to follow in his footsteps. postcode CO5 9AA). Joint walk The morning route of the leaders will be Maggs Hobby and memorial walk will include Katherine Evans, past and current the footbridge over the River Essex Area Footpath Secretaries. The party gathered at Wanstead station with Mr Streeting wearing the tie. Photo: Mohammed Moazzam Blackwater which John Contact phone 01376 570156).

clear all the way from the bridge bags of litter were also collected. whole of the pathway. The hedge near the station, along by the In June members also unblocked was cut back, overhanging branches Clearing in railway line to the underpass. Trees Ashdon Footpath 98 which runs removed, scrub along the path was and bushes had been cut down by from Holden End to the cricket cut down to ground level and the Network Rail and the branches ground. The path was identified overhangs on the bridge and raised left across the path, forcing people as being blocked earlier in the year, walkways were cut away. The work Uttlesford to walk very near the river and but from the evidence we found it was hard but on a dry and sunny making it impassable during very has been shut off for much longer. day very satisfying. working party from during April to clear Footpath 23. wet weather. This has now been We found three fallen trees across Sylvia Hayes Uttlesford Ramblers met This is the second time the group cleared and enables the path to be the path and the growth from the Publicity Coordinator A in Stansted Mountfitchet has met here and the path is now walked on the original route. Seven hedge in some places covered the Uttlesford Ramblers

Members of Lea Valley Friends Group enjoyed a holiday based at Alverston Hall in Cheshire from 22 - 26 June. A super time was had by all, writes Pauline Macfarlane. We visited Chester, walked to pretty Nantwich and as we chatted we became very aware of how grateful we are for the formation of the group. Before the holiday, the group had celebrated the Ramblers 80th anniversary with a walk on their home patch with a glass of bubbly. Photo: Pauline Macfarlane Hard at work on the Stansted clearance. Photo: Sylvia Hayes South East Walker 13 Getting there ’s second All the region’s transport news real ale ramble here are certain things we organised an eight-mile walk in Biggin Hill. The day was well Overground in life that are natural May 2014 around the villages of supported and thoroughly enjoyed London Overground took over the London Liverpool Street to partners - strawberries Farnborough, Cudham and Downe, by all and, as a result of this very Chingford, Enfield Town and via Seven Sisters (and T and cream; steak and chips; and with a list of four pubs to visit. natural partnership, a number Romford to Upminster) lines on 31 May London farezones were work and taxes - are but three It was a very successful day with of CAMRA members have joined also extended to include Theobalds Grove and Waltham Cross examples. A fourth might be beer eight Ramblers and eight CAMRA the Ramblers and some ramblers stations into Zone 7 and Cheshunt into Zone 8. At the same and rambling. members joining in the fun. have become CAMRA members. It time the London Liverpool Street to Shenfield stopping service Last year the Bromley branch On 25 April this year, a walk of has been suggested that this should was taken over by TfL Rail and Brentwood station in Essex was of the Campaign for Real Ale a similar distance was organised become an annual event - what a added to Zone 9. (CAMRA) approached us and starting at Knockholt station good idea! And, perhaps we should suggested that it would be a good and visiting the Harrow and the also link up with local English wine idea to organise a joint event. It Three Horseshoes in Knockholt producers! Oxford Parkway did not take long to think about it Pound, the Tally Ho in rural Lawrie Smith A new daily London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway train service and to say ‘yes’. As a consequence, Knockholt and the Old Jail near Bromley Ramblers is due to begin on Monday 26 October. Oxford Parkway station is next to the A34 at Water Eaton. Trains will also call at Islip and Bicester Village (formerly Bicester Town) stations.

Weekenders Heading to Kent for a weekend’s walking? Weekender tickets are available for travel on Southeastern trains which allow travel off-peak on Friday with return on Saturday or Sunday, or start out on Saturday and return on Sunday. The tickets are flexible and do not commit the traveller to a particular train and you can also stop off at any station on the return journey. Weekender tickets can be bought in advance or immediately before travel and Railcard discounts also apply.

On the buses In Essex, Bus 505 Chingford - Waltham Abbey - Harlow has had its frequency considerably reduced.

In Surrey, Bus 515 Kingston to Guildford via Surbiton will run daily from 30 August with the Sunday service replacing the 515A which ran via Hampton Court.

Metrobus started new commercial route 714 on 20 June from Barnet (including both New Barnet and High Barnet stations) to Luton, running daily via St Albans and Harpenden. The group outside the Three Horseshoes at Knockholt Pound. Photo: Lawrie Smith

Briefly

• Essex readers – With this charitable trust of Ramblers finishing at car parking spots • Tillingbourne Tales The litter found. Each beach will issue we welcome Essex Area Worldwide Holidays. (though most are accessible Surrey Hills Board has have a coordinator to explain readers to South East Walker by public transport too). All received £92,000 from the things and provide litter picks (or, for those with long • Fenceless grazing – A three- routes in the book are also Heritage Lottery Fund for and bin bags. Several beaches memories, we welcome you year trial at Burnham Beeches available to download on this project which will focus in Essex, Kent and East and back). South East Walker is in south Bucks of ‘invisible smartphones and tablets on the industrial heritage West Sussex are included in published four times a year fences’ has proved successful via the ViewRanger app. of the Tillingbourne Valley. the event and details can be and you should now receive and is to be extended to cover Copies of the book (£14.95) Although now a peaceful and found at http://www.mcsuk. a copy with each mailing of about three quarters of the can be ordered from www. often picturesque river which org/greatbritishbeachclean walk magazine. reserve. The scheme involves chilternsociety.org.uk or flows into the Wey near or call 01989 566017. burying cables around the offline on 01494 771250 Guildford, the Tillingbourne • Big Pathwatch – There’s area where cattle graze and (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am - once fed the leather, • Surrey countryside sites still time to register for the the animals wear collars 5pm). paper, iron and gunpowder – Surrey County Council Big Pathwatch in which which pick up a radio signal industries as well as corn mills. announced in June they volunteers select a 1km square when about to stray from • Thames Path Partnership – Lottery funding will allow would work with Surrey of their choice and walk every their designated area. The This new organisation became Shere Museum to become the Wildlife Trust to explore path in it. To register go to system replaces the need for responsible in April for the centre of local efforts which commercial opportunities to www.ramblers.org.uk, then conventional fencing and management, development will include the development cover the cost of managing download an app if you have gates. and promotion of the Thames of a Tillingbourne Trail to the county’s countryside a smartphone or tablet, or Path from the river’s source in promote walks along the sites with a view to them use the web version instead. • 50 Great Walks in the Gloucestershire ‘right up to and footpaths of the valley and its becoming self-sufficient by The survey, which aims to Chilterns – This is the title beyond’ the . surrounding hillsides. 2021. Currently the county find out the current state of a 212-page book published The body, chaired by West council contributes around of the path network, closes in May by the Chiltern Oxfordshire district councillor • Great British Beach Clean £750,000 a year to the trust on 31 December and the Society as part of the events Steve Good, was created in – The Marine Conservation (£200,000 less than two findings should be released to mark that organisation’s response to ’s Society is looking for years ago) to manage sites next spring. The survey has 50th anniversary. Walks of review of the national trails volunteers to register for this such as Newlands Corner been made possible thanks varying distance over a wide and its decision that local event which takes place 18 and Norbury Park which it to support to the value of area ranging from south partnerships should assume - 21 September and, as well believes can be replaced by £300,000 from the Ramblers Oxfordshire to north Herts are collective responsibility for as sprucing up hundreds of income from filming, catering Holidays Charitable Trust, the included mostly starting and managing and delivering them. beaches, will also record the and sponsorship. 14 South East Walker OXFORDSHIRE Summer on-line picnic nfortunately the the picnic extra special by having weather forecast for some bubbly, part supplied by U Saturday 20 June was Tesco and Waitrose and part not good. Mike Smith, Chair from individual members and of Thame & Wheatley Group, groups. So, very many thanks for the host group this year, was the generosity of all. alert to this and the decision We also invited Alex was made to move the venue of Mannings, the new Treasurer of our annual summer picnic to the Ramblers and on the Board a sheltered spot away from the of Trustees, to say a few words open hillside of Shirburn Hill, about the many successes the near Watlington. Ramblers has had over the past The newly chosen spot was a 80 years It was a pleasure to have grass area surrounded by trees his company. near the car park at Cowleaze Almost 70 members took part Wood. We took along gazebos in the walks and picnic, a very for extra shelter but were lucky as pleasing number in view of the they were barely needed. It has drizzly weather which could have become a feature of our picnics put many off venturing out. that the host group supply some Mike Smith also organised cakes so it was important that we a memento in the form of an had shelter for these! engraved pen for the occasion, Eight groups had arranged a real pleasure to receive and walks that would come to the something that will remind us all picnic spot at around 12.30. This of this special picnic. being the 80th anniversary of the Susan Maguire Alex Mannings reminds picnickers of the Ramblers achievements. Photo: Inge Mikkelsen Ramblers, we decided to make Area Chair Warwick to Leamington Spa walk ur short walks group enjoyed a wonderful Oday exploring the historic towns of Warwick and Leamington on 15 April. In Warwick we took a brief tour of the old part of town within the precincts of the castle and learnt that there had been a Great Fire of Warwick 30 years after the London one. The town was later rebuilt according to the provisions of an act of parliament which regulated the width of streets and height of buildings. We then took a pleasant walk along the River Avon, Stratford- upon-Avon Canal and River Leam before the splendid facades of Royal Leamington came into sight. We passed the Royal Pump Rooms which once housed 17 On the bridge at Warwick hot baths and three cold baths gallery and museum. Jephson, who promoted the picnic lunch admiring the flower cafes in town. where the wealthy came to take The group stopped at Jephson healing qualities of the town’s spa beds and lake whilst others sought Mary Gough the waters. It now houses an art Gardens, named after Dr Henry waters. Here some of us had a lunch in the numerous pubs and Bicester & Kidlington Group Press and Publicity Officer Parish Path re you (or were you) a to walk and/or volunteer to work • coordinate our network of group press/public relations/ with us to improve the walking publicity officers. Warden A communications/ environment, to enhance the • coach group publicity officers in corporate affairs/external affairs reputation and influence of the the public relations arts. officer? Ramblers, and to nudge people If so, you will have the expertise towards joining us. You need not be, or have been, on training day any Ramblers committee to qualify and experience to be Press & Publicity Officer for Oxfordshire Duties include: for this post; your skills are what we he next training day for Path Warden Coordinators are Ramblers. The position will soon need. Parish Path Wardens also needed and anyone interested • advise the Area Council on public become vacant upon the retirement For more information please will take place on in this role would be very welcome relations matters. T of current office-holder, Jim Parke. contact me (susanmgr131@gmail. Saturday 19 September at the on the course. Details from Jim The post is vital for telling the Memorial Hall in Weston-on- Parke (jmh.parke@btinternet. • write press releases and articles for com, 01491 680109). public what Oxfordshire Ramblers the-Green, near Bicester. com, 01865 730664). the main county outlets (newspapers, Susan Maguire do and why, to encourage people television, radio, websites). Area Chair South East Walker 15 Yorkshire Dales trip

group of 24 Henley & farther away and walked to West Goring Ramblers drove Burton. The wind was very strong A up to Wensleydale for a and they too debated whether or four-day trip in June, staying at not to return via the higher route or the White Rose Hotel in Askrigg. a lower one that entailed some road We arrived at Muker in time for walking. They decided to take the an afternoon walk up Swaledale higher route and avoid the road. which provided us with a taste The scenery was wonderful - open of what was to come: beautiful dales, big skies, remains of old lead views; fields of lush grass with mines - but they were walking into abundant buttercups and daisies, the wind. sheep and lambs everywhere; On Sunday the shorter walk varied bird-song; attractive stone was led by Susan through fields buildings and plenty of bracing to Worton Bridge, up to Worton fresh air. Scar, along Brough Scar and then On Saturday we had a choice dropping down to Bainbridge for of walks. Brian led the shorter coffee and cake. Back uphill again option. We took the bus to see the and in due course we followed pretty waterfall at West Burton. the meandering little River Bain The undulating and at times steep to Semer Water, one of only two walk then took us to Aysgarth natural lakes in the Yorkshire Dales where more spectacular waterfalls National Park. An uphill climb on gushed over the limestone rocks Countersett Hill afforded beautiful on the River Ure. After our views of the lake and a good sunny coffee stop we walked up hill and place to sit for lunch. At the top of down dale passing through the the hill we joined the Roman road villages of Carpedy, Woodhall and and followed this down towards Newbiggin. We had our picnic Bainbridge for tea and more cakes lunch sitting on old ant hills in a and ice cream before returning Admiring the view towards Wensleydale. Photo: Joan Clark sheltered spot admiring bluebells in to Askrigg along another stretch a little copse. After lunch, as the of old railway line. The longer gradual descent took them back calling at Hawes on the way. The wind showed no sign of abating, our walkers took the bus to Thwaite, to Wensleydale, just north of coffee stop was at the impressive end. leader modified the walk to avoid then followed the Pennine Way Hawes. They made their way back Hawes visitor centre where some of Very mank thanks to Susan, Ray, the high areas. We finally returned over Great Shunner Fell. The to Askrigg, contouring the lower us feasted our eyes (and sampled) Brian and Sheila for taking us on to Askrigg along an old railway line. ascent was gradual and the long slopes of the dale. the vast display of cheeses laid such beautiful walks and giving The longer walkers, led by Susan, gently undulating walk along the On the last day we all walked out for trying and buying. An us a good taste of the wonderful followed a similar route, but stayed ridge afforded spectacular views together, led by Brian, on a circular enjoyable lunch at the beautifully Yorkshire Dales. on the bus a bit longer so started of the wild empty moorland. A walk from Simonstone Hotel located hotel brought our trip to an Jeanne Stone and Joan Clark

Diversions and Footpath matters consultations The diversions of Hanborough won at a public inquiry into Footpath Secretary until 1985, footpath 15 and Highmoor Ramblers 80th anniversary walks Oxfordshire County Council’s claimed from my Tithe Award footpath 5 have been confirmed. There were many walks over the book (Walk 31), through creation order on 19 December evidence. We also walked Newton New consultations have weekend in May. In particular Wychwood, once known as 1988 and I attended the inaugural Purcell footpath 15 for which I been received for Ambrosden I led a walk on 4 May, the bank the ‘Secret Forest’, and various walk along it four days later. Also, successfully obtained a variation bridleway 6 to be diverted around holiday Monday, mostly along paths which were the subject of on 16 May, I led a walk along order when it transpired that the a horse training area, and for the route which I produced dedications. some bridleways which Rowland original order had been put in the Cholsey BOAT (byway open for the 75th anniversary The Wychwood path was Pomfret, my predecessor as Area wrong Tithe Award allotment. to all traffic) 23 to be closed to vehicles to provide a safe route for other users.

Ridgeway Partnership I attended the launch and inaugural meeting of the Ridgeway Partnership on 19 June in place of Dave Cavanagh, Vice-Chair of Oxfordshire Area. The meeting itself was less controversial than I expected. as it was proposed to meet the projected budget deficit by seeking outside funds rather than making cuts. Some of the group on 4 May along the path through Wychwood, the David Godfrey ‘Secret Forest’. Photo: Joan Crawford The group on 16 May walk on Newton Purcell Footpath 15. Photo: David Godfrey Area Footpath Secretary 16 South East Walker

no doubt be happy to put groups especially ‘special’ or an outlier London £900 million a year and in touch with their nearest health on its own as other cities have one in five of the capital’s children walk scheme organiser. done something similar and there are overweight. The cost per year More Ramblers walks in are plenty of examples of urban from mental health problems is London will enable us to explore national parks in the US and estimated to be £26 billion. We Opinion the culture of our city whilst, at Canada and I’m sure elsewhere. need a London that is liveable the same time attract new and According to the proposers’ and that makes us happier and hopefully diverse participants All website (www.nationalparkcity. healthier, but this can only be London for walking this bearing in mind that virtually london/) London is 47% achieved if we have access to green any London walk can be shortened physically green (more if you space, National Park City status lthough a large Groups could do much to because of the availability of include ‘blue’) has 8.3 million would remind councils of the proportion of Ramblers assist by ensuring that their public transport. trees, 3,000 parks, 300 farms, importance of public space and A members live in the local borough is fully aware of Len Banister 1,000 km of signed footpaths encourage Londoners to enjoy and south east and enjoy urban its responsibility and carries plus about 200 miles of waterway use them.’ as well as rural walking, very out maintenance work on the ...and as a National towpaths, 2 national nature A steering group for the few of the Ramblers Routes strategic routes passing through reserves, 1,400 sites of importance National Park City includes included in walk magazine are its boundaries. Park City for nature conservation, and so people from London Wildlife within easy range of London. I have recently started A campaign to make London a on. Trust and RSPB London but why Perhaps it should feature both talking about the Ramblers ‘National Park City’ was publicly Supporting the proposal, aren’t the Ramblers up there as routes in the countryside of the during the retirement courses launched on 14 July at a packed Ramblers Senior Policy Officer, one of the prime movers? Home Counties, and some of my own borough runs for its meeting I attended in Conway Kate Conto, said: ‘Obesity costs Dominic Pinto those urban routes promoted by employees (many boroughs Hall. the Ramblers Greater London still run these courses for staff So what’s it all about? Firstly, Forum (RGLF). approaching retirement and the government is not being asked The RGLF has a primary groups may like to investigate to designate Greater London task to see that conditions for whether their own offers them). as a National Park. Part of the walking in London are sustained Almost without exception the proposal is to form a Greater and improved - this is against participants are interested in London National Park City the backdrop of the government group walks but, for starters, only Partnership. Though this would deciding that responsibility for want a walk of about three to four not have any formal planning the upkeep of the strategic routes miles. The Walking for Health powers, the proposers believe it (Capital Ring, Thames Path, etc) initiative in which the Ramblers could ‘influence the everyday should revert to the individual is involved with Macmillan decisions that people make’. The boroughs through which they Cancer Support, does seem to Partnership would be funded pass. address this need and there is entirely through corporate has done much to remind the a chance that groups could try sponsorship, private giving and boroughs of their responsibilities to tie in with this programme ‘the provision of services’. with varying success; it has also in a way that progressed to It is a way for all organisations taken over the mapping of these marginally longer walks and who support the environment and routes on their website together eventual membership. Clara open spaces in London to come with referencing them on their Jones in Central Office (Clara. together to protect our green Legible London scheme. [email protected]) would spaces. It’s not that London is The Regent’s Canal provides a green corridor across London.

Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 September: Open House London The capital’s architecture is revealed with over 800 buildings open to the public. A full programme is available from most London libraries or can be ordered in advance from the Diary Dates website openhouselondon.org.uk. Until Saturday 5 September: Travel Photographer of the Year Until Sunday 27 September: Summer Art Show More stunning images from this competition. Open daily, free entry. Work by local artists who draw inspiration from Epping Forest. RGS Pavilion, Exhibition Road, London SW7 Free entry, open daily. 020 7591 3000, www.rgs.org. The View, Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH. 020 7332 1911, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest Until Sunday 6 September: International Garden Photographer of the Year Selected winners from the annual competition for garden and plant photography. Open daily, free entry. Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 October: 6th Surrey Hills Wood Fair Guildford House Gallery, 155 High Street, Guildford. Everything to do with wood, including a demonstration of horse logging. 01483 444751, www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordhouse Open 10am - 5pm each day, entry charge. Birtley House Estate, Bramley, Surrey. Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 September: YHA Open Days www.surreyhillswoodfair.co.uk Fetes with ‘family-friendly fun’ at YHA Lee Valley (close to Cheshunt station) and YHA South Downs (near Southease station). On Saturday the YHAs at Brighton, Canterbury, Saturday 3 - Friday 30 October: The Blazing Forest Eastbourne, Holmbury St Mary and Oxford will be open to visitors. Littlehampton and Local photographer Thomas Peck captures Epping Forest’s autumn colours in this free show. Medway will be open Saturday and Sunday and Streatley on Sunday only. The View, Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH 020 7332 1911, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest Friday 10 - Sunday 13 September: Heritage Open Days Many buildings not normally open to the public throw open their doors this weekend. Various dates in October: Apple Days Diverse events include guided tours of the Westgate excavations in Oxford, the largest ever It’s that time of the year to celebrate apples and all they mean to us. Events large and small archaeological excavations in the city, and English Cut Flowers Day in Guildford celebrating take place including on Saturday 3 October at The Orchard, Common Road, Chorleywood, Surrey’s historic role in supplying cut flowers to London markets. Herts (www.chorleywood-orchard.org.uk) and the National Apple Festival over the weekend www.heitageopendays.org.uk of Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 at Brogdale, near Faversham, Kent (www.brogdalecpollections. org). Saturday 12 September: Explore with map and compass group A further one day course run by local rambler John Harmer for beginners to gain confidence Saturday 24 October - 6 March 2016: The Animals of David Jones and experience in map reading and land navigation in the countryside surrounding Battle, An exhibition of woodcuts, carvings, drawings and paintings by the unique artist who once East Sussex. Standard charge is £10, reduced rates available. lived in Ditchling, focussing on his fascination with animals (a companion exhibition also 01424 3998 or email [email protected] shows at Pallant House in Chichester). Entry charge. Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft, Ditchling, East Sussex. Sunday 13 September: Annual Epping Forest Centenary Walk www.ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk. A walk of about 15 miles south to north through the forest organised by the Friends of Epping Forest with help from West Essex Ramblers and the Corporation of London. Starts 9am sharp from corner of Capel Road and Forest Drive, close to Manor Park station. Ends Saturday 7 November: Southend on the map Bell Common, near Epping. Open to all, with shorter sections possible. ‘Explore a timeline of maps and images tracing the development of the town in this event 020 8418 0730, www.friendsofeppingforest.org.uk organised by Essex Record Office. Free, but donation of £2 suggested, 10.30am - 3pm. Sunday 13 September: Chilterns Countryside and Food Festival The Forum, Southend on Sea SS1 1NE. A showcase for local producers and crafts people organised jointly by the Chiltern Conservation Board and the National Trust. Until 23 December: My Wild Life in West Berkshire 10am - 4pm. Entry charge. An exhibition at West Berkshire Museum, Newbury, co-curated with the Berks, Bucks & NT Ashridge Estate visitor centre, by Bridgewater Monument, near Berkhamsted HP4 1LT. Oxon Wildlife Trust. focussing on the area’s wildlife and wild places. 01844 355506, www.chilternsaonb.org. 01635 519562, www.westberks.gov.uk/museum