Eboot – August 2021

eBoot – August 2021

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Contents

Walks Programme ...... 2 Some walks from the August programme ...... 3 2-6 September Peak District weekend...... 5 Walking News ...... 5 Committee News – June 30th meeting ...... 5 Cotswold Way improvements...... 6 Ramblers Cymru: Access to green infrastructure ...... 6 Walking experiences in Bristol: Bath university study ...... 6 Feature Articles ...... 7 Rivercide, a documentary film available on YouTube ...... 7 The point of trig points ...... 7 Editorial ...... 8 Partners and Sponsors ...... 9 Ramblers Walking Holidays ...... 9 Outdoor Retailers ...... 9

Walks Programme

The August programme can now be accessed from the home page of the Group’s website: https://www.bristolramblers.org.uk/bristolramblers-group-walks.html As well as the full programme, it is now also possible to download a programme with only the Sunday walks, and another with all walks except Sunday walks. These can be viewed from the list of links near the bottom of the website homepage: click on sunprog or weekdayprog, as shown below.

Walk booking Following the lifting of restrictions, from the 1st August it will no longer be necessary to book in advance to join most walks. However, it is up to each individual leader to decide whether to limit the numbers on their walks. Where the walks programme indicates that a walk has limited numbers, please contact the leader in advance to ensure you have a place. Booking is still necessary for the remaining walks in July.

Car sharing For Sunday walks, from 1st August lift sharing will resume. For A walks, this means meeting at Priory Road, and for B walks attendees should meet at Great George Street. However, offering lifts to the start of walks will be at the discretion of individual members, and there may be insufficient spaces in cars for all walkers. The committee will monitor the situation to see whether any adjustments are necessary or desirable.

Some walks from the August programme Please note that the descriptions here are not an exhaustive list of the walks available. The full and up-to-date programme can be found on the website.

Sun 1st August – Faukland Lavender Fields (B walk, 12 miles) This walk features lovely views over Wellow, with one incline to Faulkland to visit the lavender fields which will hopefully be in full flower. After a drink at the pub we return via Norton St. Philip, taking in more views to the Westbury White Horse.

Sun 1st August – Cold Ashton (A walk, 14 miles) An undulating walk far from the madding crowd around the secluded and beautiful valleys north of Bath, hopefully offering views over that fine city from Little Solsbury Hill. There is no pub within easy reach, bah humbug!

Tue 3rd August – Hanham and Oldland (Evening walk, 6.5 miles) This stroll through the green spaces of southeast Bristol includes Hanham Court, Willsbridge Mill and its surrounding nature reserve, Siston Brook, Cockroad Ridge and the gentle rise of Hanham Mount. The start point can be accessed by buses 42-45. Alternatively, there is a car park available.

Sun 8 August – Keynsham, Wick and Bitton (B walk, 11 miles) We will walk down the Avon, then over the hill to enter Willsbridge nature reserve and walk along the Dramway and the cycle path to Oldland common. We then cross the road and hill towards Wick. Going back, we follow the Pilgrim's way towards Bitton, with a detour up Bitton Hill, then back down to the Avon and along to Keynsham. A fairly easy walk with no pub stop, though there is a pub at the end for those who would like to stay for a bit.

Sun 8 August – Three Castles Walk (A walk, 19 miles) This beautiful 19 mile walk takes in the three Castles built by the Normans to keep the Welsh under control. Skenfrith, White Castle and Grosmont were the HQs for the Marcher Lords - who ruled over their areas of control with almost total autonomy. The walk takes in the quiet hills and valleys of the Welsh Marches on the borders of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire on the east of Offa’s Dyke (built by Offa a few hundred years earlier, also to keep the Welsh out) and there are lovely views throughout the day. The walk has been made easier over the past few years as many of the numerous stiles have been replaced by kissing gates or farm gates which have been left open. It is also waymarked, which makes for easy

navigation of what is a complex route. You will need to bring plenty of food and drink - there is unlikely to be anywhere open for refreshments, although a stop at the pub in Grosmont may be possible depending on the time. Bristol Ramblers has not had this walk on the programme for a number of years so it is time to reinstate it. Overall ascent is around 3500 feet. Numbers on this walk are limited to 12. Please contact the leader Anna Kulisa on [email protected] or phone 07836 322211 to book a place.

Tue 10 August – Maes Knoll (Evening walk, 5 miles) We ascend Maes Knoll, with views to all directions, descend to the hamlet of Norton Malreward, and then return across fields to Whitchurch. The start point can be accessed by the Metrobus M1.

Wed 11 August - Bradford on Avon [...] Freshford (Wessex Wanderers) A 5-6 mile walk accessed via the Bristol-Weymouth railway line. For more information, see: https://www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk/

Sun 22 August – Dolebury Warren (B walk, 10 miles) A circular walk from Shipham through Rowberrow Warren, following a section of the Mendip Way to Beacon Batch. From there we descend to Burrington Ham and The Rock of Ages and follow the Limestone Link over Dolebury Warren. We cross the A38 and skirt the old, disused Churchill Quarry following a path known as ‘The Batch’ before circling back to Shipham. Unfortunately there is no pub stop en route.

Sun 22 August – Newent (A walk, 15 miles) A very pleasant, peaceful and gentle country ramble through delightful rolling countryside in the Forest of Dean region. After beginning by climbing May Hill, we then progress entertainingly northwards to the lovely little town of Newent, with its large lake, market square, equestrian statue and gold post-box! We return via woodlands, streams and farmlands, with an abundance of fruit-trees and bushes on display. All in all, a nice relaxing day out.

Sun 29 August – Glamorgan Heritage Coast (A walk, 13 miles) This is a linear walk from Ogmore-by-Sea to Llantwit Major. Depending on the size of the group and the time of arrival at the car park we shall either catch the bus or operate a car shuttle in order to travel from Llantwit Major to Ogmore and walk back. The coast path is not particularly difficult and offers fine views across to Exmoor and the chance to see interesting rock formations on some of the

beaches, similar to those at Kilve. Our route passes Dunraven Bay, Nash Point with its lighthouse, and St Donat's College.

2-6 September Peak District weekend. There are still a few places available for this trip. All walks are carefully curated, and based on reports from previous Bristol Ramblers weekenders are likely to be highly enjoyable. The trip notes are available from the Bristol Ramblers’ website. If you are interested, please contact Ikuko directly at [email protected]

Walking News

Committee News – June 30th meeting

The walks programme We anticipate that after Covid restrictions are lifted members will have differing views on car-sharing, numbers on walks, social distancing etc. The programme has been modified to reflect this possibility.

Risk assessments Ramblers have made it mandatory for risk assessments to be prepared for all walks and to be kept for one year. Failure to complete a risk assessment for a walk may invalidate Ramblers insurance for that walk. We have redrafted the pro forma document so that it is easier to complete, and you will shortly be able to access this version from the website (or by contacting your walk coordinator or the committee). There is no need to print it off, as it can be completed and saved electronically. Further guidance for walk leaders is being prepared.

B walks coordinator Since 2014 Ikuko has been managing the B walks, not only enticing leaders to come forward to populate the programme, but also arranging trips away involving multiple walks over a number of days. The latest was in the Shropshire hills in May, and she is still lead organiser for the forthcoming Peak District trip. Many thanks to you Ikuko, and also Chris, for all your work over the years. Paula has kindly agreed to take on this role with immediate effect. She will be seeking walks for September and beyond. Due to this, Paula will be standing down from the Committee in October; it’s the committee’s loss, but the B walkers’ gain. Thank you Paula.

Cotswold Way improvements by Gwyneth L The drystone wall at Hanging Hill is finished - all 408 metres. It has taken the Cotswold Wardens Avon Valley Dry Stone Wallers 3 years, and 6000 man (and woman) hours. The Cotswold Wardens Footpath Working Party have helped by clearing the footpath and reinstating the path along the side of the wall, with the signage repositioned. The farmer has cleared some of the undergrowth in the field. The trig point is visible for the first time in years. The views are amazing.

Ramblers Cymru: Access to green infrastructure The Welsh Ramblers have recently secured funding for a new project to maintain and improve paths and natural habitats. They hope that this will help encourage local communities to engage more with green spaces and, of course, with walking. For more information, see: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/en/get-involved/campaign-with- us/paths-to-wellbeing.aspx

Walking experiences in Bristol: Bath university study The University of Bath are conducting research to understand walking experiences for different people in Bristol. They are looking for participants to answer a short questionnaire of 5-10 minutes. To take part: • You must be over 18 • You must have walked longer than 15 minutes in Bristol in the last week (It doesn't matter if you used mobility or orientation aids) • You must not suffer from memory problems, including dementia The questionnaire includes some basic questions about your health background, enjoyable experience, and challenges you have faced. All your answers and data will be completely anonymous. If you are interested, you can fill out the questionnaire here: https://bathreg.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/walking-experiences- bristol

Feature Articles

Rivercide, a documentary film available on YouTube by Carew R Considering the amount of time I spend walking through it, I know shamefully little about the technical and commercial aspects of the English landscape. So I welcomed the opportunity to watch this documentary, which focuses on the rivers Wye and Llynfi and asks why, after decades of gradual improvement, the quality of their waters and ecologies are in sharp decline. The film is presented by environmental journalist George Monbiot, who proves a surprisingly cheery companion. It was made on a shoestring: production values are not high, and it has an engagingly DIY feel. But there is nothing cheery about the messages. Run-off from industrial meat farming plus overflows from sewage treatment plants plus budget cuts for state enforcement agencies equals rivers that are dying, slimy, smelly, and definitely not safe to swim in. If you ever feel the need to depress yourself, this would be a good place to start. This is one local dimension of what the UN describes as the triple emergency (climate, ecology and pollution). What is to be done? The film suggests support for River Action UK and for local groups monitoring and campaigning for particular rivers. Another possibility is to change diet to reduce complicity in industrial meat production. But it is for each of us to make our own decisions. Related links (added by Ceiswyn) https://www.rivercide.tv/ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/livestr eamed-documentary-rivercide-to-unmask-uks-water-polluters https://www.rwtwales.org/blog-start-wye

The point of trig points

By Ceiswyn B, based on conversations with Bob G So. Trig points. They're just pointy things on hills, right? Useful reassuring landmarks? I always sort of assumed there was a reason for them, but I didn’t question it too much - and I’m sure I’m not the only one who gave thanks on seeing the concrete obelisk that signified the end of the ascent, without ever wondering why it was there. All the trig points you see today – every single one - were put in place during the mid 20th century as part of the Retriangulation of Britain. This

was a project to map the entirety of Great Britain and Ireland to a ridiculous precision using triangulation to fix the exact locations of everything. The Retriangulation started in 1935, and they decided to create a network of highly visible fixed points to triangulate by; these were the concrete obelisks we know and love today. At the time when each primary trig point (don't ask) was placed, each had a sight line to at least two others, and the unobtrusive brass plate and hole you may have noticed in the top of each one is there to hold a theodolite in a very precise position. To make absolutely certain the thing doesn't move, each trig point is set in a cube of concrete that goes down at least 2'6 into the ground. To cover the entire country, there are 6,500 of them. And every single one of them was built by the surveyors lumping all that cement, aggregate, water etc up to the very specifically measured location and getting their trowels out. It took about thirty years. On the bright side, this was still an improvement on the original triangulation project. That started back in the 1790s, and it relied on a theodolite that was 3ft across, and weighed as much as an average man (twice that if you included all the necessary accessories). And of which the Ordnance Survey owned one (1). Dragging it around the country surveying literally everything took sixty years and I'm frankly astonished it was that quick. It's funny what you learn on a long hike. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and hug my mobile’s tracking apps for a bit.

Editorial And now I know how freedom feels, The jailer always at your heels. It is the law! I must say that, like Les Misérables’s Valjean, I was expecting to feel rather more excited about freedom from the restrictions that have dogged all our footsteps for so long. But with case numbers still rising and people deeply divided on the desirability of dropping precautions, ‘Freedom Day’ feels rather more like tentatively edging into a social minefield. What’s become very clear over the last I-don’t-even-want-to-think-how- long is that everyone has different needs, depending on their health and living situation. Some people still need to take as many precautions as possible; others need an end to restrictions that are making their lives genuinely unbearable, and how do you square that circle? I have no idea. I take off my hat to anyone who can, and that is no insignificant promise given that first I’d have to buy a hat and put it on. So I fear that it’s going to be an odd and awkward summer, while we all learn to navigate our way around these new social rules (and I learn to navigate my way around the Cotswolds while I’m at it). All we can do is

try to navigate them with empathy and flexibility, in search of an end result that lets as many of us as possible roam the local countryside together, rather than crossing hiking poles at dawn. Since if nothing else, it’s just far too hot to argue. Ceiswyn (pron. KICE-win)

Partners and Sponsors

Ramblers Walking Holidays Ramblers Walking Holidays is the Ramblers holiday walking partner. If you book a holiday with Ramblers Walking Holidays and let them know that you are a Bristol Ramblers member, this Group will receive a contribution (£10 for UK holidays, £20 for short haul, £30 for long haul). See https://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/faqs#tab-the-walking- partnership Note that this has no impact on the price you pay for the holiday.

Outdoor Retailers Most outdoor gear shops offer discounts to Ramblers members.

Cotswold Outdoor Cotswold Outdoor is the Ramblers national sponsor, and their discount is 15%.

Taunton Leisure Taunton Leisure sponsors this local Group, and also offer 15% discounts, rising to 20% at their regular special events.

You are receiving this communication as a member of the Bristol group and you have previously asked to be kept informed of the Ramblers work by email. If you no longer wish to receive communications like this, please update your mailing preferences at www.ramblers.org.uk/my- account.