Walking for Wellbeing Programme for May to August 2018

Date Meeting Point Route, Distance and Leader Reference Tues 1st May Church End Shalford SHORT WALK – In and around the historic village of Exp 195 724 282 10.30 am (Permitted parking at the village hall) Shalford with Jane & Linda B CM7 5EZ Wed 2nd May Great Easton Village Hall C.P. An undulating 5.4 mile walk via Little Easton, Harcamlow Exp 195 607 255 10.30am Way, Tilty Church & Dunton Hill, with David G. CM6 2HF Tues 8th May Arger Fen 4.5 - 5 mile walk with Linda C via Arger Fen, Exp196 930 352 10.30 am (car share if possible, limited parking) & Mill Farms, Kedge's Wood, Gazley Gate CO8 5BN Tues 15th May The Crown CP, The Green, An old favourite - about 5.25 miles with Malcolm via Expl 211 834 524 10.30 am (please support the pub) Audley End Farm, Chadacre Park and Hartest Hill IP29 4DH Tues 22nd May East Town CP, Coupals Road, About 5.5 miles over the fields to Kedington, around the Exp 210 686 448 10.30 am Haverhill pretty village; & back partly on same track, with Daphne CB9 7UW Tues 29th May St .Mary's Church C.P. Church Lane, An undulating 5.4 miles via Cabbage Woods, Exp 195 552 332 10.30 am Debden Harcamlow Way, Chalk Pits & Brickhouse Farm.(Small CB11 3LD car park, car share if possible) with David & Eric Tues 5th June Rowhedge Village Hall CP, SHORT WALK - About 3 miles with George and Angela Exp 184 027 217 10.30 am Rectory Road on the footpaths in Rowhedge CO5 7HX Wed 6th June Castle Hedingham, St James Street, A circular walk of about 5 miles via Great Maplestead, Exp 195 785 355 10.30am near Buckleys Tea Rooms with Shirley. Park in the street or at the Memorial Hall. CO9 3EJ Tues 12th June Rodbridge Corner Picnic site A walk of 5.5 miles on field paths and lanes around Exp196 857 436 10.30 am (“Melford Country Park”), Borley & Foxearth with Malcolm CO10 9HH Tues 19th June Public CP, Church St, A 5.5mile circular walk via with Peter T. Exp196 914 490 10.30 am CO10 9SA Tues 26th June Memorial Hall, Church Lane, A 4.5 to 5 mile walk around Castle Hedingham with Exp 195 784 355 10.30 am Castle Hedingham Anne K CO9 3DA Tues 3rd July Wickham Bishops SHORT WALK - 3.25 miles easy walking taking in River Exp 183 837 121 10.30 am St Bartholomews Church Car Park Blackwater thro’ Benton Hall Golf Course with John V P CM8 3LA Wed 4th July Mill Green Common car park opposite Just under 5 miles through the ancient woodlands of Exp 183 638 012 10.30am The Cricketers pub Writtle Forest with John V P CM4 0RH Thurs 5th July Evening walk - Heybridge Basin, Short walk of about 2.5 miles with Peter G followed by Exp 183 871 069 5.45 pm Daisy Meadow car park fish & chip supper at nearby pub at about 7pm. CM9 4RP Tues 10th July Spencers Farm Shop, A 3 to 3.5 mile walk with Anne K, followed by a Exp 195 833 361 1.00 pm Wickham St Paul Strawberry Tea at the cafe, cost £5.45. Note 1pm start CO9 2PX Tues 17th July Heybridge Basin, Daisy Meadow car A linear route with Dave T. Walk 0.75 mile to meet the Exp183 871 069 10.30 am park. Bring bus pass or cash. 11.00 bus to Goldhanger then walk back to car park via CM9 4RP the sea wall, about another 4.75 miles. Tues 24th July Coggeshall, Grange Barn, Kelvedon 4 mile walk with Rob & Christine, along part of the Essex Exp195 848 223 11.00 am Road (gates open 10.45 am) Way, Cuthedge Lane, back via Pointwell Mill & the Abbey. C06 1RE Tues 31st July Fordham Heath - car park Heath 5 miles, via Gt Porters Farm, Hill House Wood & Cooks Exp 184 943 264 10.30 am Road on north side of Heath Mill with Eric & David. CO3 9TN Tues 7th August Roadside in Stebbing High Street, SHORT WALK - 3 miles around the village outskirts Exp 195 662 243 10.30 am near White Hart with Jo and Alan CM6 3SQ Wed 8th August Dedham, Mill Lane Car Park (the large Just over 4.5 miles to and Mill, Exp 196 058 334 10.30 am one - £2 charge for 4 Hours) this time, with Alan & Jo! CO7 6DH Tues 14th August Clare Castle Country Park, A 5 mile walk with Daphne, via Houghton Hall and New Exp 210 770 451 10.30 am Malting Lane, Clare [CP £2.00] House Farm, with good views. Café at old station. CO10 8NW Tues 21st August Cheshunt Field car park, Maldon Rd, ALL DAY WALK with Lotte. An easy figure of 8 ramble; Exp 184 968 228 10.30 am & 2.00 pm Shrub End, near Colchester am 5 miles towards Roman River; pm 3.5m to Stanway, CO3 0SH Come for either or along Dyke & back. Bring a picnic, weather permitting, to both walks eat in the Conservation Park, or visit The Leather Bottle. Tues 28th August The Green, Greenstead Green A 4 to 5 mile walk around Greenstead Green, with Exp 195 822 278 10.30 am Libby. CO9 1QZ

Disclaimer: - Please note that anyone taking part is responsible for their own safety and for providing their own appropriate footwear and clothing. Would your friends enjoy these walks? Be sure to tell them of the health and social benefits of regular walking, and pass on a copy of this programme. Pin a copy to suitable notice boards. Could you lead a walk? We welcome new leaders. Please speak to Malcolm or any of the current leaders. Advanced notice: the date of the Christmas lunch is Tuesday 11 December, at Gosfield Golf Club, preceded by a morning walk. The list of walks can be found on our website: www.fowfwb.wordpress.com . Please enter your email address in the box to receive notifications of new posts by email. The list may also be at www.braintree.gov.uk/walks .

Revised Sunday, April 15, 2018, 3:35 PM WfWb Programme May to August 2018 final ‘Friends of Walking for Wellbeing’ is an informal group of walk leaders which has the aim of continuing the Walking for Wellbeing programme previously run by BDC and the BDVSA. The principle remains the same. Walks are free, just turn up and go and be led in a responsible manner by an experienced Volunteer leader who will advise on any potential hazards. However, they will be undertaken on an individual basis. This is not a constituted club in any form. There will be no organisational back-up and the availability of insurance and First Aid facilities cannot be guaranteed. Walkers are held responsible for determining their ability to complete the walks and for wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear. Although walking is a very low risk activity, Walking for Wellbeing has not had a serious incident in 17years, walkers are responsible for their own safety when walking, particularly at known hazards such as roads and railway lines. Walkers participate at their own risk and the individual leaders of ‘Friends of Walking for Well-being’ will take no responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage which may occur to any person or property as a result of participation in any walk.

General Advice:  All walkers are asked to carry their name and a contact number in case of an emergency.  Walks take place in all weathers and on variable terrain so use common sense in deciding on your ability to complete the walk in the prevailing weather conditions.  Walks are arranged to sustain the interest of walkers, both in the Braintree District and beyond, so access to transport is an advantage.  At the beginning of each walk and whilst en-route the leader will provide information on the route as well as likely conditions and any known hazards.  All walkers are expected to remain alert during the walks and to recognize any hazards that arise when using the highways or when off-road, especially if there are frosty or slippery conditions.  Please inform the walk leader if you intend to leave the walk at any time.  All walks are circular unless stated otherwise. Clothing/Footwear:  Be aware of the weather forecast for the day and wear suitable level/layers of clothing. Remember the weather can change so it may be prudent to carry some rain protection, hat and gloves. Gaiters will keep mud off trouser legs.  Wear sturdy footwear, preferably boots designed for hiking, ensuring they are in good condition; i.e. good grip on the soles, and waterproof. Good comfortable socks with flat seams will protect feet from tenderness and blisters. Other items which will add to your comfort:  Sun cream, cap/hat and water bottle especially needed in warm weather to protect from sunstroke and dehydration.  Fruit or cereal bar and drink for halfway break (a banana is a good provider of energy).  A small First Aid pack.  A walking stick will help on gradients, especially in wet or icy conditions. Important reminders:  Litter and left over food (including fruit skins) can be harmful to animals and spread disease, so please take it home or dispose of it in a responsible manner.  Public footpaths are 1m to 1.8m wide, but the land on either side is private. Please respect this.  If anyone has a problem of any kind whatsoever, whether trivial or important, bring it to the notice of one of the walk leaders immediately.  As a walker, you have a duty of care to yourself, to the walk leaders, to your fellow walkers and for observing the country code.

Could you lead a walk? We welcome new leaders. Please speak to Malcolm or any of the current leaders.

Revised Sunday, April 15, 2018, 3:35 PM WfWb Programme May to August 2018 final