RAMBLERS’ ASSOCIATION MENDIP GROUP The Charity Working for Walkers. Charity number 1093577 Company limited by guarantee 4458492. www.ramblers.org.uk

SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMME April – July 2012

FROM THE COMMITTEE

Walking insurance Go Walkabout have contacted us offering an insurance product that is designed to deal with accidents and incidents that can occur whilst on a walking trip. We are able to offer an annual policy for as little as £23.85 for an individual or £42.93 for a couple. The Ramblers insurance does not cover you for any injury you may sustain. It only covers the walk leader for third party liability. Details can be found at http://accidents-happen.co.uk/.

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays Walking Programme The Ramblers have switched walking holiday partners from Ramblers Holidays to HF, but Ramblers Holidays still offer discounts which go to the group. We have registered Mendip Ramblers into their Walking Partnership Scheme. So if you are planning a holiday with Ramblers Holidays, let them know that you are a member of Mendip Ramblers. The group will get between £10 and £30 per booking.

Blacks Discount Card As Blacks is now owned by JD Sports, the Blacks Card you received is no longer being honoured.

FUTURE EVENTS

Friday 20 April 2012 Quiz night at the Poachers Pocket, Chelynch. Start: 6:45pm for 7:00pm. Last date to book: 12 April 2012. Price: £8.50 incl. hot supper. Please send your cheque (made payable to Mendip Ramblers) to 8 Beverley Close, BA11 4EP.

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Friday 22 June – Monday 25 June 2012 Exmoor self-booking weekend On the ”menu” are Wimbleball Lake, the Simonsbath area, Exford area and Wheddon Cross to Dunkery Beacon. All the walks will be about 12 miles. The terrain is hilly. Some of the walks will not have been checked beforehand. Suggested shorter walks of about 8 miles will be available, but they will be self-led. On some days it will be possible for those wanting shorter walks, to start with the group and return by a shorter route. If the weather is bad, the walk may be altered. A communal meal on Saturday night is planned. If you wish to go, please let Janet know so that booking can be done in advance (01458 835238). For details of the walks, please go to the relevant page in the walk programme.

Saturday 30 June 2012 Day walk on the Isle of Wight Les is planning a day walk on the Isle of Wight on Saturday 30 June. It is the Round the Island Yacht Race. Park in Lymington and catch the 10am ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. Walk to Freshwater Bay across Tennyson Down with views of both the north and south coast, on to The Needles and Alum Bay, followed by the coastal path back to Yarmouth. Distance about 10 miles. Plenty of tea shops. A return ticket for one is £12.90. Parking for the day at the terminal is quoted as £5.90 on their website. If anyone is interested, contact Les on 07768 556735 or email [email protected].

MENDIP RAMBLERS FREE WALKING FESTIVAL 2012 AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Monday 27 August 2012

Each day there will be 3 walks (various distances) starting at 10:00am Plus 1 shorter walk starting at 1:00pm. All walks start from The Village Hall Fosse Way Stratton-on-the-Fosse BA3 4QQ Grid ref: ST 658 510 OS Explorer Map 142 – Shepton Mallet & East www.mendipramblers.co.uk

Any queries, please telephone Paula on 01458 860751 [email protected] or Clive on 07931 382064 / [email protected]

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Brittany self-booking September 2012 (from Tony and Jane Dyson) This is definitely going ahead, with the main party meeting in Brittany for walks from Wednesday 12 September through to Monday 17 September. We will be joining with local ramblers on the Sunday. The majority of the group plan to camp at a site near pointe de Trevignon (6 miles south of Concarneau), which is close to beaches and other amenities. There is plenty B&B accommodation available locally for those who prefer not to camp. We are trying to minimise transport costs by car sharing where possible. To register an interest, please email me at [email protected].

Wednesday walkers These walks are not surveyed, so they can be quite exciting. They usually start 10:00am, are between 8-11 miles and often nearing a pub for lunch. Details of the start point can be obtained from David Rawlins (01373 836252), Alice Lock (01373 474695) and Alan Hancock (01749 675836) after 6:00pm on Tuesday before the walk. Bring your secateurs.

OTHER NEWS

Sunday 13 May 2012 St MARGARET’s Great Walk Due to popular demand, St Margaret’s Great Somerset Walk will be held again on Sunday 13 May 2012. It offers you the chance to see your area from a different angle. The walk – the longest organised walk in Somerset – is mainly along footpaths and bridleways, but is also broken into shorter, manageable sections so that you can walk from just 4 miles or challenge yourself to complete the full 34 miles between Taunton and Yeovil. The route between Taunton and Creech St Michael is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. The Great Somerset Walk is for everyone! Toddlers, teens, twenty-somethings and seniors are all welcome. You can even bring your dog! Not only do you get the benefits of fun, fitness and a great day out, every pound you raise will help provide hospice care for thousands of patients and their families in Somerset. The Great Somerset Walk offers you a chance to enjoy the wonderful scenery we are so lucky to have on our doorstep whilst helping raise funds for Somerset’s largest charity. You will receive a free hospice sunflower badge at your start registration point, so you can proudly show your support on the route. You will also be able to learn about the area as you walk with the Great Somerset Walk quiz. Walkers can register on line at http://www.somerset-hospice.org.uk/Fundraising/CharityWalk2012, find a registration leaflet at St Margaret’s shops or by ringing the Fundraising Office on 0845 345 9671. If the walk is not for you, perhaps you could volunteer to do a stint as a marshal – please do get in touch. If you would like any further information, St Margaret’s Fundraising Office will be pleased to help. 3

 Thank you for your walks in this programme! 

On 6th June 2012: Please submit your walks for the next programme

GENERAL INFORMATION

Websites For information about Mendip Ramblers’ activities, news, programmes, our local history, photographs etc. visit www.mendipramblers.co.uk. Visit www.somersetramblers.co.uk for information on all Ramblers groups in Somerset. Both websites are easy to use.

Code of Conduct for Dog Owners 1. Please consider other walkers at all times and ensure that their enjoyment of the walk is not affected in any way by your dog. 2. Dogs must be kept under close control when there is livestock about. 3. It is recommended that dogs are kept on a lead when walking on a highway with vehicular access. 4. If any walker feels a dog is not under proper control they should speak to the leader. 5. Follow any directions given by the leader or back marker

Banana and orange peel These are not biodegradable in the British climate and are very unsightly when carelessly disposed of. Please take them home. Banana skins can go in the compost heap (reputed to be excellent for roses) or the waste food recycling caddy, while orange peel can be cut into small (3mm) squares and sprinkled on the garden or lawn to discourage cats.

How long can it take? Paper bag: 1 month Plastic bag: 10 to 20 years Plastic bottle: 450 years Cigarette end: 18 months to 500 years Chewing gum: 1 million years

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Committee 2011/2012: Chair: Mike Plaskitt [email protected] 01373 472101 Secretary: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Treasurer: Tony Dyson [email protected] 01761 232715 Footpath Officer (East): Tony Parsons [email protected] 01749 342285 Footpath Officer (West): Brian Underwood [email protected] 01749 672457 Membership Secretary: Barbara Calverley [email protected] 01749 870169 Press Secretary & Publicity Officer: Paula Ruddock [email protected] 01458 860751 Social Secretary: Alice Lock [email protected] 01373 474695 Area Committee Rep: Nick Harding [email protected] 01373 812652 Web master: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Assisted by Tony Dyson Walks Programme Co-ordinator: Peggy Frampton [email protected] 01278 783270 Assisted by Alice and Paula Committee Members: Mary Birchall [email protected] 01373 474530 Mary Davis Jane Dyson 01761 232715

Date Description Contact

Sunday 1st Washing Stones Gully, Jack & Joan's Bower Bob and Rosemary April Distance 12 miles. Phone 01749 346023 Time 10am Meet: Village Hall ST 548 381 Map: EX141 BA6 8RT

Sunday 1st Frome Rights of Way walk: Around Les April Thoulstone Phone 07768 556735 Time 2:20pm Distance 5.5 miles. ST 840 480 Map: EX143 Meet: Thoulston. Old A36 slip road BA13 4AQ

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Thursday East Woodlands, Tytherington, Les 5th April Distance 6 miles. Phone 07768 556735 Time 10am Meet: East Woodlands Church ST 789 441 Map: EX142 BA11 5LQ

Sunday 8th The Polden Way from Walton Hill Janet April Distance 12 miles. Phone 01458 835238 Time 10am Meet: Walton Hill car park ST 466 350 Map: EX141 BA16 9RD

Monday 9th Easter Monday flat walk: Burrowbridge, Stoke Richard & Lisa April St. Gregory and King Alfred's Monument Phone 01749 672373 Time 10am Distance 10 miles. ST 346 294 Map: EX140 Meet: Layby on south side of A361 between TA7 0SD Burrowbridge and East Lyng

Thursday Pitcot, Homewood, Benter Trevor 4 12th April Distance 6 miles. Phone 01761 232311 Time 10am Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall, Fosse Way ST 658 510 Map: EX142 BA3 4QQ

Sunday 15th Marksbury, Hunstrete, Woollard, Chewton Les April Keynsham, Compton Dando Phone 07768 556735 Time 10am Distance 11 miles. ST 665 624 Map: EX155 Meet: Marksbury BA2 9HP

Thursday towards Waterlip and back Gus 19th April Distance 6 miles. Phone 01749 840349 Time 10am Meet: Stoke St Michael, car park on Frog Lane ST 661 471 Map: EX142 BA3 5HE

Sunday Stourton, Kilmington area Dave O 22nd April Distance 10 miles. Phone 07966 257878 Time 10am Meet: Alfred's tower car park ST 748 354 Map: EX142 BA10 0JS

Thursday Crook Peak Mike G 26th April Distance 6 miles. Phone 01458 830017 Time 10am Meet: King's Wood car park, Winscombe Hill off A38 ST 421 560 Map: EX154 BS25 1NW

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Friday 27th Pub walk from The Kings Arms, Stratton-on- Dave O April the-Fosse. If eating, please contact Dave before Phone 07966 257878 Time 10am 26 April ST 657 509 Map: EX142 Distance 6 miles. BA3 4QW Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse, The Kings Arms

Sunday Undulating walk: Carlingcott and Dunkerton Gus 29thApril Distance 13.5 miles. Phone 01749 840349 Time 10am Meet: Midsomer Norton, South Road public car park ST 665 541 Map: EX142 BA3 2EZ

Sunday 29th Afternoon walk around Westbury sub Mendip Barbara & Michael April Distance 4 miles. Phone 01749 870169 Time 2pm Meet: Westbury sub Mendip, end of Station Road ST 499 483 Map: EX141 over railway bridge. Please share cars if possible BA5 1JQ

Thursday area Dave O 3rd May Distance 6 miles. Phone 07966 257878 Time 10am Meet: Park in Evercreech village, meet at the church ST 649 387 Map: EX142 BA4 6HX

Sunday 6th Circular hilly walk: Ebbor, Wells, Pen Hill Brian U May Distance 12 miles. Phone 01749 672457 Time 10am Meet: Ebbor Gorge car park. Please share cars if ST 521 485 Map: EX141 possible BA5 1EL

Sunday 6th Frome Rights of Way walk: Around Maiden Mary May Bradley Phone 01373 474530 Time 2:10pm Distance 6 miles. ST 805 392 Map: EX143 Meet: Village Hall BA12 7JD

Monday 7th Bank Holiday walk: Cheddar Reservoir, site of Richard & Lisa May proposed new reservoir and Cheddar Gorge. Phone 01749 672373 Time 10am One hill ST 446 534 Map: EX141 Distance 10 miles. BS27 3DR Meet: Cheddar Reservoir car park

Thursday Sutton Bingham, Pendomer, Hardington Chris 10th May Moor, East Coker Phone 07971 237728 Time 10am Distance 7 miles. ST 544 112

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Map: EX129 Meet: Sutton Bingham Reservoir BA22 9QP

Sunday 13th Hilly walk: Snail's Bottom, Charlton, Trevor 4 May Babington, , Killings Knap Phone 01761 232311 Time 10am Distance 10 miles. ST 658 510 Map: EX142 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall, Fosse Way BA3 4QQ

Thursday Radstock, Welton, Paulton, Clandown Eric 17th May Distance 6 miles. Phone 01373 812605 Time 10am Meet: Radstock, Waterloo Road car park ST 689 550 Map: EX142 BA3 3EF

Sunday 20th Wellow and Shoscombe Mike P May Distance 10 miles. Phone 01373 472101 Time 10am Meet: Wellow (old station) car park ST 738 581 Map: EX141 BA2 8PY

Thursday Hilly walk around Compton Bishop and Brian U 24th May Wavering Down Phone 01749 672457 Time 10am Distance 6 miles. ST 392 551 Map: EX153 Meet: Car park on Cross to Webbington road. BS26 2HN Please share cars if possible

Sunday 27th Upper slopes of Velvet Bottom and Cheddar Suzanne May Gorge and onto Black Down Phone 07875 839010 Time 10am Distance 9 miles. ST 503 555 Map: EX141 Meet: Roadside at head of Velvet Bottom. Please BS40 7XR share cars if possible

Thursday East Woodlands Rita 31st May Distance 6 miles. Phone 01373 466040 Time 10am Meet: East Woodlands church ST 789 441 Map: EX142 BA11 5LQ

Friday 1st Pub walk from The Panborough Inn Paula & Carol June (Wedmore) via Westhay Nature Reserve. If Phone 01458 Time 4pm eating and for menu, please contact Paula by 28 860751/01458 Map: EX141 May. 443020 Distance 6 miles. ST 471 456 Meet: Wedmore, B3139. The Panborough Inn BA5 1PN

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Sunday 3rd Shoscombe and Wellow Bryn June Distance 9 miles. Phone 07709 282394 Time 10am Meet: Radstock, Mill Road ST 697 549 Map: EX142 BA3 5TU

Thursday Undulating walk: Stourhead and Alfred's Jane D 7th June Tower Phone 01761 232715 Time 10am Distance 6 miles. ST 777 339 Map: EX142 Meet: Stourhead NT car park (charge for non BA12 6QD members)

Sunday 10th Win Green, Tollard Royal, Cranborne Chase Tony & Mary June Distance 11 miles. Phone 01749 342285 Time 10am Meet: Win Green car park ST 922 204 Map: EX118 SP7 0EP

Sunday 10th Westbury sub Mendip - Rose D June Distance 6 miles. Phone 01749 670697 Time 2pm Meet: Westbury sub Mendip, Station Road ST 500 484 Map: EX141 BA5 1ES

Sunday 10th Frome Rights of Way walk: Around Wellow Mike P June Distance 5 miles. Phone 01373 472101 Time 2:20pm Meet: Wellow car park ST 738 581 Map: EX142 BA2 8PU

Thursday Mells, , Maggie & Mary 14th June Distance 6 miles. Phone 01458 Time 10am Meet: Mells, Selwood Street, near Talbot Inn 447204/01373 474530 Map: EX142 ST 728 492 BA11 3PN

Thursday Walking the Quantocks Rose D & Hilary 14th June Distance 6 miles. Phone 01749 Time 10:30am Meet: Dead Woman's Ditch car park 670697/01278 Map: EX140 785884 ST 162 382 TA5 1HW

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Sunday 17th Frome and district Ken B June Distance 11 miles. Phone 01373 812865 Time 10am Meet: Frome, Cork Street car park ST 776 481 Map: EX142 BA11 1BL

Thursday Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, followed by Les 21st June breakfast at Catch. Please let Les know Phone 07768 556735 Time 4am so that breakfast can be booked. (Back in time for SU 124 437 Map: EX130 normal Thursday walk!) SP4 8NS Distance 9 miles. Meet: Junction of Fargo Road and public footpath to Durrington Down Farm. Park in roads around Fargo Road

Thursday South Horrington, Walcombe, Pen Hill, West Ken M 21st June Horrington Phone 01749 670349 Time 10am Distance 6 miles. ST 569 461 Map: EX141 Meet: Along Old Frome Road, park opposite Wells BA5 3DS Golf Club

Friday 22nd Exmoor self-booking weekend: Around Janet June Wimbleball Lake Phone 01458 835238 Time 10:30am Distance 12 miles. SS 974 318 Map: OL9 Meet: Bessom Cross TA22 9NY

Saturday Exmoor self-booking weekend: Simonsbath Janet 23rd June area Phone 01458 835238 Time 10am Distance 12 miles. SS 774 393 Map: OL9 Meet: Simonsbath TA24 7SH

Sunday 24th Exmoor self-booking weekend: Exford area Janet June Distance 12 miles. Phone 01458 835238 Time 10am Meet: Exford SS 854 383 Map: OL9 TA24 7PU

Sunday 24th Undulating walk around Holcombe Jane D June Distance 5 miles. Phone 01761 232715 Time 2pm Meet: Holcombe Cross. Park responsibly in roads ST 671 498 Map: EX142 near/around the cross. Limited space, please share BA3 5TF cars if possible

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Monday Exmoor self-booking weekend: Wheddon Janet 25th June Cross to Dunkery Beacon Phone 01458 835238 Time 10am Distance 12 miles. SS 924 388 Map: OL9 Meet: Wheddon Cross TA24 7DP

Thursday Faulkland - Norton St. Philip Rose R & Trevor 2 28th June Distance 6 miles. Phone 01761 435178 Time 10am Meet: Faulkland, village green ST 739 545 Map: EX142 BA3 5XA

Sunday 1st A walk around the Caundles Bob and Rosemary July Distance 13 miles. Phone 01749 346023 Time 10am Meet: Stalbridge, free car park in Station Road near ST 736 178 Map: EX129 library DT10 2RG

Sunday 1st Frome Rights of Way walk: AT TIME OF Les July PRINTING, NO DETAILS AVAILABLE YET. Please Phone 07768 556735 Time 2pm contact Les ST 776 481 Map: EX142 Distance 6 miles. Meet: Frome, Cork Street car park BA11 5BL

Thursday Pilton, Stoodly Hill, Folly Lane, L.Westholme, Francoise 5th July Monarch's Way, vineyard Phone 01458 831823 Time 10am Distance 6 miles. ST 588 409 Map: EX141 Meet: Pilton, Shop Lane BA4 4AY

Sunday 8th Charterhouse, Black Down, Link, Blagdon Tony D July Distance 11 miles. Phone 01761 232715 Time 10am Meet: Charterhouse. Park at end of road opposite ST 505 557 Map: EX141 Charterhouse Church BS40 7XR

Thursday White Sheets area Dylis 12th July Distance 6 miles. Phone 01373 365241 Time 10am Meet: Stourhead NT car park (charge for non ST 778 341 Map: EX142 members) BA12 6SH

Friday 13th Pub walk from The Strode Arms, Cranmore Mike P July Distance 4 miles. Phone 01373 472101 Time 6pm Meet: Cranmore, The Strode Arms ST 668 432 Map: EX142 BA4 4QJ

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Sunday 15th Mells, Nunney, Whatley, Frome Alice July Distance 12 miles. Phone 01373 474695 Time 10am Meet: Mells school ST 722 486 Map: EX142 BA11 3QE

Thursday Undulating walk around Pilton Alan M 19th July Distance 6 miles. Phone 01458 860421 Time 10am Meet: Pilton, Shop Lane ST 589 409 Map: EX141 BA4 4BD

Sunday Undulating walk in Blagdon Lake area Alan M 22nd July Distance 9.5 miles. Phone 01458 860421 Time 10am Meet: Blagdon Fire Station car park ST 501 591 Map: EX141 BS40 7RL

Wednesday Pub walk from the Highwayman Inn, Tony & Mary 25th July Cannard's Grave Shepton Mallet. If eating, Phone 01749 342285 Time 6pm please contact Mary by 18 July for menu choice ST 626 418 Map: EX142 Distance 5 miles. BA4 4LY Meet: Cannard's Grave, The Highwayman Inn

Thursday Keynsham, Willsbridge, Hanham Mike Bu 26th July Distance 6 miles. Phone 01373 813938 Time 10am Meet: Keynsham, public park on A4175 opposite ST 659 690 Map: EX155 Lock Keeper pub BS31 2DD

Sunday 29th Wedmore, Rodney Stoke and Nyland Hill Richard & Lisa July Distance 10 miles. Phone 01749 672373 Time 10am Meet: Wedmore town car park off B3151 Cheddar ST 436 481 Map: EX141 Road BS28 4EQ

The place where you lose the trail is not necessarily the place where it ends. (Tom Brown, Jr.)

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