Stile

Journal of the Ramblers and North Middlesex Area

Issue 56 December 2019

A field day for younger walkers A party sets out to sample Eastern ’s open country during the National Young Ramblers weekend in June, hosted by Stag Walkers. For more, see page 5.

Hertfordshire and North Middlesex Area

Annual General Meeting Saturday 18 January 2020 Full details — page 15.

Editor:

Justin Lumley 46 Hilltop House, 117 Hornsey Lane, N6 5NW 020 7561 1976 (home) 07773 103 839 (mobile) [email protected]

www.ramblers.org.uk/hertfordshire-north-middlesex Stile December 2019

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In this issue

Editorial 4 Area news 5 Stag Walkers hosts National Young Ramblers weekend 5 Herts Local Access Forum joins call to delay 2026 deadline 7 Panshanger Park: update 8 Garden City centenary 10 Area Walks Day 2019 10 Footpath work: Meet the Footpath Secretaries: Anne Conchie 11 Herts CC Countryside & Rights of Way Service 12 The view from County Hall 12 Definitive Map update 13 AGM supplement 15 Group reports 2019 23 Letters 27 Walks to enjoy: , Burnham Green and Bull’s Green 28 Information: Area, Groups, footpath problems 34 About Stile

Stile is the journal of the Hertfordshire and North Middlesex Area of the Ramblers.

Articles printed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Area or the Ramblers.

The journal is published twice a year, in June and December.

Moving home?

Please do not write to the Editor. Just inform Central Office via https://www.ramblers.org.uk using the link in the Members Area, or write to:

Ramblers, 2nd Floor Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW

Say which Group you wish to belong to—you’ll receive the right Group/Area news.

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

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Editorial: walk at the An island, entire of itself? weekend rather On a warm evening in June, than take on representatives of Groups and Area County Hall over gathered at Panshanger for a get- locked farm gates. together, the object: to explore ways If Ramblers ceased Groups might work more closely with to exist, the each other and Area. Some good ideas Groups would not; emerged—exchanging skills and tips, they would surely form themselves into sharing details of trips (so places could walking clubs and carry on much as be filled), the value of face-to-face before. meetings; fewer than the organisers had Ramblers, however, is not about to probably hoped, but hey, this was a disappear. There are many advantages completely new initiative. We have to belonging to a national organisation Libby Martin and Jean Scott to thank. that is also a bottom-up one. The The deep differences between dedicated campaigners among us are geographic and flexi groups were not only local people, they remind us of already well known. But I was struck by the national importance of Ramblers’ how many people from both kinds of campaigning role. Group did not really understand the Nor are we yet at a stage where a hard role of the Area. In an age of instant pressed Central Office can deal with communication, has Area become an Groups directly on all matters. No unnecessary layer of bureaucracy? One Group ‘is an island, entire of itself’. It Group sends no one to attend Area makes sense for Groups based near meetings, and manages rather well that each other to exchange information and way. To an Area Representative sent by ideas at least occasionally. his/her Group for the first time, the 20- This is why Libby’s and Jean’s strong Area Council with its long initiative matters; and why the work of agenda must seem unwieldy. bringing Groups closer together and Most Area officers are active in their making the role of the Area clear must Groups as well, and this undoubtedly go on. helps the two levels to keep in touch. The Council is running a morning get- But consider the nature of the Group. together before the Area AGM in January It is a strong institution—stronger than (see page 15), where Group officers, walk Area or Central Office. Groups are leaders and anyone else interested, can meet created by local people within driving to find out how other Groups work. distance of each other, not some divine Will you come along and meet your being on Albert Embankment. Most counterparts from across the county? members are probably there to enjoy a I hope you will.

You’re receiving this communication because we believe that it would be of interest to you as a member/supporter. If you’d rather not receive similar information in future, please let us know. You can email [email protected], change your preferences online (log on to https://www.ramblers.org.uk/ ) or call (020) 3961 3300.

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AREA NEWS Stag Walkers hosts National Young Ramblers weekend

Rebecca Dawson across the country, including many Stag Members of Stag Walkers were Walkers members; more than expected delighted to be hosting the 2019 and about on par with the 2018 event. National Young Ramblers (NYR) People came from as far as Edinburgh weekend from 28 to 30 June. and Dorset. The event, now in its fourth year, There were three walks of different encourages members of the younger lengths and times on offer for Friday Ramblers Groups from across Great afternoon and evening arrivals, taking Britain to get together and walk, talk in various parts of the city, the Backs, and explore a different part of the some of the college greens and the river country in a sociable setting. Previous Cam. An evening social in a town pub years’ events were held in Reading, gave everyone the chance to mingle and Edinburgh and Cardiff. get to know one another (with an ‘ice This year’s weekend was held in breaker’ game devised by the NYR which, while out of our committee), and to sign up for Area, gave us a good selection of Saturday’s walks. accommodation and evening venues, Attendees had seven walks to choose plus good transport links to walks in from on Saturday, including a six mile every direction. Walk Cambridge, the city stroll, a riverside walk to Ely city’s young walkers group, helped cathedral, and a 14 mile hike taking in with some advice and offered a couple Wimpole Hall and lovely South Cambs of walk leaders. countryside. A nine mile option took in The event attracted 85 members from Royston and Heath, ensuring

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people had an opportunity to walk in our Area. It was one of the hottest days of the year, but walk leaders did their best to keep everyone cool. Ice cream and pub breaks were very much the order of the day! On Saturday evening Cambridge University’s Ceilidh Band provided excellent music and calling, The event attracted media coverage, and a good (if hot) time was had by all. with several mentions on BBC Radio (See photo.) We were thankful that the Cambridgeshire and a live broadcast on venue had an outside seating area to ITV Anglia News. cool off in. Feedback from attendees was Sunday gave attendees a choice of extremely positive. The event moves to three walks, at different times and of York for 2020, to be hosted by the Get different lengths, all in the direction of Your Boots On Group. Grantchester with its lovely river walk At the beginning of August the Stag through the meadows. A Ramblers Walkers NYR committee organised a Roadshow hosted just outside the city ‘thank you’ get together for the 22 centre was also on offer, and several volunteers that had helped put NYR attendees took part in navigation, rights 2019 on. A number of Stag Walkers of way and first aid workshop/training members are keen to organise more sessions. events, so look out for news!

Don’t Lose Your Way photos of archive data. This is leading Libby Martin towards a system to support volunteers Things have been quiet locally on the working on historic claims which will DLYW front, but progress is being come into place in stages over the first made behind the scenes in Ramblers half of next year. It will make it easier to Central Office. A second staff member find archive data to support a claim and has been appointed to the DLYW to put in the application for a right of project, and two research volunteers way. have started work in Kew, taking

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Herts Local Access Forum joins call to delay 2026 deadline The Hertfordshire Local Access Forum It is therefore of some significance that (LAF) has joined the chorus of the Herts LAF has written to the organisations calling for the Department for the Environment, government to delay the date when it Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to will no longer be possible to get some express its concern about the slow ancient routes recorded as public rights progress of work to record historical of way on based on historical evidence. rights of way before the cut-off date of 1 The Countryside and Rights of Way January 2026. It is concerned that Herts Act 2000 requires local highway and CC, along with other County Councils, national park authorities outside is failing to process applications for London to create a LAF to advise Definitive Map Modification Orders decision making organisations (such as (DMMOs) at an adequate rate. Cuts in local authorities) about making budgets have meant that capacity to improvements to public access for handle these claims for rights of way to outdoor recreation and sustainable be added to the Definitive Map is travel. LAF members are volunteers reducing at a time when claims are appointed by the local authority. They increasing, so the backlog grows. include a range of people from the local The Deregulation Act of 2015 was community: land owners and land supposed to make it simpler to process managers, access users such as walkers, applications, but DEFRA staff working cyclists and horse riders and those with on the necessary regulations have all health, conservation and other interests. been diverted to other urgent tasks and, LAFs can set their own priorities four years later, there is still no date for depending on local issues. They also the ‘commencement’ of the sections respond to consultations and draft dealing with rights of way. The policy documents. When making Hertfordshire LAF has therefore called recommendations, LAF members need for a five-year extension of the deadline to consider land use, as well as the need to 2031. This supports the call for a to conserve flora, fauna, geological and postponement that has already been physical features. Other bodies are made by the Ramblers and many other required to have regard for their advice. kindred organisations.

Reporting footpath problems in Herts CC Herts CRoW have now implemented their new system for reporting footpath problems (except and Broxbourne, which remain unchanged). You will find details and links on the Area Website at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/ hertfordshire-north-middlesex Follow Rights of Way, then Problem Reporting, links. If you have any difficulty completing the report form, there is a guidance document with helpful hints.

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Panshanger Park: update shortly after renewed action by FPP and Don Street WGCS, which included arranging an After six years of campaigning, ‘awareness’ walk to view the locked including a visit by Kate Ashbrook, gates and new fencing, attended once General Secretary of the Open Spaces again by local MP Grant Shapps, who Society and now Chair of Trustees for has supported local people in the the Ramblers, the central section of the delivery of a proper Country Park on important East-West Mimram Valley several occasions. Way was finally unlocked by Tarmac on It remains very disappointing that so Monday 24 June. That evening little has been achieved in meeting the supporters from Friends of Panshanger legal agreement of around 40 years Park (FPP) and the Welwyn Garden between Herts CC and the Panshanger City Society (WGCS) arranged a landowners to return a restored celebratory walk/ride and met in the Country Park with a wide range of middle, having approached from both facilities to the people of Hertfordshire and Welwyn directions. in exchange for valuable mineral Access to this section had been extraction rights. restricted for the several years for no For more detailed information and the good reason. It had however been made latest developments, see: available by the landowners for their http://friendsofpanshangerpark.co.uk/ special occasions. It was open to the The Friends of Panshanger Park public in Victorian times and is always welcome new supporters and mentioned in Bradshaw’s Railway Guide. also have vacancies for new committee The unlocking of this section came members to continue our work.

May 2019: Local MP Grant Shapps (front) visits Panshanger Park against the background of a lake and the Mimram Valley, then fenced off. Photo by Will Davis.

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From January 2020 your Area will need a Chair and a Secretary and a

Publicity Officer / Media Contact

These posts offer a great opportunity to serve Ramblers at Area level. It’s just four meetings a year plus the AGM!

Vacancies also for a Vice-Chair, Countryside Secretary and Editorial Team Chair

If you have relevant experience in professional life and/or in your Group and are interested, please get in touch with the Area Secretary at: [email protected]

Before… and after… anyone complained about the state of extensive work was done to make a this stretch of path alongside Folly lovely woodland walk (accessible to Brook, linking Woodside Park Club almost anyone). with Chanctonbury Way and Photos by Libby Martin Michleham Down

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Welwyn Garden City website (see below) if you would like to centenary join one. 2020 is the centenary of Welwyn The launch event will be on 19 April Garden City. is 2020 and will be a fundraising event fortunate to be surrounded by green organised by the fields and countryside, ensuring that Rotary Club, who have an annual the town remains true to Ebenezer sponsored walk every Spring. In 2020, Howard’s original vision of ‘a marriage the walk will follow this new route. of town and country’. To celebrate this Keep up to date with the Walk page of vision, one of the signature projects of the Centenary Foundation website: the centenary year in 2020 is to develop www.wgccentenary.org a circular walk to unite and encompass The Welwyn Garden City Centenary the whole town, joining existing Foundation is a community led footpaths and rights of way into a organisation set up to deliver a year of cohesive and very attractive 20.2km celebrations in this special year across circular route. This route will be a 13 Signature Projects. All celebrations permanent legacy lasting well beyond will be privately funded with support the centenary year. Occasional guided from WHBC. walks round the route are planned— The Walking Festival will look out for details on the centenary be launching ‘Howard's Way’—see opposite for details. Area Walks Day 2019 Another successful walks day was held at Royston on Saturday 28 September, with participants enjoying fine countryside and good company. The Fox & Duck at Therfield (below) was a calling point for more than one party.

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Eighth Stevenage Walking fountains. 2020 is the Welwyn Garden Festival 2020 City Centenary year, and we are The Eighth Stevenage Walking Festival pleased to be associated with the will run from 2 to 10 May 2020. The full various events being organised by the programme of walks will be available town. Look out for full details, nearer the time on the Festival website including timing, with recommended at https://swf.nhrg.org.uk. This year's train times (both before and after the Challenge Walk, ‘Howards Way’, from walk), in the published Festival Garden City to Welwyn programme. Book this date now, and Garden City on Saturday 9 May, is 18 get yourself sponsored for the Festival's miles, and will connect the two town charity, Tracks Autism, in Stevenage.

FOOTPATH WORK Meet the Footpath Secretaries: Anne Conchie It was a formative experience to have a frightening meeting with an ungelded, unloved horse. The frustrations of trying (and failing) to get action by police or local authority to prevent anyone else having more than bruises made me receptive to a mention in Stile of the need for Footpath Secretaries. That was two decades ago. I started with one parish, adopted others until I had five, now three all within six miles of home. The furthest area has no bus service so I do drive part way; I could claim travel expenses but don't. conveying solicitor should have warned Like all colleagues in Herts I walk all about a path across the garden. I have my paths at least twice a year, been involved in one Public Inquiry replacing missing or faded discs, after claiming a Lost Way; I will reporting hindrances like broken get that path added to the Definitive gates, fallen trees, paths not reinstated Map but the status of joining paths after ploughing, to an Access was involved and one decision still has Officer at County Hall. I report by email to be made. I also commented on two with photos but there is a new Local Plans. online system too. These colleagues This is not my only volunteer role after have a few voluntary evening meetings retirement. I find it worthwhile, fitting to share problems and experience. around the rest of my life while giving a I have only had one really focus to walking whenever I feel like it, uncooperative land owner whose which I have always enjoyed.

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HERTS CC: COUNTRYSIDE & RIGHTS OF WAY SERVICE The view from County Hall we need to change travel behaviour in Tony Bradford, Head of Countryside & Hertfordshire so that people choose Rights of Way, Herts CC (CRoW) other modes of travel when a car isn’t Engaging volunteers in conservation needed. With 3,000 km of RoW across activity has been an objective of the Hertfordshire available for walking Countryside Management Service since and, where status allows, riding there is its inception in 1975. Following the significant potential within the network. launch of CRoW new, small teams of Redundant railways and other green volunteers have been trained and spaces may help enable this shift too. To equipped to undertake improvement build on the RoW Improvement Plan and maintenance works on behalf of we have created an Active Travel our Access Officers. The work of our Officer post. This one-year role will regular, mid-week teams (imaginatively accumulate and prioritise a set of named the Tuesday, Wednesday and improvement projects that could Thursday Groups) has also had more of increase everyday walking and cycling a Rights of Way (RoW) emphasis. The rates. We will then invest our own refurbishment of a bridge on a Footpath resources and pursue others’ money to at Frogmore, saw all three deliver these. Reinforcing this approach, groups amply employed—a time-lapse future Parish Paths Partnership (P3) film (uploaded on 15 August 2019) can funding will require projects to enable be viewed along with the weekly task active travel too. updates through the CRoW Facebook The five Access Officers have a busy pages: www.facebook.com/hertscms work programme: a range of large scale Staff have also recruited volunteers capital improvement projects, minor trained in undertaking the Ease of Use enforcement activity, routine survey, freeing up valuable staff time to maintenance and responsive work. deliver on other activity. This scheme More intransigent enforcement work is has been extended with 92 volunteers taken on by the Enforcement Officer trained and 72 of these carrying a small and managed on a project basis, tool kit, enabling them to undertake uninterrupted by the need to respond minor repairs to the network as they go. immediately to issues as they arise. We Whilst some of these are Ramblers have decided to extend this approach to members many are completely new to the delivery of the capital programme. volunteering on the RoW network. By engaging the project management More than 30% of practical volunteer and contracting skills of the Land activity overseen by CRoW is now Management team and, more recently, a dedicated to the RoW network. dedicated officer in the Access team we The County Council’s Local Transport have seen and will continue to see Plan has taken a policy step-change through a number of significant access recently with the introduction of a improvement works on the network Travel Hierarchy. This recognises that and beyond.

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Hertfordshire’s RoW for Google Maps Access team: We have just released a Google map of Andrew Burton has joined us as Senior the Hertfordshire RoW network, Access Officer for parts of North Herts, designed for people exploring the East Herts and Stevenage. countryside for recreation. This can be Definitive Map and Enforcement team: accessed via your smartphone, making Two new Definitive Map Officers have it easy to follow your location as you joined us: Brian Gillam go. On your phone, Google ([email protected]) hertfordshire.gov.uk/rowmap, select is now covering the Three Rivers, ‘Rights of way Google map’, then ‘View and areas map’. It takes you to Google Maps with and Dan Solo rights of way visible. ([email protected]) New faces is now covering the northern half of the Following the merger of the RoW and East Herts district. CMS teams into the CRoW Service we Bob Fenton has also retired and the new have a few new faces to introduce to Enforcement Officer is Jamie Bartlett you. We have also adjusted slightly the ([email protected]) areas covered by the Access Officers. who covers the whole county.

Definitive Map update The following changes, since the June issue of Stile, are based on information supplied by Herts CC’s Countryside & Rights of Way Service. All these routes are now on the online rights of way map on the Herts Direct website. Dacorum • In a path round the perimeter of the field north of Lady Meadow has been recorded as a public footpath (Kings Langley 47). East Herts • Between and one path has been diverted and another upgraded. The effect is to create a continuous bridleway north of Aspenden and south of the A10 Buntingford Bypass. It avoids the need to cross the A10 and pass through a sewage works (Aspenden 2 and 11). • The footpath known as 22 and 28 has been diverted so that it no longer runs through the grounds of Halfway House. • In a public footpath (Wareside 95) has been recorded between the end of Kingham Road and the public footpath which runs along the west side of the main road. • The Definitive Map has been updated for 11a to correct a small missing stretch at its western end. • The Definitive Map has been brought up to date to show a long-standing diversion of 13 and 16 in the vicinity of Gilders. (Continued on page 14)

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Hertsmere • In paths have been diverted in the neighbourhood of Netherwylde Farm. The effect is to make the legal lines of the rights of way coincide with the physical routes on the ground. (Aldenham 20, 72, 73 and St Stephens 54.) As part of the negotiations for these changes the landowners agreed that where it crosses marshy ground the legal width St Stephens 54 would be defined to be 4 metres. North Herts • The route of Barley FP14 has been diverted so that it no longer runs through Old Manor Farm at its north end and Abbotsbury Farm at its southern end. • The route of FP31 has been diverted so that it does not pass through buildings near Arnolds Farm. St Albans • In a public footpath (Harpenden 43) has been recorded linking Whitings Close with FP61. This resolves an anomaly in the Definitive Map. • In St Stephens a public footpath (St Stephens 87) has been recorded in the Frogmore Lakes area. It runs along the west bank of the River Ver between the river and the northern lake. Stevenage • North of Stevenage existing footpaths Stevenage 17, 18, 22, 23 and Graveley 7 have been upgraded to bridleway status. The effect is to eliminate discontinuities in the bridleway network and create a continuous bridleway route from North Road in Stevenage to Church Lane in Graveley near to Manor Farm.

Ten More Walks in North Herts Following the success of their initial publication Ten Walks in North Herts, North Herts Ramblers have produced an entirely new set of walks, Ten More Walks in North Herts. Walks are approximately six miles, a distance most people are confident of completing in half a day. Each walk is described by an easy to follow text, plus 1:25,000 OS map in full colour. The cost is £5, plus £1 P+P. To place your order, email [email protected] with details of the address to which the book should be sent. Payment should be made to North Herts Ramblers. Sort code: 60-83-01. Account: 20115700. Ref: Tenwalks/ your name. Please note that copies of the original book are still available.

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Annual General Meeting

Saturday 18 January 2020 Village Hall, , SG3 6XA —just off the B197, between Welwyn and Knebworth (TL253185). Large car park. Bus 300 or 301. 10 am Pre-AGM walk 5 miles, circular, dog-friendly, from the Hall. Leader: Jenny Mason, 01438 871 580 or 07827 908 778 or: 10.30 am Get-together Prearranged meetings of interest groups 12.30 pm ‘Bring and share’ lunch Please bring a dish! 1.30 pm Annual General Meeting Agenda and reports, followed by Trustee update and interactive session—see below.

Agenda and nominations • Treasurer—Jean Scott

1. Welcome by the Chair • Footpath Secretary—Mark Westley 2. Apologies for absence • Publicity Secretary/Media 3. Minutes of the 2019 AGM (on the Area Contact—vacant website) • Membership Secretary—Beth 4. Matters arising Houghton 5. Officers’ reports (please read in • Minutes Secretary—Justin Lumley advance—time for questions only at • Countryside Secretary—vacant meeting) • Independent Examiner—Julia • Chair Haynes • Treasurer • Chair, Editorial Team—vacant • Footpath Secretary • Stile Editor—Justin Lumley • Membership Secretary 9. Election of Individual Members (5 max.) • Editorial Team 10. Note of Group Representatives and 6. Herts CC Countryside & Rights of Way representatives of affiliated groups (CRoW) department—comments and 11. General Council, 4-5 April 2020, questions on report in Stile Bristol—nomination of delegates and 7. Questions and observations on Group visitors reports and accounts 12. Any other business—notified before 8. Election of officers and committee start of meeting members—current officers and members Refreshments (by Watford & Three Rivers are shown if standing for re-election; other Group) nominations for election to these posts, Trustee update on wider Ramblers and the vacant posts, are invited activities • Chair—becoming vacant Interactive session: What does the • Vice-Chair—vacant Ramblers mean to you? • Secretary—becoming vacant Finish—no later than 4.30 pm

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Chair’s report protecting and improving the local Rights of Roger Bangs Way (RoW) network. The Herts CC At the 2020 AGM I will be relinquishing my Countryside and Rights of Way department role as chair after three years’ service. I (CRoW) was recently reorganised, creating have been a member of the Area Council the need for new relationships to be for eight years and have always been established and an understanding of impressed with the knowledge and changing procedures in monitoring the enthusiasm of its members. When other network and reporting problems. Ramblers officers are effective in their roles, life can and CRoW have vacancies for volunteers in be relatively easy for the chair. many aspects of RoW and Access work. It The Area Council is the link between our would be helpful if we had more members nine Groups and Ramblers Central Office actively monitoring developments in their and General Council. It is the level at which local area, particularly looking at changes to members can influence the policy and the RoW network and access to green procedures of Ramblers by proposing areas. motions to General Council. It could In recent years RoW improvements on a possibly be more effective in organising large scale have taken place at Knebworth, local training and helping Groups to Tyttenhanger and Panshanger estates. transfer information on local issues, Thanks are due to all those involved. particularly walks and holidays. An The General Data Protection Regulation interesting idea could be the establishment (GDPR) has been an issue we have had of special interest groups for exchanging cope with, affecting the way Groups and ideas and developing interests. If you have Area communicate. Whilst there has been suggestions please make them known. some settling down there is still a need for Ramblers play a considerable role in a better understanding of how we operate and a clear way to communicate.

Editorial Team report • AGM papers in this December issue Libby Martin (with a summary of the year in each Stile: This subcommittee is responsible for Group). the production of our Area newsletter. In We would welcome more articles and this Area, rights of way work is organised photos from Groups, so please provide us centrally through the Footpaths with copy (April for the June 2020 edition, Committee, so Stile is very much focused October for December). on that work. It is posted to all members, Copies of Stile since the June 2018 edition and to local Councillors and other are loaded as PDFs on the Area website. interested parties. It includes: We will review possibilities for electronic • improvements and threats to rights distribution when new facilities at Central of way, and work by volunteers; Office become available. • special walking events and routes; Website: We also oversee the content of • sharing good ideas across Groups the Area website. It is aimed at: (maybe holidays or successful styles • non-members or newcomers, giving of walk); an overview of our Area and Groups;

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• members, to help them get have appeared in Stile are uploaded there. involved in rights of way work. Social media are not used by the Area at It gives information about the different the moment. Highway Authorities in our Area, reporting Comments on our objectives and contents footpath problems, and examples of recent are welcome, as well as offers to help on rights of way work. All the walk routes that the committee!

Area Footpath Secretary’s The Ramblers is part of the Walking and report Cycling Alliance, a group asking for urgent Mark Westley improvements to ‘active travel’ funding. A There has been no progress on the rights of report in July 2019 showed that current way legislation front since last year; hardly policies risk Government targets for carbon surprising in view of the Brexit paralysis in dioxide reduction being missed. Paul Parliament. All the Ministers who were Tuohy, chief executive of Cycling UK, on involved a year ago have now left behalf of WACA, commented on the report: Government or changed responsibilities. At ‘Investing in safe, convenient and attractive the time of writing, Michael Gove’s conditions for cycling and walking is a Agriculture Bill has just fallen, along with all hugely cost-effective way to deliver a wide other incomplete business ahead of a new range of benefits’. More bridleways would programme announced on 14 October. We increase the network available to cyclists wait to see whether we shall get a new Bill while requiring them to give way to walkers with similar promised ‘public goods’ or a and horse riders. new Government. The BHS has taken an interest in the In the absence of a revised regime for the network of bridleways to the East of recording of rights of way, user for which I applied in 2003 and organisations continue to make piecemeal which were confirmed in 2017. These applications to add paths to the Definitive routes have suffered from water damage Map using historical documents and by The Old Bourne and a couple of evidence of public use for each route. In centuries without any maintenance. It is our Area, one of the greatest defects in the Herts CC’s duty to maintain them, but the existing record is the classification of BHS is applying for a substantial grant from ancient lanes as footpaths when, the Lottery Fund to improve the routes and historically, they were used as bridleways provide information about their historical or drove roads for livestock. context. The BHS may also ask the Consequently, improving the accuracy of Ramblers for financial support. recorded rights of way in Hertfordshire and The new path networks at Panshanger and North Middlesex may result in walkers at Tyttenhanger have still, at the time of having to share more of the network with writing, not appeared on Herts CC’s online horse riders and cyclists. Phil Wadey, acting Rights of Way map (neither the GIS nor the for the British Horse Society (BHS), is the Google version). Both are threatened by most prolific applicant for recording paths housing development, so mapping and in our Area and has co-written a textbook walking them would be desirable, to show for anyone interested in researching into the planning authorities that undeveloped records of ancient highways. spaces are needed for recreation. To find

17 Stile December 2019 out about the Tyttenhanger network, see Way (CRoW) service at Herts CC has map on the Area website at: established a body of rights of way ramblers.org.uk/hertfordshire-north- volunteers to survey, maintain and improve middlesex – follow ‘Recent RoW Changes’ the path network throughout the county. link. For Panshanger you can consult: We are liaising with Herts CC to enable our http://friendsofpanshangerpark.co.uk/ Footpath Secretaries to complement, The public inquiry into Network Rail’s rather than compete against, the CRoW programme to close level crossings in Essex volunteers. Some of our FP Secretaries also and Hertfordshire finished its hearings in operate as CRoW surveyors. But we wish to February 2019. We await the Inspector’s recruit our own volunteers in order to report. The proposal for a Strategic Rail retain our independence. We have a large Freight Interchange on the former Radlett gap in our coverage of parishes in East Aerodrome site also drags on through the Herts. Contact any local Ramblers officer if planning process; Phil Escritt is our lead. you can take on a parish or understudy one The reformed Countryside & Rights of of our experienced FP Secretaries.

Treasurer’s report 5. 2018 included a donation to the Jean Scott Ramblers campaign against closure I am grateful to all the Group Treasurers for of railway crossings. the invaluable work they do throughout the 6. Change of venue has resulted in year and for responding promptly to Area slightly lower cost. requests for information. Thanks also to 7. Administration cost incudes bank Julia Haynes, Chair of Finchley & Hornsey, charges and committee member for her work as External Examiner. expenses. The 2019 Annual Accounts are set out in a 8. Increase in fees and travel for two separate table (see opposite). To help visitors to General Council. clarify the differences with the previous 9. 2018 included the cost of the year 2018, which is included for memorial seat for Norman Jones, comparison, you might like to consider the 2019 cost for membership of Open following notes: Spaces Society. 1. Central Office funding to Area 10. 2019 figure only includes costs for reduced although balanced out by catering, room hire will be included overall increase in payment to next year. Groups. 11. An Area / Group get together was 2. Donations include £100 for Don’t held in June to look at ways Area Lose Your Way and £10 to Area could more effectively support the from Ramblers Holidays Walking Groups. Partnership. 12. As stated last year we have ended 3. Increase in revenue from the year with a reduction in advertising for Stile but note that all reserves and plan to reduce adverts must be relevant to the reserves again this year. Ramblers’ charitable objectives. 13. This figure represents funds held 4. Half of the Groups requested for Herts Weekend Walkers. additional funding for 2018/19.

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RAMBLERS' ASSOCIATION—HERTFORDSHIRE AND NORTH MIDDLESEX AREA STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2019

Notes (see Treasurer’s 2019 2018 report) INCOME Central Office Budget payments 9,580.00 9,622.00 1 Bank interest - - Donations 110.00 241.70 2 Advertising income Stile 300.00 175.00 3 Refund General Council fee - - Total income 9,990.00 10,038.70

EXPENDITURE Budget payments to local Groups 4,580.30 3,222.10 4 Stile 5,546.42 5,505.22 Website - - Don’t Lose Your Way project 72.99 172.79 Footpaths and countryside protection 135.00 579.62 5 Meetings (incl. AGM) 240.84 276.19 6 Administration 234.96 - 7 Visitors (2) to General Council 545.07 496.00 8 Subs/donations 45.00 474.95 9 Area Walks Day 23.33 100.02 10 Area/Groups get-together 232.00 - 11 Herts Weekend Walkers - - Stag Walkers - - Total expenditure 11,655.91 10,826.89

Surplus/Deficit for the year -1,665.91 -788.19

BALANCE SHEET AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2019

Funds at beginning of year 10,069.39 10,857.58 Surplus/(Deficit) for the year -1,665.91 -788.19 12 Ring-fenced funds for Herts Weekend Walkers 227.53 210.00 13 Represented by: Cash at bank 8,631.01 10,279.39

Report of the Independent Examiner Having carried out procedures in accordance with the Area and Group independent guidelines, I consider the Hertfordshire and North Middlesex Area accounts to have been properly prepared and give a true and fair view of the Area’s finances for the year ended 30 September 2019. Julia Haynes Date: 6 November 2019

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Area and Group main accounts: comparison Compiled by Harold Stokes and Jean Scott

Area W Herts E Herts N Herts NL & SH Royston W & 3R F & H

Membership (Aug 19) 439 229 408 500 169 249 407

Income From Area/Central Office £9,580.00 £945.00 £599.00 £1,300.00 £597.92 £258.35 £362.30 £517.73 Donations £130.00 £560.00 £160.00 £360.11 £60.00 £250.00

Legacies £200.00

Advert Sales £300.00 £200.00 £1,602.00

Publications

Day Walks

Net Self Funded (£1,717.06) £1,565.53 £579.30 (£1.20)

Interest

Other £60.00

Total £10,070.00 £187.94 £759.00 £4,827.64 £1,177.22 £317.15 £362.30 £767.73

Payments

Group Funding £4,580.30

Newsletter/Website £5,548.74

Walks Programmes £632.65 £232.87 £422.00 £272.50 £17.60 £814.58

Walks related £23.33 £441.95 £69.11 £70.90 £506.33

Publicity £153.99 £159.20 £2,693.25

Campaigns/casework £252.99 £250.00 £30.00

Training £131.29

Meetings (incl AGM) £1,039.67 £165.47 £206.40 £197.48 £91.01 £42.70

Admin £210.88 £37.19 £19.95 £31.99

Other £62.47 £0.60 £640.00

Total £11,718.38 £1,371.19 £598.47 £3,332.68 £441.95 £373.60 £209.51 £2,003.61

Surplus/(deficit) (£1,648.38) (£1,183.25) £160.53 £1,494.96 £735.27 (£56.45) £152.79 (£1,235.88)

Cash balance (Main) £7,151.62 £1,742.33 £653.06 £1,755.62 £856.24 £585.70 £395.58 £237.12

Reserves % 61.03 127.07 109.12 52.68 193.74 156.77 188.81 11.83

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Membership Secretary’s to receive email under GDPR. 18 months report after its introduction, only 44% of Area Beth Houghton members have consented (ranging by The Area membership fall of 1.1% is a Group from 32% to 69% (the latter in the significant improvement on previous years ‘younger’ Groups), but this is slightly better and closer to the national average, both of overall than the 41% who have consented which are showing lower percentage nationally. reductions. Renewal rates both at Area and Membership subscription rates increased national level have remained the same as again from 1 October 2019, Individual last year but the number of new members membership to £36.60 (previously £35.85) attracted to Area overall has increased by and Joint to £49 from £47.85, in line with 55 over last year, with virtually all Groups the UK consumer price index. contributing to this rise, most notably Stag Concessionary rates (paid by 15% of Area Walkers. During the year Central Office members) have also been raised (£25.60 launched the Insight on-line data service Individual; £34 Joint) ‘to reflect a level of for Membership Secretaries, providing live discount more commonly seen across the information and increased functionality. membership sector’. However, the full potential of this cannot The number of walking clubs affiliated to be exploited until more members consent Area stands at 11.

Group Total Total % Renewal New New members as % 30.9.2019 30.9.2018 change rate % members of end September 2018

West Herts 436 451 -3.3 89 32 7.1

East Herts 225 230 -2.2 90 17 7.4

North Herts 415 427 -2.8 89 36 8.4

North London & South Herts 501 499 +0.4 89 58 11.6

Royston & District 170 160 +6.2 93 21 13.1

Watford & Three Rivers 249 256 -2.7 84 33 12.9

Finchley & Hornsey 407 420 -3.1 89 34 8.1

Stag Walkers 95 83 +14 69 38 46

Herts Weekend Walkers 143 151 -5.3 75 29 19.2

Unassigned to a Group 93 86 +8.1 72 31 36

Area 2,734 2,764 -1.1 87 329 11.9

Ramblers 102,038 102,818 -0.7 88 11,016 10.7

Affiliated Groups 11 8

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Become a Local Footpath Secretary!

‘There is no surer guide for our rights than a steady and regular patrolling of our possessions’ (Arthur Hugh Sidgwick (1882-1917) in Walking Essays, 1912)

YOU could make a real contribution to the Ramblers’ work. If you can: • walk your local paths regularly • report any problems to the Rights of Way Service at County Hall or the relevant London Borough and

• react to any proposed path orders (but these are rare)

then your help is needed to keep our rights of way open and in good order. You will be supplied with maps and comprehensive guidance.

Local Footpath Secretaries are currently needed in:

Hemel Hempstead Bayford Bramfield

Enfield Liberty Albury

Furneux Pelham

Sawbridgeworth Stapleford

Preston

BUT wherever you live or walk, your District or Borough Footpath Secretary would like to hear from you. Do get in touch—see page 34 for contacts or email [email protected]

Do you agree with everything Ramblers does? • Think things should be done differently? • Have ideas for improving Ramblers in our Area? Would you like to share your ideas?

• Want to help make a difference? If so, the Area Editorial Team would like you to join them. It isn’t as formal as it sounds—very lively in fact. The team decides the content of Stile and the Area website and generally sees members are kept informed. We are looking for keen writers who can help with production, write an article or two or contribute pictures. If you would like to know more, please email the Editor (see front cover) or contact your Group’s Area Representative.

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GROUP REPORTS 2019 East Herts included a terrific springtime week on Sarah Lea Guernsey (Stella Hirsch); a splendid East Herts Ramblers has had a full weekend based in Ramsgate (John weekend walks programme during the Dempsey); and a wonderful week’s last year. We have had walks in walking in Pembrokeshire (Richard and Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Noreen Dawes). In May we began Buckinghamshire, Essex and London. walking the London Loop (John The numbers on walks have gradually Dempsey coordinating) and hope to been increasing. Our welcome walks complete it by July 2020. have proved very popular and we have We have a lot of people to thank. The welcomed new walkers as well as old committee has been fully engaged, friends. turning out in all weathers to meetings We are always looking for new walk and dealing with more emails than they leaders to come along and join the ranks would like. We are grateful particularly of our leaders. to Chris Barker (walks programme, After 11 years’ service our Treasurer, always full and timely) and Maureen Nigel Thomas, is stepping down. We O’Mahony (Treasurer) who has are lucky to have someone to replace multitasked with many duties in him. After a second stint as Walks addition to ensuring our finances are in Programme Co-ordinator, Brenda Wren good order. We are of course very is also stepping down. We have a new grateful to our walk leaders. They are volunteer on the committee to take on the essence of the walking programme this role. Where would Ramblers and long may they continue. Groups be without the effort of so many We hope by the end of November to wonderful volunteers? have planted a lime tree in Trent Park to We have struggled to find new people commemorate our late Chair, Tony to join the committee and have had to Mallindine, and all he did for the rely on a small band of people to carry Group. out the necessary duties. We sent out an [This is a summary of a fuller report urgent letter with the last walks presented at the Group AGM .—Ed.] programme asking people to come Herts Weekend Walkers forward to ensure the Group could Liz Nolan continue. At the time of writing (late The Group started in October 2013, September) we have had one volunteer. aimed at people of working age in their Finchley & Hornsey 40s and 50s who can usually only walk Declan Leyden at weekends. Recently the founder, In the past year we have delivered a David Kay, has stepped down as leader, steady weekly walks programme with a and a Coordination Group has taken turnout anywhere between 14 and 30. over the reins. David is still an active Long (8+ miles) and short walks were (Continued on page 24) equally well attended. Holidays

23 Stile December 2019 member of Herts Weekend Walkers, Stepping Out With Carers, a new and the Group would like to thank him venture sponsored by Sport England for his sterling work over previous enabling housebound carers to leave the years. house and enjoy the pleasures of In our sixth full year members enjoyed walking in the countryside. a wide range of walks of varying In order to maintain visibility we lengths and on different terrains. partake in health related activities Saturday afternoon walks are definitely promoted by both and the most popular, and it is common to Stevenage Councils and find this type of have in excess of 30 people attending. publicity more fruitful as it actively All our walks conclude with the engages with people rather better than opportunity to enjoy a drink (alcoholic an advertisement, but an even greater or otherwise) in a local pub. source of information is our own NHRG We communicate with a weekly email website. bulletin containing details of upcoming North London & South walks and news. We use Facebook to Herts promote the Group by showing Beth Houghton photographs taken during our walks. This year the number of long walks Highlights of 2019 were our petal walk we’ve run increased to 81 and of short challenge day at and walks to 57. In addition, 23 shorter weekends away in Suffolk and the ‘social walks’ have been held mid-week Cotswolds. Members also enjoyed a in our local area. Our programme memorable week in the Lake District, included two ‘coach walks’ to Ely and staying at Lake Coniston. Stamford, which have a loyal following, The Group’s membership continues to and we continued the ‘train and city grow, and we look forward to the walks’ programme by visiting Norwich. future with optimism. In June a small group of members North Herts organised an enjoyable week of walking Ron Faulkner based in Cromford, Derbyshire. Our A report of the last year’s activity must leaders provided two walks for this consider the extent to which the Group year’s Area Walks Day in September fulfils the aims of Ramblers to promote and a total of seven attended. We have walking and protect rights of way. The been walking the Capital Ring during walks programme of led walks each winter and the Hertfordshire Way Saturday and Sunday is popular and during summer, one leg a month, and well supported and the Stevenage have been joined by some members of Walking Festival grows year by year. other Groups for the latter. Members of the Group are members of The Group has continued its the Herts Footpath Committee and involvement (along with North Herts) individual Group members are in the Stepping Out with Carers project encouraged to report any problems they and we did our annual walk with the encounter whilst out walking. London Blind Rambling Club in March. Members are actively involved with Libby Martin is continuing her

24 Stile December 2019 campaigning work on footpaths in for December. We’re delighted that Barnet. these trips are becoming more popular We added 58 new members this year and well supported. Our walk and have an 89% renewal rate, ending programme has been full and varied, the year with the same number of and we have welcomed many new members (501) as we started. members. Several of our new members

Royston have already become regular walkers and volunteers, including leading walks Lesley Abbiss for the Group. We have enjoyed another year of Stag Walkers continues to thrive excellent and varied walks led by our thanks to the support of our wonderful volunteers and have welcomed a walk leaders and the enthusiastic number of enthusiastic new members. committee. We are always looking for Our coach trip in June to the Surrey new committee members and as a result Hills, organised by our outgoing of ‘upgrading’ to a full Group from a Chairman Martin Shaw, was a huge flexi Group, we appointed a Treasurer, success. We walked up, down and and will hold our first AGM for many around the Devil's Punchbowl, re- years. Facebook and Meetup continue enacted War of the Worlds at Horsell to be effective marketing channels Common combined with a brief lunch where we regularly reach potential new break and then moved on to the members, with our Facebook group flatlands of Box Hill, after which we regularly used for sharing post-walk enjoyed ice creams and cold drinks at a photos, and walking and Ramblers- local hostelry. related information. In September we hosted the annual Area Walks Day and Picnic which Watford & Three Rivers coincided with the Royston Arts Clare Bonnick Festival. Over 70 people took part. We As in previous years, we offer a full day look forward to another successful walk on Saturday, and a morning walk programme in 2020. at least once a month, usually in the

Stag Walkers Chilterns or Hertfordshire. We are beginning to see a bit of a split between Rebecca Dawson members who want to be out all day, It has been an exciting year for Stag doing at least 10 miles, and those who Walkers, with the organisation of this are happier doing a shorter walk. year’s National Young Ramblers Figure-of-eight walks have the Weekend. Our dedicated organising advantage of meeting both these needs. team welcomed 85 people from near Around 30 of us had a fantastic three and far to Cambridge on 28-30 June. It days of walking in the Elan Valley, a went extremely well, even considering part of mid-Wales which is not widely that Saturday was one of the hottest known but which offers some splendid days of the year! rugged walking country, miles away We have held another two successful weekends away, and another planned (Continued on page 26)

25 Stile December 2019 from the crowds. The September robust. Overall membership of the weekend away was based in Group has reduced over the last year. Bakewell—again, excellent walking In June the Committee hosted an country. Next year will see us in the evening for walk leaders. We are very Wye Valley in May, and on the South grateful to all those who lead walks and Downs in September. this was an opportunity both to thank We were very fortunate in finding a them and to glean some feedback from new committee member who was them. We are pleased to have some new willing to act as Walks Programme Co- walk leaders but would welcome more. ordinator. Our challenge this year is to We have had two Group holidays this find a new Holidays Organiser! year. Spring found us in Buxton with

West Herts lovely walks in the Peak District. For our autumn break we went to Holnicote Marion Adams House at Selworthy. In the past year we have continued to A number of members have taken the provide a good Walks Programme with opportunity of First Aid training lots of variety. We walk on Sundays and funded through Central Office. most Tuesdays. Our Tuesday Feedback from this has been very programme has included a number of positive. pub lunches which have proved WHR has an effective website which is popular. We also had a Midsummer also an excellent resource for members. Evening walk. We have once again We are on Facebook and contribute to contributed to the Chilterns Walking Meetup in order to reach those Festival. Walks have been well interested in group walking. supported and numbers have been

Preserving and claiming Rights of Way: books available

The Area has two copies of Rights of Way: Restoring the Record by Sarah Bucks and Phil Wadey. If you are interested in joining the Don’t Lose Your Way project, this book will tell you all you need to know about the process. You can borrow a copy for up to two months. Collection and return will be your responsibility but help will be given if possible. To reserve a copy email Roger Bangs at [email protected]

Become a Ramblers Holidays leader! It isn’t an easy role to take on, but it can be tremendously fulfilling. You will be in charge of a group who will look to you to provide them with a fun, safe and informative holiday. You have to love what you are doing and love the people you are doing it with. If you lack either of these, forget it. Still interested? Contact Leaders’ Manager Mandy Dorward on: [email protected] and visit: https://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/about-us/join-the-team

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LETTERS From Sarah Lea Farming has changed greatly, as Rights of way: a farmer’s viewpoint shown by the small field with four Thank you for publishing the really separate rights of way. Legislation has fascinating article in the June 2019 issue not always kept up and in such cases of Stile by Diana Collingridge, A Ramblers should take a pragmatic Farmer’s Viewpoint. approach and not always object. The majority of the paths we walk Sometimes it is about ensuring people cross farmer’s land and overall in our can walk in a given area rather than Area we have excellently maintained sticking our heels in and saying nothing paths. Farmers play a crucial role in must change. this, ensuring paths are reinstated after I would like to see Ramblers taking a cultivation, clearly marked, not more prominent role in educating encroached on by crops or blocked. walkers about their responsibilities, I have always believed it is much especially regarding dogs, litter (like more productive to work together than Dana I’m a regular picker) and the in opposition to people, and believe we principle of ‘leave no trace’. We rightly have much to gain from working with encourage people to enjoy the outdoors local farmers rather than assuming they but offer little guidance on how to are in opposition to us. behave.

Suffolk Coast Self catering holiday cottage to let, sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms Seaside village of WALBERSWICK, near SOUTHWOLD Ideal for walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers etc. Idyllically situated on the edge of the common with direct access to paths, bridleways and open access SSSI heathland including traffic free route to Southwold Comfortable character cottage with woodstove, garden and ample off-road parking Local shop nearby, also three excellent pubs Linen provided; Wi-Fi Dogs allowed by arrangement Strictly non-smoking Discounted rates for Ramblers and Cycling UK members Friday to Friday weekly bookings and short breaks available off-season (long weekends or midweek) For more details ring: 01438 717237 or 0780 1469676

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WALKS TO ENJOY Tewin, Burnham Green and Bull’s Green This walk of about 6¼ miles is through beautiful woods and open countryside with lovely views. It is almost all on traffic free paths. It was originally devised by Derek Milton of The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way. This walk can be started from several places (see box). It goes directly past: • the Plume of Feathers in Tewin (GR TL271153, postcode AL6 0LX) - point (A); • Tewin Bury Farm Hotel (GR TL265141, postcode AL6 0JB) - point (D); • the White Horse in Burnham Green (GR TL262166, postcode AL6 0HA) - point (H). Two other pubs are not on the direct route but are within very easy reach: • the Rose and Crown in Tewin (GR TL271147, postcode AL6 0LE) - point (X); • the Horns in Bull’s Green (GR TL270174, postcode SG3 6RZ) - point (Y). All provide possible stops for food and drink. Please only use their car parks if using their facilities. A slightly longer walk of about 7 miles can be undertaken using public transport to Welwyn North Station (GR TL246154, postcode AL6 0AU). Point (Z). The main description starts at the Plume of Feathers in Tewin. For instructions on using the starting points which are not on the main route, see box opposite. There are six places where particular care is required as it is easy to miss a relatively narrow or concealed turning. They are points (B), (C), (E), (G), (I) and (K) on the map.

28 Stile December 2019

Leave the car park of the Plume of through this gate follow the path half Feathers pub at the north end of Tewin left across the field. At a crossing track village (A) and cross the road into the go straight over, through a kissing gate car park of the playing field opposite. and enter a path between fences. When Cross this car park and enter the you reach the road go through the playing field. Cross in front of the kissing gate and turn left. Go along this pavilion then head to the far left hand road for a short distance until you see a corner of the field. Go through a gap in kissing gate on the right immediately the hedge to reach a broad track where opposite a farm entrance (C). you turn left. Go through this gate and almost Continue along this track for about immediately turn left. Go through the 300m until you see a short path on the gate in front of you and turn right leading to a kissing gate (B). Once immediately right. Go down the field

Alternative start points

• To start from the Rose and Crown in Tewin (X) start along Back Lane immediately on the left of the pub and continue until you see the path on your left at (B) leading to the kissing gate. On your return pass the path at (B) and continue along the wide track to the pub.

• To start from the Horns in Bull’s Green (Y) turn right out of the pub and, ignoring the turn into Coltsfoot Lane, take the next road on the right which is Bramfield Road. Continue along this road until you reach point (J) where you turn left. On your return, when you reach point (I) do not take the path on the right but continue along the road until you reach the junction where you turn left for the pub.

• To start from Welwyn North Station (Z) leave the station through the arch by the ticket office, then turn left along Harmer Green Lane. Continue up this road until you reach the end of the fence on your left. Turn left up steps to a path. Continue up this path until you reach a waymark post where you are above one of the railway tunnels. Turn right here and continue along the backs of houses, passing one of the tunnel smoke outlets and ignoring a large path on the right, to reach another waymark post at a crossing path in sight of a palisade fence ahead. Turn right here along a narrow path which eventually broadens out before joining Harmer Green Lane. Turn left and continue along this lane passing a village green with a war memorial to reach the junction with New Road. Take Pennyfathers Lane almost directly ahead with a pond on your right. At a fork turn left and continue for a short distance meeting the main route shortly after point (G). On your return do not turn right at point (F) but continue straight ahead until you reach a road. Turn right and almost immediately left into Harmer Green Lane. This leads directly to the station.

29 Stile December 2019 edge with the fence on your right until roundabout with a lamp post in the you reach a kissing gate. Go through middle then turn right between wooden this gate onto a crossing path. Turn left posts up a gravel track. up the hill until you reach a road. Cross Look out for a footpath which crosses this road and continue along a path this track (E) just after a house on the with a hedge on your right. At the end left. This path is narrow and easily of the hedge where two paths cross, missed. Turn left along the path turn right. Keeping another hedge on through a wood to a road. Cross this your left go down the hill into the road and follow the path with a hedge Mimram valley. on your left. Ignore paths from the At the road cross diagonally and take right. Go through a wood and when the path leading to your right with a you reach a kissing gate across the track hedge on your left. Continue along this turn right through another kissing gate track ignoring all paths from the right. (F). Continue along this path with the After passing Tewin Mill Fish Farm you hedge on your left. There are good may catch glimpses of the Mimram views across the field to woods ahead itself. When you reach Tewin Bury and to the right. Farm Hotel turn right into the hotel up Go through a kissing gate onto a the main drive (D). Go straight towards crossing path and turn left. Continue up a yellow brick building in front of you the slope between trees. There is a and turn left immediately in front of it. cream house on the right where the Continue a short distance to a surface becomes tarmac. A short

30 Stile December 2019 distance further on there is a narrow shortly after a bungalow on the right, footpath on the right with a signpost to you reach a field gate and kissing gate Burnham Green (G). Take this path. across the track. Continue straight on where another Go through the kissing gate and tarmac road joins from the left until, immediately turn right along a wooded

31 Stile December 2019 track with occasional views over a field onto a path just before a house with on your right. Ignore paths on your iron gates. The path is signposted to right keeping straight on, passing Tewin Upper Green. through a kissing gate to reach the road Follow this path between fences. After at Burnham Green. about 500m look out for a path on the Turn left along the verge and at the right leading downhill with mature crossroads go straight over into White trees dividing the track (K). Take this Horse Lane. Go past the White Horse path for a short distance ignoring all pub on your left (H) down the hill. Just paths to the right then, just past the iron before the speed derestriction sign turn gates to a large house, turn left onto a right into a path signposted to Coltsfoot narrow path between fences until you Lane. At the end of this path go through reach a kissing gate into a field. Keep a gap in the hedge and turn right into ahead beside the fence on the left and Coltsfoot Lane. go through a kissing gate in a hedge. Pass Coltsfoot Country Retreat on the You can see the garden of the Plume of left and then after the 30mph sign take a Feathers on the other side of the field. path on the right opposite a house The way out of the field is slightly to the (Coltsfoot Cottage) with large wooden right of the garden fence under a large gates (I). This path is partly hidden by tree. Cross the field, go through the trees. Follow this path between fences kissing gate and follow the path beside all the way to a road where you turn the pub until you reach its car park (A). right (J). After a short distance turn left Honey House vegan eco-retreat Serra da Estrela, Portugal Honey House is a 5 hectare, vegan eco-retreat, situated on the edge of the historic village of Melo in the Serra da Estrela national park, central Portugal. Learn Reiki, meditation, yoga and animal communication. Join our yearly juice fast or just relax by the natural pool whilst enjoying healthy vegan food and pure spring water. We keep the costs low to allow everyone to experience this wonderful way of life. We are a meat, alcohol and drug free environment. Please contact Annie at www.veganretreatportugal.com with any questions or requests, so we can make your stay a magical adventure. Also: some yoga and vegan juice fast courses held at Walberswick, Suffolk coast (see page 27) and in Morocco.

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ST ALBANS & DISTRICT FOOTPATHS SOCIETY Revised and updated 7th edition of 24 FOOTPATH WALKS AROUND ST ALBANS St Albans & District Footpaths Society has just published the 7th edition of ‘24 Footpath Walks around St Albans’ (the ‘green’ book). Walks vary in length from 11.2km/7.2 miles to 6.6km/4.1 miles. Prior to this edition, we have sold 21,000 copies since 1988. All walks have been checked and amended where necessary. All maps have been redrawn and now include directional arrows in black. Where there are alternative routes, directional arrows are shown in red or blue. To avoid crossing the A414, Walks 16, 17 and 19 have been replaced with new walks, and for walks 5, 9, 14 and 24, various changes to the previous edition have been made. Places of Interest have been replaced with over 100 Points of Interest (POI) and are cross-referenced with each walk. General Information on local Geology, Landscape, Land Use, Building Materials, and Place name elements have been added to this edition. The outside cover has been updated and refreshed (below), but will still be known as the ‘green’ book. Books costing £6.50 can be obtained from outlets in St Albans, Harpenden, , Welwyn Garden City, and Watford. In case of difficulty, please contact the Books Distributor: [email protected]

Booking with RWH Travel (Ramblers Holidays)?

Not a member of any Group?

Are you one of the growing number of members who choose not to belong to a particular Group? If so, and if you’re booking a holiday with RWH Travel (Ramblers Holidays), please quote Herts & North Middlesex Area when you book and RWH will make a small donation to the Area.

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Area Chair Roger Bangs: [email protected] Area Secretary Libby Martin: [email protected]

Ramblers: www.ramblers.org.uk Herts and North Middlesex Area: www.ramblers.org.uk/hertfordshire-north-middlesex South East Walker newspaper: www.https://www.surreyramblers.org.uk/news/35-south-east-walker.html

Footpath problems (1) — contact one of the Footpath Secretaries:

Area Footpath Secretary Mark Westley: [email protected]

District and Borough FP Secretaries Dacorum Borough North Herts District, Stevenage Borough John Rowe: [email protected] David Allard: [email protected] ,Watford Borough Hertsmere Borough, Welwyn Hatfield Colin Knight: [email protected]

Borough Enfield Ian Hardy: [email protected] Vacant Broxbourne Borough, East Herts District (Temporary contact: Ian Hardy: Chris Pagan: [email protected]) [email protected] Barnet St Albans City & District Libby Martin: [email protected] Phil Escritt: [email protected] Haringey Chris Barker: [email protected]

Footpath problems (2) — contact your local authority:

Hertfordshire (except Dacorum and Broxbourne Broxbourne) Engineering and Surveying Rights of Way Service Services Hertfordshire County Council Broxbourne Borough Council 0300 123 4047 01992 785 577 [email protected] [email protected]

Dacorum Barnet Clayton Rae Street Based Services Dacorum Borough Council Barnet Borough Council 01442 228 356 020 8359 4600 [email protected] HighwaysCorrespondence@ Barnet.gov.uk

34 Stile December 2019

Haringey Enfield Frontline Business Support Environment, Waste & Team Transport Haringey Council Enfield Borough Council 020 8489 1335 020 8379 1000 [email protected] [email protected]

Group information Ramblers members can walk with any Group throughout the country. There is summary information and a list of the published walks for all the Groups on the Area website: www.ramblers.org.uk/hertfordshire-north-middlesex. Follow the link ‘Our Groups’ to see the location of each Group, the types of walks they do and link to each Group website. Here are the Groups in our Area with contact details. Almost all walks are listed on the Ramblers national website: www.ramblers.org.uk and click on ‘Where do you want to walk’ or ‘Find a group’.

East Herts Royston Sarah Lea [email protected] [email protected] Miss Lesley Abbiss 01763 273 463 www.easthertsramblers.co.uk www.ramblers.org.uk/royston

Finchley & Hornsey Stag Walkers Vivien Mallindine 020 8883 8190 Rebecca Dawson [email protected] [email protected] www.ramblers.org.uk/finchley-hornsey www.stagwalkers.org.uk

Herts Weekend Walkers www.facebook.com/groups/stagwalkers Liz Nolan A Group aimed at people in their 20s and 30s. [email protected] www.hertsww.org.uk Watford &Three Rivers www.facebook.com/groups/hertswww [email protected] An informal ‘Flexigroup’ aimed at people Mrs V M Buckley 01923 222 591 in their 40s and 50s. www.watfordand3riversramblers.org.uk

North Herts West Herts Jo Lindridge Lynda Abbott www.nhrg.org.uk [email protected] [email protected] www.westhertsramblers.org.uk

North London & South Herts Beth Houghton [email protected] www.ramblers.org.uk/north-london-south -herts

35 Walking on the Great Wall of China Ian Hardy In April, my wife Sandra and I enjoyed a long-wished for trip to China, a lifetime experience which included the ‘classic’ round of world-famous sightseeing. We opted for an ‘adventure’ tour, featuring amongst other things a cycle ride round the top of X’ian’s eight-mile city walls (X’ian being the home of the Terracotta Warriors) and a climb up Mount Qingcheng near Chengdu in Sichuan, a Taoist sacred mountain (Chengdu is panda country, and Sichuan cuisine is famous for its spicy food). However, nothing else compared to our half-day trek along the iconic Great Wall, a lifelong ambition for me, in a mountainous area north-east of Beijing—with (apart from our group of 10 and two guides) only a couple of Chinese families and two Mongolian ladies selling their craft wares for company! The Wall here is relatively well-preserved as well as part-restored, but it was surprisingly steep and exposed in places, with steps up and down forever! The scenery was everything you’ve seen in photos, and the Spring blossom on the trees added pastel colours to the landscape.