SOUTH EAST No. 111 September 2020

Walkingwalker in London manifesto drafted s we recover from the preventing a big increase in the schemes to widen pavements, monotony. I always walked from means we build exercise and green pandemic, it is likely number of cars on the road as the introduce new cycle lanes and low- the door a lot but once found myself spaces into our daily journeys as a A that there will be a economy opens up. traffic neighbourhoods and reduce on the other bank of the Thames matter of course - but we need to continuing reduction in public Transport for London's (TfL) speed limits to make it safer and looking back towards my local area encourage millions of other people transport. This means there is support package from the more appealing to walk and cycle. from a park I'd never been in before, who travel to join us. a renewed emphasis on active government has meant funding Some of these schemes will become and discovered a whole new green At the same time, we need TfL travel in London with the aim of is being directed to temporary permanent, others will be adapted, space I'd not known was there less and the boroughs to understand the and some might be removed. than 10 minutes walk from home. contribution walking can make to We want to make sure the voices Walking has kept many of us healthy solving some of the problems London of walkers are heard and that walking both mentally and physically during faces. We have been lobbying for isn't the underdog where this this awful time. pavement widening at length to investment is concerned. We know Whilst the number of people who facilitate walking not just to provide how popular walking has always can switch to walking from public space for queuing, for temporary been in London. We also know transport for the whole of their barriers to be permeable so we don't how much more popular walking journeys to work, shops, hospital, have to extend walks unnecessarily to has become during the pandemic, friends or leisure activity will be low, cross roads, and for walking routes how accessible it is for a wide range the number who can incorporate from transport hubs such as mainline of people and how low-cost it is, walking as part of their journey will stations, to be promoted to the requiring no special clothing or be huge. If everyone could walk a public. We find the focus tends to equipment. Many people have few stops instead of changing trains, be on safety rather than enjoyability explored their local neighbourhood tube or bus or can get off a few - but we know people will choose on foot during Covid-19, walking stops early, then the pressure on the to walk when they think it will be streets they hadn't walked before and transport system and on tunnels and pleasant and not simply because they discovering green spaces they didn't corridors within stations would be expect to complete their journey know were there as they attempted massively reduced. This is all second uninjured. to mix things up and alleviate the nature to many of us ramblers - it Continued on page 3 Group walks return Kent tiger scare All Ramblers group walks were suspended from 18 March until 3 July. Then, in line with government policy which said that in England no more than six people could gather outside, groups could arrange walks (of leader pus five). Since 30 July, groups have been able to organise walks with up to 30 participants. Not all groups felt able to restart walks with the six-person limit and the need to meet other restrictions but Aylesbury & District Group was among those that did. n these unusual times, most knew we had to act. Central Office. of us want to get out walking With over 250 members and our We put a spreadsheet on our Iwith our fellow ramblers. pre-lockdown walks often attracting group website for leaders to offer So when it became clear at the 20 - 30 members, we wondered walks and up to five members were beginning of July that we were whether there would be demand for able to pre-register for these. Within permitted to walk together again, small group walking, in line with days we had eight walks on offer and albeit in groups of up to six, we the latest advice from Ramblers space for up to 40 members to join us. By mid-July, two walks had taken place and about 30 members Big cat cornered. Photo: Juliet Simpson had pre-registered for the eight esidents of remote were no doubt relieved to find It walks on offer. dwellings near the was a life-size model tiger that has Our small group walks enabled village of Underrriver in been there for 20 years, sculpted many of us to keep in touch and to R Kent were surprised to find by Ramblers' walk leader Juliet continue to explore our little corner a police helicopter overhead Simpson and placed in her garden of England. Now that we can and 10 armed police officers in the woods. Those wishing to again enjoy walking together we are converging on the local woods view the big cat themselves should reminded that good things come in in early May. visit the Kent Ramblers' website small packages too! The drama came after a member at www.kentramblers.org.uk/ Stephen Putman of the public had reported a tiger kentwalks and choose Walk 28. Publicity Officer, Aylesbury roaming near a footpath. They Robert Peel Leader Stephen with fellow socially-distancing members near Ivinghoe Beacon. Ramblers 2 South East Walker September 2020 100 stiles to London is a forest ou will probably have heard As well as planting new trees and go for Loddon the phrase, 'It's a jungle out whips, the London Borough of Y there'. but actually, according Hammersmith and Fulham invites to one United Nations definition, residents to plant flowers, herbs and Valley Ramblers London is a forest. shrubs - anything you like really - at he suspension of or remove stiles which will be It might not conform to your idea the base of trees across the borough as Ramblers' activities of greatest benefit in terms of of a forest but it is home to over eight part of their campaign to make streets Tin the spring meant making routes and circuits million trees, roughly one for every greener and more pleasant. They even that our volunteers could not stile-free. person living in Greater London. produce a guide to help you and this can continue their programme With the completion of the Both the number of trees and the trees be found on their website. Don't forget that trees get thirsty too! of replacing stiles with gates. audit, the difficult bit starts, themselves are growing every year. Then along came coronavirus and Photo: Des Garrahan Having five shiny new gates with the task of obtaining London is definitely an urban forest. everybody was told to stay indoors, • Ask your neighbours to get involved, sitting in storage has been landowner permissions and For most London councils, tree quickly followed by the hottest, driest especially if you're planning on going frustrating, but members getting funding for new gates. planting takes place between November May any of us has known. on holiday over the summer. found another way of using To this end, the audit report and February. Trees are planted in the For those riparian London boroughs, • Try not to water when the ground is their time which they hope has been sent to Wokingham winter months when they are dormant, the Thames Path is a popular site for wet and soggy. Rainfall isn't always will pay dividends. Borough Council and to all as this increases survival rates. Many new plantings. One council got in enough to satisfy newly-planted trees, The publication of a new the parish councils in the London boroughs have ambitious touch with the Thames Path National but too much water can be as bad as Rights of Way Improvement borough, in the hope that they plans to plant more trees. Kingston, Trail, who then contacted me, about not enough. Plan by Wokingham will do what they can to help the London borough I live in, aims to 10 newly-planted elms at Mortlake. • If you use a hosepipe, do so safely - Borough Council in April with permissions and funding. plant at least 1,500 trees over the next After popping down with Clare, the don't leave it unattended or trail it re-affirmed the aim to If nothing else, the audit three years and in the planting season of Chair of Inner London area, for a quick across the road. remove all stiles on Loddon outcomes have clarified that 2019-20, they planted 871 street trees investigation, and to do some emergency • The best time to water is either early Valley's paths, and the group many paths are already stile- and over 3,000 whips with the support watering, we were able, with the help morning or in the evening. Try to has now established the extent free, in many cases because of of local communities in green spaces. (A of Richmond Ramblers, to get nearby avoid the hottest part of the day, of that task by completing an the group's previous efforts whip is a young tree, without branches, Putney Town Rowing Club interested although water any time is better than audit of all the remaining stiles to remove and replace them. and more like a long, upright stick). in regular watering. no water at all. in the borough. This will assist Loddon I haven't checked every London When new trees are planted councils If you want to know more about The audit was started in Valley Ramblers and others borough but I'd guess they all have include them in watering rounds, but London's street trees why not invest in the early days of lockdown in designing and publicising similar plans. The Urban Tree Challenge especially during dry weather, they a copy of Paul Wood's book titled, not as a desk-top exercise, stile-free walks, which will be Fund was developed in response to HM benefit from more frequent watering, so surprisingly, London's Street Trees. Or using the knowledge of the a major benefit for those with Treasury releasing £10 million in the please do water new trees on your street. follow him on twitter and Instagram - @ group's Footpath Officerrestricted mobility. 2018 autumn budget announcement Any watering is helpful, but see below thestreettree. He's also one of the brains and its 15 footpath wardens. Group Chair, David Moffat, for planting at least 20,000 large trees for general advice: behind Tree Talk, who have developed a Subsequently, once it had said: "I am pleased that at least and 110,000 small trees in urban areas • One big drink a week is best, but more smartphone app that will devise a tree become clear that it was one useful project has been in England. According to Trees for often is fine during very hot weather. walk from a London postcode. Or you permissible for individuals to completed whilst our other Cities, there are 10 reasons why we • Ideally. try to give at least 1 - 2 could download the TICL app which go for a short drive for their activities have been on hold. should plant more trees in urban areas. watering cans per watering - although also gives you a lot of tree information exercise, it was possible to walk Our volunteers will now be As well as producing oxygen and storing anything you can manage is great. based on your postcode. paths to fill the gaps in people's keen to get on with more stile and soaking up carbon and carbon • Tap water, rainwater or even dishwater I'm guessing it will be a while before recollections and make sure conversions and removals, dioxide, trees clean our air and are good is fine. Please make sure no chemical we'll be walking in large groups again that no stiles had been missed. and the end of the current for our health and wellbeing. According stronger than washing-up liquid is in or that the over-stretched London The result was that exactly 100 restrictions is eagerly awaited. to the United Nations, 83% of us in the mix. boroughs will be able to resume their stiles were found. The group celebrates its 25th the UK are now living in urbanised • If there's a black watering tube at normal duties, so it would be really Once the audit was anniversary in October and environments and there are no signs of the base of the tree, please use that, helpful if walkers were able to pick up completed, it was possible to is hoping to commemorate this slowing down. (And unsurprisingly although if it is easier, just slowly pour some of the slack by monitoring the establish some priorities for this with a celebratory gate about 80% of Ramblers members in the water over the roots, letting the state of the trees in their area. the conversion or removal of installation in Remenham, Great Britain live in urban areas). water soak deep into the soil. Des Garrahan stiles. A list of high-priority near Henley-on-Thames. stiles has been drawn up, with Steve Vale garden city at nearby Letchworth. the focus on seeking to convert Loddon Valley Ramblers Garden City centenary walk Information on the Centenary Walk elwyn Garden City's company was incorporated and work and four City of Trees walks (and a downloadable walk leaflet) can be found Centenary Walk was began to plan the building of the town officially launched in at www.wgc100.org. W on 1,500 acres of farmland bought by At least three other towns near March. the visionary town planner Ebenezer Welwyn Garden City also have orbital The signed route - officially a neat Howard. It was also in 1920 that the walking routes. For details of the 27- 20.20 km (12.5 miles) in length - company appointed Louis de Soissons mile Stevenage Outer Orbital Path encircles the Hertfordshire town which as chief architect and town planner for (STOOP) which was opened in 2008 was planned in such a way that its the new utopian creation and it was he and the 12-mile Hitchin Outer Orbital residents could walk or cycle to work, who decided to go with a neo-Georgian Path (HOOP) opened 2010, go to shop, school and leisure facilities. redbrick style rather than the Arts and North Herts Ramblers at http://www. The Centenary Walk has been devised Crafts style adopted at Letchworth, nhrg.org.uk. For more on Letchworth as part of the celebrations to mark the Howard's first garden city developed Garden City's 14-mile Letchworth 100th anniversary of the meeting where some years earlier. Howard died in the Garden City Greenway go to discover- Another kissing gate installed by the group. Photo: Ray Sharp the Welwyn Garden City Limited town in 1928 and was buried in his first letchworth.com/greenway.

Downs Access Forum, Vice Chairman still came up smiling, playing down of the Society of Sussex Downsmen everybody's concern as if nothing had Ben Perkins - 'Mr Sussex Walker' (now the Friends of the South happened. ith the death of Ben South Downs Walks for Motorists, was was also involved in the design of the Downs) and an active member of the Ben, we are all going to miss you. Perkins on 6 June at the published in 1979, but all the others Sussex Diamond Way. Society of Sussex Wealdmen (now the Wherever you are, I'm sure you're W age of 86, Sussex lost appeared during his retirement in the Ben was a member of the Ramblers Sussex Sunday Walkers). still wearing your walking boots and arguably its foremost ambassador period between 1996 and 2008. Ben for decades and a founder member of Those of us who were privileged looking forward to your next coffee for walking in the county. To most was also a prodigious contributor to Brighton and Hove Group in 1982 but to walk with Ben will remember him and slice of cake. local ramblers, Ben was simply 'Mr The Argus newspaper. Every fortnight only became an active member in his as a knowledgeable and unassuming Mike Bates Sussex Walker'. between 1984 and 2012 he wrote a later years. Since 2016 he was rarely colleague. Universally popular, he had Brighton & Hove Ramblers Ben's love of walking and the Sussex column highlighting a particular walk, absent from one of our Thursday or an equable manner, always cheerful, countryside had been with him since many of which have been responsible Saturday walks. Latterly he also joined always ready to offer advice, always childhood. It followed him throughout for inspiring his readers to take up a growing number of the Brighton positive. He was always the first to his working years as a family doctor in rambling. Ben estimated that his & Hove Healthwalks. He was also wear shorts during the season and last Patcham, and culminated in even more Argus columns covered some 70 - 80% involved in so many aspects of the to switch back to long trousers. His intensity after his retirement in 1996. of the 2,000 miles of rights of way in countryside, working and campaigning modesty was infectious. I recall one Over his lifetime Ben wrote 14 books East Sussex. for the protection of public rights of occasion when a new member asked on walking in East and West Sussex. But perhaps Ben's finest legacy will way. At various times he was involved Ben, upon learning who he was, to Sadly most of these are no longer be the Sussex Border Path, which he with the Sussex Area Council of the autograph one of his books. Ben was in print, though you may be lucky co-designed with Aeneas Mackintosh, Ramblers, with the path-clearing completely flattered. On another enough to come across the odd copy in and which is the subject of one of his activities of the Sussex Rights of Way occasion during a group walk, he was good local or secondhand bookshops. books. This 150-mile trail stretching Group, and was Footpath Secretary knocked over by a horse, unsettled by He also contributed to a further from Emsworth to Rye highlights in four East Sussex parishes. He was the strong wind, which charged from Ben with his commendation award from two AA walking books. His first, some of Sussex's finest scenery. Ben also one-time Chairman of the South behind. Ben took quite a nasty fall but the Ramblers in 2017. Photo: Mike Bates South East Walker September 2020 3 walkerSOUTH EAST Uproar Fire devastates Distributed quarterly to members of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, over Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Surrey national Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and 'prison' Surrey Areas. nature reserve THE RAMBLERS fence ire severely damaged the reserve reseeding itself through Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford more than 150 hectares natural regeneration. Recovery House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, ssex has many excellent London SE1 7TW. short walks; one of these (370 acres) of Thursley from a serious fire in 2006 had F taken four years. Switchboard: 020 3961 3300 starts near a Victorian Common in Surrey over three Membership Services: E The offending fence. Photo: Len Banister Mark Percy of the Ramblers cattle pound in Hainault Forest days at the end of May. 020 3961 3232 SABRE group said it had been and proceeds via attractive About 40 firefighters fought Email: [email protected] completely seal off his property from heartbreaking to see the damage the new public right of way. the blaze which destroyed about a Web: www.ramblers.org.uk hedged paths through four caused by the fire. An appeal There was, and still is, uproar Company registration no: woods. third of the national nature reserve launched by Elstead and Thursley 4458492 in the village. Locals put up signs The return features the delightful including much of the boardwalks parish councils far exceeded its Registered charity no: 1093577 saying 'Prison This Way' and hamlet of Lambourne with its 12th- built mostly by volunteers to £20,000 target but work to rebuild 'Dartmoor'. Signs with 'Beware century church and manor followed enable visitors to explore wet areas the charred boardwalks is likely to EDITORIAL by a gentle amble across a meadow Guard Dogs' were torn down and Editor: Les Douglas and get close to nature. be delayed for months because of 'Keep to the Footpath' notices were Email: [email protected] - or at least it did until the diversion. Reserve manager, James Giles, the Covid-19 restrictions, annotated with 'Paranoia'. Tel: 020 8809 2338 The meadow is on the estate of has said that although the fire had The Thursley national nature Daws Hill Farm part of which was Any official you ask will tell you (please leave message) been devastating, he was hopeful reserve, one of the largest sold to a Mr Scott Moore. In 2019 that it is a done deed. The fact that that in those pockets of unburnt remaining fragments of heathland DESIGN AND PRINT Mr Moore applied to divert the path the fence is at two metres means that areas there was a natural seed bank in Surrey, is located between the Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255 across the meadow to the boundary it does not need planning permission. villages of Elstead and Thursley. so that his partner could exercise Ask anyone in the locality and you which would eventually lead to Opinions expressed by contributors will detect a resigned fury - a farmer's are not specifically endorsed by her horse. Epping Forest District The Ramblers. Council was consulted and offered wife said she had walked the path ISSN 1747-4140 no objection and Essex Highways daily for 40 years and was distressed C 2020 The Ramblers. eventually sealed the diversion. by what had happened. All rights reserved. Lambourne Parish Council was There can be no argument that consulted but with four other the fence is an unattractive, possibly Copy Date: For issue No. 112 diversions on its agenda, took its eye threatening addition to what was is 12 October. off the ball. an enjoyable country walk and it is A wooden fence delineating the unfortunate that none of the locals ride had been erected prior to the were consulted about its erection, official granting of the diversion but let alone the diversion. But there is later, taking advantage of the hiatus something much more serious here. resulting from the lockdown, Mr How is it that one person in their Moore started to erect a wire fence. arrogance and lack of sensitivity can, He spent £30,000 with First Fence, with seeming impunity, undermine a firm whose customers include HM the environment of others, who they treat as hoi polloi, in this way? Damage to the boardwalks was Mark Percy of Sabre Ramblers group Prisons, to buy sufficient two-metre severe. surveys the blackened common. high 'V' mesh security fencing to Len Banister

New guide to Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk t last, our new guide happy to offer a special price to 'Superbundle' available from our as they deserve to be and we to the Tunbridge readers of South East Walker - website to all customers. Please found paths through superb A Wells Circular Walk £5.50 including postage - until add 30p to prices if paying by countryside that had clearly and other walks in the area the end of November. Please cheque. not been walked in years. Our is nearing completion and quote code SEW2009. We are The book includes not just the volunteers have put a huge effort should be available for sale by happy to extend the offer to Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk into refreshing waymarking and the end of August. our previous books (Three River but also a town trail in Tunbridge dealing with various obstacles However, experience with the two previous books has taught us Valley Walks in West Kent and Wells and six 'Walks Through and we hope that our book will that when dealing with printers Kent Coast Path, Part 1: Camber Time' which are circular walks increase footfall to the level things do not always go to plan so to Ramsgate) individually or to based on Cranbrook, 'Capital necessary to keep the paths well- please check our website before supply any two books for £9.00. of the Weald'. The delights of trodden. ordering. The cover price will For anyone wanting all three walking in the Cranbrook area Robert Peel be £7.50 but as usual, we are books, these are included in the are perhaps not as well-known Secretary, Kent Area Ramblers

Continued from page 1 To this end, we are publishing walking more difficult or less Draft manifesto for walking in London pleasant. a draft walking manifesto which transport journeys in line with incorporates the asks from our We are asking the Mayor of Zero and support '20 is Plenty' • Better signage on and to London's London, the GLA, TfL and the Analysis of Walking Potential with a wholesale reduction in curtailed 2020 mayoral and GLA iconic walking routes. London boroughs to support the 2016 - Policy Analysis Report speed limits. election campaign. The manifesto • Development of signed green following measures to promote published March 2017 (this calls on the Mayor of London, TfL, • Work for legislative change to walking routes to parks and green walking in London and to ensure can be found at http://content. ensure speed limits apply equally spaces. London boroughs and the City of that it is both pleasant and safe: tfl.gov.uk/analysis-of-walking- to bikes, electric scooters etc, as • Support for removal of traffic London to support measures to potential-2016.pdf). • Prioritise walkers and walking. well as cars. from parks wherever possible. promote walking in London and • Walkers count - foot count pads to ensure that it is both pleasant • Widening of pavements at scale • Mayor of London to write to all • TfL-led education campaign and for long distances to support at key sites to accurately record Londoners advising them to drive and safe. We are seeking views and to support new cyclists walking. footfall and use the results to and cycle with caution at all times comments on the draft (right) so that (and pedestrians) to include inform future policy. and in the expectation that people we can finalise and then promote the • Promotion of signed/drawn discouraging pavement cycling • TfL, GLA and boroughs to will be walking in the roads, to in conjunction with bike shops, manifesto with your help. Please get walking routes from central transport hubs with improvements ask everyone who can to walk reinforce this message with social cycling groups, etc. in touch if you have any comments or to station exits and entrances to journeys with a walking time of media. • Protect and promote existing and would like to get involved. support social distancing. 30 minutes or less, rather than • New zebra crossings and longer new routes like Thames Path, Clare Wadd drive. • TfL to acknowledge and promote crossing times at pelican, pecan Capital Ring, London Loop and [email protected] the importance of walking to • Enforcement by boroughs against etc, crossings. the Central London Footways. reduce public transport stages/ car parking over pavements. • New cycle infrastructure only to • Create new walking routes and See also Central London Footways changes and lengths of public • Continue to work towards Vision be introduced if it doesn't make expand the Footways projects. launched on page 16. 4 South East Walker September 2020 Ripple footpath work here has been plenty of local residents, Central Bedfordshire BEDFORDSHIRE work building up for Council and the local councillor. Tour Ripple (Restoring Other work has been carried out at and Improving Public Paths Toddington, Thrift Wood, Sundon for Leisure and Enjoyment) and Ridgmont Everything done bulletin volunteers. safely! Although seasonal vegetation Barry Ingram surface cuts had been done by council contractors, brambles, thick thorns and bushes had been rapidly encroaching and even blocking some paths during spring and early summer. Our Pop in to Beds volunteers were contacted and the position was explained regarding social distancing, using their own tools and bringing their own refreshments. The response was this September overwhelming with almost all our regular volunteers plus some new ollowing advice from soon an alternative format to the Pop-off challenge - The Greensand faces eager to participate. government, councils, walking festival was taking shape. Ridge Walk which stretches for Their response has enabled the FRamblers Central Office, 40 miles across the middle of the clearance of a number of paths including improvement to Route health professionals and others, Pop-up walks - small group walks county will provide the challenge. 51 for about two miles from coupled with the probable for non-members to complement Small groups - say a family or ineffectiveness of a printed the walks for members. The Sandy to Blunham through to friends (or individuals) can use the programme and public wariness, festival website and social media the road between Great Barford festival website to sign up for the it was decided to cancel this will give the general location of and Willington and the 600-yard year's Bedfordshire Walking these walks. eg Mid Bedfordshire, challenge and then do as much as path from Ampthill to Houghton Festival. Disappointment all East Bedfordshire, Bedford, Luton, they can over the weekend of 12 - 13 House. The latter bringing The cleared path at Ampthill. round but rather than do nothing Leighton Buzzard. Booking will be September, sending in pictures and positive comments and thanks from Photo: Barry Ingram our thoughts turned to what we essential to comply with regulations. selfies as they go. Pop-off challenge could do. Pop-out time challenge - during certificates will be available for those We knew that any proposals September we will be encouraging who walk part of the route while Saxon Shore delayed would have to fit in with all the people to sign up for our Pop-out Greensand Challenge certificates restrictions yet still offer something time challenge and tell us how much eighton Buzzard Ramblers read in last December's South will be issued to those who complete had planned to walk East Walker that Kent Ramblers for all ages and abilities, members time they spend walking each week the full 40-mile challenge verified by a section of the Saxon are working on a new guide to and non-members. It would need and then set a target to increase this. L pictures. Shore Way from Gravesend to the Saxon Shore Way as the old to be simple to arrange and manage, A target may be an extra hour a week To find out more about how you Gillingham in March as part of guide by Bea Cowan is no longer with promotion by social media and for one person or maybe an extra can pop with Bedfordshire Ramblers a project to complete the trail published and old copies are hard no printed programme. seven hours for another. At the in short breaks over the next to obtain. We are now hoping Groups were already arranging end of each week participants will this September, why not pop on to few years. to make a start on the route in small group walks via websites and be able to record their time on the our website www.bedswalkfest.co.uk Unfortunately, coronavirus October. Fingers crossed! social media but these were only for festival website. Digital certificates or pop a question to organiser@ arrived and the project was put Mike Shephard members. We put our thinking caps will then be awarded to those who bedswalkfest.co.uk. on hold. It was interesting to Leighton Buzzard Ramblers on and ideas started popping and meet their target. Barry Ingram Tony Ivel Valley Walkers vel Valley restarted almost Coordinator and Webmaster. and events scheduled for later in the Holton all of its weekly walks in The Membership Secretary keeps year even if the number of people IJuly. Details appear on members in touch by advising when allowed on walks is increased. n mid-July, we received the the group's website and are walks are overbooked or are short of There is talk of holding a virtual sad news of the death of constantly updated thanks to a person or two. Discussions are AGM in November and discussion ITony Holton who had been the work of the Programme taking place on the viability of trips on events and trips for 2021. a member for many years and walked regularly with us up until two or three years ago. Tony was a popular member, friendly to all and often with a Ron Pratt bag of sweets or other goodies on Pratt, a keen and enjoyed a walking holiday with his in his pocket to hand around. well-liked member of German friend Wolfgang, one year Conscientious in all that he did, R Ivel Valley Walkers in Germany and the next in Britain. Tony was fully involved in every died on 5 July. After suffering a severe stroke, Tony Holton Photo: Rosemary Hasker aspect of our group, serving as Ron was a keen Wednesday Ron spent a month in hospital Publicity Officer for three years, in and made a good stab at it, walker who, in his own words, where his family was unable to leading a variety of walks and apologising profusely at the end found the group was a lifeline visit because of the Covid-19 frequently acting as a backmarker. for taking a wrong turn which after the death of his wife. On restrictions but was able to He participated in the more social shortened the walk. On another his last Wednesday walk in 2018, communicate with them via aspects of the group too, attending occasion, frequently recalled, Tony before dropping back to the Facetime contact before he AGMs, Annual Dinners and went to assist another member Thursday Ambles, Ron made a passed away. His funeral took usually fielding a team at quiz who had become stuck in the very graceful thank you speech. place on 24 July and asked nights. He took part in several mud, losing his walking pole in Ron had a full and active life. He how rambler colleagues should weekends away and played a role the process and becoming covered served in the RAF and for many dress for the occasion, Ron's in organising 'one-off' events like in mud himself. years had a shop in Stevenage daughter Roz said "Dad would our picnic walk in 2009. Tony will be much missed and called 'TV Doctor' which offered definitely want ramblers to be Tony always went out of his our thoughts are with his widow sales, rentals and, his speciality, properly suited and booted". way to help; on one occasion Pat and wider family at this sad repairs. He was a keen radio ham There was no wake after the when a walk leader was unable time. with impressive speed in morse funeral but the family hope to hold to be present, Tony stepped Rosemary Hasker code. As well as rambling he loved a celebration of his life at a later date. sailing and skiing and every year Martin Whillis Ron Pratt 1933 - 2020 Photo: Roz Findley South East Walker September 2020 5 The view from BUCKS Milton Keynes briefs News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex The good, the bad lthough some restrictions held our first committee meeting were lifted at the whilst walking! A beginning of July, we We are looking to see how we and the ugly decided to keep our group can enjoy some weekends away, walks programme on hold as continuing on the Saxon Shore we thought the six-person limit Way in Kent, maybe by splitting (in honour of Ennio Morricone) would be onerous for walk the party into two. Our next stage leaders and difficult to manage. of walking the Wales Coast Path is n these days of coronavirus remaining four. Call when you've hamlet. However, some path clearing has still a possibility for the autumn. restrictions, our team is finished and I'll give you all a dozen Bad: We only give to local been undertaken and many of us We may also look at more circular Iunable to get out and about eggs each. organisations, No, we're not happy have been able to continue walking walks to avoid car shares. replacing stiles with galvanised Bad: You drove too fast across that to route it through the parish individually, checking paths and Ian Dunford steel gates. field. We've got rare breed goats two council. reporting concerns. We have also Milton Keynes & District Ramblers However, it has given us the fields away. Don't bother to come opportunity to reflect on the again. Garden owners challenges that surround the task Good: If you let me know where to even before the first hole is dug. It Team members order the gate I'll replace the stile never fails to surprise us how helpful Good: Where should I dig the hole? myself. and kind some people are and how Ten minutes later: There you go, Bad: When you've done the gate, incredibly disruptive others are. what next? I've got a 70-yard section of fencing We thought we would share our Bad: Did you know that BS5709 that needs replacing. I'll pay you. experiences over the past year to stipulates a force of no more than give you some insight and hopefully 50N should be needed to open the Farming families a smile (however ruefully). gate? Have you checked this? Good: We only replaced that stile last year but we can see that a gate Neighbours Millionaire owners would be easier for walkers. Concrete cows at Bradwell, Milton Keynes. Photo: Ian Dunford Good: Would you like a cup of tea/ Good: I'd like to donate £1,200 so Bad: We don't want gates. My glass of beer? (Class leader: bone that you can replace most of the father preferred stiles and my china and two brownies each). poor stiles in the village. grandfather before him. Some of Bad: Have you got permission for Bad: How much? I'll pay for half his stiles are still there, just. this? I'm concerned about my fence of one. Area and (two metres away). Walking groups Working farmers Good: Will the last in line make sure Parish councils Good: I'll make sure there's no stock the gate is closed and let's keep to group AGMs Good: We'll set up a local action in the field. Let me know if you the path please. I'd prefer it if you group with you and allocate a want me to pull anything out with pick up litter rather than drop it. he AGM season is this issue are as follows precept of £500 a year. my tractor bucket. Bad: Oh. we're allowed through generally October to Amersham and District: Bad: We think it's the county Bad: You'll never get through my here, it's easier, and don't worry December for groups council's responsibility. three feet of slurry and piles of rusty T provisionally Wednesday 25 about the gate as there are no and January to March for Areas. November, 8 pm, Barn Hall, junk in that vehicle. animals in the field. At the time of writing it is Amersham Community Centre, Model farmers unclear whether, under Covid-19 Good: Have you seen my arboretum? Local charities restrictions, it will be possible for Chiltern Avenue, Amersham, HP6 Dog walkers 5AH. I've done a dozen gates myself Good: We want to give you £1,000 Good: I know it's not illegal to leave them to take place in the usual but I'm getting too old to do the towards replacing the stiles in our it but I always pick up my dog's poo, way. Constitutionally groups and Aylesbury and District: and as for those bags that people Areas are required to give notice provisionally Friday 4 December, leave hanging in the bushes... urghh! to all members, but difficulties 7.30 pm, St Anne's Hall, Aylesbury Bad: He's very good around associated with the General Data Road, Wendover, HP22 6JG. Protection Regulation and Covid animals so I don't bother with a Hillingdon and District: lead, and he can go off and sniff and regulations may make this difficult to achieve. provisionally Saturday 24 October, poo wherever he wants. Oh, it's not 2 pm, St Martins Church Hall, illegal. Please accept this as notice that AGMs may be taking place during Eastcote Road, Ruislip, HA4 the above period. All details 8DG. The downright ugly given below should be regarded I've put that stile straddling a bit Milton Keynes and District: as provisional: please contact provisionally Sunday 15 of my neighbour's land in a really group secretaries for further awkward corner where you can't November, 4 pm, Summerlin information about meetings and Community Centre, 138 Station put a gate, but I want a gate in that any associated walks if you do not unauthorised fence over there. By Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 hear from them directly; to avoid 8SG. the way, the one you've already done disappointment do not turn up should have been a kissing gate as without checking. North West London: provisionally I don't want to be chasing my The Area AGM will probably Tuesday 27 November, Church animals across the neighbour's field. be on Saturday 6 February 2021. of St John the Baptist, Sheepcote Actually, I've changed my mind. I Hopefully, details will be available Road, Harrow, HA1 2JL. don't think I want you on my land. in time for the next issue of South Wycombe District: provisionally What do you need? Oh, you don't East Walker. Saturday 21 November. have to tell the council ... Group AGMs of which details John Esslemont Some team members with a happy tenant (and possibly very happy horse). Jerry Michell were available by the copy date for Acting Area Secretary Photo: rRIPPLE North Bucks rRIPPLE 6 South East Walker September 2020 Handbook for Footpath Secretaries ESSEX e all enjoy walking There's a lot of good helpful through the material on the Ramblers' national Wcountryside on wide, website but, to be critical, they extras clear and dry footpaths. don't make it easy to find." We are pleased when we see a What does our Handbook signpost or waymark when we contain? Its section headings are not sure where we are. We cover the role and responsibilities are upset when confronted with of Group Footpath Secretaries, an overgrown, muddy path or identifying footpath problems, a difficult stile to climb. If we sources of advice and guidance, Parish Path wondered to whom we should turn working with Essex Highways, and to get the last problem solved, we information about Assemble, the would find it was the person who Ramblers' new volunteer website had got the first two jobs done: which is being developed. There the Group Footpath Secretary, an is a final section with case studies, unsung hero of all walkers. and because the Handbook is web- Adopters But it has proved hard to recruit based, it will be easy to update. these heroes. At a recent count, The Handbook enables users there were four vacancies in Essex. to click on sources of advice, ver the last five years to walk all its paths once a year. had been covered and 10% (1,000 With 15 geographical groups in the eliminating irritating web we have expanded the More importantly, we wanted the out of 10,000) paths in Essex county, that's a high percentage. searches, and makes clear that Onumber of operational Adopters to note down all the faults had been walked. Ian Glen, the Why has recruitment proved so the introduction of Parish Paths working parties from three to they found. organiser of the scheme, has built difficult? The main reasons, it Adopters (see below) will mean a 15; in addition, there are over The beauty of the idea was that a website for the Adopters which seems, is that potential recruits are major reduction in work for Group 50 Parish Path Partnerships it offered members the opportunity enables them to report their work intimidated by the demands of the Footpath Secretaries who will only (P3s), many of which are run by to volunteer for a straightforward and provides records for our use in role and lack of available sources be involved in picking up major Ramblers. task which could be accomplished liaising with local authorities. of help. Yet, the information is issues that cannot be resolved out there. It was just a matter of through the county council's These work groups operate whenever it suited them. Although Whilst the Essex Highways putting it all together. fault reporting system. We hope at various levels with a range of members could share a parish or Authority has improved its A guide or handbook seemed the that all this will mean that many expertise but they do enable Essex even volunteer to be responsible for reporting system, there is still a obvious solution and has now been more members will feel able to Highways Authority to deliver more than one, it meant that we general reluctance to use it - it produced. It can be found on the put themselves forward as Group a network of public rights of would need about 300 Parish Path was therefore unsurprising that, Area website. On the home page, Footpath Secretaries. way at a reasonably acceptable Adopters to cover our Area. with the launch of the Parish Path go to 'Footpath Matters' and click If other groups or Areas outside level of maintenance despite the The strategy was agreed and Adopters scheme, the number of on 'Footpath Secretaries' at the foot Essex wish to use or even copy the continuing effects of austerity and, announced at our AGM in fault reports increased massively of the drop-down menu. Handbook, they are welcome to do Alan Goffee, the co-author of so, although they will, of course, more recently, Covid-19. February. In that pre-Covid-19 ... to the extent that we have been the Handbook and now acting need to produce information about Over the last year or so, we have time, we said our target would be to asked to reduce the number of Area Footpath Secretary, says: their own counties policies and been working on a scheme for get half the parishes covered by the reports. What we do know is that "I have been a Group Footpath practices. Parish Path Adopters. Uninspired end of August and have an Adopter the public rights of way network Secretary for 15 years and have had Finally, help with the Handbook by initiatives like the Big Path for every parish by the end of the has, over recent years, suffered to learn as I have gone along. If I was provided by Rebecca Dawson of Watch which had no links to local year. In the spirit of an interim from a lack of investment and had known about the information Hertfordshire & North Middlesex authority systems, we decided report (at the end of June) we schemes like Parish Path Adopters we have made available in our Ramblers, to whom many thanks. to seek volunteers who would announced that over 100 Adopters are beginning to show the shortfall. Handbook from the beginning, Mike Cannell life would have been a lot easier. Area Media Officer adopt one parish and undertake had been recruited, 145 parishes Len Banister

Happy 70th birthday Croydon Ramblers! (SEW 110, page 1): TL writes:

"This brought back lots of memories. I joined the group as a 16-year old back in 1974. I was their Favourite Tree (SEW 110, page 16): youngest walker and was enthusiastically welcomed Fyfield – making better use A London reader writes: and encouraged by such a friendly bunch of people. of our footpaths (SEW 110, The walks programmes then were printed by "The March issue was an excellent read but the item Roneo or Gestetner printers! I remember walking page 3): SK wrote: about Rob Riddle's favourite tree in Kent did not say with Janet Spayne and Audrey Krynski and surveying what kind of tree it was." The answer is that it wasn't the footpaths affected by the proposed M25/M23 "My great uncle and auntie lived known at the time but as soon as the tree came into leaf intersection in the pouring rain. I left the group in Fyfield. He was the local it was identified as a sycamore. when I went off to university and returned to central wheelwright and also made the London in the 1980s where I became Membership coffins while my auntie used to sew Secretary for Inner London Ramblers and helped set the shrouds. I believe the chapel of up the South Bank group. I now belong to Mole rest was in their garden which would Valley group but have managed only one walk with have freaked me out as a child. They them and my sons but have made up my mind to had a smallholding and a donkey walk with the group more often when the current which used to ee-aw when you left it restrictions end." in the field. We used to visit them frequently, living in Braintree at the time. I moved to Surrey years ago and now live in Oxfordshire. A friend and I spent a week in Essex Julia Drummond (SEW 110, page 4): last year, revisiting and walking to places we never had time to when we RJ pointed out that the photo caption is wrong in that lived there. I wish I had known then the location was Swanage rather than Corfe Castle. about the paths in Fyfield!" South East Walker September 2020 7 OXFORDSHIRE Footpath matters County council: The draft map modification order (DMMO) waiting list is now 70 cases. on-line Of these 22 are under investigation, six are awaiting orders, one claim has been refused but is under appeal, and nine orders have been made (seven objected to, two of which are 'Logistics park' with the Planning Inspectorate). There are 19 diversions on the pending list: one of these has been confirmed but not yet advertised. protest Diversions, claims etc: • The claim for the footpath at hen Thame & breeding curlews which, according piece of countryside in the green Dean Grove, Spelsbury, has been The stile on Elsfield FP 12 after a later Wheatley Group to the RSPB, are one of the UK's belt would seriously damage the rejected; the claimant (Nick fire which was still smoking when I passed it. Photo: David Godfrey W heard of a proposed most rapidly declining breeding environment. Moon of Oxford Fieldpaths So- development of a 'logistics park' bird species. The site is also an They organised a protest walk ciety) has appealed. There is no on 200 acres of Oxford green belt important habitat for otters, other Other matters on 1 July and over 300 people took news of the hearing of the Roll- • The flood alleviation scheme is in their area, several members mammals and some endangered part, including many members of right FP7 case, which the Open joined a protest against it. plants. As well as the loss of the golf to be re-applied for, to incorpo- local Ramblers groups. The walk Spaces Society has taken to the rate the rebuilding of Kenning- The land under threat is adjacent to course, the development of this land followed a particularly scenic section High Court. The outstanding junction 8A of the M40. It includes would result in the destruction of ton road bridge which apparent- of the Oxfordshire Way from the cases with the Planning Inspec- Waterstock Golf Club which, more than 15,000 mature trees and ly needs major repairs. village of Waterstock across the golf torate are West Hanney BOAT according to the club's website, is cause disruption to the flood plain. • I am still walking from home course. The plans would mean that 2 (Byway open to all traffic; de- 'set in some of Oxfordshire's most The proposal, promoted by land- and discovering some strange this section of the Oxfordshire Way, beautiful and peaceful countryside use planning company Greystoke, is termination of width) and Wat- things from exploring parts of and a designated area of outstanding to create a lorry hub with warehouses a 68-mile route from Bourton-on- lington FP 36 (extension of the Cutteslowe Park that I don't natural beauty'. Nearby, a nature and office space. Consultations will the-Water to Henley-on-Thames, path at the church). normally reach. One of these reserve which was designated as a take place between stakeholders, would be re-routed between freight • The claim to add a BOAT in is a footbridge in the extreme nationally protected local wildlife the local community and the warehouses. Thame & Wheatley Over Norton has resulted in south-east corner leading to site only last year will be damaged district council before plans are group members were spotted that an order for a restricted byway, a field with no right of way in by the proposal. Nick Marriner, submitted, but the local community evening in a video clip for BBC which has been confirmed: this sight, from which the site of the from the River Thame Conservation in Waterstock wanted to make its South Today's report of the event! is part of the road from Hook former Southfield Farm is visi- Trust, says he has recorded 117 objections to the proposal clear. Ruth Cornish Norton to Charlbury in the ble. Another is the fact that ) species of birds at the site, including They feel any development on this Thame & Wheatley Ramblers 1770 Inclosure Award. certainly in the early days of • A proposal has been received to lockdown during the dry weath- divert part of Oxford FP 116 er) everybody and his dog has as part of the redevelopment of been walking (and occasionally Gibbs Crescent. The proposed cycling) along every field edge in sight, regardless of the existence line is an improvement. of a right of way. Cyclists have • A proposal has also been received also been out in force along the to divert part of Marcham FP 5 footpaths (much less so since the temporarily for mineral work- end of the dry weather). ings. This is acceptable; we have • I have been having more fun also enquired about the possibil- on Elsfield FP 12. Someone ity of extending the nearby FP has been burning rubbish next 22 so that it is no longer a cul to the tennis court alongside de sac. the path near the stile into the • There are major proposals for narrow section (which I have Upper Heyford airbase, which cleared four times since lock- may result in bridleways along down). One of these fires set both north-south sides and the the stile alight, destroying the extension of Ardley BR 29 to upper step. I have reported it meet the east side; also Somer- to Oxfordshire County Council ton FP 13, which appears to be Countryside Access. bisected by the security fence, David Godfrey may perhaps be sorted out. Area Footpath Secretary

Assembling on the golf course at Waterstock, the proposed site for a lorry hub. Photo: Ruth Cornish

• Explore with Map and • West London Group AGM • Kenley's fallen: To mark the 80th Compass: John Harmer who and Social: Group members are anniversary of the Battle of Britain Briefly organises courses at Battle, East invited to this event on Tuesday 1 and Kenley airfield's involvement, Sussex, advises that continuing December from 7 pm at Northfields information boards dedicated to • High Weald Walking Festival: In restrictions on group activities Community Centre, 71a Northcroft each of Kenley's casualties went the face of uncertainty about make it unlikely that more Road, W13 9SS (close to Northfields on display in July and will remain station and bus routes). Martin rules on distancing and meeting courses can be held this year in place until 31 October. The Harris, the group's Secretary, writes: in groups, this year's event has and has reserved Saturdays sequence, at the airfield on the "Please bring some festive food to been cancelled. Instead, the 13, 20 and 27 March 2021 for share for the finger buffet and tell Croydon/Surrey border (and just organisers, Sussex Ramblers and future events. If you would like others you are coming to save on off the London Loop), begins at the the High Weald AONB, will be to register an interest in one of your Christmas card postage as we Victor Beamish Avenue entrance offering a suite of self-led walks these dates please ring John on exchange cards during the festivities. (TQ 333572) and run in date order online at www.highwealdwalks. 01424 773998 or email john@ It's also the group's 65th anniversary clockwise around the perimeter org during September. harmerfamily.plus.com. year so come with your party hats." track. 8 South East Walker September 2020 Fifty Paces Forward! Colin Saunders is known to many ramblers as the author of several guides to trails in the south-east, including the Capital Ring, London Loop, North Downs Way, Vanguard Way and Pymmes Brook Trail. Now he has ventured into the world of fiction, and here tells us why and how.

his is the title of my 'conducted ramble excursions' from find seats, and decided to establish own breakaway first (only?) novel, to be London, which were then in their the Vanguards Rambling Club, of excursions, with Tpublished in October. prime. (Their story was told in my which I am a member, and which smaller parties. It comes from a traditional book, Rambling Away From 'The created the Vanguard Way. I have The story command (though maybe not Smoke', now out of print, but second- often felt that there should be a novel centres around used so much these days) to the hand copies may be obtainable in this somewhere, and started work a young woman, gentlemen in a party of ramblers through Amazon, eBay etc.) They on it many years ago - lockdown has Rosalyn, who to go ahead and allow the ladies attracted hundreds of people, even as given me the chance to complete it. is in love with to relieve themselves in the many as a thousand sometimes, on The novel is set in this period her neighbour, bushes, without fear of being special trains into the surrounding and tells the story of how one leader Eddie, an discovered by a person or persons countryside. Many young people gets so fed up with the huge and Australian of the opposite gender. went on them, including the unruly unmanageable number of people living in London, I started my rambling career lot who eventually got together in in the parties, often well over a whose wife, back in the 1960s, on the so-called the guard's van when they couldn't hundred, that he decides to set up his Stephanie, tragically died in a road accident, less than a year ago. To help him get over taking - sorry! it, Rosalyn persuades Eddie to join The book is due to be published in her on the ramblers' excursions October at the RRP of £11.99 but she goes on. Sadly for demure and will be available until 31 October sensible Rosalyn, another woman, to readers of South East Walker at the skittish and voluptuous Tsubrina the special price of £10, of which (herself the object of desire for many £1 will be donated to the Ramblers. of the male ramblers), also falls for Orders can be placed online on Colin's him. But Eddie is impervious to website, colinsaunders.org.uk and their attention - he's still in love will be acknowledged. Postage and with Stephanie, and can't get her packing cost £2.50, but there will be a out of his mind. The story relates launch event in October or November the extraordinary and occasionally (subject to the lifting of lockdown farcical experiences they and the restrictions) where he will sign copies other ramblers encounter. And at the special price - details will be there's a twist at the end ... made available on the website, or Those of a nervous disposition email him, [email protected]. should note that the story includes Cheques payable to C Saunders can death, violence, nudity, occasional be sent to 35 Gerrards Close, London, mild swearing and references to sex N14 4RH, or if you prefer to pay by A group of ramblers await the return ramblers' excursion train from Chilworth station in Surrey in 1967. and alcohol. However, there's no automatic bank transfer please email Photo: Bob Goodman, restored by David Lewis. smoking, no gambling and no drug- for details. And the band played on warm hand clasped in warm off pointing in the right direction. I expect a few limbs were aching of what was about to confront us. 127 comes more often than that! hand, fingers entwined, The band, the Climax Ceilidh and some heads a bit fuzzy next day. This was our first barn dance John Tickner pulses racing, bodies Band, consisted of one man who Whilst we were dancing the night since the 60th anniversary. Surely A Croydon Ramblers moving rhythmically together, could play the guitar, mandolin and away or sitting to chat, I couldn't I won't have to wait another ten then apart, blood coursing banjo, another on the melodeon help thinking that we were on the years for the next chance to show (and almost professional barn through veins, beads of sweat on and a third who could play the dancefloor of the Titanic, unaware off my dancing skills. Even the dancer) foreheads, arms flailing above saxophone, a recorder-type thing heads. What sort of rambling is and some unusual French bagpipes this you ask? Well, of course, it's which fascinated me. They were not rambling, it's barn dancing! accompanied by a young woman On Friday 13 March (yes, Friday with earphone/microphone in 13!), more than 50 Croydon order to shout instructions for each Ramblers met up at Purley Sports dance. What could be simpler? Club for the event, part of our Well, quite a lot! Some dances 70th birthday celebrations. More were fairly complicated and as the people would have attended but for evening wore on and fatigue and the fear of catching something and alcohol took their toll, it became you can't blame people for that. As increasingly difficult to remember for me, I thought I would get a 127 left arm, right arm, clockwise bus (supposedly every 12 minutes) and anti-clockwise - but this is all but then I thought, no, I'm a part of the joy of barn dancing. I walker, so I took the 35-minute don't do disco because I just look trek and strange to relate, no 127 pathetic and I don't do ballroom bus passed me. Walking meant because I can't, but lead me to a that I could have a drink or three barn dance and I'm your man! from the very reasonably priced bar I think everybody enjoyed and would have no worries about themselves and as far as I'm aware, getting home so long as I started nobody caught anything, although At the dance, one of Croydon Ramblers' 70th birthday events. Photo: John Bailey South East Walker September 2020 9 Between Rains Leading history walks n autumnal walk took us along the North Downs Way near Canterbury A last year. It had rained hard earlier and more was to come.

Between hard rains we woke to brittle light, to limp leaves yellowing with raindrops from last night.

Downs woods beckoned yet again where final leaves hung shimmering: copper, rust and gold.

Our feet fell soft on muddy ground, on mounds of fallen leaves, on fungi decked in royal purples, crimson,

to where paths opened into broader farms, to download fields already furrowed for the sprouting winter wheat.

The sent of leaves' decay - of apples over-ripened in the orchard down below - were sharp to senses: a kind of sweetness

Bob Evans talking in the church of St Luke, Garford, on one of his history walks. Photo: John Gordon as we stepped through autumn on the North Downs Way, walking towards - 've been reflecting on my role as a structure (like the causeway at Steventon), even welcoming, perhaps - the winter yet to come. Ramblers walks leader in Oxfordshire: and learned about some notable residents: Inot so much because of time on my from the bell-hanging Whites at Appleton and Photo and words © Lizzie Ballagher hands during the lockdown, as because I've the bell-ringing Vicar Robinson at Drayton; completed a series of walks planned over through Speaker Lenthall at Besselsleigh and several years and am wondering where to the do-gooding John Ruskin at Hinksey; to go next. the profligate Bowyer family at Radley and the When I retired from a career as a historian beneficent ffennells at Wytham. More on ephemera and could help with Ramblers' activities, it Now that I've covered the network of seemed obvious to deploy some professional historic parishes within a few miles of my hanks to everybody who of walking. It certainly feels that there is expertise. Ramblers are curious about scenery Sunningwell base, from Cumnor to Steventon, commented on my small piece a lot more walking literature around with and buildings; many like to be instructed from Kennington to Marcham and Garford, in the March issue of South T professional adventurers and those looking while they are out and about. So I've offered where next? Maybe we should now explore East Walker. The response has for meaning in life writing and publishing walks with a historical theme. I have to say why paths themselves are exactly as they are; stimulated lots of thoughts for further their experiences. I've only organised such outings twice a year: their own history; what they connect, or avoid; consideration. There doesn't appear to be any noticeable they do involve some homework (more on their broad course and their detailed twists and One idea is the desire to declutter archive to which you can offer your that below!). But I have tried to plan them as turns. There has been some brilliant writing and a perfect example came from a collection but do let me know if you are a sequence, and with a degree of geographical of late, by the likes of Robert Macfarlane, on correspondent who wanted to relieve aware of such an institution. In addition coherence. ways and tracks, by-roads and green lanes. It himself of 50-plus walking guides and to the route books and maps, there are I've built my walks around the parish, as the would be good for Ramblers to pick up on books and came up with an excellent idea vast amounts of leaflets and pamphlets of offering them to the younger active chief institutional focus for the lives of people this, and walk with it, as it were. Or of course, available and it's almost unusual to find in our countryside over many centuries. I might start again and revisit my parishes, members of his walking group. However, a place that doesn't have its own town or only half were taken up leaving our friend Parishes came into being as a sort of fusion individually and collectively (we've already had heritage trail and if you take them home between, on the one hand, the expanding a recce across the bygone hundred of Hormer, with the dilemma of what to do with the as a souvenir you're likely to end up with rest. Another contributor to this debate power of a local lord - typically a Saxon than the early administrative unit which comprised even more clutter. Why not just make a at the start - based on his manor and, on the most of the villages in my area). pointed out that railway-linked walking note in your diary and leave them in a bed guides are on offer on various online book other hand, the delegated authority at village And that's open for others to do too, I & breakfast/hostel/campsite for others to markets. Apparently anything published level of an originally international Christian should stress: I had a background in History, enjoy? by the pre-nationalised railways is sought church. Only quite lately have civil parishes but not this kind of history. Anyone can learn Local bookshops, if you have one, might by collectors with prices ranging from been separated out from ecclesiastical ones, enough to lead walks around our villages, be worth trying although don't expect £2 to £15 plus, and if you can't sell such and thus the material concerns of communities with a few books to explain the evolution of fabulous returns and charity shops might materials it is likely that local heritage finally been distinguished clearly from their landscape and with online resources - above well be happy to accept your donations railways might welcome them for sale in spiritual ones. all the Victoria County History series - to but apart from feeling good you won't their shops. Besides, an average parish is about the right tell us how our communities and settlements The prices mentioned indicate some get any cash. There are plenty of online size for a gentle ramble of five miles or so. have become what they are. I'd be most interest but most walking books and guides markets where you can try our hand at Therefore most of the 13 walks were arranged happy to help anyone minded to have a go. don't appear to have the collectability selling your walking materials; eBay and around one of them; or maybe two when the It's one way to enhance both the pleasure of other publications. We can ask the webuybooks are just two examples but path grid more conveniently linked them and the utility of our walking habit. And it's question, do walkers have the complete some of them are rather fussy. I had a together (Steventon and Milton, Kennington relevant too. I treasure the memory when one collection of editions of walk routes in route guide rejected because it was slightly and Radley, North and South Hinksey). of our number collapsed on the pedestrian the same way that bibliophile collect the weathered. And that's the rub; what's the Usually, that has involved a circumnavigation. bridge over the Thames between Culham works of authors? It might be that there is purpose of buying a route guide if you We could thus investigate some of the and Sutton Courtenay, which has been a a divide between route guides and general don't take it with you on your trek. This parish bounds (long carefully maintained, county and regional boundary for well over walking literature. Old maps certainly almost certainly means that it will become especially by clergy, so no income from tithes a millennium. Happily, he soon recovered. have value but these are antique in nature prey to the weather but even a little would be lost to rival incumbents). And Meanwhile, however, we had rung the and more suitable as wall hangings exposure to nature shouldn't completely we could survey the equally time-honoured emergency services. Within a few minutes, than as a tool for your adventures. devalue the worth of your book. Perhaps pattern of agriculture, with its one dramatic two ambulances appeared; one came from the However, the difference between route we can ask the esteemed editor of South transformation, when the ancient open-field north, from Mercia; the other from the south, guides and walking literature is worth East Walker to create a little space for a system was gradually or suddenly replaced by from Wessex. exploring especially as the skills needed book exchange in his fine publication? the encoded fields we find today. We've passed Bob Evans for describing a route are different from John Pestle many a historic building and other venerable [email protected] those needed to describe the experience [email protected] 10 South East Walker September 2020 John Plympton, Farnham's 'Footpath King' SURREY e are sad to report a local footpath warden, a walks the death of our coordinator and keen walk leader. W'Footpath King', John He was always very welcoming Plympton, on 23 January. John to potential new members and snippets had a kissing gate dedicated to encouraging to new walk leaders. him at Peper Harow in April We will remember John for his 2019. On our arrival for the kindness and warmth to all and ceremony on an evening walk his dedication to the countryside that I led, John was so surprised and rights of way network that when I told him who the gate he so loved. Near the end of his was dedicated to, he said: "I am life when discussing his funeral Memorial plaques lost for words, a rare occurrence arrangements he told me that the for all who know me". countryside was his chapel. We number of new gates significant contributions to the South Downs National Park, and For nearly two decades John will all miss him, but especially have been installed with group: Roger and Jill Billett, Sue Edginton, our Treasurer from led Farnham Ramblers' footpath me. RIP John. plaques in memory of Chairman and founder members, 2013-2016. Visits to the three maintenance team. He was well- Anne Pullinger (wife of John) A respected in our group and four members who have made Len Clark CBE, a champion of the gates will be included in future group walk programmes. this showed in the 200-plus Last year our working party people who turned out for his funeral. He was never off- installed seven kissing gates and duty and, when out walking nine field gates but their work this always took time to record year has, of course, been affected by details of any problems the pandemic. This was to be the (sometimes holing up the year the group celebrated its 50th walk to do so) and report anniversary but it looks like any them to the local authority. celebrations will have to wait. He was keen to see stiles Philip Watson replaced with kissing gates Looking down on the plaque remembering Len Clark CBE. Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers wherever possible to make it easier for all to use our public rights of way of members were happy to take network. Although John Mole Valley Ramblers advantage of the opportunity to had relinquished all his meet up and walk with old friends. maintenance coordination navigate through lockdown We were aware, however, that many responsibilities he was uring what should by our Chairman. people would need to update and still very involved in the have been a year of The website was regularly enhance their navigation skills to group with footpath John Plympton Photo: Anne Pullinger Dcelebrations marking our amended to reflect the ever-changing safely and confidently embrace this maintenance tasks and as 40th anniversary, no one could situation and finally, our popular new freedom. As a result, Mole have imagined that the series of social Facebook page gave members Valley, East Surrey and Woking the time, it is recommended you events would have to be cancelled, a chance to share their experiences Ramblers collaborated to launch an check our website http://www. along with all the group walks. during the lockdown. This included innovative online workshop giving Woking wokingramblers.org closer to the Despite this blow, our group was photos along with accounts of their members of other Surrey Ramblers date to confirm arrangements. The quick to meet the challenges of the individual walks, glimpses into their groups an opportunity to improve AGM outgoing committee will present new order by setting up weekly beautiful gardens, advice on what o their use of map and compass along a report on the year's activities, embers of Woking Zoom meetings so that members watch or listen to and even regular with an introduction to digital aids. annual accounts will be presented Group are invited to could stay in contact and support musical contributions from one We all know that walking is good attend this year's AGM for approval and a new committee one another. An online monthly particularly talented person. for your physical and mental health M will be elected. Members who wish which will take place at 1.30 magazine quickly followed, making Over the years great friendships but what is often overlooked is that pm on Sunday 22 November at to submit motions for discussion its first appearance in April with have been forged and once the being part of a group is equally Chobham Cricket Club. should send them to the Secretary by contributions from members. restrictions were lifted sufficiently beneficial in its own right. We hope to have a morning 1 November. Telephone calls to members who to permit socially-distanced small Louise Stilwell-Stage walk too. As we'll be following the Malcolm Brickwood were particularly isolated were made groups to get together the majority Mole Valley Ramblers latest guidance on Covid-19 at Woking Ramblers BERKSHIRE bites Green bridge his autumn will see Aldershot road and is so busy that Better still, the bridge will be a the completion of a the prospect of a flat road crossing green one, with vegetation along it 'green bridge' carrying would have been most unappealing, to retain a rural atmosphere above T The 'green bridge' under construction. a footpath over the new A327 if not downright dangerous. the traffic below. Walkers will stay Photo: Andrew Fletcher/Wokingham Borough Council Arborfield by-pass to the south Fortunately, our then Footpath on the crown of the ridge, and of Reading. Officer, Ray Sharp (who remains continue to enjoy the views. An Ray Sharp in securing a brilliant which was based at Arborfield. We When plans for the by-pass were a very active member) had noticed important walking route between solution to a potential problem for understand and support the reasons published some years ago, there that the new road would need to Arborfield Cross and Farley Hill walkers and the local community. for this but, for many of our was consternation that the road be in a cutting at the point where and Swallowfield to the west will He said: "Formally, the new bridge members, the bridge will be referred cut across Arborfield Footpath 17, it crossed the footpath. So began have been retained, without the will be called the Observer Bridge, to informally as Ray Sharp's bridge, which was an attractive walk along a sustained, lengthy and ultimately need to negotiate a busy road. a name chosen by the local parish and it will be impossible to cross it a ridge, with extensive views to both successful campaign for a bridge David Moffett, Chair of Loddon council following a suggestion without thinking of Ray." north and south. The A327 is the to carry the footpath across the Valley Ramblers has paid tribute to by two residents whose fathers Steve Vale main Reading to Farnborough and cutting. the imagination and persistence of were in the Royal Observer Corps Loddon Valley Ramblers South East Walker September 2020 11 Anniversary in lockdown his is not the year Berkshire gallery' giving members a chance to show Walkers had planned for their photos of their own walks. T20th anniversary. We had lots With the main events for our anniversary of great events planned to celebrate cancelled the group committee came this remarkable event but coronavirus up with a couple of events for everyone soon put a stop to these. to get involved with. 'Walk 20' over a As Ramblers group activities stopped weekend in June was all about giving the it became apparent that we needed to opportunity to meet up in small groups to organise events, walks and challenges for walk 20 miles whilst maintaining social people to do on their own or with family. distancing. We also produced a list of 20 Since lockdown we have hosted plenty items to find on a scavenger hunt. We of online events. We have had quizzes, a had a huge response with over 150 photos virtual beer festival, a virtual cheese and from those who took part with at least wine evening and a Drawasaurus event one photo in each category. You can see (but like online Pictionary) to name just the results of the scavenger hunt on our a few. A huge thank you to everyone who website www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk. got involved or organised an event. We Jason Owen have so enjoyed seeing all your faces. We Publicity Officer, Walkers on one of the Hike 20-mile challenges take a break at the former railway station at Compton. also introduced an 'independent walking Berkshire Walkers Trains on the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line called here until 1962. Photo: Daisy Downe

have been padlocked or obstructions Misleading placed across a path. signs Any attempt to close a footpath without going through the KENT alkers are being appropriate legal process is illegal told to beware of and should be challenged. Ramblers W some unscrupulous who come across such notices landowners using the Covid-19 should report them to the county calling pandemic to attempt to close council. footpaths or deter people from Graham Smith using them, by displaying notices such as this one spotted by a member in East Kent. Anniversary on hold One landowner put up notices saying a path near Mersham, in e should be celebrations right now but they So, no anniversary lunch at the the Ashford area, had been closed reporting on our have had to be put on hold golf course, no re-walking of our due to Covid-19. The notices were W 40th-anniversary because of the pandemic. first-ever walk and no holiday reported to Kent County Council in Scarborough. We will try to after complaints from several reorganise these events when members of White Cliffs Ramblers, permitted. At least we were able to and the landowner was forced to One of the signs which have been restart some group walks (limited remove them. In other cases, gates reported. Photo: Richard Blackford to six socially-distancing members) in July. Our first walks were an 11- mile one from Bearsted and, on the same day, a five-mile circuit from White Cliffs Walking Festival Camer Park. Roger Spencer his year's festival has is set for Thursday 26 - Tuesday Publicity Officer, Maidstone been cancelled because 31 August and will be opened Preparing for the first of our new-style walks at Bearsted. Photo: Roger Spencer Ramblers Tof the coronavirus on Dover seafront by Natalie pandemic. The annual Hoare, editor of walk magazine, festival is organised by White who was going to open the Cliffs Ramblers and plans event this year. This will be the Len Wilson 1934 - 2020 for this year's event were well seventh festival organised by the any Kent members will minutes, one of just 66 finishers advanced when the decision to group, and will comprise around be saddened to learn from 123 starters. He finished the cancel was made. 36 walks ranging in length from Mthat Len Wilson, who next Downsman Hundred in 1986, Margaret Lubbock, the group's one or two miles up to the 30- lived in Acrise, near Folkestone, in the exceptionally fast time of 28 Chairman, said: "It was with mile White Cliffs Challenge has died aged 86, after a long hours. much regret that we cancelled on Saturday 28 August, put on illness. In recent years, Len Len was born in Woolwich this year's event. The festival by the Long Distance Walkers walked regularly with the White in south-east London and was committee had already put in Association." Cliffs Ramblers until ill health brought up near Doncaster. After a great deal of hard work in The festival organising team stopped him about three years National Service he was called up planning the walks. We intend, as will meet in September and more ago. by the army and served during the far as possible, to replicate this for details about the 2021 event will Len Wilson. Photo: Robert Wilson Len was a volunteer Countryside Suez crisis of 1956. After leaving our 2021 festival when we hope appear in future issues of South Access Warden for Kent County the army, Len did various jobs, July at Hawkinge Crematorium. social-distancing will be a thing East Walker. Council and also did a lot of mainly in building maintenance. Robert said that if people would of the past. Next year's festival Graham Smith footpath clearing. Len lived in Hythe and Tonbridge like to make a donation to charity Previously Len had been very before moving to Billingshurst in in Len's memory, could they active in the Long Distance Walkers East Sussex and moved to Acrise please buy an extra poppy on Association which he joined in about twenty years ago. Remembrance Day as a tribute to Surge in website visitors 1972, the year the association was Len has a son, Robert, two Len, who was heavily involved with lthough there were no best walks. formed. daughters Janet and Julie, and six the Royal British Legion. Over the group walks in Kent There were 35,623 page viewings He started eight of their 100- grandchildren. Len's wife Ann is years he helped to raise thousands during the spring, interest in May this year compared with mile challenge walks - including the suffering from a long-term illness of pounds through organising A in self-led walks resulted in a 8,406 last year and of these nearly first, the Downsman, in 1973 - and and is now in a care home in Remembrance Day collections for huge increase in visitors to the 25,000 were viewings of walking finished six of them. He completed Faversham. the RBL's Cheriton and Morehall pages on Kent Ramblers website routes. the Downsman in 31 hours and 38 Len's funeral was held on 13 Branch. describing some of the county's Robert Peel 12 South East Walker September 2020 Living in lockdown

Exploring the (un)known

any of us will have the hidden eighteenth-century at a familiar point I would then used our permitted architectural gems masked by take the first enticing path I saw exercise excursions new housing and not seen from a and hadn't walked before. Using This notice was reported by one of our members during the early days of the M lockdown. The council promptly sent a warning letter to the landowner who for walking - we are, after all, car or even a bike. I didn't know compass and contours I would removed the notice. Sally Wallace, Reigate Ramblers walkers. how rich, exciting and rewarding work out how to get back to Initially, the advice was that all the spring wildlife was: orchids the car at the end. Sometimes exercise should begin at home, so, in suburbia, pipits and warblers that failed when, for example, living on the eastern boundary unafraid of humans, stoats and a track would suddenly end at a Exploring close to home of Reading north of the Thames, fallow deer wandering less-used heavily-protected gate or become t was a bitter blow when the acres of woodland known as I decided to explore the town's roads. impassable because of waist-high lockdown was imposed and Hawkswood and Petts Wood. north-east quadrant, avoiding all When we were allowed to drive nettles. But then retracing my my walks with North West main roads and using greenways to our exercise I started with I steps was itself a new discovery Kent Ramblers had to come to a It has been fascinating and and open spaces wherever walks I knew, many of them I and each new path a joy: Chiltern temporary halt. instructive walking through these possible, four to five miles each had planned and led for Pang woodland in spring freshness, For all its restrictions, however, woodlands, to watch the flora evolve time. Valley Ramblers in the past. But pasture with rich birdlife, hills the lockdown has brought with it with the sound of woodpeckers With decades of living in the as I walked them I realised I only an opportunity to rediscover many busy in the trees and, with a bit for the cardio and descents for area, I thought I knew it well. knew them from map-planning long-forgotten but delightful walks of luck, the occasional glimpse the satisfaction. Above all, an Erm, no. I knew the roads I drive and pre-walking and leading. close to where I live in Chislehurst. of a kingfisher darting above the along and those where friends live. What was new was the discovery adventurous sense of the new, Although a part of the London waters of the Kidd Brook. As But I didn't know that some not of paths passed by the planned much of which I hope to share borough of Bromley, the area has the carpets of bluebells faded, so very attractive roads have lovely route. So I began to explore these with my fellow walkers when we retained its unique charm as a other wildflowers came to life and parallel footpaths behind gardens, and did so without a map, though are able to. sylvan delight with 180 acres of assumed temporary prominence. often revealing the lives of the I did take a compass so I wouldn't Richard Hanson-James wooded commons crossed by a The rhododendrons were truly house owners. I didn't know of get hopelessly lost. After starting Pang Valley Ramblers plethora of secluded footpaths magnificent and the pungency of and with ponds that have become the wild garlic unmistakeable. havens for wildlife. Within easy Stuart Booth walking distance is a further 338 North West Kent Ramblers Experiences shared We maintained our regular newsletter during the lockdown and asked members to share experiences. Here are some of the responses: What did we do? • Learning new skills usually carried out by a partner What good do we hope will come from this? from cooking to painting the house plus how the • A slower pace of life, less pollution and an even washing machine and television controls work greater appreciation of the countryside we are lucky • Mastering Zoom and WhatsApp and, for some, to have nearby. learning to have a phone conversation for more • That people who have just discovered the joys of than three minutes walking will join us • Finding new walks and developing them for members • To appreciate the peace of the countryside and perhaps encouraging a period of silence on our • Surprising wildlife unused to lone walkers future walks • Longing for a wet day so we didn't have to work in • To make the most of all the new walks members the garden. have discovered • Completing tasks on the 'to do' list and hiding it so • To further cement the relationships developed no new tasks could be added during lockdown with our fellow ramblers living • Watching spring develop and the growth of plants alone in the garden • Going into a bank wearing a face mask and gloves Philip Watson and hoping not to be arrested Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers Rhododendron Walk, Petts Wood. Photo: Stuart Booth

able to follow a green swathe to graffiti gallery, known as Feltham The 25 veteran trees scattered the enormous Hanworth Air Park Circles. The surrounding area is across the nature reserve were joined Keeping it local which then led us on via Leitrim a public space on the banks of the recently by 20 trees producing Park to Pevensey Road nature River Crane and open to the public apples, pears, cherries, plums and hilst confined to places we had previously missed reserve. There we were amazed all year (a 20-minute walk from the rare Hounslow Wonder! local walks we were by going further afield. to find old circular sewage beds Feltham station or take a 111 or Brenda and David Horwill W surprised to discover From our doorstep, we were which have become a striking H25 bus to the reserve entrance). Kingston Ramblers The Friends of the River Crane Environment has produced a leaflet on a walk from Crane Park to Hounslow Heath via the Feltham Circles which can be downloaded from their website at www.force.org.uk. Feltham Circles Photo: Brenda Horwill South East Walker September 2020 13 Fellowship of the Capital Ring hen six of us swans on Wimbledon Common and from Dartford & had to skirt around an emergency at W Gravesham Ramblers Wandsworth Prison. There was no set out to complete the Capital shortage of interest or adventure. Ring, the 75-mile walking route With just the final section to which encircles Inner London, we complete, Covid-19 struck and we had no idea of the true benefit of found ourselves in isolation. The this experience when, in March, fun, however, just continued. There the lockdown was imposed. were challenges, jokes and Walking the Capital Ring reminiscences about our walking established us as firm friends as we and emotional support when times negotiated the maps. From Crystal were tough. It has been a testament Palace Park, Richmond riverside and to the value of walking in creating Harrow School playing fields to the and sustaining lasting friendships. Grand Union Canal and the Olympic There remains that last section Park, we laughed and joked along to complete and the 'Ringos' are the way. We became stuck in mud very much looking forward to the near Wembley and adopted a lost celebration it will bring! We can dog near Greenford. In Hackney, highly recommend the challenge of we were invited to a smoked salmon the Capital Ring. breakfast by the Porsche Drivers' Beverley Johnston Club. We met a man who feeds the Dartford & Gravesham Ramblers The 'Ringos' by the 2012 Olympic Stadium, now home of West Ham United. Photo: Beverley Johnston

Senses Local talent e've produced monthly awakened newsletters during lockdown with contributions from our he first three months of W members and I'm amazed at just how lockdown was a strange time much talent there is about. One of our indeed. You don't need me to T newer members, Wendy Cope, sent the remind you of the downsides but there poem below. were some compensations. Walking Sally Wallace alone or with just one companion encouraged us to look around more Chair, Reigate Ramblers keenly. Ramblers and lockdown Judging by the photos posted on our Not so long ago I stopped work and retired Oxfordshire groups' Facebook pages, the Wondering what I would do all day sky attracted our attention quite a lot. It's So much choice has kept me inspired always been there, of course, but when I'm Fitting it all in is the only way. on a group walk one half of my mind is Dandelion Photo: Dave Cavanagh Holidays, yoga, choir, art classes too concentrating on where I'm putting my Along with exercise classes to teach feet, the other on nattering. I can go on Ramblers and dance, friends made new a multi-mile group walk and barely recall Nothing it seems is beyond reach. where I've been. (That's a more significant issue when I am the walk leader.) Not so A long wet winter began to loom from April to June. There was ample time And I hate to be stuck inside Reigate Ramblers led me into the gloom "to stand and stare", plenty of time to be With wellies and mud quag-mired. "beneath the boughs/ And stare as long as Oh what a winter, rains came upon rains sheep or cows" as William Henry Davies Flooded fields, turn back, no way clear (1911) lamented that we didn't do enough Walking along with like-minded brains of. The relative silence was noticeable, Mad! Kept dry in waterproof gear! worthy of comment. Birds weren't singing louder but we were listening more Walking along, in a friendly fashion intently. As well as watching where we put Each there for their own peace of mind our step we also spent more time looking Discover new routes, no need for dashing at what was around our feet. I looked All ramblers are one of a kind. at grasses much more closely than usual Who knew the Ramblers had so much in store - they are beautiful, aren't they? I even Clouds Photo: Dave Cavanagh With fixing gates and mending stiles spent hours trying to identify them (such Holidays, quiz night, barn dance and more was the time available) but mostly they And still time to clock up the miles. defeated me. As well as looking up to the heavens Then the dreaded lockdown came we craned our necks to look up into the Nothing would stay the same. Ever resourceful, we learn something new trees. I'm very glad that group walks got Zoom, Houseparty and WhatsApp too! going again in July, albeit in somewhat On lonely walks you might smile and say attenuated form, though I do have some 'I'm sorry to walk round you, it's the only way' fond memories of the quiet quarter-year when time slowed and all the senses It's easing now we can walk with another became more acute. Self distance walks becoming the norm Dave Cavanagh But I still want to hug my kids ... I'm a mother, Oxfordshire Ramblers At least the days have been sunny and warm So until we can meet up once again Stopping and staring: we didn't take our It's walking that keeps you sane! surroundings for granted during lockdown. Trees Photo: Rosemary Williams 14 South East Walker September 2020 Living in lockdown Lockdown newsletter t the end of March, walking holidays. My request for next. During these lockdown Pang Valley Ramblers any archive material has brought conditions, with my usual social A decided on a slightly an avalanche of material, including life being rather curtailed, this dear different style of newsletter to original programmes of what old newsletter has been keeping me send to members by email, with happened on each day of some of busy. a condensed hard copy to those our past holidays and photographs I do ask myself, will this newsletter without IT. of events from our founding as a keep our members feeling they We have always sent out three group 25 years ago, when we broke belong as a group and will want to newsletters a year with our walk away from the much larger Mid return to us once more? I certainly An 8-mile circular walk from Cobham (limited to six people) took us past this programme. This new-style Berks Ramblers. It has also been stunning field of poppies where we were blinded by the vibrant sea of red. newsletter, we hoped, would keep pleasing to hear that several of our hope so. I know it has provided Jack Yan,North West Kent Ramblers. Photo: Jack Yan our members connected at a time founder members are still walking many with a smile as they read when all walks had been cancelled with us. reports of half-forgotten holidays, and we had no idea how long the Many members have kept meals in various hotels and rooms virus might be around. We aimed to walking alone taking photographs shared. On one infamous walking Lockdown thoughts send out an issue every three or four and I have received articles on holiday, members stayed in what weeks and as the newly-installed 'walking in lockdown'. Whilst has been described as Fawlty suppose I'm lucky. No the cyclists are considerate, and newsletter editor, I got the job of walking every day, often over the Towers, so poor was the service, but walking around parks for people need to get out and stay requesting articles from members same route, many have seen the now enjoyed by members looking Ime on my daily exercise. sane. A much bigger nuisance is and creating the newsletters. We changes from spring into summer back on it. That's all relevant for Instead, it's out of the front the walkers blindly glued to their call it the 'Lockdown Newsletter' and discovered new information the long-standing members but door, walk 50 yards down the phones: why are they out in the and, at the time of writing, I am about the local area they have lived street, turn left and I'm on the countryside if they never look or I also hope our newer members working on newsletter number five. in for years. Some have reported Harcamlow Way. listen to the birdsong? realise they belong to a group of This has provided me with a seeing deer and foxes on their Cross the Cam (a trickle in a All this walking is good friends, all united in walking and fascinating role as editor of stories walks. dry spring) and a few hundred to see, but what will happen about how members are managing For me, it has also meant that what the Ramblers stands for. yards later I can choose to go left when normal life resumes? in these challenging times, some as I finish work on one newsletter Michael Howes towards Saffron Walden, straight Will people's exercise regimes useful tips on walking and past I immediately start work on the Pang Valley Ramblers ahead to Debden, or right for a continue? It would be nice to circumnavigation of Newport. think so. Somehow though Things change almost every day: I doubt it, but there's a there are different shades of green recruitment opportunity for the and fresh blossoms. Ramblers and it is gratifying that Normally, even on a Sunday in July Central Office launched (if I can avoid the temptation the Joy of Walking campaign, to of Sky Sport's Premiership do just that. offerings), it would be rare to Finally, a bit of literary meet anyone. But now, whatever criticism. Early in lockdown I the time or day of the week, I came across a small patch (not a keep meeting people. Some are host) of golden-ish daffodils. As a in family groups, others couples child brought up on the southern or individuals. We always say fringes of the Lake District (I'm hello, and sometimes strangers an economic migrant), I was stop for an appropriately socially- force-fed the works of that great distanced chat. This is unusual; walker William Wordsworth it's part of the etiquette for from the age of eight to A-level, walkers to greet each other but so of course, his best-known we're British and supposed to poem came to mind - You know be reserved. One man insists on the one: "I wandered lonely as a telling me about his obviously cloud ..." If you think about it, traumatic recent divorce. I this is nonsense: clouds are not Since we've been allowed to walk in groups of up to six, some of us have enjoyed days out in the Surrey countryside with listen politely and I'm happy to lonely, they do not self-isolate, friends. One walk took us along part of the Wey Navigation where walkers Ian and Martin (and Skipper the dog) can be act as a sort of psychotherapist, they gather together gregariously seen on the right. On another walk along a section of the North Downs Way we came across these belted Galloway cattle. but there's part of me that's a bit and particularly in the Lakes, Donald MacLeod, Epsom & Ewell Ramblers embarrassed. I guess he's lonely deposit large amounts of water. and maybe I'm the only person Generations of children have he has spoken to in days. been misled by this simile Hardly anyone I meet is what and English teachers should we ramblers would regard as apologise. properly shod; most are wearing Footnote: I wrote a version of trainers or less solid footwear, and this for our online newsletter, I wonder how they would have Essex Area Update, in May. got on if lockdown had happened Somehow it got picked up by the a month earlier when the mud Ramblers press office, which used was ankle-deep. And I notice a quote from it about the man that a lot of them go 'off-piste' who told me about his divorce on field edges and woodland, as part of their contribution to rather than the plentiful official National Loneliness Week. (Did footpaths. I suspect they don't you know there was such a week, know any better. I didn't). Anyway, so far it has There is also the occasional quite a few 'likes' and shares cyclist. Although strictly speaking on Facebook. Fame of a sort, I this is a footpath forbidden to suppose. bikes, I'm not inclined to be Mike Cannell pompous. The path is wide, Essex Area Media Officer South East Walker September 2020 15 Up the road and Nature watch ockdown certainly ease into life, provide gorgeous put the mockers on woodland carpets. Foxgloves, Lour group's rambling dog violets, cowslips and orchids round the bend activities but we were so lucky were prevalent. with the weather. For those unable to walk in hen the lockdown considered the first sign of madness ramblers and been walking twice No sooner had the restrictions the countryside for whatever was first stipulated, but these days you often see people a week in a small gathering which been put in place then the reason we had the opportunity W allowing only one walking around seemingly talking we refer to as a 'bubble' or it could sun shone. For nearly eight to sit quietly in our gardens and hour of outdoor exercise a day, I to themselves - mobile phones be a 'pod' or even a 'small group'. weeks there was nothing but watch nature unfold. Young thought that a brisk walk to the eh? I am also rather keen on Anyway, unless I catch something lovely warm sunshine, day after birds being fed by their parents top of the road and back would photography, so walking where I nasty, long may it continue. day. What a fantastic change and taught to fly, how to land be just the ticket. want to walk and at my own pace, My lockdown walking from the autumn and winter on branches and cling to walls I must say that it was not madly allows me to stop and take photos months with rain nearly every achievements, however, are modest at almost impossible angles. exciting nor sufficient to make me whenever I feel the need to. As it day. when compared with those of Different species forming queues feel I had burned off the calories happens, the bluebells and cowslips The footpaths dried up. our Membership Secretary, Alan to drink from a bowl. The that had accumulated about my were out in force during March and The mud baked. Walking occasional argument between person. So I decided to extend my April, if you know where to find Phillips and his wife. Alan, who became easier. Many of us rival birds. And finally, much walks by going to the top of the them. Banstead Downs and Woods had a multiple heart by-pass were fortunate in where we live to our daughter's disgust, being road and either going round the were choc-a-bloc with them but not operation a few years ago and so because there are over 700 miles bend to the left or turning right and a single rambler to be seen amongst was confined to home did no less of rights of way, many leasing privileged to watch courtship returning to base. The excitement them. I was in bluebell heaven and than climb Everest! In a couple to substantial commons. And and mating rituals. was overwhelming. took another million photos to go of letters published in The Times, the lockdown restrictions gave Further afield, wildlife I soon realised that there were with the two million already on my Alan explained that their house has us every opportunity to explore appeared to be more relaxed very few people about and decided computer files. 24 steps, each with a rise of seven those paths. about sharing its habitat with to go for much longer walks, which Walking around with only and a half inches. By climbing Individual members found humans. Deers, muntjacs, hares, rabbits and squirrels no can be done from my home as I am myself for company gave me the these 20 times each morning and new ways to explore the area longer ran for cover as soon lucky enough to live within walking opportunity to explore some of another 20 times later in the day, where they lived. Nature could as they were spotted. Indeed, distance off the 'green belt'. Just up the nooks and crannies, footpaths he was able to successfully climb be seen at its best. Walking the road, there are fields with farm between houses and byways that some allowed us to get very close the equivalent height of Ben Nevis the same footpaths we watched animals, real sheep even, parks, we have never got around to before the gorse slowly come to life, before wandering off to find a on 18 March, the Matterhorn on 4 woods and commons, all within and, on talking to fellow ramblers, blossom and then die back in new patch to graze or sleep on. April and to reach the summit of walking distance to the average I find they have been enjoying readiness for the next season. Richard Trimmer Everest on 25 April. Now we are rambler - just like me! Obviously similar explorations. With this We saw the bluebells woods West Berks Ramblers I was alone, and not having anyone in mind, I hope to see some in the Himalayas, wrote Alan, our to chat to, ended up talking to interestingly different walks in our attention is turning to Annapurna myself, which I do quite frequently group programme when the time 1 - via the south face of course. - but never argue. Years ago, if you comes to get back to normal. John Tickner were seen talking to yourself it was Since July, I have joined five other Croydon Ramblers

Hares were less worried about being spotted. Photo: Richard Trimmer

Ode to Covid-19 (can also be sung to the tune of Greensleeves)

Covid-19 you're not wanted here, Wreaking havoc and creating fear, You're nasty and vicious and make people ill In bluebells heaven. Photo: John Tickner And for many poor souls you succeed in a kill. Doctors and nurses are dead on their feet, More often than not they admit defeat, Old ladies in care homes and their carers too, Are all suffering because of you.

Whether it's bats or swine that started you off, It often starts with a little cough, You fill our lungs so that we drown, And at the end our organs shut down. You travel the world, usually by air, Infecting thousands, you just don't care, Black, white, pink or brown, Your sole intent is to bring us down.

God, Allah and the Messiah too, Haven't a clue what to do. You've pulled families apart and communities too And as for jobs there are now too few. So Covid-19 you're wanted no more, Please leave this planet - and shut the door!

John Tickner Croydon Ramblers Maintaining social distancing on Leith Hill. Photo: John Tickner 16 South East Walker September 2020 A different view of the Thames Essex-based writer and journalist Stephen Neale is one of many ramblers who have helped survey the English coastline to assist Natural England to create the England Coast Path, due to open in 2021. His latest book, 'The England Coast Path: 1,000 mini-adventures around the world's longest coast path' was published in March. In this extract, he visits lonely Cliffe Fort on the Kent bank of the Thames estuary. eral pigeons fly in small realised how silly and rude it must She spoke in unique song. She I can't remember the name of it circles over the top of Cliffe have seemed. So I sat and started told me how the seals barked in the now. She would go inside before it FFort the same way they to unpack my lunch. The woman fog from the Essex side. How garnet was broken up by the waves. used to over the terraced street I offered me a wet wipe. It was could be seen around the foreshore I said how much I enjoyed looking grew up in. perhaps one of the kindest things when the sun came out. Like little for precious things of no value like Cliffe Fort, on the south bank a stranger has ever done for me. jewels of damp, dull mauve. garnet and fossils. She corrected me Stephen Neale of the Thames Estuary, in Kent, Because we were in the early grip of I asked where the garnet came and said that some fossils were of The woman asked how I had is rough; on a secluded section of the coronavirus and hand cleaners from and she said they were popular value. She had found a mammoth made it from the church to the fort the soon to open 3,000-mile long were precious. I didn't have any. with Saxons who would set them tooth at Walton and she showed across the flooded fields. I pointed England Coast Path. It's the sort I thought about that as I wiped into their swords and dresses. me a photo on her phone. She had to the seawall and explained how I'd of place you don't want to twist my hands and she explained there Driftwood and waste littered the made the news after a friend had had to walk back towards Gravesend your ankle or meet strangers. That was a lot of contaminants and shore. Imagine a desert island from made it public. She told me the and then up onto the seawall proper thought entered my head as I saw metals in the mud and water. Then your worst nightmare. tooth was worth £600. at a gap in the floodplain. two people scavenging on the beach. she gave me another wipe. She said all the rubbish came The old Cliffe quarry that used to She said they would watch me They were like feral dogs looking for She told me they came here from Essex. She also hunted for clay operate here is no more. And the walk back to see where the gap a meat steak they could smell but regular. Looking for bottle tops, pipes. I told her they came from sandy beach I'd walked past earlier was. They had come from a car couldn't see. fossils and garnet. The woman was Essex too. From Coalhouse Fort was not real. The wharf around park at Cliffe Pools. I left them and By the time I got to them, they very knowledgeable. Her husband where traders offloaded ships to beat Cliffe Fort is a logistics centre for found the gap in water. I looked were sitting down in the early seemed to speak like he was on the London tax rates. building aggregates that get shipped back across the mile of open bay March sunshine. Taking lunch after audio for Wikipedia. He reeled off She pointed to coal laden over the in and trucked out. I'd written in my and could just make out their tiny mudlarking. They asked me to join all the stuff I'd read about the fort shore that had washed up here. notes earlier that these 'commercial outline below the seawall. I waved them. I said no at first because I the day before verbatim, including She pointed too to a shipwreck people' were vandals who strip but saw no movement back. I broke wanted to beat the traffic home, but its guided-missile launch and a few yards away. They said it had beaches for business but the opposite a walking stick in the mud. And I stood talking instead, and soon triangular fort defence system. burnt and run aground decades ago. was true. They made beach on the drove home. back of lost sand that escaped their Extracted from 'The England compound. A benevolent form of Coast Path: 1,000 Mini-Adventures vandalism. Where beach bleeds into Around the World's Longest Coastal business, I wrote. Path, by Stephen Neale, published We watched the Thames ebb by Bloomsbury (£18.99, ISBN away. It's more violent than 100 9781844865796). The book features whirlpools guarding a mystic a thousand places around the coast treasure trove. Like bathwater that we can now plan to explore. It falling down the plughole. I've also tells the story of the England Coast never seen anything quite like it. Path and how Ramblers campaigned They both agreed but said I could for the path and then became get from Coalhouse Fort in a kayak volunteer surveyors working together at slack water. with Natural England. Stephen is a We heard a black-headed gull rambler and surveyed a section of the whirling and crying overhead. path on behalf of Essex Ramblers. His "They dive-bombed me earlier," website is stephen-neale.com where the Cliffe Fort. Photo: Stephen Neale I said. book can be bought for £16. Central London Footways launched et's start with a couple of this, walking is often overlooked green spaces. It prompts Londoners big numbers. The most by transport planners and and visitors to choose walking as Lrecent Transport for policymakers, but it is accessible to the most enjoyable, efficient and London report from 2016 shows a large proportion of the population healthy option. that, in Greater London, on an and can ease pressure on public The brainchild of London Living average day there are 6.3 million transport by reducing the number Streets, the project has used the walk trips (where walking is the of stops people travel and changes knowledge of many other partners, only mode of travel used) and they make. like the Ramblers, London National 6.8 million walk stages (where Central London Footways has Park City Foundation, Go Jauntly, walking was part of a longer been created to connect major Sustrans London, Inner London trip using other modes) of more places with appealing and accessible boroughs, TfL, a host of London than five minutes. (And, of streets. It's a network of quiet, universities, and many more, but course, this average day came interesting streets, lanes and alleys especially Urbangood. You might before there was a coronavirus for walking in central London. The know Urbangood for their London National Park City paper map, pandemic). places include mainline railway with its clean lines and excellent That is a lot of walking. Despite stations, popular destinations and design and the prominence of walking routes and green spaces, that encourage you to get out and explore London on foot. So far, the Footways network covers all or part of the boroughs of Camden, City of London, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Westminster. longer and further, ahead of the london and install the smartphone The testing phase of the launch of the printed map this app as well as finding out how to smartphone app during July September. Even though central get your hands on a paper map. and August meant that over the London is still quiet I have found Des Garrahan summer the idea was planted to the android app indispensable. See also 'Walking in London mani- get people thinking about walking Why not investigate www.footways. festo launched' - page 1).