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

WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMME December 2014 – March 2015

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COMMITTEE NEWS

SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2015 AREA AGM START: 14:00 Hosted by South Somerset Ramblers Long Sutton Village Hall TA10 9NT There will be a walk starting at 10:30 of about 5 miles. Tea and coffee will be provided by South Somerset Ramblers

The programme, outside and inside As you will have seen, our programme has a new “face”, a Mendip landscape. We are hoping to have a different photograph, taken in the beautiful Mendip area, for each edition. So, have a look. You may have in your possession a candidate for the front page of our next programme. On the pages with the walks, it will also look slightly different. You will find the grade of the walk, the times entered in 24 hour fashion and apart from the mileage, there is also the distance in kilometres. All this has to do with the new Walks Finder system. I hope you will find it helpful. Peggy

Photo of the month competition Unfortunately, no photos have been received this month. We would like to put a photo as the home page picture on the website, or on the front page of each programme. Surely somebody has some nice pictures of the wonderful scenery we walk in? Les

Walking Festivals Over the last thirteen years we have held our annual walking festival at , , Westbury sub Mendip, Batcombe, , Coleford, , Oakhill, Nunney, , Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Wells and Wellow. The festival has become very popular and we can have well over a hundred people walking on any of the three days. It is getting difficult to come up with new ideas for a venue and many of our previous venues cannot cope with the parking that we now require. Our festival next year will be at Charlton Mackrell, but we would like to start thinking about a venue for the year after (2016), before the next festival. Please can you email Les with any suggestions you might have for festival venues.

Cattle When crossing a field containing a herd of cows, could walkers – after leaving the field – please carry on walking. Walkers crowding around the stile/gate to watch the others cross, can cause the herd to take more interest and move towards the stile/gate and cause difficulty for the others in the group still crossing the field. Martyn

(photo on front page: Westbury Ebbor Gorge Wookey walk)

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Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks From 20 December 2014 to 4 January 2015 Ramblers are organising their annual Festival of Winter Walks.

Walks in this programme include: Lose some Christmas calories with Jo’s walk on 28 December Two walks or one? on 18 January with Les as leader Go to the top with Martyn on 12 February Wandering in the Mendips with Janet on 22 February A chance to see owls and other birds of prey on Brian’s walks (29 January and 1 March) Five leaders will be in charge of the walk on 29 March

THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2014 CHRISTMAS WALK AND LUNCH Wells Golf Club East Horrington Road, Wells BA5 3DS Cost £17.00. For menu and to BOOK your meal, please call Paula on 01458 860751 before Monday 8 December 2014 You will also find the menu on the website Please send cheque to Tony Dyson, Red Roofs, Stratton Road, Holcombe, Somerset BA3 5ED Or for bank transfers: Mendip Ramblers, sort code 08-60-01, acc.no. 20118105 (You can find the details of the walk on the walk pages)

FRIDAY 23 JANUARY 2015 7.00pm for 7.15pm JANUARY DINNER The Crossways Stocks Lane, North Wootton BA4 4EU Cost £17.00. For menu and to BOOK your meal , please call Paula on 01458 860751 before Monday 19 January 2015 You will also find the menu on the website Please send cheque to Tony Dyson, Red Roofs, Stratton Road, Holcombe, Somerset BA3 5ED Or for bank transfers: Mendip Ramblers, sort code 08-60-01, acc.no. 20118105

Friday 6 February 2015: Please submit your walks for the next programme

Sunday 29 March 2015 02:00: clocks are going forward 1 hour

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FUTURE EVENTS

Mendip Spring Holiday St. Ives: Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 March 2015.

The Wysis Way Bob and Rosemary are looking to do the Wysys Way long distance path sometime in April 2015 over five days. It starts at Monmouth and ends at Kemble, joining the River Wye to Thames Head, a distance of 55 miles. It would be self-booking and most likely car shuttling. If you are interested, please let us know by email to [email protected] or telephone 01749 346023.

Flat Holm We are also thinking of organising a day trip to Flat Holm. There are trips leaving Weston Super Mare, sailing around Steep Holm, then going on to land at Flat Holm, spending roughly 6 hours there. Please email us at [email protected] or telephone us on 01749 346023 if you are interested. Bob and Rosemary

Area Holiday 2015 St. Mawes (Cornwall) Friday 9 to Monday 12 October The four days of walking will be structured to suit a range of walking abilities. Full details of the walks as they evolve, will be posted on the website but in outline the programme is likely to be: Friday: Choice of 3 moderate 5-8 mile walks starting at noon on the way to St. Mawes Saturday and Sunday (each day): Choice of a 5-7 mile, 7-8 mile or 10-12 mile route Monday: Choice of a couple of moderate 5 or 6 mile walks on the way home. To reserve a place on this holiday, visit the dedicated website and download a booking form from http://www.roughmoor.org’SM/sm15.htm. If you have any questions or queries, please email [email protected] or ring 01823 270754. Roger Conway, Organiser

OTHER (walk) INFORMATION

Extra walks Every Thursday Tony Strange arranges walks for the West Mendip Walking Group, a sub group of Mendip Ramblers. Details are on the website. Most Wednesdays, David Rawlings leads an un-recceed walk. Contact David on 01373 836252 or Alice on 01373 474695. This is a sub group of Mendip Ramblers. Every first Sunday of the month, Rights of Way have a Sunday afternoon walk. Members of Mendip Ramblers walk with this group. Frome Rights of Way is not affiliated to the Ramblers. Contact Mike Plaskitt on 01373 472101 or Les Stather on 07768 556735.

Take a walk outside – it will serve you far more than pacing around in your mind (Rasheed Ogunlaru)

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COMMITTEE 2014: Chair: Mike Plaskitt [email protected] 01373 472101 Secretary/Web Master: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 (Web Master assisted by Tony Dyson) Treasurer: Tony Dyson [email protected] 01761 232715 Footpath Officer East: Tony Parsons [email protected] 01749 342285 Footpath Officer West: Brian Underwood [email protected] 01749 672457 Membership Secretary: Mary Davis [email protected] 01749 342285 Press Secretary/Publicity Officer: Mary Birchall [email protected] 01373 474530 Social Secretary: Vacant position Area Committee Rep: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Programme Co-ordinator: Peggy Fortunati [email protected] 01278 783270 Committee Members: Jane Dyson [email protected] 01761 232715 Martyn Hart [email protected] 01761 471891

Easy access - Suitable for everyone, including people with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs, using easy access paths. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Assistance may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections. Easy - Suitable for anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or is seriously unfit. Suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Leisurely - Suitable for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include un surfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended. Moderate - Suitable for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. Strenuous - Suitable for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. May include hills and rough country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. People in doubt about their fitness should contact the organiser or leader in advance. Technical - Suitable for experienced and very fit walkers with additional technical skills. May require scrambling and use of ropes, ice axes and crampons. You must contact the organiser or leader in advance for further details. (Grades, specified by Ramblers)

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Mon 01/12/2014 Leisurely: Cup-of-tea walk Farrington Gurney area Mary D Time: 13:45 Meet: Farrington Gurney farm shop 01749 342285 EX142 BS39 6UT, ST634554 3mi / 4.8km Thu 04/12/2014 Leisurely: Stockhill Woods and Priddy Gus Time 10:00 Meet: Stockhill Woods car park 01749 840349 EX141 BA5 3AS, ST548513 6mi / 9.7km Sun 07/12/2014 Moderate: Farrington Gurney, Greyfield Wood, Barelegs Gus Time 10:00 Brake, Nanny Hurn’s Lane. Meet: Farrington Gurney 01749 840349 EX142 Church Lane Park off road near village hall, not village hall car park BS39 6TY, ST631556 11.5mi / 18.5km Thu 11/12/2014 Leisurely: Furzy Sleight, King’s Castle Wood Tony & Mary Time 10:00 Meet: Wells, Blackheath Lane by Wells Golf course. Park 01749 342285 EX141 in overflow car park or on road BA5 3DS, ST569461 5mi / 8km Sun 14/12/2014 Moderate: Friar’s Oven, Crapnell, Barren Down Bob & Rosemary Time 10:00 Meet: Shepton Mallet, Market St cp,free on Sundays 01749 346023 EX142 BA4 5DU, ST616435 10.5mi / 16.9km Thu 18/12/2014 Moderate: Iford and Avon Cliff Dave O Time 10:00 Meet: A36 at junction to Hinton Charterhouse 07966 257878 EX142 BA2 7TA, ST780592 6mi / 9.7km 20 DECEMBER 2014 – 4 JANUARI 2015 RAMBLERS FESTIVAL of WINTER WALKS Sun 21/12/2014 Moderate: Combe Hill circular Janet Time 10:00 Meet: Combe Hill car park 01458 835238 EX141 BA6 8TP, ST482545 10mi / 16.1km Sun 28/12/2014 Moderate: – Priddy circular Jo Time: 10:00 Meet: Rodney Stoke, junction of Stoke Street and Millway 01749 870813 EX141 BS27 3UN, ST484499 8mi / 12.9km Thu 01/01/2015 Moderate: New Year’s walk from Street YHA Janet Time: 11:00 Meet: Street YHA 01458 835238 EX129 BA16 0TX, ST480345 5.5mi / 8.9km

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Sun 04/01/2015 Moderate: Clandown, Withy Mills and Upper Radford Richard & Lisa Time: 10:00 Meet: Radstock, Waterloo Road car park 01458 672373 EX142 BA3 3EP, ST690550 10m / 16.1km Mon 05/01/2015 Leisurely: Cup-of-tea walk Wells Mary D Time: 13:45 Meet: The Bishop’s Barn 01749 342285 EX141 BA5 1UN, ST550454 3mi / 4.8km Thu 08/01/2015 Moderate: Pilton, Steanbow, Westholme Tony & Mary Time 10:00 Meet: Pilton Church. Park carefully around the village 01749 342285 EX141 BA4 4AU, ST588408 6.5mi / 10.5km Sun 11/01/2015 Moderate: Circular Mendip Ring from Claris Time 10:00 Meet: Kilmersdon Church 07811 242061 EX142 BA3 5SZ, ST695524 10.8mi / 17.4km Thu 15/01/2015 Moderate: circular Francoise Time 10:00 Meet: Baltonsborough Church. Park along road through 01458 831823 EX141 village. BA6 8RL, ST542348 6mi//9.7km Sun 18/01/2015 Moderate: Community walk in the Oak Hill area Part One Les Time 10:00 Meet: Oak Hill Village Hall, Zion Hill. 07768 556735 EX142 BA3 5AN, ST633474 7mi / 11.3km Sun 18/01/2015 Moderate: Community walk in the Oak Hill area Part Two Les Time 13:30 Meet: Oak Hill Village Hall, Zion Hill 07768 556735 EX142 BA3 5AN, ST633474 4mi / 6.4km Thu 22/01/2015 Moderate: Street, Longleat and Ham Les Time 10:00 Meet: Coleford Royal Legion car park 07768 556735 EX142 BA3 5NH, ST687494 5.5mi / 8.9km Sun 25/01/2015 Moderate: Winter walk to Maiden Bradley Laurence Time 10:00 Meet: B3095 between Mere and the Deverills, where the 07773 161173 EX143 jeep track to White Sheet Hill joins BA12 6AT, ST825344 11.5mi / 18.5km

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Thu 29/01/2015 Moderate: Avalon Marshes Heritage walk Brian U Time 10:00 Meet: Hawk & Owl Trust cp near Moorgate Farm. 01749 672457 EX141 Please share cars if possible TA7 9NW, ST417398 6mi / 9.7km Sun 01/02/2015 Moderate: Church Hill, Barrow Hill and Sugar Loaf Bob & Rosemary Time 10:00 Meet: Dulcote, The Old Church 01749 346023 EX141 BA5 3PX, ST564445 11mi / 17.7km Thu 05/02/2015 Leisurely: Amerdown and Babington house Trevor L & Val Time 10:00 Meet: Kilmersdon Church, Village Hall area 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 5SZ, ST695524 6.5mi / 10.5km Sun 08/02/2015 Moderate: King Alfred’s Tower, Stourhead and Gasper Richard & Lisa Time 10:00 Meet: King Alfred's Tower car park 01749 672373 EX142 BA10 0JS, ST749353 10mi / 16.1km Thu 12/02/2015 Moderate: Top of the Mendips Martyn Time 10:00 Meet: Burrington Combe, top car park 01761 471891 EX141 BS40 7TZ, ST489581 6mi / 9.7km Sun 15/02/2015 Moderate: Coleford area Ken B Time 10:00 Meet: Coleford Royal Legion car park 01373 812865 EX142 BA3 5NH, ST686494 8.5mi / 13.7km Thu 19/02/2015 Leisurely: Harridge Wood and Downside Abbey Trevor L & Val Time 10:00 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 4QX, ST658510 6.5mi / 10.5km Sun 22/02/2015 Moderate: Mendip wander Janet Time 10:00 Meet: Black Rock gate on B3135 01458 835238 EX141 BA5 3BT, ST482545 10.5mi / 16.9km Sun 01/03/2015 Moderate: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Steart Marshes, Brian U Time 10:00 Stockland Bristol and Stolford (binoculars helpful) 01749 672457 EX140 Meet: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust car park. Please share cars if possible BA4 4LF, ST672457 9mi / 14.5km

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Thu 05/03/2015 Leisurely: Park area Trevor L & Val Time 10:00 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 4QX, ST658510 7.5mi / 12.1km Sun 08/03/2015 Moderate: Mendip Ring circular from Ashcott Corner Paula Time 10:00 Meet: Ashcott Corner car park 01458 860751 EX141 BA6 9SX, ST448396 8mi / 12.9km Thu 12/03/2015 Moderate: Bruton, Coombe Hill and Wyke Mary & Maggie Time 10:00 Meet: Bruton Station Road 01373 474530 or EX142 BA10 0EG, ST685349 01458 447204 6.5mi / 10.5km Sun 15/03/2015 Moderate: Radstock area Bryn Time 10:00 Meet: Radstock, Mill Road 07709 282394 EX142 BA3 3LD, ST696549 10mi / 16.1km 19 – 22 MARCH 2015 SPRING HOLIDAY ST. IVES Thu 26/03/2015 Moderate: Hilly walk Blagdon and Butcombe Martyn Time 10:00 Meet: Blagdon Lake, Butcombe end of the dam 01761 471891 EX141 BS40 7UN, ST504603 6mi / 9.7km Sun 29/03/2015 Moderate: 5 Leaders walk from Bob & Rosemary Time 10:00 Meet: Upton Noble, meet at the school 01749 346023 EX142 BA4 6AH, ST713392 11mi / 17.7km

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

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MENDIP RAMBLERS

Our walks Our walks are open to anyone interested. Newcomers are welcome to join us for two or three walks without commitment. After that they may be asked to become a member of the Ramblers.

Our programme We aim to give full and accurate details of our walks so that members can choose walks to their liking and within their capabilities. We have a programme with regular Thursday and Sunday walks. Sometimes there are Friday walks. We have social events, weekends away and holidays. All details can be found in the programme.

Where? We walk almost anywhere in Mendip and surrounding areas. Routes avoid roads as far as possible, using footpaths and bridleways.

What time and how long? Thursday walks start at 10.00am and are usually about 6 miles, finishing at around 2pm. They are walked at a slower pace than the Sunday walks. We have a coffee stop at 11am and a lunch break at around 12.30 or 1pm.

Sunday walks start at 10.00am and are usually about 10 miles, finishing at around 4.00pm. They are walked at a faster pace than our Thursday walks. We have a coffee stop at 11am and a lunch break at around 12.30 or 1pm. We may also stop for a short mid-afternoon break on our longer walks.

Terrain Walks are described as flat, undulating or hilly. Mud should be expected except in urban areas.

Meeting for a walk The grid reference on the walk programme is the official meeting point. The postcode is also given; this is an approximate indicator to the starting point. Walks start on time, so be there at least 10 minutes early to give you time to get ready.

Refreshments on walks Bring food and drink with you for the morning stop and the lunch break. Having enough fluids with you is important on hot days.

Clothing It is essential to wear stout footwear (walking boots) for most of the year and to carry windproof and waterproof clothing.

Walk leaders The leader sets the pace of the walk. Walkers are expected to stay behind him or her. All walk leaders are volunteers, who have given their time to survey the walk as well as lead it on the day. Each leader chooses his/her own walk, and usually surveys it with another group member. We are always pleased to hear from people who might want to lead. If you would like to find out what it involves, talk to any leader or the Programme Co- ordinator.

Dogs Dogs – well behaved and under control - are welcome on our walks. If in doubt, ring the walk leader to confirm.

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