6 NOVEMBER 2005 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 Walking London’s green pathways Local resident Tony Roberts and a colleague completed the 78 miles of the Capital Ring in January this year, having previously completed the London LOOP (London Outer Orbital Pathway). He writes: The characters of the two walks are quite different. As well as being only half the length of the LOOP, the Ring is significantly more urban and there are many more points where it is easy to join the route or have lunch. The south-western part of the route is the most ‘rural’ as it passes through Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Isleworth and Syon Park before taking the Grand Union Canal tow path northward. South-eastern parts of the route are rural too, sharing the way with parts of the Green Chain Walk, a source of confusion (we went wrong twice). The East Finchley stretch is fairly tranquil, following the Mutton Brook through Lyttleton Field and then through Hampstead Garden Suburb and Cherry Tree Wood to Highgate Wood. Anyone planning to do the walk should consider buying the Official opening in Highgate Wood of the Capital Ring. Photo by Sheila Armstrong paperback Recreational Path Guide, The Capital Ring, Aurum Press £12.99, available from Stanfords and other large book shops. It contains detailed maps. There is a similar book for the Opening the Ring around London London LOOP too. By Daphne Chamberlain London’s green walk, The By a miracle of timing (and Wood, Highgate Wood, Capital Ring, is officially probably mobile phones), four Cherry Tree Wood and Lyttel- opened, and at least four groups of walkers also arrived ton Playing Fields. Accompa- stalwart walkers have cer- from different parts of London nying leaflets for all 15 stages tificates to prove it. at the same time. Their con- of the Ring give information At the end of September vergence point was the sign- about the terrain, transport assorted VIPs, including post outside Highgate Wood links, cafés and toilets. Jenny Jones from the Greater café, where a tape was later London Authority, Capital ceremonially cut. Ring manager Colin Saunders, The Capital Ring is a 78- Disabled and what Mr Saunders called mile walk along footpaths “a chain-gang of mayors” through inner London’s assembled in Highgate parks, woodlands and nature Wood. reserves. Our immediate sec- Ramblers tion runs through Queen’s By Daphne Chamberlain Dr. Mike Bruton founded Disabled Ramblers after Changing face of the travelling 50 miles in a Finchley Christian Fellowship rickshaw to raise money (An Elim Pentecostal Church) for charity. It now cam- cemetery paigns for easier access By Ann Bronkhorst to the countryside for ‘A Church for EVERYONE’ people with mobility Since June 2004, East Finchley’s Islington and St. problems, arranging Pancras cemetery, the largest in London, has been rambles of around eight managed entirely by Islington Council. Many changes miles across England have taken place, and more are planned when there is and Wales, including the enough money. The merged management is vast acreage, there are bound- Thames Path, with a sister housed in the Islington office ary issues of various kinds. group in Scotland. on Church Road North; this Recently, a fire in the Fuel Lands As very few members can winter the old Camden office allotments scorched mature walk more than a few yards, at the main gate will become the trees in the cemetery; luckily, buggies, scooters, power- new reception centre. Near the wet weather prevented further chairs, manually-operated Coppetts Road gate, a large area damage. The eastern fence wheelchairs, friends, families has been cleared of trees and adjoining Coldfall Wood and and volunteer helpers are all scrub to create a new burial site. the playing field has never been par for the course. Routes Next year, funding permitting, secure but the battle against fly- vary from easy (on the level) other parts of the cemetery may tipping along that boundary is to challenging (uneven, steep also be landscaped. Improve- having some success. or rocky). ments have been made to the A lung for Barnet Dr. Bruton formed the crematorium and its garden of Islington’s Councillor Fox, association as the Countryside remembrance, to some of the executive member for sus- Access Group (subsidiary to roads and even to the visitors’ tainability, thinks the present the Disabled Drivers’ Associa- toilets. management plan will benefit tion) before registering it as a Combating crime wildlife. “To many, a cemetery national charity under the The new entry barriers and is an unlikely ‘public space’, name of Disabled Ramblers. the closure of the gates at Exit however it has clear potential The aim is to make rambling Road and Coppetts Road have to contribute to Barnet’s green safe and easier for the disabled, not pleased everyone. More space,” she said. while preserving the character This is a golden opportunity to hear effective control of one main Walkers, bird-watchers and of the countryside. gate, and the installation of other local visitors to the cem- Bookings are available this amazing blind CCTV cameras at each gate, etery will welcome the continu- now for 2006. For further has increased security, however. ation of previous Camden and information, contact www Singer/Songwriter in Concert Small-scale vandalism remains Islington conservation policies .disabledramblers.co.uk or Sunday 13th November - 11:00am a problem but there is less vehi- - for example, the bat and bird write to Robin Helby, Mem- cle crime and fly-tipping, and boxes. The popular wildlife bership Secretary, Disabled The Finchley Youth Theatre a more visible police presence walks are to return but only Ramblers, Little Croft, Guild- inside the cemetery. with clear guidelines on safety ford Road, Shamley Green, 142 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 Inevitably, with such a and control for group visits. GU5 0RT.