Photography: Carol Stokes

Walks for Everybody

Saturday 2 - Sunday 10 May 2020

https://swf.nhrg.org.uk

1 Welcome...

This is the eighth Do I need to book in Stevenage Walking advance? Festival, put together by There is no need to book in advance for any walk, apart from the evening members of Stevenage History Walks on Sunday 3 and Leisure 50, North Monday 4 May, which have limited places. Herts Ramblers, and Stevenage Health Walks Is there a choice of group, and with the walks? support of Stevenage There is a walk for almost every level of ability. Long Walks are Borough Council. between nine and twelve miles, with a Challenge Walk of eighteen With a choice of walks, walkers can miles; Medium Walks are around walk every day for a week, all locally five to seven miles;Short Walks are on their doorstep. Stevenage has three to five miles.Health Walks are some fine walking areas, both within measured by time: warm up walks the boundaries of the Borough, and will be around 30 minutes, followed in the surrounding countryside. by a one hour brisk step out walk. Short and Health Walks are suitable for all members of the family. On What does it cost? Evening Pub walks, you may wish to There is no charge for going on any join the leader for refreshment at the of the walks, although we invite you conclusion of the walk. to make a donation at the end of every walk, the proceeds to go to our Can I do the walk? chosen charity TRACKS Autism, an Leaders will ensure that no walker is independent local charity and Early left trailing behind, the pace being Years centre based in Stevenage. set at that of the slowest individual. Where cars are shared, you may Nevertheless we do expect walkers wish to make a contribution to the to be reasonably confident that they driver to help with their cost of fuel. can walk the specified distances before setting out on a walk.

2 What should I wear? Can I bring children? Comfortable and supportive Children over five are welcome on all footwear, and suitable clothing walks, but please check with the leader dependent upon the weather first as to their suitability, especially for e.g. waterproofs, sunhats. younger children. Those under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult Anything else? Everyone should have a bottle of Can I bring a dog? water with them. Bring a drink and a In the interests of safety for all snack for Short and Medium Walks. walkers, dogs, even those on leads For Long Walks a packed lunch (other than registered guide dogs) is also advisable. And sunscreen will not be accepted on walks, protection is necessary on hot days. other than those walks specifically described as “Dog Friendly” walks. What if the weather is bad? Am I insured on a walk? Whatever the weather, the leader will All walkers walk at their own risk, always be at the appointed meeting and neither Stevenage Borough place at the scheduled starting Council nor any of the organisers can time, and will make any necessary take responsibility for any personal decision at that time. injury arising on a walk. Where are the meeting Family Trail This year’s Walking Festival continues places? the fun and wonderful family element to Most walks specify a meeting place get children and families more excited somewhere in Stevenage. This about walking. Held within the jewel of may be a car park, from where Stevenage, Fairlands Valley Park will car sharing can be arranged, or a play host to Stevenage Walking Festival location accessible by a regular bus Family Trail. The trail will allow children service. to learn and develop their map using and orienteering skills to explore areas Do all walks set off of the park. This buggy friendly trail is from their meeting a great activity for the whole family to places? enjoy. Shared cars will be used to bring walkers from the meeting place to Sponsorship the starting point. You may wish The Challenge Walk on Saturday 9 May to make a voluntary contribution is suitable for sponsorship in support of towards the driver’s expenses. Note the Festival’s Charity. that the advertised time is when the walk sets off. 3 Saturday 2 May STEVENAGE SHOWGROUND (OPPOSITE LAMEX FOOTBALL GROUND), BROADHALL WAY (SG2 8RH). 9.15 AM.

OFFICIAL OPENING by the Mayor of Stevenage. A representative of TRACKS Autism, this year’s nominated local charity, will also be present to speak about its work. Walk Description Meet Leaders Family Trail A Geocache style activity for the Fairlands Valley Park, Ryan Ansell whole family to enjoy. The trail can outside Costello’s Café. 01438 242446 take between 1 hour / 1½ hour. Open participation between 11 am and 3 pm Dog Morning walk from the pub. 10.00 am. Red Lion, Candace Friendly Well behaved dogs welcome. Breachwood Green. Harding 5 miles SG4 8NU. 07791 470834 Cathie Webber Medium A walk from Essendon West End 9.30 am. Stevenage Terry Ingle 5.5 miles onto the River Lea Valley, passing Showground (opp Lamex 01438 225738 Home Park Wood. Football Ground) for car sharing to start. Long A walk from Sandy passing through 9.30 am. Stevenage Tom Byrne 10 miles Everton and Sandy Warren, with a Showground (opp Lamex 01438 361813 pub at the end. Football Ground) for car sharing to start.

Sunday 3 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Short An interesting walk from Manor 9.30 am. Stevenage Pat Biggins 4 miles Farm car park, with lovely views, Showground (opp Lamex 01462 677579 going through woodland and Football Ground) for car 07752 587759 Willian Arboretum. sharing to start. Medium A circular walk from the Red Lion 9.30 am. Stevenage Dennis Cannon 6.5 miles at Preston, undulating on good Showground (opp Lamex 01462 629483 footpaths and forest trails, to St Football Ground) for car Pauls Walden and Minsden Chapel. sharing to start. Long Led by Arts and 9.15 am Arena car park, Debbie Allan 10 miles Leisure Group. A very scenic walk Letchworth for car share 07908 195600 in the North Chilterns with three to start, or 9.30 am at Shirley steep inclines including Deacon Pirton Village Green Whitworth Hill, the highest point in Beds. SG5 3RG. Evening Stevenage in the Second World 6.30 pm. Holy Trinity Hugh Madgin History War. Numbers limited. Must be Church, High Street, 2 hours booked in advance. Call Carol Stevenage Old Town. Stokes on 01438 353666. SG1 3DB.

4 Monday 4 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Health A gentle paced Health Walk to 9.45 am for 10.00 am Pauline Smith 1.5 hour Aston. start. Poplars Surgery Ryan Ansell next to Sainsburys 01438 242446

Medium A circular walk from Chapmore End 9.30 am. Stevenage David Stock 6 miles to Stapleford, and then along the Showground (opp Lamex 01438 814595 River Beane to Waterford. Football Ground) for car sharing to start. Long Friends of Way 9.30 am. Stevenage Ken Osborne 6.5 & 5.5 Walk. A figure of eight walk to Showground (opp Lamex 07793 366170 miles Ardeley and Benington in the Football Ground) for car morning, and to Halls Green in the sharing to start. Or the afternoon, with lunch at the White White Lion at Walkern for Lion, Walkern. start at 10.00 am Evening A repeat of Sunday’s walk. 6.30 pm. Holy Trinity Hugh Madgin History Numbers limited. Must be Church, High Street, 2 hours booked in advance. Call Carol Stevenage Old Town. Stokes on 01438 353666. SG1 3DB.

Tuesday 5 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Short A walk through the historic 9.45 am. Monkswood Carol and 4.6 miles Park, past the old oak, Retail Park, Stevenage, Harold Stokes the Orangery, the site of the old opposite Home Bargains 01438 353666 house, and the Repton view. for car sharing to start.

Medium From Pirton over Telegraph Hill, 9.45 am. Monkswood Peter Ingram- 6.8 miles. across rolling fields and woodland Retail Park, Stevenage, Tedd with splendid views across opposite Home Bargains 01438 226436 Pegsdon Hills. for car sharing to start.

Long A walk from Bayford, through Little 9.30 am. Monkswood Mike Shelley 9.5 miles Berkhamsted, Letty Green, and Retail Park, Stevenage, 01438 358100 along the River Lea to Bayford Hall opposite Home Bargains and Broadgreen Wood. for car sharing to start.

Evening A rural walk from Walkern to 6.30 pm. The White Lion, Terry Ingle Pub Warrens Green via Dane End. Walkern. 01438 225738 5.3 miles

Photography: Carol Stokes 5 Wednesday 6 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Health A 30 minute gentle warm up walk, 9.45 am for a 10.00 am Gerrard Aldrich followed at 10.30 am with a one start at Costello’s Café, 07887 652192 hour brisk step out walk. Fairlands Valley Park. Ryan Ansell 01438 242446 Short Morning pub walk organised 9.30 am. Stevenage Carol and 4.8 miles and led by Mid Herts Footpath Showground (opp Lamex Harold Stokes Society. From the Lytton Arms in Football Ground) for car 01438 353666 Old Knebworth, a walk throuigh sharing to start. Knebworth Park to Langley.

Medium Morning pub walk organised 9.30 am. Stevenage Mike Shelley 7 miles and led by Mid Herts Footpath Showground (opp Lamex 01438 358100 Society. From the Fisherman at Football Ground) for car Fishers Green to Norton Green, St sharing to start. Pauls Walden and Almshoebury.

Evening Evening walk from the pub. 6.30 pm. Bird in Hand, Candace Dog Well behaved dogs welcome. Gosmore. SG4 7QG Harding Friendly 07791 470834 5 miles

Thursday 7 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Short A circular walk from Great Ashby 10.00 am. Stevenage Gerrard Aldrich 4.5 miles through farmland and countryside. Showground (opp Lamex 07887 652192 Football Ground) for car sharing to start. Medium A circular walk from Sharpenhoe 9.30 am. Stevenage Dave 6 miles. Clappers car park, through Showground (opp Lamex Constantine Sharpenhoe and Harlington. Fairly Football Ground) for car 07922 041436 hilly at the beginning and end. sharing to start.

Long A circular walk around Hitchin, 10.00 am Hitchin, Market Rod Grable 12 miles following HOOP. (Hitchin Outer Square. (From Stevenage 07801 701805 Orbital Path). Bus Station catch 100 bus at 0918. Evening A short, gentle walk through the 5.45 pm Stevenage Tom Byrne Pub Estate to High Cross Showground (opp Lamex 01438 361813 3 miles and back. Football Ground), or 6.00 pm the Feathers, Wadesmill.

Photography: Linda Curtis 6 Friday 8 May Bank Holiday Walk Description Meet Leaders Short A walk from Burnham Green 9.45 am. Stevenage David and Sue 5 miles through beautiful woods, open Showground (opp Lamex Smith countryside and quiet villages. Football Ground) for car 01438 318568 sharing to start. 07783 948801

Medium From Cromer Hyde we will walk 9.30 am. Stevenage Tom Byrne 6.5 miles through open countryside, woods Showground (opp Lamex 01438 361813 and Golf Course, with Football Ground) for car a pub at the end. sharing to start. Long A varied walk from Mardley Heath, 9.30 am. Stevenage Pat Hoar 10 miles through woods and fields, with Showground (opp Lamex 01438 367139 good views. Football Ground) for car 07814 370812 sharing to start.

Evening A walk through the “Greens” 6.00 pm Woolmer Green Carole Pub - Datchworth, Sedge and Bulls, Village Hall SG3 6XA. Willshire 5 miles finishing at the Red Lion pub. 07778 877814

Saturday 9 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Dog Morning walk from the pub. 10.00.am. Brocket Arms, Jenny Mason Friendly Well behaved dogs welcome. Ayot St Lawrence. 01438 871580 5 miles AL6 9BT Short Wallington to Clothalll, with great 9.30 am. Stevenage Peter Ingram- 5 miles views from the Icknield Way. See Showground (opp Lamex Tedd George Orwell’s cottage and the Football Ground) for car 01438 226436 real “Animal Farm”. sharing to start. Medium Friends of Forster Country. Walk 10.30 am. By steps to John Spiers 6.3 miles along footpaths which E. M. Forster St. Nicholas Church, 01438 350217 loved as a child. From St Nicholas Rectory Lane, Stevenage. Church to Chesfield then Damask SG1 4DA. Green and Graveley. Challenge “The Howard Way”. Letchworth 8.30 am Letchworth Gabriela Long Garden City to Welwyn Garden Garden City, Broadway Lovelace 18 miles City: fountain to fountain. Get Fountain. From WGC 01462 432071 sponsorship for this walk. catch train to Letchworth 07788 505045 Download a form from the Festival GC dep at 0756. website.

Photography: Carol Stokes 7 Sunday 10 May Walk Description Meet Leaders Tracks Wheelchair and dog friendly stroll 11.00 am at Stevenage Mervyn Terrett Autism Walk in Fairlands Valley. Squash and Showground (opp Lamex 01438 369173 1 hour biscuit (and loo) break at Canyon Football Ground) Scout Activity Centre Photo. This walk will provide photographic 9.30 am. Stevenage Chris Young Up to 4 opportunities for all, including Showground (opp Lamex 07508 471928 miles camera phones and compact Football Ground) for car cameras. sharing to start. Medium A varied walk from Tonwell to 9.30 am. Stevenage Harold and 6 miles Stapleford and through the historic Showground (opp Lamex Carol Stokes Woodhall Landscape Park. Football Ground) for car 01438 353666 sharing to start. Long A circular walk from Mardley Heath, 9.30 am. Stevenage Peter Hill 11.5 miles through the Knebworth Estate on Showground (opp Lamex 07941 889066 the new paths, and then skirting Football Ground) for car Codicote, sharing to start. North Herts Ramblers Health Walks North Herts Ramblers is the local walking Stevenage Health Walks group offers group of the Ramblers. Join us and you walks around Fairlands Valley Park, automatically become a member of the aimed at those who require walking as nationwide Ramblers Association, with its a form of rehabilitation or a way to ease many benefits. For more information and themselves back into a form of sociable full walks programme see www.nhrg.org.uk exercise. Look out for our quarterly brochures or visit www.stevenage.gov.uk Stevenage Leisure 50 to find out more information. Leisure 50 walk throughout the whole of the year, meeting on alternate Tuesdays, TRACKS Autism offering three different lengths of walks, TRACKS Autism is a local charity and Long, Medium and Short. For the more Early Years centre based in Stevenage. active members, we also offer the The charity caters for children from the chance to go away for a week’s walking age of 2 who are showing difficulties in holiday somewhere else in the UK. The communication, social interaction, play programme is available in the Library, the and related sensory issues (autism and Leisure Centre, or by e-mail from Terry related conditions). Children do not need Ingle: [email protected] a formal diagnosis or a referral to attend. They also provide respite for children’s families and carers during school holidays. www.tracks‑autism.org.uk

Hertfordshire’s Mass Health Walk Day 11th May Please join the Stevenage Health Walks for the annual mass health walk day. Meeting at 10am at Costello’s Café, Fairlands Valley Park. For more information email: [email protected] or call: 01438 242 446

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