walkerSOUTH EAST No. 102 June 2018 Success at Faversham significant new stretch led to the second public inquiry, of the creek side at held in January, which lasted three AFaversham will be opened days. up to the public, following a At the inquiry Kent County public inquiry where members of Council was supported by many Kent Ramblers gave evidence. local organisations and residents Two large housing developments and by Ian Wild, the Ramblers' had been built on the site of a Coastal Access Officer for Kent, former shipyard. One was built over who gave evidence from the coastal a footpath that had fallen into disuse access perspective. Natural England and, while provision had been made had previously indicated it would for a path along the waterfront in include the new path into the the second, for various reasons it England Coast Path. had never opened. Following the public inquiry, This had been a contentious issue the inspector, Barney Grimshaw, in Faversham for many years and, at concluded that both path orders an earlier public inquiry in 2014, should be confirmed. Kent County Council was charged Ian, who has been working with with coming up with a solution. Natural England since 2010, said The county council's proposal was "This is great news. While this to extinguish the old path and have is a relatively small piece of the a continuous path along the creek coast path it was one of the most which would link the town to the contentious. The old creek side marshes. This was vehemently in Faversham is one of the town's opposed by the residents who felt greatest assets and this will benefit a they would lose their privacy. This lot of people." A path at Faversham Creek that should soon be open to the public. Photo: Ian Wild Thames Path to Lion restored The landmark Whipsnade White Lion on Dunstable Downs in south Bedfordshire has been restored using 800 tonnes gain from stadium of chalk. Work began in September 2017, appropriately with the lion's head before progressing to the tail by March 2018. Created in 1933, the figure had deteriorated over recent years as a result of redevelopment weed growth. The Whipsnade White Lion faces west at grid ref SP 996177, about a mile north of Dagnall.

Fulham's current riverside stand makes a detour necessary. ulham Football Club was granted planning obviate the need for Thames Path users to divert around permission in March to redevelop the the current stadium. Work is expected to begin in the FRiverside Stand at Craven Cottage, its home summer of 2019 and be completed by 2021. since 1896. The current Riverside Stand extends to the river The significance for walkers is that the £80 million making a diversion along Stevenage Road necessary for development will allow for a Thames riverside walkway walkers following the Thames Path on the north bank to be provided below the new two-tier structure and so between Hammersmith Bridge and Putney Bridge. Whipsnade's White Lion is a Chilterns landmark. 2 South East Walker June 2018 Wandle anniversary n Sunday 16 September 1988, if we could get 200 people to turn out again Wood, including talks about local history. - 'The Whole Thing Plus' (17 miles, linear, Colin Saunders of what was then - though not all on the same walk perhaps! Starts 2.30pm from the Snuff Mill in Morden brisk pace), led by Colin Saunders, who led Othe London Area of the Ramblers' This time, as part of the Wandle Valley Hall Park and finishes Earlsfield station. the original launch event. A joint walk with Association led a 12-mile walk along Fortnight, there will be least least six walks, - 'Wandle Park (Croydon) to Earlsfield (7 the London Group of the Long Distance the Wandle Trail from Wandsworth to ranging from two and a half to 17 miles miles, linear, easy pace), led by Peter Rogers. Walkers Association. Starts 9.30am from Croydon on its very first day of existence. and led by members of the Wandle Valley Starts 10.30am Wandle Park tram stop. Cafe/ the forecourt of Charing Cross station then Halfway along, copies of the original Forum, Ramblers and Long Distance Walkers picnic lunch at Carshalton, where the walk along the Thames Path to Wandsworth to Wandle Trail map-guide arrived hot off the Association. They include: can be joined (details nearer the time on the pick up the Wandle Trail and follow it to East press and were distributed to all those present. - 'The Wandle and Hidden Mitcham Walk' Ramblers website). Finish Morden Hall Park Croydon station. Lunch will be at cafes or There was much publicity including Time (4- 5 miles, morning, circular, moderate for easy access to Morden station. picnic in Morden Hall Park. Colin is the Out and LBC Radio and over 200 people pace), led by Melanie Nunzet. Starts 10am - Wandle Park (Croydon) to Mitcham author of guidebooks to the Capital Ring, turned up! Mitcham Junction station. The walk will Junction via Beddington Park (4 miles), led London Loop, North Downs Way and soon- By the halfway point they were spread include a 30-minute visit to the Wandle by Sue B of Croydon Ramblers, starting to-be-published Pymmes Brook Trail, and out over a mile and it took 20 minutes for Industrial Museum, for which there will be 1.30pm. will be happy to sign your copies if you bring everyone to reach it. The 30th anniversary an entry fee of £1.50 including refreshments. Earlsfield station to Wandsworth Town them along. of the launch is being celebrated this year on - 'Morden Hall to Earlsfield' (4 miles, station, starts 3.45pm, 2.5 miles, led by For further details contact Melanie Sunday 16 September, and it would be great afternoon, linear, easy pace), led by Joan George Fletcher. Nunzet at [email protected]. Wandle Fortnight he Wandle Fortnight which this year runs from 8 - 23 September will be a 'celebration of all things TWandle', bringing together events arranged by a wide range of community groups and voluntary organisations along the river's course in the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Mitcham and Wandsworth. Coordinated by the Wandle Valley Forum, which provides support and a voice for over 120 organisations along the Wandle (including Sutton & Wandle Valley Ramblers), the Forum's charter lists among its priorities the aim of completing In Morden Hall Park the snuff mill provides a reminder of the industrial past of the Wandle when the river powered over a hundred the Wandle Trail, mills. providing public access for all along the river without urbanising the landscape or putting wildlife at risk and to close the gaps in the trail at Earlsfield and at the Wandle Delta (where the Wandle meets the Thames in Wandsworth). Mick Taylor of the Wandle Industrial Museum says that a comparison of the original map of the Wandle The original 1988 Wandle Trail map-guide. Trail produced by the museum with current maps (see http:// wandlevalleypark.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05Wandle- Trail-Map-Interactive.pdf) will give a good idea of how much has been achieved over the past 30 years. For more details of the Wandle Fortnight go to www. wandlevalleyforum.org.uk/wandle-fortnight.html. To get a better idea of the Wandle's industrial past, pay a visit to the Wandle Industrial Museum in Mitcham (www.wandle.org, 020 8648 0127) which is open Sundays 2 - 5pm and Wednesdays 1 - 4pm.

The River Wandle meanders through the Natiional Trust's Morden Hall Park. South East Walker June 2018 3 walkerSOUTH EAST Distributed quarterly to members North Downs Way of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey Areas. celebrates its 40th THE RAMBLERS Address: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. Tel: 020 7339 8500 Email: [email protected] anniversary this year Web: www.ramblers.org.uk Company registration no: he route of the North We hope to hear from Keith 4458492 Downs Way national Chesterton, a Surrey member of the Registered charity no: 1093577 Ttrail is based on the Long Distance Walkers Association EDITORIAL Pilgrims' Way from Winchester to who kept a diary of his experiences Editor: Les Douglas Canterbury and the shrine of the walking the entire route in 1977 Email: [email protected] slaughtered Thomas a Becket. prior to the official opening. The Tel: 020 8809 2338 From Canterbury the path picks up (please leave message) week will culminate in a celebratory the long distance pilgrims' route to parade led by local scouts and Beaver DESIGN AND PRINT Rome on the Via Francigena. With groups to the Wye Crown on Sunday Mortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255 such strong links to Pilgrimage, the 30 September to commemorate the trail has been involved in a Europe- launch of the North Downs Way 40 Opinions expressed by contributors wide 'Green Pilgrimage' project are not specifically endorsed by years ago. The Ramblers. looking at sustainable tourism on Join our team. As part of the ISSN 1747-4140 long distance trails. celebration we are looking to C 2018 The Ramblers. Following a series of led walks recruit a team of North Downs Way All rights reserved. along the trail in the spring, attention ambassadors to lead similar walks and focuses on the town of Wye in Copy Date: For issue No. 103 events throughout the year. If you, or This North Downs Way milestone on the cliffs two miles from Dover shows distances to is 12th July. September for a week of pilgrimage someone you know is a keen walker London (106 miles) and Paris (395 miles). celebrations. The Wye Pligrims' and has good knowledge of the trail Festival will take place in the week we would love to hear from you. running up to 30 September which Training will take place this autumn. marks the official opening of the Please contact me at peter.morris@ trail 40 years ago above the Wye kentdowns.org for further info, Crown overlooking the town and the To keep up to date on plans for sprawling Kent Downs. the Wye Pilgrims' Festival see www. The week aims to bring together nationaltrail.co.uk/north-downs- local businesses and community way and follow us on social media at groups to engage in a series of www.twitter.com/NorthDownsWay activities and events celebrating the and www.facebook.com heritage of pilgrimage. Local eateries NorthDownsWayNationalTail will be asked to serve pilgrims' menus Peter Morris including food with a Galician Surrey North Downs Way Trail flavour with a nod to the world- Devil's Kneading Trough on the Wye Downs. Photo: Explore Kent renowned pilgrim route to Santiago Manager too de Compostella. Local breweries will be showing off their 'Ales of the Trail', The North Downs Way a new partnership between breweries extends for over 120 miles and the North Downs Way to quench from Farnham in Surrey to walkers' thirsts. As you'd expect, the white cliffs of Dover. there will be plenty of opportunity to Helping to celebrate the 40th explore the countryside on foot, with anniversary of the national the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding trail, members of Mole Valley Natural Beauty also celebrating its Ramblers arranged walks from 50th anniversary this year. There will Dorking to Reigate on 5 May be wildlife and countryside experts and from Guildford to Dorking to show you around. The charity on 6 May as part of their Spring Refugee Tales will be leading a walk Walking Festival. and sharing testimony's of refugees East Surrey Walkers will also be currently at Gatwick detention centre marking the anniversary with a via professional writers. Music, film walk from Gatton Park to Botley and literature linked to Pilgrim Hill on 14 June. stories will also be well represented. A medieval feast open to all will take place in Wye parish church on Wye Crown. The North Downs Way was officially opened here on 30 September 1978 by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Augustine Saturday 29 September. Donald Coggan. Photo: Explore Kent Camino A pilgrimage route from Pilgrims' Way passport Rochester to Ramsgate via Aylesford, Faversham and Canterbury was launched in ubs on the Pilgrims' a £1 pilgrims' pack available The pilgrimage to the shrine actually travelled by horse) in his 2017. Way from Southwark in from the Southwark Cathedral of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Canterbury Tales. It is hoped that The 68-mile walk links the PLondon to Canterbury bookshop and gives free admission Cathedral began in the 12th most pubs on the route will be cathedrals of Rochester and are being asked to stamp to Canterbury Cathedral when century after his murder in the involved in the scheme by 2020 Canterbury before ending at walkers' and cyclists' pilgrim presented filled with stamps from cathedral. which will be the 850th anniversary the shrine of St Augustine in passports. pubs, hotels and churches on the The route was made famous of Becket's death. Pugin's gothic masterpiece in The passport is available in route. by Geoffrey Chaucer (who Leigh Hatts Ramsgate. Information on Leigh Hatts guidebook to Walking the Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury from Winchester and London was published in 2017 (ISBN 9781852847777, Cicerone, £12.95). For the modern day pilgrim, the route (including baggage Leigh's Southwark to Canterbury route goes down the Old Kent Road and across Blackheath to Shooters Hill before picking up the Green Chain Walk to Erith, the Thames Path extension to near Dartford, the Darent Valley Path to Otford and then on and off the North Downs Way to Canterbury crossing the Medway by the recently built bridge near Halling. Leigh would be interested to hear transport possibilities) is at http:// from businesses who would like to participate in the passport scheme - contact him at [email protected]. augustinecamino.co.uk. 4 South East Walker June 2018 Croydon at work SURREY snippets

Gates galore Muriel tells the assembled crowd about the nearby '3 J's' gate which was installed in October 2016 and dedicated to group stalwarts Jack Crisp, John Hunt and Joan Orchard. It is located near Farleigh Old Road at grid ref TQ 364603. Photo: John Tickner orty nine Croydon leader of the working party and superb cake and coffee. They say Ramblers met at he wrote an article for Croydon that there is no such thing as a free ur Footpath Improvement holes to erect waymarks and signposts FWarlingham Green on Ramblers 50th anniversary in lunch though and when the lady Team has been busy and, of course, the replacement of Thursday 5 April for a ramble 2000: came to collect the tray she asked if Oremoving obstacles and awkward stiles with sturdy metal led by Muriel Fell, officially The working party started some we could possibly saw up one or two clearing overgrown paths to kissing gates. We had the honour of titled 'Group Walking 20 years ago when Ken Varndell and logs for her. It took four of us the improve the environment for all getting rid of the two remaining stiles Programme Coordinator', but I used to find a missing stile, identify whole afternoon! path users. on the Surrey section of the North seems to turn her hand to loads the owner for permission, buy the On another occasion we were Croydon is not actually in Surrey Downs Way. of other jobs that seem to come timber etc, and duly effect the repair. installing a gate in a hedge at Horne. but we are active in the nearby north On another task day the wrong her way. For this we recouped our expenses, When we were well advanced a lady east of that county where, over the gate was supplied from stores. It was We were also joined by the which included £1 beer money. drove across the field in her four last five years, the team has replaced a special wide one - but that was ok - Surrey Area Chairman, Barry Ken taught me a lot. He knows by four and wanted to know what stiles with kissing gates and cleared a passing local historian pointed out Holland, and his wife, and our how to use tools and is an expert on earth we were up to. 'Oh, we vegetation from around 14 km of that this was a route regularly used by group Chairman Roy Endersby. at improvisation. If something are doing the job for the county rights of way. Henry VIII to visit Anne of Cleves! The walk was a 10-miler, with a won't work he doesn't stand back council and with the landowner's One highlight was the discovery We have a selection of excellent bit added for good luck, passing and scratch his head. Instead, and permission' I replied. 'Oh no you are of a lost Byway Open to All Traffic tools on loan from the county nine of the kissing gates erected seemingly without thinking, he not, my name is Diana Barnarto- which was not passable. Two teams, countryside team, and are helping by our Footpath Working Party. dreams up an alternative solution. Walker and I have certainly not starting from opposite ends, attacked in many ways to reduce their spend Some of the gates had been paid But most important of all he given you my permission'. Eric a tangle of shrubs, brambles and on path maintenance. Not only in for by the families in memory of taught me how to use that £1 beer Landsell quickly realising that a bit small trees, and eventually heard labour and material costs but by their loved ones who had rambled money. He orders a pint, sits back of charm was needed stepped in: 'Did the sounds of snip snip and chop periodically checking the condition off the path and gone to a better and philosophises about affairs of you say madam that your name was chop before pushing through the of paths. This frees the countryside place and other gates have been state, taking a sip of beer every four Barnarto-Walker? Have you heard bushes to meet up. It was a bit like access staff for other tasks. So please paid for out of our tea fund. minutes. He can make a pint last of the racing driver of that name the Channel Tunnel breakthrough! remember that it is important for you How does it work I hear you say? one and a half hours which is a little who drove at Brooklands before Another notable clearance which to report any problems which you Well, since M, who has a serious tricky when it is 2.15pm and the job the war? Yes' she said, 'he was my tested our fitness involved us opening come across on your travels. tea addiction, introduced tea and we have is a mile away and only one father'. 'Well what a coincidence' up a badly blocked west to east track, Peter Robertson biscuits after our Thursday and third complete. said Eric, 'he was a boyhood hero of thereby rejoining Surrey to Kent. Croydon Ramblers Footpath Sunday walks with a little pot for Other group members joined us, mine'. That did it. We completed Heavier muscle tasks are digging Improvement Team voluntary contributions, there Eric Earnshaw and Eric Landsell. the stile but there were two seems to be a tidy profit which This really confused the barmaids. postscripts. The first was that when then goes to pay for benches, stiles Four of us and three were Eric. driving back across the field Diana and gates. Now I don't really The dear old soul at the Bull in became stuck in the mud and had to want to bore you with loads of Limpsfield thought we were having ask if we would help her out. The figures but since October 2012 her on. second was that when I got home, I we have installed 27 gates. I think We all had our contribution to checked on the correspondence and that's a figure we can be proud of make. Eric Landsell for instance, found that Diana was quite right. in spite of me having made no was wonderful with people. One We had been in the wrong field! physical effort at all (oh, the guilt day just before Christmas in 1988 The original party, who became I feel!) though I have to admit we were working near a large house known as 'The Last of the Summer that Peter Robertson, the working in Bletchingley. It was bitterly cold Wine', have all graduated now but party's current leader makes their so we sent Eric to ask if we could eat the present membership is continuing activities sound quite good fun in our lunch sandwiches in the garage. the tradition and doubtless getting his report (right)! As ever he successfully charmed into similar scrapes. Many years ago, a gentleman by the lady of the house who not only John Tickner Another gate is installed to replace a stile. Photo: Peter Robertson the name of Eric Scadeng was the opened the garage but provided Croydon Ramblers Footpaths and access

raining: Two case' consideration, very council did not have time 'Procedure for Obtaining courses for much in line with Surrey to monitor Pathwatch a Map Modification TBest Value Ramblers own policy, reports in addition to its Order' which David Performance Indicator and emphasises the need own system. Even so, Leedham has added as an (BVPI) path checkers to ensure that a public Pathwatch was definitely appendix to the guidelines were arranged for footpath is not removed worth doing every few on the Area website. February and March from the Definitive Map. years, since it will give us My role: I will be but the first had to be Copies can be obtained a snapshot of the state of stepping down at the postponed because of from all Local Footpath the nation's public rights 2019 AGM after five the weather. A further Secretaries. of way. If it is done again, years in this post and course will be arranged. Pathwatch: In response the app should be piloted have discussed with Local Shared use: Central to a Central Office first among a group of Footpath Secretaries the Office has sent me an questionnaire I replied members to ensure its question of one or maybe Advice Note on the 'shared that we encouraged all success. more successors. use' of public footpaths Surrey members to report Local Footpath Rodney Whittaker Barry Holland (Area Chairman), Muriel Fell and Roy Endersby (Croydon Ramblers with cyclists. As expected, path problems via the Secretary Guidelines: Ian Area Footpath & Chairman) at the gate installed in memory of former Chairman Lyn Long. it recommends a 'case by CAMS as the county Wilks has produced his Access Secretary Photo: John Tickner Surrey Snippets continues on page 5 South East Walker June 2018 5 Another path made walkable INNER LONDON en's Krew ensure another public footpath can be walked again For nearly four years members of our group have encouraged the county council's Countryside Access KTeam to take action so that an obstructed public footpath near Lower South Park Farm, South Godstone, insights could be accessed. Eventually the team obtained the cooperation of the landowner and provided us with a stile kit, which our path maintenance team, Ken's Krew, recently installed and also cleared vegetation on the route. The path (FP 269) goes generally north east to Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone. Tony Pearson East Surrey Walkers Peckham Coal Line he Peckham Coal the sidings still exist on the Line is a resident-led viaduct above the town centre, Tinitiative supported now disused and overgrown. It by Inner London Ramblers is a quiet, natural oasis through for a new linear park between Peckham's contemporary chaos Queens Road Peckham and Rye and industrial heritage, with Lane, which would repurpose views towards the city. disused rail coal sidings into The Peckham Coal Line website a one kilometre long elevated http://www.peckhamcoalline. urban park. org now includes a YouTube The Peckham Coal Line will be animation showing the potential a green ribbon cutting through a of the Peckham Coal Line and heavily built-up ex-industrial area Kirkwood Nature Reserve - it's and will provide a precious green not a design, but a model to open space in which to enjoy help the public understand the nature, walk, cycle, relax and play. concept and spatial requirements The Peckham Coal Line 'design and constraints. feasibility study' has taken longer In 2017 the project was than anticipated, but the headline threatened by a proposed new Volunteers install the new stile. Photo: John Nathan is that the project is feasible, housing development on part and will likely be delivered in a of the route. However, thanks number of phases, starting with to a quick response from the the stable yard and the entrance Coal Line volunteer team from Queens Road. A launch Kingston dedicates leading to 400+ objections and a event for the feasibility study will consultation event, the developers be announced shortly. have now submitted new plans In the mid-19th century, the that include the Peckham Coal railways brought the industrial another kissing gate Line. This means more publicly revolution to Peckham, turning accessible open space than what was a backwater surrounded previously envisaged, with more i n g s t o n by pasture, into a frenzy of planting and more ground floor Ramblers had manufacturing; the legacy of workspaces with potential for their second warehouses and factories now K more local jobs. dedication ceremony dominates the area around the Beyond its eastern end at within six months tracks and, while large-scale Queens Road Peckham, the when, on Wednesday industry has long moved on, the Peckham Coal Line will link 7 February, the Len high street still teems with market Hands memorial kissing stalls heavily influenced by along mostly car-free routes gate was dedicated in Peckham's diverse international to Russia Dock Woodland in the presence of Len's community. Layers of migration Rotherhithe, thanks to the new widow, Mavis, and have left a busy, vibrant, Surrey Canal Approach Greenway daughter Sue. atmospheric neighbourhood - project, from where it will then Also present were nearly but, there is little green space. link to the Thames Path and TfL's 30 ramblers and friends. The communities are segregated new Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Len joined the Ramblers in by busy roads and housing estates pedestrian and cycle bridge over 1985, became Kingston's - but the railway lines are the the Thames. Vice-Chairman in 1994 biggest partitions, preventing During 2016 Inner London and served as Chairman access to Rye Lane from the east Ramblers led some walks on the from 1999 to 2005. whilst dividing the high street. route of the Coal Line and we The new gate, installed The area between the tracks, continue to support the project, by Guildford Ramblers once a coal drop, is now occupied which will provide a new walking Gate Team, is situated off by a scaffolding yard; coal was link away from traffic for residents Glaziers Lane and near supplied from the Kent coalfields and visitors to Peckham alike. Wanborough station at via the railway lines above and Clare Wadd grid ref SU 931508. David Cooper led ramblers from Wanborough station to the gate where the Briefly dedication ceremony took place. Roger Seear spoke • Epping Forest has an updated map and new short about Len and Mavis cut walks guidebook, both published by the City of London the ribbon. Everyone then Corporation. Epping Forest - The Official Map, covers the went for a most enjoyable forest and its buffer lands at a scale of 3.5 inches to the lunch at the White Hart, mile/ 5.5cm to the kilometre, and costs £4.95. Short Walks Wood Street Green. in Epping Forest details 20 walks of between one and seven Brenda Horwill miles, and costs £6.99. Both publications are available from Secretary and the forest visitor centres at Chingford and High Beech (020 Publicity Officer, 7332 1911) and local bookshops. Kingston Ramblers The party at the Len Hands Memorial Gate. Photo: Brenda Horwill Inner London continues on page 6 6 South East Walker June 2018 INNER LONDON New proposal insights for Ramblers in London s readers will be aware from the March issue of South East Walker, the Ramblers Greater London Forum, which London's first National Ahad sought to facilitate London-wide working between Ramblers Areas in relation, in particular, to the footpath network, recently wound down. Park City Week It's now imperative to find a new way forward to ensure that Ramblers can work on London-wide campaigns and speak with one voice on ollowing the Mayor of matters related to walking in London. We do this from a place of London's declaration in strength, with 13,000 members and 24 active groups in London, and February that London a supportive regime at City Hall. Over the last two years, through the F Love London Walk London campaign, Ramblers volunteers and staff will become the world's first have made great strides in the capital, building relationships with the National Park City in 2019 - Walking and Cycling Commissioner, the Deputy Mayors for Transport having achieved the support and Energy & Environment, Greater London Authority members, City of more than half of London's of London, London Living Streets, Transport for London and many ward councillors as well as the more, and have created a strong social media presence in London - but mayor and the Greater London now is the time to take this to the next stage, and it needs to be done Authority - London will host its urgently as there are new mayoral elections in 2020. first National Park City Week in With Kate Ashbrook from the Board of Trustees, I have written to July. the Areas which include part of outer London to propose that Inner London National Park City Week London Area works with the outer London groups, supported by the will run from 21 - 29 July, including London Volunteer Coordinator and office staff. We have asked the two weekends, and is designed to Areas which include parts of outer London to support us in contacting help Londoners explore our amazing their relevant groups to update them on the current position and outdoors, and to help make the city proposal, and to ask them to each recruit someone from their group to greener this summer; the ambition is act as a communication conduit. to make more than half of London's The intention is to recruit a small London Volunteer Network of area green and blue by 2050. around six people living in London comprising those interested in Ramblers in Inner London taking action, and with experience of or an interest: in campaigning; has long been a supporter of the The Metropolitan Walkers in Peckham. Photo: Clare Wadd publicity; web/design; photography/video; and fundraising and to (in campaign to make London a so far as is possible) represent the diversity of London in terms of age, National Park City and has organised Week is being run by the Greater or help people to green their local gender, ethnicity etc. Volunteers in London will have the opportunity an exciting programme of 25 walks London Authority working with the neighbourhoods or improve habitats to feed into the activities of the London Volunteer Network and to in the week, designed to raise our National Park City Foundation and for wildlife. hold it to account through public meetings and group coordinators. profile in London and demonstrate other partners across London, and We were asked to focus our walks We are recruiting participants for the London Volunteer Network, our support for the National Park will give Londoners the chance to on London's less well-known green and anyone interested in getting involved in that or in being the link City. We will also have a stand at discover the city with walks, talks, between that network and their group should contact me. spaces - which also has the advantage the launch event at Conway Hall on explorations, and family activities. Both walking and environmental issues in London capture the Saturday 21 July. Events are intended to: that turnouts are likely to self-limit zeitgeist - with exciting initiatives including three new footbridges The large and varied programme - help Londoners to explore the to reasonable levels. All walks are in over the Thames, two potential high-line footpaths, a low-line path, of Ramblers walks - on weekdays, capital's great outdoors, especially London and are open to, and aimed improvements to the Surrey Canal, new apps to support walking in evenings and weekends - forms part less well-known green spaces, at the public (obviously members are London, calls for London's first Car Free Day and, of course. the of the wider programme of events footpaths and waterways welcome to attend too). UK's first Walking and Cycling Commissioner, for which Ramblers for National Park City Week being - offer new and creative ways of We are grateful to everyone who successfully campaigned. We need to all work together to raise the promoted by City Hall. We're exploring London's green spaces and has volunteered to lead an extra walk profile of both Ramblers and walking in London so that we can work excited by the opportunity to landscapes during the week, and to the groups towards all of Ramblers' charitable aims in the capital. demonstrate to the wider public both - support Londoners who have Clare Wadd who have been able to support the the scale of Ramblers in London and limited access to green space, or Chair, Inner London Area the variety of walks we offer. who visit the natural environment initiative. [email protected] London National Park City less often, to discover green spaces, Clare Wadd The project, a rival to New York's the infrastructure. The next stage iconic High Line, would link the of the project will involve achieving world-famous Camden Market with permissions and fundraising the Camden Highline the recently redeveloped King's construction cost. The very large Cross area by transforming the 1.2 headline cost will be broken down km disused railway line into a public into smaller parts - the amount he Camden Highline, park and garden walk. needed to obtain permissions supported by the Mayor Keir Starmer said of the project: (landowner approval, planning of London, local MP Keir T "Regenerating this disused industrial permission, etc), and the amounts Starmer and Camden Council, thoroughfare between Granary needed for the various phases along is a project to transform a Square and Camden Market into an the route. disused railway between Camden accessible garden walkway will bring Over recent months Inner London Town and Kings Cross into a the communities closer together, Area has been running some walks sustainable green space and not to mention some much needed on the route, incorporating the transport link open for and used green space and fresh air. This is a Regent's Canal to form a circular by everyone. fantastic vision, and I look forward walk and, on one Sunday walk, Rather than tearing down a to seeing it become a reality." Sadiq continuing on through Regent's structure to build something new, Khan, Mayor of London, said: Park. Adam Richards from Camden the proposal takes an existing space - "This innovative project has the Unlimited, the organisation behind a freight line which has been disused potential to become a real asset for the project, joined some of the for 30 years - and reimagines what Camden and is a great example of a walks on the Highline section to it could be. local community taking an idea and talk about the project, and Camden Six months after a successful garnering support in order to make Unlimited also run their own short crowdfunding campaign, the it a reality. I look forward to seeing walks on the proposed route. Camden Highline has completed it develop." Anyone interested in the project or feasibility work that shows the The Camden Highline team has in becoming a 'Friend of the Camden project is possible, but also - been working with Network Rail Highline' can find out more/donate Walks arranged to explain the Camden Highline project have attracted much interest. importantly - that the cost is an since early 2016 on the technical at www.camdenhighline.com. Photo: Clare Wadd achievable amount to fundraise. feasibility detail to do with using Clare Wadd South East Walker June 2018 7 BERKSHIRE A few years in bites Berkshire Area 'm currently in the third and old gates with new; we're now successive year of chairing hoping to part-fund improvements Ithe Berkshire Area to gates on the Three Castles Path, committee, and fifth overall. Our with the help of Hampshire Area. Watch that cable committee is small - me, Chris Our last Area meeting was the raham Croucher cable. The equipment provides tools are calibrated annually. The (Treasurer), Graham (Secretary), most workshop-like so far. We, and I served our warning before excavating holes for experience gained has been offered Jim (Membership) and Rob for the first time, invited publicity G'apprenticeships' under kissing gates. The genny induces to assist other Berkshire groups (from our flexi-group), but the and membership officers from the Colin Honeybone (who has a signal in a pipe or 'dead' cable, planning to replace stiles with gates meetings have contributions groups to brainstorm what we could installed over 250 gates in West which travels along the service and to improve access to the countryside from our eight other groups' do better to advertise ourselves, grow Berkshire). Using this experience, then can be signalled by the CAT. for everybody. representatives. Since joining and keep membership. Having a we embarked on fixing gates in If the pipe or cable is exposed then Loddon Valley Ramblers the committee, there has been mix of people from groups who want Wokingham borough with the wires attached will assist in plotting gratefully acknowledge the support a change in the focus of our to grow, to groups who regularly get help of others in the group. Ray the route of the service. The area of West Berkshire Ramblers and meetings and engagement of the large turn-outs; from those with no Sharp (Footpath & Countryside is scanned by walking in a grid West Berkshire Council in providing groups. social media presence to those with Officer at that time) identified over the proposed area of the gate. training. Whereas previously we'd discuss links all over the county, made for awkward or difficult stiles for We have attended a course on the David Moffett the unreliability of the membership interesting conversations. Berkshire replacement and negotiated safe use of the equipment and the Loddon Valley Ramblers system, the reports of the groups' agreement with landowners and Area has a small, but active, latest holidays and the occasional 20s-30s group, a bridging Weekend parish councils. Ramblers initiative, these days the In West Berkshire, the Rangers Walkers Group and seven more reports are emailed and our meetings traditional groups. Our traditional surveyed the sites with a cable are a series of workshops for the avoidance tool (CAT) before Colin groups attend local fairs, leaflet interests of the groups' committees, new housing estates and doctors' fixed a gate. Wokingham Borough interspersed with regular business. Council had outsourced this process; surgeries; the younger groups have The changes started with the so initially the tool was hired. a bigger internet presence, obtaining formation of the flexi-group, the This was not ideal as the hirer's most of their membership through Berkshire Weekend Walkers, We equipment was not up to date, the websites. A good result of the then, through the Loddon Valley lacked a signal generator or genny workshop was the younger groups group started to subsidise St John and need to be returned the same committing to attend some of the Ambulance first aid courses for day. A secondhand CAT and genny fairs, giving a broader range of members across the Area. Working was spotted on eBay and purchased faces to approach; there was also together to book courses, aimed for the use of Berkshire Area. the suggestion of other types of at Ramblers and from a range of The cable avoidance tool can fair to attend, such as the stalls at groups, we can run around three indicate a live electric cable below the end of a local 10km run, or the courses a year for those who need the ground by identifying the local Asian festival. A discussion of David Moffett using EziCat 650 to scan an area around a gate to identify any them. magnetic field associated with a underground cables. Photo: Ray Sharp. getting the groups onto social media On the resignation of the Area had mixed responses, however it is Footpath Secretary, we decided to where younger people are getting dedicate one of the six meetings in information and so should be the year to footpath matters. Whilst included in any publicity mix. The we'll look at issues as they come up, West Berks update general conclusion was that we having a dedicated meeting for the should try everything we can to get footpath and countryside officers is ell, that ambulance was called with your ICE (In Case and safety, the committee membership: leaflet, tweet, attend useful for providing a better overall was some but fortunately the man of Emergency) contacts. would like to remind all stalls and make our walks interesting winter! The regained consciousness Better still, why not carry walkers to ensure they picture of what's happening in the W county. The meetings allow us to to a wide variety of walkers. Beast from the East and was able to be assisted one of the Ramblers 'In take sufficient food and Over the past few years, Berkshire and Storm Emma both pass advice between these prized to his home about half Case of Emergency' cards drink on their walks - Area has come a long way: our group provided some very particularly if it's going to volunteers and hopefully help new a mile away. A salutary with all your contact representatives co-operate, as well as low temperatures and a lesson; remember, if details plus the necessary be hot. Even something volunteers get the help they need to report; through them, we contribute considerable amount of walking alone you should emergency telephone like Kendal Mint Cake or a be successful for all of us. to better leaders and officers, and are snow. always tell someone numbers and distress bar of chocolate can come The annual budget round was However, West where you are intending information. in handy as an energy the next to get attention - being a more active in making a difference Berkshire Ramblers to walk, let them know Looking forward to restorer if someone is Yorkshireman, money is always close to our walking environment. proved equal to the your expected return time the summer and staying flagging. Insect repellent to my heart. Our budget process Having an active Area encourages challenges, cancelling and take a mobile phone with the subject of health should be considered as used to be the groups making their and supports active groups. only a few walks due to should a tick remover to decisions, with a review by the Members from across Berkshire are the weather. One walk avoid the possibility of Area committee; now, we invite the now involved with the Lost Ways was courageously led Lyme's disease. So we groups' treasurers to come along project and our 20s-30s group has through a snow storm and hope everyone enjoys put itself forward to host National another was led through to a meeting before the due date, the summer walks which Young Ramblers 2018 (which the a knee-deep snow drift, include our biggest ever to discuss their use of funds. This Area fully supports, only pausing both walks pausing for programme of 16 evening collegiate approach allows the groups lunch at a pub before walks. to work together to reduce costs, to ask 'When are we going to host ending successfully. A Finally, due to the share resources and better exchange a national Ramblers event for all third walk was forced to new data protection ideas. The biggest gain from the ages?'). There is more we could do, go an extra three miles to regulations, we will no budget meeting was two years ago, but with renewed enthusiasm and avoid crossing a swollen longer send emails to when East Berkshire Group (who for ideas we have a chance of achieving and fast-flowing ford. individual members if a many years has published Berkshire it. Finally, a thought from our The concept of safety walk has to be cancelled walking books) decided to set up publicity meeting: Did you know when walking was also due to bad weather so a fund to contribute to footpath that Sunday 7 October is National brought home on another please check with either improvements in Berkshire, for the Grandparents' Day this year? How occasion when a man the Ramblers website or benefit of all groups. This was at about a specific, advertised walk to was found collapsed on the walk leader before a time of surplus rule changes for catch the imagination of the next a footpath in a field. He setting out to join a walk. Areas, so we also assigned money to generation of Ramblers? had no identification Crossing at the ford proved impossible! Richard Trimmer or mobile phone. An Photo: Richard Trimmer West Berks Ramblers the fund. Today, about a third has Lee Pattison been used to replace dilapidated stiles Chair, Berkshire Area 8 South East Walker June 2018 Rediscovering the Grand Surrey Canal: part 2 Des de Moor Road, part of Transport for London's was opened from Surrey Quays to Clapham warehouse is built over the canal bed, which Quietway 1. The road was built in the Junction, though it follows the line of an ran under the road and roughly to the right he Grand Surrey Canal was dug early 1980s over the line of the canal so earlier railway linking the East London of Topps Tiles opposite. Cross right at the between 1801 and 1810 to link you're on the former towpath. This stretch Line and the Brighton line which closed in lights to Peckham Park Road, noting the the Thames and the Surrey Docks is criss-crossed by railways, beginning with 1911. New Cross Stadium was just to the mosaics by Adam Kossowski depicting the T the London Overground's East London left here: used for speedway and greyhound history of the road from Roman times on with Camberwell. Disused by the 1960s, it's since been filled in, but sections can Line, opened in 1880. There were once racing, it closed in 1963 and has since the corner building, now an evangelical still be traced on foot and local Ramblers even more rail bridges, including a lifting been replaced with a park, Bridge House church but built as the North Peckham are supporting initiatives to reopen bridge near the current mini-roundabout. Meadows. Space has been left under the Civic Centre in 1966. others in the hope of eventually creating The most prominent feature today is the bridge for a future station serving a major a continuous walking and cycling route. chimney of the controversial SELCHP development, provisionally to be known as • Ignore the first right off Peckham Park In South East Walker no 98, June 2017, (South East London Combined Heat & New Bermondsey (although in New Cross). Road (Livesey Place) and immediately after I explored the route from the Thames as Power) plant to the right, a waste-burning The New Den, opened in 1997 as the new it turn right on an estate drive, following it far as New Cross: below, I complete the power station opened in 1994. home of Millwall Football Club, is to the around the back of a 1930s housing estate. journey. right just after the Overground bridge, Go through a gap by bike lockers into • Just before the wide brick bridge, look out but you keep ahead, leaving Quietway 1, Frensham Street and turn right then left • Starting from Folkestone Gardens in for one of the few surviving mooring posts under the bridge carrying the 1866 South on another drive alongside a more recent Deptford on the corner of Trundleys beside the path. This bridge marks the London Line and on into Southwark. flat block, Ednam House. A sequence of Road and Surrey Canal Road (a 1.4km/0.9 junction with the Croydon Canal, opened old photos displayed here includes a scene mile walk from New Cross station), facing in 1809, which ran for 15km (9.5 miles) • Reaching Ilderton Road, the route of of children playing in the canal, the very the rail viaduct, cross at the street island from here via Forest Hill to West Croydon. the canal ahead has been built over, but activity that inspired the authorities to fill left. Necker Bridge once stood here, Never profitable, it closed in 1836 and was the road still rises to cross what was once it in. taking Trundleys Road across the canal. sold to the London and Croydon Railway, Canterbury Bridge. The Jewson warehouse The boundary between Kent and Surrey who filled nearly all of it in and built a on the left preserves the tradition of timber • Turn right at the T-junction, left on ran along the road, so past the bridge the steam railway in its place, now part of the merchants along the canal, though it moved Latona Road and right on Haymerle canal was once again true to its name and Brighton main line. Look left just after here in 2013 from a site on the other side Road. When this bends left to become back in historic Surrey, though this stretch the bridge and you can just about imagine of the railway. Turn right, and at the Bianca Road, looking through gates you was included in Deptford borough when it the old junction, with the Croydon Canal junction with Zampa Road cross left at can see the changes in level that marks was created in 1900 and is in the London flowing along what's now the left-hand the lights to follow Verney Road. Take the canal's route through a currently Borough of Lewisham today. pavement of Mercury Way. the first left, Varcoe Road. Ahead, across underused industrial area, once dense the school playground, you'll glimpse a with tanneries, carriage works and timber • Turn left and follow the raised footpath • The next bridge dates from 2012 when a decorated canopy which once sheltered a wharfs. Turn right on Glengall Road: and cycleway alongside Surrey Canal new branch of the London Overground wharf. In 1833, the South Metropolitan the canal flowed just before the building Gas Company established a gasworks on with the sawtooth roof, under Glengall former canal land on the other side of Bridge and through the green space on the the waterway here, and this eventually left. Cross and go through the gate, with expanded to occupy a vast triangle between Glengall Wharf on the left. This was once the canal and Old Kent Road. Coal for a council depot where barges were filled making town gas accounted for a significant with rubbish destined for dumping in the amount of canal traffic, and the closure of Thames estuary: it's now a garden run by the gasworks in 1953 contributed to the the Burgess Park Food Project, open every waterway's decline. Sunday. At the path junction in the dip, the corner wall on the left formed part of • There's currently no access through the the canal wall, though the masonry has former gasworks site, so follow Varcoe been replaced recently. Road as it bends right then cut right through Bramcote Nature Garden to • Here, 3 km (1.9 miles) from Folkestone rejoin Verney Road, continuing left. At Gardens, there's a choice of routes: the the end turn left along Rotherhithe New left-hand path follows the 1.2 km (0.75 Road and left again along Old Kent Road mile) Peckham branch, opened in 1826 (A2) towards the road junction that's still and drained in 1974 to create a green trail. The 'Bridge to Nowhere' in Burgess Park known as Canal Bridge. The PC World This stretch gives the best idea of what the

Part of the ceramic mosaic mural by Adam Kossowski at the corner of Old Kent Road and Peckham Park Surrey Canal Road: the Croydon Canal once branched off here. Road South East Walker June 2018 9 waterway looked like as it passed under two historic bridges. Just before the first, Taylor's Bridge or Hill Street Bridge, a milestone on the right marks 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from Surrey Docks. Look out too for the grooves cut by ropes in the stonework of the piers. Plaques on the parapets record the rebuilding of the bridge in 1870, with the initials SGC indicating the parish of St Giles, Camberwell. Globe Bridge, or Commercial Way Bridge, is similar in design.

• Passing a big grey warehouse on the left belonging to a surviving timber merchant, you reach Peckham Square, where this branch ended at Peckham Basin. A This photo of children playing beside the Grand Grooves cut by ropes of horse drawn barges can be seen under this bridge on the Peckham arm. redevelopment in 2000 opened up the Surrey Canal enlivens the walls of Ednam House. space and surrounded it with public industrial and housing land from the the closed Crystal Palace High Level now-demolished printing works nearby. buildings, including Peckham Arch, a 1950s. Just past the Peckham junction you railway in Dulwich and was moved here in 35m canopy designed by John McAslan can make out the canal wall embedded in the early 2000s. R White's mineral water • The subway marks the line of the canal with lighting that responds to barometric the ground. A tollbooth stood on the left plant once stood to the right. Chumleigh under its last bridge, St George's Bridge, pressure. This is now due for demolition as here, before Sumner Road crossed the canal Gardens, built as almshouses for women in and has an information panel. Past it on the part of yet another redevelopment, despite on Trafalgar Bridge. On the other side, the 1847 and now housing a good park cafe, is right is a surviving lime kiln in use between local opposition. There are numerous footpath and cycle track follow the towpath a short walk right. St George's on the left the 1810s and 1960s, and finally, you reach buses from here and Peckham Rye station which ran to the right of the waterway. is an 1824 Commissioners' Church now in an area with sunken flower beds, marking is 500m away along Rye Lane opposite. residential use, and the Passmore Edwards the end of the canal, which stopped just • The trail passes under the famous 'Bridge to Library, Baths and Washhouse, built in short of Camberwell Road at Addington • Alternatively, the main line of the canal Nowhere', built in 1906 and demonstrating 1903 and still retaining its boiler chimney, Wharf. The nearest tube station here is continues straight ahead from Glengall the impressive width of the canal. The is on the right just before the subway. The Elephant & Castle, 1.5km (1 mile) along Wharf for 1.5km (1 mile) through Burgess model steam locomotive is nothing to do Camberwell Beauty butterfly mural on its busy Walworth Road to your right, with Park, which was created largely on former with the canal: it originally commemorated south wall was originally displayed on a bus connections from the park entrance. Roadshow OXFORDSHIRE on-line Cleaning up Oxford

e took part in the annual working leader. Siobhan Stead-Ellis, was composed citywide OxClean event The team covered over half a of Ramblers Oxford City and Oxford Wagain this year, but like mile's worth of footpaths within Fieldpaths Society members, many many teams we had to cancel 2 the Lye Valley nature reserve in east of whom are also Footpath Wardens March because litter would be Oxford, along the Boundary Brook monitoring the paths within the city buried in snow. and skirting the Churchill Hospital. boundaries. Thanks also to David But, we regrouped on the 9th, Over 25 bags of litter were collected Adams, Elizabeth Adams, Tony and another damp and chilly day, and which included two bicycle tyres and Pam Dale, Keith Frayn and David kept going for over an hour and a multiple used syringes. Thoughtfully, Godfrey for joining the team, and for half ahead of impending rain - to be a passer-by thanked us, noting how braving the weather! rewarded at the end with hot drinks much better the area looked. Robin Harrison and flapjacks provided by our hard- Our team of eight, ably led by Oxford City Group

The King's Centre venue. Photo: Dave Cavanagh

f you are a Ramblers volunteer, why not go along to the free Ramblers Roadshow to be held in Oxford on Saturday 30 June? I Roadshows are for volunteers to learn more about their and other roles from Central Office staff and fellow volunteers. You would also get updates on what Ramblers plan to do and how you might be able to help increase the chances of success. There are general sessions and workshops in both morning and afternoon, with lunch and refreshments provided. Topics covered include: social media, rights of way, short walks and health walks, using map and compass, the role of the new Area Support Officers, an introduction to leading walks, managing challenges on walks, the General Data Protection Regulations and how they affect us, dealing with disputes and complaints, membership matters and a full day workshop for Treasurers. Roadshows are informative - and a good day out, meeting members from Oxfordshire and other counties. The Roadshow will run from 9.30am to 4pm at The King's Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES. To find out more and register go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/ramblers-roadshow-oxford-tickets-43303562120. Dave Cavanagh Area Chair

Some of the 25 bags filled. Photo: Keith Frayn Oxfordshire On-line continues on page 10 10 South East Walker June 2018 Boundary walk

OXFORDSHIRE ver the next two years I am leading the 234-mile walk around the Oxfordshire boundary using public rights of way that I and Ofellow Rambler friends devised. The route is divided into monthly bite-sized sections. On 11 August we will be heading towards the northern tip of the county that meets Warwickshire and on-line Northamptonshire (see www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk). The ten mile walk starts at Middle Tysoe, climbs the Cotswold escarpment to terrific views across the Vale of the Red Horse in Warwickshire and the site of the Battle of Edgehill. The walk ends at a friendly pub in Mollington. Copies of the guidebook and more information on the route, the Seven Shires Way, is available at www. sevenshiresway.co.uk. Footpath matters Elaine Steane Chair, Oxford Group ounty council: Jon Beale, which I have supported. There is Open to All Traffic, all brought after who was field officer for also a proposal for a minor diversion the relevant date for such claims. This CSouth Oxfordshire, has round the new community centre at means that they can only succeed if been promoted, which leaves the Charlbury, and a diversion away from one of the exemptions applies, which Path maintenance department one short. a new barn conversion at Sibford seems unlikely. There are now 102 outstanding Gower. I have also objected to the Other matters: Funding for the claims for new paths. We must proposed closure of the level crossing flood alleviation scheme has been successes congratulate Rachel Livingstone, at Culham, as the alternative route obtained, but the extension to the whose claim for a bridleway in Hailey doubles back on itself and there is park-and-ride at Seacourt will only is already being considered, despite an alternative that could be achieved aggravate the problem. The Oxford being number 84 on the list. using Network Rail's compulsory Expressway debate rumbles on, and Diversions, claims etc: The powers. The order at Woolstone FP8, Oxfordshire Golf Course diversion diverting the path between rather seems to have got more confused; the orders have been made. We have been than over the chicken sheds, has latest seems to be that the preferred consulted on further diversions at been confirmed, as have diversions at route is via the A34 and Milton Watlington, where a new development Sonning Common (eliminating some Keynes with a spur to Northampton will include diversion and dedication road walking), Ardley (continuing (cheapest, because it uses existing of part of a claimed path, and Hook an existing mineral diversion), and roads) but the proposed new towns Norton, where a proposal to divert a Mixbury (round a house extension). are along different routes entirely. bridleway into a field used for horse I have objected at consultation stage David Godfrey jumps has attracted local opposition, to a batch of 32 claims for Byways Area Footpath Secretary Map knowledge hen out walking, do you always know where you are? Or do you mainly follow Wthe leader and hope they do? Why not come along to the course Oxfordshire Area runs which teaches map reading and navigation, and gain confidence in keeping track of where you are on the map and where you want to go. A section of the path in Uffington Gorse after clearance work by the Vale Path For several years Oxfordshire Area has run a course Volunteers. Photo: Dave Cavanagh called Walks: Navigation, Planning and Leadership. It is aimed at giving people the skills to lead a Ramblers ale of White Horse Group's 17, that goes from near the centre walk. As well as basic map reading and navigation, Vale Path Volunteers of Faringdon to the health centre. it covers planning an interesting route and leading a Vcontinued their path This gets overgrown with brambles group of people where you want them to go. Even if clearance work in winter and early on both sides every year. A county you don't plan to lead organised walks you will find spring. council field officer joined in with our the skills useful for planning your own walks. Permissive paths in a wood called actions, and provided giant bags for This October we will again be running the course Uffington Gorse had becomethe cuttings, for subsequent removal to encourage the walk leaders of the future or just to overgrown, plus several trees had by the county council. Lots of passers- give existing ones a quick refresher. It will take place fallen over the way. The guardians by thanked us, and a local company on the evenings of Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 of the wood gave permission for invited us in for refreshments. In October in central Abingdon with a practical session the Volunteers to open the paths up addition a reporter for the local paper outdoors on Saturday 13 October. Although the and to cut down and move the trees, interviewed our gaffer, Jim Parke. So, course is funded by Oxfordshire Area, members from which we did. a good job jobbed and we flew the other Areas will be welcome. The Volunteers also returned to a flag for Ramblers. So, to start leading walks, plan your own walks, or metalled public right of way, footpath Dave Cavanagh to gain confidence in reading a map, do come along. For inquiries or to book a place (no charge), phone me on 07968 710 869 or text me at valeramblers@ gmail.com. John Gordon Keep in touch Getting down to their studies. Photo: John Gordon

o you wish to continue create one on the same webpage. If receiving communications you do not have access to the internet, BBC Countryfile Live Dfrom your Ramblers you can call the membership services group? team on 020 7339 8595. Oxfordshire Ramblers will If so, your contact details must be Your contact preferences apply once again have a stand at up to date, and you must tell Ramblers equally to communications from BBC Countryfile Live, 2- 5 Central Office how you would like to Central Office, from Oxfordshire August, Blenheim Palace. be contacted eg by post, by email. Ramblers and from your local group. If you go, please pop in. This also applies if you wish to receive For example, you cannot continue to Dave Cavanagh our printed walks programme, your receive communications from your Area Chair group's newsletter (if it produces group by email unless you have opted- one) and other communications in to email contact in your account eg emails about social events, and with Ramblers Central Office. the Oxfordshire Ramblers quarterly Likewise in respect of a printed group e-newsletter. This applies because newsletter delivered by post in with Ramblers has to implement the our printed walks programme. General Data Protection Regulations. We want to keep you up to date with The quickest and easiest way for what we in Oxfordshire Ramblers are you to update your information is doing to deliver Ramblers charitable by logging into your account on the objectives. If you want to hear from Ramblers website and changing your us, please update your contact details details in 'My account' (http://www. and choose your contact preferences. ramblers.org.uk/my-account). If Dave Cavanagh Last year's stand at BBC Countryfile Live Photo: Dave Cavanagh you do not have an account, you can Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers South East Walker June 2018 11 Area AGM he Annual General Meeting a transfer, subject to its approval at a BUCKS of Buckinghamshire, Special General Meeting of the group, TMilton Keynes and West and to the agreement of the Board of Middlesex Area was held on Trustees to an adjustment of Area Saturday 3 February in Perivale, territories. hosted by West London Group, We remain short of officers. In briefs with 33 members and three visitors particular as well as being the in attendance: around 1% of our Area Treasurer I continue to act membership which, sadly, has just additionally as Secretary, and would News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex dropped below 3,000. welcome a volunteer to take over. In the morning, Tom Berry led All existing officers were re-elected, about 30 of us on a walk around some but opportunities exist for others of the local green spaces, including to become involved: if you are the second oldest nature reserve in the interested in helping to run the Area Weekend Walkers country, Perivale Wood (not normally please contact me at johnandjean@ open to the public). Horsenden Hill thamesinternet.com to discuss then gave us extensive views over the possibilities. surrounding London suburbs. After a break for refreshments, Tom moved out of the Area a few including excellent cakes provided by hit the Peaks years ago but has continued to serve West London Group, we welcomed he last weekend in Chatsworth House and enjoyed edge! We had a wonderful weekend on the Area Executive Committee as speaker, Stephen Russell from the February saw 21 of us brave lunch in the pretty town of Bakewell and look forward to a return visit in as a representative of individual campaigns team at Central Office. the freezing temperatures where a few of us sampled the local the future. members. However he has now He talked about the two main areas T Bakewell tart (called 'pudding' here) Jill Dowling decided to retire from the committee of responsibility he has had since to enjoy the stunning walking after some 33 years of service in one joining the staff. The first has been the Peak District has to offer. though, for me, Mr Kipling has the Chiltern Weekend Walkers capacity or another; his departure development of guidelines on the Under the excellent guidance was marked with a presentation of shared use of footpaths, particularly of our organisers, Graham and a copy of Pevsner's guide to Suffolk, with cyclists, a topic that inspired Helen Winnett, we started our long his new home county. In thanking lively debate. The second is the weekend on the Friday with an 11.5 the meeting he reminisced about possible impact of Brexit on walkers, mile circular walk encompassing his lifetime of walking, both before in particular with respect to public Ladybower reservoir. The highlight and during his membership of the benefit in exchange for agricultural was meandering across moorland and Ramblers. payments. Area Chair Paul Rhodes, seeing the heather tipped with frost. West London Group has decided speaking as a member of the Board Saturday found us in the village of that it has more in common with of Trustees, outlined other recent Hope where we hoped we would see Inner London Area than with the Ramblers' successes. some sunny weather. It turned out to rest of our Area, and the meeting John Esslemont be a glorious day and we had a choice approved, in principle, its request for Acting Area Secretary of two walks, the second courtesy of Roy and Lucia. Both routes headed out across the Kinder plateau and we enjoyed fabulous views along with a quick stop at the Old Nag's Head in Peter Beaver Edale. On Sunday we started from adly, Peter Beaver died on Chiltern Weekend Walkers pretend it's not minus five degrees! Photo: Liz Sharp 5 March, aged 85. Peter Sjoined the Ramblers in the early 1990s and was our first newsletter editor from July 1997 until January 2005. "Sundays were like a He paved the way for keeping our members up to date, with articles which he managed to persuade often reluctant contributors to provide. breath of fresh air" He was also our representative on the Area executive committee from his quotation from Jean Galea 1999 until 2005, during which time captures her feelings about he ensured the voice of our group was walking on Sundays, when she heard and then kept us informed of Peter Beaver T current issues in the Ramblers. was still a daily commuter into the City, and had just begun to walk with Peter was great friends with Laurie part of 1998 and into 1999 and it Moore, with whom he formed a was on one of the later ones that we Hillingdon Ramblers. Initially, her partnership for a foray into the realms succeeded into leading the group into husband Bob tried a series of short walks of walk leading. Not a local walk, but what amounted to a slurry pit. Jean and, thoroughly enjoying his time in the the Aylesbury Ring, which they did in Hussey lost her boots - sucked off by outdoors, persuaded Jean to join him. a series of circular walks during 1998 the sticky mud, and I lost my dignity New to walking, they gradually built up their and 1999. This became a bit of an because my walking trousers were distances to take part in the longer Sunday adventure and ensured their place so filthy that I just could not sit in walks which were generally in the 10 - 15 mile in Milton Keynes Ramblers history, Laurie's always immaculate car to go range. Jean recalls that in the five years leading as shown in this extract from Peter's home, so I changed them and went to her retirement she found these Sunday memories of Laurie in 2008: home in my waterproof trousers over breaks in the countryside helped her offset the 'It was on one of these outings that bare skin. Laurie chuckled over the demands of daily business life and she looked Laurie broached the idea of working whole event, reckoning that it would forward to her weekend walking. Commuting together to plan and lead a series of go down in ramblers' history as his life meant leaving home in the dark and circular walks based on the Aylesbury claim to fame.' returning in the dark in winter times and the Ring. He really was the inspiration Peter was born in Bristol and opportunity of walking through the Chilterns for this endeavour and great company graduated from the University of covered in frost and snow at the weekend was a as we spread our maps over his living Exeter in 1953 with a BSc (Spec. source of great pleasure to them both. room floor and ventured out into the Honours) before a distinguished career in radiological protection. Keen to support the group Jean and John furthest reaches of Aylesbury Vale. The walks took place during the latter Ian Andrews soon started leading walks, usually with Bob Milton Keynes Ramblers taking the role of backmarker, and they led distances of up to 12 miles. It was, she says, a new challenge for them. Additionally she is part of the group's team which provides catering services at our social events. Jean MK coach retired in 1996 and was then able to undertake ur annual coach trip this year will be Sunday 24 June when a greater variety of walks culminating in her we go to Matlock in Derbyshire where there will be a choice 100th walk from Watford station through Oof an eight or a 12 mile walk. We have space on the coach Cassiobury Park and nearby woods on 20 for members of any neighbouring Ramblers group who might be January this year. Jean holds her certificate from Hillingdon Ramblers marking her 100th interested in joining us. The cost is £18 per person, and anyone who walk and thanking her for her contributions over the years. We look is interested should contact me at [email protected] or mobile Elise Wright 07786 847295. Hillingdon Ramblers forward to experiencing more walks in the future (not to mention the wonderful lunches, etc). Photo: Elise Wright Keith Lloyd Milton Keynes Ramblers 12 South East Walker June 2018 Leighton Buzzard BEDFORDSHIRE wanderings his past winter was difficult for Tus with many bulletin walks postponed and mud everywhere. However our social programme kept going with a Race Night in January and Annual London delights Dinner in February, both well attended. n February and splendour of the 1875 The third walk followed from 17 - 22 June a five- Also in February we March, members of building, the group headed the second part of the night holiday in Tenby, west arranged a Breakfast Walk Ivel Valley Walkers for St Pancras International Monopoly walk, organised Wales, and what promises at Quainton where we I started with breakfast at enjoyed three excellent station and the lunch stop. by Roy Carter, this time to be a fantastic Wednesday walks in the capital. The afternoon walk was taking in the east side. summer extravaganza the George and Dragon, Making a new friend on the Capital Ring. On a bright and cold from Holborn to Tower Kings Cross and Fenchurch entitled 'Yomp, Chomp then a short walk in the Photo: Helen Shephard Sunday in February, 20 Hill, passing the sites of Street stations, the Angel and Roll Up' on 27th at area. There was also a members travelled to long-closed stations such as Islington and Old Kent Langford. Members not taster section of the 78- Finsbury Park station to Aldwych, Holborn Viaduct, Road to name just a few going to Tenby can enjoy mile Capital Ring in London covering the Woolwich to Grove Park section. enjoy a walk of London Ludgate Hill and King of the many interesting saying farewell to the This was a success and we will be walking a further two sections in June and railway nostalgia entitled William Street. sites on the board. There longest day with a drink August. The group's annual holiday was taken this year in Llandudno. Our Do Not Alight Here led by Our second walk turned was more for the money and chat at the Pheasant summer programme is, as always, a bumper issue with over 40 walks including Tony Sheward, one of the out to be a grand affair as on route with numerous public house on Kimbolton the regular Sunday walks, mid-week walks and, for the summer, a series of group's railway anoraks. Barry Ingram had arranged blue plaques, lunch at the Road, Bedford, before evening walks. The walk drew heavily on a visit to the Palace of Tower of London and setting out to watch the Details of these can be found at www.lb-ramblers.org.uk, or on Facebook the book of the same name Westminster and had added an old army tank with sun go down. Added to the at www.facebook.com/ramblerslb by Ben Pedroche. an appropriate walk. Forty an interesting story near already packed programme Julian Chritchlow The morning walk of five nine members first took the Old Kent Road. The are weekly evening walks Leighton Buzzard Ramblers miles followed the Parkland the train from Waterloo to nearest anyone got to going until the end of August Walk from Finsbury Park Chiswick before walking to jail was at the Clink, near plus some new interest to Alexandra Palace. One the Boat Race course from Southwark Cathedral, and walks on Thursdays. Later oddity noticed on the first finish to start. On arriving nobody passed go, everyone in the year the group will Evening walks section to Highgate was in Putney the group went home poorer but be fully participating in ne way to build relations is by community engagement and to this the statue of a spriggan (a enjoyed refreshments in richer for the experience. the Bedfordshire Walking end we are pleased to see a programme of summer evening walks Cornish spirit creature) by the lovely surroundings Our summer programme Festival in September before Oevery Thursday around Bedford from 21 June until 23 August. Marilyn Collins, a local of Fulham Palace. From began in May and again enjoying a long weekend in Apart from the last one all the walks are of two hours duration and start at artist, in an alcove of a there a District Line train offers an action-packed south Lincolnshire (5 - 8 7pm from various locations around the town. Information can be found in both retaining wall. Allegedly it to Westminster station and four months with over 90 October) and a coach trip North Beds and Ivel Valley programmes or pick up a leaflet from any Bedford haunted the local area. The a short walk to the Palace walks including playing a to Stratford-upon-Avon. library. Northern Line's Highgate of Westminster where, after major role in the Ramblers Full details can be found on depot prevented access to being thoroughly searched, Walk About Week and the group's website www. part of the track bed, but this members enjoyed the most Greensand Country Festival ivelvalleywalkers.co.uk. provided the opportunity fascinating guided tour. 26 May - 3 June. Also, Ivel Valley Walkers Bedfordshire for a pleasant walk and coffee stop in Highgate Wood. Although members Walking Festival did not fully appreciate the gradual uphill gradient as it was well-wooded, after (8 -16 September) Highgate Wood, the old embankment offered a reparations are almost three hours, to 'walkers' walks' of six panoramic view towards complete for the ninth miles and upwards and of either half the City of London and Pannual Bedfordshire or full day duration. Adding to the Docklands. Views were Walking Festival. comprehensive programme will be further enhanced on Every year the festival has seen some events like the evening of trails arrival at Alexandra Palace, more and more people participating and tales, a trip on the Leighton nearly 300 feet up. After and groups have benefited from new Buzzard narrow gauge railway with a brief stop to admire the Ivel Valley Walkers at Hammersmith Bridge. Photo: Barry Ingram members, the Area has benefited with walk. If you have always wanted to an influx of people from near and know what you can eat from the wild far, the paths have benefited by being there is a walk for foraging after which used by more people and visitors have you can cook the food you picked. A benefited from experiencing all that fascinating tour of a cemetery, and Greensand Country Festival Bedfordshire has to offer. one on the geology of the Greensand Every year we strive to provide Ridge. These are just a few of the new and different walks whilst great walks to encourage people and Ramblers Walk About incorporating old favourites like the to explore Bedfordshire and with Greensand Ridge Challenge. The 40- the festival organised by Ramblers edfordshire person. Booking essential "The area contains east across to Leighton mile, two-day walk will take place over volunteers it is no wonder every year groups are pleased at bedswalkfest@gmail. all of Bedfordshire's Buzzard in the west. the weekend of 15 and 16 September it gets bigger and better. Programmes Band excited to be com. remaining heathland, Walkers who participate and booking can be made by email, will be available in hard copy and to offering a full range of The Greensand Country more than half of the in the annual two-day post and at www.bedswalkfest.co.uk. download and full details will be on walks across the county Landscape Partnership woodland and more 40-mile Greensand Ridge Walks will range from the short the festival website www.bedswalkfest. supporting both the obtained funding from the surviving historic parkland Challenge have already walks for health of around 45 to 90 co.uk. Ramblers Walk About Heritage Lottery Fund to than any other landscape experienced the delights minutes to interest walks of two to Barry Ingram Festival and the new develop exciting projects in the county, all crossed and challenges of the area Greensand Country which will help raise by networks of cycle tracks and for those who would Festival over the nine awareness of the heritage and footpaths waiting like to participate in the days from 26 May to 3 value of the country and to be discovered. The Challenge it is again June. to reverse the gradual vision is that by 2020 featured in this year's In addition, Area Chair decline in the distinct the Greensand Ridge Bedfordshire Walking and Training Officerlandscape character of this will become a living and Festival. Nick Markham will be beautiful and loved place. working landscape that The Greensand Country running a map reading The Heritage Lottery will be cherished by present Festival offers a range of and awareness course at Fund awarded funding and future generations events and activities. Full the Working Woodlands in January 2017 and the and will have reversed details of the programme Centre, Maulden Wood, programme will run until the gradual decline in the are available in both hard just off the A6 north of 2021. landscape's character". copy and on their website Clophill, between 10am A spokesperson The Greensand www.greensandcountry. and 4.30pm on Saturday for the Greensand Ridge covers an area com or by contacting Enjoying an interest walk during last year's festival. Photo: Barry Ingram 2 June. Cost is £10 per Country project said: from Gamlingay in the [email protected]. Bedfordshire Bulletin continues on page 13 South East Walker June 2018 13 Footpath and RIPPLE activities Bunyan he Footpath Bedfordshire from the source lack of council staff. Bedford subjects discussed included Committee reported of the River Ivel near Baldock Borough has just finished re- the use of power tools and Ta new development in to where it joins the River organising again and Central accreditation, and working the Ridgmont/Brogborough Great Ouse at Tempsford. Bedfordshire, who were down on our own without council Trail area which will affect the Since it opened the route has from a team leader and five full personnel in attendance. One John Bunyan Trail and the been plagued with problems, time officers to no team leader subject which came up was Clay Way. particularly in the section along and just two full time staff, surveying the network. This North Beds Group has the river between Langford have recruited an additional could be done by small teams updated arranged a walk on Saturday 2 Mill and Jordans Mill at Broom member who previously and/or individuals and is June in conjunction with local which necessitated about a worked in Suffolk and Essex. something which all groups parishes to highlight the effects mile's walk along the side of a Unfortunately one of the two could become involved in Following hours of work re-writing of the proposed development road. We have been informed original officers remaining without detracting from and updating, the 80-mile plus circular and walk the affected path, that the problems have now after the reshuffle will shortly their regular activities. Both route and maps by members of Leighton followed by refreshments at the been resolved and this lovely be departing to Kent. Recent councils would like to restart Buzzard group, the Bunyan trail is now church. riverside section is finally open. meetings with both councils RIPPLE activities as soon available for viewing and downloading This year marks the 21st Our RIPPLE activities have were constructive and both as possible and information anniversary of the Kingfisher been non-existent for the councils expressed a willingness will be sent out as and when from www.lbramblers.org.uk. Way, a 23-mile route in east last few months due to the to involve volunteers. Other appropriate.

Using data and social media

ost of us know. if only organisation of increasing its use intuitively, that good of social media. He said that c om mu n ic a t ion s good communications were vital ESSEX Mare the key to the success in letting people know about the of organisations. This is Ramblers. Using social media arguably even more true for required consideration of the volunteer organisations like audience: who you are trying to extras the Ramblers. contact, the action you wanted So the decision was taken to to take, and what might interest focus this year's Area AGM, them. network. In addition, costs (eg footpath held in February, on work being The two major platforms, carried out by Central Office on Facebook and Twitter, had maintenance) and health and safety factors Crossing closures the better use of data and social strengths and weaknesses. would be transferred from Network Rail media with a view to feeding it Twitter was good for reaching he public inquiry into the (where possible) in the Anglia region to cash-strapped local authorities. down to Area and group level. new audiences but had limits in proposed closure of foot and, if successful, in the rest of the To get an idea of the scale and scope of The first of two guest speakers, terms of sharing policy insights. Tlevel crossings in Essex was country. There are around 6,000 foot the inquiry please go to http://essex-level- Laura Scarlett, recently- But it was a great way to let adjourned on 20 October 2017 by the level crossings in the UK; closures would crossings-persona-pi.com. appointed Data Transformation people know about what your inspector because of Network Rail's Director, spoke about the three- group was doing and for sharing failure to follow procedures correctly. result in significant disruption to, and Gordon Bird degradation of, the public rights of way Area Chair year plan for digital and data conversations and success He has now announced that it will transformation. She said that stories. recommence in Chelmsford on Tuesday her analysis had shown that Facebook was good at creating 25 September. In the meantime the currently the Ramblers was communities, encouraging Cambridgeshire inquiry has been deficient in several areas: "We longer conversations and completed, whilst the Suffolk inquiry is simply don't know the basics building good relationships with underway. We await the findings with of our own organisation - who existing members, but less good interest. are all our volunteers, what at reaching new audiences. But Of the original 69 crossings scheduled motivates members, where are the Ramblers were lucky because for closure in Essex and other authorities, the public rights of way under of our passion for walking: as 10 have been withdrawn. Of the threat, how could we be more experts, we can offer advice and remaining 59, Ramblers have objected to relevant to walkers at a local guidance, and have amazing the closure of 37 (these are conditional). level?" photos which we can use to our Network Rail has made it clear that Central Office alone had 11 advantage. this particular programme is the first of sources of data which were not Oliver suggested that the many aimed at closing all level crossings Just one of the many crossings which might be lost if Network Rail has its way. all compatible, and there were next steps should be for groups critical blind-spots, for example, to discuss what they wanted to who participated in led walks, achieve, then have a go and not the number of hours volunteers be afraid to get started. The West Essex working parties worked and what roles they social media team at Central played. Her vision was to Office was there to help and est Essex Group came into existence because installation - he seemed to dislike walkers; fortunately he sold up build a data centre in which all advise. of the recognition of the need to maintain and and the new owner is quite friendly. Very occasionally a farmer contact details would be held Commenting on the Wprotect local public rights of way and, of course, to will show appreciation of the working party's efforts by bringing in one system which could be presentations, Alan Goffee, Area encourage people to walk these. along his own equipment to help speed up the work. The co- accessed by Areas and groups Vice-Chair, said: "We appreciate We have a Parish Adopters scheme covering the 1,100 rights of cooperation of farmers certainly helps to make a hard job easier, to send out communications. that given the profile of our way in Epping Forest District whereby volunteer members each eg by agreeing vehicle access to tracks or across fields to carry Our walks were not the asset membership, some will have take responsibility for one of the 28 parishes in our area, walking equipment to the problem spot. they should be because they apprehensions about using social the paths within their allotted parish at least once a year, reporting Brian writes a resume for our group newsletter of tasks the were not easily accessible. She media and data-sharing. Some any path problems they find. footpath working parties have covered during the previous four foresaw a consolidated route of these concerns were expressed Initially, Frank Holzman (now our President) set up a monthly months. Even as a non-participant of this sterling group I feel library with routes easily created at the AGM but we believe that working party with which he continued for many years. Brian quite exhausted reading about all they have achieved. I know that and visualised using the latest if the Ramblers is to continue Smith took over this responsibility about nine years ago. As the all walkers in our area appreciate the improved condition of the technology from Ordnance the good start made by its new number of volunteers has increased Brian has split the working paths even if unaware of the vast amount of unpaid working hours Survey. Chief Executive, we must move party into two teams, usually working in different locations at it takes to bring this about. How would this vision ahead. "Some groups already use the same time, every Thursday regardless of weather. A lot of Pat Juchau be achieved? The Ramblers Facebook, and Essex Area would forethought has to go into planning each day's operations, getting West Essex Group centrally needed to become like to see its use extended. volunteers and equipment to the right place for each task to be more professional about data We will be encouraging all tackled. This can be the clearance of overgrown vegetation and management, to create rules groups to use social media removal of obstructions such as fallen trees. Also they install for supporter communications, to grow membership and waymarker posts and flights of steps, plus repair footbridges, gates and to partner with best-in- extend awareness of the good and stiles. Sometimes they are moving, replacing or installing class technology providers. work we do. Hike Essex is footbridges to keep paths accessible. The work is done in co- But it would be wrong to dive already participating in a pilot ordination with Essex Highways (financing the work under the into this, and the plan was to with Central Office on data P3 scheme) who also provide and deliver certain items such as experiment with pilot projects - transformation, and we intend waymarker posts, stiles and footbridges in kit form for assembly work was about to begin on data to use social media to promote on site. Unfortunately some items do not always arrive (not capture for walk participants and this summer's Walk About an unusual situation) so Brian and his workers have to create volunteers. This process would festival. There is plenty of temporary arrangements to keep the path usable in the meantime. be iterative so that findings scope for experimentation and Path problems are not always due to Mother Nature running could be fed back and changes learning from each other. We wild and needing us to take back control; it is not rare for made if necessary. might even have some fun on vandalism to be the source of the difficulty. It's not unheard of Oliver Hicks-Pattison, Senior the way!" for waymarker posts to be installed one day and soon removed. Taking a break during a footpath working party event. Campaigns Officer, then spoke Mike Cannell On one occasion it was the landowner who did this the day after Photo: Brian Smith about the importance for the Area Media Officer 14 South East Walker June 2018 Walking the Uttlesford Way

ix years ago we bought a with a more extensive walk of 7.5 Uttlesford Ramblers. Such is the welcoming us as walkers, as long With no mud and tapas available booklet entitled Discover miles from Stansted Mountfitchet to Uttlesford way of walking, some of as we don't bring in any mud, of at beach-side cafes, this is a very SUttlesford - Circular Manuden, again starting from home. the walks were completed starting course. different journey: walking in a sunny Walks along the Uttlesford Way We could now see a bit of a pattern back-to-front to allow us to enjoy Over the time it has taken us to and warmer climate certainly has its in Essex by local author Peter forming which seemed to involve a pub lunch, so we celebrated the complete the Uttlesford Way we attractions! Cooper, which we collected from doing the shorter and closer walks last walk with a lovely lunch at the have both retired, celebrated our Peter Cooper's book costs £7.50 his home in Clavering, duly first, so we tried to devise a plan Plough in Great Chesterford. ruby wedding anniversary and more and is available from the tourist signed. We were still working working our way up to the longer If we were asked what barriers grandchildren have arrived. We now information centre in Saffron at the time and although we walks as we progressed through the we came across during our walks, it walk regularly, usually twice a week, Walden, Hart's Books in Saffron walked fairly regularly with the Way. wasn't blocked paths, bulls in fields and can enjoy a walk of 10 miles Walden and village shops in Uttlesford Ramblers we were Our walks continued over the or poor weather but the demise of quite easily. Clavering, Debden and Henham or pretty much fair weather walkers; following years, completing our final the great British pub! Some had Our next target is to complete the by post from the author at peterg. five or six miles was about our section of nine miles with Walk 7, closed, some were only open on Cami de Cavalls, the 115-mile coast [email protected], who will limit. Great Chesterford to Hadstock, on certain days and some had changed path around Menorca. We have advise on the cost including post and The Way is a chain of 16 circular Saturday 24 February this year, a to more expensive 'gastro pubs' completed half of the route so far packing. walks centred on Saffron Walden beautiful sunny winter's day, in the or restaurants. Thanks to all the with another visit due shortly and Sylvia and Brian Hayes with a variety of lengths: 4.5 miles is company of Clive, Jo and Paul of pubs keeping up the tradition of a final week planned for next year. Uttlesford Ramblers the shortest and 12 miles the longest. It starts and finishes in Stansted Mountfitchet, our home village, so in July 2012 we embarked on our first walk. This was Walk 16, which is actually the last one if you do them in numerical order, but as we could do it from home we started with this. The instructions for all of the walks are in an 'out and back' format, so this one from Elsenham to Stansted was easy to follow starting with the 'back' section. Having completed the first walk, a few weeks later we did Walk 12 Debden (the village near Saffron Walden, not the one near Loughton!) to Widdington and back, a leisurely 4.5 miles. We didn't complete another section until April 2013 Sylvia and Brian Hayes proudly display their copy of the guide. Photo: Jo Gillingham Ashdon windmill on the Uttlesford Way. Photo: Sylvia Hayes On Wilmot Hill Don't annoy the leader hilst walking the Greensand Way near Sevenoaks in Kent, our resident poet Lizzie Ballagher was inspired to t was the wrong chine so the half-coachload wind caught his hat and the whole party was treated to Wwrite these lines at Wilmot Hill. which had disembarked grumbled as it re- the sight of him chasing it over the down. And if you turn aside Iboarded. 'He knows the Isle of Wight like John soon regained control of the walk but not of from the greensand path the back of his hand' - this pre-trip reference to his mood. The walk went well but we were taking to ascend the wooden stair the leader of my first holiday with the group was longer than he had expected so he decided to take the in the south slope of the hill, you will come to an old way, reassuring. slower walkers on a short-cut to the lunch stop. an older way Later reflection, and an attempt to recall details Months before all this gaiety, we had been required running high of the back of my own hand, re-contexturalised the by the pub to pre-order our lunch. When we arrived on the ridge: between toppling yews statement. we discovered that the landlord had ignored the planted before history by birds & beasts; The first day was sunny and very windy. We extensive paperwork which had been sent in and we all between beeches threading the sky with branches, eventually arrived at the designated start and the had to line up, give our separate orders, pay, and await stitching the greensand banks with roots that cling, column moved off. An early descent was something of our food. Few of the party were eating sandwiches drive deep down underfoot - a surprise; those of us at the back could see a clear path outside. The slow walkers had arrived last and John along the top of the chine. Leslie and I had not started was last in the queue and had waited over an hour for While all the way to the south lie the plains & blue foothills the descent when we realised that the 50 walkers had his meal. of the ancient weald: turned around and were climbing back up to the ridge. Just as the leader's lunch was placed before him, away & away for ever to the sea. For Leslie, who usually dawdled at the back of the Leslie opened the door; 'John', he shouted across the In secret folds, in the lee of this hill walk, this was a major triumph - he was leading. With pub, 'people are getting restless outside'. where springs run out, grow unusual energy, he strode out empowered. John, who John's explosive response is enshrined in the cultural primeval marestails greener than greensand, was struggling to overtake the line of walkers on the history of the group. violets, primroses & spotted orchids. narrow path, had just reached the top when a gust of Len Banister A blackbird will be singing just for you somewhere in the yew fronds; clouds will drop their mercy on the beech leaves. Ahead of you the path will dwindle to a white-light vanishing point at its downward curve. Lizzie Ballagher ©

The path along the ridge of Wilmot Hill. Photo: Lizzie Ballagher © With the group on the Isle of Wight. Photo: Len Banister South East Walker June 2018 15 White Cliffs KENT Walking Festival

here will be 45 walks in this exciting walks year's White Cliffs Walking planned. calling TFestival, which takes place "Why 23 - 29 August. not try This will be the sixth year of the foraging for festival, organised by the White Cliffs fauna and Ramblers, and it will include a range flora along of walks to suit all abilities. Last year's the coast Rights of way volunteers festival attracted a record number of or discover the 1,252 walkers. The walks programme industrial heritage of the Dour he previous issue of South and friends. The majority said they fruitful. has just been completed, and will valley? Or enjoy breakfast after an East Walker contained my joined the Ramblers to support the If you asked the average member of include several festival favourites, like early morning walk through some of article about the difficulty in organisation's work. They all want T the public to describe a rambler, they the Fish and Chip walk from Walmer Dover's beautiful coastal countryside? attracting rights of way volunteers rights of way to be protected for the would tell you that they are retired, to Dover, and the White Cliffs Coastal Take part in a 19th century mystery from group members. benefit of future generations. More wear a rucksack and use walking poles Trails. There will be 11 new walks. or appreciate the natural and social I would like to say a huge thank you than half of the 4,100 members in and walk in large groups. In fact, the The toughest walk will be the 52- history of the ash tree before we to those who immediately responded Kent fall into this category. This is a majority are of wide age variations and by putting their names forward to fertile area where we are likely to find mile White Cliffs Challenge, put on lose it to ash dieback. Or perhaps don't walk with groups. They are very for the festival by the Long Distance learn about the industrial and social volunteer. It is not necessary to be our next generation of rights of way difficult to identify from any other a member of Ramblers to become a volunteers. Walkers Association, on Sunday history of Kearsney Abbey and Russell person dressed for walking. 26 August. Based at Deal Town Gardens and the restoration of both Parish Warden, Observer or Checker Kent groups do an amazing job Those who prefer to walk alone (other Areas and groups often have by providing a professionally led football club's ground in Charles parks to their original designs before and joined Ramblers to support the Road, walkers will have 22 hours to ascending through the woodland for their own preferred terms for this walk for those seeking the company work in protecting rights of way are role). Whatever the name, the role of others. They provide the perfect complete the route. There will also be fine views of the Alkham valley." far more likely to volunteer. They are an 18-mile version. A colour leaflet, detailing all the is the same. It's positive and it's opportunity for members to have a used to following maps and creating rewarding because it really can make sociable conversation coupled with a The festival will be opened by walks, will be available in June. All their own walks using rights of Vanessa Griffiths, chief executive of the walks, with instructions on a difference. well-planned walk. It can be a lifeline way. They are more likely to report If there was an active volunteer in and comes with the added benefit of The Ramblers, in a ceremony by the how to book them, will also appear negative issues they encounter. They Bleriot Memorial (marking the spot on the festival's website www. every parish, every footpath would be improved health and mobility. Many are already well equipped to become walked at least once a year. Every fault who join led walks would not feel where the first person to fly across the whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk. the Warden, Observer or Footpath would be noted and a number of the comfortable walking on their own or Channel landed) just outside Dover, As this issue of South East Walker Checker in their local parish. I have easier issues would be passed to other on paths that are off the beaten track. on Thursday 23 August. went to press, the White Cliffs been heartened by how enthusiastic rights of way volunteers to fix. They are unlikely to report negative Festival organiser Bev Cussans Walking Festival had been successfully A flyer appealing for rights of path issues when they return home they are to get started. said: "The programme includes walks nominated in the Events category for way volunteers was posted to every from a group walk. They joined A number of parish councils have which are old favourites, such as the People of Dover Awards, organised Kent member with the 2017 Annual their local group purely for a led walk their own appointed Parish Footpath beautiful walks along the iconic White by Dover Town Council. Review. It clearly identified the vacant and social interaction. No more, no Warden. I believe that a closer Cliffs; but we also have some new and Graham Smith parishes. less. This is not criticism, purely an working relationship with them will The volume of response resulting observation. be mutually beneficial. I have been in from this leaflet was uplifting and Group committees are more likely the process of identifying those who revealing in several ways. to be made up of people who have have and those who haven't. Firstly it dramatically reduced the met and know each other as a result In January, Kent Area produced an list of vacant parishes and increased of led walks. Therefore, the meeting excellent volunteer leaflet that draws Kent's rights of way volunteer base. agendas might be geared towards their attention to a very different side of Secondly, it opened our eyes to a clear interest in led walks. The committee the Ramblers. It reveals a side that the divide that separates our membership. would, understandably, have very public is unlikely to be aware of. Let's The majority who responded to our little interest or enthusiasm for rights hope it enlightens their perception appeal for volunteers do not walk or of way. They are highly unlikely to of the archetypal 'Rambler' and take part in activities organised by be rights of way volunteers, unless encourages even more walkers to their local group. Some have chosen they were coerced reluctantly into volunteer with us. not to be allocated to a group. Most becoming one. Seeking volunteers Averil Brice prefer to walk alone or with family from this database is never going to be Secretary, White Cliffs Ramblers

organisations in the Planning the walking festival are, from left, Lesley Stephenson, Bev Cussans and Rhona county. Hodges. Photo: Les Preston Caring for carers Subject to a successful bid for funding from pioneering An estimated seven The response to the Sport England our project that million carers in the UK eight walks in 2017 was Stepping Out walks offers scenic - one in 10 people - and overwhelmingly positive. programme will be: Cinque Ports 100 A Friday 25 May: sociable walks in Kent nearly 70% of older With funding from Sport specifically to carers carers report an adverse England, the project Goodnestone Park everal members of Kent Ramblers helped out and those they care for effect on their mental was able to provide Gardens (famous for their on the county's biggest walking event for has resumed. health. A third of carers transport to the start Jane Austen connection). Smany years, the Cinque Ports 100. The first walk of the over 60 have long-term point - vital for people Friday 29 June: The Cinque Ports 100, which took place over the series took place in Hythe health problems or a who can no longer afford National Trust Gardens at bank holiday weekend of 26 - 28 May, was organised on 23 March, with the disability themselves. to drive - and post-walk Sissinghurst by Kent Long Distance Walkers Association. Some second in Rolvenden One in five carers gives refreshments including Thursday 26 July: Isle 500 walkers - coming from all over the country - were on 17 April. Six more up employment to care, valuable socialising time. of Sheppey - a rerun of a required to complete a 100-mile route linking the are planned to follow and 60% report using Those who took part popular 2017 walk. original Cinque Ports of Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, countywide, including up all their savings to reported an increase in Friday 24 August: Dover and Sandwich within 48 hours, with 16 checkpoints on walks in Sheppey, cover costs. Beyond the activity levels generally, Kingsdown to Deal route, where they could get fed and watered and attend to any physical problems Tonbridge, Deal and statistics, at a human a renewed appreciation coastal walk - like blisters! Sissinghurst. These other level, carers and those of the outdoors, new Friday 28 September: The event was based at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, just outside six walks are conditional they care for can feel friendships, useful Penshurst Place Dover, and the walk was officially started by Admiral the Lord Boyce, Lord on a successful bid for imprisoned - by physical connections, boosted Friday 26 October: to Warden of the Cinque Ports, from Sussex Coast College in Hastings. funding from Sport disabilities, mental health confidence and an overall be decided. Several members of Kent Ramblers helped on the event, either at the England (with a decision issues, loss of confidence greater sense of well- For more information event headquarters or assisting at the White Cliffs Ramblers' checkpoint at due after this issue of and financial difficulties. being. contact getoutandabout@ Northbourne. South East Walker went "I was in a prison," said This year's walks will btinternet.com, 07500 There are plans for the route to go on the White Cliffs Group's programme to press). one of the carers who be building on the success 178033 or me at sue. next year, but as a series of linear walks of 10 - 11 miles. The goal of Stepping attended the Stepping of 2017. It is hoped that [email protected] or A souvenir map was produced for the event by map specialist Harveys, on Out is to provide a mini- Out walks last year. the model provided by your local carer support as scale of 1:50,000. It includes the entire route, photographs of 32 points break for a group of "People who are Kent could be the basis organisation or http:// of interest and an article about the Cinque Ports (pronounced sink, not sank) people who, for many regularly active enjoy of a nationwide scheme www.kentramblers.org. by Ian Russell, Registrar of the Cinque Ports, Copies of the map, costing £10 different reasons, find better mental well- in the future. The project uk/carer_walks/. (plus post and packing) can be obtained by emailing Cinque Ports 100 organiser Sue Mott healthy social and physical being," according to is co-organised between at [email protected] Co-Organiser, activity dwindling from Sport England's Active The Ramblers and a Graham Smith their daily lives. Lives data. So it proved. variety of Carer Support Stepping Out Kent Calling continues on page 16 16 South East Walker June 2018 Tracing the Battle Diary Dates Until Sunday 2 September: The In- between: An Ode to Epping Forest Artist Rachel Lillie reveals the history of of Turnham Green Epping Forest and stories that have shaped its landscapes through her drawings and hand carved 'artefacts'. Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow, London E17 9NH www.vestryhousemuseum.org.uk, 020 8496 4391.

Until Saturday 13 October: Liquid History: The Rivers of Runnymede An exhibition looking at some of the borough's rivers, their history and the impact they have had on those who live and work on them. Chertsey Museum, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8AT www.chertseymuseum.org.uk, 01932 565764

Tuesday 5 June: Women's London evening talk Author Rachel Kolsky talks about her new book Women's London: A Tour Guide to Great Lives which explores sights, statues, plaques and buildings associated with women who have shaped London. Stanfords, 12 - 14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP. 18.30. Pre-book tickets (£4). www.stanfords.co.uk The commemorative panel at Syon House. ake a walk of about from Syon Park to Turnham back towards London or tried to the parliamentarians gained an Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 June: three miles in west Green, to link these. swim across the River Thames important strategic victory and Open Garden Squares Weekend TLondon to discover On the 12 November that where many drowned. By next the royalist army was forced to Over 200 London green spaces - many some of the sites associated year the King's army advanced morning an army of 24,000 retreat to Oxford. usually closed to the public - open their gates with a key event in the English on London from the west and parliamentarians had formed on Commemorative panels this weekend. Buy a weekend ticket (£15 Civil War when royalists first encountered parliamentary open land centered on what is can be found at Syon House, adult until 7 June) and you can explore them were prevented from entering troops where Syon Park is now. today Turnham Green, Chiswick Brentford Bridge, Brentford all. London The parliamentarians then put Back Common, Acton Common County Court, Turnham Green www.opensquares.org A series of commemorative up a barricade at Brentford and Acton Green. but all one large and Acton Green. panels provide details of the 1642 Bridge and later held the royalists common at the time. Although Information about battle Friday 6 - Sunday 8 July: Battle of Turnham Green and a at a second barricade but the the ensuing battle resulted in a sites is available on the Gordon Beningfield exhibition route can be easily devised, much royalist soldiers prevailed and the stalemate, by blocking the path Battlefields Trust website, www. A pop-up exhibition featuring original of it along the Thames Path, parliamentary soldiers either ran of the royalist army into London battlefieldtrust.com. artworks and celebrating the life and work of the natural history and wildlife artist. Part of the Beningfield 2018 celebrations. Natural History Museum, Tring, Herts. KENT Briefly www.nhm.ac.uk/visit • Sevenoaks vintage bus links the town Saturday 7 July: Art Night 2018 station with the National Trust's Art Night will "transform the Thames riverbank with new commissions, one- calling Knole House on Mondays, Tuesdays, off artist projects and premieres by 12 Saturdays and Sundays from 28 July internationally renowned artists for London's to 2 September this year. The circular largest free contemporary arts festival". Paths champion appointed route also serves the Sevenoaks Projects curated by the Hayward Gallery wildlife reserve and Bat and Ball will feature along a trail stretching from the ike Haley has been appointed a founder member of South Kent Harriers station. More details can be found at Southbank Centre, through Vauxhall and Public Rights of Way Manager running club and, like Averil, is a member https://sevenoaksvintagebus. Nine Elms to Battersea Power Station. From for Kent Ramblers, succeeding M of White Cliffs Ramblers. He is going to be wordpress.com. 18.00 Saturday until 06.00 Sunday. Averil Brice, who has done the job for helped with some aspects of his new role by http://artnight.london four years. Averil, who will organise working parties to Mike has taken on the voluntary role after attend to issues like vegetation clearance on • Go Outdoors has a new 'superstore' Saturdays 7 or 14 July: spending most of his career as a solicitor, footpaths, while Mike uses his professional at Brunel Retail Park, Reading RG2 retiring from Gravesham Borough Council Explore with Map and Compass course expertise on issues like planning applications 0HS. Actor and journalist Ross Kemp last year, where he was the authority's senior and rights of way. A one-day course offering beginners and those cut the ribbon to declare the store lawyer. He had worked there for 14 years. He says: "I have always liked walking, with little experience to gain confidence and He said: "I volunteered for this role to and I see my job as preserving rights of way. open on 17 March. experience in map reading and navigation, help protect, preserve and where possible Individual ramblers can help by reporting consisting mainly of fieldwork in the enhance the footpath network for future all problems on the network to Kent generations to enjoy.. With my legal and • Ramblers Walking Holidays has countryside surrounding Battle, East Sussex. County Council via their online system so planning background, I will try to work refurbished Hassness Country House Standard charge £10, reduced rates available. that resources can be targeted where they are closely with the decision makers at county in the Lake District. Most rooms are Further courses (and an advanced one) will and district council level and assist them most needed. The county council has the take place later in the year, subject to demand. legal power and resources but we have the now en-suite and the lounge and in our common purpose of protecting the John Harmer 01424 773998 or email john@ numbers on the ground and it is through dining areas have been upgraded. As network. I appreciate the difficulties faced harmerfamily.plus.com. by the county footpath teams in times of all of our members being vigilant and well as themed stays, the house can continuing budget cuts." reporting issues that we can best help them be booked by groups of 16 people or Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 July: Mike has a very good relationship with and preserve the network." more. Smaller groups can also have Footpath problems in Kent, like blocked London National Park City Week the county's rights of way team, as his exclusive use of the house if booking previous job saw him acting for the county paths and broken stiles, can be reported A week of events (including many public council in various elements of public rights online at https://www.kent.gov.uk/waste- for at least seven nights. More walks led by Ramblers members) in of way law, including footpath inquiries planning-and-land/public-rights-of-way/ information at www.ramblersholidays. celebration of London's great outdoors. before an inspector. report-a-problem-on-a-right-of-way co.uk, 01707 331133. www.nationalparkcity.london/week Mike is a keen walker and runner, being Graham Smith