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Ramblers North Group Walks Programme Visit our website at:- www.ramblers.org.uk/north-devon

A welcome and a wish list

I would like to welcome the many new members who have joined our group since the Autumn. The Ramblers are noted for their friendly attitude so I hope that you all now feel part of our Ramblers' 'family'. This brings me to the succession within families as the lead generation grows older. I am sure that this is something most of you will have experienced. Well your committee are all growing older and between them they have amassed a staggering 140+ years helping to run the North Devon Group. We have been without a Secretary for 4 years. This position can easily be split into Minutes Secretary and General Secretary. Our Treasurer, Max has served for 13 years and would like to stand down at our AGM in November, likewise Julian, our Publicity Officer (7 years). I hasten to add that some recent committee members only did 2 or 3 years in their roles. Each member is elected for a year from the AGM in November. We have had an offer to cover the Membership Secretary's role (Linda has served for 6 years plus six as a committee member). Our group will be re-invigorated with some new blood, so we would also like to see others coming on to the committee and/or offering to help with one-off jobs. Do please have a chat with me or any of our committee members (list on final sheet). There is no obligation and you may be surprised to find out that less work/time is involved than you anticipate. WITHOUT OFFERS TO HELP OUR GROUP WILL WITHER AND DIE!

Joan Long-Chairman for 18 years

Special walk/promotion/diary date Please note

Although there is not a Ramblers' 'Get Walking Week' this year we have organised a special Don't forget to mention that you are a member of the North Devon based, Nice and Easy Walk on Sunday 3rd May. The walk will be widely Group if you book a Ramblers' Holiday as they will pay us £10, publicised in the press, on our website and with a library display. You can help by £20 or £30 at no cost to you. See the advert on our supplement or spreading the word and inviting friends, colleagues or family who may want to give check out www.thewalkingpartnership.org.uk rambling a try but are a little nervous of our regular walks. This is a free event. We are hoping to offer more extra easy walks and we are looking for members who would be As many of you are already aware both the North Devon Group and Devon Area now have willing to help with this project. Please ask us what will be involved. A date for your diary new websites. These will be updated regularly so keep a look out for walk changes, events is Saturday the 7th November when we will be holding the Group AGM. As normal it will and walking tips. You can also find our 'Tips for Walkers' and 'Tips for Walk Leaders' there or if you would like a 'hard' copy please contact Joan. be preceded by a short morning walk and optional lunch. It would be great if you can come along. We have booked a stand at the North Devon Show on Wednesday 5th August, if you You may have spotted that we have a couple of new advertisers on the enclosed supplement can help please contact Julian. with this programme. Please try to support our advertisers and let them know you are a

North Devon Group member. Ramblers' birthday Did you know that people can join Ramblers' (but not renew their membership) using their The Ramblers' Association was formed in 1935 so this year is our 80th birthday. If you Tesco club-card points, only £11 of vouchers for single membership or £15 for joint. Please have any ideas for group celebrations, especially ones where we can grab some publicity, tell new walkers and friends about this excellent opportunity to sign up now. please get in touch ASAP. Nationally Ramblers will be launching 'The Big Pathwatch' in the Summer (details in Spring Walk magazine page 28). This will be our biggest ever Congratulations to our member, Rex Crofts, for his 'Highly Commended' photograph in the survey of footpaths in and Wales and anyone can take part. Spring Walk magazine (page 88).

The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales Number 1093577, Registered Charity in Scotland, Number: SCO39799. Registered Office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW We can help you – Can you help the group? IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT.

Our newer members may not be aware but our Walks Programme Secretary, Angela, has As a reasonably new committee member I would like to urge all Ramblers members to please group copies of all local OS 1-25,000 maps, many leaflets and a book of walks in Britain. consider the committee posts on offer. I have been walks secretary for eighteen months now They are a resource for you all to use and to encourage even more walk leaders. We have and have had nothing but support from the committee in all aspects of my position. We have another exceptional, varied programme of walks, which is thanks not only to Angela’s hard over three hundred members so obviously you all care about the ethos of The Ramblers by work but also to the many members who lead for us. your support and membership contributions.

Rewards are many. Involvement minimal. Reqd:- PARTICIPATION AND ENTHUSIASM.

Thank you. Angela Neal TO ALL WALKS LEADERS Other events

Once again walks leaders I’d like to thank you for creating an inspiring summer/autumn Our skittle evening at The Black Horse in was a novel and competitive way to programme. We have record numbers walking and I know I speak on behalf of everyone spend a November evening. Thanks to Linda for making all arrangements. In January we when I say MANY, MANY THANKS. held a social evening at The Castle Centre in Barnstaple. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Last October I put together a walks leader get together preceded by a walk around pictures of early group breaks, the Isle of Man and Chris and Roger's big holiday. Thanks to led by Reg Downs. It was good to get a few ideas from all who attended and we aim to all who helped to make it a successful evening. We hope to organise something similar this possibly hold another one at the end of this summer. Walks for Winter/Spring 2015/2016. Autumn/Winter. Over forty of us enjoyed a delicious carvery lunch at The Barnstaple Hotel. OUCH is it really??? Please submit by 1st September. The feedback was good and it was lovely to have our own room. Thanks to Lynne. If you

Angela Neal Walks Programme Secretary have any ideas for social events or away breaks and are willing to help to organise them we would love to hear from you. Unlike some groups we do not have a Social Secretary.

DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) Fairviw CP REF START Barnstaple Miles Sunday 03/05/2915 Heritage Centre Barnstaple - Strand SS 557 331 11:00 N/A 3.5 New bridge-Leisure Centre-Rock Park Julian Tippett Sunday 03/05/2015 Dry Bridge() SS 759 452 10:30 09:30 8 Dry bridge-ShilstoneHill-CheritonRidge-Hoaroak Water-Farley Water. Tony Trick Wednesday 06/05/2015 CP SS 560 467 10:30 09:45 6 Widmouth Head-Samson's Bay-. Margaret Beades and Angela Neal Sunday 10/05/2015 CP (parking charges apply) SS 541 044 10:30 09:20 8.5 Linear walk to through farmland. Transport arranged back to cars. Ray Jenkins Wednesday 13/05/2015 . CP behind church. SS 533 189 10:30 09:30 7 Dodscott-Stoney Ford Stewart Beer Sunday 17/05/2015 CP( ) SX 739 839 10:30 09:00 8.5 Easdon Tor-Bowermans Nose- Rocks- Bluebells Galore! Reg Downs Wednesday 20/05/2015 Nice and Easy Arms Yarde SS 725 356 10:30 09:45 4 Kedworthy Farm-Whitefield Hamlet. Alan Edmiston & Down. Optional pub lunch. John Vooght Sunday 24/05/2015 CP SS 969 285 10:30 09:15 8.5 Hartford--Bury. Alan Edmiston and John Vooght Wednesday 27/05/2015 CP SS 844 355 10:30 09:30 7 River Barle--Parsonage Farm. Margaret Beades and Angela Neal Sunday 31/05/2015 Exford CP (free) SS 855 383 10:30 09:30 6 Room Hill-Lyncombe. Hilly in places Pamela Selman Tuesday 02/06/2015 Wistlandpound reservoir.South CP SS 639 416 18:30 17:50 4 Rye Park-North and South Thorne. Alan Edmiston Wednesday 03/06/2015 West Buckland VH CP(Free) SS 658 313 11:00 10:15 5 E.Buckland-Crossbury-Gould's Leary. Lanes and fields. Hilly!Possibly muddy. Sandra and Bill Slade Sunday 07/06/2015 Prayway Head SS 767 411 10:30 09:30 11 Prayway Head-Warren Farm-Larkbarrow-Trout Hill-Lanacombe. Tony Trick Wednesday 10/06/2015 Webbers Post SS 903 439 11:00 09:30 7 Horner-Selworthy-Huntscott-Dunster Path Lawrence Wickett Sunday 14/06/2015 CP SS 714 256 10:30 09:50 8 -Bicknor Farm-Windwhistle farm. Alan Edmiston and John Vooght

More walks overleaf DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) Fairviw CP REF START Barnstaple Miles Wednesday 17/06/2015 Nice and Easy. Muddlebridge lay-by SS 520 324 18:30 18:00 4 Footpaths around Fremington. Bill and Sandra Slade Saturday 20/06/2015 Hartland Quay Top CP SS 225 247 10:30 09:30 12 Cornwall & Back. Coast Path—Green & country lanes. Reg Downs Sunday 21/06/2015 Goat Hill 2nd CP SS 729 401 10:30 09:30 12.5 Barrow-Ruckham Combe-Butter Hill. Shorter loop of 7miles. Jan Hartshorne CHALLENGING!!! Tuesday 23/06/2015 B/ple bus station stand K no.654 10.00 SS 560 330 10:00 N/A 7 Linear walk. - Bishops Tawton.Shorter option. John Vooght & bus to Join walk at Landkey. Alan Edmiston Sunday 28/06/2015 County Gate CP SS 793 486 10:30 09:30 9 Oare--Lankcombe Ford. Moorland walking. Clarice Harwood & Uphill pull up to the car. Jayne Ford. Wednesday 01/07/2015 B/ple bus station 10.00. Stand G no 21 to SS 560 330 10:00 N/A 8.5 Linear walk from Deans X. -Spreacombe Bridge-Braunton John Vooght & . Walk starts approx.10:25 BUS BACK. Alan Edmiston. from Deans X Friday 03/07/2015 power station off B3233.Road SS 482 322 10:30 09:55 7.5 Worlington-Huish-Treyhill-Horwood-Holmacott.A few ups. Quiet lanes Mary Cooper parking adjacent to Tarka Trail on return. Could be muddy!! Sunday 05/07/2015 Hunters Inn NT CP SS 655 481 10:30 09:30 8 Heddons Mouth- . Tony Trick Wednesday 08/07/2015 Poundstock Church CP SX 202 995 10:30 09:15 8 Mill Farm-Dizzard Point-Millook. Ancient woodland & clifftop views. Pauline Newbound & Barbara Hewis Saturday 11/07/2015 Visitor Centre CP . SX 588 734 10:30 08:45 9 North and South Hessary Tor-Black Tor. Reg Downs Sunday 12/07/2015 Woody Bay. Lower CP SS 676 486 10:30 09:40 9.5 Bonhill Woods-Hollerday Hill-South Cleave-SWCP. HILLY! Alan Edmiston & John Vooght Wednesday 15/07/2015 Nice and Easy. B/ple BS Stand L 10:50. SS 560 330 10:50 n/a 4 Linear walk Slade reservoirs to Ilfracombe along the old L & SW line. Joan Long Walk start from Fortescue Arms 11:15 Optional lunch and bus back. Sunday 19/07/2015 Fingle Bridge CP SX 743 898 11:00 09:15 7 -woods, fields and Castle Drogo. Ray Jenkins Wednesday 22/07/2015 Village Hall Car Park SS 650 208 10:30 09:45 6.5 Chittlehamholt-Warkleigh church-Shortridge Wood. Kate and Bob Edwards (please park at the bottom) Saturday 25/07/2015 Two Gates SS 765 432 11:00 10:00 7 Hoar Oak farm-Cheriton Ridge Chris and Roger Catlin Sunday 26/07/2015 Horner National Trust Car Park. SS 898 454 10:30 09:00 9.5 Horner Water-Stoke Pero Common-Granny's ride. Alan Edmiston £5 or free to NT members. & John Vooght Thursday 30/07/2015 Countisbury National Trust Car Park SS 747 496 11:00 10:00 6 Rockford-Kipscombe Chris and (Blue Ball Inn) Roger Catlin Saturday 01/08/2015 Barnstaple Bus Station Stand I No.21A to SS 560 330 06:25 n/a 5 Walk starts 7:15 Appledore CP. Linear SWCP-Northam Burrows. Mike Long Appledore@6:25 am Breakfast in Westward Ho! Sunday 02/08/2015 CP south east of SX 621 938 10:30 09:00 8.5 Belstone-Littie Hound Tor-Cosdon-Belstone Cleave. Long climb and ford. John and Sue Cargill Wednesday 05/08/2015 East Titchberry Farm NT CP free SS 244 270 10:30 09:30 7 Byways-Exmansworthy-SW Coast Path. Barry Neal Sunday 09/08/2015 Lay-by near Newton Farm, (off B3263, N SX 132 935 10:30 09:00 9.5 Fab views.Lovely churches and a beautiful harbour. Leisurely pace. Maggi Rogers of Boscastle) Limited parking. Take care Long climb back to car!!! and/or car share. Tuesday 11/08/2015 Fairview Car Park. Barnstaple SS 556 337 18:00 18:00 2hrs Discover Pilton's history on this amble. Joan Long Thursday 13/08/2015 Spires Cross Winsford Hill SS 888 335 11:00 09:45 6 Knaplock-Tarr Steps-Varle Hill. Phillip and Audrey Baker Saturday 15/08/2015 Bank End Car Park, far end. SS 456 274 10:00 09:20 12 SWCP to Appledore-Westward Ho!-Northam Burrows- Barbara Hewis Pay &Display cliffs.Mostly level walking. Bus back from Appledore. Wednesday 19/08/2015 Nice and Easy Small Car Park east of SS 625 476 10:30 09:45 3.5 Holdstone Hill- Down. Fab views and heather galore. Julian Tippett Trentishoe Down Saturday 22/08/2015 Campsite Car Park behind Fox & Hounds SX 527 866 10:30 09:00 9 Widgery Cross-Hare Tor-Gt. Links Tor-Great Nodden. Reg Downs (A386)

More walks overleaf Path closures The Foot Health and Sports Therapy Clinic Due to the atrocious weather last winter a number of paths have temporary closure notices on them. At present there is @Floor One Fitness, Gammon Walk, Barnstaple. Tel:- 01271 858 717 no website that contains this information other than those on FootBalance is a personalised insole, the www.southwestcoastpath.com individually custom moulded for you on the Ramblers Devon are approaching DCC in an effort to make basis of a foot analysis to ensure perfect arch this information readily available to walkers. However, if support for your feet. FootBalance insoles you become aware of a closure please let Jon or Joan know. support your feet by giving you the exact (details below) support you need underfoot and improves overall foot function. FOOTPATH PROBLEMS! Regularly wearing FootBalance custom If you encounter problems with footpaths, broken stiles, insoles helps improve overall body alignment, obstructions, overgrown access etc then please contact which in turn helps reduce the incidence of either:- Joan Long or Jon Bennett at the addresses stress injuries. FootBalance insoles customise overleaf, or e-mail them at the following addresses:- your footwear for ultimate fit and comfort so

you can feel better every step of the way. [email protected]

[email protected] Podiatry/Chiropody and Deep Tissue Sports Massage also available.

Roughly speaking, Joan covers Torridge and Jon North Devon including Exmoor NP. Please try and provide as much detail as possible such as Grid reference, Footpath No, Please call for an appointment on:- 01271 858 717/07976 661 032 Parish and even a photo will help! Doing this will make the task of pursuing the complaint with the correct authorities e@mail:- [email protected] or [email protected] quicker and easier to rectify. If you check out the interactive map on:- www.devon.gov.uk/public_rights_of_way.htm and click on the ‘my local paths’ section you can find the footpath Number and parish. If like me you are a map enthusiast, you PLEASE CHECK THE BUS TIMES WITH will find it fascinating. THE TIMETABLE! Walk cancellations Not available when going to print with this Walks Programme. Thank-you! and other queries RAMBLERS TIPS. The North Devon Group warmly welcomes new members. Non-members, especially visitors, are On rare occasions it may be necessary to cancel or alter a welcome to join our walks, which are free. Just turn up! We do however ask regular walkers to join the Ramblers’ after 2-3 walks with us. walk. In such cases, we will decide by the evening before a walk if it will still go ahead. All committee members will be Always have strong footwear and carry waterproof clothing. Bring a packed lunch for early starts. Dogs must be kept on a lead whilst walking across farmland and under Complete Control at all times! Some members meet at Fairview Car park to car share and offer lifts. made aware and we will also endeavour to post an update on We cannot guarantee transport. The suggested, voluntary car share contribution is 8p per person per mile. There is a charge to park at the Home Page of our group website. If there is anything on Fairview Car Park between Monday and Saturday. (8:00am—6:00pm.) which is £1.60 per day at the present time. The time indicated on the programme that you do not understand, be it times, the programme for Fairview is the “LEAVE” time so please turn up with plenty of time to park and share transport if available. The meeting points or bus details, please contact one of the Group will move off at the start time indicated for each walk. You should be ready at least 5-10 minutes before the start to allow committee members with a ‘phone number on the last page for notices to be read and the address by the walks’ leader. of this programme. More walks overleaf DAY DATE MEETING POINT GRID WALK Leave DISTANCE ROUTE LEADER(S) Fairviw CP REF START Barnstaple Miles Sunday 23/08/2015 Meet outside Bple./rail station 9:40. SS 555 326 10:30 N/A 8 Fields, tracks and lanes to & . Start 10.30 am Ray Jenkins (10:00 train to ) Wednesday 26/08/2015 Chetsford Bridge SS 848 419 10:30 09:15 6.5 Great Rowbarrow- Nutscale Water. Max and Dorothy Walker Sunday 30/08/2015 Bossington Car Park. SS 898 480 10:30 09:00 7.5 Bossington Hill-Henners Combe-Selworthy Beacon. Steep ascent. Pamela Selman. Tuesday 01/09/2015 Car Park near LittleCombe Tor SX 521 779 10:30 09:00 9 White Barrow-Bagga Tor-Horndon. Moorland and . Pauline Newbound & . Barbara Hewis Sunday 06/09/2015 Goat Hill 2nd Car Park SS 729 401 10:30 09:30 8 Moles Chamber-Shoulsbury Castle-Squallacombe-Horcombe- Acklands. Tony Trick Wednesday 09/09/2015 Brendon Two Gates SS 765 433 10:30 09:30 4 Hoar Oak -Exehead. Max and Dorothy Walker Sunday 13/09/2015 Whitstone Post SS 855 463 10:30 09:20 8.5 Hawk Combe-Doverhay Down and Porlock. Great views. HILLY!! Janice Hurdle Wednesday 16/09/2015 Nice and Easy. County Gate Car Park SS 793 486 10:30 09:30 3.5 East along Oare Valley-return Yenworthy Common. Optional pub lunch. Julian Tippett Sunday 20/09/2015 Hound Tor Car Park SX 740 792 10:45 09:00 10 Less than Ten Tors and no quaking mires!! Jan Hartshorne Thursday 24/09/2015 Exford Car Park (free) SS 855 383 10:30 09:30 6 Road Hill-Room Hill-Nethercote-Lyncombe. Bryan and Rita Price Sunday 27/09/2015 main Car Park. SS 457 452 10:30 09:45 7.5 Borough Valley-Lee Bay- Bull Point-Morte Point. Farmland & woodland. Clarice Harwood & (£3.50 at time of going to press) Steep in places. Ascent 1885ft. Jayne Ford Tuesday 29/09/2015 Hillsford Bridge NT Car Park SS 739 477 11:00 10:00 5 Myrtlebury Cleave--Watersmeet.Great viewsand steep in Bryan and Rita Price places. Optional cream tea @ NT Watersmeet at finish. Sunday 04/10/2015 Car Park SS 774 394 10:30 09:30 12 Withypool and return.(Figure of eight) so can spilt. Tony Trick Tuesday 06/10/2015 NT Car Park Entrance to Dunsland SS 415 053 10:30 09:15 6.5 Walking through a remote part of Devon. Rare culm grassland and Maggi Rogers House. wildlife. Optional extra mile to view Dunsland House. Sunday 11/10/2015 Tarr Steps Car Park. SS 872 323 11a:m 09:45 7 Walking the River Barle and return. Ray Jenkins Thursday 15/10/2015 Merton Church Car Park SS 526 120 10:30 09:30 8 Dunsbeare-Tarka Trail-Huish. Pauline Newbound & Barbara Hewis. Sunday 18/10/2015 Exford Village Car Park SS 855 383 10:30 09:30 11 Porlock Post-Dunkery Gate- Prescott. Jan Hartshorne Wednesday 21/10/2015 Nice and Easy. Torrington Commons SS 485 193 10:30 09:45 4 Local lanes and tracks around Torrington. John Vooght Car-Park. Optional pub lunch at “The Black Horse” Sunday 25/10/2015 Park & Ride Car Park Newport B/ple. SS 563 319 10:30 N/A 8 -New Bridge-Hall and Bishops Tawton. Brian Tilbury Thursday 29/10/2015 Woody Bay Lower Car Park SS 676 486 10:30 09:30 6 Woody Bay to Hunters Inn. Optional pub lunch halfway round. Linda Lee and Liz Layzell Saturday 07/11/2015 SS 495 191 10:15 09:40 2 Hrs Morning walk in Torrington. Optional Lunch at “The Black Horse Inn” Group AGM followed by the Group AGM at 14:00hrs.

Important advice Your views and contributions

Infected ticks spread Lyme Disease. Now that summer is approaching, it is time to watch out for ticks, which are Any member is welcome to contribute to this newsletter. It would more active in the months between April and October. They can survive in many places but prefer moist, shady be great to hear what you like (or dislike) within the programme; areas such as grass, bracken, bushes and leaf litter. To make it more difficult for ticks to attach themselves to you what you get out of walking; holidays; topical discussions, even a wear shoes or boots rather than sandals and tuck your trousers into your socks. Remember that they can more poem. Just let Joan have your copy before the 1st September for easily be seen on light coloured clothing. Walking down the centre of paths (where possible) avoids their inclusion in our Winter/Spring programme. favourite places. If, after a ramble, you do discover a tick it can be removed with a pair of pointed tweezers but make sure that you remove all of the tick, pull it from the head rather than the body. Squeezing the body only pumps diseased blood back into your system! GROUP COMMITTEE CONTACTS.

Chairman Joan Long. 12, Bradiford, Barnstaple. EX31 4AD………………...... 01271 376 274 Secretary Currently vacant President Joyce Stanley. Honorary Treasurer Max Walker. “Draycote” Goodleigh, Barnstaple. EX32 7NG …...... 01271 342 273 Footpath Officer (Nth Devon) Jon Bennett. 31, Lynbro Road, Pilton. Barnstaple. EX31 1QG …...... 01271 375 906 Footpath Officer (Torridge) Joan Long. 12, Bradiford, Barnstaple. EX31 4AD………………...... 01271 376 274 Walks Programme Secretary Angela Neal. 10a Appletree Gdns, . EX39 3SL ………...... 07720 203 737 Publicity Officer Julian Tippett. 6 Croftswood Villas. Ilfracombe. EX34 9PW…...... …01271 863 727 Membership Secretary Linda Lee………………………………………………………...... …01271 373 638 Committee Member Christine Catlin. …………………………………………………...... 01271 375 670 Committee Member Lynne Clement.