SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMME April – July 2017

www.mendipramblers.co.uk

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Walks in this programme include: Cup of tea walks, one every month: with Val and Trevor, Mary and Jane Marvel at Old Wardour Castle, built in the 1390s: 30 April, Laurence leading Walking The Sarum Way: 7 May, 4 June and 2 July with Bob and Rosemary First stage of the Solent Way: 24 June – Martyn is your leader The Wessex Wanderer walk: join Mike on 15 July

COMMITTEE NEWS

Walk leaders needed If you are a regular walker and at present not leading walks, we need you to come forward and volunteer as a walk leader. If we want to continue presenting our members with a full programme and a great choice of walks, we need walk leaders. Without walk leaders, there wouldn’t be any walks, there wouldn’t be a Mendip Ramblers group. Leading a walk can be a pleasurable experience. After all, it is sharing with others an area or a region of your interest. A landscape in which you enjoy walking. The walks do not have to be brand new ones. It is often very nice to do a trek that has been done before, or done in another season. Or perhaps in the other direction. It is amazing how different a walk looks, done this way. There are over 40 written up walks on our web site, which can be downloaded. There are all the festival walks that have been walked, so somewhere to park should be relatively free of problems. If you would like to lead a walk but do not know on how to go about this, we can offer you an experienced walk leader who can go out with you, pre walk the walk (recce) and help you on the day that you are leading. Every leader will have gone through the process of being unsure about reading maps and/or leading a group of people, but practice makes perfect as they say. After a while you will find that it is exciting to find a route – a new route perhaps – and share it with your fellow walkers in the group.

NEWS

The Amazing Raffle I know the spring/summer programme is all about looking forward, but I just wanted to take you back to December. A huge thank you to the Mendip Ramblers, who with good heart, supported the Christmas lunch raffle by donating prizes and buying draw tickets. Many of you did both. I was able to send £128 to Disabled Ramblers (www.disabledramblers.co.uk), a working charity helping mobility-challenged people get back out into the countryside. Able-bodied helpers support members by loading scooters, providing local knowledge, extra security and many other jobs. Ramblers are graded according to difficulty, some require larger scooters (known as trampers) suitable for rough ground. A lot of time is spent researching routes and planning, and working with authorities to improve access. (Cont’d on page 3)

(photo: Keinton Mandeville church)

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About 30 rambles are run each year across England and Wales – mostly from March to October. The recipient of the money on behalf of the disabled ramblers was Mr. John Cuthbertson, Vice Chairman, Rambles Organiser, Regional Rep Coordinator and Web Officer, based in Worcestershire. I very much look forward to ‘The Raffle’ 2017. Sally

FRIDAY 9th JUNE BARBECUE AT HOLCOMBE VILLAGE HALL Start: 6.30pm Tickets £5 available from Jane and Mary D. Bring your own drink and glass

WALKS

MENDIP RAMBLERS FREE WALKING FESTIVAL 2017 AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND 26th/27th/28th AUGUST New for 2017: two short walks each day. New and inexperienced walkers are welcome. Please see the website (March onwards) for detailed information. On each of the 3 days there will be 3 morning walks, from 3 to 13 miles, starting at 10am and 1 shorter walk, 3-4 miles, starting at 1.30pm. All walks start from: The Sports Pavilion, Back Town, Butleigh, Glastonbury BA6 8SW Explorer Map 141, map reference ST524338 Tea and cake will be available after each walk. Please make a donation! www.mendipramblers.co.uk Any queries, please telephone Martyn on 01761 471891 / [email protected]

The village of Butleigh has an interesting history and some fine buildings. Butleigh Court, which was abandoned for many years and has now been brought back into use, is noted for its interesting architecture including the tall carved chimney stacks, which are all different. The 14th century Church of St. Leonard was restored and extended in the middle of the 19th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building. The Admiral Hood Monument stands on a nearby hill offering fine views of the surrounding Somerset countryside.

The Sarum Way Once again Bob and Rosemary are going to walk a Long Distance Trail. This time it is The Sarum Way, a 35 mile trail around Salisbury. It will be walked in 5 circular legs. The details for the first 3 legs can be found in the walks pages.

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Saturday 24 June 2017 A day on the Hampshire Coast with Martyn In contrast to the spring visit to the Isle of Wight, this coastal walk is the first stage of The Solent Way with splendid views of the Isle of Wight and The Needles. Meet in Lymington High Street at 10:15, ready to catch the 10:35 bus to Milford-on-Sea. The 11 ½ mile walk goes along the coast and shingle bank to Hurst Castle – time will be allowed to visit this historic castle, built by Henry VIII – then back along the shingle bank and then follow the coast path to reach Lymington by the end of the afternoon. Costs: Car parking about £5, bus about £4 if no bus pass, castle entrance (optional) £4.80 adult/£4.50 concession. Please email Martyn Hart if you are coming and more details will be sent out nearer the day.

OTHER (walk) INFORMATION

Quantock Walking Festival – Coleridge Country Sedgemoor Ramblers with Stowey Walking 10 & 11 June 2017 Sedgemoor Ramblers will be holding their second Walking Festival on 10 and 11 June 2017, joined by Stowey Walking. Nether Stowey, now a Walkers are Welcome village, is again our base. Once home to the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the 51 mile Coleridge Way to Lynmouth starts here. There will be a choice of 3 guided walks each day in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walking the hills and combes, open moorland, ancient woodland, cultivated forest trails and coast, stunning views with the possible sighting of Quantock ponies and elusive red deer. With walk leaders keen to share their local knowledge of the area. There will be tea and homemade cake available on your return. Limited numbers apply, so booking is essential. For full information and booking details, see Sedgemoor Ramblers’ website www.sedgemoorramblers.co.uk or phone Alan or Sara on 01278 773730.

Self-booking holiday Saturday 10 –Saturday 17 June 2017 In Dolgellau, Snowdonia, at the start of the beautiful Mawddach estuary. A flexible programme with short walks and long walks, level paths, coastal routes or serious mountain peaks. Possibilities for cycling, bird watching, steam railways ……….

Brittany: Wednesday 20 – Wednesday 27 September 2017 (self-booking) We shall be stopping at ‘Camping Le Frêche à l’Âne’ at Pléboulle in Brittany. http://www.camping-frechealane.com/en/. This has camping as well as mobile homes for rent, and is the same site that we visited in 2016. Pléboulle is about 3 hours drive from Cherbourg (ferry from either Portsmouth or Poole), and 1 hour from St Malo (ferry from Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth or Weymouth. The site has panoramic views of the valley and surrounding countryside, and is about 1km from the sea. Please tell us if you have an interest in attending so that we can judge demand. Tony and Jane Dyson

One step at a time is good walking Chinese proverb

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MENDIP RAMBLERS EXTRA WALKS

Thursday: West Mendip Walkers. Every Thursday Tony Strange arranges walks for this sub group of Mendip Ramblers. Details are on the website. Sunday: Frome Rights of Way. Every second Sunday of the month there is an afternoon walk. Members of Mendip Ramblers walk with this group. Frome Rights of Way is not affiliated to the Ramblers. Contact Mike Plaskitt on 01373 472101 or Les Stather on 07768 556735.

COMMITTEE 2017:

Chair: Mike Plaskitt [email protected] 01373 472101 Secretary: Janet Morland [email protected] 01458 835238 Web Master: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Assisted by Tony Dyson) Treasurer: Tony Dyson [email protected] 01761 232715 Footpath Officer East: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Footpath Officer West: Brian Underwood [email protected] 01749 672457 Membership Secretary: Mary Davis [email protected] 01749 342285 Press Secretary/Publicity Officer: Elaine Dadley [email protected] 01275 461017 Social Committee: Mary and Jane [email protected] 01761 232715 Area Committee Rep: Les Stather [email protected] 07768 556735 Programme Co-ordinator: Peggy Fortunati [email protected] 01278 783270 Committee Members: Jane Dyson [email protected] 01761 232715 Martyn Hart [email protected] 01761 471891 Nancy Moynihan [email protected] 01749 672996 Mo Bennett [email protected] 07387 088151 Catherine Fitzgerald [email protected] 07879 821977 Colin Glibbery [email protected] 01749 678853

Monday 6th June 2017: Please submit your walks for the next programme

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Sun 02/04/2017 Moderate. Burrington Ham, Beacon Batch, Rowberrow, Jo Time: 10:00 Dolebury Fort. Meet: Bottom of Burrington Combe, car 01749 870813 EX141 park where garden centre used to be. 07932 728617 BS40 7AS, ST477590 Distance: 10.6mi/17.1km Mon 03/04/2017 Easy. Cup of tea walk Stratton-on-the-Fosse Trevor & Val L Time: 13:30 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 4QH, ST658510 07976 629342 Distance: 3.5mi/5.6km Thu 06/04/2017 Moderate. Ditcheat and Lamyatt Roger Time: 10:00 Meet: Ditcheat, Harvester Yard or on road near church 07803 791414 EX142 BA4 6RB, ST624363 Distance: 7mi/11.3km Sun 09/04/2017 Moderate. Warren's Hill, Blackdown, Winterhead and Jo Time: 10:00 Cheddar Wood nature reserve 01749 870813 EX141 Meet: Bottom of Warrens Hill. Parking on road 07932 728617 BS27 3LN, ST457541 Distance: 9.9mi/15.9km Thu 13/04/2017 Moderate. Witham Friary circle Kevin Time: 10:00 Meet: Witham Friary Football ground 01458 830319 EX142 BA11 5HF, ST744410 07816 842127 Distance: 5.5mi/8.9km Sun 16/04/2017 Easter Sunday Thu 20/04/2017 Moderate. Stoke St Michael area Gus Time: 10:00 Stoke St Michael, Frog Lane car park 01749 840349 EX142 BA3 5JL, ST660471 07840 926769 Distance: 6.5mi/10.5km Sun 23/04/2017 Moderate. Chewton Mendip and Old Down Gus Time: 10:00 Meet: Binegar Memorial Hall . Please share cars as 01749 840349 EX141/EX142 much as possible. 07840 926769 BA3 4TR, ST620492 Distance: 11mi/17.7km Thu 27/04/2017 Moderate. Around Stratton-on-the-Fosse Trevor & Val L Time: 10:00 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 4QH, ST658510 07976 629342 Distance: 6mi/9.7km Sun 30/04/2017 Moderate. Win Green to Old Wardour Castle Laurence Time: 10:00 Meet: Win Green car park 01373 452294 EX118 SP7 0EP, ST922204 07568 584994 Distance: 13mi/20.9km

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Mon 01/05/2017 Leisurely. Cup of tea walk Wedmore Mary D Time: 13:45 Meet: Wedmore, free car park off Cheddar Rd (B3151) 01749 342285 EX141 BS28 4EE, ST437481 07951 467453 Distance: 3.8mi/6.1km Thu 04/05/2017 Moderate. Glastonbury, Havyatt, Wick and the Tor Tony P Time: 10:00 Meet: Glastonbury, Bretenoux Road (end of road, at 01749 342285 EX141 Chalice Way) 07752 689629 BA6 8LZ, ST505380 Distance: 6.5mi/10.5km Sun 07/05/2017 Moderate. The Sarum Way: Britford circular Bob & Rosemary Time: 10:00 Meet: Britford Park & Ride 01749 346023 EX130 SP2 8FH, SU153280 Distance: 13mi/20.9km Thu 11/05/2017 Moderate. West Pennard to Washing Stones Gully and Francoise Time: 10:00 Whitial Combe 01458 831823 EX141 Meet: West Pennard Village Hall BA6 8RT, ST548381 Distance: 6mi/9.7km Sun 14/05/2017 Moderate. Horner to Dunkery Beacon Janet Time: 10:00 Meet: Horner NT car park 01458 835238 OL9 TA24 8HY, SS898454 07706 181609 Distance: 12.5mi/20.1km Thu 18/05/2017 Moderate. Stawell, Bawdrip, Cossington Kevin Time: 10:00 Meet: King's Sedgemoor Drain, Parchey Bridge, 01458 830319 EX140 between Stawell and Chedzoy 07816 842127 TA7 8RW, ST351378 Distance: 5.8mi/9.3km Sun 21/05/2017 Moderate. Stourhead and Mere Mike P Time: 10:00 Meet: Stourhead NT car park 01373 472101 EX142 BA12 6SH, ST778339 07711 090656 Distance: 11.4mi/18.3km Thu 25/05/2017 Moderate. Around Alfred's Tower Mike P Time: 10:00 Meet: Alfred's Tower NT car park 01373 472101 EX142 BA10 0JS, ST748353 07711 090656 Distance: 6mi/9.7km Sun 28/05/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Thu 01/06/2017 Moderate. Packsaddle, Orchardleigh, River Frome Mo Time: 10:00 Meet: Frome, Grange Road. Park in road 07387 088151 EX142 BA11 2HS, ST781491 Distance: 6.5mi/10.5km Sun 04/06/2017 Moderate. The Sarum Way: Wilton circular Bob & Rosemary Time: 10:00 Meet: car park in Bemerton, Lower Road 01749 346023 EX130 SP2 9NP, SU120305 Distance: 14.5mi/23.3km Mon 05/06/2017 Easy. Cup of tea walk Stratton-on-the-Fosse Trevor & Val Time: 14:00 Meet: Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall 01761 232311 EX142 BA3 4QH, ST658510 07976 629342 Distance: 3.5mi/5.6km Thu 08/06/2017 Moderate. Circular walk from Compton Dando Martyn H Time: 10:00 Meet: Compton Dando, roadside parking 01761 471891 EX155 BS39 4JZ, ST645644 07986 621017 Distance: 7mi/11.3km SATURDAY 10 to SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2017: SELF-BOOKING HOLIDAY DOLGELLAU, SNOWDONIA Sun 11/06/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES Thu 15/06/2017 Moderate. Ebbor Rocks and Deerleap Margaret P Time: 10:00 Meet: Ebbor Gorge NT car park 01761 232042 EX141 BA5 1EL, ST520484 07910 873853 Distance: 6.3mi/10.1km Sun 18/06/2017 Moderate. Black Rock, Cheddar Head and Rodney Stoke Claris Time: 10:00 Meet: Black Rock Gate 07811 242061 EX141 BS40 7XT, ST482545 Distance: 9.5mi/15.3km Thu 22/06/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES Sat 24/06/2017 Moderate. The Solent Way, 1st stage: Milford-on-Sea to Martyn H Time: 10:15 Lymington via Hurst Castle. Catch the bus in Lymington 01761 471891 OL22 to go to Milford-on-Sea. Walk from Milford-on-Sea back 07986 621017 to Lymington via Hurst Castle. Meet: Lymington, bus stop near the Post Office in High Street SO41 9ZP, SZ324955 Distance: 11.5mi/18.5km Sun 25/06/2017 Moderate. Circular around the City of Wells Roger Time: 10:00 Meet: Wells, east end of Ash Lane (near Old Bristol 07803 791414 EX141 Road) BA5 2LW, ST549464 Distance: 11mi/17.7km

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Date & time Grade, description, start, coordinates, distance Leader Thu 29/06/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES Sun 02/07/2017 Moderate. The Sarum Way: Old Sarum circular Bob & Rosemary Time: 10:00 Meet at Old Sarum Castle car park 01749 346023 EX130 SP1 3SD, SU139326 Distance: 13mi/20.9km Mon 03/07/2017 Moderate. Cup of tea walk Midsomer Norton Jane Time: 13:45 Meet: Back entrance of Holly Court, Midsomer Norton 01761 232715 EX142 BA3 2DW, ST666543 07922 233401 Distance: 3.8mi/6.1km Thu 06/07/2017 Moderate. Stourhead Estate Jane Time: 10:00 Meet: Stourhead NT car park (charge of £4 for non- 01761 232715 EX142 members) 07922 233401 BA12 6SH, ST778339 Distance: 6.5mi/10.5km Sun 09/07/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES Thu 13/07/2017 Moderate. Ditcheat and East Pennard Roger Time: 10:00 Meet: Ditcheat, Harvester Yard or on road near church 07803 791414 EX142 BA4 6RB, ST624363 Distance: 7mi/11.3km Sat 15/07/2017 Moderate. Wessex Wanderer Walk Mike P Time: 10:00 Meet: Bruton Station 01373 472101 EX142 BA10 0DX, ST687348 07711 090656 Distance: 10mi/16.1km Sun 16/07/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES Thu 20/07/2017 Moderate. Henton, Fenny Castle and Knowle Hill Brian U Time: 10:00 Meet: Henton Village Hall 01749 672457 EX141 BA5 1PD, ST496453 07476 797446 Distance: 6.5mi/10.5km Sun 23/07/2017 Moderate. Ditcheat, Lottisham, Parbrook Roger Time: 10:00 Meet: Ditcheat, Harvester Yard or on road near church 07803 791414 EX BA4 6RB, ST624363 Distance: 11.8mi/19km Thu 27/07/2017 Moderate. Batcombe circular Tony P Time: 10:00 Meet: Batcombe Church 01749 342285 EX142 BA4 6HE, ST690390 07752 689629 Distance: 7mi/11.3km Sun 30/07/2017 NO WALK HAS BEEN OFFERED. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES

******SORRY, THERE IS NO SOMERSET RAMBLER THIS TIME ******

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MENDIP RAMBLERS walks are open to anyone interested. Newcomers are welcome to join us for two or three walks without commitment. After that they may be asked to become a member of the Ramblers. Our programme aims to give full and accurate details of our walks so that members can choose walks to their liking and within their capabilities. We have regular Thursday and Sunday walks. Sometimes Friday walks. We have social events, weekends away and holidays. All details are in the programme. Where: We walk almost anywhere in Mendip and surrounding areas. Routes avoid roads as far as possible, using footpaths and bridleways. What time and how long: Thursday walks start at 10.00am and are usually about 6 miles, finishing at around 2pm. They are walked at a slower pace than the Sunday walks. We have a coffee stop at 11am and a lunch break at around 12.30 or 1pm. Sunday walks start at 10.00am and are usually about 10 miles, finishing at around 4.00pm. They are walked at a faster pace than our Thursday walks. We have a coffee stop at 11am and a lunch break at around 12.30 or 1pm. We may also stop for a short mid- afternoon break on our longer walks. Terrain: Walks are labelled as flat, undulating or hilly. Mud should be expected except in urban areas. Meeting for a walk: The grid reference on the walk programme is the official meeting point. The postcode is also given; this is an approximate indicator to the starting point. Walks start on time, so be there at least 10 minutes early to give you time to get ready. Refreshments on walks: Bring food and drink with you for the morning stop and the lunch break. Having enough fluids with you is important on hot days. Clothing: It is essential to wear stout footwear (walking boots) for most of the year and to carry windproof and waterproof clothing. Walk leaders: The leader sets the pace of the walk. Walkers are expected to stay behind him or her. All walk leaders are volunteers, who have given their time to survey the walk as well as lead it on the day. Each leader chooses his/her own walk, and usually surveys it with another group member. We are always pleased to hear from people who might want to lead. If you would like to find out what it involves, talk to any leader or the Programme Co-ordinator. Dogs: Dogs – well behaved and under control - are welcome on our walks. If in doubt, ring the walks leader to confirm.

The Charity Working for Walkers Charity number 1093577 Company limited by guarantee 4458492 - www.ramblers.org.uk

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