Walks Programme Totnes Group of and newsletter the Ramblers Autumn/Winter 2019/20
Chairman: Andrew Chadwick 07496 18925 Notice of Annual General Meeting. Group Secretary: The 2019 AGM will take place at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel on October Pat Hillier 01803 732620 [email protected] 29th (6.30pm for 7.00pm). Drinks will be served prior to the meeting. Please make every effort to attend. The minutes of last year’s AGM are Treasurer: Chris Leigh included on pages 7 to 10 for you to read before the meeting. [email protected] 01803 732525 Christmas dinner per person for a double Walks Co-ordinators: This year’s Christmas room’ (Sundays) Gayfere & Grahame Dinner will be held at Deposits of £70 per 01364 643116 The Dainton Golf person to be paid at the (Sunday - long) Club on Thursday AGM Trevor Walker. See below December 5th (7.00 (Wednesday - Long) for 7.30pm) price £25 per person for a Brian & Phyllis three course meal and coffee afterwards. September Holiday [email protected] Starting Thursday 3rd September 2020 01803 863601 Please let Val know if you wish to attend, and pay at the AGM or by with overnight ferry to St Malo. (Wednesday - Short) Friday 4th September to Tuesday 8th Bed November 23rd. Choices of menu to be Sue 01803 868387 and Breakfast and Evening Meal at De La Cite Tina 01803 865385 made nearer the time. [email protected] Hotel in St Malo Brittany Price to be confirmed but around 80 Euros Footpath Officer: Dutch Supper per person in a double room and 110 Euros Trevor Walker 6.30pm for 7.00pm at the Totnes 01803 782348 per person in a single room. Ferry cost for [email protected] Boating Association’s club house, foot passengers around £110 to £160 going th Membership & Steamer Quay on February 11 . Please on this year’s prices. Communications bring a plate of food, per person to Stanley Oldfield 01803 864654 We will fill cars and park cars for 5 nights [email protected] share. at the Port Car Park. Prices £12 per night Web Site on this year’s prices.. www.ramblers.org.uk/totnes Short Break There will be a 4 night break from NB. We will need to know numbers definitely Webmaster th th Nigel Grant 01803 844899 Sunday June 7 to Thursday June 11 at the AGM together with a deposit of £150 [email protected] at the Hatherley Manor Hotel and Spa, per person in a double and £200 for a single. Social Secretary Gloucester GL2 9QA. Prices are Val Coish, 01803 862564, £425.00 per single room and £280.00 A final total will be given later in the New [email protected] Year.
You will find the walks section now has extra columns labelled ‘group’ and ‘diff’ The codes for the walk difficulty are: EA for easy access; E for easy; L for leisurely; M for moderate; S for strenuous; T for technical. And the group codes are: SLW Sunday long walk; SSW Sunday short walk; WLW Wednesday long walk, and WSW Short walk Payments All payments, unless stated otherwise, should be paid to the Totnes Social account. Direct, on line, payment is the preferred method of payment. The account details are – Totnes Social, sort code 30 98 69, account no 01825824. Please let Val Coish and Chris Leigh know by email when you have made a payment, with details of the event that the payment is for. Alternatively, payments can be made by cheque payable to ‘Totnes Social’, with the event that it is in payment for written on the back. Cheques should be sent to Val at 4 Hilldown, Totnes. TQ9 5RE. If, exceptionally, a cash payment is made, the cash should be placed in an envelope and given to Val. Please write your name and the event that the payment is for on the envelope.
Notes on walking with the Totnes Group can be found elsewhere in this publication and are also on the national web site at www.ramblers.org.uk/totnes you should look at both walking etiquette and guide for walkers and leaders
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales, registration no 4458492. Registered charity in England and Wales: 1093577. Registered charity in Scotland: SC039799. Registered office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House,87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. page 1 TOTNES RAMBLERS WALKS Oct 2019 -Apr 2020 (see front page for explanation of group and difficulty codes) Date Day Group Start G.R. Miles Diff. Info. Leader Pork Hill CP Western fringe of Dartmoor : up-and-down moorland Patricia C 02/10/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 530751 9 M circular, plus Tavy Villages. Money for Tea/Drink stop before end of 01752 845881 walk Haytor Lower Car Park (fee) Haytor Vale, Templer Way, Smallacombe Bob A 02/10/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 765771 5 M Rocks 01803 605147 Bantham CP (£2). Stiddicombe Wood, West Buckland, Sue H & Trish M 06/10/19 Sun SLW 10:30 SX665437 9.5 M Whitlocksworthy, South Milton, 01803 865716 Thurlestone Sand/Golf course
Swallerton Gate CP - Hound Tor, Beckaford, Bowerman's Nose. (Dogs 06/10/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 739792 6.5 M Andrew Chadwick on short leads permitted). 07496 189258 Cold East Cross CP: Buckland Beacon, Cockingford Bridge, Wind Tor Greg Mc G 09/10/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 740742 9 M and Pudsham Down. A moderate walk. 07976 271512 Blackawton Village Hall CP. Woodford,Ritson, Grimpstone, Bowden. Carol F 09/10/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 804509 5.5 M Dogs on leads permitted 01803 867963 Sue and Trish 01803 Yartor Down CP - Sharp Tor, Ponsworthy, Jordan, East/West 13/10/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 680733 7 M 865716 07712 355 Shallowford, Sherwell. Moorland villages, riverside paths and tracks. 063 Slapton (restricted parking opposite Caravan Club site).•Walk to A379 catch No 3 at 10:49am bus to Dartmouth. Walk start Dartmouth No3 Anna L & Heather 16/10/19 Wed WLW 10:30 SX 824447 9 M dropoff point. Coastal walk from Dartmouth to Slapton. Some steep ascents & descents. Linear Walk, bus passes reqd. W• 01803 762751
Sue and Ken P 16/10/19 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow 01803 842842 Stover Country Park CP (Fee) - Templar Way, Heathfield, Great Carol Flood 20/10/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 833749 6 L Plantation. (Dogs on leads permitted). 01803 867963
Sue H & Trish M 23/10/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 743900 8.5 M Fingle Bridge, Drewston Wood, Rectory Wood, Piddledown Common 01803 865716 (let's hope it doesn't), Hunters Tor, Whiddon. Moderate but Challenging. Jim J 23/10/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 519651 6 M Car Park near Clearbrook, Yelverton and Roborough. Dogs on leads 01626 337159
Shipley Bridge CP (free) - Dartmoor Way via Avon Dam and Abbotts 27/10/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 681629 7 M Trevor W Way. Return via Bloody Pool and Didworthy. (Dogs on leads permitted). 01803 782348 Parking Opp. Track to Little Mis Tor. Hillside, Routrundle, Black Tor, Nigel G 01803 30/10/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 560749 8.5 M King’s Tor. Mod 844899 South Milton Sands NT CP, coastal footpath to Bantham Ham, Andrew C 30/10/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 710373 5.5 M Thurlestone. Dogs on lead 07496 189258 Little Staple CP, Sampford Spiney, Little Huckworthy, Walkhampton, Graham B 07970 03/11/19 Sun SLW 10:30 SX540750 9 M Merrivale 785075 Gayfere and Franklin Totnes Trail starting at the plains - Fishchowters Lane, 03/11/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX806603 6.3 M Grahame Jackmans Lane, River Dart. (Dogs on leads permitted 07831379944 Travel to Corbyn Head using the Gold bus leaving Seven Stars Hotel, 09:40 Totnes at 09.48 arriving Corbyn head 10.25. Otherwise drive and park Totne behind Torquay Railway Station. Start time - 10.30 S D C P. Daddyhole Judy F.• 07510 06/11/19 Wed WLW SX 907633 8.5 M s Bus Plain, Thatcher Rock, Walls Hill, Quinta Rd, Torwood Gdns. Moderate 469878 Stop Circular One very steep climb. Bus return from Torquay Strand or walk back to car. Cattle Market CP. Old coast road to Salcombe, bus back to Kingsbridge Rita and Tony C 06/11/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 734438 5 M Bring bus passes Dogs on leads 01548 856986 Shipley Bridge CP - Tramway up Quickbeam Hill, to join Two Moors 10/11/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 681629 7 Way; return by Franklin Bridge and Avon Dam. (Dogs on leads Steve Town permitted). 01803 840504.
Ringmore NT car park. Coast path west to Wonwell Beach, Fursedown Barbara and Chris L 13/11/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 650457 9 M Wood, Kingston, South Langston, Marwell Cross. 07733 014533
St Mary's Church, Cofton Lane, Cofton. Parking along Cofton Lane. Judy and Trevor F 13/11/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 968803 6 M Route Cofton , Black Forest. Dogs on leads 07510 469878 Manaton CP (Fee) - Towards Becky Falls, Clam Bridge, Lustleigh, Ali Tickner 17/11/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 749812 7 M Foxworthy. (Dogs on leads permitted). 01803 732716 Starting Manaton church CP. Foxworthy bridge, Hunter Torr, Terry & Hazel B 20/11/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 749812 9 M Hammerslake, Combe edge, Lustleigh, the Rudge, Lustleigh Cleave. 01803 553910 Moderate Circular
Meet Berry Head CP. Coast path to Man Sands, back via Hillhead, Steve T 20/11/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 934547 5 M Southdown Cross. Dogs on leads. Descent to Man Sands quite steep 01803 840504
Bovey Tracy Station Road CP (Fee) - Shaptor Woods, Bovey valley, Old Tammy T 24/11/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 814782 6 M railway line. (Dogs on leads permitted) 01803 605459 Graham B 27/11/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 568689 8.6 M Narrator Plantation CP - Nun's Cross, Sheepstor, Burrator Reservoir 07970 785075 Sally B 01803 Stover CP (£3.00 fee), Stover Country park, mostly on the level, tracks 27/11/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 835752 6 M 867561 Tina B and lanes. Dogs on lead 01803 865385 Val C 01/12/19 Sun SLW 10:30 SX944732 10 M Teignmouth East Cliff CP (fee), Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Holcombe 01803 862564 Aveton Gifford CP by shop- Combe, Ashford, Waterhead Bridge, Tidal Suzi Donabie 01/12/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 693478 7 M road. Dogs on leads permitted 01803813516 Aveton Gifford, Were Down, Ringmore, Cockleridge, Lincombe. Steep Peter W. 04/12/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 692472 9 M ascents and descents. 01803 782450 Park in lay-by near Slapton Ley Field Study Centre. Along edge of Sally D 04/12/19 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 825447 5.5 M Slapton Ley, Watergate Langford, Alston Cross, Pittaford,Slapton 01548 821714 Village. Dogs on lead Berry Pomeroy Church - Castle, Pig & Whistle, Littlehempston. (Dogs on Sally and Val 01803 08/12/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 829610 5.5 M leads permitted). 867561 Outer hope Cove CP (fee). South Milton Sands, Bantham Ham, Andrew C 11/12/19 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 676401 8.5 M Bantham, Thurlestone. Moderate, 07496 189258 11/12/19 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow Street parking in Ivybridge at top of Cornwood Road near small Gayfere and 15/12/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 624567 6.5 M roundabout - Henlake Down, Hall Cross, Hanger Down. (Dogs on leads Grahame permitted). 07831379944 WLW 18/12/19 Wed & 10:00 M PRE CHRISTMAS WALK DETAILS TO FOLLOW WSW
Burrator Quarry CP - (PL20 6PH) Follows Devonport leat on to Leather Phil S 07745624822 22/12/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 549677 5.5 M Tor Bridge, Nosworthy Bridge, Arboretum, Skirts Sheepstor, returns to [email protected] CP via waters edge and dam. (Dogs on leads permitted). k 25/12/19 Wed 10:00 M NO WALK Christmas Day Val & Sally RSPB Exminster marshes CP (free) - Turf lock, Powderham, Kenton. 29/12/19 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 954872 6 M 01803 868565 (Dogs on leads permitted).
01/01/20 Wed NO WALK New Years Day Trevor W 01803 05/01/20 Sun SLW 10:30 SX784794 8 M Reddaford CP, Ravens Tor, Foxworthy, Water, Houndtor woods 782348
Stokenham School (Street parking) - Beesands, Torcross. (Dogs on 05/01/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 804429 6 M Rita & Tony Collins. leads permitted). 01548856986 New Year Pub Walk Rattery CP. A circular walk along footpaths and Phyllis & Brian W 08/01/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 739613 ? M lanes followed by a New Year Drink in The Church House Inn 01803 863601
08/01/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow Malborough CP (free) - Soar Mill Cove, South Sands, Collaton. (Dogs on Trevor W 12/01/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 710397 7.5 M leads permitted). 01803782348 Totnes bus stop 09:43 bus to Livermead House Hotel Torquay. Walk SX 805603 Liza D & Heather W 15/01/20 Wed WLW 09:30 10 M starts @ 10:30 corner Hotel/Cockington Lane. Walk back to Totnes via SX 904629 07939 944860 lanes & footpaths Park at top of Jubilee Rd. Berry Pomeroy, Gatcombe Brook, Bourton. Sue and John S 15/01/20 Wed WSW 00:00 SX 815606 5.5 M Dogs on lead 01803 868387 Ashburton CP - Whiddon Scrubbs, Owlacombe Cross. (Dogs on leads Heather W 19/01/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 755699 5.5 M permitted). 07596726630 22/01/20 Wed WLW 10:00 M Park at Curtisknowle House. Wheeldon, Broadlley, Bickham Bridge, Sally D 22/01/20 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 738539 5 M Gara Bridge, Curtisknowle. Dogs on lead 01548 821714
Burrator Quarry CP (PL20 6PH) - Meavy, Lovaton, Ringmoor Cottage, Phil S 07745624822 26/01/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 549677 6.5 M Yeo farm, Sheepstor, Burrator Dam.(Dogs on leads permitted). [email protected] k 29/01/20 Wed WLW 10:00 M details to follow 29/01/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details tofollow Leonards Rd CP (£2.10). Ivybridge, Two Moors Way, Spurrells Cross, Nigel G 01803 02/02/20 Sun SLW 10:00 SX636560 8 M Harford, River Erme 844899 Sue and John 02/02/20 Sun SSW 10:30 M tba 07375812774 Decoy Country Park (£), Abbotskerswell, Whilborough Common, Greg Mc G 05/02/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 866702 11 M Coffinswell, Haccombe and Milber. A moderate walk with some steep 07976 271512 ascents. 05/02/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow
Bellever forest CP (PL20 6TH) - Bellever Tor, Cairn Circle, Dunnabridge Phil S 07745624822 09/02/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 646787 6.5 M Pound, Laughter Tor, Bellever, return to CP. May be reversed. (Dogs on [email protected] leads permitted). k
Malborough village hall car park. Southdown Farm, Bolberry Down, Bolt Barbara and Chris L 12/02/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 710398. 8 M Tail, Inner Hope, 07733 014533 12/02/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow
Trenchford Reservoir CP (Fee) - Three reservoirs walk. (Dogs on leads 16/02/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 804823 6 M Rita & Tony Collins. permitted). 01548856986 Peter W. 19/02/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 917758 8 M Little Haldon, Haldon Park, Luton, Rixdale, Merry Pool. 01803 782450 Tina B 01803 19/02/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow 865385 Sally B 01803 867561
Ayrmer Cove NT CP (Donation) - Ringmore, Bigbury Village, Hexdown, 23/02/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 649456 6.5 M Sandra and Elaine Bigbury-on-Sea, Challaborough. (Dogs on leads permitted) 07949476919 Newbridge car park fee £2.00 Holne, Hembury Woods, Newbridge, Val C 01803 26/02/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 711709 9 M Spitchwick, Leusdon, Dr Blackalls drive 862564 Park in Harbertonford Village Hall CP. Rolster Bridge, Harberton Sue and John S 26/02/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M Luscombe. Dogs on lead 01803 868387 Shipley Bridge CP, Ball Gate, Two Moors Way to Cross Way, Old Phil S 07745 01/03/20 Sun SLW 10:30 SX681629 9 M Tramway over Brent Moor 624822
Street Parking Galmpton Manor Inn - Greenway, Galmpton Creek, 01/03/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 889563 6.5 M Ali Tickner 01803 Broadsands, Churston. Figure of 8 walk. (Dogs on leads permitted). 732716
Trevor W 04/03/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 751861 11;5 M Court St CP (free) Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor Way via Butterdon Hill 01803 782348 and Castle Drogo to Chagford. Return via Batworthy.
Exminster walk. Deepway Green free CP, Exminster. Situated beside a Judy and Trevor F 04/03/20 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 944876 6 M footpath sign and parish centre. Walk Deep Pottles Lane, Orange 07510 487896 Elephant, Little Silver. Some gradients and stiles.Dogs on leads
Val Coish Widecombe CP - Widecombe, Natsworthy Valley, Bell Tor, Venton, 08/03/20 Sat SSW 10:30 SX 718768 6.3 M 01803862564 Dunstone. (Dogs on short leads permitted). 07443394994 Parking Scorriton Village Hall (£2 min per car Donation), Holne, Nigel G 11/03/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 703686 8;5 M Michelcombe, Sandy Way, Petre’s Bound Stone, Pupers Hill, Chalk 01803 844899 Ford. Some ascents & descents, Mod Park at Hingston Farm down the lane from Hingston Post. Kelleton Sally D 11/03/20 Wed WSW 11:00 SX 779502 5 M Cross, Pasture Cross, Seecombe, Hutcherleigh, Woodford Lower 01548 821714 Cliston. Dogs on lead Sue and Trish 01803 Fingle Bridge - Hannicombe Wood, Whiddon Wood. Riverside / Gorge 15/03/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 743900 6 M 865716 07712 355 walk. 063 Tamar Trails car park £2.40 per day, Gulsworthy.An undulating Patricia C 18/03/20 Wed WLW 10:00 SX 438728 8;5 M woodland walk in the Tamar Valley to Morwellham Quay and 01752 845881 Maddacleave Woods, with some mining interest along the way.
18/03/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details to follow. East Portlemouth and gara Rock Ceia M and Carol F
Ringmore NT CP - Toby's Point, Ayrmer Cove, Westcombe Beach, Kingston Sue and John 22/03/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 650457 6 M (Dogs on short leads permitted). 07375812774
Totnes Station 8.49am Train to Looe 8mile Linear coast path walk From Sue H & Trish M 25/03/20 Wed WLW 08:35 SX 801609 8 M Looe to Polperro returning to Looe by bus from Crumplethorn. Moderate 01803 865716 with some steep ascents/descents. Train tickets and bus passes required. Returning to Totnes approx 6.30pm. 25/03/20 Wed WSW 11:00 M details fo follow Bernie T 29/03/20 Sun SSW 10:30 SX 806603 6 M The Plains, Totnes - Riverside walk to Dartington, Deer Park walk. 01803 862286
Dates for your diary. Walk leaders: The next programme will run from April 2020 to the end of September 2020. Your walks coordinator will need your walks before the end of February so that the programme can be prepared and distributed in time for the start of April.
Walks Coordinators: Your walks programme should be sent to Nigel at the start of March so that the walks can be published on the web and the programme finalised.
Many thanks for your cooperation A little something Extra
Andrew and Pat who are retiring from office at the AGM
Andrew Pat Andrew, who has been our chairman for four years is After seven years as secretary, Pat is finally putting not standing for re-election at next month’s A.G.M. down her pen. This will give him more time to devote to his chairmanship of the Ramblers’ Devon Area Committee. She has walked regularly for many years on the long walks, and now joins the short walkers on a During his period of office with us, he has overseen the Wednesday. complex planning of the use of the Franklin legacy, Many of you will have been on her ‘mince pie’ walked with all our various groups, joined us on short walks - a regular feature on our programmes around holidays walking breaks and social events. Christmas time. It was Andrew who, with Greg, organised our first short Happy retirement Pat, and keep on walking! walking break in France which has since become a popular event.
We will not be losing him completely as he will still be a Totnes group member. We wish him well, and success in his work with Area.
A secretary's tasks are many and varied!
Page 5 Now where is this? A clue would be that the area was visited by the short walkers during July 2015, the long walkers during January 2018 and the Sunday walkers during August 2018. So there’s no excuses. Where is it?
Answer at bottom of back page
Do you remember this one? Here we are queueing for the loo, but where and what was the walk?
Need a new Smartphone? We have until January 2026 to save our historic rights of way. If you do a lot of walking and need a new Smartphone you may have missed an item in last Well over 140,000 miles of public paths criss-cross Spring’s Walk magazine. England and Wales. This network has evolved over centuries with many paths dating back to medieval There’s an Android Smartphone which can times - or earlier! These paths link villages, hamlets, withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, can remain roads and towns – they describe how generations underwater for up to half an hour without damage, before us travelled to the pub, field or shops and reflect and the touch screen can be operated with damp the changing patterns of human interaction with the fingers or while wearing gloves – ideal for walkers. landscape. To this day, millions of people across our towns, cities and countryside, use this fantastic It’s the RugGear RG650. It weighs 196g and its network. However, miles and miles of our public paths dimensions (in millimetres) are 152x75.5x12.5 are unrecorded and if they are not put on the map by 1 January 2026, they will be lost for ever. Why not do a search for it to find out more if you’re Download the Ramblers’ guide to this campaign by interested. Amazon were selling it at £178 together clicking on the link below below and get started on with a selection of other cheaper RugGear the hunt for lost rights of way in our area waterproof phones. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with- us/dont-lose-your-way-2026.aspx
Page 6 TOTNES RAMBLERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23 OCTOBER 2018 MINUTES
The Chairman opened the meeting by giving a warm welcome to all those in attendance. APOL0GIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Trevor Walker, Liz Balkwill, Ron Coish, Judy & Trevor Fine, Gayfere Stanley, Stanley Oldfield, Sally Van Cruyningen and Rose Marie Duffield. MINUTES OF THE 2017 AGM were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Firstly, I would like to report that our group remains thriving and welcoming. Our committee works very efficiently and informally and our members all contribute enthusiastically to our various activities. Our core walking activities on Wednesdays and Sundays have all run very successfully again this year. Our new long Sunday walks, once a month, has proved a useful addition to our waking programme. Our membership remains steady at just over 140, with 16 new members joining this year. I would like to personally thank our walks co-ordinators for organising the excellent walks programme and walk leaders for providing us all with such varied and interesting walks. I would also like to thank Stanley, our membership secretary, for coping with all the walk changes and other information so effectively distributed by email, My thanks go to our footpath officer, Trevor Walker, who has undertaken this post with much enthusiasm. Many thanks also to Pat Hillier for keeping good records of our meeting and involvement in organising the AGM. Our walking group has an excellent web site, which consistently has one of the biggest hit rates amongst the Devon groups. My thanks go to Nigel for uploading our walks to the web site and updating, as necessary. Our finances are in a very healthy state and have been professionally managed by Chris. As usual, we have benefited from an active and varied social programme, which continues to be very well supported. My thanks go to Val Coish for her energy and enthusiasm in organising these activities. Our very successful and enjoyable short break walking holidays continued this year, walking the Brittany coastline around Camaret sur Mer, the Avon trail and the Isle of Wight. We also enjoyed the short break holiday to Barnstable. These activities are set to continue next year, with exciting new destinations. My thanks go to Chris, Sue and Val for organising these activities. Our Footpath Officer has reported that “All paths in Totnes and Berry Pomeroy were walked and minor problems were reported to and fixed by Devon County Council. Councils consulted Totnes Ramblers on several path issues. Members views were sought on the Baltic Wharf diversion and an objection submitted which led to the developer withdrawing the proposal. An objection was also made to a proposal to use Fishchowters Lane for access to a new development and a letter of support was sent to the Dartington Quiet Lanes Team.” Any footpath problems should be reported to Trevor. During the year, I have been involved with a large number of things, as chairman of the group. Three things in particular have required much attention. Firstly, our group had responsibility for organising the Devon Area AGM. Despite the inclement weather and muddy footpath conditions, I led a successful morning walk and Pat and I organised the arrangements with Buckfast Abbey Conference centre. Secondly, we undertook a consultation exercise with all our members concerning the proposed financial contribution to the Dartmoor Way project. This enabled us to get a clear view from all our membership about the matter. Thirdly, we were faced with implementing the new Data Protection Act. This required considerable background work on my part. The outcome was a successful implementation for our group, in which I was ably assisted by Stanley and our walks co-ordinators. Pat and I have also attended the quarterly Devon Area meetings. Last year, our group was involved in several new initiatives, including the South West Coast Path challenge and the Festivals of Winter Walks and Summer Walks. This year, the festival of winter walks will continue, organised by Central Office and some new walk leader training courses, offered in Devon, will be organised by Central Office. Looking to next year, we have already planned our social activities, short break holidays in the UK and a longer holiday to the Pyrenees. Our legacy committee will continue to promote new projects. With your support at this AGM, I look forward to serving another term, as chairman. TREASURER’S REPORT: At 30 September 2018, we held £81,479.11 in our Totnes Ramblers Accounts. £75,000 of this was held in our savings account with Hampshire Trust Bank. We received £870.26 interest from this account. The remainder is held in our account with Lloyds Bank. £81,072.03 of this is the amount remaining from the Edward Franklin legacy. During the year we received an allocation from Ramblers UK of £425.00 and £90.00 from Ramblers walking partnership. The Group’s expenditure during the year was £325.16. We spent £10,584.32 from the legacy fund during the year. Major items of expenditure were £2,000 to SWCPA for the step up appeal, £2,500 to SWCPA for path work at Wembury and £3,200 for Dartington Trust. The Totnes Social account had income of £39,539.60 and expenditure of £39286.85 during the year. The closing balance was £1,544.78. The Accounts were unanimously accepted, and Jim Jones was thanked for his work as Auditor. The meeting wished to re-elect Jim as Auditor for next year, and Jim said that he was prepared to do this. The meeting was reminded however that auditing was normally expected to be carried out by someone outside the group.
SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: Once again we are here to report about the year’s activities. 2018, like other years, has been a very successful year as we have had so much support. This really makes such a difference for organising these events. We started the new programme with 62 attending the Annual Christmas Dinner, 43 at the Dutch Supper, 17 for the Short Break to Barnstable, 48 for the Safari, 55 for the Summer Meal, nearly a full coach for the day out at the Caves and, last but not least, 38 for the Isle of Wight. This year the Christmas Meal is on 6 December– cost £24.
Page 7 The Dutch Supper is at the TBA on 12 February and the Short Break from 2 June for 4 nights at the Grand Hotel Swanage. There are no more singles, but the hotel has provided us with one more double room if needed. There is a foreign holiday for 2019 in the French and Spanish Pyrenees from 8 - 15th September. This 2-centre holiday will be led by an experienced guide, Jonathon Peat, who runs his own guided walking business in Greece and the Pyrenees. We are offering 2 prices, one including travel from Totnes and the other without. There are still a few places available for this holiday, but to avail ourselves of cheap flights, we need people to sign tonight. Further details from our member Anna Lunk. WALKS CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORTS: This year the reports from the 4 Walks Co-ordinators have been combined into a single report. Numbers on the Wednesday short walk are keeping up and are generally between 11 and 16. Numbers attending the Wednesday long walk averaged in the twenties with a maximum of 32 and a minimum of 5. The Sunday walk has averaged 14 people per walk, (a slight drop from the figure of 17 last year), with a maximum of 25 and a minimum of 4. A programme of Long Sunday walks, once a month, was initiated in April 2018 and has so far attracted a small but dedicated group of walkers. The plan is to continue and hope to attract some new members. If anyone wants to know more then please contact Trevor. It has been a challenging year weather-wise, with a wet winter that also included two “Beasts from the East” followed by a very long and dry summer. This resulted in 2 Wednesday short walks and 3 Wednesday long walks being cancelled. Five Sunday walks were cancelled due to rain. The unusual weather also caused a reduction in average numbers for all groups. On the subject of weather, it seems that many walkers make a decision on whether to walk or not based on the on-line BBC forecast. We understand that the Met Office forecast is considered to be more accurate. This was illustrated perfectly by Tammy’s Sunday walk which was forecast by the BBC to be wet. In the event, it proved to be dry and mainly sunny all day. However, those of us who attended have no complaint to make, as we were able to share some 15 to 20 portions of Tammy’s delicious date and walnut cake between the 5 of us. Joking aside, we would seriously recommend checking with the Met Office forecast if possible. The Wednesday Short walkers report that their core group is relatively small. They have however been delighted that on many walks they have been joined by Totnes Ramblers from other groups who have liked the location of the walk or the proximity of it to where they live, or in some cases, following illness, have wanted to do a shorter walk. The Short Wednesday and Sunday Walks report that they are frequently joined by a number of Ramblers from other areas. There were 26 people at the Sunday BBQ walk. It was gratifying that quite a few people were able to come directly to the house, even if they were unable to do the walk beforehand. Many thanks once again to Carol for leading the walk. Unsurprisingly, we were blessed with perfect weather this year. We would like to emphasise that Wednesday walkers are all very welcome too. Tina and Sue report that a number of their short walk members have generously offered to lead several walks. However, despite this, it has not been totally easy to put together a full programme of walks and they have therefore very much appreciated the numbers of walk leaders from the other groups, who responded positively to the email sent out to all members asking if anyone would lead a walk for them. All the walk co-ordinators would like to say a big thank you to the walk leaders for willingly providing a variety of interesting walks over the last 12 months, covering West, East and South Devon as well as Dartmoor. It never fails to amaze us how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful and varied landscape. The Wednesday Short Walk Co-ordinators have said that it has been challenging taking over from Jim who did such a wonderful job for many years and they have appreciated the continued support he has given them in putting a programme of walks together. And from all the co-ordinators………..Very many thanks to Stanley and Nigel for keeping everyone up-to-date with changes and additions to the programme through emails and the website. On a personal note, Tina would like to recommend to any new members of the Totnes Ramblers getting involved with the group in whatever capacity. As someone still new to Devon, she has found that taking on the role with Sue as joint co-ordinator has been very rewarding and a great way for her to get to know and make new friends. REQUEST FROM NIGEL: Please note that if changes are required at the last minute, or during the week prior, the leader should email both Stanley and Nigel. In the case of a VERY last minute change, could the leader please telephone Nigel on 01803 844899 and leave a message to say “Read email ASAP” EDWARD FRANKLIN LEGACY (Sub-Committee’s Report) Anna Lunk reported on behalf of the Sub-committee: To date we have committed funds to the following projects: Dartmoor National Park for footpath repairs from Nuns Cross to Eyelsbarrow. £5,000 Franklin Totnes Trail. £3,637 Bridge over the Wella Brook. £234 (planning permission application) South West Coast Path Step Up appeal. £2,000 South West Coast Path extension at Wembury. £2,500 Dartington Hall Trust – Lower Marsh and Upper Marsh Footpath improvements £3,200 We are also committed to the following: Completion of the Totnes Franklin Trail with 5 new fingerpost signs and 2 benches, and the Interpretation Board on The Plains. Proposed donation to the Dartmoor Way of £18,000 dependant on various conditions as agreed with members including a cut-off of December 2019. (We are delighted that Trevor Walker has agreed to be our representative on the Dartmoor Way steering committee)’ Bridge over the Wella Brook – cost to be shared with South Devon Ramblers. Our contribution probably £4,000. Annual Walk Funding: We have funded and will continue to do so, linear walks which necessitate a coach trip and subsidies of walks including train travel. The amount spent and allocated for expenditure in the near future is round about the £46,000 figure.
Page 8 We welcome ideas for further projects to support. Trevor has suggested we might consider replacement of stiles with gates on paths we regularly walk where they are in a bad state of repair. He is happy to liaise with the Devon County Council Footpath Warden and landowners to take this forward. The committee would particularly like to thank Chris and Trevor for the many hours they have contributed to the signage on the Totnes Franklin Trail. It is astonishing the amount of time setting up such a trail takes, even on existing footpaths. Even getting permission for an Interpretation Board has been challenging! Spending a legacy seems to involve a great many meetings and “back room work” and we are grateful to everyone on the committee who have helped carry these various projects forward as well as to those members who have brought projects to our attention. The Chairman thanked Anna for the tremendous amount of work she had put in to the use of the Legacy Fund.
ADDRESS FROM DEVON AREA REPRESENTATIVE (David Hinchliffe) “Although I am here to give an address, my main purpose here is to listen and to learn. Although our 12 groups in Devon do much the same things, (organising led walks, social activities, holidays etc.) each of them does so in their different ways. Each group has its own personality. It is important that I understand this in my dealings with them, as one of the keys for any successful organisation is good communications. At Area, we have worked hard to improve our communications in recent years. We have improved our website and put much more information on it. This year we appointed our first Social Media Co-ordinator, (your own Celia Minoughan), who has already done a fantastic job for us. She quickly got our Area Facebook page up, and if you are on Facebook I would strongly urge you to join this page as it is full of information about what is happening in Devon and beyond. Celia also set up an Area Twitter account, but I can’t comment on that as I am not one of the “Twitterati”. I know that she has ambitious plans for the future too. A couple of years ago we replaced our old Annual Report by an Impact Report. Following consultation we are making a few changes to the report this year, including a change of name. It will be emailed out to everyone who is on email, but there will be enough paper copies for anyone who doesn’t have a computer, or who would just like to have a paper version. As always, we will be advertising the Area AGM in the Report. Last year Andrew and Pat did a superb job in organising our AGM at Buckfast Abbey. It is the first AGM that I can remember that I didn’t have any complaints about, everyone seemed to enjoy it. Our next AGM will be our 50th, and we are holding it right on your doorstep at Dartington Hall, on the 9th February. It is being hosted by the Devon Bootlegs group, our county-wide group for younger walkers. There will be a morning walk around the Dartington Hall estate, which I am sure that you all know very well. Lunch can be pre-booked, and Andrew will deal with the official business as expeditiously as he is doing at this meeting. We then come to our guest speaker, and we are honoured that this will be the Ramblers national Chair, Kate Ashbrook. Kate has been involved in the Ramblers for decades now, she must have started as an infant. She is one of our Vice-Presidents and is Footpath Secretary for the Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Area. In her day job, Kate is the Secretary of the Open Spaces Society, our oldest conservation charity. She is also a vice-chair of the Campaign for the National Parks and also of the Dartmoor Preservation Association. She is a very committed campaigner who doesn’t waffle, so if you want to find out what Ramblers are doing at the moment and what their plans are for the future, then come along. One final thing I need to mention is that we will be electing members of Area Council at our AGM. We have vacancies for individual Members, who do not need to be involved in group committees. They just need to read the papers and come to our 3 meetings each year, where you can ask questions and make your views known. Also, I am stepping down as Area Secretary at the AGM, so we are looking for my successor. Further, our Treasurer, James Baldwin, is stepping down at the 2020 AGM, and he would love to find someone to work alongside him for a year before taking over from him. Please don’t dismiss these opportunities, Area Council is a friendly and supportive group. Thank you for listening. I hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM, and have a great year’s walking. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Chairman reported that the following new appointments had been made during the course of the year: Short Walk Co-ordinators – Tina Bennett and Sue Speak Long Walk Co-ordinators – Brian and Phyllis Waldron Media Officer – Celia Minoughan The Chairman and all officers were re-elected unanimously. RE-ARRANGEMENT OF WALKING PROGRAMME FORMAT: Some members had suggested that all walks on the programme should be displayed in date order (Calendar Way). Nigel said that all walks were on the website in Calendar Way. There was a discussion as to whether the format should stay as it is, or whether it should be changed to Calendar Way. Various views were put forward and it appeared that members were fairly evenly divided on the subject. The matter was left unresolved and would be discussed further. PAYMENTS TO DRIVERS: The Chairman reminded the members that the current payment made to drivers was a standard fee of £3 per person. As this had been in operation for 7 years it would seem appropriate that the fee be increased to £4. There was some discussion as to whether the fee should vary according to the length of the journey, but it was finally agreed that a standard amount would be simpler. It was agreed that the payments to drivers be increased to £4 per person. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 1) Chris Leigh explained that the South West Coast Path Association was looking for a local rep for the stretch of the coast path from Kingswear to Brixham. The role involved walking the stretch of the coast path two or three times a year to record and report on any problems that needed to be sorted out. Chris asked anyone who is interested in taking on the role to contact him for further details. Page 9 2) Brian Waldron said that the BBC “Country File” programme put on a big event annually to raise money for the charity “Children in Need”. He suggested that the Ramblers might be able to arrange an event to coincide with this. If so, it would not only raise money for a good cause, but would also raise the profile of the Ramblers. Members were very supportive of this suggestion. 3) Frank Bowden wished to raise 2 points: d) He reported that he had recently led a walk along the Central Route of the 2 Moors Way. At one point the walkers had come across 2 raised platforms of Bee Hives straddling “the Way”. He thought that this could not be right and wondered whether it had been sanctioned by the National Park. It was agreed that Trevor Walker be asked to look into the matter. e) Frank did not like the rule which stated that, when on an organised walk, members should not go in front of their walk leader. He had not been able to find details of this on the website, but thought that a more casual wording would be better. Frank was reminded that anyone walking in front of their walk leader would not be covered by insurance. Andrew said that the Committee would discuss this matter and review the wording. DATE OF NEXT MEETING to be agreed.
Many thanks...... As you will already know, our chairman, Andrew and Secretary Pat are not standing for re-election at the forthcoming AGM. On behalf of all our members we would like to thank them for the hard work they have done to help make the group function so smoothly, and to wish those that follow equal success in carrying out their duties. If you, or any member you know, would consider standing for any position on the committee, please let the secretary know as soon as possible. Remember, without willing volunteers to assist in running the group, you wouldn’t have a group at all.
Page 10 Walking with the Totnes Group please read carefully
Basic Requirement for Participants you must be fit enough to undertake a walk, have suitable clothing, footwear, food and drink. Leaders may refuse to accept participants who, in their opinion, are inadequately equipped or fit. Please abide by any advice and instructions given by the Leader. To adhere to insurance requirements, participants should not walk in front of the Leader . All those joining the walk, do so at their own risk and it is your responsibility to behave sensibly to minimise the potential for accidents. Non Members of the National Ramblers’ Association - you are allowed and insured for up to 3 taster walks with a Group, after that you are expected to join the Ramblers’ Association and be covered by the insurance available. Children Under 16 Years - need to be accompanied by a parent or immediate family member. Meeting for a Walk - participants are to meet at the grid reference and time given in the programme. It is each participant’s responsibility to be at the start ready to depart at the stated time. Please be aware of restricted parking, at the Grid Reference, which will be stated in the programme. Bad Weather - in the event of bad weather, walk Leaders may cancel the walk at their discretion. When possible, this will be displayed on the Group WebSite on the day of the walk. Please check the WebSite or call the Leader before setting out. Car Share & Costs - passengers are requested to make a voluntary contribution towards the driver’s costs: Group recommendation is £4.00 per passenger. Participants are strongly encouraged to share car journeys with others where possible. Dogs - with the exception of ‘Registered Assistance Dogs’, other dogs are not permitted on walks unless it specifically states so in the programme. When permitted, dogs must be under control and put on a short lead at the request of the Leader.
Notes for Walkers, Back Markers and Walk Leaders (as on the Ramblers’ web site) Walkers ln order to maximise the safety and enjoyment of all please follow the walk leader's directions concerning -: setting the pace of the walk; walking toward traffic on the road; leaving gates open/shut as found; walking single file through cropped fields. Keep "in touch” with those ahead of and behind you. Tell the back marker if you are dropping behind the group When allowed by the walk leader, keep close control-of dogs and put them on a lead when requested.
Back Markers Keep everyone in front of you or at least know who is behind you. When road walking, wear a high visibility jacket/vest. Let the leader know if the group spreads out. Account for "all back" on completion of the walk.
Walk Leaders Know your route. Bring map, compass, whistle, first aid kit. Remind yourself of what is written in the programme. Your walk should be contained within the stated mileage•to avoid tired, late ramblers behind you! Briefly outline your route; if you need to change it for any reason, tell the group. Note the number of walkers and if there are 10 or more walkers appoint a back marker When road walking, wear a high visibility jacket/vest. Stop and give clear directions about - Walking toward traffic, on the road or as necessary Crossing cropped fields i.e. single file Leaving gates as found - open/closed. Plan rests and meal breaks as appropriate; allow sufficient time for the last arrivals. Check your numbers after any stops. lf, for any reason, you are unable to lead your walk, find a replacement and warn the Programme Co-ordinator.
Answers. The first picture shows a bridge over the Devonport leat near Norswothy Bridge, and the second shows a queue making use of a surprising toilet found on the moor when we were walking to the Ted Hughes’ memorial stone.
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