Please note: the monthly Area Newsletter is now available via the Brentwood Ramblers website

Chair’s Notes

It is good news that RA official group walks are allowed again and that a number of our leaders are happy to organise walks for us. We have a full programme of walks on Thursdays and Saturdays between December and March, but these will be published only on the website one month at a time in case the situation changes. We also have all Tuesdays filled in December, but a number of gaps in the new year and are seeking more volunteers to lead. Currently, unfortunately, there are no Sunday walks.

Please keep watching the website for new walk details to be published and remember to contact the organiser/leader, preferably by text message as not all leaders have a strong mobile phone signal at all times to be able to take calls.

Although the RA guidelines, approved by the Government, allow up to 30 walkers, we have agreed that we will set a local maximum of 20, and that individual leaders may set a lower limit if they feel it is safer. Walkers should be aware that RA approved walks are exempt from the “rule of 6” which is the Government limit for groups to meet outdoors. This may not be common knowledge amongst the general public, so we need to be prepared to explain if challenged. Ruth has ordered some pin badges to show that we are RA members and she will distribute them on walks once they arrive.

Official walks are only those published on the RA website and conducted according to the agreed Covid- secure protocol. Please remember to stick to all distancing and hygiene recommendations.

In between the 2 lockdown periods we managed to organise a good programme of walks and I’m grateful to our Rambles Secretaries and Walk Leaders for making this possible. The walks were well attended and many reached capacity and had a waiting list, which shows that they were appreciated by members. It was also good to know that friendships forged through membership of Brentwood Ramblers allowed many of us to organise independent walks in “bubbles” of 6 so that we were able to keep active.

Our Footpath Maintenance Team cleared a few footpaths and erected some waymarker posts in the period between lockdowns and will be starting work again this month.

2020 has been a difficult year in which we have had to cancel our group holidays and social events. All holidays have been rebooked for 2021 and we have to be optimistic and hope that these will be able to take place.

As this is the last newsletter of the year, I’d like to wish all members a happy festive season and best wishes for the New Year. Geoff Sharman

1 News and Views

Bookable walks As you will know, we are not currently producing a 4-month programme of walks because of uncertainty regarding current rules. Many walks are being offered at fairly short notice; all official group walks are advertised on the Brentwood Ramblers Website so please do remember to check regularly so you don’t miss out! Ruth Hannon

Hornchurch Country Park Revealed During Lockdown, Maggie and I started having our daily walk in Hornchurch Country Park, which is literally on our doorstep. On the first day we came across a new track under construction. During the following week it was opened up for use, so off we went on a new adventure.

The path led us through a newly planted area to a small road running alongside the park. Crossing the road revealed the fairly new developed area of Bonnetts Wood. This a very large area with many tracks, the main one gravel but with lots of grassy ones through trees.

We took the main track which eventually led to another small road. Crossing this road, we found ourselves in Parklands Open Space, which is a lovely area with a large lake and a wonderful old bridge. You can walk through this area all the way to Corbets Tey.

Over the past few months, we have explored all the many paths in these areas and have become so knowledgeable that we are thinking of applying to Havering Council to become Park Rangers.

Many compliments should go to Havering Council for their fantastic job in the upkeep and constant development of these areas. Steve Johnson & Maggie Spencer

Bookable and Forthcoming Events

Christmas Lunch 15 December 2020 Sadly, this has had to be cancelled for this year.

Holidays for 2021 Just a reminder that holidays postponed to next year are:

St Ives

Dovedale

Cromer Chris Green

AGM The AGM this year will be held on Thursday 3 December via Zoom. Ruth Hannon

2 Footpath Secretary At Ramblers, Area, a significant amount of energy continues to be spent on ensuring access to the footpath network. A closer working relationship is being developed with Essex Highways staff and Essex County Councillors. The aim is to create an environment in which Ramblers can assist the Authority in maintaining paths to a high standard. This is a long-term exercise and is supported by our Parish Path Adopter (PPA) project and maintenance programme. With regard to PPA, it is pleasing to see that across Brentwood District we have already inspected a high proportion of paths. Reports have been submitted on paths in Blackmore, Brentwood, Doddinghurst, Ingatestone, and . Problems found varied from missing signs, obstructions and broken furniture. These have been reported to Essex Highways using their online web facility.

For my part, I inspected ’s 18 paths (18 km). It took 2 outings -11 problems were found. One, a fallen tree, was removed by the landowner within a couple of days; however there remains a number of outstanding issues including a lake that has been built over the line of Bridleway 1 near Great Myles Farm. Recently Diane Ingram and myself inspected some of the paths in Herongate. Hopefully when we recommence the rain will stay away.

It’s been a relatively quiet period for Brentwood as far as footpath diversions go; Chase Farm, Little Burstead Order is still with Essex Highways. Gordon Bird

Footpath Working Party - The Brentwood Bramblers Like so many other things this year, the footpath maintenance team work has also been suspended due to, you know what, Covid-19 virus.

Most of our work has been in the triangle of Doddinghurst, Kelvedon Hatch and Pilgrims Hatch area. We have cleared a path that runs alongside a leaning wall supported also by a leaning tree and put in a waymarking post near Cowes Farm (PROW273 - 19 TQ582977).

We have spent many weeks in clearing the footpath which has not been maintained for many years (PROW272 - 101 TQ581967). The path was blocked with brambles and also thick compact growth with young trees amongst it, which forced walkers to walk along the edge of the field. We had a lady coming across the paddock to say she was concerned about disturbing the horses nearby. However, as we started our petrol machines the horses simply continued to eat the grass. Still working on the same path on another week, a police helicopter was circling around for Photo: Geoff Sharman about 30 minutes only for Chris Green to put some cotton wool in his ears. We have installed 4 waymarker posts along this path so there is no excuse not to stick to the footpath in future.

A little further away, we have managed to cleared 2 footpaths around Mountnessing (PROW276 - 25 and 40).

We do have a list of work to be done around the but we are unable to do any now due to another lockdown (at time of writing).

We would be delighted to welcome anyone who wishes to help out in footpath maintenance. Miles Cooper

3 Rambles Secretaries’ Notes

Sundays/Bank Holiday Mondays

Tuesdays As you may be aware we have recently shuffled round a couple of the Walks Secretary roles, with Lorraine Hayward kindly volunteering to take over the Sunday/Bank Holiday role and myself moving across to the vacant Tuesday position.

To this effect I have e-mailed all of the Tuesday walk leaders on our schedule inviting dates for the forthcoming December - March programme. To date I have only received offers to lead all December walks, but few for January to March so please can any Tuesday leaders (new or old) let me have their preferred dates and walk details so we can have a programme ready for the New Year.

Hope to see you out on a group walk again soon. Colin Banner

Thursdays Before the local lockdown, Thursday walks were full, with other members on the waiting list. I have had a few people cancel and was able to notify the next person on the waiting list. I have also had a few no-shows without being notified; these positions could have been made available to the next available person.

If you can't make it on the day then could you please let the walk leader know.

Also, please don't turn up for a walk if you have not booked as regrettably you will be turned away if the walk is full. Kevin Cline

Saturdays Despite having been locked down for several months, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of our dedicated Members which was evident by the numbers who booked to re-join our Saturday walks once we were allowed! It quite quickly became necessary for waiting lists and prompt action once our programme was put on the Website!

Sadly, we are back to square one with no walks at all under the latest restrictions but the minute we are given back our freedom, we shall once again release details of the planned walks from 2 December onwards. Let's hope they do not extend this lockdown past that date!

Meanwhile, you are able to walk with a friend or alone so don't be put off by this new regime. The autumnal colours are beautiful and well worth exploring.

Hope to see you all sooner rather than later. Many thanks to all those Members who volunteer to lead our walks. Dianne Ingram

Webmaster’s Notes There is not a lot to report at the moment. I continue to try and keep everyone informed of the current situation with regard to our walks programme and our future non-events.

I have put a few Lockdown Related Photos in our Gallery, but if you would like to send me some of yours, I will add them to the Album.

More than 90 Brentwood Ramblers have now registered with the Website to access the “Members Only Information” section. This is where you will find information about future events and view Minutes of

4 Committee Meetings etc. If you have difficulty registering with the Website, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Steve Johnson

Editor’s Notes Thank you to all our contributors for this edition. Do have a look at the website for lots of photos. Ruth Hannon

PLEASE NOTE! In view of the fact that occasionally we have had to cancel walks through adverse weather conditions and move a start point of another walk for other reasons PLEASE note our advice at the beginning of the programme and phone the leader of the walk if you have any doubts about it taking place. We do try to warn you of any changes via email, on the website or by announcements on walks, but it is not always possible to ensure that all our members are informed. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Health and Safety Please see link to the Ramblers website http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/advice-for-walkers/safety- and-equipment/personal-safety.aspx

Change of Address If you move home, please remember to let Ramblers know: 020 7339 8500 [email protected]

Future Committee Meetings 25 January, 22 March, 17 May, 26 July, 20 September, 22 November

BOOKING CONDITIONS FOR TRIPS Coach Rambles: Payment is non-refundable. Weeks and Weekends Away: Deposit is non-refundable.

Final balance must be paid 6 weeks before event. No refund will be given once final balance has been paid, unless we are able to re-sell the place or obtain a partial or full refund for accommodation. Any waiving of these rules can only be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the committee. The final price of events may be subject to minor changes to reflect any unanticipated costs.

Also please note that gratuities are included in the booking fee for coaches on all trips. Gratuities are not included in the booking fee for hotel accommodation. If you have to drop out from any booked trip at the last moment, please let the organiser know. Please note that your trips with Brentwood Ramblers are not covered by insurance so it may be a good idea to take out your own cover.

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