New Members The Ramblers Association Area. After a few walks with us we hope that you will join the Ramblers and support its North Bedfordshire Group. campaigns on our behalf. You will receive the quarterly Walk magazine and 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor when showing your membership card. (10% discount is The Ramblers ‘Association is a registered Charity (1093577) and company limited by also available at Go Outdoors, if you show your Ramblers card). Once a guarantee (4458492). member you can walk with any Ramblers group in the UK. To join the Ramblers you www.northbedsramblers.co.uk can get an Application Form from the Membership Secretary or you can use the web site www.ramblers.org.uk. This is the source for most of the Ramblers information.

Please quote ‘North Beds Group’ as your choice of group when joining. You can Spring Walking Programme 2017 access our walking programme on the internet but once joined you can request our programme to be sent by email; contact the group General Secretary with your email Saturdays: February 4th to May 27th address. Our group (BF01) web site is www.northbedsramblers.co.uk. For further information on the North Beds Group please contact the group General Secretary. Note – Grid references are hyperlinked to Street Map

Meeting Times Please note North Beds Group starting times are 13.00pm in the Winter (after clocks North Bedfordshire Group Officers go back), and 13.30pm from the beginning of March to the end of October. Some walks in London or elsewhere may have a special starting time, these will be on the Chairperson John Le Warne 07890 723 576 programme but if in doubt ask the leader. General Secretary Linda Tongue 01480 350 345 [email protected] Walks Treasurer Chris Moss 01234 213 966 Please make sure that you are fit to undertake the walks. Always wear suitable Programme Secretary Margaret Sawyer 01234 403 738 footwear and clothing. We always have a break so please take refreshments. Our [email protected] walks are generally circular walks between 5 – 7 miles, if distance is known it is Membership Secretary Margaret Sawyer 01234 403 738 shown in the programme. The group voted at our AGM and the committee has

agreed that, because of problems in the past, only guide dogs are allowed on our walks. Other Rambler groups in Bedfordshire – Ripple dates Check internet to find their walks: If you have given your email address to Linda Tongue, she will send out Ripple dates as they arise, also you can check with Barry Ingram for more details. 01234 353 704 Ivel Valley Walkers www.ivelvalleywalkers.co.uk walks most days or [email protected] Lea & Icknield via www.ramblers.org.uk walks Sunday and midweek Leighton Buzzard www.lb-ramblers.org.uk walks Sunday and midweek Hope you like our programme and enjoy walking with a very friendly group.

North Beds Programme – Spring 2017 North Beds Programme – Spring 2017 Check location with Road Atlas. Post codes relate to nearest building. Check Location with Road Atlas. Post codes relate to nearest building.

Feb 4 Village Hall MK44 2HE TL105584. 6 miles April 15 1pm Travel from Bedford on B660 towards Kimbolton. 1.30pm Pulloxhill Church. MK45 5HE TL061338. 6.2 miles. Park Stephanie - 01234 840 761 or 07951 388 028 (only on the day) Easter considerately where you can and meet at Church. Going southwards Saturday towards Harlington, will be hilly and crossing fields!!! Feb 11 MK44 1HD SP979626 5.5 miles. Up the A6 into Souldrop, John - 07890 723 576 1pm follow High St and Chapel Lane into Forty Foot Lane. End of Lane turn left April 22 – MK45 3HP TL060440. 7.25 miles. and park on the grass. Walk to and back. 1.30pm Meet at lay-by near Duck End Lane, Wilstead. Tony - 07709 212 817 (only on the day) Stephanie - 01234 840 761 or 07951 388 028 (only on the day) Feb 18 Marston Moretaine MK43 0PR TL004417 6.5 miles. Start at Forest 1pm Centre. Walking up to Hunger Hill and Rectory Wood, Circular walk, will Two choices today be muddy. Margaret - 07780 933 729 April 29 Loop. 6 miles MK40 4FE TL014493 Feb 25 Church - MK44 2BL TL107629 6 miles 1.30pm Starting from Bedford Golf Club, Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham. Please 1pm All Saints Church. Park considerately towards the end of Church Lane. park at rear of car park. Club open for drinks and toilets. Linda - 01480 350 345 or 07733 343 702 (only on the day) Sarah - 01234 363 112

Mar 4 Sandy SG19 1AG TL174491. 6 miles. Park in Free Car Park in centre of April 29 Unlock Churches London, Clapham and Battersea area. All day. 1.30pm Sandy. Meet outside Tourist Information Centre at end of car park. Walk 8.10 am Meet at Bedford Railway Station and groups up to 9 will get a discount on will take in Caesars camp, part of the RSPB and Potton quarry. train rail fare. Meeting John at St Pancras. Take drinks and lunch. Bob - 07950 503543 NOTE: You need to get a Travel card. This year we are going to use the Mar 11 Radwell MK43 7HT TL004574. 6 miles Tube to get to Clapham Common to start the walk. John - 07890 723 576 1.30pm Parking along Road. Sarah - 01234 363 112

Mar 18 Abbotsley PE19 6UJ TL227565 6.3 mile circular walk May 6 Wootton - Bluebell walk – MK43 9HP TL001457. 6 miles. Park carefully in 1.30pm Meet at Abbotsley Church, some parking there or just around the corner 1.30pm Hall End Road (near Chequers Pub), Wootton. Passing through at the green. Walking to Waresley and near Great Gransden. Wood and alongside Astey and Hanger Woods. Gill – 01234 870 428 Martin - 01234 767 876 or 07761 209 981 (only on the day) Mar 25 Salcey Forest – MK16 8LP SP810509 6.5 miles. West on A428, turn left 1.30pm at Denton or Brafield-on-the-Green follow into Horton. Go south on May 13 Potton - SG19 2QS TL225491 6 miles. Coming from Sandy into Potton B526, (going towards Stoke Goldington), for 1 mile. At long stone wall 1.30pm turn right for Wrestlingworth on B1042, Royston Street. Take next left and large house, turn Right into Forest. After 700 yards, turn left into Car and follow to car park. Meet in Brook End Car Park, Potton. Park. Do not go to visitors centre car park. Geoff – 07504 965 725 (only on the day) Tony - 01234 852 432 or 07709 212 817 (only on the day) April 1 Clophill MK45 4AD TL082376. 6 miles May 20 Bromham Mill - MK43 8LP TL010506 8 miles. Park at rear of car park. 1.30pm Down A6 south. Meet at the Green, High Street, Clophill. 12.00pm Note early start, so bring Lunch. Chris - 07538 826 564 (only on the day) Rose - 07954 784 795 (only on the day)

April 8 Paxton Pits – PE19 6ET TL195629 6.5 miles May 27 Church - MK44 1HR SP993595 6 miles. Walk around lovely 1.30pm Look for Nature Reserve Sign, turn left down Little Paxton Lane. Follow to 1.30pm countryside. Parking considerately on the roads around the church. end and park in Visitor’s car park, watch for the pot holes! Cafe and Gwen - 07840 924 566 facilities available. Pat - 01480 216 029