Editor: Keith Thompson Dateline: Sleaford Wednesday 16th May 2012

We are giving away UK £ coins to qualifying members who apply but so far very few have applied. Now I have got your attention I will explain. Will walk leaders please apply to Julia Pepper for any mileage involved in recceing walks. The net return mileage at 25p a mile and the walk involved is all the information she requires. The money to pay for this has been budgeted by the committee and you are not doing the Group any favours by not claiming it as it is otherwise likely to be forfeited to Area and then no

doubt to Head Office. As a registered charity we have to spend our money on promoting our activities or return the money to Area. Please put your claim in as to date very few people have done so.

If you do have access to email please let us have your email address as this is the most convenient and cost effective way of keeping in touch with you. It also allows us to contact you quickly at short notice if a walk or social event has to be cancelled for whatever reason.

If you do not have access to email and are a regular walker please let us have either a telephone number or a mobile telephone number so we can contact you in an emergency. We recently had a very rare occasion when a walk had to be cancelled because of the weather. The last time I remember this happening was in December 2010. We were able to immediately contact all members who are on our email list and we also contacted three people by telephone who we knew walked regularly but did not have access to email. If there is anyone else please let us know and we will be happy to add your name to our telephone list. Please remember the “walk day telephone” number which is given at the end of this Newsletter as this phone should be switched on for any Sunday walk day.

Coach Trips

Photograph by kind permission of Chris Woods

This is your last chance to book for the coach trip to Buxton so if you have not already done it, do it now. The Booking form is at the end of this Newsletter. The price is £10.00. See walk details below

We have organised two excellent linear walks for this trip. Both walks go from Buxton where the coach will drop everyone off. The long walk goes to Bakewell (were the coach will pick up) along the Monsal trail which is famous for the walk through the railway tunnels which have recently been opened up. A shorter walk ends before Bakewell where the coach will pick up on its way to Bakewell to pick the other walkers up. In addition of course both Buxton and Bakewell have plenty to offer those who do not want to walk. Please go to http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/monsaltrail to read all about the Monsal Trail and download a map.

We have been advised that Tarka 2 will be happening on 25th September 2013. The second part of this walking tour takes a further 8 days/9 nights completing the south loop tracing the travels of Henry Williamson's much loved “Tarka the Otter”. Again you can choose to do just the morning or afternoon walk or do your own thing sight seeing and well behaved dogs are welcome as long as their owner brings a collapsing cage to keep them in when they are left unattended in the hotel.

As before we will be staying at the 4 star Durrant House Hotel on the outskirts of Bideford with outstanding views over the Torridge estuary. All rooms have en-suite Italian marble bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, clock radio, hair-dryer, TV, thick white fluffy towels, in-house laundry facilities and room service menus.

DAY 2 – Eggesford Station for a great trip along the River Taw, then to the B3220 at Tawbridge for lunch and finally to North Tawton, a town once famous for wool, with a fine church and clock tower

DAY 3 - North Tawton, along the River Taw crossing the Dartmoor Railway steam railway. into the Dartmoor National Park at Sticklepath, passing the National Trust Property of Finch Foundry and on through Belstone to stop for a late lunch.

DAY 4 - Oaehampton, the “gateway to Dartmoor” with fine old pubs, a steam railway and a fine park. Through the hamlet of Jacobstowe for lunch and on to finish at Hatherleigh

DAY 5 – Hatherleigh to the Balaclava Monument, on past the village of Iddesleigh for lunch at Dolton then to Petrockstowe where we will be picked up.

DAY 6 - Day off or possibly Lundy Island (extra cost)

DAY 7 – Petrockstowe along the former railway, past the Puffing Billy Inn, that used to be Torrington Station. Then, following the course of the River Torridge we'll end up in the town of Bideford.

DAY 8 –Bideford Station, we'll go past the River Torridge, to Instow where there is a nice beach and on to the South West Coast path with fine views of the estuary Fremington quay for a late lunch before finishing at Barnstaple.

The price will be £430 per person for 9 days, assuming two sharing. There will be a single supplement. Booking Forms are attached at the end of the Newsletter. Alex Russell is on <azze32@hotmail.com> if anyone requires more information.

The Antrim Coast and the Giant's Causeway. A joint effort with Boston. Looking further ahead to 2014 we would like to hear from you if you would be interested in a walking holiday in Northern Ireland in late September 2014. The holiday would follow our normal format each day of a long walk (about 10 miles), a short walk (about 5 miles) and a “no walking, do your own thing or sightseeing” day. Nothing is cast in stone at this stage but we

are talking to a local area specialist walking company who have suggested that we spend 3 nights in the “southern” part of the walk area, nearer to Belfast, at Carnlough and the second 3 nights in Ballycastle. They would provide the guides and the cost is included in the budget price we quote below. The outline plan at the moment is that we would travel to Birkenhead on the Saturday, overnight on the ferry to Belfast and then on to Carnlough on Sunday morning. We would leave Ballycastle on the Saturday morning to spend a day sightseeing (Belfast?) before catching the overnight ferry to Birkenhead and back to Lincolnshire on the Sunday. The cost for the 9 days is looking something like £500 assuming we keep the coach with us. Meals from the Sunday lunch to the Saturday breakfast would be included. If you are interested in principle please let me know. At this stage there is no obligation to book and even less obligation to pay any money but we need to know what sort of interest there is if any.

WalksThe descriptions of walks given below have been provided to us by the walk leaders to help you decide if the walk is something you want to enjoy. We provide any information given to us up to the day before publication of the Newsletter but if the information is incomplete for your purposes or missing altogether then please telephone the walk leader on the number provided under “Sleaford” in the “Walk Lincolnshire Group Programmes”

24th May 2012 – Aisby – Caroline is the walk leader – 7 pm startLeaving the Village Hall for a stroll of just under 5 miles. Going South we'll head to the Nightingale Plantation, just skirting the A52 then back up to walk around the edge of the Plantation. Heading back up to Aisby we'll head off to the Long Nursery and pass through Oasby, before returning to Aisby

27th May 2012 – Stenwith – Melanie is the walk leader– 10 am start We initially follow part of the ancient Sewstern Lane before heading west towards the village of Muston (venturing into Leicestershire). Then following good trackways we head towards the Grantham canal, where there should be plenty of wildlife and views towards Belvoir Castle. Also passing a national nature reserve known for its wild flowers. After lunch we head south by pleasant field paths beside the river Devon towards Woolsthorpe, from where we we return briefly to the canal (option to return to start from here) before gaining a little height on the Viking Way towards Brewers Grave. We should be rewarded with excellent views across the Vale of Belvoir before returning to the canal towpath for the final section. Total distance approximately 9 miles (shorter option 7 miles).

31st May 2012 – Carlton Scroop – Walk Leader Required – 7 pm start The route advised to us is starting from Carlton Scoop Church, through the village and across to Normanton and then up the lane towards Cranwell; turning right onto the Viking Way and back to Carlton Scroop village.However this could be varied by whoever eventually leads the walk

07th June 2012 – Pointon – Julia is the walk leader – 7 pm start From Pointon we proceed via the Sempringham Abbey Church and the Princess Gwenlian memorial stone. We continue to Birthorpe, and continue anticlockwise to Pointon via Primrose Lane. At one point we reach a summit of only 30m above sea level, but have a wide open 360 degree view!

10th June 2012 – Buxton – Walk Leaders to be advised – 8 am start We have organised two excellent linear walks for this trip. One walk goes from Buxton (where the coach will drop everyone off) to Bakewell (were the coach will pick up) along the Monsal trail which is famous for the walk through the railway tunnels which have recently been opened up and a shorter walk which ends before Bakewell (where the coach will pick up on its way to Bakewell to pick the other walkers up). In addition of course both Buxton and Bakewell have plenty to offer those who do not want to walk. Please go to http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/monsaltrail to read all about the Monsal Trail and download a map.

14th June 2012. - Folkingham – Harold is the walk leader – 7 pm startA circular walk of 4.5 miles from Folkingham Market Place to Pickworth and Walcot

21st June 2012. - Mystery Tour– Russell is the walk leader– 7 pm start No response has been received from the walk leader so we have no details of this walk at the time of going to press. If you find your way to the start of this walk you are doing well!

24th June 2012. - Fulletby – Mike P is the walk leader - 10 am start Fulletby, Furlong lane, Permissive Route to Hoe Hill, Salmonby, Grange Farm, Tetford, Platts Lane, Belchford, Viking way, Fulletby. 10 Miles.

28th June 2012. - Osbournby – Jane is the walk leader - 7 pm start We start off in the Square in Osbournby and do a circular walk “anti-clockwise”, passing through Scott Willoughby and Newton and then back to Osbournby. About 4 to 5 miles

5th July 2012. - Ropsley - Norman L – is the walk leader– 7 pm start A 4.5 mile easy terrain walk. Meet opposite The Green in Ropsley high Street. Following footpaths and bridleways to the mysterious Braceby Crossroads where a right turn onto the haunted Kings Street Roman Road where sounds of the marching legions have been heard! A left turn onto a footpath takes us to the special churchyard of Sapperton church. By now we are thoroughly frightened and scuttle westward on footpaths back to Ropsley. Enjoy!!!

8th July 2012. - Snipe Dales – Robert and Janet are the walk leaders- 10 am startNo response has been received from the walk leader so we have no details of this walk at the time of going to press.

12th July 2012 – Sleaford – Belinda and Marion are the walk leaders– 7 pm start We are planning to start from Sleaford Swimming baths/ leisure centre and walk along the river bank and then to Evedon and back.

19th July 2012- Haconby- David M – is the walk leader– 7 pm start Meet at the Hare & Hounds, Haconby where we will proceed in a southerly direction over mainly grass fields and tracks to Morton, returning by a different route with some road and stiles.

22th July 2012- Kirby Underwood – Keith is the walk leader– 10 am start This is a change to the advertised programme! We meet at the village hall where toilets are available and move off to the church and on across the fields into Callan's Wood before continuing to Bulby and over more fields to Irnham. A little bit of road walking to Osgodby before crossing more fields to Kelsby and in to Temple Woods before crossing more fields back towards Callan's Wood and a little more road walking into Kirby Underwood. The route is usually on well marked paths with a few stiles.

26th July 2012- Welbourn - Harold is the walk leader– 7 pm start From the layby on the A607 we head for South Barn Farm, Welbourn and, the Reservoir before taking a disused railway line back to our cars. About 4.5miles

2nd August 2012- Kirby La Thorpe – Melanie is the walk leader– 7 pm start Parking considerately in case of harvesting, we shall explore some permissive paths along field margins and tracks, around the new irrigation reservoir, and visit Mount Plantation. Distance approximately 4 miles.

5h August 2012- Spilsby – Mike P is the walk leader– 10 am start Market St, Toynton St Peter, East keal, Mardon Hill, Hundleby, North Beck Lane, Tom Thumb Holt and then back to Spilsby. 10 Miles

9th August 2012- Heydour – Norman L is the walk leader– 7 pm start 4.5 miles with a few stiles. Start at Heydour Cemetery (another graveyard shift), down past school cottage on to footpaths through to the (rampart) stiles of Castle Hills to Kelby where we turn right towards North Hill and right again towards Culverthorpe. Around Culverthorpe estate and house and back to Heydour.

16th August 2012- Helpringham – Caroline is the walk leader– 7 pm start Leaving the Village Green, this is a gentle stroll of just over 4 miles. We'll head out of the village on footpaths leading up to Burton Bridge. Then we'll follow a quiet road back into the outskirts of Helpringham, where we'll branch off on a footpath towards Thorpe Latimer. We'll then take another path and quiet road back into Helpringham village.

Late News

As we go to press news is coming in that Nigel Venables has resigned from the Ramblers and from his position on the committee of Sleaford Ramblers. This is not good news. Nigel has been a very popular member of Sleaford Ramblers for about 5 years now and a very valuable member of the committee. As Nigel has given us the news in writing we have to believe it but we are very sorry to hear it. Tributes to Nigel will appear in the next Newsletter.

Items for Sale or WantedPlease email your advertisements for inclusion in the next Newsletter and make a contribution to our funds of say £1.00 per insertion per issue:

Part of The Ramblers’ Associa Email address:Web site:

sleafordramblers@gmail.comsleafordramblers.co.uk

A Company limited by guarantee Telephone Number:Fax:

01529 3001040870 7060224

Registration number 4458492 Address: 15 Clay Hill Road, Sleaford NG34 7TF

Charity Registration number 1093577 Walk-day Mobile: 07504 074925

BOOKING FORM

A coach trip to Buxton & Bakewell on Sunday 10th June 2012, leaving from The Hub Car Park on Eastgate Sleaford at 8 am

Please book me................places for which I enclose herewith cheque

to the value of £......................... (£10.00 x number of places booked)

Name:

email address:

Telephone Number:

Cheque payable to Sleaford & District Ramblers Group, should be sent to Julia Pepper, 1 The Row, Swaton, Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 0JJ to arrive not later than Friday 1st June 2012.

BOOKING FORM

Walking the Tarka Trail in North Devon

Departure date: 25th September 2013……Number of places: …………..

The price is £430 per person assuming two sharing and a non-refundable deposit of £30 per person is required.Name:

email address:

Telephone Number (Daytime)..................................... (Evening)

Cheque payable to Alex Russell, should be sent to Alex Russell, The Chestnuts, Old Main , Sibsey, Boston, PE2 2OR to arrive not later than May 2013.

Please book me …............................ (number of single/double/twin/triple* rooms)

*delete as appropriate. A single room supplement will apply.