No. 107 September 2019 walkerSOUTH EAST · 9 June. We started with a walk (of course!), from...

walkerS O U T H E A S T No. 107 September 2019

Two new footpath guardian schemes for the Capital Ring and London Loop

were launched on 20 July with 11 walks on different sections of the Capital Ring path.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, and Van Griffiths, Chief Executive of The Ramblers, joined us on section 13 of the Capital Ring in Hackney Wick to promote the launch. Will Norman said: "We're here to really celebrate these wonderful resources for local communities across the whole city ... I'd encourage everybody to get out, explore their area and do either a section of the Loop or Ring".

We have recruited over 100 volunteers to become Rangers or Leaders for sections of the Capital Ring and London Loop and to coordinate the project. The volunteers will highlight improvements that can be made to the routes to the borough councils and will work to publicise them more widely both locally for each section and across London. Van Griffiths, commented on the huge enthusiasm of volunteers to get involved in the project, saying "it's clear that if volunteering opportunities grab people's interest and reflect the things they care about, then people are more than willing to put themselves forward".

Jackie Gower, a Capital Ring Ranger and coordinator of the scheme who led one of the launch walks, said: "The Capital Ring and the London Loop are such a great asset for people who love exploring in and around London. I'm really excited to help as many people as possible discover them and hopefully get as much enjoyment out of them as I do."

These two much-loved routes, originally set up by the London Walking Forum, were maintained for some years by Transport for London, and are now the responsibility of the relevant boroughs. Ramblers volunteers played a key role in their creation,

and a new generation of volunteers now wants to ensure that they are properly maintained and improved for the public to enjoy. Whilst the walks can be followed from walks and websites, Ramblers' intention is that it should be possible to follow them from signposts alone, making them accessible to all walkers who want to enjoy London's great

outdoors, whether they are out for a local stroll or walking the whole route.

The Ring Rangers and Loop Leaders are hoping to work in partnership with other local community and voluntary groups, such as park friends' groups.

Clare WaddChair, Inner London Area

On the Capital Ring near Hackney Wick. Left to right: Keith Rodwell, Van Griffiths, Jackie Gower, Will Norman, Clare Wadd and Des Garrahan. Photo: Matthew Farrand

Path guardian scheme launched for key capital walks

Oxon Weekend Walkers turns 10! Travelling back in timeOxon Weekend Walkers

celebrated their 10th anniversary/birthday on

9 June. We started with a walk (of course!), from Wolvercote on the outskirts of Oxford and taking in Wytham Woods, a glorious peaceful woodland and site of international

scientific importance, and a relaxing stretch along the Thames Path. Unbeknown to the walkers, the committee had a strategically parked car and a magnificent cake for the morning coffee break.

The 'apres-walk' involved a meal at the Plough in Wolvercote, a fun facts about Oxfordshire quiz, and short presentations from me and former Chairs Gavin Powell and Vanessa Corrick. We have also had a 'ten of 10' series of walks over the year as a nod to our anniversary - ten designated 'birthday walks', hopefully taking in much of the wide range of walking which the county has to offer.

The Oxfordshire Weekend Walkers emerged out of the 20s&30s group in 2009, when a critical mass reached a certain age. We now have around 150 members, some of whom have been walking with us for many years. We regularly get 15 - 20 on our Sunday walks, which can be anywhere in the county. Hopefully we will continue to flourish for another 10 years!

Helen BarhamChair, Oxon Weekend Walkers

Surrey and Beyond R a mblers (SA BR E) travelled back in time

on Sunday 28 July when they hired a 1953 single-decker bus to ferry 39 walkers to Washington in West Sussex for a nine mile linear walk on the South Downs.

After a blood-thumping climb to Chanctonbury Ring, the route levelled out with great views to the North Downs in one direction and the English Channel in the other. After lunch in Bramber, we took a stroll along the River Adur to

Small Dole for more pub refreshments, and the bus journey home.

SABRE's Alison Bents said: "Thanks to Richard from 1950s-vintage-bus-hire.co.uk for making it a vintage day out!"

Mark Percy

The splendid cake commissioned to mark the group's 10th anniversary and made by Jasmine of Thank Cake for That in Wantage. Photo: Helen Barham Made it! Photo: Richard Shirley

2 South East Walker September 2019

A new guidebook to walks between the last stations on London Underground

lines was published earlier this year. We asked author Jeff Lock to tell us more about it.

In winter 2016 I was standing on the Central Line platform at Bond Street station when an indicator board aroused my curiosity about the end points of the London Underground. Where on earth was West Ruislip? It made me think

of other locations on other lines like Ealing Broadway, Stanmore, Cockfosters, High Barnet; far away and never visited, yet so familiar. Where were these mysterious places at the end of the line? As a walker and an enthusiast about all things London, I wondered, in particular, whether there was a walking route to explore at every destination.

I decided to set out to find the answer. Over the next 18 months, I travelled the network and

compiled a collection of walks. I passed through every underground station and explored every terminus point, some of them several times. Before each trip I would pore over maps and decide on possible routes. I took photographs and gathered local information. I wrote out a full description of each route and drew sketch maps. All this was immensely enjoyable but only the start of the work.

To capture the data in an orderly fashion, I built a website. Then I enlisted the help of family and friends to test the walks. Some trials were more successful than others. On one occasion, my friends Jan and Jim got seriously lost on Wimbledon Common because I had used a movable object (a bench) as a marker for a turn; always a mistake. I also enlisted as a walk leader for ENBRO, a Bromley-based walking group, and used some of my walks for groups of 20 to 30 walkers. Then I began to think of a book. Someone suggested a title of Beyond the End of the Line. I touted the idea around publishers without any luck until Countryside Books said they would help me to self-publish.

I had desk-top publishing skills from my 10 years as a volunteer with the Vitiligo Society and I was able to produce finished page proofs. This reduced the cost considerably. I was very lucky that my wife, Gillian, got involved as editor. I couldn't have done it without her. Maps needed re-doing, photos needed re-taking, text needed re-writing. The book went through an unbelievable number of versions until it

was finally ready for printing. Coincidentally, the day before it was delivered I presented myself at A&E with a probable heart attack and was kept in hospital for a week before emerging with a stent. Gillian was kind enough to

bring me a copy to my bedside in hospital.

Now I am busy promoting and distributing. I am particularly pleased that the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has decided to sell it in their bookshop.

Jeff Lock

Beyond the End of the Line

Beyond the end of the line - 26 walks from the terminus stations of the London Underground (ISBN 9781846743832) covers walks of four to nine miles (6.5 - 15km). Copies can be obtained online from http://beyondtheendoftheline.co.uk/new-club-link.html. It is also sold for £7.99 at the London Transport Museum Bookshop in Covent Garden and Beckenham Bookshop at 42 High Street, Beckenham BR3 1AY. Copies can also be ordered by post for £6 plus £1.40 post and packing from the author at 15 Phiineas Pett Road, Eltham. London SE9 6RQ.

Jeff Lock has walked many of the long distance paths in the UK and some routes in Europe, including the Westweg along the backbone of the Black Forest and, with his wife Gillian, the Camino from central France to Santiago de Compostella. Their current project is the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome.

Illuminated River is an unprecedented large-scale art project installing

kinetic illuminations on 15 central London bridges across the River Thames. It launched in July with the lighting of the first four bridges - London, Cannon Street, Southwark and Millennium - and will eventually extend by 2022 from Tower Bridge to Albert Bridge, a total distance of four and a half miles. Each artwork celebrates the role of the Thames' bridges in connecting communities each side of the river and will be in place initially for 10 years.

Ramblers has been supporting the project as it will bring new life and interest to our Thames Path walks in central London, particularly winter evening strolls which can be hard to programme. We were invited to the launch which included a boat trip on the Thames

when the lights on the first four bridges were switched on. The new lighting comes from low-energy LEDs and is better for wildlife as well as reducing electricity usage compared with the previous lighting.

We've been running a series of Illuminated River walks, during the summer with some revised versions planned for the autumn and winter. The first walk took place on a balmy July evening a week after the launch. Thirty eight people joined the walk, around 25 of them not currently Ramblers members - proving that this project provides us with an opportunity to reach out to a different audience and tell them about the different things we do and of the rich variety of walks we have on offer in London. See www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk for details of upcoming walks including one on 4 September.


Illuminated River launched

An Illuminated London walk pauses by London Bridge. Photo: Clare Wadd

South East Walker September 2019 3

walkerS O U T H E A S T

Distributed quarterly to members of the Ramblers in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex, Essex, Inner London, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey Areas.

THE RAMBLERSAddress: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.Switchboard: 020 3961 3300Membership Services: 020 3961 3232Email: [email protected]: www.ramblers.org.ukCompany registration no: 4458492Registered charity no: 1093577

EDITORIALEditor: Les DouglasEmail: [email protected]: 020 8809 2338 (please leave message)

DESIGN AND PRINTMortons Print Ltd - 01507 529255

Opinions expressed by contributors are not specifically endorsed by The Ramblers.ISSN 1747-4140C 2019 The Ramblers. All rights reserved.

Copy Date: For issue No. 108 is 12 October

The Wealdway is one of Kent's and East Sussex's many fine long distance walks, running some

83 miles between Eastbourne on the south coast and Gravesend on the bank of the Thames. It crosses some of the area's finest scenery including the South Downs, the High Weald, the Greensand ridge and the North Downs.

It also crosses the busy A21 London to Hastings road, through a tunnel just outside Tonbridge. Or rather it did, until the tunnel became dangerous a couple of years ago and the path had to be closed. This has caught walkers unawares because the signs advising closure are not encountered until it is too late to embark upon an acceptable diversion, forcing walkers along dangerous lanes. We have raised this with Kent County Council staff who have offered the following statement:

PLEASE NOTE: Advice for Walkers of the Wealdway concerning the A21 Underpass

Explore Kent and KCC Public Rights of Way would like you to be aware a section of the footpath ref: MU53A is currently closed due to safety reasons.

The path is closed between Upper Haysden Lane and its junction with Public Footpath MU50 & Bridleway MU53. The underpass/tunnel section is closed as it has been deemed unsafe as it passes under road structures and elements which could potentially collapse.

Highways England are progressing the

work which has been delayed considerably due the complexity of the fault. They are currently unable to give an estimate for completion of the works but hope to be able to provide news about this soon.

We advise that walkers be aware of this when attempting this section of the Wealdway - as there are no alternative safe passages at the current time. We advise avoiding this part of the route until there is further notice from Highways England.

There have also been reported issues with the Interactive Rights of Way map - please report this to KCC Public Rights of Way if this affects you.

As ever, for information about walking routes and updates please see www.ExploreKent.org as well as our social media channels.

We are grateful that some publicity is now being given to the issue so that some of those planning to walk the Wealdway will be alerted and able to plan accordingly. However, the message is very unlikely to reach everyone affected and we think that, unless Highways England commit to a firm and not too distant date for repairing the tunnel, more action is required. We will therefore be putting together proposals for appropriate action over the next few weeks and seeking to agree them with Kent County Council. We will report on progress in the next issue of South East Walker and on the Kent Ramblers website.

Robert PeelSecretary, Kent Area

North Bedfordshire Ramblers were presented in late May with an 'Above and Beyond

Award for providing excellent service to visually impaired people and for making a valuable contribution to the quality of visually impaired people's lives' by the charity Sight Concern.

Over the last two years the group

has funded the cost of a minibus to take visually impaired adults from Bedford to the Marston Moretaine Forest Centre where they are met by Ramblers members who provide one-to-one assistance for the visitors to enjoy a walk around the centre. They then join the visitors over a welcome drink and cake in the cafe.

Ta George Hogman, Visually Impaired Champion for Sight Concern with his dog Usef, Joanna Clark Volunteer Coordinator for Bedford and Luton (and a North Beds group walker) and Margaret Sawyer, representing North Beds Ramblers.

North Beds award

The new route links the boroughs of Merton and Kingston.

Ramblers from Kingston and Richmond groups attended the ceremonial opening of a new walking and cycling

path between New Malden and Raynes Park in south west London on 13 July After speeches, Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, cut the opening ribbon.

This new 0.75 mile route was financed by Transport for London and follows the line of four major water pipelines which run parallel with the railway line. Walking and cycling routes are segregated until they merge into a shared path at Raynes Park recreation ground. There is a nature trail area and the verges are newly planted with

trees and wild flowers.An immediate advantage of the new route is

that it provides a quieter and less polluted start to the Beverley Brook Walk which runs for six and a half miles from New Malden station to the Thames at Putney. You can now walk along the new path from the station before using residential roads to reach the established route.

A pdf route guide to the Beverley Brook Walk (dating from 2007) is available via the London Borough of Merton's website at https;//tinyurl.com/beverleybrook.

David CooperKingston Ramblers

Off-road link opened

Path closure on the Wealdway


We are just days away from the 10th Bedfordshire

Walking Festival Everything is ready to welcome the hundreds of walkers who will be putting on their boots and joining our groups and other organisations to explore the county over the nine days from 7 to 15 September.

The programme is packed with attractive walks to tempt even the hardiest walker and a range of shorter informative walks for those who like to learn about their surroundings and history. The festival is for all and those who can only manage short distances are not left out. Whether you are

a regular walker, an occasional stroller or a health walker, there is something for you.

For the first time we will have a focal point on the first weekend and on the last day from where walks will start, and from where information about walks, groups and our footpath and RIPPLE activities can be obtained. The three focal points are The Woburn Heritage Centre on Saturday 7, Priory Country Park Bedford on Sunday 8 and Ampthill Park on Sunday 15. All three points have free car parking on or near the sites and will offer a range of walks to suit most abilities.

Every day there will be walks right across the county from

Cranfield to Caddington, Sandy to Sundon and Turvey to Toddington. Full details can be found on our festival website www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.

The annual Greensand Ridge Path Challenge, 40 miles between Leighton Buzzard and Gamlingay, takes place over the weekend of 14 - 15 September. Bookings are essential as numbers are restricted. The cost is £15 per person whether you come for one or both days. If you can't manage both days you can always come for one this year and one next year. Certificates are awarded to all who complete the challenge. Book and pay online at www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.

The Area AGM will be held on Saturday 30 November at Houghton Conquest

village hall and hosted by North Beds Ramblers.

As usual, all officer positions are up for re-election and as the Area has been without a Secretary and Membership Secretary for several years it would be good to have these posts filled. Neither position is as onerous as they once were and would be ideal for someone just retired who wants to keep feeling wanted and useful. Filling these positions would also enable other officers to concentrate

on their roles to the overall benefit of all the groups. If you are interested or would like to find out more about these roles, please contact Area Chairman Nick Markham at [email protected].

The AGM is always a good opportunity for members to raise queries and time is set aside for this under any other business. If you have something you wish to raise and would like to have it added to the agenda then please email Nick Markham at the address above.

The agenda for the day is:10.00 Meet and tea/coffee, 10.30 Morning walk, 12.30 Lunch, 13.30 Trustees Presentation, 14.15 AGM, 16.00 approx Finish.

A number of training days were held during the summer. These

commenced with a course on how to plan and lead a walk followed in early May with a course on apps, maps and compasses at which participants had an enjoyable day learning not only how to read a map and use a compass but also how to use apps in helping to plan and lead a walk.

There was an opportunity for members to attend the Ramblers Roadshow at the end of June in nearby Cambridge at which there were courses on walk leading, first aid, navigation and the use of social media.

First aid courses were organised

with St John Ambulance in Bedford and Biggleswade during July and August where a number of members had a hectic but enjoyable session learning how to treat injuries that might be incurred on walks.

On Sunday 8 September during the Bedfordshire Walking Festival and in response to demand, we will be holding an Apps, Maps and Compasses course at Maulden village hall. This is open to both members and non-members and booking is essential. Bookings can be made via the festival website www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.

Plans are well underway for our 2020 courses. For information on these contact Nick Markham at [email protected].

Last year's Greensand Ridge Path Challenge Photo: Barry Ingram

Members on the Apps, Maps and Compasses course. Photo: Barry Ingram

A good day's work. Photo: Gill King

Walking festival

Area AGM

Training courses

Normally our group walks on Sundays but on 2 June we had a

litter-picking day instead. Members cleared rubbish

from three local footpaths where rubbish often accumulates.

Armed with gloves and litter pickers, they managed to fill several bags of rubbish including many recyclable bottles and cans. Many appreciative comments were made by passing members of the public. Thanks to Gill King for organising the day.

Mike ShephardLeighton Buzzard Ramblers

Litter day

BEDFORDSHIRE

bulletin

The Bedford Borough Local Access Forum has some vacancies, especially for landowners, farmers, cyclists, horse

riders and to a lesser extent, walkers. The forum has recently advised on the Bedford Borough Local Plan, East West Rail, Oxford Cambridge Expressway, Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet A421 extension and the local rights of way improvement programme.

Ramblers members along with others interested in accessing the countryside have been involved

with the forum for a number of years but it would be good to have 'new blood' and fresh ideas. Membership of the forum is made up by a wide spectrum of people who make their living from the countryside and those who enjoy access to it.

If you are interested and can help provide Bedford Borough and other bodies with balanced advice on the countryside and access to it then please contact the forum's Chairman, Nigel Jacobs, at [email protected].

Barry Ingram

Bedford Borough Local Access Forum


Ramblers volunteers are now working alternate Tuesdays each month with both Central Bedfordshire and

Bedford Borough councils and certainly making an impact.

During the last three months a bridleway in south Biggleswade has been reopened enabling walkers and cyclists to access the network to the east and workers living in nearby housing can now access the new industrial workplaces by using the bridleway. The route had been closed for a long time whilst the the building of the units took place and had become very overgrown and in places uneven.

In August the group made a three year return to paths on the edge of Houghton Conquest and cleared back growth on paths well used by villagers. These paths are more significant

now as the housing development on the old MoD site at Kempston Hardwick adjoins the boundary of Houghton Conquest and the paths provide the link between the two places.

Bedford Borough has been erecting and replacing metal finger signs at the sides of roads where a path meets the road and have been repairing and replacing bridges which were installed many years ago and are now coming to the end of their lives. This year it has been noticeable that the number of crossfield paths open has significantly increased since the council adopted new policies on enforcement and landowners appear more willing to work with them. It's just unfortunate for walkers that headlands with footpaths don't always get the same treatment as those with bridleways and walking them can be challenging, particularly at this time of year.

One criticism is that far too few walk leaders and users report problems like broken stiles

and bridges, blocked or overgrown paths, missing or broken marker posts, etc. The council needs to know as does your local Area and group footpath officer.

Ramblers volunteers are involved in erecting and replacing yellow-topped marker posts in Bedford Borough and have recently worked on the Clapham/Ravensden/Thurleigh border and Colmworth and Bolnhurst. The importance of the marker posts cannot be overstated as they encourage more people to use the paths and in some cases serve as a helpful tool for planners and developers when looking at and inspecting potential new development sites.

It was good to have some new people helping us recently. Our volunteers do a great job and the more people we have the more we can do for you.

To find out more about our RIPPLE footpath work contact me at [email protected].

Barry Ingram

Before the work at Biggleswade. Photo: Barry Ingram And the same bridleway later. Photo: Barry Ingram

ESSEXextras

Frank Holzman

The encouraging response to my piece 'What are the Ramblers for?' in South

East Walker last year resulted in Essex Area submitting the following motion to the 2019 meeting of General Council:

This General Council recognises the benefits to Ramblers of its ability to offer guided walks on a regular basis across the country and the contribution this makes to the health of the participants and the walking of public rights of way. However Council emphasises that an equally important function of the Ramblers is to keep the path network open and, where possible, to extend and improve it. To this end, Council asks the Board of Trustees to increase the publicity that is given to our charitable objects and particularly to the work we do in improving the quality of public rights of way and our campaigning for increased access.

It was pleasing that the motion was carried unanimously but just because a motion is agreed at Council does not mean the trustees have to carry it out though, given that it is relatively rare for motions to be supported with this level of enthusiasm, it is likely the Board will make serious efforts to implement its intention.

I think that our main effort should be to ensure that Ramblers pursue a fundamental shift in policy over and above the superficial

responses some cynics might expect. Our first task should be for a whole department to be set up purely to do with public rights of way and Lost Paths. Such a department would deal with everything to do with paths, planning, legal issues and access. It would be the one-stop shop for footpath secretaries, path adopters, environment officers and footpath workers. It would also be responsible for allocating grants and training specifically related to public rights of way. Occasional national advertising in non-walking publications drawing attention to public rights of way work should be attempted. Above all, such a department should be seen as delivering Ramblers core values and should be staffed by people on full-time contracts.

As far as Essex is concerned, we will be pursuing a more formal relationship which enables our working parties to operate more efficiently. Such a relationship might include:• a total overhaul of the highway

authorities' fault reporting systems to give all walkers the confidence that their reports can be easily made and go to the people who will act on them.

• the recognition that some of our members have all the skills necessary for deciding on the need for and nature of a piece of public rights of way maintenance

work without having to involve an inspector. (This would cut highway authority costs and speed up turnaround).

• enabling trained members of working parties to carry out site testing thus enabling ground penetration. (Again, this would speed up working, reduce volunteers frustration and save money).

• Introduce a fully managed loan system for equipment along with regular training for electric saws and brush-cutters.As far as basic publicity is

concerned, we will press for the items below and ask that, wherever possible, they should be personalised for use by the local group as well as the generic Ramblers information:• plaques for all work we install• plastic yellow tops for way markers

with Ramblers logo• Leaflet dispensers which can be

fixed to gates and bridges• Collapsible signs - 'Ramblers at

work'.• Permanent signage (requiring

landowner permission) 'Ramblers look after paths in this area'.I believe that the impetus of

this policy revolution will have a profound effect on our recruitment efforts and also convince our members that volunteering for footpath work might well be the kind of thing they could enjoy.

Len Banister

A shift in policy

Frank died on 8 May, following a struggle with a memory-related illness.

Frank joined the Ramblers in 1972 and succeeded Peter Spence as West Essex Chairman in 1988. At his first AGM as Chair in November 1989, he set up the Parish Adopter scheme, with a volunteer adopter being responsible for surveying the footpaths of each parish. He soon reported the county and Epping Forest District councils to the Ombudsman for failing to carry out their statutory responsibilities.

He was an active member of Bill Govey's working parties, for which he took responsibility when Bill die, guiding the group to the situation where we worked in close co-operation with the

district council and Country Care, who provided finance and 'furniture'. He was prominent in the organisation of the walking of our first long distance path in 1993, the Thames Path. Group holidays and weekend breaks soon followed. He was adept at getting volunteers for jobs and oversaw the 'changing of the guard' as younger members with new ideas replaced the old as they retired from office. Over £10,000 was raised and donated to Central Office during his term in office.

It remains for me to say 'thank you Frank' and to offer our best wishes and condolences to close friends and family at this sad time.

John FrancisWest Essex Ramblers Walks

Committee

RIPPLE Ivel Valley WalkersThe group is now offering a range of

walks every week, membership is increasing and there are walks to suit

most types of member. Thursday Ambles and Interest walks have

been added to the Sunday and Wednesday walks that take place every week. The Tuesday long walk (which alternate with the LDWA Thursday walk) and the Friday bus walks are now the only fortnightly walking events on the programme. Additionally, members who like to keep paths in good order are out on alternate Tuesday mornings clearing paths, putting in yellow-topped marker posts and other work.

There is also a developing social programme. Earlier in the year members would have tried crown green bowling had it not been for the weather but nothing was lost as the barbecue was followed by a quiz instead. A dog racing evening was another winner and in July our Social Secretary organised a 'walk on water' with members taking it in turns to steer, ride and walk beside a narrowboat on the Grand Union Canal between Cosgrove and Stoke Bruerne where an enjoyable cream tea awaited.


Twenty excited members o f t he B e rk sh i r e Walkers (we had the

largest group of attendees at the event) descended on the city of Cambridge for this year's National Young Ramblers event from Friday 28 - Sunday 30 June, hosted by Hertfordshire's Stag Walkers.

We had an action-packed

weekend with a large choice of walks over the three days, a ceilidh on the Saturday night and the option of the Ramblers Roadshow to attend. It was great to see so many people who attended the 2018 event we hosted in Berkshire. The weather was on our side, sunny and dry! Maybe a little too warm on the Saturday, with

temperatures over 30 degrees. Cambridge and the surrounding areas were beautiful, providing us with the chance to explore an area some of us hadn't been to before. Following another successful event this year we are looking forward to attending National Young Ramblers 2020!

Jason OwenBerkshire Walkers

Seven eager members of our group carried out a litter-pick walk beside the Jubilee River on 12 April to coincide with Keep Britain Tidy's 'Great British Spring Clean'.

Slough Borough Council provided the necessary equipment and 29 bags of litter were filled without having to walk too far.

Joyce KeeganSecretary, Windsor & District Group

West Berks members took an evening trip on the Kennet &

Avon Canal on 23 May from Hungerford Wharf to Wire Lock and back aboard the narrowboat 'The Rose of Hungerford'.

We were fortunate in having one

of our members, John, doubling as a crew member and guide who gave an interesting talk on the history of the canal. Members could also help work the locks if they wished.

Richard TrimmerWest Berks Group

A successful weekend in Cambridge. Photo: Jason Owen

Satisfied litter-pickers with their 29 bag haul. Photo: Slough Borough Council

The Rose of Hungerford. Photo: Richard Trimmer

National Young Ramblers 2019

Clean up

Canal trip

BERKSHIREbites

For the past two years East Surrey Walkers has raised funds in order to replace stiles with gates.

The group organises a weekly series of Ambles aimed at those who can walk three miles at a gentle pace, ideally on a stile-free route. So replacing difficult stiles has been a priority. This year, two more of the Amble routes have become stile-free thanks to a partnership with London group, South Bank Ramblers.

On the Greensand Way at Broadham Green, near Oxted, three awkward stiles have been replaced with kissing gates, with funding for two being provided by East Surrey Walkers and the other by South Bank Ramblers. Further south in Lingfield, another three gates have been provided on the same funding basis. All six gates were installed by our path maintenance team, 'Ken's Krew'. One of the Broadham Green gates is in memory of Alan Wales, who was our Walks Coordinator for many years. Margaret, his widow, officially 'opened' the gate, supported by many members of the group.

Tony PearsonFootpath Secretary, East Surrey Walkers Margaret Wales at the opening on 22 July with East Surrey members. Photo: Noel Cunniffe

Gateway to groups working together


We nominated Milton Keynes for Britain's B e s t W a l k i n g

Neighbourhood Award, and came third (after Falkirk and Brockley) in the public vote, so thank you to everyone who supported Milton Keynes.

When the nomination was made little did we realise what would happen next. With Ramblers Central Office we made a promotional video and material for publicity. This included writing up a walk, now on the Ramblers website. From there we were interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio and appeared on the Look East television programme. Last was to attend a reception in the House of Commons on 10 July hosted by Dan Jarvis MP with the awards presented by Ramblers President, Stuart Maconie. It has been an enjoyable experience and allowed us to join forces with the

Parks Trust and Walking for Health, and we hope to build on this to grow walking in Milton Keynes and the wider area.

Ian DunfordMilton Keynes Ramblers

On a sunny day in May over 40 members of Hillingdon Ramblers

met to celebrate the life of Ron Dyke, a long-standing member of the group, who died last year.

Members were joined by Ron's family including his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The celebration included a nine mile walk through the local area and refreshments were provided by members of the group's catering committee. The large number of people who joined the walk

demonstrated the respect in which Ron was held. He contributed much to our group by leading over 200 walks. His knowledge of history enhanced many of the walks especially those that he led in London. Ron also served on the group's committee. He was always a fascinating companion on any walk because of the passion he had for walking which had taken him all over the UK and overseas. He will be much missed.

Rob Jones-OwenHillingdon Ramblers

Gathered in memory of Ron. Photo: Julie Osborn

Ian Dunford is presented with the award by Stuart Maconie. Photo: Hannah Bodley

What with Miles Without Stiles in our national parks,

Stile-free walks advertised by the Chilterns Conservation Board and the county council's Simply Walk crying out for easily negotiable footpaths, we've made a decision.

Heading for our 200th gate installation well before Christmas, only very few parishes have actually ended up with a respectable stile-free walk. Many of our stile-to-gate improvements are dotted about in ones and twos across North Bucks. From now on we will concentrate on blitzing a parish to make it really 'Simply Walk' friendly.

Westcott has probably done best, with Oving rapidly closing in with sizeable annual donations from their parish council. In Ford one landowner is sponsoring nine Donate-a-Gates, with others showing an interest too. There

are routes local to our base in Haddenham that would be ideal for Simply Walks. Most of the awkward and difficult stiles have been or are due to be gated. However, as we've mentioned before, it only takes one reluctant or recalcitrant landowner to spoil things for everyone. Just one stile on a circular walk with a simple shortcoming such as having only one step, being overly high, not having a hand post, etc, will result in a recce being abandoned and a less interesting route being chosen. Unfortunately, that might well be the result the landowner, particularly a sheep farmer, might be looking for.

We will persist however. Our locally retired judge, and NFU and Ramblers member, Brian Bowman, has a new passion to convince such farmers and landowners that gates are best. Immediately, this will stop dog walkers taking wire cutters with

them to cut holes in sheep netting - it happens. With enough signage and education in local primary schools, children and parents can also work with landowners to show respect for each other's concerns and requirements.

As Fiona Broadbent, who runs Simply Walk has said "Ease of access is crucial for health walks. A stile that may be acceptable to the majority of walkers may be a real barrier for someone with something like a hip or knee problem. We offer more than 80 regular led walks throughout Bucks, making great use of our excellent rights of way system. It is a pity that some wonderful routes are not usable for our walks due to barriers."

Our latest quarterly activity report appears on our web page timed to coincide with the publication of South East Walker. See www.bucks-wmiddx-ramblers.org.uk/donate-a-gate.

Bill PiersNorth Bucks rRIPPLE

Coordinator

North Bucks rRIPPLE

It is anticipated that the Annual General Meeting of Buckinghamshire, Milton

Keynes and West Middlesex Area will be held on Saturday 1 February 2020, probably in Wendover. Full details will be given in the next issue of South East Walker.

The Area's nine groups normally hold their AGMs in October, November or December. Compliance with the requirements

of the General Data Protection Regulation has made it more difficult for some groups to ensure that they comply with the constitutional requirement to give notice of general meetings to all their members. If you do not normally receive a group programme but wish to ensure that you have notice of your group's AGM, please contact the group Secretary; contact information is available on the Ramblers website or from Central Office.

At the time of writing I had received details of the following group AGMs. Please contact the group Secretary if you require further information.

Amersham and District: Wednesday 23 October, 8pm, the Barn Hall, Amersham Community Centre, Chiltern Avenue, Amersham, HP6 5AH.

Aylesbury and District: Friday 29 November, 7.30pm, St Anne's Hall, Aylesbury Road, Wendover,

HP22 6JG.Chiltern Weekend

Walkers: Sunday 6 October, 2pm, Great Missenden Memorial Centre, Link Road, Great Missenden, HP 16 9AE

Hillingdon and District: Saturday 19 October: 2pm, St Martin's Church Hall, Eastcote Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 8DG.

Milton Keynes and District: Sunday 23 November, 2pm, Great

Linford Memorial Hall, Marsh Drive, Milton Keynes, MK14 5AX.

North West London: Tuesday 29 October: 7pm, St John the Baptist church meeting room, Sheepcote Road, Harrow, HA1 2JE.

Wycombe District: Saturday 2 November, 2pm, Lane End Village Hall, Finings Road, Lane End, High Wycombe, HP14 3EY.

John EsslemontActing Area Secretary

Area and group Annual General Meetings

Early this year we lost one of our most active and well-loved members, Jim

Robinson. Jim was very active in his local

community in Haddenham, as well as in our group. He became a walk leader fairly soon after joining the group in 2006 and later became

Secretary. He sat on the working party that helped set up the group's website and was a major force in establishing the Wychert Way, in an area close to his heart. The Wychert Way now forms part of two circular walks on the Outer Aylesbury Ring. He was also our path checker for his home parish of Haddenham and the neighbouring parish of Kingsey.

Following a collection at our annual winter meal in January, the group arranged through the North Bucks rRIPPLE Donate a Gate scheme to install two new gates on the Wychert Way, in memory of Jim. So next time you are down this way, check out the gates, think of all he has done for us and have a glass of beer in his memory - something he would certainly appreciate.

Roy JohnsonAylesbury & District Ramblers

Jim Robinson

Ron Dyke memorial walk

News from Bucks, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex

BUCKSbriefs

Jim Robinson

Jim is remembered on the donated gates (on Long Crendon path 7/3 at SP 714090 and Long Crendon path 9/4 at SP 714097).

MK award


For the first time in White Cliffs Ramblers' history, an American citizen has been recruited as

a walk leader and led her inaugural event in July in the Elham Valley area of Kent.

It came at a time of tetchy relations between the UK and American President Donald Trump following the resignation of the British ambassador in Washington. But Linda Worrell, a New Yorker who lives in Deal with husband Peter, was only too happy to boost the Transatlantic special relationship with a scenic and sociable stroll.

"We had a great walk through the countryside on a glorious English summer day. Maybe we should get Trump out here - it wouldn't make him any less inept, but it might calm him down. Although I'd much prefer walking with former ambassador Darroch!"

Linda has been a member of the White Cliffs group for a number of years and completed the Walk Leaders' Navigation Course annually provided by the White Cliffs Ramblers. She and her husband live part of the year in New York and the best part of the English summer in Deal. Linda, a keen walker, enjoys walking with the group and says the great variety of walks in East Kent gives her and Peter such pleasure and they so much look forward to their stay in Deal each year.

Linda and Peter had thought for some time that they needed to give something back to the group and decided the best way was to become a walk leader. Having successfully passed the course Linda is now well on her way to becoming a walk leader extraordinaire and looking forward to many more adventures with the group.

Les PrestonWhite Cliffs Ramblers Linda (with mapcase) takes the lead. Photo: Les Preston

John Hartley, a member of the Leighton Buzzard Ramblers, decided in May 2011,to embark on the 625-

mile journey of the Monarch's Way. He was joined in this venture by his

wife Linda, Ken & Rita Barry and Mike & Wendy Ley. The plan was to walk two or three sections of the route every year over the next 10 years. Due to our ages this became affectionately known as our 'zimmer frame' walk. Later we were joined by Mike & Ferial Hyde and then by Mike & Helen Shephard.

The Monarch's Way wends its way through central England following the escape route of King Charles II, firstly travelling north and then south through the Midlands, Cotswolds and Mendips to the south coast and finally along the South Downs to Shoreham-by-Sea where Charles made his escape to France.

Along the way we explored historic sites associated with Charles, travelled through the Midlands following many canals and learning of our industrial heritage, enjoyed the rolling hills, stayed in a vast number of

pubs and hotels in villages and towns we perhaps would not otherwise have had the opportunity to visit, and found numerous tea and community shops.

We travelled in the hope we would all make it to the end but sadly John died in January this year and Rita died in March, neither quite making it to the end. Although shocked, we soldiered on, carrying John and Rita's boots, and finished the walk on 9 May this year, celebrating the finish with other members of Leighton Buzzard Ramblers who were on their annual group holiday in Worthing. We had spent a total of 76 days on the trail and stayed in 23 bases.

In addition to the six original members of the group, Mike & Ferial completed over 450 miles of the route and Mike & Helen completed well over 225 miles. Between us all we clocked up over 5,100 miles. Quite an achievement when you consider the ages of the group, ranging from 6? to 8? years of age!

Wendy Ley

The Monarch's Way walkers hold John and Rita's boots at the bench at Shoreham-By-Sea dedicated to Trevor Antill who devised the Monarch's Way. Photo: Wendy Ley

Our 625-mile 'zimmer frame' walk

Mending the 'special relationship'

Twenty six ramblers joined West London's circular walk from Bourne End to Burnham Beeches

on Wednesday 5 June to pass through their new donated Radar kissing gate.

It was great to be joined by a number of Hillingdon Ramblers as they had donated a Radar kissing gate and a pedestrian gate near to our gate.

The three new gates, which have replaced difficult stiles, were installed by the Chiltern Society Maintenance Volunteers through their 'Donate-a-Gate' scheme. Our gate was funded via the Walking Partnership scheme by members who had made bookings with Ramblers Walking Holidays. The three gates are particularly special as they provide a two mile easy, accessible route for disabled users from Egypt Lane through to Littleworth Common, an outstanding area of mostly beech woodland with wide footpaths.

The day of the walk coincided with the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Southsea. During World War II Burnham Beeches formed a prominent part in the war effort, supporting the

achievements of D-Day. It became a hub of military activity as an important vehicle reserve depot. In 1942, as Winston Churchill was passing through nearby Slough on a train, he noticed many large army vehicles stored near the station and thought they were far too vulnerable to enemy bombers. He suggested that nearby Burnham Beeches would provide a suitable location to hide the vehicles. Therefore, in 1942, large parts of the Beeches were requisitioned by the War Department. Most of the area was used for marshalling vehicles which were destined for the D-Day landings. At one time, up to 10,000 vehicles were hidden under the trees and barbed wire was placed round the Beeches to secure the area. More than 300 people served there, including electrical and mechanical engineers and the Royal Army Service Corps. Vehicles were checked, maintained, kitted out and waterproofed. When the call came they would be driven in convoy at night to the south coast and used to aid the D-Day landings.

Sue AldridgeWest London Group

This new gate replaced a difficult stile. Photo: Simon Thornhill

New gate viewed on historic anniversary


Wok ing R a mblers joined neighbouring Surrey Heath Ramblers on Friday 21 June,

the longest day of the year, for a Great Get Together walk on Chobham Common followed by a picnic.

This was just one of many events organised as part of the Great Get Together weekend, inspired by the memory of Jo Cox, the MP who was tragically killed in June 2016, and an opportunity to reflect on bringing communities together.

The largest National Nature Reserve in the

south east of England, Chobham Common is one of the finest remaining examples of lowland heath in the world. With its great variety of wildlife and flora, our walk encompassed beautiful Grade II listed Chobham Park House, a tranquil fishpool with magnificent water lilies, and crossed a field with some frisky horses, all of which were the perfect surroundings to complement the diversity of people and celebrate that which unites us all.

Malcolm BrickwoodWoking Ramblers

Woking and Surrey Heath's Great Get Together

Off-roaders - saints or sinners? Your strange name did not trip lightly

off the tongue when we were pennedin oaken choir stalls

far off in distant Hertfordshire.

There we learned new hymns,new anthems for our childhood:

soprano voices sparking off neo-gothic arches,soaring, cresting in the beams.

I could not picture you, then,did not know the magic

that a Cotswold lad had conjuredfrom another set of wooden pews

on the other side of England. Down Ampney:listening to you, Ralph Vaughan Williams

heard over Cotswold fields the lark ascending;heard other voices, violins ringing

in the springing beeches of his home -and wrote his music for the singing,

praying, "Come Down O Love Divine.Seek thou this soul of mine" -

across the rolling fields & roving melodiesof all the pastures, farms of Gloucestershire;

of all the hills & combes of Wiltshire;of all the hallowed woods of Gloucestershire.

© Lizzie Ballagher

Ralph Vaughan Williams' father was vicar of Down Ampney in Gloucestershire when the

composer was a child. In 2018 the village held a festival to commemorate the life of the composer; a display is still visible in the church, with plans to celebrate his music once again in 2020. Well worth

a slight detour from the Thames Path!

Lizzie Ballagher at Down Ampney church © Photo: Rosie Brave

Down Ampney

Off-roaders - don't we just hate them! There they go in their steroidal

4x4s, menacing walkers on byways and, even worse, going off-piste and chewing up the landscape.

The Ramblers' website says that the use of "4x4s, motorbikes and other off-road vehicles using footpaths, bridleways and other tracks is a problem in many parts of the countryside. In places people are greeted with thunderous engines, deep ruts left by 4x4s, and have to jump out of the way when motorbikes whizz past. We feel this isn't just unpleasant, it's dangerous."

But not all off-roaders are like that. The Flitch Way is a former railway line that passes through 15 miles of rural Essex between Bishops Stortford and Braintree. With its status as a byway it is open to motor vehicles as well as horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

Over the past five years a 500 metre stretch of the Flitch Way near Dunmow, by the A120, has been used irresponsibly by some 4x4 users who have driven off the authorised surface onto neighbouring private land, often at night, creating deep ruts and causing a nuisance not only to other users of the Flitch Way but to those who live nearby. Rod Jones, a Dunmow Town councillor and recently re-elected councillor for Uttlesford District, says the problem became so persistent that he spoke about it at a full Essex County Council meeting; he has seen children fall off their bikes and families are put off using the Flitch Way. He himself has been threatened by bikers and 4x4 users and has had to involve the police. The more ruts, he says, the more attractive it is for them. "The idiots have no social responsibility. They think they can go and do whatever they like".

Something had to be done and an organisation called All Terrain UK, which exists "to promote responsible, sustainable and

enjoyable green laning" took the lead and on a showery Saturday

in early May a working party of about 35 volunteers got together with the permission of Essex County Council to install 41 gabions (rock-filled wire baskets) to prevent drivers and riders going off the official route. Ruts were flattened and hidden wireless CCTV cameras were installed with the legally required warning notices. Bushes will be planted to hide the gabions.

Kirk Pearson, chairman and founder of All Terrain UK, says that there is an element in society who want to break the rules, and who give responsible off-roaders a bad name. His organisation works with a charity called CALM, which provides countryside access for the less mobile, to take part in countryside activities in small groups. He adds that less than three per cent of non-road rights of way are open to motorised vehicles and that All Terrain UK advises its members not to use deeply rutted byways and might even advise seasonal closures. What he doesn't want is for sound byways to be threatened with closure because of the actions of what he believes to be an irresponsible minority.

A digger and dumper had to be hired, along with a portable toilet, and with the cost of the rubble and gabions the operation came to about £4,000, raised in part from a crowd-funding exercise but mainly from donations. The Friends of the Flitch Way gave Ј500, as did

the Green Lane Association, while five 4x4 organisations contributed £2,100. Other organisations, including Dumow Residents, the Essex Bridleways Association and Uttlesford Ramblers, contributed labour. All participants agreed that it was good to see the community coming together.

What conclusions can we draw? Clearly not all off-roaders are irresponsible and they have every legal right to use byways. There is, however, an antisocial minority who are unlikely to go away completely. But we can draw encouragement from the lead taken by All Terrain UK in bringing off-roaders, horse riders, ramblers and residents to work together for a common good. Diane Shepherd, Chair of Uttlesford Ramblers, believes that there is scope for further joint working. "There are several byways in Uttlesford that are virtually unwalkable because of damage done by off-roaders, and anything that can be done to improve the situation will be very welcome."

Finally, remember the Ramblers' advice. Report use of footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways by off-roaders to the police. And if you can't use a byway because it has been damaged by off-roaders, tell your Footpath Secretary. Traffic Regulation Orders can be put in to restrict off-road vehicles from using them.

Mike CannellEssex Area Media Officer

The repair work brought together a range of people. Photo: Mike Cannell


The wall of nettles that Bicester & Kidlington team faced on a path in Lower Souldern. Photo: Ian Baldwin

Oxford City team above the Lye Valley. Photo: Keith Frayn

Vale of White Horse team leader Jim Parke asserting that there is indeed a bridleway ALONG here.

Photo: John Gordon

A fallen tree being removed by Thame & Wheatley team in Lewknor.

Photo: Ruth Cornish

on-lineOXFORDSHIRE

Sometimes you get an email which brightens your day. In late June I got

this message, with photos, from Oxfordshire County Council's Field Officer for the Vale of White Horse: Hi Dave, Very many thanks for your help with the bridge at Kingston Lisle. New bridge installed yesterday plus new fingerposts at roadside.

It had been less than a month since I reported the collapsed footbridge and beheaded fingerpost so I was very pleasantly surprised to read of the speedy resolution. So, if you come across a dodgy footbridge, report it. If you take

photos, so much the better. To find out how to report an issue using the county council's website reporting tool go to this page on the Oxfordshire Ramblers website www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/footprotect/report-footpath-problems.html and follow the link in it. You can, of course, report any path issue in this way. You don't need to know the grid reference of the problem, as the reporting tool shows you a map which has icons for every fingerpost, stile. gate and footbridge on all rights of way, which are clearly shown.

Dave Cavanagh

Nettles were growing like crazy in June, the conditions seemingly

perfect for them. Likewise for cleavers (aka

goosegrass and, I am reliably informed, sticky willie in Scotland) which festooned bushes and boughs that overhung

paths, making them almost impenetrable. Four of our path maintenance teams were active in this period, cutting through soft growth. Those of us who used brush cutters relied on the swatting (top down) technique rather than a scything (side to side) action for much of the

time, to avoid clogging up the blades with cleavers and grass. If you would like to join - or form - a path maintenance team, contact the Chair of the group of your choice, via links on our website www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk.

Dave Cavanagh

No more walking the plank

Path maintenance

In warm sunshine, nearly 100 Ramblers members converged from different

directions on the grounds of Wallingford Castle, the venue of this year's annual picnic on 23 June.

Oxfordshire held its first annual picnic on Shirburn Hill in 2010 as

part of the Ramblers 75th birthday celebrations. Each group in our Area takes it in turn to act as host and this year that honour fell to Didcot & Wallingford Group. Nick Morley, Chair of the group, and his team erected a gazebo under which were tables laden with home-made cakes and drinks.

I welcomed the picnickers and thanked the Didcot & Wallingford team for acting as our excellent hosts. The high turnout showed that the annual picnic has become a firm favourite in the Area's summer walks programme.

Jim ParkeArea Chair

The picnic in the grounds of Wallingford Castle. Photo: Jim Parke

Area picnic

The nettle jungle was reclaiming the footbridge, where only one plank remained sound. Photo: Dave Cavanagh

The County Task Team did a wonderful job installing a new footbridge.

Photo: Dave Cavanagh

The county councilThree attempts have been made to recruit a replacement for James Blockley (Principal Officer, Trees and Countryside Access), so far without success. The Definitive Map Modification Order waiting list is now down to 78 cases, of which 32 are under active investigation. A further 19 have been allocated to an officer; these include cases where a dedication may be sought. 22 diversion cases are outstanding. The revenue budget has remained the same since 2012, but the capital budget, which did not exist then, has now been doubled.Diversions, claims etc: The order on Milton FPs 5 and 13, for a housing estate, has been made; I have objected because FP5 is referred to as FP15 throughout. I have also received a consultation to extinguish a claimed path along the edge of the estate, through proposed gardens; I have suggested that an order under s118 will fail because the claim is for 20 years use, and an attempt to extinguish a rail crossing many years ago under s118 failed because there were seven users.

Natural England are suggesting a creation along the railway at Shiplake so that Thames Path users can avoid the historic towpath through gardens; we have pointed out that any attempt to extinguish this section will be resisted.

We are objecting to a consultation on Didcot FP20 and a diversion order for Oxford FP80, both because they are being diverted onto estate roads contrary to para 7.8 of DEFRA Circular 1/09.

The claim for a bridleway along the disused Great Central Railway

at Mixbury has been confirmed, but there are objections to the two claims in the school grounds. The claim for a bridleway in Hailey has also been confirmed, as has the reinstatement of Warborough FP7 which was left off the 2006 Definitive Map in error. Diversion of an estate path in North Leigh has also been confirmed.Other mattersThe closure of Marcham BR17 looks set to go on indefinitely, as there seems to be no legal way to force the landowner to repair the bridge, which is a listed building, and he refuses to let contractors on site to erect a temporary structure. The other long-standing closure is Sunningwell BR8, where the path runs up a quarry face, and putting steps up will swallow up a substantial part of the budget.

I wonder if I hold the record for the oldest documents used in a right-of-way case. When the owner of Hardwell Lane (a firm called Fraxinus SA, after the Latin for ash-tree given by "Asser"'s Life of Alfred as the derivation of Ashdown) below the Downs applied for a deletion order I pointed the county council at three charters dated 856, 903 and 944 (the 856 charter is probably a later forgery, but no later than 1200). When the owner appealed to the Secretary of State, the decision letter rejecting the appeal made much of these, also misquoting 856 as 865. Deciphering the Old English involved much head-scratching until I realised that 'cymth' in the 903 charter was 'cometh' (ie to the Icknield Way, which seems to be the earliest written reference to it).

David GodfreyArea Footpath Secretary

Footpath matters


A ne w, f a m i l y- f r i e nd l y walking route has opened in the Dover area.

The Kearsney Loop is a scenic 2.6 mile walk taking in Russell Gardens, Kearsney Abbey, Bushy Ruff and Scotland Common, on the outskirts of the town. It is the result of negotiations between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (a part of the Ministry of Defence) - which owns some of the land - and White Cliffs Ramblers to create a permissive path across Bush Ruff, thus avoiding a good half mile walk along a busy road.

The walk was opened by Alan and Jane Ford, members of the group who had paid for some steps on the route, which were

installed by White Cliffs Ramblers volunteers. The steps and two gates, also put in by volunteers from the group, ease access for walkers.

Other guests at the opening ceremony in July were three members of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, including Major Bhupjit Rai, who said his organisation was delighted to have worked with the Ramblers to create this new walk, and it was excellent that families could use the route safely.

Also at the ceremony were Elaine Webb, Local Advocacy Manager for the Ramblers, and Kent Ramblers' Secretary, Robert Peel, who has produced a Kearsney Loop leaflet, giving full details of the route and

its points of interest. Copies of the leaflet can be downloaded from the Kent Ramblers website www.kentramblers.org.uk.

Les Preston, from White Cliffs Ramblers, said: "This circular walk is available thanks to cooperation between White Cliffs Ramblers, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Dover District Council. It can be undertaken in either direction, and can conveniently be combined with a visit yo Kearsney Abbey."

The new walk will feature in the programme of this year's White Cliffs Walking Festival (22-28 August), organised by the group. Go to www.whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk for details.

Eight y-seven people attended the Kent Area meeting for rights of

way officers and volunteers on Friday 3 May at Lenham Community Centre.

Huge thanks are due to the magnificent band of volunteers, made up of those who booked to attend the event, who arrived early on the day to set up the hall and plate the meals to ensure that everything ran like clockwork.

This was a day designed for footpath volunteers and anyone with an interest in public rights of way. In addition to Local Footpath Officers and Parish Footpath Observers, there were stile workers and vegetation clearers. Many came from clubs affiliated to the Ramblers, as well as parish council representatives. The audience was wide, containing long-serving volunteers, battle-hardened campaigners, and many new volunteers attending for the first time.

Rights of way in the London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley and in the unitary authority of Medway are not covered by Kent County Council but they are covered and protected by Kent Area Ramblers volunteers and affiliated organisations. It was pleasing to have representatives from these in the audience and the opportunity to tell them about the work we do in Kent and show recognition and appreciation for the work they

do. It was planned as a pleasant day of learning with time to ask questions and hopefully go home with greater knowledge and understanding of volunteering and how Ramblers function in Kent.

Guest speakers covered the Kent County Council Countryside Access Management website for reporting faults, Lost Ways, the supporting role of the Kent Countryside Access Forum, and plans to improve waymarking, information and promotion on some of the better known named walking routes passing through the county. This will be funded partly from sales of walking guides - the two published so far have generated a surplus of more than £3,500 for Kent Ramblers, and more are planned.

For new volunteers there was a full description of the differing roles of Ramblers volunteers, covering the running of Kent Area, footpath protection, path inspection, fault reporting, stile gate and step installation, and vegetation clearance.

The speakers took part in an open forum in the afternoon. This was joined by George Redmayne, rights of way support officer from Ramblers Central Office, who was a welcome guest. A wide variety of questions was raised and discussed. The feedback from the event has been complimentary and positive.

Averil Brice

Graham Rusling, Kent County Council's head of public rights of way and access service, addresses the meeting. Photo: Averil Brice

Alan Ford cuts the ribbon to declare the Kearsney Loop open. Next to him is Major Bhupjit Rai, and White Cliffs Ramblers Chairman Margaret Lubbock. Photo: Tony Bristow

Kearsney Loop

The Lost Ways project in Kent has now achieved its century! Lost Ways

is Kent's response to legislation which, broadly, means that if a path has not been recorded or is not in the process of being put on the definitive map by 2026, it will be lost. Of the 200+ lost ways identified for investigation, 100 are now under consideration by way of preliminary surveys.

This level of progress has been achieved by a dedicated team of volunteer surveyors, for which I personally - and on behalf of Kent -

are extremely appreciative. The preliminary field survey creates a physical record of what is on the ground, compares this with the definitive map and statements, and collects other field data which may be relevant to a future claim.

The field survey dossier is then forwarded to the relevant public rights of way and highways authority who add their information from their records to the dossier. The dossier is now ready for its next phase, the historical records search. This involves volunteers searching old

maps, planning records, tithe and parish records, railway and canal records, parliamentary records and many others. Some of these records are available online, others are held in the National Archives, county or local authority record or other offices. I am now looking for volunteers who would like to have a go at this research and is planning a briefing seminar in October for anyone interested in searching old maps, plans and records. The date of the seminar is not yet fixed but if you would like to come along please email me to book a place via [email protected].

Neville Machin Lost Ways Project Organiser

Lost Ways update

Rights of way meeting

KENTcalling

Three hundred and twenty parishes make up the county of Oxfordshire.

Since 2012 we have been working closely with the Countryside Service of the county council to develop a county-wide network of parish path wardens. In 2012 in the north west of the county, 30 parishes situated in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty were served by

the Cotswold Wardens. In the south-east 35 parishes had path representatives provided through the Chiltern Society. Oxfordshire Ramblers therefore concentrated attention on recruiting volunteer parish path wardens for those 255 parishes situated in the central, northern and western parts of the county.

We now have over 200 parish

path wardens but there are still some parishes without one. These are: Arncott, Aston Upthorpe, Baldons, Baulking, Blackthorn, Bladon, Blewbury, Broadwell, Bucknell, Caversfield, Clanfield, Cuddesdon and Denton, Denchworth, Drayton (Banbury), Ducklington, Fyfield and Tubney, Goosey, Grafton and Radcot, Great Tew, Hanborough, Hardwick-with-Yelford, Heythrop,

Holwell, Hornton, Kelmscott, Kencot, Kiddington with Asterleigh, Kingston Bagpuize, Langford, Lewknor, Little Faringdon, Little Tew, Middleton Stoney, Mixbury, Noke, Northmoor, Over Norton, Prescote, Pyrton, Rousham, Shirburn, Sibford Gower, Somerton, South Hinksey, Steeple Barton, Swerford, Tackley, Watchfield.

We would be delighted to hear from any members living in, or close

to, those parishes, who would be willing to volunteer their services as a parish path warden. Please contact me at [email protected] for further details. You can also go to www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/footprotect/parish-path-wardens.html.

Jim ParkeCoordinator, Oxfordshire Ram-

blers Parish Path Warden Network

Could you fill a gap in the parish path warden network?


Twenty two merry walkers joined Croydon group's summer evening 'pub walk' on 26 June from Chipstead though some of the paths used turned out to be more challenging than expected by their leader, John Tickner. "What with the recent heavy rainfall and very warm temperatures, some of the paths were somewhat overgrown and the words 'jungle' and 'machete' come to mind. Our stop in the garden of the Well House Inn at Mugswell allowed time to compare wounds and scratches!" Photo: John Tickner

Twenty members joined Kingston Ramblers for a weekend in East Sussex from 17 to 19 May, The programme included a tour of Hastings Old Town - voted 'Britain's Best Walking Neighbourhood' in 2018 - and walks around Rye and Normans Bay. On the Sunday at St Oswald's church at Hooe, they were invited to eat their picnics inside and brew their own teas and coffees! The group are seen here at Camber Castle on their Saturday walk. Brenda Horwill, Kingston Ramblers Photo: Mary Strang

A Woking Ramblers volunteer team worked with Surrey County Council to assist with

the maintenance of a local bridleway. On Thursday 27 June, a hot sunny

day, the team assembled with the county council's volunteer coordinator at the picturesque River Wey behind Byfleet Manor. This bridleway is part of a useful

local walking route from Byfleet to Wisley Common.

In two places along the riverbank the river had eroded away part of the route so the county council wanted these points fenced off. Some vegetation clearance was also required to open up this bridleway to its full legal width. The bank erosion had significantly worsened since an earlier inspection, so more fencing was required than anticipated, with the result that insufficient materials were immediately available for work on the second erosion point, which will be done later. No sooner was the fencing and vegetation clearance completed, than three highly-strung horses with riders decided to check out the work from both directions!

It was a nice mix of heavier and lighter work with something for everyone and a satisfying feeling of accomplishment at the end. Tools and materials were provided by the county council.

Malcolm BrickwoodWoking RamblersJob done! Photo: Surrey County Council

Woking Ramblers path work

Being a very sociable bunch, our Spring Walks Festival has become one of the

highlights of our year giving us the opportunity to share our passion for walking with the public. During the course of this year's festival in April there was something for everyone with short walks, long walks, leisurely walks and challenging walks, walks with pubs and picnics and even night walks for the more adventurous.

A total of 126 people, including 21 newcomers, attended over the

five days. Many did multiple walks including the event organiser who attended eight of the 16 on offer. One person managed to clock up 57.5 miles in total.

On the last day three separate walks of varying lengths converged at Steer's Field at Ranmore Common to enjoy a picnic lunch and take part in a light-hearted award ceremony culminating in festival organiser, Henri de Bossart, being 'knighted' by our Chairman, Joan Young.

Louise Stilwell-StageMole Valley Ramblers

Mole Valley's spring festivalFa r n h a m & D i s t r i c t R a m b l e r s r e c e n t l y recognised one of their

most active members. Malcolm Morse has been with the group for over 20 years, and in that time has led over 600 walks for them.

On 30 April a new kissing gate near his home in Tongham was dedicated to Malcolm, with over 20 fellow ramblers from the group in attendance. Malcolm formally 'opened' the gate, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Chris Hodge, our Chairman, thanked Malcolm for his

dedication over the many years. It was recognised by everyone just how much of a feature Malcolm and his dog Nimbus is within the group. Malcolm responded, stating: The Ramblers has meant so much to me over the years. I am deeply touched by this great honour.'

The gate was installed by Farnham Ramblers maintenance team under the 'Donate a gate' scheme and is to the south of Tongham at grid reference SU 892490.

Malcolm MacNachtenFarnham & District Ramblers

Malcolm Morse at the new gate installed in recognition of his outstandinmg service. Photo: Malcolm MacNachten

Dedicated service recognised

Members of Woking Group are invited to attend this year's

AGM which takes place at 13.30 on Sunday 24 November at Chobham Cricket Club.

The out-going committee will present a report of last year's activities, including the annual accounts, for approval and a new committee will be elected.

Members who wish to submit motions for discussion should submit them to our Secretary by 1 November. The AGM will include a guest speaker from Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue and be preceded by a light lunch at 13.00 and an optional morning walk. Further information is available at www.wokingramblers.org or by sending an email to [email protected].

Malcolm BrickwoodWoking Ramblers

Woking AGM

SURREYsnippets

From left to right, after installing the new kissing gate near Holmbury, Ramblers members David Farmer, Robert Owen and Basil Minor. Photo: Colin Selvin

The third new kissing gate to be paid for and installed by Guildford Ramblers on

behalf of Surrey County Council was installed by a working party from the walking group in early June. The new gate, on a path in woodland above Holmbury St Mary, replaces a stile which was awkward for the elderly or infirm to get over.

Our chairperson Lynne Davies said: "The county council no longer has the funds to look after all our footpaths as they would wish to and so volunteer groups like the Ramblers are making a major contribution to the upkeep

of footpaths. Where the council has no funds for a gate and the landlord or tenant isn't able to help, we can sometimes find funds ourselves. Earlier this year we were successful in obtaining funding from the Ramblers Central Office to cover the cost of purchasing six kissing gates and are very pleased to be able to be undertaking this programme, which benefits all walkers in our county."

Apart from installing the kissing gate, June's working party of 12 volunteers cleared low scrub and moved aside fallen and cut timber to bring back into use 250 metres of footpath running

from Holmbury Hill down to Felday Glade, which had become completely overgrown. Four waymark posts were also put in.

Leader of the working party Colin Selvin said: " It amazes me how much a small band of volunteers can achieve in half a day. Clearing the fallen timber and scrub was hard work and digging holes for the posts and gate was extremely tough with many large stones and dry, dusty soil. But it's well worth it to open up and improve paths so that members of the public can enjoy them."

Richard PetersGuildford Ramblers

Third Ramblers-funded kissing gate installed under new initiative


At the walk leaders' tea. Photo: John Tickner

Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans for London's biggest ever

Car Free Day celebrations on Sunday 22 September - when Londoners will be able to 'reclaim' the streets and enjoy hundreds of free events.

Twenty kilometres of roads will be closed to get Londoners walking, cycling and exploring - this will include Tower Bridge (closed to all traffic), London Bridge (buses only) and much of the City of London. Eighteen boroughs are also organising events such as local 'Play Streets' - safe places where children can play and communities get together.

The events will include opportunities to walk and cycle around the Totally Thames festival, the 125th anniversary of Tower Bridge celebrations and visit some of London's landmark buildings as part of the Open House weekend, guided walking routes with trails and treasure hunts around the City of London and Southwark, plus food markets, art installations and health and wellbeing activities.

Car Free Day advocate Hamish Stewart, who is also involved in

attempts to make Hammersmith Bridge more pleasant for walking and cycling while it's closed to motor vehicles, has said: "The Mayor's plan for Car Free Day will showcase an alternative land use paradigm for London that celebrates our greatest public space - the streets. The day also provides an opportunity to boost local high streets with higher footfall and more custom - we hope that Car Free Day will catalyse more walking high streets across London."

We are planning some Ramblers walks on the closed roads in and around the City of London on the day, with the aim of celebrating the contribution of closed streets to enjoyable walking and of promoting Ramblers and walking to the public. For details see www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk,

Car Free Day is marked across the world and the Mayor hopes London's Reimagine events will help encourage changes in behaviour to meet the target of 80 per cent of all journeys by sustainable modes of transport by 2041, compared to 63 per cent today.


London became the world's first National Park City in July, celebrated by a 10-

day festival of over 300 events across the city run by a large number of community and voluntary organisations.

Ramblers members and groups contributed around 30 walks to the festival. Walks focused on London's less well-known green spaces including Gunnersbury Triangle, Pollards Hill, Ladywell Park, Gilbert's Pit, Hanger Hill

Park and Eel Brook Common, and took place at weekends, and during both the day and the evenings on weekdays.

Ramblers' events also included the launch walks for the Ring Rangers and Loop Leaders schemes (see page 1), and two Hidden Rivers walks tracing the line of the Effra through south London and the Walbrook in north London.

The festival was a great opportunity for us to showcase

what we do in London week-in-week-out and to widen our audience and recruit new members. Through our involvement in the National Park City over recent years we have built links with other voluntary organisations and community groups with an interest in London's great outdoors, enabling us to promote both walking and Ramblers to a wider audience.


A National Park City walk crosses the lock gates to King George V Dock on a section of the Capital Ring. Photo: Alison Turley

Car Free Day

Members of West London Group are invited to the group's annual meeting

and Christmas social evening on Tuesday 10 December from 7pm at Northfields Community Centre, 71a Northcroft Road, London W13 9SS.

The venue is near Northfields tube station on the Piccadilly Line and close to local bus routes. Please bring some festive food you enjoy to share for the Christmas finger buffet. Tell others you are coming to save on your Christmas card postage as we exchange cards during

the evening.During the evening you will hear

reports covering the past year -n holidays, walks and footpath work and our move from Bucks Area to Inner London Area. Come and tell us what you think of the format of the programme and the website www.westlondonramblers.org.uk.

Please do come along and enjoy the evening and if you would like to get involved and want to know more then please contact us at [email protected].

Martin HarrisSecretary, West London Group

West London AGM and social

London National Park City

INNER LONDON

insights

Sh o u l d s o m e o n e b e thoughtless enough to pass a plate under my nose with

a slice of coffee and walnut cake on board then I'm afraid my willpower evaporates and I will probably make a grab for it and claim it as mine - all mine!

And so it was on the afternoon of Wednesday 22 May when I was

invited to the Croydon Ramblers walk leaders' tea held in the church hall in Sanderstead. Over 60 walk leaders attended, lured in with the promise of afternoon tea with cake - lots of cake - more cake than you could shake a stick at (why would you do that anyway?). Not only was there cake but scones with jam and

cream - jam or cream first? - who cares?

Obviously, when it comes to cake being offered my brain becomes focused in one direction only but there was a serious side to this event and that was to thank the walk leaders for their time and effort over the past year in leading many walks and helping to fill the group programme with a variety of walks to suit just about

everyone. Our Chairman, Roy Endersby, in his thank you speech conjured up some stats for the past year: Walk leaders 125, Walks 475, Miles walked 3,582. Our thanks go to Muriel Fell and the backroom staff for producing a lovely, lovely tea. Oh, go on then, I'll have just one more slice.

John TicknerChief Cake Tester, Croydon

Ramblers

Please, no more cake!

Briefly• High Weald Walking Festival

2019: This collaboration between a number of Ramblers groups and the High Weald AONB Partnership runs from 14 - 22 September. More than 40 guided walks with themes such as local history, wildlife, geology, creative writing, literature and architecture, will be on offer in the unique High Weald landscape which covers parts of Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Visit www.highwealdwalks.org for details.

• Victoria Park in Ashford, Kent, is to receive a £3 million renovation following a National Lottery Heritage Fund award to Ashford Borough Council. Work will include improved paths and the restoration of the Grade II listed Hubert Fountain.

• East Kent Walking Book Tour. Musician, artist and writer Marianne Dissard will be giving readings from her new book 'Not Me' between 26 September and 6 October and walking between all ten venues. Details at www.mariannedissard.com

• Explore with map and compass: John Harmer will be running another one day course for beginners in map reading and land navigation on Saturday 28 September (10am - 4pm) at Battle, East Sussex. Standard charge £10 but reduced rates available. Contact John at 01424 773998 or [email protected] for details.

• Severndroog Castle: This historic 18th century tower in south east London, and seen by walkers on both the Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk, can now be visited by pre-booked groups on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year

(except January). Groups of 10 - 25 people can have exclusive access and a guided tour for £5 per person. For details email [email protected].

• Downs Link: An improved all-weather surface is to be provided on five sections of this shared route which links the North Downs Way with the South Downs Way and mostly follows former railway lines between Guildford and Shoreham-by-Sea. This follows a successful bid by West Sussex County Council for £558,000 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.


Th i s ye a r 's ove r s e a s adventure took us to Competa, set on the

edge of the natural park of the Almejera mountains in Andalucia, southern Spain.

We left from Stansted in the lovely Easter sunshine to arrive in Malaga to some unsettled Spanish weather. We were met by Jane of Competa Hikes http://www.competahikes.com/ for the minibus to our accommodation. We went along the surprisingly empty motorway before turning towards higher ground and the distant mountains. The views were amazing as we continued to ascend along the winding mountain road when we suddenly turned off onto a dirt track but it was only a five minute bumpy ride before we arrived at Finca Los Pinos,.

Here we were greeted by David and Sarah, who run Competa Hikes, and were given a tour of the different rooms in the two converted fincas and three log cabins. After the journey we were able to relax by the pool in the warm sunshine, with drinks and

cakes. We were then introduced to Mary-Rose, who would be our guide for the week, and her cockapoo, Jade. Together with Sarah we went over the walking programme which sounded very interesting and certainly more strenuous than Essex. We were reassured walks could be changed to suit us and, as it turned out, the weather! All then retired to our rooms for a rest before dinner when we enjoyed the first of the wonderful home-cooked dinners.

We enjoyed a variety of walks

including visits to the lost village of Acebuchal, the small town of Salares, the mountain villages of Canillas and Archez and the Old Silk Route walking from Puerto Blanquillo to Puerto de Collado. The final day took us nearer to the coast but there was still a bit of scrambling over large rocks before descending to a lovely small 'playa nudista'. Here we were able to take full advantage of the Spanish sunshine (keeping our clothes on!) sitting on the beach with a cold drink, the perfect end to a very enjoyable week.

Sylvia HayesUttlesford Ramblers

Walking near Competa. Photo: Sylvia Hayes

Competa, Spain

Fifteen Croydon Ramblers arrived at Knock airport, also known as Ireland

West airport, on Saturday 27 April. It was built for pilgrims heading to the Knock shrine but we were pilgrims of a different type and this was the fourth or fifth trip to Ireland arranged by our 'Irish Ambassador', Ann Toomey.

After being met by Michael, our guide, minibus driver, walk leader, Guinness critic and teller of terrible jokes, we were chauffeured to the Nesbitt Arms Hotel in Ardara, Co Donegal, where we were booked for the first night's meal. What we didn't know then

was that there was to be a hen party at the same time in the same room! I know that ramblers can be loud but together with the hen party and a Michael Buble tribute act - well, I still have a ringing in my ears!

We spent the next few days happily wandering in the beautiful countryside and coastal areas and the evenings eating delicious meals in local bars and restaurants after which we would seek out a bar with live music or alternatively end up in the Corner House pub, next door but one from the hotel, and listen to a radio tuned to a station called 'Irish Pub Music'

On one day we went to

Londonderry/Derry, over the border in Northern Ireland. A very interesting city with a lot of history, not all of it good, but with city walls to walk and the Peace Bridge to explore. On other days we explored the Glenveagh Estate and took the ferry to the island of Arranmore.

If I had to choose only one holiday destination for the remainder of my life it would have to be Ireland. What with the countryside, coast, food, Guinness, craic and charm of the people, it's hard to beat.

John TicknerCroydon Ramblers

The group walking over Arranmore towards the sea. Photo: John Tickner

Co Donegal, Ireland

Wish you were here?

Our member, Nick S u n d e r l a n d , researched and

organised a Dorset break in May based in Weymouth, from where he led daily walks of between 11 and 14 miles over a four day period. He had meticulously researched accommodation and whilst walkers made their own arrangements he provided information and recommendations; useful for those who did not know the area.

The itinerary was varied and included coastal walks around Corfe Castle, the Wessex ridges with fine views of Chesil Beach, little walked paths around Cerne Abbas where masses of bluebells and wild garlic covered the ground and, finally, a strenuous

coastal walk to Lulworth Cove including a long lunch to fortify us for the return walk. The weather was redolent of an old fashioned English spring with occasional light showers but generally warm and sunny. It was a perfect break and made the more enjoyable with the companionship of walkers from other walking groups who often join us on our Wednesday and Sunday walks. The flexibility of joining in with other groups via the walk listings on the Ramblers website will, we hope, encourage others to embrace the wider walking opportunities on offer as members of the Ramblers, if they have not already joined.

Elise WrightHillingdon Ramblers

Weymouth

Getting our breath back on North Hill. Photo: Ian Dunford

Our annual coach outing in early July took us to

Great Malvern and we were fortunate to get a dry sunny day again and 49 people made the trip.

Most people did an eight mile walk led by Keith heading south across the Malvern Hills mainly on lower paths to Holy Well before turning north

back to Great Malvern. The stronger walkers did a 12 mile walk led by Fitz which went further south and climbed all the hills on the way! A number of people also stayed in Great Malvern for their own walks or to visit the attractions. It was a great day out with something for everyone.

Ian DunfordMilton Keynes Ramblers

Great Malvern

Our Corfe Castle walk near Worth Matravers. Photo: Simon Thornhill


Our inaugural City Explorer Break was a resounding success despite taking place during the worst weather of the summer.

Thirty six members enjoyed the ferry across the Mersey in dry weather before getting drenched on an open top bus. A evening walking tour of the city ended with sanctuary in the Anglican cathedral before retiring for the night. On Day Two, the rain hardly stopped but that didn't dampen enthusiasm for a 12-mile walk along the Wirral Way from Hooton to West Kirby, an old railway line now a walk/cycleway. Day Three saw a slight improvement in weather with only intermittent rain and there were no fallers at Becher's Brook or Canal Turn as we headed towards the Leeds & Liverpool canal before passing through Rimrose Valley country park and the suburb of Crosby to reach the coast and the Sir Antony Gormley sculptures in 'Another Place' on Blundellsands.

Ivel Valley Walkers

Liverpool

Easter saw our group return to the Wales Coast Path for ten days in which we managed to see

porpoises, seals (14 on one occasion), dolphins, adders, slow worm, lizard, peregrine falcons, choughs, oystercatchers, shelducks and a curlew.

We also saw the so-called Teletubby House at Druidston along with many other places of interest. We passed the halfway mark two miles into our final day to New Quay. We have now walked 443 miles of the route and have 427 miles to go!

Ian Dunford Milton Keynes Ramblers A glorious day on the Wales coast. Photo: Ian Dunford

Wales Coast Path

Th e a n n u a l Dartford & G r a v e s h a m

Ramblers' wa lk ing trip took 50 of us to Somerset by coach in early May.

Using Axbridge as a base, we were able to enjoy both long and short walks in the Mendip and Quantock Hills and around Bridgwater Bay. We were lucky enough to fit in visits to both Dyrham Park and Stourhead, both owned by the National Trust. The highlight though was our walk in the Cheddar Gorge area where, despite heavy rain, we continued walking and even managed to 'say cheese' for the camera.

Beverley JohnstonDartford &

Gravesham Ramblers Saying cheese in Cheddar! Photo: Beverley Johnston

Axbridge, Somerset

Coastal walking offered fantastic views. Photo Richard Trimmer

Our group enjoyed a weekend of walking on the Isle of Wight from 14 - 17

June and, thanks to the enthusiasm of our walk leaders, we were able to offer three walks of varying lengths on both the Saturday and Sunday and an eight mile walk on the Monday.

Shorter walks provided

opportunities to explore the island and its tea shops whilst the medium walks took in many places of local interest including the Afton Marshes. For the more energetic there were coastal walks with fantastic views. Next year we hope to return to walk the entire Isle of Wight Coast Path.

Richard TrimmerWest Berks Ramblers

Isle of WightThe group at a former railway station on the Wirral Way. Photo: Barry Ingram


Cody Dock A crowd-funding appeal has been launched to pay for a new hand-operated 'rolling bridge' across this dock beside Bow Creek. To understand what a rolling bridge is you will need to go to codydock.org.uk/rolling-bridge-project/. The current bridge is on the Lea Valley Walk and The Line sculpture trail. Cody Dock is now a cultural quarter and community space with a cafe.

Tottenham Parks Cafe Trail Discover the north London

area on this six mile walk around nine parks (seven with

cafes). A leaflet is available from the cafes or go to www.

haringey.gov.uk and search for 'Haringey Walk Book'.

The Greenway The section between Pudding Mill Lane and Stratford High Street in east London has reopened after many years closure for the 2012 Olympics and subsequent developments. A new ramp now links Pudding Mill Lane with the Greenway just south of the main railway line which divides the path and cycleway along the top of the Northern Outfall Sewer between Bow and Beckton. The Capital Ring and Jubilee Greenway share most of the Greenway's route.

Hainault Forest National Lottery Heritage fund has awarded £4.2 million to Redbridge Council in north east London to restore the forest to its former natural and wild state and help threatened species thrive. The country park is run by Redbridge whilst the adjacent woodland is in the care of the Woodland Trust. The London Loop and Three Forests Way cross the forest.

Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham's largest green space, has received a restoration thanks to a project funded by the National Lottery. Historic features have been restored and a new wet woodland and the park's lost Georgian lake have been restored. 'Wild swimming' is allowed but has to be booked. The park is on both the Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk.

Regent's Park This year's Frieze Sculpture free display (until 6 October) of outdoor art in the English Gardens features works by more than 20 artists - like Lars Fisk's 'Tudor Ball' seen here.

Round LondonLandlinesWednesday 4 - Saturday 14 SeptemberInaugural show of the Wilderness Art Collective whose work highlights the plight of the world's wildernesses and wildlife.Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7www.rgs.org, 020 7591 3000

Heritage Open DaysFriday 13 - Sunday 22 SeptemberThis 25th annual festival of history and culture takes place over 10 days with more than 5,000 events organised. Buildings, parks, gardens and open spaces are opened up for the public. Coordinated by the National Trust with support from the People's Postcode Lottery.heritageopendays.org.uk

Wandle FortnightSaturday 14 - Sunday 29 SeptemberA celebration of the Wandle valley in south west London with tours, walks and exhibitions.www.wandlevalleyforum.org.uk

An Earthly Paradise: William MorrisSaturday 14 September - Sunday 10 NovemberExhibition exploring how the River Thames flowed through William Morris's life and work.The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, Oxfordshire01993 814106

Annual Epping Forest WalkSunday 15 September: Annual led-walk the length of the forest from south to north (or as much or as little of it as you wish). Organised by Epping Forest Heritage Trust, West Essex Ramblers and Conservators of Epping Forest. 9am - 5pmwww.efht.org.uk, 020 8418 0730.

Open House LondonSaturday 21- Sunday 22 SeptemberAnnual weekend event offering free entry to many of London's finest buildings, some not normallyopen to the public.openhouselondon.org.uk

Hopping in the Eden ValleyUntil Friday 20 Decemberexhibition looking back to when the annual picking of hops locally was a traditional feature.eden valley museum, edenbridge, kentwww.evmt.org.uk, 01732 868102

Talking MapsUntil Sunday 8 March 2020A celebration of maps and what they tell us about the places they depict and the people that make and use them, drawing on the Bodleian's collection of more than 1.3 million maps.ST Lee Gallery. Weston Library, Bodleian Library, Oxfordwww.bodleian.ox.ac.uk, 01865 277094

Polish Air Force Heritage Trail London Borough of Hillingdon

has produced a trail linking four sites connected with the

thousands of Polish Air Force personnel based at RAF Northolt

during World War 2. Not strictly a walk but could be seen as such

with some imagination. Find the leaflet in Hillingdon libraries or

go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk/polishtrail

Diary Dates

No. 107 September 2019 walkerSOUTH EAST · 9 June. We started with a walk (of course!), from...

Documents

Transcript of No. 107 September 2019 walkerSOUTH EAST · 9 June. We started with a walk (of course!), from...