NORTH WEST KENT GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS

NEWSLETTER AND WALK PROGRAMME NO. 165

February 2018 – May 2018 Website: www.nwkramblers.btck.co.uk

Christmas Lunch 2017 – members meet up before eating. Altogether 57 members attended. After a

splendid meal some of the members formed an ad hoc choir to sing some favourite carols.

De a r friends, … With this our first programme in 2018 may I

thank our leaders and coordinators for the great job they have

done during the past year providing us with such an interesting and

varied programme of walks; not forgetting the many others who

work behind the scenes to ensure the success of the group and also

those who do not walk but provide financial support to Ramblers

through their subscriptions. When it comes to lobbying MPs and

Ministers membership numbers undoubtedly carry weight. The

new coastal footpath is just one example of what can be achieved

with your support. For our newer members, if you are thinking of

joining a ramble for the very first time but aren’t sure how to get

there, what to expect or need a lift, please give the leader, me or

any other member of the committee a ring. They will be delighted

to help get you started. You will be assured of a very warm

welcome and a lovely walk. I am delighted to welcome to the

group Ged Bull, Robert and Kim Rouse, Giles and Vikky Barrie,

Gary and Sue Mulford, Maud Darlison and Christine Geyevu; and to congratulate Hywel James on his forthcoming

marriage, in February, to Liz Butler. Hywell handed over the chairmanship of the group in ’94 to Richard Wilkes

before moving to Painswick in Gloucestershire. We wish them every happiness.….Stuart

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Picnic 2018 –this year’s picnic will be held at Cudham Shaws on Wednesday 6th June. Please put the date in your diary. More details in the next newsletter and programme.

Map and Compass Course Our seventh consecutive yearly map & compass course is to be held on Saturday, 14th April at a new venue, the George & Dragon pub, in Westerham. Entries are now starting to come in, adding to the 70 plus people who have been on the course in those earlier years. If you would like to spend a superb day (with a short walk thrown in) then enter now by contacting either Carole Flowerday or Chris Baker.

Kent Area AGM – open to all Kent ramblers -­‐ will be held at Littlebourne Village Hall (TR208575) at 10.30 on Saturday 3rd February. Littlebourne is a 10 minute ride on the No. 43 bus from Canterbury bus station. Buses leave every 20 minutes. The meeting will be followed by lunch and a short walk. See also note on next page.

Sometimes on a walk, when we come across a

dodgy stile or a blocked path, somebody pipes up

that we should let Richard Wilkes know. So what

does he do? We thought we’d ask him….

“As some of you know may know, I do voluntary

Rights of Way work for the Ramblers in Kent. In 1993, I was appointed by the Ramblers through Ken Eastwood, ROW Area Manager, as a Local Footpath Officer to take on the responsibility of 10 parishes in NWKent. My duties are to act in the interest of the User, in cases of diversions, extinguishments, and the condition and maintenance of all the ROW's in my area. I receive, as a consultee, all details of the above for my comments. I also report any problems of condition (blockages, stiles etc) to KCC for their action.

This means that I will keep an eye on the network and will visit on the ground and/or meet the landowners/KCC staff to resolve problems, suggest solutions and agree or reject the ROW Orders. I may also attend, as a last resort, Enquiries set up by the Minister of State. For the last 8-­‐10 years I have also been appointed Sector Coordinator for Sevenoaks District, Dartford & Gravesham, Bromley and Bexley, over which I have a watching brief and am on hand to give support, assistance and advice for decisions taken by the Local Footpath Officers in those areas. We have recently been dealing with a network of footpaths in the Green Street Green area, regarding their alterations due to

local changing circumstances.” ……..Thanks Richard.

SNIPPETS

First Aid We are compiling a list of attendees for another

first aid course. If you have not already added your name,

please contact Stuart (020 8467 9419).

AGM Members supported the suggestion of holding our

next AGM in an afternoon rather than an evening, so our

next AGM may be one followed by afternoon tea! The

committee for 2017/18 was re-elected en bloc and remains

unchanged. Thank you for your confidence and support.

Footpaths (1) The Welsh Government is consulting on the

shared use of footpaths with cyclists and horse riders. This

could have ramifications beyond Wales. What do you

think? We understand Ramblers will be consulting

members on their policy – watch this space!

(2) At our AGM the speaker was Neville Machin who gave

a talk on the “Lost Ways” project, identifying historic

footpaths that currently do not appear on the definitive map

but will need to be added before the government’s cut-off

date of 2026 if they are not to be lost forever. Six paths have

been identified in the Borough of Bexley, but there are many

more in Kent.

Pub news “The Padwell Arms” at Stone Street is up for

sale. After a fire, “The Greyhound” at Hever has re-opened

as has “The Wheatsheaf” at Bough Beech, though at a

recent visit members were disappointed.

Incidents Leaders are reminded that accidents and

incidents should be reported to Mike Hickie (01474

393136) even though they may seem insignificant. As a

precautionary measure, Ramblers have supplied emergency

contact cards which members are asked to complete and

carry on rambles. The cards are being distributed to leaders.

They are not mandatory but you may wish to ask your

leader for one. We are also distributing Leader Checklists.

Finally, some sad news…. Joan Kingston died late last

Sunday walkers having a brisk January walk –part of

the winter walking festival

Kent Area A replacement is being sought for Area

Footpath Officer, Averil Bryce. This is a key role in

protecting Kent’s footpaths (involves about 8 hrs/month

and is suitable for sharing. Averil will provide guidance

and assistance. Go to (www.Kentramblers.org.uk/ac) for

a job description. Area Treasurer, Ray Lawrence, is in

his final year; and Council Secretary, Robert Peel, is

seeking help with minute taking at the Area Council’s tri-

annual meetings. If anyone is interested in any of these

three posts please get in touch with one of our Council

delegates, Bob Tolson or Stuart Booth.

Luncheon Group The monthly get-togethers of old

friends at “The Sydney Arms” – no walking involved! –

remain as popular as ever. Please contact Meirion Davies

for details (01689 851729)

Holidays We are already thinking about the group holiday for 2019! I have placed a request on HF’s advance register

for a week beginning Friday 10th

May to Friday 17th

May 2019. The most likely venue will be Selworthy, Exmoor but it will be the end of April before this is confirmed. Nevertheless, it is not too early to express an interest as this popular event in the club’s calendar sells out fast, especially single rooms. Maureen Carroll

year. More than thirty members of the Group attended Joan’s funeral at Bromley Parish Church during which tribute

was also paid to her late husband David.

Bob Wilson who recently attended the Group' s Christmas lunch at "The Plough" died unexpectedly of pneumonia

over the Christmas period. Bob, 70, was an active member of the group not only leading walks but working behind the

scenes to ensure its success. He had an intimate knowledge of the Group' s history and will be sorely missed. His

funeral took place on 17th January. Bob requested no flowers and asked instead for donations to be sent to Ramblers.

Another sad loss was Sir Gavin Laird CBE who died aged 86. Long standing members will remember him from his

days when he often found himself ahead of the leader; and will remember enjoying his convivial company on holidays

organised by Reg and Hazel Turner. Gavin had a distinguished career rising to become the General Secretary of

The Amalgamated Engineering Union. He and his wife, Reena (who survives him), moved to New Jersey in the US in

2016 where his daughter, Fiona, lives.

This has been a particularly sad time and we felt members may wish to contribute to a fund for a gate

jointly in memory of Bob Wilson, Joan Kingston and Gavin Laird. Please send donations to our treasurer

Mike Hickie at "Deltone", Larks Field, Hartley, Kent DA3 7EJ, cheques made payable to "North West Kent

Ramblers".

….and finally, for up-­‐to-­‐date news:-­‐ NWK website: www.nwkramblers.btck.co.uk / RAMBLERS’

website – www.ramblers.org.uk / Kent Area’s website – www.kentramblers.org.uk

Contributions for the newsletter to Mike Hickie (mikehickie48@gmail.com)