D
istributing
the Newsletter and Walks Programme
We are trying to save money and volunteer labour by modernising the way we publicise the Newsletter and Walks Programme. To help us, please read the enclosed letter carefully and respond using the tear off slip and stamped, addressed envelope provided.
london blind walk - Sunday 18th July
This year’s London Blind Walk is programmed for 18th July. Any members who are able to come and assist will be very greatly appreciated. See programme for details.
guildford walkFest 2010 - Saturday 17th July to Sunday 1st august
Guildford Walkfest is an event aimed at encouraging people to walk and explore the borough, raising awareness of its numerous attractions and beautiful countryside. Festival guides are available from Guildford tourist information office (the Walkfest guide is a pull out section in the middle). Or you can visit the website: www.guildfordwalkfest.co.uk.
- Dave Williamson
Walks Programme Coordination
The November 2010 to February 2011 programme will be coordinated by Anne (01483 234757). All walks leaders are asked to submit their walks for Anne’s programme on the new forms no later than the last week in September and preferably earlier.
Red
Kite Country, 3 May (photo by Zoltan Nagy)
Social events
The committee are mindful of the members who are loyal supporter of the Ramblers yet do not join the group walks. During a committee meeting recently there was a long discussion as to how those members could be included in some social activity organised for all members. Over the last couple of years enthusiasm and attendance has dwindled for any of our customary events and so this year there will be no picnic or breakfast walk or coach trip. It is also some years since a group holiday took place.
The purpose of this article is to ask members and in particular those we do not see on walks if there is anything that would make a good event and bring along those who although they have a love of walking prefer not to walk with the group. The one event where everyone is invited is the AGM. Again attendance for this has not attracted the numbers we would like.
We would love to hear of any suggestions or comments that would make your membership more enjoyable and fruitful.
Please contact Mike Lipscomb on 01483 760655 (email mike@lipscomb.org.uk) or Anne Brown on 01483 234757 (email brownbeck@tiscali.co.uk).
80 Years Young
Robin Davies was Treasurer of the Group 1992/93 and Chairman 1993/94. He was Vice Chairman from 1994 to 1997 and Walks Programme Coordinator from 1994 to 2004. He has been a prolific leader of walks for the Group for longer than most of us can remember.
On 1st May, while visiting his sister in San Francisco, Robin celebrated his 80th birthday.
In recognition of this landmark achievement, 17 of us, equipped with delicious chocolate cake made by Anne and complete with candles, Buck’s Fizz and garden tokens enclosed in a card met up with Robin at his house just 36 hours after he landed at Heathrow and immediately after Carol’s 12 mile walk on 9th May. Candles were duly extinguished with style, cake devoured with relish, health drunk and “Happy Birthday” sung with great enthusiasm. We all wish Robin good health and many more rewarding years membership of the Group.
Walks on a Plate!
Looking for ideas for walks but finding yourself short of ideas or planning time? Help is at hand!
Mike (01483 760655) has a small library of walks between 4 and 12 miles. The walks are all in lovely countryside within about 40 minutes drive from Woking, some much closer. The library consists of a detailed route card and marked 1:25,000 scale map for each walk.
These walks are available for loan to any member of Woking Group, either for planning a walk for the Group Programme or simply for a private expedition.
FOOTPATH SECRETARY’S REPORT
Working Parties
Saturday 13 March. We cleared West End FP132 of vegetation, and repositioned a signpost in the correct place. Thanks to all who turned out.
No further jobs in hand at the moment - Nicky Scott is the SCC Volunteer Co-ordinator for the west of Surrey; her temporary contract (covering maternity leave for Nicky West) has just ended. NW returning to work part-time, but will not be dealing with volunteers. The Ramblers were concerned this could mean volunteer tasks would grind to a halt, but SCC has now advertised a Volunteer Co-ordinator role for the whole county; NS has applied.
Path Casework
Footpath 11 (Knaphill). I have previously reported that a planning application which would have led to increased vehicular traffic on the drive to the Priory Hospital (the drive is also the footpath) was refused by Woking Council after both we and SCC objected. However, I understand that a planning appeal is pending.
Footpath 402 (Knaphill). Fosters Lane is a private road which doubles as the right of way (ROW). SCC have objected to a planning application from Knaphill Working Mens Club which would have encroached on the ROW. Legal width of the ROW is 5 metres; application would have reduced to 3.6 metres.
Footpath 407 (Knaphill). Path runs past Knaphill Community Centre. Planning application submitted. SCC are still concerned about the proposed layout of car parking spaces affecting the path.
Byfleet FP24. Well-used cul-de-sac path behind the Weymede Estate. There are 2 locked gates from the path into this private estate. There are also signposted links to the (non-definitive) Brooklands Riverside Walk in Elmbridge Borough. I have asked SCC to investigate (i) making the riverside walk definitive, and (ii) possibility of extending FP24 beside the River Wey (through the Weymede Estate) to Parvis Road at Plough Bridges (FP96 is the natural continuation beside the river on the other side of the road).
Wisley Golf Course. The golf course is undergoing major re-construction work at present, and parts are more like a building site. FP87 from the Anchor and FP84 from Pigeon House Bridge (GR054586) have been kept clear of obstruction and well waymarked until they meet at GR056593. From here the continuation paths to Wisley Church, Wisley Farm, and Wisley Bridge (which respectively become Wisley FPs 1,2, and 3 after crossing the Woking Borough boundary) are not so well waymarked and careful map-reading is necessary.
All these cases were discussed with Anne Woods, SCC rights of way officer for NW Surrey, at our regular 6-monthly liaison meeting last week.
Brookwood Cemetery. There is no right of way through the cemetery. Commuters from Pirbright were in the habit of walking to/from Brookwood station through the cemetery. Last October, the owner of the private part of the cemetery started locking his gate at Brookwood station at 5.00pm on grounds of “vandalism”. This caused uproar in Pirbright, and commuters sought Ramblers’ advice. However, the route(s) used by the commuters also passed through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission part of the cemetery where, although in practice they are quite amenable to walkers, there are discreet plaques stating that the paths have not been, and are not intended to be, dedicated as rights of way. There was a protest meeting in Pirbright at the end of February, but I am not aware of any further developments. (Editor’s note: the route was open for our evening walk in early June.)
North from Selborne, 25 April (photo by Zoltan Nagy)
SCC rights of way budget
In response to representations from the Ramblers about a proposed 20% cut in the ROW maintenance budget for 2010/11, we have now been assured by Cllr Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of the Council, that the cut will only be £2,000 across the whole county. Anne Woods’ portion of the budget is unchanged.
- Brian Reader
Some Facts About Our Walks
For the purposes of our statistics, the “Rambling Year” starts on November 1st each year. What follows relates to the first 7 months of the current year, i.e. from 1st Nov 09 to 31st May 10. Figures for last year are shown in brackets:
16 (20) leaders have between them lead 59 (63) walks totalling 506 (525) miles.
The average walk length is therefore 8.5 (8.3) miles
Average attendance on walks between 5 and 7 miles is 8.2 (9.7), with individual attendances varying between 14 and 3. For longer distances, average attendance is also 7.8 (8.9).
66 (73) members of Woking Group have attended 372 (428) walks between them, covering a total of 3064 (3433) “rambler miles”
51 (79) members of other groups have attended 71(111) of our walks between them, covering a total of 647(911) “rambler miles”
23 (33) people who were not members of the Ramblers’ Association have attended 23 (37) walks between them, covering a total of 160 (265) “rambler miles”. A number of these may since have joined the RA.
The Leader Board:
Erica: 32 walks totalling 273.5 miles.
Zoltan: 23 walks totalling 246 miles.
Anne: 22 walks totalling 231.5 miles.
Martin: 28 walks totalling 209.5 miles.
Paul: 19 walks totalling 205 miles.
Comment:
1) Only 22 (22)% of our 300 (345) members have actually ventured out on even one of our walks. The drop in the number of members is mainly due to a change in the way in which they are counted. Far less latitude is now allowed to those who are late in renewing their subscriptions.
2) There has been a general reduction in participation in the walks programme of about 15% both by members of Woking Group but also by members of other groups and by non members compared with 2008/09. Hopefully this is attributable to the unusually cold, wet winter which was certainly not helpful for walkers.
- Mike
If you have pictures or articles to share with the group, please email them to shelagh_lewins@hotmail.com.
diary dates summer 2010
Date Event
Sunday 18th July…………London Blind Walk
17th July to 1st August…...Guildford Walkfest
