www.whitecliffsramblers.org.uk

ALAN CLEWER (1939 – 2018) It was with great sadness that on the morning of 7th June we learned from Alan’s daughter, Claire, that he had passed away during the early hours of that morning. Whilst we will have different memories of Alan and feel his passing in different ways, his death represents a significant loss as a friend, contributor and asset to the walking community. In his working life Alan was a statistician, having taught the subject at Wye College. A book he co-authored (Practical Statistics and Experimental Design for Plant and Crop Science) is still available via Amazon. Alan had been a member of the Ramblers for over 21 years making significant contributions to both the White Cliffs and Canterbury Groups. Until his health began to fail Alan could always be relied on to provide two or three walks for each walks programme. His walks were unfailingly enjoyable, with the odd stop to enable him to impart some of his local knowledge. These walks also highlighted his caring qualities, frequently checking to make sure everyone was ok. To walk beside him you were never in any doubt as to how far you had walked and at what pace for he always seemed to be checking one of the array of gps devices hanging from his neck! Utilising the skills he had developed as a Walk Leader for HF Holidays, Alan organised and ran group holidays both at home and abroad. Undoubtedly his meticulous planning was a major factor in the success of each of the trips and regular communications from him kept everyone up to date with the progress of his preparations.

Generous with his time and knowledge, Alan was happy to share his walks with anyone leading a walk for the first time or mentoring potential walk leaders who had been part of his group on the Map Reading and Navigation Course. His input into the White Cliffs Walking Festival has contributed to its ongoing success. In the early days he gave of his time to plot and map each and every one of the Festival walks, as well as leading several walks himself. No doubt others will recall Alan’s dry sense of humour. He once remarked that a retired serviceman should be court martialled for mis-reading his map and taking a wrong turn on a walk! It is difficult to sum up Alan’s achievements and contributions in a few short paragraphs, but what a wonderful and lovely man – he will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with Alan’s family at this time.

Alan demonstrating his quirky inventiveness, using a spatula, bulldog clip and a slip of paper to indicate how many of Canterbury’s bridges had been crossed. To celebrate his life, and in particular his contribution to walking, Alan’s daughter Claire will reprise his Canterbury Bridges Walk on Friday 9th November – full details to be found in the walks programme. WHITE CLIFF RAMBLERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This year’s AGM will take place on Sunday 4th November, 2018 at 13:30. As in recent years the venue will be the Village Hall in St. Margaret’s – at – Cliffe. Averil Brice has announced her intention to step down as Group Secretary. If you think that you might be interested in taking on this role, why not give Averil a call to find out more. There are still vacancies for Sponsorship / Adverts Officer and Social Secretary. It is the income that we generate from advertising that enables the Group to continue with a printed Newsletter & Walks Programme. Finally, after two years, Bev Cussans will be stepping down as The White Cliffs Walking Festival Co-ordinator. Do you possess strong organisational skills, if so why not step forward to ensure the continued success of the Festival? WHITE CLIFF RAMBLERS HOLIDAY 2019 I am planning a holiday to The New Forest for next April, if you are interested please email me at: maglou1@yahoo.co.uk or phone on 01795 843927. Arrive: 1st April 2019 Depart: 6th April Hotel: The Bartley Lodge near Cadnam. 5 nights on a dinner/bed/breakfast basis £325.00 each if sharing a room, £400.00 for a single room.

The walks will be short and leisurely, one figure of 8 (5 + 5 miles), one 7 miles and the remainder 5 miles. Margaret Milsted-Williamson

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2018 / 2019

23rd to 29th August: White Cliffs Walking Festival see www.whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk 26th September: East Kent Ploughing Match, Malmains Farm, Eythorne, CT15 5BG – see article for details. 26th October: Pit Your Wits Quiz Night and supper at The Five Bells, Eastry. With Colin and Rhona Hodges. 19:00 for 19:30 NB new date and correct venue 28th October: End of British Summer Time – clocks go back 1 hour. 1st November: Tina – The Musical. All tickets currently sold, contact John Polden(johnapolden@gmail.com) for possible cancellations. 4th November: White Cliffs Ramblers Annual General Meeting at 13:30 in St. Margaret’s Village Hall. 1st to 6th April 2019: White Cliffs Holiday in the New Forest – see article for details. 18th May 2019: Map Reading & Navigation Course – details to be circulated nearer the time. A Big Thank You I would very much like say that we owe a big debt of gratitude to Les Preston for organising the Walk Leaders Map and Navigation Course that he has been involved in over the last sixteen years. This year has to be the best and was the final one that Les organised. This year 20 participants finished the course and I handed out Certificates to the majority who stayed for tea and cakes afterwards at the Coach and Horses at Lyminge. Next year the course will be run by David and Sheila Boyce who very kindly have volunteered their time and skills. Thank you to all the other tutors who helped the course this year. They certainly put in a full day’s efforts on our behalf. So, a big thank you to Andrew, Bev, Nigel, Richard, David, and Rowena. Without the basics of having enough walk leaders who are trained, we would not be such a successful group. Margaret Lubbock

COME AND ENJOY THE WHITE CLIFFS WALKING FESTIVAL 23RD- 29TH AUGUST 2018 PREPARATION FOR THIS YEAR’S White Cliffs Walking Festival is going to plan and we are looking forward to another fun-packed event, do bring your family and friends. For details of the walks please see the Festival booklet or the Festival website: www.whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk and reserve your place. Booking is advisable especially where walks have limited numbers. This year Bleriot’s landing spot is our Launchpad for our Festival. Join us at the Opening Ceremony which will show-case the Bleriot Memorial, east of Dover Castle (just one of the White Cliffs’ gems). We are delighted to announce Vanessa Griffiths, Ramblers CEO will be opening the proceedings at 10.00am on Thursday 23rd August and she is keen to meet Festival-walkers. Following the ceremony, please join one of the three enjoyable walks departing from the site, or explore and learn more about Bleriot’s daring flight. How to get there: • From Dover Town Centre, take the A258 Castle Hill Road signed for Deal up to the top of the hill past Dover Castle entrance. At the sharp right-hand bend turn right into Upper Road and immediately turn right

again into Broadlees Bottom Car Park (situated down private drive) • From the A2/A258 at Duke of York roundabout, take A258 to Dover Town Centre for a few hundred yards. Before you descend the hill into Dover, turn sharp left into Upper Road and immediately turn right again into Broadlees Bottom Car Park (situated down private drive)

East Kent Ploughing Match – Volunteers Please The 74th Ploughing Match event will take place this year at Malmains Farm, Eythorne, CT15 5BG on Wednesday 26th September 2018. We need 12 Volunteers to each offer 2 hours of their time across one of 4 time-slots during the day. As in previous years, White Cliffs Ramblers will be supporting Kent Area Ramblers by greeting visitors to the stall, distributing our Walks Programmes and other materials and inviting people to join us. This has always been a very productive and busy event, with opportunities for Volunteers to see some of the many stalls and events taking place at this premier farming meeting. Visitors will arrive from 9am, therefore, the first group of Volunteers (8-10am) will be helping to put up the tent and prepare the tables, as well as meeting the first people interested in walking. The other three shifts are: 10-12nn, 12-2pm, 2-4pm. I will be reimbursing your £5 entrance fee on the day, therefore, Volunteers will not be out-of-pocket by attending the event. To offer your help please contact Nigel Cussans by eMail (njcussans@btinternet.com) or by phone (01304 611834 or 07447 936074) and indicate your preferred time-slot.

BATTLE’S OVER

To mark the centenary of the end of world War One this year’s Remembrance Day Walk will differ from those in recent years. Starting from Walmer (at 10:30) this walk will take us via the Hawksdown Airfield Memorial, where a minute's silence will be observed, and on to the Dover Patrol Memorial before returning to Walmer. Throughout the day there will be a series of events (both local and national) to commemorate the One Hundred Years of Remembrance for further details see https://www.dover.gov.uk/Community/EventPlanning/Battles-Over/Battle's-Over.aspx

SOUTH BANK RAMBLERS Early In 2017 I published an article in the South East Walker asking for donations towards replacing out of repair stiles with metal gates. I was delighted in June 2017 when South Bank Ramblers, based in Inner London, offered to fund 2 gates. (June 2017. ‘I am treasurer of South Bank Ramblers Group. As a group, we make an effort to drum up extra income that we can spend on projects that support walking. Because we are an Inner London group, there is no footpath work in our area, so we like to support such work in the areas where we walk. We often walk in Kent and … would like to make a contribution to your campaign.’) Two suitable candidates were located in Alkham. They ticked all the boxes. Steve (Brice) and I liaised with the landowners. KCC approved the work and gave a generous subsidy towards the cost, and John Polden’s volunteer team installed them, repairing a nearby stile at the same time. The new gates have enhanced the local path network and have brought an unusable footpath back into regular use again. The South Bank Committee wanted to come and see the new gates, so I created a short circular walk. The group has over 700 members. They walk outside London and travel to the walks by train. On Thursday 7th June Steve and I met nine committee members at Kearsney station. They had lunch in Kearsney Abbey tea room before setting out on a 7mile circular walk via St Radigund’s.

We returned via Alkham Church, Ewell Minnis and Scotland Common. The byway has been re-surfaced by KCC and the mud and deep waterfilled ruts we have avoided for years have gone. We just had enough time to return to the tea room at Kearsney Abbey for a delicious locally made ice cream. We made it just before it closed and in good time for their return train from Kearsney to Victoria. We were all delighted that John Polden was able to join us on the walk.

The weather, scenery and terrain was at its best. I gave them a copy of the walk for their programme. They are very, very keen to come back. Averil Brice Lydden Spout Battery - 20th September 2018 In conjunction with the National Trust, White Cliffs members have a unique opportunity to visit the site of the Lydden Spout Battery and to hear about it’s history and the conservation work being undertaken. Six new coastal batteries (including Lydden Spout and Fan Bay) were constructed between 1941 – 42 and with the existing battery at The Citadel formed Dover’s Eastern and Western Fortresses. The following extract is taken from an assessment of the significance of all Dover’s coastal battery sites prepared by Canterbury Archaeological Trust in January 2017: …Lydden Spout Coastal Battery was located to the west of Dover and was provided with three 6 inch high-angle gun positions each serviced from their own buried magazine. The battery was controlled from a combined underground command post and plotting room. Accommodation was provided above ground to the rear of the battery and there was also a deep shelter to provide protected accommodation and medical facilities. The three-gun pits survive (although they have been partially in-filled) as do their accompanying magazines. Some of the accommodation buildings, namely the Sergeants’ Mess and the Canteen, survive above ground and the underground plotting room and deep shelter also survive. The surface buildings are some of the only remaining examples in the area. Two of the gun positions and magazines exhibit damage from V1’s which impacted the site after being brought down by AA fire. … the Lydden Spout Battery remained in army hands until … much later than any of the other facilities in either fortress. Consequently, the site is arguably the best preserved of any of the fortress batteries. The surviving standing, and underground structures are in relatively good condition, with many extant internal fittings and details. In addition, remnants of the barb-wire defences along the cliff edge, and a spigot mortar position just below the cliff top, provide visible evidence of the efforts made to defend the site against assault from attackers scaling the cliff… As a result of this assessment Lydden Spout Battery is considered to be “of exceptional significance”. Our guide for the walk will be Jon Barker from the National Trust (NT). You do not have to be a member of the NT, but we are limited to a maximum of 30 places, so booking is essential.

No. Date Time Start Walk Miles

(Kms)

Grade Contact

3380. Thursday

02/08/2018

10:00 TR324587

CT13 9JE

Richborough (Sandwich)

Meet on Richborough Road - park on the

side of the road. Lunch stop at The Dog and

Duck, Pluck's Gutter or bring picnic lunch.

12

(19.3)

Mod. 2 Val E-N / Heather B

01227 720324

or 07969 703891

3381. Saturday

04/08/2018

07:30 Breakfast Walk

Phone Joy for details.

6

(9.7)

Joy

01304 825302

3382. Sunday

05/08/2018

10:00 TR244576

CT3 1DW

Wingham Meet at St Mary's Meadow car

park. Lunch stop at the Grove Ferry Inn.

10

(16.1)

Mod. 2 Gavin & Helena

07903 456463

3383. Thursday

09/08/2018

10:00 TR157346

CT21 6JB

Hythe - Elham Valley Way. Part 1 - Hythe

to Elham LINEAR WALK. The start and

finish are accessible by public transport, or

walkers could car share. Contact Andrew to

discuss the latter. Meet Hythe Portland

Road CP (pay and display £2.00). Coffee

stop in Peene. Lunch stop in Lyminge pub

or bring packed lunch.

10

(16.1)

Mod. 3 Andrew

07754 797848

or 01233 720513

3384. Sunday

12/08/2018

10:00 TR329580

CT13 9BP

Sandwich Meet at The Guildhall car park

Lunch stop in Sandwich - plenty of pubs

and cafés. Optional extra: extend the walk

in the afternoon by 1.5 miles, climb St.

Peter's Tower for fine views (group rate

£4.00 per person if 8 or more, otherwise

£5.00), followed by a guided history tour of

the town walls. Re-start at 13:45

6.5

(10.5)

PM

option

al 1.5

(2.4)

Mod.

1 / 2

Nigel & Bev

01304 611834

or 07447 936074

3385. Sunday

12/08/2018

10:00 TR250388

CT18 7NA

Capel le Ferne

Meet at Capel le Ferne Village Hall,

Lancaster Avenue.

6

(9.7)

Mod 3 John Gr

01303 250230

or 07814 786839

3386. Tuesday

14/08/2018

08:00 TR154347

CT21 6JW

Hythe Meet near the Romney, Hythe,

Dymchurch Light Railway Station. A

relatively flat linear walk following the

Royal Military Canal Path to Rye. Buses

back to Hythe – 3 per hour. Bring own food

and water for the journey.

23

(37)

Mod.

1 / 2

John Gr

01303 250230

or 07814 786839

3387. Thursday

16/08/2018

10:00 TR256422

CT15 7AR

Alkham Meet at Village Hall Car Park.

Lunch stop at The Jackdaw, Denton

11

(17.7)

Mod.

3 / 4

Averil and Steve

01303 892252 3388. Sunday

19/08/2018

10:00 TR090275

TN29 0SH

St. Mary's Bay (near Dymchurch) Meet

near Village Hall. Lunch stop - fish and

chips café / pub or bring own sandwiches.

12

(19.3)

Mod.

1 / 2

Joy

01304 825302

3389. Sunday

19/08/2018

10:00 TR104544

CT4 7QH

Chartham Meet at Brice Avenue,

Shalmsford Street. RADO.

6

(9.7)

Easy 3 Ethel

3390. Sunday

02/09/2018

10:00 TR136404

CT18 8DH

Farthing Common

Good parking. Lunch stop at The Bowl Inn,

Hastingleigh. Great walk in late summer.

11

(17.7)

Mod. 4 Les P

01303 863495

or 07526 557663 3391. Sunday

02/09/2018

10:00 TR007597

ME13 8XZ

Faversham

Meet at Brogdale Farm, Courtyard

Restaurant.

6.5

(10.5)

Mod. 2 Margaret M-W

01795 843927

or 07964 067915

3392. Thursday

06/09/2018

10:00 TR177438

CT4 6TN

Elham - Elham Valley Way. Part 2 Elham to

Canterbury. LINEAR WALK. The start and

finish are accessible by public transport, or

walkers can arrange to car share. Contact

Andrew to discuss. Meet in The Square,

Elham. Lunch stop at the Mermaid Inn,

Bishopsbourne or bring packed lunch.

13.5

(21.7)

Mod. 3 Andrew

07754 797848

or 01233 720513

3393. Thursday

06/09/2018

10:00 TR183541

CT4 5AR

Bridge

Meet near The Red Lion.

6

(9.7)

Mod. 3 Evelyn / Diana

01304 824344

or 01304 372090 3394. Sunday

09/09/2018

10:00 TR071649

CT5 4BW

Seasalter Meet opposite café on

Whitstable Road. Lunch stop in Faversham

- pubs and cafés.

12

(19.3)

Mod. 2 Bob and Alison

01227 771740

3395. Sunday

09/09/2018

10:00 TR261454

CT15 7EX

Lydden Meet at the village hall car park -

behind the pub car park (suggest donation

of 50per person).

6

(9.7)

Mod.

2 / 3

Ted

01304 364856

3396. Thursday

13/09/2018

10:00 TR275565

CT3 1LB

Staple Meet at the village hall car park (50p

per car). Lunch stop at the Half Moon &

Seven Stars or Preston Garden Centre.

10.5

(16.9)

Mod. 2 Nigel & Bev

01304 611834

or 07447 936074

3397. Sunday

16/09/2018

10:00

TR314415

CT17 9SA

In Roman Footsteps Meet Dover Priory

Station. Follow the Roman Road to

Richborough. Lunch stop in Eastry. Return

to Dover by train from Sandwich.

16.5

(26.6)

Fast 4 Graham S

01304 367853

or 07815 453324

3398. Sunday

16/09/2018

10:00 TR333523

CT14 0LW

Northbourne Meet at Village Hall Car Park

- park on road if full (but leave room for the

church).

6

(9.7)

Mod. 3 Rob R

01304 366716

3399. Thursday

20/09/2018

10:00 TR290401

CT15 7AB

Farthingloe (Near Dover) – Lydden Spout

Battery (See article)

Meet in lay-by approximately 600m

beyond entrance to Farthingloe Farm –

space is limited so please car share.

Maximum 30 places – book via Tony.

White Cliffs Ramblers Members Only

3.1

(5)

Mod. 2 Tony Bristow

07976 944396

walks@whitecliffsra

mblers.org.uk

(National Trust

Guide:

Jon Barker)

3400. Sunday

23/09/2018

10:00 TR054467

TN25 5DG

Wye Meet near the church - free car park

opposite. Walk via Hastingleigh (lunch-

stop) and The Devil's Kneading Trough.

10

(16.1)

Mod. 4 Ross

01227 657886

or 07962 810138

3401. Sunday

23/09/2018

10:00 TR107551

CT4 7LA

Chartham

Meet near the church.

5

(8)

Mod. 2 Jill / Olive

01304 364856

or 01304 823705

3402. Thursday

27/09/2018

10:00 TR204485

CT4 6LJ

Breach Down Meet in layby. Lunch stop at

The Hop Pocket, Bossingham.

10

(16.1)

Mod.

3 / 4

Margaret L

01304 831011

3403. Sunday

30/09/2018

10:00 TR054469

TN25 5AL

Wye Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of

the North Downs Way. Meet near Wye

Church, join a Community Parade to Wye

Crown. Walk then continues along Wye

Downs, onto Crundale and return to Wye.

6.6

(10.6)

Mod.

3 / 4

Richard F /

Margaret M-W

07774 184007

Or 07964 067915

3404. Thursday

04/10/2018

10:00 TR143439

CT4 6XY

Rhodes Minnis - West Wood

Meet at West Wood Forest Car Park, Six

Mile Lane. Pub lunch at the Hop Pocket,

Bossingham. NB. The pub is about 2/3 of

the way, so lunch will be about 1.30 with a

shorter flatter walk in the afternoon.

12.5

(20.1)

Mod. 4 Andrew

07754 797848

or 01233 720513

3405. Sunday

07/10/2018

10:00 TR184542

CT4 5BL

Bridge Meet near the recreation ground

(Patrixbourne Road.) Fig. 8 walk. Lunch

stop at The Red Lion, Bridge.

11.8

(19)

Mod. 3 Chris B

07855 898234

3406. Thursday

11/10/2018

10:00 TR115557

CT4 7HN

Chartham Meet at the Wyevale Garden

Centre. Lunch stop at The Westgate Inn

(Weatherspoons), North Lane, Canterbury.

9

(14.5)

Mod. 3 Lorna / Len J

07980 309419

or 01303 862862

3407. Sunday

14/10/2018

10:00 TR164410

CT18 8HH

Lyminge Meet near the library. Lunch stop

at The Cat and Custard Pot, Paddlesworth.

8.5

(13.7)

Mod.

3 / 4

Averil and Steve

01303 892252

3408. Sunday

14/10/2018

10:00 TR056595

ME13 9AN

Boughton Meet at the White Horse pub.

Parking permitted if eating after. Lunch can

be ordered before the start of the walk. If

not eating, park nearby.

5.3

(8.5)

Easy 3 Lesley S

01304 825102

or 07753 245969

3409. Thursday

18/10/2018

10:00 TR196398

CT18 8AD

Paddlesworth

Meet near The Cat and Custard Pot. Fig.8

walk (5.2 + 5.2 miles).

10.4

(16.7)

Mod. 3 John P

01304 823705

or 07966 741187

3410. Sunday

21/10/2018

10:00 TR215398

CT18 7BS

Hawkinge Meet Village Hall Car Park (50p

per car). Lunch stop in Elham - pubs and

café.

9.5

(15.3)

Mod. 3 Rhona

01303 258022

3411. Sunday

21/10/2018

10:00 TR309548

CT13 0HE

Eastry

Meet at village car park in the High St.

6.7

(10.8)

Mod. 2 Lesley S

01304 825102

or 07753 245969

3412. Thursday

25/10/2018

10:00 TR163416

CT18 8HD

Wootton. Meet at Hill House Farm. Fig. 8

walk (5.5 + 4.5 miles). Bring packed lunch.

10

(16.1)

Mod.

3 / 4

Averil and Steve

01303 892252

3413. Sunday

28/10/2018

10:00 TR206501

CT4 6NY

Barham

Meet near the Duke of Cumberland. Lunch

stop in Shepherdswell.

12

(19.3)

Mod. 3 Rob G

07580 039671

or 01303 259099

3414. Sunday

28/10/2018

10:00 TR208575

CT3 1ST

Littlebourne

Meet in car park, near village hall / post

office.

6

(9.7)

Mod. 2 Anne and Tony

01304 372814

or 07976 944396

3415. Thursday

01/11/2018

10:00 TR022473

TN25 4HH

Boughton Lees

Meet and park near the Flying Horse pub.

Lunch stop at The Halfway House, Challock.

10

(16.1)

Mod. 4 Elaine

01233 812328

or 07532 399721

3416. Sunday

04/11/2018

10:00 TR358446

CT15 6AB

St. Margaret's - at - Cliffe

AGM Walk. Meet at the village hall car park

(NOT the village car park near the church).

Bring picnic lunch to village hall upon

return or local pub. AGM starts at 13:30.

6

(9.7)

Mod. 3 Margaret L

01304 831011

3417. Thursday

08/11/2018

10:00 TQ962614

ME9 9JJ

Faversham Meet at The Plough Inn,

Lewson Street. Figure of 8 walk (6 + 4

miles). Re-start at 13:30.

10

(16.1)

Mod. 3 Margaret M-W

01795 843927

or 07964 067915

3418. Friday

09/11/2018

10:30

TR148574

CT1 2PS

Canterbury Alan Clewer Canterbury

Bridges Memorial Walk. Hosted by Alan's

daughter, Claire, meet in Dane John

Gardens, near the bandstand. If you would

like lunch after the walk, book by Tuesday

6th November by phoning Rowena or email

clairejjb@me.com

6

(9.7)

Mod. 1 Rowena

01304 614789

Claire

3419. Sunday

11/11/2018

10:30

TR377505

CT14 7LH

Walmer - Battle's Over. Meet at large car

park on Kingsdown Road (bottom of

Granville Road). This walk is part of a series

of events marking the centenary of the end

of World War One.

5

(8)

Easy

2 / 3

Les P

01303 863495

or 07526 557663

3420. Thursday

15/11/2018

10:00 TR023500

TN25 4DG

Challock Meet at Kingswood Car Park,

White Hill. Lunch stop in Chilham, various

pubs and cafés.

10.5

(16.9)

Mod. 3 Richard F

07774 184007

3421. Sunday

18/11/2018

10:00 TR262503

CT15 7JG

Barfreston Meet in factory car park. Pub-

stop in Eastry or bring own.

12

(19.3)

Mod. 2 John Gil

07780 679534 3422. Sunday

18/11/2018

10:00 TR287437

CT16 3DZ

Kearsney Abbey (Dover) Meet in car park,

near the café. This walk is undulating and

steep in places.

6

(9.7)

Mod.

3 / 4

Averil and Steve

01303 892252

3423. Thursday

22/11/2018

10:00 TR154347

CT21 6JN

Hythe Meet near the café next to the

Hythe / Dymchurch railway station. Lunch

stop in Dymchurch - cafés / pubs

12.8

(20.6)

Mod.

1 / 2

Rob G

07580 039671

or 01303 259099

3424. Thursday

22/11/2018

10:00 TR380480

CT14 8ET

Kingsdown (Oldstairs Bay) Park on road

(Undercliffe Rd.) Walk includes cliff paths.

6

(9.7)

Mod. 3 Lee

07932 812514 3425. Sunday

25/11/2018

10:00 TR179599

CT2 0BF

Fordwich Meet / park at Marlow

Meadows. Lunch stop at the Gulbenkian

13

(21)

Mod. 3 Chris B

07855 898234 3426. Sunday

25/11/2018

10:00 TR233539

CT3 3JE

Adisham

Meet at the railway station.

6

(9.7)

Mod. 2 Jane G

01304 611771 3427. Thursday

29/11/2018

10:00 TR244576

CT3 1DW

Wingham

Meet at St Mary's Meadow car park.

6

(9.7)

Mod.

2 / 3

Terry

01304 375824

or 07929 828917

Advance Notice: Saturday 08/12/2018 Christmas Cruise around Calais c17ml. 0720 By P&O Desk, Dover Eastern Docks for

8.25am sailing. (GR TR331417). A circular walk in the Nord Pas de Calais visiting Cap Blanc Nez, with time for some Christmas

shopping in the Auchan hypermarket. Return 9pm local time (approx.). Ring P&O reservations 08716 646464 for foot passenger

day return. Please ring Graham Smith (01304 367853) for confirmation of times and parking recommendations

LEGEND FOR THE WALK PROGRAMME

EASY LESS THAN 2.5 MPH

MOD. 2.5 – 3.0 MPH

FAST 3.0 – 3.5 MPH

V. FAST OVER 3.5 MPH

1 FLAT

2 FLAT WITH SMALL INCLINES

3 FLAT WITH SOME SMALL HILLS

4 UNDULATING WITH SOME STEEPER HILLS

5 MIXED SMALL AND STEEP HILLS

RADO = Registered Assistance Dogs Only

GOOD WALKING ETIQUETTE

• ALWAYS KEEP BEHIND THE LEADER AND DON’T TRY TO SET THE PACE.

• KEEP IN SINGLE FILE IN CROPPED FIELDS.

• ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON PEOPLE BEHIND AS WELL AS THOSE IN FRONT.

• KEEP TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROADS IN SINGLE FILE UNLESS OTHERWISE INFORMED BY THE LEADER OR BACKMARKER.

• DOGS MUST BE KEPT UNDER CONTROL, & CARE TAKEN WHEN NEAR OTHER ANIMALS.

Reporting faults on rights of way / public

footpaths

To continue enjoying the network of public footpaths

it is important to report any faults on a right of way as

soon as possible. Reports of faults can be made:

• Online at: https://webapps.kent.gov.uk/countrysideaccesscams/standardmap.aspx

• By Phone: 03000 417171 • By E-mail: eastprow@kent.gov.uk • By Post: Public Rights of Way & Access Service,

Kent County Council, The Granary, Penstock Hall Farm, Canterbury Rd, East Brabourne, Ashford, TN25 5LL.

When reporting a fault please be prepared to give the

following information.

• Your name and contact information

• Location of the problem, e.g. OS map grid reference, path number or a general description of the area concerned

• Nature of the problem and the date that you saw it.

WHAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE OVER 65 TO REGULARLY

WALK? A RESEARCH STUDY My name is Daniel Bird and I am a trainee clinical psychologist currently undertaking a research project that focuses upon walking, an area I am very passionate about. I am looking for people aged 65 or over who are physically able to walk to interview on the telephone to look at why some people might walk regularly, and others might find it difficult. At the moment, there is no suitable questionnaire that looks at people’s beliefs about walking, so the research will produce one with the help of people like you. If you are interested in participating, please contact me at d.c.bird555@canterbury.ac.uk and I will send you more information. Thank you for your time! Daniel Bird Trainee Clinical Psychologist Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology Canterbury Christ Church University 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2YG TICK WARNING FOR 2018 - PEAK SEASON MARCH TO

OCTOBER Being bitten by a tick can lead to Lyme disease, a bacterial disease passed to humans and dogs. This disease now affects 3,000 people a year in the UK and has spread in areas where it can be caught, even in London parks. Ticks are a greater risk in the summer. Danger zones are woodland, heathland, long wet grass and areas inhabited by deer. To prevent: use insect repellent, wear long trousers, avoid overgrown areas. Symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue, and a red circular skin rash round an infected tick bite which can appear up to 30 days after having been bitten. Caught early enough, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. You can use tweezers or a special tool from the chemist. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY (PROW) – PATH UPDATES

(1) Proposals: Proposed creation of a path from Knowlton Court, via Black Lane, to the A256. The re-establishment of the whole of Black Lane as a PROW would be of enormous benefit to walkers… the documentary evidence supplied by the main applicant looks convincing. Birchington TM35/35A – diversion of the path away from the outbuildings of Great Brooksend Farm, into the field immediately to the north. Incidentally, a large housing estate is proposed for land just to the east of here. (2) Diversions etc. confirmed: Swingfield HE190 - diversion of the FP from a route adjoining a garden and diagonally crossing a horse paddock, to one following two field boundaries - north

of the Densole Lane housing to the east of the A260, in the centre of the village. Hougham ER218 – KCC has officially rejected an application to downgrade to bridleway status this byway open to all traffic, which runs from Poulton Farm west to the 90-degree bend on the lane at Fern Cottage. (3) Ongoing: Shepherdswell ER80/81 – we oppose the proposal to divert these paths out of the large field to the SW of the Village Hall, near the village centre, and to reroute them along the field edges by the Hall and adjoining Coxhill Road. The issue will now be decided by the written representations procedure. Preston EE486 – sufficient evidence exists to support the making of an order to create a new right of way (of FP status) along the existing track through Deerson Farm, from the 90-degree bend in Deerson Lane through to the long footpath which links Preston church to Seaton and Wickhambreaux. The large-scale vegetation clearance contracts maintained by Kent County Council were re-let in April. Unfortunately, initial teething problems with the new contracts have meant that many of the paths have still not been cut or those that have, may not be up to the expected standard. KCC have said that they are working with the contractor to overcome these issues, but it could still be another month before the first cut is completed satisfactorily.

THE COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN MARGARET LUBBOCK 01304 831011 TREASURER MARGARET MILSTED-WILLIAMSON 01795 843927 GROUP SECRETARY AVERIL BRICE 01303 892252 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY NIGEL CUSSANS 01304 611834 JOINT WALKS SECRETARY & NEWSLETTER ANNE BRISTOW 01304 372814 JOINT WALKS SECRETARY TONY BRISTOW 01304 372814 GROUP FOOTPATHS OFFICER RICHARD FRITH 07774 184007 SPONSORSHIP/ ADVERTS VACANCY SOCIAL SECRETARY VACANCY PRESS/PUBLICITY GRAHAM SMITH 01304 367853 COMMITTEE MEMBER LES PRESTON 01303 863495 Group officers – non-Committee Members GROUP LIBRARIAN TONY THORN 01303 260955 WEBMASTER GAVIN TREVELYAN 01304 820445

We welcome new walkers, whether they have been members of other groups, walked on holidays, or exercised the

dog or ambled down to the shops. However, most of our long walks take about 4 hrs (plus an hour break midway)

and we average 10 miles. If you think this is too much for you, start with one of our short walks which take about

2/2.5 hrs and average 6 miles, or arrange to finish your first walk at the halfway point.

“All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In

spite of the safety of members being of paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important,

therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to

identify the hazards associated with it and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an

accident to happen”.

The Ramblers Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration No 4458492. Registered Charity in England

and Wales No. 1093577. Registered office; 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.