/ NORTH WEST KENT GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS
Programme No. 152 - October 2013 to January 2014
RAMBLERS website – , Kent Area website –
NWK Ramblers website –
GROUP OFFICERS / Chairman / Stuart Booth, 9 Onslow Crescent, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5RW / 020 8467 9419
Deputy Chairman / Jack Yan, 47 Barrington Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4UN / 020 8306 0895
Treasurer / Aldwyn Davies, 9 Percival Rd, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8HL / 01689 851729
Membership Secretary / Richard Wilkes, 46 Hillingdon Rd, Barnehurst, Kent, DA7 6LW / 01322 528314
Secretary / JS
Committee Members / Chris Baker, 87 Avenue Rd, Erith, Kent, DA8 3AT / 01322 341722
Carole Flowerday,42A Leyland Road, London SE12 8DT / 020 8852 4897
Mike Hickie, 14 Perry Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4RD / 01322 554933
Bob Tolson, 79 Trevor Drive, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0QN / 01622 679494
CONTACTS FOR WALKS
Sunday walks: Contact Details Withheld / Wednesday med. Walks: Gill Emsden 01689 838636
Wednesday short walks: Chris Baker 01322 341722 / Ambles: Contact Details Withheld
Strolls: Contact Details Withheld

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Visit our own new website.

Available for download:

  1. History of NWK Ramblers by Stuart Booth.
  2. Check out Information and Guidance notes for NWK Walk Leaders written by Mike Hickie.

If members have any articles or anything of interest to share with the group – please contact Jack Yan

ADVICE TO WALKERS

  • Take special care when walking on roads.
  • Do not approach farm animals unnecessarily.
  • Keep an eye on the people behind and in front of you to ensure that the group keeps together.
  • Dogs must be kept under control at all times and put on a lead through farmyards, animals or growing crops.
  • Do not consume your own food or drink on pub premises. Remove muddy boots or cover with plastic bags.
  • Consider carrying a basic first aid kit.
  • Wear suitable clothing and footwear.
  • Lifts may be available for non car drivers. Please phone a committee member to enquire.
  • Trains. Please check train times with National Rail Enquiries, 08457 48 49 50,
  • Weather conditions. Walks normally take place whatever the weather, but if there have been Met. Office warnings that travelling may be hazardous, it is for the leader to decide whether the walk should go ahead.
  • Though walking is inherently one of the safest outdoor activities, no activity is completely without risk and it is your responsibility to behave sensibly and to minimise the potential for accidents to occur.

50th ANNIVERSARY LUNCH – 8 SEPTEMBER 2013

Our 50th Anniversary celebrations were held on Sunday 8 September with a lunch at the Bromley Court Hotel and attended by 103 members and friends. Stuart Booth (Chairman) welcomed everyone and gave a brief history of the Group. He mentioned that, without realising it, the date chosen for the lunch was the same as the first walk in the first programme produced in September 1963! It was good to see so many familiar faces not seen for a while and to welcome Brian Reader, who was one of the founder members of the Group. The celebrations continued the following week with a Walks Festival, to include walks for all levels and a charity walk to raise money for The Woodland Trust.

Carole Flowerday – Publicity Officer

XMAS LUNCH Wed 11 Dec 2013 at the Bromley Court Hotel, 12 noon for 1.00 pm This is a combined lunch for all NWK members. Our usual Walks will be held on other days of the week. Please contact Ray Wawn to make a reservation Tel: 01689 856650.

AGM INVITATION TO ALL MEMBERS: Our next AGM is on Friday 22Nov 2013 at the Hurst Community Centre, Sidcup at 7.45 pm. Refreshment will be provided.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS:this will be held at the AGM - nomination form can be downloaded from our website or you canobtain a copy from the Secretary. The completed formshould be returned to the Secretary by post or by email before the AGM.

RAMBLERS HOLIDAYS: When you book a holiday please inform Ramblers Holidays that you are nominating NWK Ramblers Group and we will receive a small sum of money which will greatly help our funds. This includes bookings that have already been made as long as the nomination is made before the holiday takes place.

MEMORIAL GATE FUND:There are now funds for the purchase of 4 memorial kissing gates. So far one gate has been erected and one plaque had been made. Richard Wilkes has decided on the sites for the other gates. Work is in progress with Kent County Council

PROGRAMMES BY EMAIL: To receive the programme by email, please email . Sending programmes by email saves on printing and postage costs and eases the workload for volunteers.

ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS: We must report all accidents/incidents to Ramblers Central Office, as a requirement of our insurers. Please will leaders report any accident/incident to Mike Hickie, who will provide and collect incident report forms.

FOOTPATHS:Please report any obstruction, damage/ broken stiles and gates on the right of way to Richard Wilkes.

WEBSITES:Go to details of the Films on Foot Festival 10 - 21 October, walks visiting places associated with films, mostly in evenings.

Ramblers Routes, is a site that lets you develop walks and view walks developed by other ramblers."

PASSENGER CONTRIBUTION: A suggested passenger contribution for all walks is £4.

OTHER WALKS: If you would like to lead walks on Saturdays, please contact Janet Springall, and for any other weekdays, please contact Chris Baker.

TYPISTS WANTED:We are grateful to, and depend heavily on a few loyal and dedicated members who take turns in typing the programme. But, to provide more flexibility, it would be helpful if we could identify a few more hands willing on an occasional basis to assist with the typing of the programme. If you are able to help with the typing or know someone who can, please contact Stuart Booth 020 8467 9419.

COTSWOLD: Cotswold stores are offering 15% discount on goods in store to members of the group. You need to quote the North West Kent Group acc. no. T2097 and show your Ramblers membership card. Nearest branch is at Unit 2, Nugent Retail Park, Orpington BR5 3RP

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WALKS *Pace and Distance – Average Miles Per Hour
(M) Medium up to 14 miles - pace moderate/hard 2.6 to 3.1 / (S)Short 6/9 miles & (1/2 Day) 4/5 miles - pace steady 2.3 to 2.6
(A) Amble up to 7 miles - easier pace up to 2.3
Details not shown, please contact Walk Co-ordinator / (Strolls) walk details not shown, please contact Walk Co-ordinator
TQ, TR etc = Grid Map Reference / EX = Explorer Map
LR = Land ranger Map / CP = Car park
NT = National Trust
Date / *Pace
Dist / Time / Start From / Grid & Map Reference / Leader &
Phone No. / Pub Lunch
(A)
Wed
2nd Oct / (M)
12 / 10:00 / Camer Country Park / TQ650669
EX 148 LR177 / For Additional Walks Information Contact Richard Wilkes
Membership Secretary on 01322 528314 / The White Hart
Cuxton
(S)
8.5 / 10:00 / Holly Hill CP / TQ669629
EX163 LR188 / Golden Lion
Luddesdowne
Sun
6th Oct / (S)
8 / 10:15 / Keston Ponds CP / TQ419639
EX147/161
LR 177 / White Bear
Fickleshole
Wed
9th Oct / (M)
10.5 / 10:00 / Leigh Village Green / TQ549464
EX147 LR188 / Old Cock Horse
Hildenborough on B245
(S)
7.75 / 10:15 / Meopham Green / TQ641652
EX163 LR177 / Cock Inn
Henley Street
Sun
13th Oct / (S)
6.5 / 10:15 / Farnborough Village
(Morning walk only) / TQ443643
EX147 LR177 / Lunch available in Farnborough
(A)
Wed
16th Oct / (M)
12 / 10:00 / Teston Country Park CP / TQ707533
EX148 LR188 / The Chequers
Loose
(S)
7.5 / 10:15 / Teston Country Park CP / TQ707533
EX148 LR188 / Walnut Tree
Yalding
Sun
20th Oct / (S)
6.2 / 10:15 / Ightham Mote NT CP / TQ584535
EX147 LR188 / Lunch at Ightham Mote NT restaurant
Wed
23th Oct / (M)
10.5 / 10:00 / Chiddingstone Church Lay-by / TQ502452
EX147 LR188 / Kentish Horse
Mark Beech
(S)
8.5 / 11:15 / Hampton Court Railway Station / TQ154683
EX161 LR178 / Tide End Cottage
Teddington Lock
Sun
27th Oct / (S )
6.5 / 10:15 / Yalding Station / TQ685503
EX 148/136
LR 188 / Bush, Blackbird & Thrush
E. Peckham
(A)
Wed
30th Oct / (M)
10.75 / 10:00 / Tudeley, Potter's Wood Nature Reserve / TQ618433
EX136 LR188 / The Star Inn
Matfield
(S)
8 / 10:15 / Top Wrotham Hill CP, just off Junction 2, M20 / TQ601601
EX147/148
LR188 / Black Horse
Stansted

November

Sun
3rd Nov / (S)
9 / 10:00 / Cudham
Rec Ground CP / TQ446597
EX147 LR187 / George & Dragon
Downe
Wed
6th Nov / (M)
10 / 10:00 / Wrotham Village CP / TQ612594
EX148 LR188 / Lunch to be arranged
(S)
8.5 / 10:00 / JeskynsCommunityForest CP / TQ662698
EX163 LR177 / Golden Lion
Luddesdowne
Sun
10th Nov / (M)
10 / 10:00 / Chartwell NT car park / TQ454518
EX147 LR188 / Royal Oak
Staffhurst Wood
(A)
Wed
13th Nov / (M)
11 / 10:00 / Camer Park / TQ650669
EX163 LR177 / Rose & Crown
Shorne
(S)
8 / 10:30 / Falconwood Railway Station / TQ446754
EX162 LR177 / The Pilot
GreenwichPeninsula
Linear walk to Greenwich Station & via Green Chain Walk & Thames Path
Sun
17th Nov / (S)
8.25 / 10:15 / Sole Street Station
(£1 parking fee) / TQ655675
EX148 LR177 / For Additional Walks Information Contact Richard Wilkes
Membership Secretary on 01322 528314 / Amazon & Tiger
Harvel
Wed
20th Nov / (M)
11 / 10:00 / One Tree Hill C.P. / TQ559532
EX147 LR188 / The Golding Hop
Plaxtol
(S)
8.5 / 10:15 / Ightham Mote NP CP
£2 fee if not a member / TQ584536
EX147 LR188 / Papermakers’ Arms
Plaxtol
Sun
24th Nov / (S)
5.2 / 10:15 / Shipbourne Common
(morning walk only) / TQ593523
EX47 LR188 / No lunch arranged but several pubs nearby.
(A)
Wed
27th Nov / (M)
10.5 / 10:00 / Meopham Green
Park around green / TQ641651
EX148 LR177 / Black Horse
Stansted
(S)
8 / 10:15 / Winkhurst Green, Bough Beech Nat. Res / TQ493496
EX147 LR188 / Four Elms
(Reopened)
Sat
30th Nov / (S)
5 / 10:30 / Pratts Bottom nr Bulls Head Pub.
Park on road / TQ472622
EX147 LR188 / Bulls Head
Pratts Bottom

December

Sun
1st Dec / (S)
4-5 / 10:00 / Leigh (park around village green) / TQ550464
EX147 LR188 / Fleur de Lys
Leigh
Wed
4th Dec / (M)
12 / 10:00 / Knockholt Stn. Use train or park on road £3 / TQ485629
EX147 LR188 / The Queens Head Downe
(S)
8.5 / 10:00 / Church Wood,
West Kingsdown / TQ580632
EX147 LR188 / Fox & Hounds
Romney Street
Sun
8th Dec / (S)
8 / 10:15 / Vanburgh Park near junction with Charlton Way, north side of Blackheath / TQ399773
EX162 LR177 / Pilot
North Greenwich
Wed 11th Xmas lunch - No Walk today
Tue
10th Dec / (S)
7.2 / 10:15 / Dryhill Nature Reserve / TQ498552
EX147 LR188 / The Woodman
Goathurst Common
Sun
15th Dec / (M)
10.5 / 10:00 / Trosley Country Park CP (parking fee applies) / TQ635614
EX148 LR188 / Golden Lion
Luddesdown
Wed
18th Dec / (M)
11.5 / 10:00 / Hucking C.P. / TQ848581
EX148 LR178 / Lunch to be arranged
(S)
8 / 10:15 / Hosey Common CP / TQ453523
EX147 LR188 / Royal Oak
Crockham Hill
Sun
22ndDec / (-) / No Walk Today
(A)
Wed
25th Dec / (M) / No Walk Today
(S) / No Walk Today
Sun
29th Dec / (S)
8 / 10:00 / Church Rd CP
Biggin Hill / TQ422590
Ex148 LR187 / George & Dragon
Downe

January

Wed
1st Jan / (M)
12 / 10:00 / Kemsing C.P. / TQ555587
EX147 LR188 / Black Horse
Stansted
(S) / No Walk Today
Sun
5th Jan / (S)
8.5 / 10:00 / Sevenoaks Weald, Village Green / TQ526509
EX147 LR188 / For additional Walks Information Contact Richard Wilkes
Membership Secretary on 01322 528314 / Woodman
Whitley Row
(A)
Wed
8th Jan / (M)
10 / 10:00 / Pratts Bottom – park in adjacent road & not in pub C.P. / TQ473622
EX147 LR 188 / Downe TBA or cafe
(S)
8.3 / 10:15 / Shipbourne Common / TQ593522
EX147 LR188 / Kentish Rifleman
Dunks Green
Sun
12th Jan / (S)
8.25 / 10:15 / Cudham Rec CP / TQ447596
EX147 LR187/8 / Fox & Hounds
South Street,
Biggin Hill
Wed
15th Jan / (M)
10.7 / 10:00 / Holly Hill Car Park / TQ670629
EX163 LR166 / King’s Arms
Meopham Green
(S)
7.5 / 10:15 / Heathfield Rd CP
Keston Common
‘bus routes 146, 246, 320 & R2’ / TQ416637
EX147 LR177 / George & Dragon
Downe
Sun
19th Jan / (S)
8.4 / 10:15 / Camer Country Park CP / TQ649669
EX148 LR177-8 / Amazon & Tiger
Harvel
(A)
Wed
22nd Jan / (M)
12 / 10:00 / Ulcombe CP
Headcorn Rd / TQ848487
EX137 LR 188 / George Inn
Egerton
(S)
7 / 10:15 / Penshurst Layby / TQ525439
EX147 LR188 / Chafford Arms Fordcombe
Sat
25 Jan / (M)
11 / 10:00 / Paddock Wood Station
London Bridge 09:19
P Wood 09:58 / TQ674451
EX136 LR188 / The Poacher
Tudeley Hale
Sun
26th Jan / (M)
10 / 10:10 / Shoreham Station
(9:40 train from Bromley South arrives Shoreham 10:00) / TQ526615
EX147 LR188 / Rising Sun
Cotmans Ash (pub does not do food so bring packed lunch to eat there)
Wed
29th Jan / (M)
11 / 10:00 / Ightham Village Hall / TQ594566
EX147 LR188 / The Chaser
Shipbourne
(S)
8 / 10:15 / Shipbourne Common / TQ593522
EX147 LR188 / Crown Point Inn

The RAMBLERS is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492).Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW

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