{"id":"69c57726948ce0defd0a5205","title":"Host Group","path":"publications/annual-reviews/2023/host-group","contentMarkdown":"# Your Host Group: North West Kent\n\n![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/39ee1187-29bf-40a6-9d2a-dde4dbd9060a.jpeg)\n\nNorth West Kent is delighted to host the 2024 AGM of Kent Area in St Mary's Church Hall Bexley, some 13 years since we last hosted Area's AGM in the company of 91 attendees. But the 2024 AGM is rather special as 2024 marks not only the 40th anniversary of Kent Area but also the 40th anniversary of when North West Kent became officially known by its present name. However, the Group's origins go further back and our 50th anniversary celebration on 8th September 2013 in the Bromley Court Hotel (photo), where over 100 guests listened to an address given by founding member Brian Reader, is now but a distant memory.\n\nLife began at an inaugural meeting in Lewisham town hall on 19 July 1963 which established the \"South East London and Kent Group in the Southern Area of the Ramblers Association\". This had 1100 members and grew steadily to the point where it was found necessary to carve out smaller units corresponding roughly to the counties lying within the Southern Area boundary. Further subdivisions followed and eventually, on 1st October 1984, Kent Area and North West Kent came formally into existence.\n\nMost of North West Kent's members are drawn from the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley but we jealously guard our claim to be a Kent group which is where most of our walking is done. The group's character has changed markedly since those early days when members were mainly of working age and walked on Sundays from railway stations. Nowadays, most members are retirees and arrive by car to enjoy walks, generally, a little shorter than those enjoyed by their younger forebears.\n\nWe are fortunate in having many extensive green spaces within the boroughs' boundaries and, after this year's Area AGM, we will walk past St Mary's church with its splendid Victorian interior (well worth a look) and into the 333 acres of Joydens Wood: an ancient woodland with a network of paths and horse trails notable for its flora and wildlife and a history stretching back to Roman times. Here are to be found a Saxon dyke, banks marking ancient boundaries, filled in Dene holes, a line of bomb craters from the last war and a wooden sculpture of a crashed Hurricane. Invigorated, we shall return to the hall to enjoy a well earned afternoon tea.\n\n*Stuart Booth, Chairman, North West Kent Ramblers*","contentHtml":"

Your Host Group: North West Kent

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North West Kent is delighted to host the 2024 AGM of Kent Area in St Mary's Church Hall Bexley, some 13 years since we last hosted Area's AGM in the company of 91 attendees. But the 2024 AGM is rather special as 2024 marks not only the 40th anniversary of Kent Area but also the 40th anniversary of when North West Kent became officially known by its present name. However, the Group's origins go further back and our 50th anniversary celebration on 8th September 2013 in the Bromley Court Hotel (photo), where over 100 guests listened to an address given by founding member Brian Reader, is now but a distant memory.

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Life began at an inaugural meeting in Lewisham town hall on 19 July 1963 which established the "South East London and Kent Group in the Southern Area of the Ramblers Association". This had 1100 members and grew steadily to the point where it was found necessary to carve out smaller units corresponding roughly to the counties lying within the Southern Area boundary. Further subdivisions followed and eventually, on 1st October 1984, Kent Area and North West Kent came formally into existence.

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Most of North West Kent's members are drawn from the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley but we jealously guard our claim to be a Kent group which is where most of our walking is done. The group's character has changed markedly since those early days when members were mainly of working age and walked on Sundays from railway stations. Nowadays, most members are retirees and arrive by car to enjoy walks, generally, a little shorter than those enjoyed by their younger forebears.

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We are fortunate in having many extensive green spaces within the boroughs' boundaries and, after this year's Area AGM, we will walk past St Mary's church with its splendid Victorian interior (well worth a look) and into the 333 acres of Joydens Wood: an ancient woodland with a network of paths and horse trails notable for its flora and wildlife and a history stretching back to Roman times. Here are to be found a Saxon dyke, banks marking ancient boundaries, filled in Dene holes, a line of bomb craters from the last war and a wooden sculpture of a crashed Hurricane. Invigorated, we shall return to the hall to enjoy a well earned afternoon tea.

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Stuart Booth, Chairman, North West Kent Ramblers

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