It is beginning to feel that we are leaving the fog that Covid brought, people are feeling more confident to venture out and we have seen more interest in joining Bromley Ramblers, with numbers increasing by just over 6% to 549.
In the year to 31 October we succeeded in putting on 142 walks. There were 46 Wednesday walks, 34 Saturday walks, 42 half-day Sunday walks and 30 all-day Sunday walks, an average of 12 a month. We would like to run more walks, but fewer walk leaders have meant fewer walks. As with previous years our walks are not restricted to Bromley Borough, but explore Central London, Kent and Surrey.
We are getting better at posting pictures and news on Facebook and WhatsApp which do attract members and is engendering a good community spirit. During the year our membership secretary arranged an introductory walk aimed at encouraging people to try a walk and then hopefully join up.
In October we ran a Walk Leaders event on Navigation skills, we had a morning in the classroom, which was followed by a little test of compass skills in the park followed by a walk for attendees to navigate in groups, accompanied by an experienced walk leader. The feedback on the event was very good and we will consider running it again next year if there is sufficient interest.
We are also investigating the practicalities of running a first aid course.
From a social point of view, we had a very successful Quiz night in March. Also, a group of our walkers went on a walking holiday to Sedbergh in Cumbria which was a great success. The accommodation was well received and being blessed with good weather helped the enjoyment. Further holidays are being planned for 2025.
We are looking forward to our AGM where Robert Peel is giving us a talk on the Kent section of King Charles III England Coast Path.
Maureen Franklin
We have had a great year. Most Sunday mornings we have lovely walks enjoyed by many of our group. Between 20 and 30 is the average number they have attracted with some new members, visitors from other groups and a strong and healthy core of people who turn up week after week, enjoying companionship with good friends. We mainly have walks that are close to home but have had atmospheric walks along the Medway and several that -- unsurprisingly for Kent of course -- pass through orchards, vineyards and fruit farms (those ubiquitous poly tunnels that have such tempting, massive soft fruits!!). Wednesday walks have really taken off this year too thanks to Andy Wheeler who adds cryptic clues and quizzes to his walks. A huge thanks to all our walk leaders of course.
Our social committee has pulled out all the stops once again for 2024. Holidays (a super one on the Isle of Wight was outstanding), day trips (the beauty of Rye was enjoyed by many), as well as the ever popular Christmas meal were but some of the things they organised for us. The day trips by coach are really excellent as they always include walks of differing lengths as well as giving non-walkers the opportunity of visiting somewhere a bit further afield. We do appreciate everything our hard-working social gang does for us.
We recently decided to change the format of our newsletter to all members. The previous 3 or 4 times a year editions have been replaced by monthly emails. These are not so fancy i.e. no photos (photos are easily put on Facebook so we can still see what's been going on) or special graphics but they contain all the info that is needed for members and are much more timely. We think this works well and we've had no complaints so far. We have also started a useful WhatsApp group for walks leaders to post if walks have been cancelled.
We are a friendly group and always happy to welcome visitors to our activities. Please join us any time!
Maidstone Ramblers has, yet again, been very active. Now in our 44th year we continue to have a very full programme of walks offering two walks every Wednesday, plus a walk every Sunday and new this year a shorter walk every second Thursday. We offer walks to suit a wide variety of physical ability and an opportunity to experience much of the beautiful countryside of Kent as well as historical walks in London.
The group also has an active social calendar. The highlights continue to be the annual walking holiday which this year was in Llandudno North Wales and offered the option of two walks most days as well as evening entertainment, with plenty of grandparent dancing. This year we also added a trip to the Isle of Wight and the Christmas dinner continues to be booked out. We are also looking to add some evening events in the coming year but of course still encourage our walks to include a pub or cafe stop with plenty of opportunity to chat.
At our recent AGM we were able to maintain our strong number of volunteers willing to fill the various roles necessary to keep this active calendar but also requested more volunteers to get involved with things like the footpath observer role as well as assisting current volunteers.
We have a very enthusiastic footpath clearance team, which in coordination with the local authority has been able to sort out many of the vegetation problems in the Maidstone borough. Last year they cleared about 6.8 kilometres of overgrown paths, some of which had become completely impassable prior to our work. The work is done by a team of up to seventeen volunteers who meet every Monday morning from spring through to autumn.
Our Facebook page continues to be well visited and a great advert, with some great photos, of the walks we offer. Each post typically receives 150 views. The number of people listed on our Facebook page has again more than doubled this year.
Our web page (www.maidstoneramblers.org.uk) continues to give full details of all our activities for anyone wanting information as well as guidance and help for all our walk leaders. A good example of improvements to advice for walk leaders is the guidance issued by national Ramblers which has been put on our web site but with improvements which make it more relevant to leading walks in our area.
In the past year Sevenoaks Ramblers offered 105 walks delivered by 14 walk leaders. We also undertook a number of projects.
As part of this year's Sevenoaks Summer Festival we put on a programme of 8 walks. We coupled this with an initiative for a circular walking route around Sevenoaks. The circular route, which has been devised by Sevenoaks Rambler Stephen Uttley, uses existing paths and is 38 miles long. For the Festival the route was split into shorter circular walks which could easily be undertaken within a day. The programme offered the opportunity to engage with our wider public and we are hopeful that this circular route will in time become a destination route in North West Kent (see separate article for more details).
We reactivated our Facebook page to publicise walks and host walk reports with accompanying pictures. The reporting has become something of a competitive exercise with each walk leader seeking to outdo previous reports in terms of erudition and wit. Continuous improvement has even seen the emergence of video reports. More recently we've had reports in the person of the walk leader's dog! Thanks go to our walk leaders for prompt reports and our publicity manager Miles, who, despite being a dab hand on Facebook, has declined the title of 'poster boy'. Followers of our posts have been garnered from as far away as Nepal; perhaps they're attracted by the gentle contours of the North Downs.
In September we took a stand at the Shoreham Heavy Horse Show with the aim of promoting Sevenoaks Ramblers. In fact the attendees at the show came from far and wide, but we hope we managed to raise the profile of Ramblers. We were able to make use of our newly acquired credit card reader without too much drama to take payment for sales of Kent Ramblers guides.
October saw a group of a dozen Sevenoaks Ramblers undertake a week's walking in the Black Forest in Germany, our first holiday since pre-Covid. We opted for a relaxed approach with each participant booking their own accommodation and travel. Gengenbach proved to be an inspired location as it was both an interesting town in its own right and an ideal base for walking. Thanks again to the talented Mr Uttley for leading our walks. We were impressed by the excellent local train service (use of which is free to tourists), the lack of litter and some interesting innovations along the walking trails such as automated schnapps vending machines and the Black Forest beer tree (pictured). Maybe something to consider for the North Downs Way.
Medway Ramblers Group has had another successful year with a full programme of Sunday walks and steady interest from potential new members, most of whom have joined the Ramblers.
Our walks have been led by a keen band of walk leaders -- who are managing to navigate the enhanced RA guidance for walk leaders. We have also run two successful walk leader workshops to recruit new walk leaders. The workshops were based on the RA Handbook but also featured hints and anecdotes from experienced walk leaders. Most of those attending have now led their first walk (or two) for us.
We have run two group holidays this year. First some 30 members went to Denia in Spain for a week in April on an organised holiday. This picturesque coastal town, a comfortable 30 or so miles north of the skyscrapers of Benidorm, proved to be an excellent choice for us. The mountains behind Denia provided great options for the walks. Also, good transport links provided options for those who preferred not to walk every day. Finally we also had a day out in Valencia -- a beautiful historic city with sympathetically developed modern quarters.
Secondly some 40 of us went by coach to Bournemouth in September. Our volunteers led two walks each day sampling the best of the local area including parts of the Coast Path and the New Forest with walks ending in, for example, Swanage and Weymouth where we were able to find good beer -- and ice cream. We felt that we had only dipped into what the area has to offer and are tempted to return again soon.
Our annual "pre-Christmas" walk and lunch at the end of November was enjoyed by 30 members.
We held our AGM at the end of October in the National Trust Barn at Cobham. After the regular AGM business we had a talk from one of our members about the walking adventures of four of us. The walks had included the whole of the Capital Ring round London and then the canals of London. The final main "project" covered the England Coast Path from Gravesend to Eastbourne, returning to Gravesend along the Wealdway.
Walks: 2024 has been another bumper year for walks. We have had 113 walks and have totalled 982 miles, which averages 8.7 miles per walk. This extensive walk programme relies heavily on our volunteer walk leaders who continue to do an excellent job for the group. We had 33 different leaders during the year, 6 of whom were first timers. To support our new walk leaders we ran another of our Walk Leader Training and Map Reading courses updated to include the new Ramblers guidance on ratios and risk assessments. We also have an active Walk Leader Buddies WhatsApp group where new walk leaders can ask for advice on all aspects of walk leading.
This year has been notable for the sheer variety of walks on offer. Nigel & Sue led us through the final seven stages of the Thames Path Walk started last year in Crayford Ness and finally arriving in Oxford mid-August. Closer to home we have thoroughly traversed Kent, Sussex and Surrey, walking in Rochester, Eastbourne, Dover and the Surrey Hills. Whilst we are very happy to have well attended walks, the 70 that attended Paul L's walk in February around Lamberhurst fully tested our mid marking and back marking capabilities! Our summer evening walks continue to be very popular and we had 23 evening and night walks this year.
Holidays and Weekends Away: These continue to be a big draw for new and existing members and are a great opportunity for newer members to get to know the group better. We had two longer breaks this year, staying at the HF house in Church Stretton in April and did some marvellous, and challenging, walks along the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc and the Stiperstones. Our second break in October was to the Lake District where we were blessed with the most amazing weather and a wonderful selection of walks. Notable was the ascent of Helvellyn with two groups conquering the summit, one from Thirlmere to Grasmere and one via Striding Edge and Swirrel Edge. A day to remember for all. Our weekend breaks proved equally popular with stays in Henley and Oxford coinciding with the final legs of the Thames Path Walk. Despite misgivings from some, several of us attended the inaugural camping weekend in the wet English summer near Lewes. The evening BBQ proved as much of a hit as the lovely walks.
Socials: 2024 was notable for ball-based activities. We had our first Ten Pin Bowling event in Tunbridge Wells and we then braved the landlord at the pub in Underriver for a very competitive and fun Boules evening in the summer. Many are now in training for next year's rematch. Our first ski trip to Bad Hofgastein proved eventful for many reasons. The Quiz Team has gone from strength to strength and our 'Giggers' group regularly showcases local music events. We also attended an outdoor concert at Ightham Mote, had several meals out and danced the night away at the Christmas Party at One Warwick Park.
Our membership numbers are still very good and we have twenty six registered walk leaders. Our numbers for attending the walks have steadied at about ten. We have managed to walk most Sundays with a variety of walks and during the summer months we have led evening walks on Thursdays.
We also continue to support 'The Hospice in the Weald' with a walk in April through the bluebells when we collect donations which are given to Glen Goodall, an Ambassador for the Hospice who always comes to the start of the walk.
Our usual Christmas walk with seasonal refreshments has now been arranged and we are all looking forward to it.
We have had one long-standing Member of our committee step down after many years. Thank you Alain Lewis for all your work.
Lawrence McLean, Chairman
Despite the sad loss of our Social Secretary, Mike Chapman, who died earlier this year before finalising the organisation of our spring holiday, we managed to build on his good foundation and have an enjoyable three days of walking around Thoresby Hall hotel in an area known as 'The Dukeries' on the borders of Nottingham and Derbyshire. By coincidence we met another walking group hailing from Meopham, Kent, who were also staying at the hotel and had a spirited croquet match against them on the lawn in glorious late afternoon sunshine!
Continuing with the nautical theme of last year's holiday on Hayling Island when we used a small motor ferry to cross to Portsea on our walk into Portsmouth, this autumn's holiday, based near Lowestoft, involved being ferried across the River Blyth in a 10-seater rowing boat on the return from walking around Southwold and Walberswick. We also discovered when talking to locals that white mushroom-like towers off the prom in Lowestoft are 'kittiwake hotels'. These have been built as a quid pro quo by the company developing the off-shore wind farm to entice the sea birds away from nesting and making a lot of mess on the buildings in the town. The jury is still out on whether this has been successful!
In our attempt to encourage new blood we have this year converted to an open Facebook page which, with many photos and comments on our walks, is generating a steady stream of interest. A reasonable number of browsers have gone on to walk with us and become members of the group. We have also cut down our cycle time from publishing a three month programme to a rolling monthly one. This eases the planning burden on walk leaders and facilitates timely advertising of our walks in parish magazines, newsletters etc. Details are posted on our website before the beginning of the month and then put up on our Facebook page a couple of days before each walk as a reminder and to maximise visibility.
Persistent effort by one of our PFOs has eventually borne fruit in getting a number of fallen trees on paths around Platt removed by KCC or the landowners. Continued vigilance is needed in this and all parishes to keep our footpaths open for the enjoyment of all.
Finally, we are very grateful that early this year another member of our group took on the LFO responsibility for the southern half of the T&M area. A number of issues have arisen which she has quickly got to grips with, mentored by the previous incumbent, Dave Wetton, after his much-delayed retirement. More recently a Sevenoaks member has agreed to take on LFO responsibility for the rest of the parishes vacated by Dave so that all our parishes are now covered.
For a few years now Canterbury Ramblers have made an important contribution to the Canterbury Festival. This is a major arts and events festival of national importance which takes place at the end of October. One of the most popular parts of the programme is the walks section. This comprises about 20 walks in and around the city. They are incredibly well supported with participants paying fourteen pounds a head to take part, some of which is paid to the group. The walks take place in and around the city with the majority being led by people knowledgeable in its history and archaeology.
This year Canterbury Ramblers put on three walks. "The River Bridges of Canterbury" which attempts to cross all the 30 or so bridges in the city without crossing any one more than once. "The Glory of the Gardens" is an exploration of the history of our open spaces and parks and "The Secrets of the Old Park" is a historical tour of Canterbury's least known countryside including its medieval water supply, a WW2 battle headquarters and a cold war bunker. In total we had 75 walkers for the three events with two completely sold out.
The popularity of the walks caused some problems. Despite appointing back and middle markers a small group on the Old Park Walk went missing in the notoriously confusing Timpson Wood. They safely made it out I'm glad to say. Overall, a great success, a splendid shop window for the Ramblers and a useful source of income for the group.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our leaders the group has offered a comprehensive programme of long, medium and short walks throughout the year. The printed programme and newsletter have been combined into a single, larger document to provide more space for walk descriptions; and in-house production of address labels has enabled us to continue posting programmes following Ramblers' decision to stop providing them, though demand is decreasing as people turn to the coloured, emailed version.
At a leaders' meeting, Bob Tolson gave an audio-visual presentation of how to enter walks onto "Walks Manager" and a presentation of how to report footpath problems to KCC. David Baylis explained how the "What3Words" App can direct drivers to walk starting points in country areas where post codes cannot and as a means for pinpointing walkers' location to emergency services. It can also help to find where one's car is parked! Robert Peel reminded leaders to report dilapidated parish footpath maps and Stuart Booth rounded off with developments at Ramblers including the dropping of mandatory risk assessments, though we have retained the risk awareness guide on the reverse of our walk registration sheets.
It was our pleasure to host the Kent Ramblers AGM at which the then Chair of Ramblers Trustees, Rebecca Dawson, was the guest speaker and who, following lunch, joined the afternoon walk in Joydens Wood before returning for a cream tea. Not only was 1st October the 40th anniversary of Kent Ramblers but it was also the date our name changed to what it is now.
The 2023 Xmas lunch at the Darenth Valley Golf Club (where we will be returning this year) and the annual picnic at Lullingstone Country Park were great successes. Members also enjoyed a coach trip to Hastings for a seaside walk, fish and chips and some shopping. The group holiday in Bourton-on-the-Water was greatly enjoyed and the bi-monthly lunches in the Sydney Arms, Chislehurst, remain as popular as ever in bringing together old friends.
Our committee has been restructured to better reflect the gender balance of the membership and responsibilities reorganised to ensure continuity and greater resilience in programme production. A stalwart of the committee, Richard Wilkes, has stood down as Sector Coordinator for North West Kent and London and has retired as LFO after 31 years. Richard remains as group footpath officer.
Stuart Booth, Chairman
Ashford Group was founded in 1971 and is currently a relatively small but well established group which, under Kevin's excellent leadership, has once again this year managed to offer a walk on most Sundays (often led by Kevin himself), as well as some shorter "taster walks" led by Steve on Saturdays. Summer evening walks were also successfully added to the programme this year and more of these are being planned for 2025. Walks have covered the varied countryside (and pubs!) in Ashford Borough and surrounding areas -- including some "challenging" ploughed muddy fields in wintertime (especially on my walks!). Kevin is continuing his leadership for another year -- we would welcome anyone who would like to join us on any of the walks (and there are also plenty of opportunities to lead walks!).