PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

May - September 2010

May/June/July/August/September/

All enquiries relating to the events shown below, including leaders and organisers contacts, should be referred to

Michael Coyle (Email: michael.coyle@btinternet.com)

FOR NEW MEMBERS: All club rambles are circular unless otherwise stated and commence as from the time of arrival of the train and/or bus. After arriving at the station, members will normally assemble at the entrance to the platform as shown on the destination board. Those coming by car should advise the leader before the day of the ramble. Lunch is usually taken at a pub wherever possible. You may be able to eat your own food in the garden, provided you buy a drink beforehand. Check with the leader. If you are unsure about suitable clothing for a walk please contact the leader.

FOR ALL MEMBERS: Remember that current rail timetables may still be subject to change because of ongoing track repairs. If so, the next available train will be taken. In the event of adverse weather conditions, please phone the leader to find out if the walk is still on. If you would like to lead a ramble on the next programme, contact Pam Beach with full details.

MAY

WEDNESDAY 19 th : LONDON - CITY OF CHANGE - EVENING STROLL (LINEAR)

Taking us through London - not just a city of tradition but a living organism. See the city in a different form. Not preserved in aspic but constantly evolving. Meet at Old Street station (Northern Line) by 6.30pm.  Light meal toward the end of walk on South Bank at place TBD. Distance: 3-4 miles. Leader: Stuart (01494 721098 or 07835244016).

SUNDAY 23 rd BRACKNELL FOREST (Berks.) (CIRCULAR)

NOTE Change of train time and station (original train no longer exists)

Meet at Paddington. Buy off-peak day return to Crowthorne (£11.55 with railcard - Groupsave may be available too)
Newbury train departs 10.04, change at Reading (10.46).  Gatwick airport train departs 11.03, arrives Crowthorne 11.17.  

Some more information from the leader,Jackie:
The Route is a circular walk through Bracknell Forest's Countryside. It follows footpaths, woodland tracks, bridleways and some stretches of road, passing through varied scenery, from coniferous forest and heathland to open farmland. Certain sections can be wet and muddy after rain - especially the woodland paths .   The first part of the walk is quite flat with some walking on roads (one quite busy!).  However, after lunch at the lovely Golden Retriever Pub, the walk gets more varied and challenging and is mostly off road.

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY, SATURDAY 29 th MAY - WEDNESDAY 2 nd June - CHAMPAGNE region of France:

Contact Leader, Dominique if you have not already booked, to see if places are available.

.

JUNE

NB Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th

- London Garden Squares weekend

SUNDAY 6 th : TRING (Herts) (CIRCULAR).

Relaxing & varied walk along Grand Union Canal and visit to spectacular nature reserve!   Meet Euston station.  Buy OPDR to Tring. Milton Keynes train dep.10.53 arr. Tring 11.29 where leader will meet group. Lunch The White Lion near Marsworth. Afternoon visit to newly restored College Lake Nature Reserve, with optional 2 mile trail, bird hides & barn animals, tea & cakes in new eco-centre. Stunning views of lake.

Distance: 6½ or 8½ miles. Ex 181. Leader Yvonne D

SATURDAY 12 th : ALONG THE NORTH DOWNS WAY

BOXHILL & WESTHUMBLE to MERSTHAM (Surrey) (LINEAR) :

Leaving Westhumble village we will cross the River Mole, climb Box Hill, proceed eastward along the ridge and slopes of Buckland, Colley,and Reigate Hills. Good southerly views and some woodland. Meet Victoria stn. Buy OPDR to DORKING STATIONS. Horsham train dep 0931,  arr Boxhill & Westhumble 10:21.   Please bring picnic lunch as pub not sure. Distance nearly 10 miles. LR 187. Leader: Geoffrey (01525 714105/ mob 07773 225602).

SATURDAY 19 th : CLUB 125 th ANNIVERSARY BOAT TRIP ON THE THAMES AT WINDSOR :

Fully booked.  Contact Gillian if you wish to join the waiting list in case of cancellations. If you wish to travel to Windsor in a group, meet at Waterloo station. Train departs 10.28, arrives Windsor and Eton Riverside 11.21. Five minute walk from station to embarkation point. Alternatively take 10.50 Oxford train from Paddington changing at Slough to arrive Windsor and Eton Central 11.23. The boat will depart at 12 noon prompt from French Brothers jetty on the promenade so please allow plenty of time. All enquiries to Gillian or Dominique.

SATURDAY 26 th - SUNDAY 27 th : RIDGEWAY TRAIL STAGES 3 AND 4: BISHOPSTONE TO LETCOMBE REGIS (DAY 1) LETCOMBE REGIS TO GORING (DAY 2) (LINEAR) :

Distance: 10.5-11 miles (Saturday)  14 miles (Sunday).  LR: 174. Overnight accommodation in Letcombe Regis (fully booked).  Leaders: Mike C (020 8542 4951; 07801 445653) and Gillian Swan. Information will be circulated later to weekend participants.  Contact Gillian immediately for accommodation enquiries.

SATURDAY 26 TH : RIDGEWAY TRAIL STAGE 3: BISHOPSTONE TO LETCOMBE REGIS TO WANTAGE (LINEAR) (DAY WALK)

Meet at Paddington.  Buy return to Swindon (approx £20 with railcard). Weston-Super-Mare train departs 09.00, arrives Swindon 09.54. Bus X47 leaves Swindon bus station 10.20, arrives Bishopstone 10.39. Bring picnic lunch. From Letcombe Regis where the weekend group is staying, there will be a 30-45 minute self-led walk to Wantage to catch bus 32 at 18.11 (last bus) to Didcot Parkway for train back to London. Distance: 11.5-12.5 miles. Contact Gillian for more information about the return journey as transport options are limited.

SATURDAY 26 th : SHORTER WALK - HAMPTON COURT TO TEDDINGTON (LINEAR) :

Pleasant easy-paced walk along the river for about 5 miles. Meet Waterloo station. Travel within zones 1-6. Basingstoke train dep. 10.12, arrives 10.42 with change at Surbiton. Lunch at Young's riverside pub, Kingston, or bring your own. Return bus from Teddington to Richmond station and back to Waterloo. Leader: Rosie.

JULY

SUNDAY 4 th : HAMMERSMITH (CIRCULAR), SPONSORED THAMES WALK IN AID OF 'HELP HAMMER CANCER'

The Club's charity walk for 2010. A 6-mile riverside stroll between Hammersmith & Chiswick Bridges, starting 11.00 from the Fullers Brewery by the A4 Hogarth Roundabout. Meet 10.15 at the Tesco Metro in Hammersmith Station (Dist/Picc) from where we will walk alongside the river to the starting point. Register for £5 at http://supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/londonpride2010 , come along as a supporter, sponsor a participant or donate at www.justgiving.com/Polytechnic-Rambling-Club. Leader: Danny ( danny.duffy@metronetrail.com or 07761-127875)

SATURDAY 10 th : CLANDON via Newlands Corner (Surrey Hills) (CIRCULAR ):

Part of the  North Downs Way to Newlands Corner view point. Meet at Waterloo, Buy OPDR to Clandon. Guildford train via Effingham Junction. dep. 10.03, arr. Clandon 10.53 There are two cafes at Newlands Corner but they are likely to be very busy so suggest Picnic Lunch. Distance approx 7 miles. Ex. 145. Leader Roy 020 8904 5983 or 077 5985 8680.

SATURDAY 17 th : HUNTINGDON to St Ives Linear, approx 7 miles:

A message from the leader, Mike Hilton;

Level walk, mostly on gravel footpaths. Opportunity to take electric launch from St Ives Quay to Hemingford lock (about 1 hour, discount cost £5) or explore St Ives.

Meet Mike H at King's Cross Station (ticket office) for the Huntingdon train Depart 9:22am arrive Huntingdon 10:20 Buy OPDR to Huntingdon.

Brief walk around town, including old grammar school (now museum) where Oliver Cromwell was the most famous pupil.

Walk along river to Houghton for early pub lunch at the Three Horseshoes. There is a thatched bus shelter in the village square where people can eat their own food or purchase basic fayre from the village shop.

After lunch we visit the historic Houghton mill then cross the water meadow to pass through the picturesque Hemingfords and onto St Ives for a brief tour of the town and a visit to Holts Island.

After taking tea and walking round the shops or a boat trip to the River Festival (part of the St Ives 900 year charter celebrations) we catch the bus back to Huntingdon and return to Kings cross on either 17:59 or 18:59 train.

Please let Mike know by 12 th July if you would like to go on boat trip because discount price above applies for group of more than 12 people.

Mike mob: 07931310106

SUNDAY 25 th : CHESHAM (CIRCULAR) via LITTLE MISSENDEN :

This walk is through a quiet, undulating and off-the-beaten track landscape in the heart of the Chilterns. We will stop for lunch at Little Missenden, a delightful village in the Misbourne valley. Plenty of ups and downs and possibly overgrown paths, but none of the uphill stretches are steep or lengthy . Meet Marylebone station. Buy OPDR to Chesham which is in zone 9 i.e. covered by Freedom Pass. Aylesbury train dep 09.27, arr. Chalfont & Latimer 9.58. Change for Chesham train, dep. 10.25, arr. Chesham 10.34. Pub lunch tbc Little Missenden. Distance: 9 miles EX 172 & 181. Leader: Sarah.

SATURDAY 31 st : RIDGEWAY STAGE 5: GORING TO NUFFIELD (LINEAR)

following the Thames and Grim's Ditch. Meet at Paddington. Buy OPDR to Goring & Streatley and single from Henley to Twyford. Swansea train dep. 9.45, change at Reading, arr. Goring 10.36. Early lunch stop at Perch & Pike PH, South Stoke, or bring picnic. Bus to Henley to catch train home. Distance: 9½ miles. EX 171. Leader Pam.

AUGUST

SATURDAY 7 th : NEWPORT (Essex) (CIRCULAR) via Arkesden :

Undulating Essex/Herts scenery. Meet Liverpool Street. Buy OPDR to Newport (Essex). Cambridge train dep. 09.58, arr. Newport 1057, where leaders will meet the group. Lunch at Axe and Compasses PH in the pretty village of Arkesden 4 miles into walk, haute cuisine, bar food or bring a picnic. Distance 9 miles. EX195/LR154. Leaders: Mike & Heather.

THURSDAY 12 th : 8pm: "INTO THE WOODS" by Stephen Sondheim at the OPEN AIR THEATRE, REGENT'S PARK :

Tickets, which have already been booked, to be given out at 7.15pm in front of the box office. Contact Irene to see if there are any cancellations or if you have any queries.

SATURDAY 14 th : WADHURST TO FRANT (E. Sussex/Kent) (LINEAR ):

walk through pretty countryside, with hills, valleys and woods. Meet London Bridge. Buy OPDR to Wadhurst. Hastings train dep. 9.23 (Charing Cross 9.15), arr. 10.19. Lunch: no pub stop, bring picnic lunch . Distance approx 13 miles. EX 135 and 136/ LR 188. Leaders: John (020 7837 6058) and Caroline.

SATURDAY 21 st : WOODINGDEAN to BRIGHTON (LINEAR) :

Bracing walk across open downland and along the seafront . Meet at Victoria Station. Buy OPDR to Brighton or Group Save. Brighton train dep. 9.36, arr. 10.27. Then stop A to catch bus 22 at 10.40, arr. Woodingdean 11.02. Lunch at Rottingdean. Distance: 9 miles. LR 198. Leader: Dominique.

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY - FRIDAY 27 th AUGUST to TUESDAY 31 st   WALKING WEEKEND IN WINDERMERE, LAKE DISTRICT :

Based in B&B accommodation in the town of Windermere in the South of the Lake District, we hope to offer a choice of higher and lower level walks including at least one of the famous Wainwright fells. Plenty to see and do in Windermere and surrounds for the less energetic. Travel by train to Windermere. If you have not already secured your place please contact Gillian as soon as possible and send a £50 deposit made out to the Polytechnic Rambling Club, to Danny Duffy at 50 Dewhurst Road, London W14 0ES.

SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY 4 th : WARE (Herts.) (CIRCULAR) :

Flat walk through fields & by river with designated pathways. Meet at Liverpool Street. Buy OPDR to Ware. Hertford East train dep. 9.42.  Arr. Tottenham Hale 9.55 where leader will join. Arr. Ware 10.24. Lunch Red Lion PH,Stansted Abbots. Distance c.7.5 miles. EX 194. Leader Gillian Si.

SATURDAY 11 th : RIDGEWAY TRAIL STAGE 6 - NUFFIELD TO CHINNOR :

Meet Paddington. Single to Henley-on-Thames (GroupSave4 £7.70 each). Oxford train dep. 08.57, change Twyford (dep. 09.50), arr. Henley 10.02.  Bus 139 dep. Henley 10.13, arr. Huntercombe End 10.24. Lunch at Watlington (½ mile off trail) or bring picnic. Ret. by bus 40 from Chinnor to High Wycombe Stn. Single to Marylebone. (GroupSave 4 £5.15 each). Distance 11-12 miles. LR 175/165. Volunteer leader required!  Contact Gillian or Pam for more info and to organise into groups of 4!

SUNDAY 12 th : SHORTER WALK - HACKNEY TO WALTHAMSTOW (LINEAR) :

Pleasant canal & river walk. Meet Liverpool Street. Hertford East train dep. 10.25, arrives Hackney Downs 10.32 (Zone 2). Lunch at Princess of Wales, Lea Bridge Road. Return from Walthamstow Central (Zone 3). Leader: Danny (07761-127875/020-7603-6186).

SUNDAY 19th: AMBERLEY (Sussex) (CIRCULAR) :

Villages and farmland in the morning with bracing return along the top of the South Downs. Meet Victoria station. Buy OPDR to Amberley. Bognor Regis train dep 09.02 arr Amberley 10.21. Bring picnic. Drinks stop at White Horse, Sutton. Distance 12 miles (fastish pace). Exp 121. Leader: Sandra.

SATURDAY 25 th - 125 th ANNIVERSARY LUNCH at CHEZ GERARD SOUTHBANK :

See separate invitation. Cost £25 for a three course meal (£28 for non-members). Please book by 6 September latest. Enquiries to Gillian or Dominique.

FUTURE EVENTS

  FUTURE EVEOCTOBER WEEKEND: FRIDAY 22 nd - MONDAY 25 th OCTOBER

ST IVES (Cornwall)

Fully booked. Contact Gillian (01494 721098) to be put on the waiting list.

SNOWSHOEING 2011 :

provisional dates: 21 st - 24 th January. If you are interested, contact Dominique by 31 st July at the latest.

All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members always being of paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important therefore that when entering into the activity members appreciate that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards associated with the activity and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to arise. We regret that we cannot accept children under 16 years of age on the walks.