ADOPT A WAY!

Redbridge Group have had so much fun walking Dave Hitchman's Saffron Trail that they have decided to adopt it.

They are already renewing some of the crocus stickers on the standard way-markers and have decided to include sections in their future walk programmes so that they can regularly check that all is well with the route.

The 72 mile trail starts from Southend on Sea and follows the coast as far as Hadleigh, swinging inland to Danbury before turning west to Chelmsford and then on to Saffron Walden.  

They were inspired to tackle the walk when the Area gave away remnants of a previous printing of the trail booklet.  Now there is a clamour for a reprint and a hope that the walk can eventually become recognised by Essex County Council and included on the OS maps.

Two other routes: The Harcamlow Way and the Three Forest Way are already on the maps and Redbridge are suggesting that a couple of other route-less Groups should volunteer for a similar kind of adoption.

For Film Buffs

Listed on a recently launched website www.sceneonscreen.co.uk, Essex boasts numerous attractions which have appeared in both classic and contemporary film from The Battle of Britain to Batman Begins.   Residents and visitors alike can follow in the footsteps of the stars at well-known destinations such as Hylands House in Chelmsford and hidden gems such as St Clements Church in West Thurrock.

Listing over 600 filming locations situated across the region which have played host to well over 500 productions, Scene on Screen has taken over two years to develop.    In partnership with a number of Tourism organisations, Screen East has populated the forthcoming website with the region’s extensive filming heritage and provided a brief description of the individual locations.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Member responsible for Tourism commented: “We have such a rich array of accessible tourist destinations in our county there really is something for everyone to enjoy.    The new website lifts the curtain on a different face of Essex which should appeal to the young, the old and definitely the ‘set-jetters’ amongst us.”

For information on tourism in Essex and for ideas of things to do and see over the holiday season go to http://www.visitessex.com/

New Insurance, Checklists and Publicity documents that are now available

The insurance guidance for 09/10 is now available on the volunteering section at: - http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/AreaGroup/Basics/Insurance.htm.   It contains some important changes so please make sure you read the document fully.   All incidents should be recorded on the incident report forms and sent to the Led Walks team at ledwalks@ramblers.org.uk.   Any queries should be sent to insurance@ramblers.org.uk

New publicity materials for Areas and Groups has been produced and is now available to order from central office:

Recruitment leaflet with new membership rates valid from 1 October 2009
Leaflet dispenser holding a batch of recruitment leaflets
Take a Hike A4 poster for publicising 20s and 30s groups

The Led Walks team has just produced the new Walks Leader’s checklist, a handy A6 pocket sized laminated card for leaders (and others) to carry with them.   The card is a quick and easy guide for walk leaders – old and new – on what to do before, during and after a walk.   The guide also incorporates a new section on what to do in an incident, with basic first aid and advice on contacting the emergency services, should you ever be unfortunate enough to have to call them out.    Colourful, waterproof and full of invaluable advice, the checklist is available by emailing ramblers@ramblers.org.uk or by phoning 020 7339 8500.   Get yours now!

Bird Feeding

We may enjoy feeding the birds, however excessive amounts of bread can actually harm them.   White bread holds very little nutritional value and wholemeal is only slightly better.   Bread swells in the bird’s stomach filling them up and stops them eating their normal food.   Feeding them the wrong food weakens their immune system making them less able to fight off illnesses and infections.    Swans, geese and ducks naturally feed on grass and other bank-side vegetation, pondweed and insects.

However a little of the right stuff can help.

Grain is best but porridge oats can also be fed to them.

IF YOU ARE FEEDING THE BIRDS PLEASE DO SO RESPONSIBLY.

Themed Walks for 2010

Central Office are suggesting that Groups may like to put on walks with the following themes and will supply appropriate publicity nationally, which will enhance the Group’s local efforts

Essex Area Ramblers Non Walkers Meals Programme 2009 – 2010

We have now completed our programme for the year ahead. Thanks to all our volunteer hosts. We regularly have between 12 – 20 diners present and are very pleased to welcome both Walkers and Non-Walkers who want to keep in touch. If you have had to turn up without booking a place please let those who have booked be seated first.    When space is limited you may have to be seated on an overspill table nearby. …If you are able to host a meal for the next programme, please let Ann know on 01245 223 657.    For those able to do extra short walks look on the Friends Group main programme they are now doing some 2 mile walks that you may be interested in attending.   We are joining the Ramblers 75^th Baton Event with a Celebration in Hyland’s Park in September

Thank you.

Tuesday. 29^th June 2010. 12.30 pm. SeaBrights Barn Galleywood Road Great Baddow CM2 8NB GR 718 038 Ring Ann & Eric on 01245 223657 to book.

Wednesday 28^th July 2010 12.30pm Dog & Gun P.H. Boreham Road, Boreham/Great Leighs  CM3 3NF GR 739 142 Ring Ann Underwood and Gill Moore on 01245 265 792 by 20^th July to book.

Thursday 26^th August 2010 12.30pm Bull PH Fyfield CM5 0NN GR 573 073.Ring Vera Barry on 01708 761126 by 18^th August to book your place.

Tuesday 28^th September 2010 11am Hyland’s Park Chelmsford CM2 8WG GR 680 047 Car Park near the Stables and toilets. We are hoping to set up a table and give out Ramblers joining forms to any passers by. This will be followed about 11.15am with a slow walk round the gardens of Hylands House, visiting the One World Garden. Depending on numbers and member’s wishes we with either have a picnic or lunch in the café.   If you have enjoyed your time with Ramblers do come along and share your experiences and try and encourage others to participate. Ring Ann and Eric McLaren 01245 223657 by 20^th September if you can join us.

Wednesday 27^th October 2010 12.30pm The Rayleigh Lodge The Chase SS6 8RW   GR 818 905 Ring Val Johnston on 01702 511 957 by 19^th October 2010 to book.

Thursday 25^th November 2010 12.30pm Ship P.H. Stock Road on B1007 near Stock GR 704 004. Ring Doreen Hallihan on 01245 477 143 to book.

Tuesday 14^th December 2010 12.30pm Seabrights Barn Galleywood Road, Great Baddow, CM2 8NB GR 718 038 Ring Ann & Eric McLaren on 01245 223657 6^th December to make a booking

Essex Coast Walk, by Peter Caton

When Peter Caton set out to walk the Essex coast he had no idea of the beauty, wildlife and stories that he would find on the way. He takes the reader up and down the many creeks and estuaries of the longest coastline of any English county, through nature reserves, seaside resorts, unspoilt villages, sailing centres and alongside industry past and present. On the way we read of tales of witchcraft, ghosts, smuggling, bigamy and incest. We learn of the county’s varied history – of battles with Vikings, invading Romans bringing elephants, a fort where the only casualty occurred during a cricket match, burning Zeppelins and Jack the Ripper.

The book is illustrated with photographs and maps, and the narrative contains a wealth of information, including many little-known facts and stories. With gentle humour to match the coastline’s gentle beauty, the book makes for easy reading. It tells of the solitude of some of the most remote coastal areas in England and of the huge range of wildlife to be found there. In contrast we read of the docks and industry of the Thames, but find that even here there is beauty for those willing to look.

The book highlights how climate change may alter our coast and looks at new methods of coping with rising sea levels. It tells us how tiny settlements grew into large holiday resorts and how other villages have remained as unspoilt and isolated communities. The author’s thought-provoking final reflections consider how the coast has changed over the centuries and what its future may be.

PUBLISHED 1 June 2009

£9.99

ISBN 9781848761162

Distributor: Orca Book Services

BIC subject category: WSZC – Walking, hiking, trekking / RGL – Regional geography

Paperback 376PP 216x138 mm Portrait

NAVIGATE THE WAY THROUGH ESSEX

Keen walkers need look no further when contemplating their next countryside walk.  Essex County Council has produced a new collection of walks through some of the county's most beautiful countryside with it's many churches, mills, mansions and abundant wildlife, which can be enjoyed on the walks..

A colourful booklet has been produced by Essex County Council featuring six walks on and around the towpath, between Chelmsford and Heybridge Basin including historic stories and beautiful pictures to accompany the maps..  The walks range from a gentle stroll on the sea wall to the whole length of the towpath totalling 15 miles.

The booklets are available from Essex County Council on 01245 437291, or by post to:
Essex County Council - Public Rights of Way, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
The guide costs £3.50.  Please make cheques payable to Essex County Council.
Or alternatively via the Essex County Council website: www.essexcc.gov.uk  'Essex eShop'.

The Man who ran London during the Great War

Richard Morris – Rambler and Verderer of Epping Forest – has written another history of local interest, here is an extract:

During the First World War, Lieutenant General Sir Francis Lloyd was perhaps the best-known military figure in London. In 1913 he was appointed to the supreme position reserved for Guardsmen, the command of the London District. The war saw an extension of his responsibilities to include the hospitals and main railway termini in the metropolis and he was also put in charge of the construction of the defensive circle of trenches around London.

Whether it was meeting hospital trains returning from the front with wounded soldiers, or visiting areas of the City that had suffered casualties and damage from the Zeppelin and Gotha Bomber air raids, Francis Lloyd’s presence would help to revive the population’s flagging morale. This led him to be described by newspapers as The Man who runs London’.   Francis Lloyd had the gift that so many distinguished men from Wales have, of oratory.   Earlier in his career he had commanded the Welsh Division of the newly formed Territorials.    He used his experience to great effect during the Great War in the vital recruitment campaigns around London.    Kitchener in 1915 gave Lloyd the task of forming a regiment of Welsh Foot Guards.    Lloyd was a Grenadier and served in two campaigns in the Sudan and in South Africa during the Boer War, where he was severely wounded. From the day he joined the Grenadiers, to the day he finally succumbed to his illness, there was no harder working soldier and retired General in the country.

After a career in the City of London, Richard Morris OBE has pursued a lifetime interest in the history of his home county, Essex, and its links with London.   He is the author of The Powells in Essex and their London Ancestors (2002), The Verderers and Courts of Waltham Forest 1250-2000 (2004) and Merchants, Medicine and Trafalgar: the history of the Harvey Family (2007). He lives in Loughton, Essex.

ISBN 9781848841642   Hardback   RRP £19.99   208 Pages

To Order at the Special Offer, price £15.99.  Quote Ref: 100449

Pen & Sword Books Limited 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Pen & Sword Books Limited 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS

Walking around London

Discover many special attractions covered in 350 miles of walking across the capital on the 6 routes of the Strategic Walk Network.   These routes across London are better known as the London LOOP, Capital Ring, Jubilee Walkway, South East Green Chain, Thames Path and the Lea Valley.    Explore the changing landscape of the Lea Valley with Leigh Hatts, author of the guide to the valley; wonder at the pace of change on the Olympic Park from the Greenway on Capital Ring 14; enjoy the Thames and the City with our City Guides - more talk than walk; explore the Green Belt on the London LOOP and many wonderful country parks, woods and hidden gems. Find the monument to the abolition of slavery, cross the Meridian line in outer London, admire the view (of Windsor Castle on a clear day) from the Addington Hills in Croydon, discover the ancient forest at Havering and Hainault country parks with giant redwoods, and many more such delights.

For a full schedule of walks and details please see http://www.walklondon.org.uk/our_events_forthcoming.asp.   We have introduced pre-registration for the most popular walks, which are fast becoming oversubscribed.   We look forward to welcoming you on one of our many fascinating walks.    If you'd like to contact us please email info@walklondon.org.uk

ESSEX TOURISM ASSOCIATION GOES DIGITAL!

It seems like Digital Marketing is "taking over the World", but Essex Tourism Association is at the forefront of adopting this new technology.  The new E-brochure Essex Treasure Chest Guide, which is available by visiting the ETA website - the Guide will be delivered straight into your Inbox within 30 seconds at the click of a button!    It really is that simple and means that you can take advantage straight away of the great things there are to see and do in Essex.   By clicking the mouse on any of the websites listed in the Guide, it takes you directly to the Visitor Attraction or Accommodation provider's website instantly.   All ETA's emails are being sent out with the "stationery" header of the Website, encouraging recipients to visit any of the sections of the site, ultimately leading to more "hits" and lead generation.   Visitors to the website can also opt to join the Monthly E-mail Event Listing, again delivered straight to your Inbox on the last day of every month, listing events for the forthcoming month.   For a copy of your Essex Treasure Chest Guide E-Brochure visit:

www.hidden-treasures.co.uk or www.essexbedandbreakfast.co.uk

For information on joining Essex Tourism Association, or further inspiration on things to see and do in the County, contact Carol Jolly on 01206 562878 or email: carol@hidden-treasures.co.uk

Health and Safety Tip

Did you know that even if your mobile doesn't have a signal, if you call 999 it will be connected to another service provider that does.  It is important to leave your phone switched on as the emergency services can trace your location when your phone was last used, which helps to give a more defined area of search.  Hi tech advice that we only thought existed on CSI.

Mobile Phones on ICE
Store the word I C E in your mobile phone address book, and against it, enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted In Case of Emergency.   In an emergency situation, ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin is and be able to contact them.

Footpath Problems?
The RA website suggests reporting problems directly to the Highway Authority (HA), County, Unitary Authority or London  Borough.  This advice is intended for non-members who go to the website for advice.  However, we have a dedicated team of footpath secretaries waiting for these reports, so either send them to our folk, or if you report them directly to the HA,  PLEASE do copy them to the appropriate footpath secretary, as they need to know.  If there comes a closure attempt in the future for a "little-used" path, they then have proof that there had been problems, and that there is a need for it in the future.  Preferably report it to the Group Footpath Secretary for the district in which you were walking.  Details of Footpath Secretaries are in the Area directory.  If in doubt send it to any FP Sec, to me or the RA HQ - it will then automatically come back to me.

Many Thanks

Mags Hobby