WHERE TO FIND ESSEXWALKER PHOTOS? Go to www.flickr.com/essexwalker
** SEE BELOW FOR ENTRIES FOR ESSEXWALKER CHALLENGES 15 APRIL 2012
EssexWalker Editors: |
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John Mountain |
Anita Stamp |
Editorial February 2012
February already and that is three winter months over
and done with and we know that March always brings a few balmy days SO we are
hurtling towards high summer
TWO IMPORTANT MESSAGES
- The St Peter’s Way in a day event organised by our own Anita Stamp on August bank holiday Saturday is an event for Essex and Herts LDWA members but open to all from 1st July. The rules and entry form can be downloaded from our "entry forms" page so if you are not E&H LDWA and wish to walk and are capable of walking 45 miles in around 14 hours do download an entry form and get it to Anita for 1st July. This is a linear walk and the entry fee includes transport back to Chipping Ongar after the walk. If you are E&H LDWA do please get your entry in promptly because Anita has to fill her coach and she will be accepting entry forms from people outside the group from 1st July on a first come first served basis.
- The Essexwalker Challenge entries are beginning to come in (see list below) and this event has been oversubscribed in the past. If you wish to take part then please do submit your entry early to avoid disappointment. Entry forms can be downloaded from the "entry forms" page – see Home page. 15th April is the event date with entries closing a week before.
WALKING KIT
The outdoor clothing shops are carrying a load of TUT just now, much of it quite unsuitable for serious walking. Surely we are all looking for "wicking" tee shirts these days and not for the misshapen cotton T’s available in most shops. Most of the walking trousers on sale are nothing of the kind being too heavy and stiff – go on line to the running shops and look for winter running tights such as Ron Hill Trackster Treks. Surprisingly the footwear on offer is not man enough for the job and we recommend Inov8 gortex trainers or Saucony trail footwear which may not be waterproof but will have good gripping soles. All available on line and most suppliers have good return policies. If you know your shoe type and size then the better bargains are to be had on line.
BLOCKED FOOTPATHS
Recently a party was turned off a public right of way by a landowner who seemed to think he could deny passage. Be on the lookout for this kind of thing and be confident that the law affords unhindered passage over public rights of way. Of course, if the path is "permissive" then the landowner may have every right to close it down. This is a good reason to select the right of way when planning walks rather than the permissive path which may be closed at a minute’s notice.
ANITA’S WALKS
We are getting good reports from people who have sampled these walks and particularly from leaders looking for ideas. Download a walk, walk it with a friend and you can feel confident about leading your group. Now that Anita is able to walk a few miles she will be writing descriptions for the many walks in her collection and I know that her target is to get one hundred walks onto the website all free to download and walk. REMEMBER – The best way to get into walking is to join the Ramblers and that is the organisation which keeps an eye on rights of way, the valuable network of footpaths spreading nationwide but always under threat.
THE STANSTED STAGGER in early January was well received by a good entry and although it was slippery underfoot here and there the day was otherwise perfect. An Essex and Herts LDWA event the organisation was excellent as always and although the Ryans were not organising this year after their ten year stint Pat and Brenda were nevertheless on duty keen to ensure a successful day.
CHALLENGE WALK ETIQUETTE
Our walks take place often by the good offices of landowners and village hall management committees and the goodwill of these people is vital. Likewise Marshals and other officials are always unpaid volunteers giving their time so that you can enjoy a good walk. THEREFORE do not get into arguments with anyone during a challenge event. If you have a grievance discuss it with the organiser who may be able to give you a different point of view and in any case he/she is the person to deal with problems. Also, please bear in mind that if you do not follow the route description you will likely end up trespassing and if, say, you end up walking through a pheasant breeding area you could do damage and that is unlawful. Respect all landowners and officials.
THE DAFFODIL DAWDLE is a long established event taking place on Sunday March 18th from Kirtling Village Hall near Cambridge and organised by the Norfolk and Suffolk group of the LDWA. 27 and 18 mile options. There are no entries on the day but get an entry form by sending a SAE to Jessie Nicholls, 41 Broom Street, Gt Cornard, Sudbury, CO10 0JT. This is always a good event and flat terrain to kick off the year.
| ID | First Name | Surname | W or R | L or S | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debbie | Brearley | W | L | 08:30 |
| 2 | Michael | Ratcliff | W | L | 08:30 |
| 3 | Alli | Harmer | W | L | 08:30 |
| 4 | Janet | Underwood | W | L | 08:30 |
| 5 | Graham | Baker | R | L | 10:00 |
| 6 | Jan | Stock | R | L | 10:00 |
| 7 | Helen | Humphries | R | L | 10:00 |
| 8 | John | Kirwan | R | L | 10:00 |
| 9 | Andrew | Mason | W | L | 08:30 |
| 10 | Scott | Sawyer | W | L | 08.30 |
| 11 | Denys | Baudry | R | L | 10:00 |
| 12 | Phillip | Laurier | W | L | 08'30 |
| 13 | Noel | Jones | R | L | 10.00 |
| 14 | Jane | Audsley | W | L | 08.30 |
| 15 | Jacqueline | Sharp | W | L | 08.30 |
| 16 | Iain | Moore | W | S | 10.00 |
| 17 | Elaine | Moore | W | S | 10.00 |
| 18 | Aaron | Scrivener | W | L | 08.30 |
| 19 | Keith | Scrivener | R | L | 10>00 |
| 20 | Meryl | Scrivener | W | S | 10.00 |
| 21 | Toni | Rydon | W | L | 08.30 |
| 22 | Mrs. C | Hardy | W | L | 08.30 |
| 23 | Richard | Haynes | W | L | 08.30 |
| 24 | Ann | Carpenter | W | L | 08.30 |
| 25 | Sarah | Frost | R | L | 10.00 |
| 26 | Mike | Cotterill | W | L | 08.30 |
| 27 | Natalie | Gibbons | W | L | 08.30 |
| 28 | Elaine | Baldwin | W | L | 08.30 |
| 29 | Tracy | Harrington | R | L | 10.00 |
| 30 | Becky | Broughall | W | L | 08.30 |
| 31 | Debra | Allen | W | S | 10.00 |
| 32 | Robert | Allen | W | S | 10.00 |
| 33 | Roger Michael | Senta nce | W | L | 08.30 |
| 34 | Jan | Oneill | W | S | 10:00 |
| 35 | Christine | Phillips | W | S | 10.00 |
| 36 | Deborah | Froud | W | S | 10.00 |
| 37 | Hilarie | Hughes | W | S | 10.00 |
| 38 | Paul | Barton | R | L | 10:00 |
| 39 | Jane | Irons | W | S | 10.00 |
| 40 | Gill | Jessop | W | S | 10.00 |
| 41 | Anna | Jessop | W | L | 08.30 |
| 42 | Jordanna | Virdee | W | L | 08.30 |
| 43 | Elizabeth | Baldwin | R | L | 10:00 |
| 44 | Andrew | Kettles | R | L | 10.00 |
| 45 | Pauline | Butler | W | S | 10.00 |
| 46 | Moira | Smith | W | S | 10.00 |
| 47 | Karen | Saltwell | W | S | 10.00 |
| 48 | John | Hughes | R | S | 10:00 |
| 49 | Susan | Hughes | R | S | 10.00 |
| 50 | Ken | Payne | R | S | 10.00 |
| 51 | Nina | Payne | R | S | 10.00 |
| 52 | Liz | Cooper | R | L | 10.00 |
| 53 | Dave | Potticary | R | L | 10.00 |
| 54 | Mrs. C | Mansell | W | S | 10.00 |
| 55 | Alan | Stewart | W | L | 08.30 |
| 56 | Mick | Dodge | W | L | 08.30 |
| 57 | Gloria | Maloney | W | S | 10.00 |
| 58 | Brian | Hemmings | W | S | 10.00 |
| 59 | Alan | Seager | W | L | 08.30 |
| 60 | Jill | Green | W | L | 08.30 |
| 61 | Jim | Catchpole | W | L | 08.30 |
| 62 | Karen | Wylie | R | S | 10.00 |
| 63 | Andrew | Wylie | R | S | 10.00 |
| 64 | Stephen | Potter | W | S | 10.00 |
| 65 | Elaine | Oddie | W | L | 08.30 |
| 66 | Jacky | Baker | W | S | 10.00 |
| 67 | Keith | Murray | W | S | 10.00 |
| 68 | Paul | Potter | W | S | 10.00 |
| 69 | Robin | Viner | W | S | 10.00 |
| 70 | Hazel | Baker | W | S | 10.00 |
| 71 | Brian | McFarlane | W | L | 08.30 |
| 72 | Gwyn | Hughes | W | S | 10.00 |
| 73 | Rod | Atkins | W | L | 08.30 |
| 74 | Alan | Clements | W | L | 08.30 |
| 75 | William | Garlick | W | S | 10.00 |
| 76 | Janis | Garlick | W | S | 10.00 |
| 77 | Robert | Harvey | W | S | 10.00 |
| 78 | Wendy | Harvey | W | S | 10.00 |
John Mountain
*** NOTE the long run starts at 10am.
TO DOWNLOAD
THE HISTORY, LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WEST ESSEX GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS' ASSOCIATION 1970 - 2010 BY ERIC BARKER
Rambling stalwart Eric Barker has researched and written a fascinating account of the origins and growth of the West Essex Rambling Group. Groups just don't happen, they have to be commenced and nurtured down the years with many persons playing a part and with followers needed to take up the reins. This powerful group has played a mighty part in developing and nurturing footpaths in West Essex and Eric is rightly proud of their achievements. Select "ENTRY FORMS" from the Home page and click on the link to download his history.
Audrey Carson did the typing
HELP PAGES
An interview with BBC Essex recently indicated that people are still not sure how to start walking on a regular basis so from the Home page you can select a page giving advice. Some walkers would like to get into Challenge walking but don’t know how, again, we have included a page outlining what challenge walking is all about, how to find walks, and what to expect on a challenge walk. Like everything else, do it once and you will be fully informed. TAKE THE FIRST STEP.
