NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER
AGM – 25 November at The Inspired Hub, Hampton
We hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM on Saturday 25 November. There will be a free lunch before the business meeting, with drinks purchased individually from the bar. The lunch will be preceded by a walk from Hampton Wick Station at 10.30, led by Gwyneth H, for those wishing to work up an appetite. (Waterloo 9.57, Clapham Jct 10.06, Kingston 10.28, Hampton Wick 10.30, or Waterloo 9.30, Richmond 9.58, Hampton Wick 10.14)
The Hub is in Ashley Road, a few yards from Hampton Station (within the Freedom Pass zone), so the easiest way to get there is by train (change at Teddington if coming from Richmond or Twickenham). By bus, the 111 and 216 from Kingston stop at Hampton Station. From Twickenham, the R68 stops nearest, but it is a 20 minute walk from the bus stop to The Hub. Alight at Park Close (stop M), cross the main road at the bollards a few yards down from the bus stop, and walk down the High Street (signposted) for 8/9 minutes until you come to Station Road. Walk along Station Road for a further 8 mins, passing a parade of shops, then turn right up Tudor Road and over the railway line. Turn left at the bottom, and keep going on this road until you reach The Hub. There is limited parking at The Hub, and on-road parking nearby if you can find a space.
Mavis (07895 813534) has kindly offered to meet anyone getting the R70 from Richmond at the Albury Close bus stop in Hampton at approximately 12.10pm to escort them to The Hub.
Please let me know by 14 November if you intend to be present at the AGM and for lunch (
NEW YEAR LUNCH
Our New Year Lunch will be on Sunday, 28 January 2024, at Piazza Firenze, 133 High Street, Hampton Hill TW12 1NJ. We enjoyed a happy occasion here last January, and hope to repeat it. Again, please let Johann know by 14 January if you will be coming. Lunch (from 12.30/13.00) will be preceded by a walk of approximately 3 miles from Hampton Wick Station, starting at 11am.
VIC LEWIS
We are very sad to report that our former Secretary, Vic Lewis, died on 24th June at the age of 80. He was well known among Richmond Ramblers as a walk leader, serving as Secretary of the group for 13 years, as well as being an organiser of walks programmes. Together he and his wife Diana were founder members of Richmond Health Walks and volunteers with the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks, where they led history walks, tree walks and poetry walks. Vic worked for many years at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, where he was a Principal Scientific Officer, and cycled to and from work across Bushy Park. Vic will be very much missed and we are grateful for all that he did for Richmond Ramblers.
Post-Coronation Picnic on 25 June 2023 by Alan Matthews
On a hot Sunday morning in June, a number of us, led by Alan Matthews, set out across Bushy Park for a picnic, ostensibly to celebrate the coronation, which had taken place the previous month.
We met at Teddington gate and walked to the Pheasantry café to use the facilities, after which we walked through the woodland gardens along the ornamental river. We noticed that some new viewing platforms had recently been created.
After crossing to the Waterhouse woodland gardens, we found our way blocked by yellow tape. A notice advised that the area had been cordoned off due to nesting birds. We then made our way across Duck Bridge, past Triss’s Pond and along the Longford river. Due to the hot weather, we decided not to leave the woodland gardens, but returned to the Pheasantry café through the wooded area. Here we were met by Elaine, our Minutes Secretary, and her daughter Paula, who brought us some delicious homemade chocolate brownies as a treat to end our picnic.
We aim to repeat the group picnic in the summer of 2024, when hopefully we might pick a cooler day for the enterprise!
Report of a walk to WRAYSBURY on 26 July 2023 by Liz Darby
There were only four of us on the walk, which for me was good as I find large numbers of people overwhelming on account of my hearing loss: with walkers chatting in front and behind me by the end of the day my head is abuzz, and it’s just a din.
Wraysbury is a beautiful place with a really ancient feel. Lying alongside the Thames opposite Runnymede it housed a priory long ago. Archaeologists were working on the site of this priory and our leader, John Kemp had managed to engage someone from the dig to give us a talk. The dig was only going on for two weeks and it was just lucky that the walk coincided with it.
Our man was full of enthusiasm and we heard all about the history of the priory and the fish farms there that kept the nuns busy, and how the more powerful people lived way up on the hill, across the river and away from the flies and fishy smells. No fish now but there is a magnificent yew tree that is over 1,000 years old. Our history man said that there are constant arguments between the various conservationists about how best to care for it, whether or not it should be pruned, and how.
We had lunch by the river with the pleasure boats cruising slowly by and then made our way back to the station. Wraysbury is full of history and awash with interesting flora and fauna. Thank you, John, for a gorgeous day.
Report of a walk to EFFINGHAM, GREAT RIDINGS & LITTLE BOOKHAM on August 19 by Gwyneth Hill
In total contrast to the original date planned for this walk (changed due to very muddy conditions following the wet June), we enjoyed the perfect day.
We set off through the woods following a winding path which led out to the 16th century Grade ll listed Norwood Farm, now with its manicured lawns and attractive pond complete with ducks. A little further along we were pleasantly surprised to find a field of grazing alpacas. The path became more challenging as we attempted to avoid the blackberry-laden brambles with some of the fruits tasted by the group.
A National Trust Woodland sign was commented upon as we headed for Bookham Common. We reached Little Bookham, which seemed to consist of one street of houses from different centuries, notably ‘Half Moon’ cottage, a Grade ll listed building from the late 1400s.
O ur next stop was All Saints Church, where we were fortunate to encounter a parishioner who was happy to point out some interesting characteristics, and proud to tell us that Jane Austen was very likely to have attended services there while visiting the area.
A little further along, the cemetery of St Lawrence Church, Effingham, contains the unusual gravestone marking the burial place of Sir Barnes Wallis, inventor of the bouncing bomb and the R100 airship.
At the lunch stop we picnicked & chatted in the garden with our purchased drinks in the very friendly and welcoming Plough pub. One of our group was a local man who had joined our walk as a trial, and enjoyed his pub lunch. We were reluctant to leave the comfortable seats in the shaded outdoor area, but were reassured that we would be entering the cool of Great Ridings Wood via the Horsley Jubilee Trail.
We emerged on to the old London Road, its narrowness reminding us of its importance in the days of horses and carriages. Onwards and across Effingham Common with its tall golden grass where we paused for a group photo. We circumnavigated the Common, heading in the direction of the station, exiting on to the nearby lane with its brambles, where I returned to fill my picnic box with lovely, juicy blackberries before catching the return train after a glorious day’s walk with great company.
A Beginner’s Guide to Navigation
Ramblers has put together a series of short videos that teach the basics of navigation, and how to stay safe. None of the films are more than 2.5 minutes long and are relevant to local green spaces, as well as more adventurous walks. Why not take a look and, maybe, try leading a walk yourself. See the latest Ramblers members’ newsletter, or click this link: Check out the videos