St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club

 

Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays

www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com

Email: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com

 
List of Rambles for Autumn (September to November) 2023
 

Sunday 3rd September       Leader: Maria Vaz     OS Landranger map 166

 

Meet:       0925 Finsbury Park for 0942 train (Platform 8) to Hadley Wood (arr 1000). Train starts at 0927 from Moorgate calling at Old Street 0930 and Highbury & Islington 0935.  

Lunch:      The Two Brewers, NorthawTea:           Brookmans, Bradmore Green - 2 minutes walk from Brookmans Park station.

Distance: 8 mile linear walk through woodlands to Brookmans Park.  Expect some muddy paths after wet weather.

Fare:         Freedom passes / 60 plus Oyster / Travelcards options. Plus single from Brookmans Park to Hadley Wood. Fare is £2.40 with railcards.  

                  Ramblers can also use contactless cards for both outward and return journeys, but PAYG Oyster cannot be used from Brookmans Park.  

                  Please note: there are no toilets on the train or at Hadley Wood and Brookmans Park stations. Toilets facilities are available on platform 7 at Finsbury Park.

 

Sunday 10th September       Leader: Ant Connolly    OS Landranger map 169

 

Meet:        Liverpool Street 0910 for the 0930 train to Manningtree (arr 1027). Also calls Stratford 0938.  

Lunch:       The Sun Inn, Dedham. Bookings need to be made if eating at the Sun Inn. To book, please call Ant by Thursday 7th.      

                   There are also church grounds for a picnic lunch, a couple of nice cafés and The Marlborough pub.  

Tea:            Maybe in Flatford Mills. 

Distance: 9 miles returning from Manningtree. Two trains per hour back to London. Can be muddy in places after rain and three stiles. 

                  We will visit Flatford Mill after lunch with time to visit the John Constable museum and see the place where he had the inspiration for his famous Hay Wain painting. 

Fare:         CDR Manningtree £24.75 / Boundary zone 6 £18.90 Both with railcard discounts.

                

Ant will meet the ramblers at Manningtree. 

 

Sunday 17th September Leader: Catherine Heckman OS Explorermap 176 

 

Please note a couple of changes to the Burnham on Crouch walk on   Sunday 17th September.   

1)    Due to the last ferry leaving Wallasea Island at 15:45, this is not a viable option anymore. Catherine may plan to do a walk around Wallasea Island as a day's excursion for next year.  

 

2)    The lunch stop is now going to be the Swallowtail Restaurant at Burnham Yacht Harbour.  The change gives an opportunity after lunch to get an ice cream along the way on the remainder of the walk. 

The amended walk details are as below:

 

Meet:  Liverpool Street station 0900 for 0922 train to Wickford (arr 1001) then change for 1006 train to Althorne (arr 1026) 

Easy transfer at Wickford, just across the platform. Train also calls Stratford 0929.  

Lunch:  Swallowtail Restaurant at Burnham Yacht Harbour. 

Tea:       Maybe, depends on time as trains are once hourly.  Plenty of pubs, cafés and ice cream parlours.  

 Miles:   10 miles by the Crouch estuary to Burnham on Crouch with an opportunity to pick plums along the way.  Dropout option after lunch at roughly 6 miles. 

 Fare:     CDR Burnham on Crouch £14.10. From boundary zone 6 £10.00. Both with railcard discounts.   

Please note: Ramblers need to be at the front of the train from Liverpool Street for ease of switching over to the connecting train at Wickford. 

 

Sunday 24th September  Leader John Burbage  OS Landranger map 176
 
Meet:        Paddington - platform 11 - 0930 for 0948 train to Langley Berks (arr. 1013). 
Lunch:      The Whip and Collar, Iver. Small reasonably priced local just outside village.
Tea:           None.
Distance: 10 level miles through farmland, woodland (Black Park Country Park), settlements and riverside (Colne Valley trail) on paths, tracks and with some road walking. Returning                        from West Drayton - zone 6. Four trains per hour back to London which all go to Abbey Wood.
Fare:         Freedom pass / Oyster / Travel Card options. Plus, a single ticket from West Drayton to Langley £2.15 with Railcard discounts. Freedom Pass holders go free.
Please note: Contactless cards are valid to Langley, but not PAYG or 60+ Oyster cards. 

 

Sunday 1st October       Leader: Ant Connolly    OS Explorer map 144
 
Meet:         Waterloo 0845 for 0907 train Winchfield (arr 1009). Also calls Clapham Junction 0915, Wimbledon 0922 and Surbiton 0930.
Coffee:       We will be visiting the west green house gardens in the morning. £10 entry and free for NT cardholders.  
                    Holders of the 2for1 card from the Gardener's Word magazine can pay half with another rambler, read up and order if interested here.  
                    Allow about two weeks for the magazine to arrive by post. Please note, we cannot use the toilets or café at the Garden without paying the entrance fee.
Lunch:       The Cricketer's pub, Hartley Wintney.  Sunday menu attached. 
                   We have to preorder if over eight people, so please let Ant know by midday Weds 27th Sept if you are having lunch there, and your specific choice.   
Tea:           The Winchfield Inn, 2 mins walk from the railway station. 
 
Distance: 8 miles returning from Winchfield. Five stiles in the morning and slightly hilly in places after lunch.
Fare:         CDR Winchfield £13.20 / Boundary zone 6 £8.25. Both with railcard discounts. Trains are once hourly in either direction.
 Ant will meet the ramblers on the train at Wimbledon.
 
The following notice about the AGM was circulated by the club secretary on Saturday 24 August 2024
 
Dear Members,
 
I am resending earlier message as there seemed to be a formatting glitch.  Hope this is more readable. 
 
Please note that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Saturday, 5th October.  Here is the planned itinerary:
  • The meeting will commence at 3:00pm.
  • At 5:00pm, Fr. Chris will graciously offer a Mass for the Deceased. This Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation for those planning to join Brian's walk the following day.
  • Following the Mass, there will be a social gathering. We kindly ask everyone to contribute some food to share, as per previous years, and to bring your own alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages.
  • The Minutes from last year's meeting, along with an Agenda, will be distributed next month.
 
We look forward to your presence at the AGM.
 
Best wishes,
Robyn Lynch
Secretary
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club
 
Saturday 7th October    Leader: David Crundall    OS Landranger maps 154 & 167
 
Meet:           Liverpool Street 0900 for 0928 train to Newport (Essex) (arr 1027).  Also calls at Tottenham Hale at 0940. (Trains from Stratford and Victoria line).
                      NB: Newport (Essex) station has no toilet and the platform is short, so please travel in the front seven carriages.
 Snack stop: Location TBA by David on the day. Please bring a snack and drink.   
 Lunch:          At the end of the walk in Saffron Walden - a few options including The Temeraire (Wetherspoons).
 Distance:     7 miles through gently undulating terrain, returning by bus 301 from Saffron Walden to Audley End station.
                      Hourly service all day until mid evening and a 10 minute ride, then train from there.  
 Fare:             Super Off Peak Day Return Liverpool Street to Cambridge £10.45 with railcard discounts.  
                      This is a special fare (weekends only) and a lot cheaper than a return to Newport (Essex) or Audley End, even from boundary zone 6.
 David will be joining the train at Tottenham Hale. 
 
Sunday 15th October    Leader:  Maurice Hickman        OS Explorer map 146
 
Meet:       Blackfriars 1000 for 1019 train to Redhill (arr 1059). Ramblers can joint this train at West Hampstead Thameslink 0959, St Pancras International - Platform A - 1010,                                    Farringdon 1014, London Bridge 1025 and East Croydon 1041.
Lunch:      The Feathers, Merstham
Tea:           Home Cottage, Redhill
Distance: 8 miles returning from Redhill. No demanding hills but expect some mud in places, particularly near Mercers Lake.   
Fare:         CDR Redhill £9.30 / £3.65 boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
 
Saturday 21st October        Leader: Margaret Brady       OS Explorer map 162
 
Meet:       Victoria 0915 for 0942 train to Farningham Road (arr 1021). Also calls Denmark Hill 0952 - Overground services from Dalson Junction and Clapham Junction.
 
Lunch:      The Malt Shovel, Eynsford. Please bring a snack (optional) as we will have a short stop in the morning.
 
Tea:           Hmmm............
 
Distance: 10 reasonably level miles returning from Farningham Road. 
 
Fare:         CDR Farningham Road £9.70 / £3.80 boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
 

Margaret will meet the ramblers at Farningham Road. Please note, at the station there are no toilets so please use facilities on the train.

 

Saturday 28th October      Leader: Kevin MacNamara      OS Landranger map 175

 

Meet:       Paddington station - Westbound Platform B - 0900 for 0917 Elizabeth line train to Reading (arr 1012). 

                  Ramblers can join this train at Whitechapel 0902, Liverpool Street 0905, Farringdon 0908, Tottenham Court Road 0911, Bond Street 0913 and Ealing Broadway 0926.  

Lunch:     Please bring a packed lunch which to be taken at Sonning where there are facilities. Also, short stop at the Baskerville Arms, Shiplake, for 30 minutes duration for drinks                     to be purchased. There is some limited seating capacity nearby for those not wishing to visit the pub.

Late lunch / Tea: The Catherine Wheel (Wetherspoons) Henley-on-Thames.

Distance: About 10 level miles, mostly following the Thames Path, finishing at Henley.

                  There is a section of the walk that could  be very muddy, if following a period of wet weather.

Fare:         CDR Reading £15.90 / boundary Zone 6 £9.60. Plus, single Henley on Thames to Twyford £3.10. All with railcard discounts.

                  Freedom passes and contactless cards are valid to Reading and from Twyford, but not Oyster card / 60+ Oyster.

                  If dropping out at Shiplake, the single to Twyford is £2.35 with railcards.

 

Ramblers can opt out at Shiplake station where there are two trains an hour to Twyford, then change for services to Paddington.

NB Having checked the route this week, Pauline has advised it is likely to be very wet underfoot for some of the ramble so it is essential those participating wear suitable footwear for the ground conditions.
 
Thankfully, according to the BBC forecast Sunday is due to be a dry day.
 
Also, particularly for anyone not coming to New Malden on the published train, please wait at the main exit on Coombe Road for the group.

Sunday 5th November         Leader: Pauline Lobo   (OS Explorer map 161) 

 

Meet:        Waterloo 0950 for 1010 train to New Malden (arr 1032). Also calls Clapham Junction 1019 and Wimbledon 1026. 

Lunch:       The cafe near Roehampton Gate, Richmond Park. 

Tea:           The Rocket, Wetherspoons pub in Putney 

Distance:  8 miles, going through Palewell common, Barnes common and cemetery, and along the Thames path.                                                                                                                                           Returning from Putney Bridge - District line or Putney mainline station, and many bus routes.  

Fare:         Freedom pass / Oyster / Travelcard options. 

 

Sunday 12 November          Leader: Antoinette Adkins   OS Explorer map 161 

Meet:        Morden station, by the ticket barriers 1015 for 1030 for prompt start. 

Coffee:      Coffee/comfort break in the morning 

Lunch:       Wandle pub, Earlsfield.  Sunday roasts available 

Tea:           The Rocket, Wetherspoons pub in Putney 

Distance:  8 miles, following the Wandle River to where it flows into the Thames at Putney.  Mostly flat and dry paths.  Returning from Putney Bridge - District line or Putney                               mainline station. 

Fare:         Freedom pass / Oyster / Travelcard options. 

Antoinette will meet the walkers at Morden station.  

 
Saturday 18 November        Leader: Margaret Brady       OS Explorer map 162
 
Meet:       Blackfriars 0955 for 1011 train to Dartford - TFL zone 8 - (arr 1057). Ramblers can join this train at West Hampstead Thameslink 0951, 
                  St Pancras International - Platform A - 1002, Farringdon 1007, London Bridge 1018, Woolwich Arsenal (DLR) 1040 and Abbey Wood (Elizabeth Line) 1046. 
Lunch:      Late lunch at the end of the walk in the Flying Boat, Dartford (Wetherspoons). Please bring a sustaining snack to have about 3 miles into the ramble.
Tea:           As per above lunch details.
Distance: 8 reasonably level miles returning from Dartford. A cornucopia of services back to London and some points beyond.
Fare:         Freedom pass / Oyster / Travelcard options.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Dartford.

 

Saturday 25 November - Mass for deceased members and Annual General Meeting of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers' Club 

To be held at......St Mary Moorfields, 4/5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS
Mass for deceased members of the Club will be said by Father Chris at 12-30pm. This will be followed by the Meeting.
Thereafter we will enjoy a social get together for which you are asked to bring your own alcohol or soft drinks and some food to share please.

Sunday 24 November          Leader: Ant Connolly   (OS Explorer map 182) 

Meet:           Platform 7 of Finsbury Park station 0955 for 1008 train to Welwyn Garden City (arr 1031). This service starts from Kings Cross at 1002.                                                                              Toilets on platform as well as on train. Ramblers can also get the 0942 train from Moorgate to Finsbury Park arriving 0955 on platform 8 to connect with the 1008. 

Lunch:          Brocket Arms, Ayot St. Lawrence. Soup, chips, Sunday roasts and puddings only available.                                                                                                                                                              Benches nearby for picnic lunch. Reasonably priced sandwiches/baguettes can be bought at cafés near Welwyn Garden City before walk. 

Tea:               Cafés and pub options at end of walk

Distance:     10 miles, walking via Shaw's Corner where Bernard Shaw's house and garden is. We will be having lunch at a 14th Century Inn, and nearby there are a couple of                                    interesting grade 1 and 2 listed churches to visit. Returning from Welwyn Garden City. Two trains per hour back to Moorgate and one per hour to Kings Cross.                                        Please note due to the early twilight hours and walking back through woods we will need to maintain a steady pace. 

Fare:             CDR Welwyn Garden City £6.95 / Boundary zone 6 £4.55. Both with railcard discounts.                                                                                                                                                                      
Ant will meet the walkers on platform 7 at Finsbury Park.

 

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Club Committee 2019/2020

A General Meeting was held on Saturday 29 October 2022. A new committee was elected but details have not yet been notified. They will appear here when available.

The club’s general email address is: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com

 

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 Club Committee 2019/2020

 

A General Meeting was held on Saturday 29 October 2022. A new committee was elected but details have not yet been notified. They will appear here when available,.