St Francis of Assisi Catholic Rambler's Club

                                   (affiliated to H.F. Holidays)

The Club is approved by the Archbishop of Westminster; affiliated to the Rambers Association.  Website:  www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com

Programme of Rambles / Events for June to August 2012

Items for next newsletter by end of July - PLEASE

 

Sunday 3rd June (Landranger Map 166) Leader: Robert Slater

MEET: King's Cross (new ticket office at side) 0930 for 0953 train to Stevenage (arr. 1016)

LUNCH: Emily's Tea Shop or The Bull Inn, Whitwell

TEA: The Three Moorhens, Hitchin

DISTANCE: 13 miles. Route crosses Knebworth Park and the Bowes Lyon country estate. After lunch visit All Saints church where the late Queen Mother was baptised. See stained glass window of St Francis of Assisi.

FARE: £11.15 return King's Cross to Hitchin with Network Railcard.

 

Sunday 10th June (Explorer Maps 146 and 147) Leader: Maurice Hickman

(Note: Rerun of disrupted March walk with route and pub as originally intended)

MEET: Victoria at 1010 for the 1034 train to Oxted (arr 1118)

LUNCH: The Carpenter's Arms, Limpsfield Chart (Westerham Brewery)- %u2028welcomes walkers

TEA: The Oxted Inn (Wetherspoon) at Oxted Station DISTANCE: 8 - 9 miles, returning from Oxted

FARE: £6.25 with Network Card

 

Saturday 16th June Visit to Jane Austen’s house Leader: Henriette van Zaelen

MEET: Waterloo station at 09.35 for the 09.53 to Alton

LUNCH/TEA: Pub / tea room "Cassandra " and magnificent countryside.%u2028DISTANCE: 5-6 miles (there is a bus from station one mile approx. to / from house). In the afternoon there will be a short walk along the Jane Austin Way to Chawton & church.

FARE: £11.40 returning from  Alton with Network Card

Entrance to house: £7.50 conc: £6, group of 10 + £6 Do not miss this treat!!! 

 

Sunday 17th June (Landranger 165) Picnic Walk      Leader: Carol Anley

MEET: Euston 0930 for 0953 train to Leighton Buzzard (arr 1040)

LUNCH: Picnic in Stockgrove Country Park. Small cafe and toilet facilities available.

TEA: The Globe Inn, Linslade. By the Grand Union canal.

DISTANCE: 8 miles. One or two manageable hills in amongst the pine trees.%u2028FARE: £9.55 return Euston to Leighton Buzzard with Network Railcard.

 

Sunday 24 June 2012                      Leaders Virginia & Roger Yelland.

(Explorer Map 174: but better is the dedicated map of Epping Forest produced by OS for the Corporation of London).

MEET: Liverpool St at 09.05 for 09.33 train to Chingford (Z5)(arr 09.59) For some it may be better to join the train at Walthamstow Central (Victoria Line Z3)(dep. 09.48).

LUNCH: leisurely at The Owl, Lippitt’s Hill (TQ399968) with a fine view, barbecue, bar food, and McMullens ales.

TEA: either the newly restored historic Butlers Retreat, or in Chingford.

DISTANCE: 9 miles at an easy pace through the southern part of Epping Forest. We visit an obelisk at Pole Hill directly on the Greenwich meridian, the highest point on that bearing directly visible from Greenwich. This was erected in 1824 by the then Astronomer Royal and near lands owned by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) who built and lived there in a small hut for several years.

FARE: £8.50 day return (NC & SR: £5.60). Returning from Chingford Zone 5.

For a photographic preview (won’t be complete until a week or two before the walk!) follow this link, or ask and we can email the link to you.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.399465850086536.98711.100000693729661&type=1&l=91c5679468

 

Sunday 1st July (Landranger 197)                     Leader: Angela Shardlow

MEET: Victoria 08.50 for 09.17 train to Chichester (arr. 11.02)

LUNCH: Spotted Cow, Hunston (early lunch to meet ferry later)

TEA: Teashops in Bosham or Ship Inn, Itchenor

DISTANCE: 10 easy miles along the Chichester Canal and Marina returning from Bosham.

FARE: Return fare to Bosham £16.90 with NRC. (Southern offer 4 for 2 discounts and £12 “anywhere” advance fares via internet) Charge for Ferry £2.

 

 

Sunday 8th July                                                       Leader: Paul Brunning

MEET: Charing Cross 09.30 for 09.46 train to Orpington (arr 10.23) calls at London Bridge 09.54 - alternative route leaves Victoria 09.51 calls at Herne Hill 10.00 (arr. 10.28)

LUNCH: The Queens Head or The George & Dragon, Downe

DISTANCE: 11 easy miles returning from Orpington

FARE: Travel card £5.60 Zones 1-6 Oyster Pay-as-You-Go can be used. Freedom Pass holders go free.

Note: Paul will meet the Group at Orpington

 

Saturday 14th July                         Leaders: Dorothy Hickman &Hilary McNab

Map: Explorer 147                            Lavender Walk

 

MEET:           Victoria at 10.00 for 1022 train to Eynsford (arr. 11.00)

LUNCH:        Sevenoaks Visitor Centre, then visit to Castle Farm (lavender farm) and shop nearby

TEA:       George Inn, Shoreham

DISTANCE:  5 miles, returning from Shoreham

FARE:            £7 with Network Card         

 

Sunday 15th July                                       Leader: Henriette van Zaelen

MEET: Upminster Bridge Underground Station (District line) at 10.00 (Guide: Journey takes 52 minutes from Embankment District & Circle Line Station. Check TFL website for quicker routes from your own station.)

LUNCH: The Phoenix. Rainham

TEA: The RSPB sanctuary Rainham Marshes (panoramic view and great cakes!)

DISTANCE: 9miles along the London Loop with a variety of scenery and stunning views of the Thames estuary. Return from Purfleet station.

FARE: Oyster/Travelcard Zone 1-6 District line + single from Purfleet station to Rainham (Zone 6) only £2.25 with Freedom Pass.

Note:Leader will meet the Group at Upminster Bridge Station

 

Sunday 22nd July    (Map: Explorer 147)             Leader Paul Brunning

MEET: Victoria 09.20 for the 09.28 train to Eynsford (Kent) (arr. 10.25).

LUNCH: The Crown Shoreham - good food, well worth the wait.

TEA: Possibly at Otford

DISTANCE: 10 miles, returning from Shoreham

FARE: £6.75 returning from Shoreham with Network Card.

Note: Paul will join the train en route.

 

Sunday 29th July                                         Leader: Francis O’Sullivan

MEET: Marylebone 08.45 for the 09.00 train to Bicester North (arr. 09.56)

LUNCH: The Fox Inn, Shouldern

TEA: The White Horse, Kings Sutton

DISTANCE: 17 miles returning from Banbury. There is a drop out after 13 miles at Kings Sutton station but trains are less frequent.

FARE: £16.50 with Network Card to Banbury

 

Sunday 5th August   Seaside & swimming!     Leader: Maurice Hickman

MEET: Victoria at 0920 for 0947 train to Eastbourne (arr. 11.08)%u2028LUNCH: Tiger Inn, East Dean

TEA: Birling Gap

DISTANCE: 12 miles returning from Eastbourne. Very hilly in the afternoon . Including Possibility for a swim at Birling Gap if weather permits.

FARE: £16.35 off-peak return with Network Card

Note: Maurice will join the group en route

 

Sunday 12th August (Landranger 187)               Leader: John Burbage

MEET: Victoria 09.10 for the 09.38 train to Box Hill (trains from Waterloo change at Epsom)

LUNCH: Cock Inn, Headley

TEA: Possible

DISTANCE: 11 Miles returning from Epsom

FARE: £4.75 with Network Card

 

Sunday 19th August                                               Leader: Tony Norton

MEET: Marylebone 09.05 for the 09.27 train to Great Missenden (arr 10.08) LUNCH: To be confirmed (leader checking availability)

TEA: Possible

DISTANCE: 15 miles circular walk returning from Great Missenden

FARE: £6.75 with Network Card return Great Missenden

 

Sunday 26th August                                               Leader: Joseph O’Reilly

MEET: Kings Cross (new ticket office at side) 10.00 for the 10.26 train to Gordon Hill

LUNCH: The Plough, Cuffley

TEA: The Rose & Crown, Clay Hill

DISTANCE: 12 miles .

FARE: £6.35 with Network Card Oyster/Travelcard Zone 1-6

 

 Club Committee 2011-2012 

 

(Please note: Addresses and telephone numbers are not included in this internet version of the programme)

 

President: Fr Peter Newby,                     

Parish Priest,                                            

St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street,                    

London EC2M 7LS                                                   

 

Secretary                                                           Membership Secretaries    Maurice Hickman,                                               Antoinette Adkins, 

                                                                            Henrietta Van-Zaelen,                                

 

Treasurer: Gillian McLauchlan.                          Ramble List Compiler

                                                                                                John Burbage,

Publicity Co-ordinator                                       Social Secretary      

Paul Brunning,                                                    Tony Norton,

                                                                                                      

Committee Member  

Barbara Bridle, 

 

Philip Evans R.I.P. 

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Philip Evans.  He died peacefully in his flat on Friday 2nd March and his funeral Mass was at St. Anne's Church in Banstead on Wednesday 11th of April.  His sister, Mary Simmons, was very much supported by his walking friends who had expressed such genuine concern and sense of loss for such a well respected and loved member of the Club.  He served on the Committee a number of times as the Ramble List Compiler.  He will always be remembered for his 'punny' jokes.  He was also an enthusiastic member of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).  Please remember him in your prayers.

 

Requiescant in Pace 

 

Sean Harpur

We offer our prayerful sympathy to Pat (nee Marsden), a life member of the Club, on the death of her husband Sean who died on 1st of September 2011.  Several Club members were among the large congregation who attended Sean's Requiem Mass at the Church of the Most Sacred Heart in Ruislip on the 9th of September.

 

John Walter Scott

We extend our sympathy to Ron Scott and remember in prayer his brother John Walter who died on 15th May 2011.

 

Claire Molloy

Our sympathy with prayers to Belinda Walsh on the death of her sister Claire who died in Ireland on 6th November 2010.

 

Phil Doorly

Some members will remember Phil Doorly who I have been told died in Ireland some while ago.  She came with the Club when they had a trip to Bruges.

 

 Details of Holidays and Other Events and News

 

Monday 28th May Film 'The Artist' at 'The Exhibit', Balham

On Monday 28th of May at 8.45pm the film 'The Artist' is being shown at 'The Exhibit'. 28 Balham Station Road SW12 9SG.  A two course dinner and cinema ticket costs £15.95  Price for ticket only is £7.  Anyone interested should book in advance as there are only 24 very comfortable seats.  To book telephone  0208 772 6556  For more information go to www.theexhibit.co.uk/films

 

Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th June Spirit in the City 2012

 

Thursday 7th June at St Patrick's Church, Soho: 12.45 Opening Mass

1315 Talk 1: Fr. Pat Browne on Call to be Witnesses in the World

13.45 - 18.00 Sanctuary in the City: adoration in church, outreach in Soho

Evening Programme at Our Lady of the Assumption, and St Gregory, Piccadilly

19.00 Praise and worship  Talk 2. Fr. Christopher Jamison OSB on the Call to be Witnesses in the World 20.00 Marian procession to Notre Dame de France

Friday 8th June at Notre Dame de France, Leicester Square:  12.15 Mass

12.45 Talk 3:  Fr Keith Barltrop on the Call to be Witnesses in the World

13.15 -17.30 Sanctuary in the City: adoration in church outreach in Square.

Evening Programme at Notre Dame de France 19.00 Prayer, music and testimonies Talk 4: Sr. Gemma Smmonds CJ on the Call to be Witnesses of the Eucharistic Lord  20.00 Eucharistic street procession to Corpus Christi Church

Saturday 9th June Leicester Square: 12.00 -20.00 Live entertainment & street festival in Leicester Square GArdens.  18.00 at Notre Dame de France: International Mass with Archbishop Vincent Nichols

 

Friday 15th June Portico de la Gloria at the V & A

The Victoria and Albert Museum will be arranging a Study Day on the Portico de la Gloria which is situated behind the western facade of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella.

21st - 26th July  Four Day Camping Walk in Wales

Denis O'Mahoney is organising a 4 day camping walk  along the heritage coastal path of South Pembrokeshire.  His itinerary is as follows;

Saturday 21st July:  Travel from Victoria Coach Station to Tenby

Sunday 22nd: Have Mass on Caldey Island if weather fine for sea journey

Monday 23rd: Do walk on coastal path

Tuesday 24th: More coastal walking or other leisure activities

Wednesday 25th: Have a free day

Thursday 26th: Return from Tenby to London

Denis can provide two tents, one for 2 persons, the other for 3 plus air-bed as well.

Bus costs £19 - £24 by National Express coach

Camping costs: £33 per night or what can be negotiated

If you wish to go, send Denis the fare - £24 Denis will refund if he can get a discount. 

 

Sat. 11th - Sun. 26th August - A&B Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage

This will be walking from Bath to Exeter with rest days en route in Glastonbury and Taunton.  For more information and an application form go to: thepilgrims.org.uk

 

Saturday 29th September - Annual Club Reunion

The Annual Reunion of the Club will take place on Saturday 29th of September 2012 at St. Mary Moorfields, Eldon Street, London

 

Club Website

Tony Finnegan has finished putting the photos taken on the latest Compostella walk on to the website.  The Compostella photos now appear only on www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com as he is no longer updating the old website.

 

Club AGM

This will be held on Saturday 6th of October 2012 as this is the nearest date to the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.  Now is a good time to think about serving on the committee especially if you have not served on the committee before.  If you wish to nominate yourself you can contact a member of the committee who will endorse your nomination or someone with your permission will nominate you. It does not matter if you are new to the Club as the committee would benefit from people with new ideas.

 

Mass for Deceased Members

A Mass for the deceased members of the Club will be held on Saturday 10th of November 2012.  We will remember those members of the Club who have recently died, especially Philip Evans.

 

Hania's Account of Dorothy's Holiday in Alnwick and Norhallerton

On cold, bleak days it is good to recall happier times such as Dorothy's holiday in Alnwick and Northallerton last year.  What a varied, heart-warming, soul-inspiring, thought -provoking and enjoyable holiday it was. 

 

First of all Alnwick.  As we walked down the street from our very satisfactory accommodation there was the lion of Northumblerland to greet us on one side and a fascinating Barter Bookshop on the other.  Why were we walking down the street?  To find the Catholic Church of course!  And a very welcoming church it was with a friendly priest to show us around and daily Mass available.  After that we could afford to be a bit pagan and enjoy the splendour of Alnwick  Castle and its beautiful gardens and water displays and especially being shown round the Poison Garden by a tiny lady with a huge humorous personality who warned us that many plants were not as innocent as they looked.  In the evening after a second day exploring Alnwick Castle we had the honour of having dinner with the Catholic History Society in whose company we enjoyed an outing to Lindisfarne the next day.

 

Then there was talk of 'wild white cattle.'  What do we want to look at cattle for?  We grumbled whilst out culture vulture Anne Richardson took herself off to the Pitman Museum which she much enjoyed but in the end we also had a wonderful day standing around in stunning scenery with the cattle in the background listening to the dramatic story of their lives; exceptionally well told by a man who sort of kept an eye on them from a respectful distance.  Then on to Chillingham Castle inhabited by ghosts and also getting in a coastal walk and Warkworth Castle the next day before we had to leave Alnwick and go to Northallerton as a base for further outings. 

 

Pentecost was approaching and so off we went to explore a hermitage and then we heard the first Mass of Pentecost at Mount Grace shrine which offered us silence at its inspirational surroundings and lovely surprise of refreshments after Mass in spite of the shrine's isolation.  Pentecost Sunday - Mass at Ampleforth  - young voices singing and everyone enraptured  we spent the rest of the day in and around the spendid buildings finishing with tea and special apple cake and mice under the table.

 

Difficult to fit in all we did and saw - there were lovely walks in between - the James Herriot Museum to finish off with and Ripon Cathedral.  "There goes mother duck with all her ducklings" observed Margaret.  Dorothy was studying maps outside Ripon Cathedral while we were all quacking away/  "Where is our tea?"  "Where is our tea?"

 

We were an unruly lot at times but I am sure we are all grateful for this so varied heart-warming

soul-inspiring -  thoroughly enjoyable holiday.