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 March to May 2012
(Items for the next programme by the end of April please)
Sunday 4th March (Explorer Map 147) Leader: Paul Brunning
Meet: Charing Cross at 10.00 for the 10.25 train to Chelsfield, Kent (arr 10.57)%u2028Lunch: The Three Horseshoes, Knockholt
Tea: Possibly at Sevenoaks
Distance:10 miles, returning from Sevenoaks
Fare: £6.75 with Network Card
NB: Leader will meet the walkers en route
Sunday 11th March (Explorer Maps 146 and 147) Leader: Maurice Hickman
Meet: Victoria at 1010 for the 1034 train to Oxted (arr 1118)
Lunch: The Carpenter's Arms, Limpsfield Chart (Westerham Brewery)- %u2028welcomes walkers BUT NB Instead of the Carpenter's Arms at Limpsfield Chart which will be closed for refurbishment next Sunday I shall be going to the Royal Oak, Staffhurst Wood. We shall still start the ramble at the same time but the length of the walk will be about a mile longer i.e. 9 miles which will please some people but not others.
Tea: The Oxted Inn (Wetherspoon) at Oxted Station
Distance: 8 miles, returning from Oxted
Fare: £6.25 with Network Card
Sunday 18th March (Explorer Map 165) Leader: Paul Connolly
Meet: Marylebone 09.20 for 09.50 train to Little Kimble (arr.10.52)
Lunch: Variety of pubs, cafes etc. in Wendover
Tea: Possibly on route or in Aylesbury
Distance: 12 mainly level miles with one climb before lunch.
Fare: £12.25 return from Aylesbury via Princes Risborough with Network Railcard.
Saturday 24th March Leader: Barbara Bridle
Meet: Charing Cross 09.45 for 10.06 train to Chislehurst (arr. 10.33)
VISIT TO CHISLEHURST CAVES Tour begins at 11.00am .Entry - adults £5.00, concessions £3.00.
Walk: Following visit to caves which takes around 45 mins and where refreshments are available we shall ramble approx 2 - 2 and a half miles through the local countryside to Wetherspoons (Sovereign of the Seas) Petts Wood for lunch. After lunch optional return home from Petts Wood Station or ramble approx another 2 and a half to 3 miles through National Trust Woodland and countryside to return to Chislehurst Station. En route we will be able to visit the historic cemetery of St. Mary's RC Church (1852) Chislehurst.
NB: Barbara will meet group at Chislehurst Station.
Sunday 25th March (LR Map 166 & Explorer Map 194) Leader: Robert Slater Meet: King's Cross 0930 for 0953 train to Royston(arr.1037)
Lunch: Moon & Stars,Rushden%u2028
Tea: Baldock%u2028
Distance: 13 miles returning from Baldock%u2028
Fare: £13.25 Royston return with Network Railcard.
NB: Robert will meet walkers at Royston.
Sunday 1st April Leader: Paul Brunning
Meet: Charing Cross at 09.35 for the 09.50 train to Hayes, Kent (arr 10.26)
Lunch: Queens Head / Coach and Horses, Downe Village
Tea: Probably not
Distance:13 pretty easy miles returning from Hayes
Fare: £7.00 with Network Railcard
NB: Leader will meet the walkers en route
Good Friday 6th April Leader: John Burbage
Good Friday Service at Worth Abbey
Meet: Victoria 09.15 for 09.32 train (change at East Croydon 9.55) to Balcombe. Direct train from London Bridge departs at 09.42 (arr.10.21)
Lunch: (For those not fasting) at Cowdray Arms - 10-15 mins walk away
Distance: 9 miles returning from Three Bridges
Fare: £6.60 to Balcombewith Network Card
Easter Monday 9th April (Explorer Map No. 146) Leader: Dorothy Hickman
Meet: Victoria 1010 for 1032 train to Redhill (arr. 1100)
Lunch: Railway Arms, Merstham
Tea: The Sun (Wetherspoon), Redhill
Distance: 8 miles Fare: £6.60 with Network Card
N.B. Leader will meet ramblers at Redhill
Sunday 15th April ( Explorer Map 181 ) Leader: Philip Groves
Meet: Baker Street tube station 09:10 for 09:20 tube (Metropolitan Line) to Chesham (arriving 10:14)
Lunch: The Cock and Rabbit Inn, The Lees
Tea: Quite possibly.
Distance: 15 miles
Fare: £11.80 All Day Off Peak Travel Card Zones 1-9
NB: It is also possible to join the train at other points on the Metropolitan Line. If the leader is not at the meeting station he will meet the group at Chesham.
Sunday 22nd April (Explorer Map 178) Leader: Paul Connolly
Meet: Fenchurch Street Station (Close to Tower Hill U/G) at 09.20 for the 09.40 train to Pitsea (arr. 10.18)
Lunch: Choice of waterfront venues at Leigh-on-Sea
Tea:Possibly
Distance: 11 miles, returning from Benfleet
Fare: £7.20 return from Benfleet with Network Card
NB: Paul will meet walkers at Pitsea
Sunday 29th April (Explorer Map 174) Leaders Virginia & Roger Yelland
John Merrill’s “Epping Forest Challenge Walk” (Explorer Map 174: but better is the dedicated map of Epping Forest produced by OS for the Corporation of London).
MEET: with the leaders at Stratford (BR & Central Line Z3). Meet ON THE PLATFORM at 08.30 for 08.45 train to Waltham Cross (arr 09.07). For many it may be better to join the train at Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line Z3)(08.55).
LUNCH: the Forest Gate at Bell Common, the Wellington at High Beach or the Robin Hood Tea Hut depending on our progress. Call Roger on 07910 358646 if you need more information.
TEA: probably briefly at Chingford, or the Royal Forest Hotel.
DISTANCE: 21miles. A circuit of Epping Forest and the Lea Valley, via the Copped Hall Estate, High Beach and Chingford. For those wanting a shorter walk there are easy drop out points at 9m (Epping Central Line Z6), 11m (Theydon Bois Central Line Z6), and 15m Chingford (BR Z5).
FARE: £6.90 SOPDR Stratford to Waltham Cross (NC & SR: £4.55).For a photographic preview follow this link, or ask and we can email the link to you.
Sunday 6th May (Landranger Map 166) Leader: Robert Slater
Meet: King's Cross 0900 for 0918 train to Welwyn North (arr. 0943)
Lunch: Papillon (also known as The Woodhall Arms), Stapleford
Tea: The Cowper Arms by Welwyn North Station (ideal end of walk stop)
Distance: 13 miles, returning from Welwyn North
Fare: £7.35 return to Welwyn North with Network Card
N.B.: Robert will meet walkers at Welwyn North (mobile no. 07780 599922 )
Sunday 13th May (Landranger Map 166) Leader: Witold Sokolowski
Meet: Waterloo 0940 for 10.00 train to Farncombe (arr. 1047 )
Elevenses: By the river on the way to Our Lady's Shrine
Lunch: The Jack Phillips (Wetherspoon), Godalming
Tea: Hopefully on the way to Milford
Distance: 8 miles. returning from Milford
Fare: 9.25 return to Milford with Network Card
Sunday 20th May (Explorer Map 124) Leader: Maurice Hickman
Meet: Victoria 0820 for 0847 train to Hastings (arr. 1056)
Lunch: Two Sawyers, Pett
Tea: Hastings
Distance: 12 miles, returning from Hastings
Fare: £17.65 or £10 (two singles booked in Advance if still available) with Network Card
Morning walk includes a steep climb . Cliff walk in the afternoon
Sunday 27th May(Landranger 165) Leader: Tony Norton
Meet: Marylebone for 0907 train to Wendover (arr. 1014)
Lunch: Variety of pubs, cafes, etc in Chesham
Tea: Possibly
Distance: 18 miles, retuning from Rickmansworth (short journey home)
Fare: £10.10 return to Wendover with Network Card
More Ramble Leaders wanted
We are looking for more walk leaders. If you would like to volunteer and have never led before please contact a committee member who will arrange for walk leaders to help you. There is always a first time for everyone!
Many Thanks
A big thank you is in order for those Club members who helped to clear up after the New Year's Party
2012 - Thursday 15 March Lent - Service and the Mercers’ Company
The Mercer’s Company (The Worshipful Company of Mercers’)
The Mercer’s company of Division Services for Lent
Will be given by The Right Reverend James Newcome, The Bishop of Carlisle
In The chapel, Mercers’ Hall, Ironmonger Lane, Cheapside London EC2 at 17h30 – Nearest Underground is Mansion House
Tickets not required.
(Bulletin at St Mary Moorefield’s Bulletin Board Notice inside the Porch)
Details of Holidays and Other Events
Ignatian Day: Making Choices in Christ with Tony Horan SJ
Saturday March 10th
This year like last year the committee has agreed to publish details of an already organised retreat. Thus I am advertising the retreats in Lent which will be taking place at the Jesuit centre at 114 Mount Street, Mayfair. The Jesuits here organise an Ignatian Day on the second Saturday of each month from 11 am to 4.30pm. The suggested donation for this day is £20. It is not necessary to book up beforehand for these Ignatian Days. Anyone who wishes to come to the March event should meet me (Maurice) outside the centre between 10.30 and 10.45am. Bring a packed lunch. Afterwards, to kill time, I propose going for a walk to the cafe in Hyde Park for refreshments before returning for the 6pm Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street. After Mass anyone who wants to can join me for a walk through Hyde Park to The Tyburn, Marble Arch (Wetherspoon) for a meal and a drink. For more information and a map Google 'Mount Street Jesuit Centre.' Please let Maurice know if you intend to come even if you do so at the last minute so that I can get an idea of the numbers I can expect. The next Ignatian Day is on April 14th and is entitled 'Golden Honeycomb- the Sweetness of God's Law' with Kath O'Brien
St Patrick's Day Celebrations in London - Visit London
www.visitLondon.com - What's on in London Special EventsCached
Celebrate all things Irish with a parade. festival and of course, Guinness!
Saturday 17th - RHS London Orchid and Botanical Art Show and Evening Mass for the Feast day of St Patrick
The Royal Horticultural's Annual Orchid and Botanical Art Show will be at the London venue of Royal Horticultural Halls and The Lawrence Hall , Greycoat Street, Victoria, London, SW1 The show closes at 5pm. RHS members with membership card £3. Adults £5%u3000 Telephone 08701 261795/0845 260 5000 for more details. Special rates are available in advance for groups of 10 or more. After the show - As this is the Feast day of St Patrick, evening Mass 6pm, could be at the Saint Patrick's Chapel, inside Westminster Cathedral (Telephone directly for more details)
Passion in the Square - Good Friday 6th April
On Friday 6th April a celebration of the Passion will be made in Trafalgar Square between 12 and 3.15 pm.
Tuesday 27th of March to Wednesday 18th April - Camino trek.
Three intrepid members of the Club will be walking the Camino from Burgos to Leon and then two will continue on to Ponferrada before flying back.
Friday 27th of April - 'Celtic Dream' in Redhill from 8pm to 10.30pm.
This is an "all singing all dancing international production delivering the heart of Ireland". The cost is £19.50. If interested please contact Maurice. The tour also visits other places in England. See http://www.celtic-dream.com
Future Holidays and Events
Study Day on the Portico de la Gloria at the V & A - 15th June
On Friday 15th of June 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. It is a masterwork of Romanesque sculpture built between 1168 and 1188 by Master Mateo at the request of King Ferdinand II of Leon. It features amongst many other things Christ in Majesty surrounded by a retinue of angels, the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse, the apostles and prophets and, of course, Saint James the Great. For more information go to Wikipedia- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella.
A & B Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage - Saturday 11th August to Sunday 26th August 2012 from Bath to Exeter
The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton is organising a walking pilgrimage from Bath to Exeter next summer. A walk will be led each day except for the two rest days at Glastonbury and Taunton. Accommodation is provided, mainly in church and village halls where pilgrims sleep overnight on the floor. Pilgrims bring a sleeping bag and an airbed or sleeping mat for this purpose. Breakfast and an evening meal are provided and lunch is usually had at a pub en route. Luggage except for that which the pilgrim requires during the day is carried by van from one hall to the next. More information and an application form can be had by going to www.thepilgrims.org.uk
Holiday in North Yorkshire from 29/8/2012 to 5/9/2012
Dorothy Hickman is arranging a holiday in North Yorkshire staying at Sneaton Castle Centre which is about a mile west of Whitby from Wednesday August 29th to Wednesday September 5th ( 7 nights). It is run by an Anglican community of the Order of the Holy Paraclete. Places to visit include Egton Bridge in Esk Valley(there is a shrine here to Nicolas Postgate who was a priest here for about 50 years in the Penal times), Robin Hood's Bay and the North York Moors Steam Railway. If interested ring Dorothy Hickman on 01737 765231
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,
Social Secretary
You will have noticed that a new post of Social Secretary has created. It is to be hoped that members will contribute to some of these forthcoming social events. It is a good idea if a walk could be combined with a social event on a Saturday as Sunday is usually kept free to provide a full walk although it is a good idea also to include a place or places of interest on a Sunday.
Obituary - Linda Gribble R.I.P. (February 1925 - April 2011 )
Your prayers are asked for Linda Gribble who was a life member of the Club. Linda was admitted to the Willows Care Home, Kingsbury in March 2009 and died there peacefully on 23rd April 2011. Many of the older members of the Club will have known her. Requiescat in Pace.