Approved by Cardinal Designate Cormac Murphy O'Connor. Archbishop of Westminster
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association Registered Charity Number 306089

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to all those people who wrote or said words of    encouragement. I am pleased to be
doing this especially as we would all
agree that Helen needs a well
deserved break! (Any reference to Helen in the illustration is purely
intentional!!) However, to those
who might be concemed that she has taken a back seat in the Club's
affairs, please be assured that in her
role as Vice President is still very
active - for which we are all grateful.

Since joining the Committee I have come to appreciate all the hard work that people put in to keep the club functioning successfully. Most of all the  leaders who so readily give up their precious free time to lead walks and to take up the responsibility for others. As well as committee members past and present, there are others whose behind the scenes work helps considerably towards the smooth running of the Club.

I am very glad to have the opportunity to serve on the club committee - it has
been fun so far too. _•

Appointment of Social Secretary: Congratulations to Mary Maxwell, who was appointed as Social Secretary at the last Committee meeting.

The Christmas Social last year was enjoyed by 63 people; 30 people
participated in the walk. Thank you to all those who came and donated
prizes, and supported the raffle so generously.

Day of Recollection - 11th March: This will take place at St. Vincent's
Centre, Carlisle Place, Victoria, London SW1 (Tel. 0207 834 4004). Day starts at 11.00am with coffee and tea available on arrival. Bishop Victor
Guazzelli (retired) will take us through the day with a talk at 11.30am and
2.00pm - with a break for lunch at 12.30-1.30. There will be a mass at 3.00pm, and the day will end at 4.00pm approx.

Due to the favourable location of the venue, there are plenty of options for
lunch - lots of local restaurants (e.g. MacDonalds, Pizza Hut etc.), or you
can bring a packed lunch if you prefer as there is a room available to have
your lunch in. The cost of the day is £10.00. If you would like to attend
please send a cheque to Gillian made payable to St Francis of Assisi
Catholic Ramblers Club.

Special thanks to Mary Maxwell for all her hard work in arranging this for us.

Obituaries:
Ann Alcock's Mother's remembrance Mass on 2 December was well
attended and members went on to enjoy a meal and a drink at the Wetherspoon's pub in Old Street.

Please remember in your prayers Majorie Heald who was a member of the dub from the early years and who died ln September 2000; Catherine
Martin's Mother who died last year and Bernadette Cahill's Mother who
died on Christmas Eve in Ireland and Robert Slater's Father who died in
December. The 5.30pm Mass on Saturday 31 March will be offered for
the repose of his soul at St Mary Moorfields Church in Eldon Street.

Nearest tube/rail stations are Moorgate and Liverpool Street. Members can gather afterwards for a drink and a meal, probably at the Wetherspoon pub, Masque Haunt, in Old Street again, as it is not very busy on a Saturday evening and has plenty of room to accommodate a large number of people.

Whilst on holiday in Assisi Maureen Cahalane has offered a Mass intention for all the members of St Francis Ramblers Club - we thank her for her kindness and consideration.

Search for a new club badge:

Gillian's supply of badges is running low, and she has decided that maybe
it's time for a new badge. Any ideas?
Please feel free to approach a committee member with your inspirations for a design of
a new badge.

Two rent-a-hostel weekends: Colin Mascarenhas is organising two holidays in Arundel and Dartington.  For full details and dates please see
the ramble programme.

Easter 2001 at Bakewell in the Peak District: Maurice Hickman is
organising a five day- break at Bakewell Youth Hostel from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday (12-16 April). The holiday will be self

catering, at least as far as breakfast is concerned, but meals can be bought
at the Hostel. The cost will be about £40.00, plus meals and fares.

The walks will be moderate in length, the first two walks being done in
preparation for one of the days walks on the Arundel and Brighton Walking
Pilgrimage, which takes place in August. It is not necessary to be a YHA member, as the Club holds a YHA group membership card. For further information send an s.a.e. to Maurice. at 

Club publicity: John Burbage has written an article in the Westminster
Record, December 2000 issue about the SFACRC, and has already had
enquiries from people about joining the club through his article. A photocopy is attached with this proqramme. 

Welcome to new member: Harriet Johnson. Surrey KT3. 

Welcome back to: Aviva Freudrnann, London N24.

Advice to new members: PJease read ycu: introductory leaflet carefully,
especially about wearing suitable footwear with ankle support for your own safety, and maintaining good relations with pub owners by not eating your own food on their premises.

Matters matrimonial: Congralulations to John & Leslie Brennan, and belated congratulations to Trevor & Maureen Taylor on their marriages.

The Club is having a mass said for him on Saturday 28th April at 5.30pm in St Mary Moorfields church, Eldon Street. The principal celebrant will be Monsignor Peter Grant. There will be a party afterwards in the hall downstairs - you can bring your own drink but please bring food to share.

There are no facilities for heating food, so please bring food that does not need cooking or reheating. Look forward to seeing as many of you as 
possible there.

Walking holiday in the Malvern Hills - 4-7th May: Maureen and Trevor are organising a walking holiday during the first May Bank holiday. Please see full details on the ramble programme.

Tortoise walks: Any ideas or leaders for Tortoise walks would be very
welcome - can be around an event {e.g. church fete) in good walking area. For walk infonnation please phone Hannia or Witold or Jackie Twining.

A life on the ocean wave: There should be two or three opportunities for weekends sailing on SB Centaur this summer. Cost £65.00 per

person inclusive of food - bring your own sleeping bag. Further details can be obtained from Paul Connolly.

Summer party: Details of this to
follow in the next newsletter+

Y.H.A. Group Membership Card: Any club members wishing to use the
group membership YHA card, please contact Helen, but make sure to do
so well in advance in case she is away at the time you need the card.

Items for next programme should reach the secretary or ramble list compiler by 23rd April.

God Bless and happy rambling ...

Club Committee Members 2000/2OO1

PresIdent:                                                 Vice Presldent:
Fr David Bames, Parish Priest,                  HeIen Hunt, 
St Mary Moorfields, London EC2M 7LS     Email: helen.hunt7@talktalk.net
Tal. 020 7247 8390
Email: moorfieldsrc@btintemet.com

Secretary                                                   Treasurer
Antoinette Ratnam,                                      GIIIan McLauchlan

Ramble List Compiler.                               Membership Secretaries
Paul ConnoIIy,                                              Maria Darroch, 
EmaiI: paulconnolly30@hotmail.com           John Burbage 
                                                                                     

Social Secretary                                         Committee  Members                 Mary Maxwell                                                Robert Slater                                                                           Nick Peterson   

RAMBLE LIST AND NEWS MARCH - MAY 2001

COPY DATE FOR THE NEXT PROGRAMME: 23 APRIL 2001

The trains seem to be getting back to normal so hopefully this will mean we have more time to enjoy our surroundings when we are out.
Long walks, short walks;  this is an issue that surfaces frequently and there is no magic solution for it. I can only put in walks that are given for inclusion, and sometimes getting enough rambles for all the Sundays is a race against time for any given programme. If anyone .wants to organise short walks for Saturdays or the middle of the week they are very welcome to do so. Before you ask 'why isn't there ....? please consider what you could do to broaden the scope of walks in these pages. After all it is your club.

Saturday 3rd March 2001 (os maps 176 & 177)      Leader: Daphne Fisk
MEET         : London Bridge 1010 for 1033 train to Purley (arr 1056) or

                     Victoria 0950 for 1015 train to Purley (arr 1050)
LUNCH      :  The Fox, Couldson Common - Very good food
TEA            : Chez Fisk, Coulsdon. Please bring something to eat, tea/coffee                       provided
DITANCE   : 6 miles returning from Coulsdon South
FARE         : £4.80 all zones travelcard
Daphne will meet the ramblers at Purley

Sunday 4th March 2001 (os map 166)                    Leader: Robert Slater
MEET        : Kings Cross 0850 for 0911 train to Stevenage (arr 0945)
LUNCH     : Bull Inn, Whitwell
TEA           : Maybe
DISTANCE: 12 miles returning from Welwyn North.
                    This walk takes in Knebworth Park Estate, The Bury Estate                             (The Queen Mother's birthplace), and George Bemard Shaw's                       house.
FARE         : £6.50 cdr Stevenage with network card discount
Robert will meet the ramblers at Stevenage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Colin Mascarenhas is organising two rent-a-hostel weekends in Arundel and Dartington.
First weekend;
Friday 9th - Sundn 11th March 2001- Arundel Sussex. Walks  Saturday and Sunday and alternative trips to a wildfowl sanctuary, and the Bodyshop factory. Cost approx £30.00 covering accommodation and food.
For further inforrnation and to book please call Colin or email him on
camascarenh@cablenet.co.uk. PPlease note a £10 deposit is required by Colin at time of booking.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 10th March 2001 (os map 168)                Leader: Frank Bigg
MEET          : Liverpool Street 0920 for 0945 train to Manningtree (arr 1041)
LUNCH       : Case Is Altered, Bentley
TEA             : Manningtree
DrST ANCE: 12 Miles returning from Manningtree. The walk takes in Alton                          Water
FARE          :£10.20 cdr Manningtree with network card discount
Frank will meet the walkers at Manningtree

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 11th March 2001 DAY OF RECOLLECTION - above details.

Saturday 17th March 2001 (os map 176)                                      Leader: Maurice Hickman
MEET         : Westminster Cathedral                                                  1020 for  1030 mass, then after                          at Willow Walk, Wilton                                        road, SW1 (over the road from

                      Victoria Station) until 1200

LUNCH       : The Mad Hatter, Stamford Street

                      SE1
TEA            : The George Inn, Borough High St

                      SE1
DISTANCE : 5 miles returning from London 

                     Bridge 
FARE          : One day travel card, up to £4.80

                     This walk covers part of the 

                     the Thames Path, and after lunch

                     there will be a visit to Southwark

                     Cathedral

Sunday 18th March 2001 (os Explorer Map 2)         Leader: Tony Finnegan
MEET          : Baker Street 0945 for 1006 train to Chesham (arr J 056),

                      change at Chalfont & Latimer
LUNCH       : The Bell Inn Chartridge (GR932037)
TEA            : McDonalds, Chesham
DISTANCE: 10Yl fairly strenuous miles returning from Chesham
FARE £4.80 travelcard, zones 1-6 plus 'D'


Sunday 25th March 2001 (os map 153)                    Leader: Paul Connolly
MEET        :  Kings Cross 0950 for 1011 train to Sandy (arr 1125)
LUNCH      :  ThomtonArms, Everton - soup and sandwiches only, landlady

                      happy if you want to bring your own food.
TEA           :  Biggleswade
DISTANCE: 10 fairly level miles returning from Biggleswade
FARE         : £7.80 cdr Sandy with network card discount

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 Saturday 31st March 2001 - Remembrance Mass for Robert Slater's Father - Please see above for details of the arrangements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday 30th March - Sun 1st April 2001- The second of Colin Mascarenhas' rent-a-hostel holidays; Dartington, Devon. Walks on Dartmoor Saturday and Sunday. Cost approx £30.00 covering accommodation and food You will need to make your own way to the hostel. £10.00 deposit required. For further information and to book book your place please  email him at camascarenhas@Cableinetco.uk.

Sunday 1sf April  2001 (os maps 167 & 168)     Leader: Frank Bigg ,

MEET Liverpool Street 0915 for 0940 train to Chelmsford (arr 1017)

LUNCH        :  The Bell, Woodham Waiter

TEA             :  MaIdon or Chelmsford

DISTANCE  : 13 miles - mostly level and downhill

                       returning from Maldon

FARE           : £6.15 cdr Chelmsford with network card

                        discount plus £2.40 bus fare Maldon to

                        Chelmsford. Frank will meet the

                        ramblers at Chelmsford.

Sunday 8th April 2001 (os map 187)                      Leader: John Burbage

MEET         :  Victoria 0940 for 1002 train to Christs Hospital (arr 1114)

LUNCH      :  The Blue Ship, The Haven

TEA           :  Why ask, bring a flask

DISTANCE: 13 mainly level miles returning from Billingshurst,

FARE         :  £8.20 cdr Billingsburst with network card discount

Good Friday 13th April 2001

Short walk (os map 187)                                          Leader: Tony Norton

MEET         :  Victoria 0935 for 1002 train to Three Bridges (arr 1052) or

                       London Bridge 0945 for 1010 Thameslink train to Three

                       Bridges (arr 1054)

The main aspect of these walks is the Good Friday service at Worth Abbey

which commences at 3pm. The walks are planned so that we arrive at the

abbey with plenty of time to properly prepare for the service.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

12-16th April-' Maurice Hickman is organising a walking holiday for the Easter weekend in Bakewell, Peak District. Please see above for full details.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday 16th April (os map 175) 2001 Leaders: Maureen Cahalane & Bridie Barry

MEET        :  Paddington0915 for

                     0946 train to Henley

                     on Thames, change at

                     Twyford (arr 1052)

LUNCH       :  Stag and Huntsmen,

                      Hambleden

TEA             :  Fawley Court or

                       Henley on Thames

DISTANCE  :   miles returning from

                        Henley on Thames

FARE            :  £6.50 cdr Henley on

                        Thames with network

                         card discount

Sunday 22nd April 2001 (os map 188)                  Leader: Paul Brunning
MEET        :  Victoria 0955 for 1022 train to Eynsford, Kent (arr 1055)
LUNCH      :  The Crown, Shoreham
TEA            :  Eynsford
DISTANCE : 10 easy miles returning from Eynsford
FARE          :  £ 5.90 cdr Eynsford

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 28th April 2001 - A Mass to celebrate Fr. David's silver jubilee in the priesthood. Please read item above for information on this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 29th April 2001 (os maps 195 & 196)     Leader: Ranald Watson
MEET        :  Waterloo 0825 for 0850 train to Brockenhurst (arr 1052)
LUNCH      :  The Turfcutters Arms, East Boldre
TEA           :  Brockenhurst
DISTANCE: 14 miles returning from Brockenhurst.
                    A pleasant walk that goes through a variety of New Forest                              scenery
FARE         :  £16.05 cdrBrockenhurst with network card discount

Tortoise Special (os map 178) Leaders: Hannia, Witold and Jackie                   Twining
MEET         :  Victoria 0840 for 0905                          train to Rochester (arr                          0944)
LUNCH      :  Wherever possible in                            Rochester (crowdsl),
                      meeting point front of                          Cathedral 12.30-12.45
TEA           : Possibly
DISTANCE: 6 miles returning from                          Rochester 
                    Morning river walk in                            Rochester for Chimney                        Sweep Festival.
                    Interesting Mass in the                        evening and then enjoy                        the festival.
FARE         :  £9.50 cdrRochester
.,

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday 4 - Monday 7th May 2001 - Maureen and Trevor are organising a walking holiday in the Malvern Hills. If you wish to stay at the youth hostel in Malvern you will need to book direct, telephone 01684 565 205 or email malvern@yhaorg.uk. PROMPT BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL as this hostel is very popular. The hostel is 20 minutes walk from Great Malvern station.If you want other accommodation please call the tourist information centre on 01684892 289 for bookings or a brochure. Walks (all approx 10 miles) are
being arranged for Saturday, Sunday,and Monday. On Saturday the group will go for 6pm mass and then back to Maureen and Trevor's house where loads of veggie grub will be provided, just bring a bottle. The Sunday walk will take in Marcle Ridge and a visit to a village fair with cider tastings and cream teas.

The recommended train on Friday night from Paddington is at 1918 arriving Great Malvem 21 49. Anyone wishing to just do a day Saturday is the only practical day. Train from Paddington 06 18arr 08 48 then meet at the youth hostel for the Start of the walk, : 08 48 from Paddington arr 1126 - (if you take this train you will need to phone Maureen. for details about the lunch stop and how to get there).
Return trains depart Great Malvern 17 45, 19 41, and 20 53. For fares and other information please'phone Thames Trains on 08457 300 700 or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50

For further information please e mail mhbbonway@yahoo.co.uk.

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Monday 7th May 2001 (os map 188)                       Leader: Paul Brunning
MEET         :  Charing Cross 0940 for 1000 train to Tonbridge (arr 1041)
LUNCH      :  Leicester Arms, Penshurst
TEA           :  Tonbridge
DISTANCE: 12.5miles returning from Tonbridge
FARE         :£6.20 cdr Tonbridge

Sunday 13th May 2001 (os map 188)                      Leader: Hilary McNabb
MEET         :Charing Cross 0950 for 1010 train to Hildenborough (arr 1049)
LUNCH      :Papermakers Arms, Plaxtol
TEA           :Hildenborough Country Club
DISTANCE: 10miles returning from Hildenborough
FARE         :  £7.20 cdr Hildenborough

Sunday 20th May 2001 (os map 165& 175)             Leader: MariaDarroch
MEET         :  Marylebone 0800 for 0824 train to Saunderton (arr 0916)
LUNCH      :  Bull &Butcher, Turville
TEA           :  StudIeyArms, StudIey Green
DISTANCE: 19 hilly miles returning from Saunderton
FARE         :  £6.60 cdr Saunderton with network card discount

Saturday 26th May 2001 (os map 184)                     Leader: Paul Connolly
MEET          :  Waterloo 0810 for 0835 train to Tisbury(arr 1011)
LUNCH       :  The Queens Head, Broad Chalke
TEA            :  Salisbury
DrSTANCE : 18 miles returning from Salisbury, through some of the most

                      unspoilt and remote scenery in the south of England, including

                      some spectacular views
FARE           :  £16.40 cdr Tisbury network card discount
Paul may meet the ramblers at Tisbury

Monday 28th May 2001 (os map 197)                     Leader: Maurice Hickman
MEET         :  Victoria 0940 for 1004 train to Arundel (arr 1132)
LUNCH       :  Bridge Inn, just down from Amberley station
TEA            :  Arundel
DrSTANCE : 10 miles returning from Arundel
FARE          :  £10.75 cdr Arundel with network card discount

Don't forget Sunday train services can be affected by engineering works. Information on these can be
obtained by calling 08457 484950 or see the relevant ceefax or teletext pages on tv.

Please ensure you bring your Network cards or Gold cards so that you can get the 1I3rd off full fares for yourself and up to three guests travelling with you. You can also get 50p off all zone travel cards even if purchased at underground stations.
Unless otherwise indicated the fare shown is the full fare from the London terminus.
;