St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club
Visit our website at www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com
The club is Approved by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster; Affiliated to the Ramblers Association
Programme of Events March - May 2008
Greetings Ramblers,
NB From May onwards some train times will change but not all details are available as we go to press so a final check with 08457 48 49 50 would be wise.
Sunday 2nd March 2008 (Explorer Maps 134 and 135) Leader: Joe O’Reilly
MEET : Victoria at 0900 for 0932 train to Balcombe (arr 1023)
LUNCH : Red Lion, Handcross (good food). Seats provided nearby to eat your own.
TEA : Half Moon, Balcombe
DISTANCE : 9 miles, returning from Balcombe
FARE : £8.65 cdr Balcombe from Victoria, £5.35 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network card
Sunday 9th March 2008 (Landranger Maps 198 and 199) Leader: Philip Groves
MEET : Victoria at 0830 for 0847 train to Lewes (arr 0958)
LUNCH : Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston – good food and real ales
TEA : Jevington or Eastbourne
DISTANCE : 18 miles approx, hilly terrain!
FARE :£14.80 cdr Eastbourne from Victoria, £11.80 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network card
Sunday 16th March 2008 Leader: Maurice Hickman
MEET : Victoria at 0915 for 0934 train to Ifield (arr 1039)
LUNCH : Royal Oak, Friday Street
TEA : Lynd Cross (Wetherspoon), Horsham
DISTANCE : 14 miles, returning from Horsham
FARE : £9.05 cdr Horsham from Victoria, £5.95 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
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Holy Week Cross carrying Pilgrimage in Scotland Sunday 16th to Monday 24th March: We have been asked by Monica Turner of Scottish cross to publicise this spiritual event. Scottish Cross is a Cross-carrying Holy Week pilgrimage to Iona, off the far west coast of Scotland. This Christian pilgrimage, though rooted in the Catholic tradition, is open to all. The walk proceeds through Holy Week, making its way across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, through Glen and by Loch and across clifftop, until arriving on Iona to celebrate Easter. The walking can be extremely tough in places, especially if the heavens open. However, the challenges of the week ensure that a strong sense of community rapidly develops, new friends made and old acquaintances renewed. The pilgrimage also provides a space for individual prayer and reflection. There is also communal morning and evening prayer inspired by Celtic Saints and Maundy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies set in breathtaking highland scenery. Please check out the website for more details www.scottishcross.org.uk or contact monica.turner@gmail.com
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Good Friday 21st March 2008
Long walk :(Landranger Map 177) Leader: Robert Slater
MEET : Liverpool Street at 0830 for 0848 train to Shenfield (arr 0958) – rail replacement bus service from Gidea Park
LUNCH : The Greyhound, Childerditch Common
TEA : Brentwood
DISTANCE : 12 miles, returning from Brentwood
FARE :£6.20 cdr Shenfield from Liverpool Street, £2.85 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
NOTE :Owing to late start from Shenfield we shall be limited to one hour at the Greyhound, to ensure arrival at Brentwood Cathedral at 1445 for Good Friday service at 1500
Short walk: (Landranger Map 177) Leader: Paul Connolly
MEET : Liverpool Street 0840 for 0905 train to Harold Wood (arr 0946)
LUNCH : The Greyhound, Childerditch Common – good variety of non- meat options
TEA : No ‘T’ today
DISTANCE : 7 mostly level miles, ending at Brentwood Cathedral for the Good Friday service at 1500
FARE : All zones travelcard £4.80 with Network Card, or £0.00 for Freeedom Pass Holders, both plus £1.45 single Brentwood – Harold Wood
Paul will meet the ramblers at Harold Wood
Saturday 22nd March 2008 (Explorer Map 187) Leader: Maurice Hickman
MEET : Victoria at 0910 for 0933 train to Ockley (arr 1036)
LUNCH : Parrot Inn, Forest Green (good home made local food)
TEA : Leith Hill Tower and / or Plough, Coldharbour
DISTANCE : 8 miles, returning from Holmwood
FARE :£6.25 cdr Ockley from Victoria, £4.70 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
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Lourdes Trip From 24th to 29th March 2008
All arrangements are now in place for our pilgrimage to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes. We will remember all the members of the club especially those who are sick and will be happy to take any petitions members would like placed at the grotto with us.
Ursula Kaltenbach writes that she will be joining our group arriving to stay at the Hotel Beau Site on Tuesday 25th March. She misses the pleasant company she experienced on rambles while in England but I’m sure is happy to be back home in Germany.
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Sunday 30th March 2008 (Landranger Map ) Leader: Maureen Cahalane
THE CLOCKS GO FORWARD TODAY – DON’T MISS THE BUS!
MEET : Grosvenor Gardens (near Victoria Station) at 0950 for the 1005 Oxford Tube coach to Oxford (arr about 1145)
LUNCH : Isis (on towpath near Iffley Lock) or picnic by Iffley Church with time to explore the church
TEA and Conducted tour: Newman College, Littlemore
DISTANCE :8 miles
FARE :£15 day return Oxford, £7.50 for over-60s.
NOTES :A bus service between Oxford and Littlemore is available. We may have the chance to visit the Church of St Mary and St Nicholas at Littlemore
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5th to 19th April 2008: First Leg of Santiago Pilgrimage
Maurice Hickman is planning to do the first part of a long pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. He will do the first leg in France beginning from Le Puy and walk from 5th to 19th April 2008. If interested ring Maurice Hickman.
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Sunday 6th April 2008 (Landranger Map 174) Leader: Phil Evans
MEET :Paddington at 0920 for 0942 train to Newbury (arr 1057)
LUNCH :Furze Bush, Ball Hill (Pub does food, eat your own elsewhere)
TEA :What’s that?
DISTANCE :14 miles, returning from Newbury
FARE : £11.80 cdr Newbury from Paddington, £9.25 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
Sunday 13th April 2008 (Landranger Map 167) Leader: Paul Connolly
MEET : Liverpool Street 09 40 for 10 02 train to Ingatestone (arr. 10 35). NB see “fare line” below for details of ticket to buy.
LUNCH :The White Hart, Margaretting Tye.
TEA :Chelmsford.
DISTANCE :10 undulating miles (could be some mud), returning from Chelmsford. Three trains an hour taking 40 minutes back to Liverpool Street.
FARE : £8.10 CDR Chelmsford £4.80 from boundary zone 6, both with Network card discount.
Paul will meet the ramblers at Ingatestone.
Saturday 19th April 2008 (Explorer Map 188 ) Leader: Helen Hunt
MEET : Victoria 09 00 for 09 18 train to Maidstone East (arr. 10 18).
LUNCH : Kings Arms, Boxley (grid reference 774 590). Pub does food. Seats opposite for those who wish to eat their own.
TEA : Maidstone East (Wetherspoons).
DISTANCE : 10 miles with steep hills, especially in the morning.
FARE : £9.70 CDR Maidstone East, £5.15 from boundary zone 6, both including Network card discount.
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Sunday 20th April 2008 : Day of Recollection
This year we have found a very convenient venue - Maria Assumpta Centre. 23 Kensington Square London W8 5HN.
Tea and coffee available from 10.00am and the day itself will commence at 10.30. Mass will be around 3.30pm, with an overall finish around 4.30pm
Cost £10.00*. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you need to buy anything to eat, there are plenty of shops around Kensington High Street. However you are kindly requested to make your purchases before arriving, rather than during the lunch break.
Nearest stations: High Street Kensington (District and Circle Lines) - less than 5 minutes walk to the Centre.
Notting Hill Gate (Central Line) station - about 10-15 minutes walk.
Kensington Olympia (national rail)- 20 minutes walk or a short bus ride. Half hourly trains from Clapham Junction (10 minutes)and Willesden Junction (9 minutes).
* Please make cheques payable to “St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club” and send them to Gilliam McLauchlan, to arrive no later than Wedenesday 16th April
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Sunday 27th April 2008 (Explorer Map ) Leader : Paul Brunning
MEET : Charing Cross 0905 for 0942 train to Chelsfield (arr 1024)
LUNCH : Three Horseshoes, Knockholt Pound
TEA : Sevenoaks
DISTANCE : 10 miles, returning from Sevenoaks
FARE : £6.50 cdr Charing Cross – Sevenoaks with Network Card. If you have a pass valid in Zones 1 – 6 you only need to buy a single from Sevenoaks to the Zone 6 boundary on the way back (£1.70 with Network Card)
Monday 5th 2008 May Leader: Paul Connolly
MEET :Fenchurch Street at 09 45 for 10 10 train to Pitsea (arr. 10 49). NB see “fare line” below for details of ticket to buy.
LUNCH : Leigh on Sea a good choice of pubs, cafes, and seafood stalls on a 200 yard stretch of Leigh Old Town.
TEA : Benfleet
DISTANCE :10 miles returning from Benfleet - level in the morning and a gentle climb up to the remains
of Hadleigh Castle in the afternoon (no charge to go round). Views over the Thames estuary to Kent.
FARE : £5.95 weekend day return Benfleet £5.15 from boundary zone 6, both with Network card discount. Fenchurch Street is 2 or 3 minutes walk from Tower Hill underground station.
Paul will meet the ramblers at Pitsea.
Sunday 11th May 2008 (Explorer Map ) Leaders: Marta and John Haworth
MEET : Waterloo 0840 for 0900 train to Witley (arr 1004)
LUNCH : The Sun, Dunsfold
TEA : Possibly at Witley
DISTANCE : 15 miles, returning from Witley, somewhat hilly in afternoon
FARE : £9.50 cdr Witley from Waterloo, £5.80 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
Sunday 18th May2008 (Explorer Map 188) Leader: Paul Brunning
MEET : Victoria 1005 for 1026 train to Eynsford (arr 1111)
LUNCH : Two Brewers, Shoreham
TEA : Sevenoaks
DISTANCE : 11 miles, returning from Sevenoaks
FARE : £6.50 cdr Sevenoaks from Victoria, £2.05 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
Sunday 25th May 2008(Explorer Map ) Leader: Hilary McNabb
MEET : Charing Cross 0900 for 0924 train to Hildenborough (arr 1005)
LUNCH : White Rock, Underriver
TEA : Sevenoaks
DISTANCE : 10 miles, including one hill
FARE :£6.45 cdr Hildenborough from Charing Cross, £2.95 from Zone 6 boundary, both with Network Card
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Holiday in St Ives, Cornwell 24th to 31st May
All arrangements are now in place for the accommodation in St Ives. Those who are going are reminded that up to four people travelling together out and back can get a special deal on the return fare and can also upgrade to first class for £10 per person each way,
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Monday 26th May2008 (Landranger Map 166) Leader:Robert Slater
MEET : King's Cross (Main Line) 0930 for 0952 train to Hitchin(arr 10.21)
LUNCH : Red Lion,Preston (Meals at reasonable prices and good selection of real ales).
TEA : The Live and Let Live, Pegsdon.
DISTANCE : 17 miles returning from Hitchin.
FARE : £9.55 CDR Hitchin with Network Railcard, £5.30 from boundary zone 6.
Robert will meet walkers at Hitchin Station.
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When joining us on a walk please ensure you bring your Network cards or Gold cards so that you can get the 1/3rd off full fares for yourself and up to three guests travelling with you. You can also get £1.90 off all zone travel cards even if purchased at underground stations. Senior Railcard holders can also get the reduction on train fares but only for themselves.
Don't forget Sunday train services can be affected by engineering works eg trains from Charing Cross are sometimes diverted to begin from Cannon Street or Victoria. Information on these can be obtained by calling 08457 484950 or see National Rail Website at www.nationalrail.com
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News, Views and items of interest
Your views are requested on ideas to save money for the club: The accounts included in the last newsletter showed the club’s finances to be in a healthy state. However there are gathering clouds in the form of increases in postal costs and relentless pressure on printing costs. Your committee have discussed ways of saving money to offset these unavoidable cost increases. Some ideas we have just implemented, such as reducing the number of copies of address lists we print, and ceasing to send out a second programme to new enquirers now that they do not need to have done rambles before becoming fully paid up members (saving about £60 a year). But some suggestions would benefit from having members’ opinions and these are included in a questionnaire on the last page of this newsletter. So please turn to it now and let us have your views. You can either post your response to the secretary or download an electronic copy from www.stfrancisramblers.org.uk/survey.htm, complete it and e mail it to secretary@stfrancisramblers.org.uk.
Welcome to New members: A hearty welcome to the following who have become fully paid up members since the last programme: Alan and Antoinette Adkins of Streatham SW16, Jim Breslin of Tooting SW17, John and Lois Darley of London NW8, Fred Davis of London SE17, Adrian Hodgson of St Albans, Herts, Marie McCue of Dorking, Surrey, Ann Milner of Hitchin, Sadie O’Grady of Tooting SW17, Derek and Irma Shipman of Ickleford, Herts and Colette Whitehead of Streatham SW 16. We wish them many years of happy rambling with the club.
Any existing members who have not paid subscriptions for 2007-08 will not receive this programme. If you know any of them please encourage them to renew membership immediately by sending a cheque for £5 payable to the “St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club” to Gillian McLauchlan
There are two easy ways to save yourself having to remember to renew membership - by taking out life membership for £100 or by completing a Bankers Standing Order. You can get a standing order form now from the Secretary or Treasurer and complete it to make the first payment on 1st October. Then you will just get your membership card every year without having to do anything further.
Thanks for attendance at fund raising event: Anne Dunne, Former Social Secretary, would like to thank all the Ramblers and their friends for the generous support of the Charity Fundraiser in November last featuring Mary Remnant and her Musicians. It was a very good result and Aid to the Church in Need have confirmed that over £1,200 was raised including Gift Aid.
Anne wishes to thank the following members who gave extra support on the day: Tony Finnegan who provided literature about our club, Helen Hunt, who supplied extra refreshments, Peter Lobo who gave great help with the clearing up and also to Tony Norton, Hania Poniatowska, Madeleine Farren and Francis O’Sullivan for their hard work. All their help was greatly appreciated.
And of course a big vote of thanks to Anne herself whose idea the event was and who did so much to make it such a success.
John Lawrence sends his best wishes to members of the club and his thanks to all those who sent him Christmas greetings.
Holiday accommodation in the Pyrenees: One of our members, Philip Groves, has a large village apartment which sleeps up to six people in a very scenic area of the Eastern Pyrenees which has many good walks and surrounding summits and which is available for holiday lets. Full details are on the following web link: www.holidaylettings.co.uk/30164. In addition, Philip is offering a 10% discount off the normal prices to Club members. He can be contacted on e mail philipgroves2000@yahoo.co.uk
Publicising the Club: We have been handing new notice board announcements out on rambles and will appreciate members’ efforts in ensuring that these are put up on parish notice boards. If your parish does not have our poster on its notice board please get a copy of the new one from one of the membership secretaries and ask your parish priest for permission to put it up, or if there is one there already just replace it with the new one showing the names and details of the membership secretaries for the current year.
Committee Members’ Duties: Since the last programme we have decided on the distribution of duties among committee members and these are shown on Page 8. We decided to create a new post to look after publicising the club in parishes and Paul Connolly has assumed these duties. Robert Slater takes Paul’s previous function of Membership Secretary, jointly with Angela Shardlow.
Obituaries: We were sorry to hear of the death of the following:
Leslie Goreham in November 2007. Leslie was a member of the club for many years starting in 1960-61. R.I.P. Our sympathies to his wife Rene whom he married in 1969.
Chris Goode’s father in August 2007. We extend our sincere sympathy to Chris, his mother and other members of his family.
The Pilgrims of St Francis: 2009 walking pilgrimage: This is an international pilgrimage group with aims highly compatible with ours. They organise an annual walking pilgrimage in a different country each year on lines similar to the Arundel and Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage which several of our members have joined over the years. In 2009 the annual international pilgrimage will be in the United Kingdom. We will keep in touch with the organisers and give full details of how to join in the pilgrimage as time goes on. Visit their website at www.cdsf.org for further details. The following events in England in 2008 may provide an opportunity to make the acquaintance of the pilgrims of St Francis.
National Chapter will be held on 3 - 5 May 2008 at Ashford Parish Church Hall Kent
The costs will be:- £40 full rate; £30 for young/unemployed, £20 for children over 4;
The National Pilgrimage 16- 23 Aug. starting at Hassocks (a small village north of Brighton and close to Ditchling) and finishing at Chichester. ‘Route in Car’ will be available if you are unable to walk very much.
The costs will be:- £95 full rate; £80 for young/unemployed,£50 for children over 4.
Lakeside House, Keswick - Note Provided by Dorothy Hickman
Lakeside House in Keswick, founded by the Catholic Rambling Clubs in the North and well known to many members nearly closed last year. This was because of the losses made in the previous three years due to shortage of bookings. Fortunately things have improved but obviously they may yet have to close if bookings do not continue to improve. Lakeside House is situated close to Derwentwater and near the bus station. Dinner, bed & breakfast costs £36.25 per night in main season, less if staying several nights or in low season. This price compares to £58 per night in nearby hotels. Details from Lakeside House, Catholic Holiday Fellowship Limited, 40 Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DQ. 017687 72868. www.lakesidehouse.co.uk
Future Dates for Your Diary
Summer Barn Dance: We are hoping to arrange a barn dance this summer at St Mary Moorfields, subject to availability and also subject to being able to guarantee sufficient attendance to cover costs. Similar to our Christmas party it would be a bring food to share with your choice of drink. The charge would be £7. We would like lots of club members and their friends /partners to attend. However to justify arranging this event and the expense of the barn dance caller and musicians we have to have some idea of how many of you would like to attend. Would you please contact Carol Anley and let her know if you would be interested in coming to such an event. e mail carolanley@hotmail.com).
3rd to 9th August 2008 Holiday at Ushaw College, Durham
Ushaw College are holding their holiday/pilgrimage 'Journeying with the Northern Saints' from 3rd to 9th August 2008. Visiting Lindisfarne, Rievaulx, Monkwearmouth etc. Cost is £390 for accommodation, transport, entrance fees, guided tours and talks by staff and seminarians. It should be possible to stay on at Ushaw College for a few more days and see more of the area.
If interested ring Dorothy Hickman for more details.
Saturday 4th October - Annual General Meeting: This year the feast of St Francis falls on a Saturday so we will be able to have the annual Mass for members intentions and AGM on the feast day itself. Please put it in your diary now so that we can ensure a good turnout for this important event in the club’s calendar.
Saturday 8th November - Mass for deceased members: This is another important annual event so please make a note of the date now.
God bless and happy rambling.
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<> Club Committee 2007-08 <>
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<>(Please note: Addresses and telephone numbers are not included in this <>
<> internet version of the programme) <>
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<>President: Fr Peter Newby, Publicity Co-ordinator: Robert Slater, <>
<>Parish Priest, St Mary Moorfields, <>
<>4-5 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LS. Membership Secretaries: <> <>Vice President: Helen Hunt, Angela Shardlow and . <> <>Secretary: Tony Finnegan Robert Slater <>
<>Treasurer: Gillian McLauchlan, <>
<>Ramble List Compiler: John Haworth Committee Members <> <> Carol Anley, <><> Marta Haworth, <>
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Members’ views are requested on the following important suggestions that have been made to safeguard the financial position of the club. Please tick one box per question. You can either post it to the secretary or download it from www.stfrancisramblers.org.uk/survey.htm and e mail to secretary when completed:
Suggestion 1: That the club newsletter should be restricted to providing details of walking events and official club social events only (if this had applied in 2006-07 printing costs would have been £112 less)
Agree ☐
Disagree ☐
Neither agree nor disagree ☐
Suggestion 2: That number of newsletters be reduced to three per year (saving £85 per year on postage and envelopes).
Agree ☐
Disagree ☐
Neither agree nor disagree ☐
Suggestion 3: That membership subscriptions be increased to £7 per year (NB this is a decision for the AGM and cannot be decided by this survey. However the views of members would contribute to the information available to those voting at the AGM):
Agree ☐
Disagree ☐
Neither agree nor disagree ☐
Suggestion 4: That members be allowed to opt to receive newsletters by e mail. The options would be pdf or Word Perfect format as our printers do not accept Word format. The programme would be sent using blind copy addresses in order to prevent the recipients IP Address or any confidential information included in the programme from being visible on the internet.
Agree ☐ If ticking “Agree” please provide your e mail address.
Disagree ☐
Neither agree nor disagree ☐
Add any additional comments you wish to make here
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