St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club

 

Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays

www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com

Email: stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com

 

Saturday 4th September   Leaders: Antoinettes Adkins and Connolly   OS                   Landranger 188   Winnie the Pooh walk
Meet:      London Bridge 0840 for 0907 train to Ashurst (arr 0957). Also calls                 East Croydon 0922.
Coffee:   Dorset Arms, Withyam. A brief comfort/coffee stop.  Lunch will be 9                 miles into the walk so bring along a snack to have on the way.
 
Distance: 9 miles finishing at Hartfield. A bit hilly and muddy in places with                    some stiles. Bus 291 from there to East Grinstead for trains - two                    per hour - back to London.  
                If not a Freedom pass holder, the bus fare is £3.70. Please see the
                PDF file for the 291 timetable by clicking HERE.
Fare:        £10.35 CDR Ashurst - from boundary zone 6 £6.25 - plus single                    East Grinstead to Hurst Green £3.75. All with railcard discounts.
You can see some photographs taken on the above Winnie the Pooh walk above by clicking HERE
 

Saturday 11th September Leaders: Derek and Mary Clarke  OS Explorer                                                                                                                    108 Meet:       St Pancras International Platform B 0850 for 0916 to Sandy (arr                    1004). Ramblers can also join this train at East Croydon 0845,                         London Bridge 0901, Blackfriars 0907,  Farringdon 0911 and                         Finsbury Park 0924. The returning trains, twice hourly, also call at                   these stations.

Lunch:      The Anchor Inn, Great Barford.
Tea:          The Bell, Sandy.
Distance: 10 miles returning from Sandy.
Fare:         £10.15 - £6.30 from boundary zone 6 - CDR Sandy with railcard                      discounts.
Derek and Mary will meet the ramblers at Sandy.
 
Sadly the above walk planned by Derek and Mary Clarke did not take place due to disruption on the railway system preventing ramblers getting to the starting point. However Antoinette Adkins and Lizzie Cripps took the initiative and led an impromptu walk in the Highgate and Alexandra Palace area and Antointette has kindly providedphotographs taken on the day which you can enjoy by clicking HERE.
 
Sunday 19th September   Leader: John Burbage   

Meet:       Euston 0905 for the 0926 London Overground train to Carpenders                  Park (arr 1008).  Also calls Willesden Junction 0944 (Overground                  and Bakerloo line) and Harrow & Wealdstone 1000 (Bakerloo                          line and mainline services). There is also an Overground service                    from Clapham Junction at 916, West Brompton 0923 and                                Shepherds Bush 0929 arriving Willesden Junction 0936 which                        connects with the train from Euston.

Lunch:     Moon & Sixpence, Hatch End. Good value Wetherspoons menu.

Tea:             Unlikely.

Distance: 10 miles with some gentle hills mainly in the afternoon returning                      from Carpenters Park. The walk visits woods, farmland, a deer                        park and viewpoints over London. Muddy conditions possible. 

Fare:       Oyster Card Zone 7. Over 60 and London Freedom Pass holders                   go free.
Note:  Walkers are welcome to join for the morning (4 miles) or afternoon (6 miles) sessions. For the afternoon please be ready at Hatch End Station for 1.15 or come down to the pub a few minutes walk away. Please also note that there are no toilet facilities at Carpenders Park Station.
You can see some photographs taken on John's walk above by clicking HERE
 
Saturday 25th September   Leader: Maurice Hickman   Explorer OL11
 Meet:     Victoria 0900 for 0924 train to Lewes (arr 1026). NB This train
               also calls at Clapham Junction 0931 and East Croydon 0941.
 
 Lunch:   Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell (Good food at a reasonable price).
 
Tea:        Possibly at the Ark pub as it overlooks the harbour and near                           station. 
 
Distance:  11 miles, returning from Newhaven Town Station. Apart from one                   very small hill, the walk is flat all the way to Newhaven following                     the Sussex Ouse Valley Way path. 
Fare:         £20.35 with Network Card. NB the return fare from Boundary                         zone 6 to Newhaven is £16.10 with railcard discounts and the                         walk finishes in there.
You can see some wonderful photographs taken on the above Lewes walk by clicking HERE
 

Sunday 3rd October    Leader: Maria Vaz   OS Explorer 174 & Epping                        Forest: the official map produced by the OS for the City of London                  Corporation 

Meet:    0910 Liverpool Street for 0933 Overground train to Chingford zone                 5 (arr 0959). Train also calls Walthamstow Central 0948 - Victoria                   line.  

Lunch:      The Owl, Lippitts Hill 

Tea:          Butler’s Retreat or nearby in Chingford high street 

Distance: 10.5-mile ramble, including some hills, through the southern part                     of Epping Forest.  Returning from Chingford. 

Fare:        Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options.  There are 4 trains per                   hour back to Liverpool Street. 

Maria will meet the ramblers at Chingford station. 

You can see some wonderful photographs taken on Maria;s walk above by clicking HERE

Sunday 10th October   Leader: Robert Slater   (OS Landranger 166)
Meet:      Finsbury Park main line 0910 for 0927 train to Hertford North                         (arr.1004). Train starts from Moorgate 0913 and calls Old Street                     0915 and Highbury & Islington 0921.
 Lunch:  Please be advised the lunch stop on 10th October has been                            changed and will now be the Rose and Crown in Tewin.
 Tea:       The Six Templars (Wetherspoons), Hertford.
 Distance: 12 miles returning from Hertford North
 
Fare:         £6.30 - £3.20 from boundary zone 6 - CDR Herford North. Both                     with railcard discounts.
Robert will meet walkers at Hertford North.
You can see some photographs taken on the Hertford North Walk walk above by clicking HERE
 

Saturday 16th October.   Leader: John Burbage    OS Explorer map 172 

 

Meet:        Marylebone Station 0850 for 0912 train to Gerrards Cross (arr.                       09.37). Earlier service calls at West Ruislip 09.17 to connect with                   Central Line (arr. 09.29).

 

Lunch:       The Blackwood Arms, Littleworth Common. Atmospheric                                  traditional pub nestled in a remote woodland setting. Excellent                        medium-high priced food but with some smaller                                              portion dishes available (see website). A real gem!

 

Tea:           Probably in Gerrards Cross.

 

Distance: 13 miles through farmland and autumnal forests including                              Burnham Beeches. Long morning with a few gentle hills but a                        relatively easy-going afternoon. 

                Returning from Gerrards Cross.

 

Fare:         £10.80 return Gerrards Cross, £4.60 from boundary zone 6, both                    with railcard discounts.

 

Sunday 24th October     Leader: Ant Connolly     OS Explorer map 174 

Meet:        Liverpool Street 0935 for 0957 for train to Broxbourne (arr                               1023). Train also calls at Tottenham Hale 1010.  

                 As the lunch stop is 7 miles into walk, there will be a rest stop                         after 4.5 miles so please bring a snack to keep you going. 

Lunch:      The Farmer’s Boy, Brickendon.  (Sunday Roasts – menu                                  attached). 

                  Self-booking needed as only online bookings are taken, and                        they charge a £10 fee for cancellations under 24 hours and ‘no-                      shows’. Bookings to be made                                              at                         www.farmersboy.pub Tel. 01992 511017 - please mention St                          Francis Ramblers on booking form so they can seat us together. 

                   Nearby Green with benches for picnic lunch. 

Tea:            No T 

Distance: 10 miles through Broxbourne woods returning from Bayford                             station but  NB see amended details in red below. Advisable to                       bring walking poles as it is muddy and hilly in places, and being in

                 woods there are protruding tree roots. 

                 Drop-out opportunity at 7 miles, after the lunch stop which is                            roughly 12 minutes' walk from Bayford station. 

                  Trains back half-hourly to Finsbury Park, Highbury and Islington                      and Moorgate. 

Fare:         PAYG Oyster and contactless to Broxbourne and from                                     Bayford. Freedom pass and 60+ Oyster card holders will need to                   buy singles £3.75 from boundary zone 6 to Broxbourne and £3.10

                 from Bayford to boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.

 

NB. Following publication of the above details of the walk on Sunday 24 October 2021 members for whom the club has e mail addresses received the following important further details from the Ramble List Compiler:

 

After a recent recce, one section of the last 3 miles after lunch proved to be unsafe for walking, a stretch of road with blind corners and cars being driven far too fast. Regrettably, this walk will now end at the lunch stop with a total distance of 8 miles. 

 

If eating at the pub, please book on-line http://www.farmersboy.pub/ for 2.30pm; either a restaurant table or a covered seating outdoor area if you wish to eat outside, and remember to mention St Francis Ramblers on your booking form. They do not take telephone bookings. The pub grub is tasty and good-size portions. 

NB the following further announcement received on Tuesday 19 October 2021:

The pub is keeping a table for 10 for the walkers coming to lunch on Sunday and they are cancelling all the bookings under St Francis Ramblers. So don't panic if you receive an email saying your booking has been cancelled - everyone coming will be accommodated.

 

No need also to let Ant know if you are coming as numbers will be taken on the day and informed to pub.

 

Also, please bring your walking poles as the woodland ground is wet and muddy in places.

You can see some photographs taken on Ant's  walk above by clicking HERE

 

Saturday 30th October    Leader: Margaret Brady    OS Explorer map 162

 

Meet:       Charing Cross 0920 for 0942 train to Erith (arr 1025). Also calls                      Waterloo East 0945, London Bridge 0951 and Lewisham (DLR                      services) 1000. 

Lunch:     The Cutty Sark, Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead. The pub does                  not do food but you can bring your sandwiches to eat so long as                    you buy a drink at the bar.  

                Also, there is a Morrisons with a cafe very close to the pub. 

Tea:         Woolwich

Distance: 11 level miles returning from Woolwich. DLR as well as main line                    services  

Fare:        Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options  

 

Saturday 6th November    Leader: Maurice Hickman     OS Explorer map 146

Meet:       Victoria 0910 for 0939 train to Redhill(arr. 1018)

Lunch:      Red Lion, Bletchingley.  Nearby benches for picnickers.

Tea:          The Garland, Redhill

Distance: 9 miles, last mile being along quiet lit roads.

Fare:         PAYG and contactless valid for use to and from Redhill. 

                  Freedom pass and 60+ Oyster card holders will need to buy a r                      return from boundary zone 6 to Redhill, £3.35 with railcard                             discounts

 

Good views of North Downs in morning. Afternoon is more challenging underfoot in places so a stick is recommended. 

Bus 400 or 410 stops outside pub so easy to get to lunch place from Redhill or to return from the pub.

 

Saturday 13 November.  Leader Tom Gilmartin    OS Explorer map 162
 
Meet:       Cannon Street for 1020 train to Grove Park (arr 1043) and then                      connect with the 1055 train to Sundridge Park (arr 1058). 
                Train also calls at London Bridge 10.24. Lewisham 10.35. 
Lunch:      Queens Head, Chislehurst
Tea:          Sovereign of Seas Wetherspoons pub Petts Wood.  Other                               refreshment outlets are also available.
Distance: 7 miles. Can be muddy but no stiles.
Fare:        Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options.
 
Tom will meet the ramblers at Grove Park.
 
Saturday 20th November   Leader: Margaret Brady    OS Explorer map 147
 
Meet:        Victoria 0930 for 0955 train to Otford (arr 1031)
 
Lunch:       Bull, Otford. Option of tea rooms if ramblers don't wish to eat a                        pub lunch.
 
Tea:           Let's see
 
Distance:  8 miles returning from Shoreham. It's a circular walk in the                             morning with one very steep hill but reasonably level in the                             afternoon.
 
Fare:         £9.15 CDR Otford or £4.25 from boundary zone 6. Both with                           railcard discounts
 
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Otford.
You can see some photographs taken on Margaret's Walk walk above by clicking HERE
 
Important notice about the walk on  Sunday 28 November:
To facilitate departure no later than 0945 please allow the following journey times on the Piccadilly line;
Holborn: 45 minutes
Finsbury Park: 30 minutes.
 

Sunday 28th November - Leaders: Catherine Heckman & Ant Connolly                                                   OS Explorer map 173

 

Meet:        Cockfosters station (Piccadilly line) 0930 for 0945 prompt                               departure.  Toilets in station

Lunch:    The King & Tinker pub, Enfield                                                                           https://www.kingandtinker.com/food (Sunday roasts). 

                A deposit of £5 pp for 8 people has already been paid to secure a                  table at this busy pub. 

                Your bill will be reduced by £5 when paying, so please be sure to                     refund Ant on the day.  

                Lunch will be just under 7 miles into walk so bring a snack to keep                  you going

 

Tea:         No T

Miles:      9 miles through Trent Park and Whitewebbs Woods, returning from

               Turkey Street station. Following the London Loop Section 17 for                     most of the way. 

Fare:       Oyster/Travelcard/Freedom pass. Twice hourly trains to Liverpool                    Street stopping at Seven Sisters on the way.  

 

 A wonderful selection of photographs taken on the above Cockfosters walk by Antoinette Adkins can be seen by clicking HERE.

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 Club Committee 2019/2020

 

Please note: the contact details of the committee members below should only be used for the sole purpose of members being able to contact them on legitimate club business.

 

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

 

President:                                                Membership Secretary

Fr Chris Vipers, Parish Priest                   Antoinette Adkins

St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street        E: antoinette_adkins2000@yahoo.co.uk 

London EC2M 7LS                                           

E: moorfields@rcdow.org.uk                            

 

Secretary                                                  Treasurer

Patricia O’Callaghan                                  John Burbage

E: patriciamaryocallaghan@gmail.com     E: turbo.johnb@gmail.com 

 

Ramble List Compiler                              Publicity

Paul Connolly                                             David Crundall

E: paulconnolly30@hotmail.com               E: davidcrundall@waitrose.com 

 

Other Duties:  Sheila Bravin, Ant Connolly, and Maurice Hickman