November 2019
Overdue Subs and Updating membership details
Subscriptions:
Quite a number of members have yet to pay their £12.00 which was due in October. Those who have not paid by the middle of December will be removed from the list of programme recipients, whether received by email or post. If you are content to continue being a member at SFACRC please send a cheque made payable to ‘St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club’, forthwith to our Treasurer; John Burbage. You can also give your £12.00 to one of the committee.
Members details:
The committee are concerned that our members details need to be brought up to date without further delay.
This particularly applies to those who receive the programme by post, especially our life members. Therefore, your help is requested to get a more accurate record of the club’s membership.
If you know of anyone who has moved home, gone into care, or is deceased, please advise the club secretary accordingly:
Patricia O’Callaghan
Email: patriciamaryocallaghan@gmail.com
Although return address stickers are put on all the envelopes there is no guarantee of receiving back what has been sent, hence our request for your assistance.
If you advise us of a member we are already aware of that is fine. Better to be told twice rather than not at all.
Many thanks for your kind assistance in both matters.
The Committee.
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club.
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays
www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com
Email: stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com
Programme of Rambles Winter 2019/2020
Walks for the next programme by early February please
Well done to the leaders for making such a varied winter programme possible. Fourteen walks in all. We could still do with more members leading; how about you? Leading is very rewarding and once you try, you may find you actually enjoy it!
Fares are due to go up in January and those shown are correct at the time of publication. Please be forbearing if the cost of a ticket you are buying is a little higher than in the details below.
Please note; the following rambles are not on a Sunday.
Saturday 21st December
Wednesday 1st January
Saturday 8th February
Saturday 22nd February
Sunday 1st December Leader: Maria Vaz (OS Explorer 173)
Meet: Totteridge & Whetstone (Northern Line - High Barnet branch) 1000 for 1015 prompt start
Lunch: The Prince of Wales, East Barnet village. Lots of other eating options nearby
Tea: Let’s see…
Distance: 10 miles following parts of the Dollis Valley Green Walk and the Pymmes Brook Trail. Returning from Palmers Green station
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options
Sunday 8th December Leader: Robert Slater (OS Landranger 166)
Meet: Kings Cross 0915 for 0941 train to Stevenage (arr 1006).
Also calls Finsbury Park 0947
Lunch: The Rusty Gun, St. Ippolyts. Isolated pub on B656.Grid Ref.199253.
Sunday carvery for the roast lovers
Tea: Aim to arrive in Hitchin market square in time for the carol singing and mulled wine at 4pm, followed by visit to Angel Vaults (Wetherspoons) nearby
Distance: 10 mile linear walk returning from Hitchin
Fare: £9.00 CDR Hitchin with railcard discounts
Robert will meet walkers at Stevenage.
Sunday 15 December Leader: Ant Connolly (OS Explorer 173)
Meet: Meet outside Stratford Station by the old steam engine (Robert) 1015 for 1030 prompt start
Lunch: Eleanor Arms pub, Bow E3 5JP. No food but you can eat your own in the pub as long as you are buying drinks
Tea: Liberty Bounds – Wetherspoons, Tower Hill. Those who are unable to come on the walk can meet up for an informal Christmas social. Walkers should arrive around 4.00pm. Hot food available
Distance: 10 miles. A walk through the Olympic Park, Victoria Park and down the canals to Tower Hill
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options returning from Tower Hill
You can see some photographs taken on Ant's walk above by clicking HERE
This walk will end at the Liberty Bounds London Wetherspoons Pub at Tower Hill. All those SFACRC members wishing to exchange Christmas cards and cheer are most welcome to meet us ramblers there at the Liberty Bounds not far from Tower of London after our walk. Eta 4pm ish
Saturday 21st December Leader: Pauline Lobo (OS Explorer 181)
Meet: Marylebone station at 0900 for 0927 train to Great Missenden (arr 1008)
Lunch: The Generals Arms, Chesham. Plenty of other options nearby
Distance: 6.5 miles finishing at Chesham. Some stiles and perhaps a few muddy patches if there has been rain in the days before.
Fare: 60+ Oyster card /Freedom Pass holders – single Amersham to Great Missenden, £3.30 with railcards. PAYG Oyster holders – single Marylebone to Great Missenden £6.65 with railcards. All passes valid from Chesham. Trains every half hour back to London
Friday 27th December Leader: John Burbage (Map: A-Z or similar)
Meet: Brockley Station for 1000 start. Train from London Bridge 0940 arriving 0951.
Also Overground services. Then walk to Nunhead Station to meet 1004 train
from Victoria arriving 1019 and 0946 from Blackfriars arriving 1003
Lunch: The Ninth Life, Catford and various cafes available
Tea: The Stables, Beckenham Place Park
Distance: 8 to 9 miles on good paths through Victorian London. The hilly morning includes Nunhead Cemetery and Blythe Hill Fields for great views. The afternoon is a gentle river stroll for tea at Beckenham Place Park and return from Beckenham Junction
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options
You can see some photographs taken on John's walk above by clicking HERE
Wednesday 1st January Leader: Maurice Hickman (OS Explorer 146)
Meet: London Bridge 1000 for 1021 train to Ifield (arr 1117).
Also calls East Croydon 1037. Ramblers can also take the 1016 train from Victoria to Gatwick Airport, arriving 1052 then connect with the Ifield train departing 1105
Lunch: Lamb Inn, Lambs Green (Good food)
Tea: Jubilee Oak, Crawley
Distance: 7 miles. Walk completely flat but possibility of some mud
Fare: £12.95 with railcard discounts
On 2 January 2020 Hania organised a sucessful New Year gathering at the Falcon Pub at Clapham Junction and some photographs taken on the day can be seen by clicking HERE
Sunday 5 January Leader: Paul Connolly (OS Explorer 173)
Meet: Finsbury Park Station booking hall 1015 for 1030 prompt start
Coffee: Clissold Park café, for a coffee / snack / comfort stop
Lunch: The Angel (Wetherspoons), Angel. Other pubs and cafes nearby
Tea: No tea, unless you want it with your lunch!!
Distance: 7 level miles finishing at Angel. Muddy in the morning on a small section of the New River path, hiking poles would be useful, but otherwise firm dry surfaces
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options
Sunday 12th January Leader: Antoinette Adkins (OS Explorer 161)
NB Please Note Changed Arrangements needed because of engineering works. The details below have been further updated on 6 January.
Meet: Antoinette and Lizzie will now meet the ramblers at Richmond
Station for 1030 start as engineering works will make starting
from Hampton Court impractical.
Lunch: Rose of York pub, 2 Petersham Road, Richmond. After approximately a 4
mile walk along the river to Ham House in the morning there will bea detour back
to the Rose of York pub, 2 Petersham Road, Richmond where they do a carvery and
an extensive lunch menu, including little bites, handmade pies etc. Estimated time
of arrival there about 12.30pm. Those who wish to leave before or after lunch can
do so.
Tea: Possibly
Distance: Still 8 miles returning from Richmond station (various drop out points if needed)
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass options
You can see some great photographs taken on Antoinette's walk above by clicking HERE
Sunday 19th January Leader: John Sealy (Explorer map 146)
Meet: London Bridge 1000 for 1021 train to Horley (arr 1059).
Also calls East Croydon 1037. Ramblers can also get the 1016 from Victoria to East Croydon arriving 1032 to connect with the train from London Bridge
Lunch: The Farmhouse, RH6 9LJ. Traditional Beamed Pub. Steeped in History.
Moderately priced lunch
Tea: Wetherspoons, Redhill
Distance: 9 miles. Wet in places. A few stiles
Fare: PAYG Oyster. Holders of 60+ Oyster and Freedom passes must buy a return from boundary zone 6 to Horley £4.30 with railcard discounts
You can see some great photographs taken on John's walk above by clicking HERE
Sunday 26th January Leader: Maurice Hickman (OS Explorer OL34)
Meet: Victoria 1010 for 1033 train to Coulsdon South (arr 1056)
Lunch: Wattenden Arms, Kenley (good reasonably priced food)
Tea: Foxley Hatch, Purley (Wetherspoons)
Distance: 8 miles, returning from Purley. Steep hill after Whyteleafe in the afternoon.
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
Maurice will meet the Ramblers at Coulsdon South
You can see some great photographs taken on Maurice's walk above by clicking HERE
Sunday 2nd February Leader: Margaret Brady (OS Landranger 177)
Meet: Charing Cross 0920 for 0942 train to Charlton (arr 1008).
Also calls London Bridge 0951 and Lewisham 1001
Lunch: Dog and Bell. 116 Prince Street, Deptford, SE8 3JD. Good value grub and a
very welcoming pub. Twinkle Park with benches close by for picnic
Tea: City of London
Distance: 11 miles returning from Tower Hill
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
You can see some great photographs taken on Margaret's walk above by clicking HERE
Saturday 8th February Leaders: Elaine Hirth, Virginia and Roger Yelland.
Hampstead Heath, Highgate Village, Hampstead Garden Suburb. (OS Explorer 173)
Meet: Hampstead Station (Northern Line, Edgware Branch) 1015 for a 1030 prompt departure
Lunch: To Be Advised. Possibly the Old Bull & Bush, or Kenwood House
Tea: Hampstead Village (various options)
Distance: 8.5 miles, but there are various options to shorten the walk
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
Call Roger if you would like more information
You can see some photographs taken on Elaine's walk above by clicking HERE
Urgent Stop Press from John Burbage re the ramble on Sunday 16 February 2020 :
Sunday 16th February Leader: John Burbage (OS Explorer 173)
Meet: See stop press message above
Lunch: Early lunch at the Moon and Sixpence, Wetherspoons, Hatch End (2 minutes from Station). Local cafes also available
Tea: Unlikely
Distance: 10 miles of forest walks with gentle hills using local paths and the London Loop. Walkers are welcome to join at lunchtime for the 6 mile afternoon section departing at 1pm. Expect mud in places
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
Saturday 22nd February Leaders: Tom Gilmartin (OS Explorer 161)
Meet: Charing Cross 0955 for the 1018 train to Hither Green (arr
1036), then change for a rail replacement bus at 1049 to
Chislehurst (arr 1117).
Lunch: Daylight Inn, Petts Wood
Tea: Let’s see
Distance: 8.5 miles returning from Chislehurst
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
You can see some great photographs taken on Tom's walk above by clicking HERE
News and Events Winter 2019/2020
Items for the next programme by early February please
Gillian McLauchlan RIP
After a long illness which she bore with faith and fortitude Gillian sadly passed away on 10th November. As well as being the club treasurer for many years, Gillian was an active participant in the walks and social activities. The club was much cherished by her. A full appreciation of Gillian’s life will appear in the spring programme.
The funeral arrangements are as follows: 26th November 11.00. Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Fatima. Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR. After the requiem she will be taken to Mortlake Cemetery. A reception will be held in the Parish Centre after the Mass. The nearest tube station is White City on the Central line, which is about a five minute walk to the church.
Subscriptions:
Quite a number of members have yet to pay their £12.00 which was due in October. Those who have not paid by the middle of December will be removed from the list of programme recipients, whether received by email or post. If you are content to continue being a member at SFACRC please send a cheque made payable to ‘St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club’, forthwith to our Treasurer; John Burbage. His address is 126 Gibsons Hill, London, SW16 3EY. You can also give your £12.00 to one of the committee.
Saturday 7th December
Robert Slater wishes to invite members to the customary Cambridge Christmas Concert to be held in Robinson College at 11.30am. At 11 am, prior to the concert, mince pies and hot drinks will be served to ticket holders. Tickets are £8 per adult and £5 concessions and can be purchased via https://www.robinson.cam.ac.uk/christmas-concert-booking-form or contacting the college on 01223 339 100 by 28th November at the very latest.
Trains from King Cross 0912 or 0942 arriving Cambridge 1002 or 1030 respectively. Bus from station 1012 or 1032 or half an hour on foot. After the concert lunch at Bella Italia opposite St John's.
Robert will meet the concertgoers at Robinson College.
Some photographs taken on 7 December can be see by clicking HERE
Christmas Dinner and Dance Saturday 14th December
As usual our Christmas celebration will be at the Lowiczanka Restaurant (POSK), 1st Floor, 238-246 King Street, London W6 ORF, which is the Polish cultural centre close to Ravenscourt tube station. In a nightclub atmosphere wine dine and dance the night away, well, until midnight at least. We shall assemble in the foyer at 6.45pm for 7pm.
The total cost of the three course meal, tea/coffee, crackers, and the 10% service charge, is £35.20. Wine and other beverages not included but are reasonably priced and obtainable from the easily accessible bar.
Christmas Party Menu
Starter
Wild Mushroom Cream Soup with traditional Polish bread (V)
Borsch with Traditional Polish Dumplings (V)
Main Course
Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce.
Salmon with Vegetables and Butter Sauce.
Roast Lamb with Grilled Vegetables.
Spinach Pancakes(v) or Polish Dumplings(v)
Dessert
Classic Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce
Homemade Cheesecake
Ice Cream
Main courses served with potatoes and selection of vegetables. V for vegetarian.
Please send your menu order and cheque for £35.20, payable to R.G. Slater, to Robert (Address on printed programme but not on the internet) by Saturday 7th December. His email address is rgs166@hotmail.com.
Please note that there is a minimum booking of ten people to qualify, so please come.
Falcon at Clapham Junction Festive season Reunion
Arranged by Hania Poniatowska
There will be a Christmas/New Year lunch at The Falcon Pub, near Clapham Junction on Thursday, January 2nd 2020. Evidently the pub specialises in various pie and mash. You can drop in or out of the afternoon session any time between the hours of 1.30 and 4.30pm. Hania has advised the pub is willing to do a starter and a main for £13.95.
Those diners who are purchasing the two course meal for £13.95 will receive a free tea or coffee from the Falcon but ONLY those specifically eating a meal there. The pub would like to know orders, well before Christmas too so that they can pre-arrange food stocks because as you all will know, the shops close a great deal over Christmas and New Year so the manager at the Falcon has specifically asked us to let him know which meals people think they would like to eat on the afternoon of O2/01/20. Ramblers are welcome to meet from 1pm onwards. Watch this space for a link to the menus which will be available very soon
Hania’s phone number (specifically pertaining to the meal order is 0208 542 5837). Please pre order with Hania or email Tricia on patriciamaryocallaghan@gmail.com. Please stick to the relevant menus. Thanks. You’ll note that there are about three menus. Please do not pick and mix between menus. Stick to one specific menu solely in order to avoid confusion. We’re grateful.
It will be lovely to see as many members as possible. The Falcon is diagonally across from the Department store where Arding and Hobbs used to be. Come out the front entrance of Clapham Junction Train Station and turn left. The Falcon is down on your left. Very close indeed. See you all there
You can see some great photographs taken at the above New Year Social by clicking HERE
Future holidays
Dorothy Hickman is planning a one week holiday for members in Rottingdean in July 2020. More information will be in subsequent programmes.
Pilgrimage to Assisi
We are considering a possible short break to Assisi to celebrate the club’s 90th birthday next year. Father Chris Vipers is hoping to attend also. This may be scheduled for either the last week in September or the first week in October and most likely it’ll be a four day trip. It is early days yet, so we will of course revert to the members with more information in due course. Roger Yelland has been an invaluable help in respect of information on the Franciscan Hotel just outside the town which is very reasonably priced, plus the hire of minibuses and ideas of day trips from Assisi to areas of historical interest and beauty pertaining to Saint Francis and St Clare. Please be advised that it will be your duty to book your own flights and accommodation etc. We will make enquiries and inform you accordingly of SFACRC’s suggested schedule.
Annual General Meeting 2019
This was held at St Mary Moorfields Church hall on Saturday 19th October, and this is a brief summary of the meeting.
- Father Chris Vipers chaired the meeting.
- The minutes of the 2018 AGM were read out.
- Roger Yelland was confirmed Independent Examiner.
- Antoinette Adkins was unable to attend and her Membership Secretary’s report was read out on her behalf.
- Maurice Hickman, John Burbage, David Crundall, and Paul Connolly gave their reports.
- Maria Vaz stood down.
- A new committee was formed and the full details are shown below.
Mass for the deceased members was held after the AGM at 6pm.
The full minutes will be published in due course.
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 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.
| Visitor Counter: | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | ||