St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club

Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays

Email: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com

 

We are sorry to hear of the death on Sunday 18 February 2024 of Terry Dobson. Terry had been a member since 1985 and bacame a life member in 2000,

 

Terry’s funeral service was  held on Friday March 15th 11:30am at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Redhill RH1 1LF and was attended by several club members and Arundel and Brighton pilgrims.

 

List of Rambles for Spring (March to May) 2024

 

Saturday 2nd March                Leader: Maria Vaz           OS Explorer map 181

 

Meet:       0905 Marylebone for the 0927 Chiltern train to Great Missenden (arr. 1010). Also calls Harrow On The Hill 0939.

 

Lunch:      The Generals Arms, Chesham.  There are lots of eating options on the high street.

 

Tea:           No T today

 

Distance: 10 miles through the Chilterns: rolling hills, beech woodlands  and villages.  Some stiles in the morning.  Expect some muddy paths after wet weather.  

                  Returning from Chesham (zone 9): direct Metropolitan line services to Baker Street, Kings Cross and beyond; 2 trains per hour.

 

Fare:         60+ Oyster, Freedom Pass holders and those with an all zones travelcard: single ticket from Amersham (zone 9) to Great Missenden £3.75 with railcard discounts.

                  PAYG Oyster and Contactless cards are valid back from Chesham, but holders of these cards will need to buy a single ticket from Marylebone to Great Missenden                                £11.80 or £7.75 with railcard discounts.

 
 
 
Saturday 9th March.             Leader: Robert Slater      OS Explorer map 193
 
Meet:        St Pancras International - Platform B - 0920 for 0946 train to Stevenage (arr 1015). 
                   Ramblers can also catch this train at East Croydon 0915, London Bridge 0931, Blackfriars 0937, Farringdon 0941, and Finsbury Park 0953.
 
Lunch:       Red Lion, Preston.
 
Tea:           Angel Vaults (Wetherspoons), Hitchin
 
Distance: 10 miles returning from Hitchin. Four trains per hour back to St Pancras International and points further south.
 
Fare:         CDR Hitchin £10.40 / boundary zone 6 £6.40. Both with railcard discounts.
 
Robert will meet the ramblers at Stevenage. His mobile number is 07401 602 544
 
 
 
Saturday 16th March        Leader: Philip Groves        OS Explorer map OL11
 
Meet:        Victoria 0900 for 0924 train to Lewes (1026). Also calls Clapham Junction 0931 and East Croydon 0940.   
 

Lunch:       The Ram Inn, Firle. Good food and local ales.

 

Tea:           Seaford - choice of pubs.
 
Distance: 13 miles returning from Seaford. Some hills.
 
Fare:          CDR Seaford £22.40 / boundary zone 6 £17.65. Both with railcard discounts.
                   Lower fares may be available online if booked in advance, but please note such tickets are valid for specified trains only.
 
Philip will meet the ramblers at Lewes. 
 
Saturday 23rd March   Leader: David Crundall      OS Landranger map 177
 
Meet:        Fenchurch Street 0950 for 1007 train to Purfleet (arr 1036). Also calls West Ham 1017 and Barking 1023.
 
Lunch:       Rainham - choice of cafes or a Tesco Extra in the centre
 
Tea:           Upminster - reasonable options for quaffing and scoffing.
 
Distance: 9 miles returning from Upminster (Zone 6) following the London Loop and after lunch going through Hornchurch Country Park.
                  Frequent mainline trains back towards London as well as TFL services. Generally level with firm and dry surfaces for most of the route.
 
Fare:         Freedom pass / 60+ Oyster / Travelcard options plus single Rainham to Purfleet £1.95 with railcard discounts.
                  Holders of PAYG oyster and contactless cards can tap out at Purfleet.  
 
Please note; if boarding the train at West Ham there is a mainline ticket machine, on the street side of the barriers, should you need to buy an extension ticket to Purfleet. 
 
David will join the train enroute.
 
 
 
Good Friday 29th March            Leader: Maurice Hickman    OS Landranger Map 187
 
Meet:        Blackfriars 1020 for 1039 train to Three Bridges (arr 1119). Ramblers can also join this train at Finsbury Park 1022, St Pancras International - Platform A - 1030, 
                   Farringdon 1034, London Bridge 1045 and East Croydon 1059. 
 
Lunch:       Coaching Halt, Maidenbower
 
Tea:           The Snooty Fox, Three Bridges
 
Distance: 8 miles returning from Three Bridges
 
Fare:          CDR Three Bridges £7.85 with railcard discounts. Valid on Thameslink services only. Curiously the fare from boundary zone 6 is 5p more.
                   Ramblers can also come from Victoria but the return fare is £6.50 more than from Blackfriars, even with railcard discounts.
 
We will be attending the 3pm Solemn Service at Worth Abbey. Please remove all boots and put them in a suitable receptacle before entering the Abbey.  
Maurice will meet the walkers at Three Bridges.
 
 
Sunday 7th April         Ant Connolly            OS Explorer map 173
 
Meet:        Manor House (Piccadilly line) 1045 by the ticket barriers. 
Coffee:      Comfort stop at the Naturalist pub at the Wetlands
Lunch:       Rochester Castle (Wetherspoons), Stoke Newington
Distance: 8 miles returning from Highbury & Islington. Overground, Victoria line and Mainline Services. A walk through the Woodberry Wetlands to Clissold and Abney Parks.
                  After lunch we go via the New River walk and the Ghandi mural. Dropout opportunities at Stoke Newington and Canonbury stations.
Tea:          White Swan, near Highbury & Islington station. 
Fare:         Freedom pass / Oyster / Travelcard options
 
Ant will meet the walkers at Manor House.
 
13th/14th April   No walk so far for this weekend - New leaders needed. 
 
 
 
Saturday 20th April   Leader: Margaret Brady      OS Landranger map 177
 
Meet:          Charing Cross 0925 for 0940 train to Chelsfield (Arr 1028). Also calls Waterloo East 0944, London Bridge 0950 and Lewisham 0959.
 
Lunch:         Bulls Head, Pratts Bottom. There is a recreation area opposite the pub for those who want to have packed lunch. 
 
Tea:              Maybe at Chelsfield
 
Distance:    10 miles returning from Chelsfield. The ramble is mainly level with one incline on the way out and two on the way back.
                     Half hourly train service back towards Charing Cross.
 
Fare:            Freedom pass / Oyster / Travelcard options 
 
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Chelsfield.