St Francis of Assisi Catholic Rambler's Club
(Website: www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com)
The Club is approved by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and HF Holidays
Programme of Rambles / Events for Winter 2016/2017
(Items for the next programme by the beginning of February please)
Thank you once again to the few who help to make a complete programme posssible.
Sunday 4th December. Leader: Paul Brunning OS map 188
Meet : Cannon Street 0915 for 0937 train to Otford (arr 1013)
Lunch : The Bull - Otford
Tea : Unlikely
Distance : 9 miles returning from Shoreham
Fare : £8.50 CDR Otford with NSE discount
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 4 December 2016
Sunday 11th December. Leader: Robert Slater.(OS map 166)
Meet :King's Cross 0915 for 0938 to Stevenage(arr.1009)
Lunch : The Rusty Gun, St.Ippolyts. Isolated pub on B656.Grid ref.199253. (Carvery)
Tea :Hitchin
Distance : 10 miles returning from Hitchin.
Fare : £8.30 Hitchin return with Network card
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 11 December 2016
NB.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. Robert will meet walkers at Stevenage.
Sunday 18th December Leader: Martin Harrison OS map 176
Meet : Cockfosters (Piccadilly line - zone 5) for 10.30 start
Lunch : Chequers - Potters Bar
Tea : Trent country park - time permitting
Distance : 9miles returning from Cockfosters
Fare : Travelcard/Oyster/Freedom pass options.
Tuesday 27th December (map Explorer 146). Leader: Maurice Hickman
Meet : Victoria 10.10 for 10.31 train to Holmwood (arr. 11.32).
Lunch : The Surrey Oaks, Parkgate near Newdigate.
Tea : Not likely
Distance : 8 miles returning from Holmwood.
Fare : £8.70 with Network Car Some hills on this walk but they are not too demanding.
Maurice will meet everyone on the train at Dorking.
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 27 December 2016
Monday 2nd January. Leader: Paul Brunning OS map 188
Meet : Victoria 0930 for 0950 train to Chelsfield (arr 1034)
Lunch : Fruiterers Arms - Crockenhill
Tea : Hmmm.....
Distance : 9 miles returning from Chelsfield
Fare : Travelcard/Oyster/Freedom pass options
to see photographs taken on the ramble on 4 December 2016
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 2 January 2017
Saturday 7th January 2017 Map: Landranger 187 Leader: John Burbage
Meet : Waterloo 0900 for 0924 train to Epsom (arr 0957) then change to 10.15 to Boxhill and West Humble (arr 1027) 0924 train calls at Vauxhall 0928, Clapham Junction 0933, and Wimbledon 0940
Lunch : The Tree on the Hill, Boxhill Village.
Tea : Bikers cafe at Box Hill car park.
Distance : 9-10 calorie burning (hilly) miles depending on weather and light. Bring appropriate footwear, sticks (if you have them) and torch.
Fare : Day return to Boxhill & West Humble £7.75 with Network Cards discount.
Freedom Pass holders should obtain a day return from Epsom to Boxhill & West Humble.
Notes : Oyster Cards are accepted at Boxhill & West Humble but make sure you have registered your Network Card with TFL to get the NSE discount. John may meet the walkers en-route.
Sunday 15th January. Leader: Henriette Van Zalen
Meet : Finsbury Park for 1030 start (Piccadilly and Victoria lines. Also mainline services from Kings Cross and Moorgate.)
Lunch : Upper Street Islington (Angel, Northern line City branch) - plenty of options.
Tea : Maybe
Distance : Approx 8 miles finishing at Limehouse.
Fare : Travelcard/Oyster/Freedom pass options.
Sunday 22nd January Leaders: Lizzie Cripps and Antoinette Adkins
Meet: Richmond Station concourse for 10.30 start
Lunch: Pembroke Lodge/various options
Tea: Probably
Distance: 10 easy miles finishing at Richmond station.
Fare : Travelcard/Oyster/Freedom pass options
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 22 January 2017
Sunday 29th January Leader: Maurice Hickman Explorer map OL34
Meet : Victoria at 10.20 for 10.47 train to Ifield (arr. 11.37 )
Lunch : Lamb Inn, Lambs Green ( good food and beer )
Tea : Jubilee Oak ( Wetherspoon ), Crawley
Distance : 7 miles returning from Crawley
Fare : £11.95 with Network Card but much less if bought in advance. Walk is level all day. Nowhere to eat own food near the pub.
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 22 January 2017
Sunday 5th February Landranger 176 Leader: John Burbage
Meet :West Ruislip (Central line, zone 6, 38 mins from Oxford Circus) for 10.15 start.
Lunch : The Bear on the Barge, Harefield. Medium to upper price range.
Tea : Possibly.
Distance : 9-10 miles with rolling hills, woods and canals. Walk returns from Gerrards Cross.
Fare : Travelcard/Oyster/Freedom pass options plus Gerrards Cross to West Ruislip £2.90 single with Network Card.
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the above ramble on 5 February 2017
Sunday 12 February 2017 Leaders Roger Yelland and Ann Brooks. (London Streetfinder, or OS map 177.)
Meet : St Pauls Underground station (Central Line Z1), for 10.00am start.
Lunch : The Ledger Building (Wetherspoons), West India Quay, close to Westferry DLR (Z2).
Tea : Probably Fatboy's Diner or the Bow Creek Cafe, both at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Distance:10 miles finishing (probably) at East India DLR(Z2).
Fare : Oyster card, Travelcard, and Freedom Pass options
Click HERE to see photographs taken on the ramble on 12 February 2017
Saturday 18th February. Leader: Maurice Hickman
Meet : Victoria at 0900 for 0931 train to Ockley (arr. 1036)
Lunch : Scarlett Arms, Walliswood
Tea : Sussex Oak, Warnham
Distance : 10.6 miles, returning from Warnham
Fare : £11.55 Warnham with Network Card
Fairly level walk. Maurice will meet all on train at Dorking.
Sunday 26 February Leader: David Crundall OS map Landranger 177
Meet : Victoria station 0940 for 1004 Canterbury East train to Sole Street (arr. 1055)
Lunch : Ship Inn - Cobham, Kent.
Tea : Railway Inn, Sole Street.
Distance : 9 miles?
Fare : £9.40 CDR Sole Street with NSE discount.
Please bring a torch for along for Winter walks.
Club Committee 2016-2017
(Please note: Addresses and telephone numbers are not included in this internet version of the programme)
President: Fr Chris Vipers, Parish Priest, Membership Secretary
St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street, Antoinette Adkins,
EC2M 7LS
Secretary Ramble List Compiler
Maurice Hickman Paul Connolly
Treasurer Publicity
John Burbage David Crundall
Other Duties
Henrietta Van Zaelen,
Maria Vaz,
Ben Sealey
Committee Members
The committee remains largely unchanged since last time. Ben Sealy has kindly agreed
to take over some of the record keeping of the Club. The extent of this will be discussed
soon after the first meeting of the new committee.
New Committee Members?
The committee would welcome new blood on to the committee even if you are a new
member of the Club. A lot of the present committee are in need of a rest.
Quite a number of members are on Facebook and the committee will discuss whether to
set up a Facebook group. If you are an active user of Facebook please let Maurice know.
Joe Lobo R.I.P.
It is with sadness that I have to relate the death of Joe Lobo. Please pray for him.
Tony Finnegan's brother R.I.P.
Sadly Tony's brother Bernard passed away recently. Please pray for him.
Alison Clarke's Father
Please pray for Alison's father who is in a critical condition.
Explorer Maps
Maurice has 10 Explorer maps of areas of the SE (mainly south of London) which he does
not need as a neighbour in his road has given him some more unused editions of the maps as he is no longer able to do much walking. If any member would like one of these maps please let Maurice know. They are in good condition. It is to be preferred that they go to people who are going to make use of them, especially those who will plan rambles from them.
News and Events
Treasurers Report - AGM October 2016
My interim report of 9th February 2016 set out the circumstances which led to the breakdown in financial reporting and the steps taken by the Committee and me to rectify the situation. Copies of this report are available on request.
On the first available date i.e. 09/02/2016, I was able to ascertain the Club’s financial position and the funds stood as follows:
NS&I Savings Account £4486.41
Nationwide Trust Account £2216.83
Cash in hand £ 249.61
Total: £6952.85
There were some debts outstanding amounting to approximately £760. The principle creditors were Canon Peter and St. Mary Moorfields for hall hire and masses, and John Burbage for paying insurance whilst the Trust Account was frozen.
Unfortunately the paperwork I received up to February was incomplete and this has prevented ‘end of year’ totals for 2015. Cash membership subscriptions for the last quarter of 2015 and first 2016 appear to have been mixed between late payments for 2015 and new subs for 2016. I have made a “best estimate” for these based on my records at the time. The figure will, however, be reasonably accurate. To help alleviate the situation in the future I would urge members, where possible, to pay by cheque.
Whilst the situation appears reasonably healthy, ongoing expenditure will increase with no foreseeable increase in income. A further reduction in the assets of the Club will be necessary to balance the books. The budget for 2016/7 will be as follows:
Expenditure Income
Insurance £ 240 Subscriptions £470
Ramblers Association £ 65 Interest £ 33
Printing & Stationery £ 420
Committee expenses £ 50
Walk leader’s expenses £ 200
St. Mary Moorfields £ 150
Recruitmaent Drive £ 100
Total: £ 1,225 Total: £ 503
As a result of the shortfall, the Committee will discuss ways of reducing costs in the future which could possibly include charging for printed programmes or raising subscriptions. However, these are unlikely to be brought in in the current year.
It is also agreed to produce some handouts for distribution after masses at key London churches as part of a recruitment drive. We are currently awaiting artwork for approval. Other matters in hand include the issue of membership cards at a projected cost of £200 to £300. Work is ongoing on this project.
Secretary's Report 2016
During the past year the attendances on rambles has been fairly good. In December Robert organised a very enjoyable visit to the Lowiczanka restaurant (POSK). I think future visits should be made if only to show solidarity to the Polish Community after the post Brexit vandalism which took place there. In January we had a new year party. A holiday in Sidmouth was organised by Dorothy. Some members also went on the Walking Pilgrimage organised by the A & B Diocese and two of the day's walks were led by Maurice and Francis.
During the past year I have not been able to take such an active part in the Club due to my ongoing cancer treatment.
I propose breaking up the present secretary's duties so that the compiling and printing of the newsletter becomes a second task. This task too could be much easier in the future as more people get it on email which they can either print or store on their tablets. Also the Club records could be stored separately on computer but there would need to be an adequate back up for this. Of course these changes would have to be discussed by the committee.
Minutes of the AGM
The minutes of the last AGM will be sent out in full to all members on email. Those not on email can get them through the Club website which is as follows:
www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com
The committee would look into producing one- off membership cards which would eliminate the need to produce annual cards. It was agreed that there would be a Saturday walk replacing the Sunday walk every third weekend each month for a trial period. Many people have Sunday commitments with their church and cannot come out for a walk on Sundays.
Christmas Dinner Wednesday 14 December
(Meeting outside the Blackfriar Pub opposite Blackfriars Station at 4 PM or in the Crosse Keys Pub, Gracechurch Street at 6 PM): As forecast in the Autumn Tony Finnegan is organising a Wetherspoon Christmas dinner and this year it will be at the Crosse Keys in Gracechurch Street and as that is only 300 yards from Monument and this year is the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London there will be a short walk beforehand led by John Muffty passing sites associated with the fire. The meeting place for the walk will be outside the Blackfriar Pub, opposite the main entrance to Blackfriars Station (District and Circle Underground Lines and Thameslink Trains). The start time will be 4 pm and the walk will finish in time to sit down at 6 pm. The Crosse Keys does not take bookings so prior booking is not required and no advance deposit will be required. However if you let Tony know that you intend attending he will make sure you are kept up to date on plans. You can e mail Tony tony@tfinnegan.me.uk or ring him on 020 8767 5293.
CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE SATURDAY 17th DEC.
It's that time of year again! Once more Lowiczanka Restaurant(POSK),1st Floor of 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith(close to Ravenscourt Park tube station) will be our venue for the Christmas Party when we shall experience a nightclub atmosphere while enjoying a three course meal with tea/coffee and live cosmopolitan music. The time of arrival is 6.45pm for dinner at 7pm.The cost is £34.65 including the weekend £3 cover charge and 10% service charge. Drinks are bought at the bar.Please send Robert your choice of courses together with a cheque, payable to R.G.Slater, by Saturday 10th Dec. Let's dance the night away! Well, until midnight. Robert's e.mail address is rgs166@hotmail.com.
CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU
MENU No 1 FRIDAY/SATURDAY £28.50
Starter
WILD MUSHROOM CREAM SOUP (V)
BORSCH WITH CROQUETTE (V)
Main Course
ROAST TURKEY WITH GRAVY SAUCE, VEGETABLE & CRANBERRY
ROAST SEA BASS WITH PARSLEY BUTTER
ROAST PORK HAM WITH ORANGES AND CLOVES
Dessert + Coffee/Tea
CHRISTMAS PUDDING TRADITIONALLY SERVED WITH BRANDY SAUCE
HOMEMADE CHEESECAKE
POPPY SEED CAKE
Club Social Secretary Required
The Club is looking for someone who is willing to take up the role of
Social Secretary. He/she would need to be someone with the drive and enthusiasm to come up with ideas , liaise with members for their input and organise social events for the Club.
Subscriptions for the year 2016 -2017
This is a reminder that subscriptions for the Club year 2016 -2017
are now due. This is still at £7. If you still wish to remain a member
and receive the quarterly programme of rambles, news and events
please send your subscription to any member of the committee or failing that send it to the treasurer John Burbage. Those who fail to pay their subscription will not receive the following programmes.
| Visitor Counter: | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | ||