Everybody. for. Walks. Saturday 5-13 May

Transcription

1 Walks for Everybody Saturday 5-13 May

2 Welcome... This is the sixth Stevenage Walking Festival, put together by members of Stevenage Leisure 50, North Herts Ramblers, and Stevenage Health Walks group, and with the support of Stevenage Borough Council. With a choice of walks, walkers can walk every day for a week, all locally on their doorstep. Stevenage has some fine walking areas, both within the boundaries of the Borough, and in the surrounding countryside. What does it cost? There is no charge for going on any of the walks, although we invite you to make a donation at the end of every walk, the proceeds to go to our chosen charity Home Start, whose local branch supports families with young children. Where cars are shared, you may wish to make a contribution to the driver to help with his cost of fuel. Do I need to book in advance? There is no need to book in advance for any walk, apart from the evening History Walk on Monday 7 May, which has limited places. Is there a choice of walks? There is a walk for almost every level of ability. Walks are between nine and twelve miles, with a Challenge Walk of twenty one miles; Walks are around five to seven miles; Walks are three to five miles. Health Walks are measured by time: warm up walks will be around 30 minutes, followed by a one hour brisk step out walk. and Health Walks are suitable for all members of the family. On Pub walks, you may wish to join the leader for refreshment at the conclusion of the walk. Can I do the walk? Leaders will ensure that no walker is left trailing behind, the pace being set at that of the slowest individual. Nevertheless we do expect walkers to be reasonably confident that they can walk the specified distances before setting out on a walk. 2

3 What should I wear? Comfortable and supportive footwear, and suitable clothing dependent upon the weather e.g. waterproofs, sunhats. Anything else? Everyone should have a bottle of water with them. Bring a drink and a snack for and Walks. For Walks a packed lunch is also advisable. And sunscreen protection is necessary on hot days. What if the weather is bad? Whatever the weather, the leader will always be at the appointed meeting place at the scheduled starting time, and will make any necessary decision at that time. Where are the meeting places? Most walks specify a meeting place somewhere in Stevenage. This may be a car park, from where car sharing can be arranged, or a location accessible by a regular bus service. Do all walks set off from their meeting places? Shared cars will be used to bring walkers from the meeting place to the starting point. You may wish to make a voluntary contribution towards the driver s expenses. Note that the advertised time is when the walk sets off. Can I bring children? Children over five are welcome on all walks, but please check with the leader first as to their suitability, especially for younger children. Those under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult Can I bring a dog? In the interests of safety for all walkers, dogs, even those on leads (other than registered guide dogs) will not be accepted on walks, other than those walks specifically described as Dog Friendly walks. Am I insured on a walk? All walkers walk at their own risk, and neither Stevenage Borough Council nor any of the organisers can take responsibility for any personal injury arising on a walk. Herts Year of Physical Activity 2018 Hertfordshire s Year of Physical Activity, also known as HertsYOPA18, is a year to focus on getting Hertfordshire moving. The campaign is being led by the Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP), Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Hertfordshire Association of Cultural Operators (HACO). Using the support from other organisations and individuals to help promote sport and physical activity, the main aim of this campaign is to increase physical activity levels. Each month has its own theme, and luckily May is Walking Month. For more information visit the HSP website: 3

4 Saturday 5 May STEVENAGE SHOWGROUND (OPPOSITE LAMEX FOOTBALL GROUND), BROADHALL WAY (SG2 8RH) AM. OFFICIAL OPENING by the Mayor of Stevenage. A representative of Home Start, this year s nominated local charity, will also be present to speak about its work. Health 1-1½ hours An easy walk in Fairlands Valley in conjunction with the Festival charity, Home Start am for am start. Costello s Café, Fairlands Valley Park. Pauline Smith Hannah Marsh Dog Friendly 5 miles Morning walk from the pub. Well behaved dogs welcome am. The Boot, Kimpton. (SG4 8PT) Jenny Mason miles A walk from Breachwood Green. through the countryside of the Hertfordshire Chilterns and Kings Walden Park am Stevenage Pat Rumpus miles A rural walk from Chells Park to Benington and Walkern, taking in part of the Beane Valley am Stevenage Dave Weston Sunday 6 May 3.5 miles Great Ashby District Park to Dane End with views of the Beane Valley am. Stevenage David Norton miles Ware to Hertford along the River Lea, and round Hartham Park am Stevenage Pauline Smith miles We pass Camfield Place (for Barbara Cartland), Ponsbourne Tunnel (with ventilation shafts), and Little Berkhamsted (for Stratton s Folly) Football Ground) for car (or am, School Lane. Essendon. AL9 6HD) Gabriela Lovelace (OTD: ) 4

5 Bank Holiday Monday 7 May Health 1 hour A gentle Health Walk around St Nicholas Park, suitable for everyone am for am start. St Nicholas Health Centre, Canterbury Way (SG1 4LH) Hannah Marsh Pauline Smith miles Morning walk from Ridlins Playing Field through Astonbury Woods, the Beane Valley and Aston. Harold and Carol Stokes miles Circular walk from Wheathampstead, past Shaw s Corner and Brocket Park, returning along the River Lea Pat Hoar or History 2 hours Strong Oaks and Other Trees of Stevenage. Numbers limited. To book call Carol Stokes on pm. White Lion Bus Stop, Old Town High Street. Hugh Madgin. Tuesday 8 May 5 miles Wallington to Clothall, passing the Icknield Way, George Orwell s cottage and Animal Farm am. Monkswood Retail Park, Stevenage, directly opposite B&M Shop (or am Kits Lane, Wallington). Peter Ingram- Tedd miles. A walk through the Lea Valley, with lunch stop and time to explore at Waltham Abbey before passing the Gunpowder works on the return to Turnford am. Monkswood Retail Park, Stevenage, directly opposite B&M Shop for car sharing to start. Tom Byrne miles From Benington to Wood Green, then along the Roman Road to Ardeley (for refreshment) before returning to Benington am. Monkswood Retail Park, Stevenage, directly opposite B&M Shop for car sharing to start. Mike Shelley miles Undulating countryside passing through Combs bluebell Wood and Gregory s Farm 6.30 pm Lordship Arms, Hebing End, Benington (SG2 7BX) Naomi Davies Photo: R Grable 5

6 Wednesday 9 May Health A 30 minute gentle warm up walk, followed at am with a one hour brisk step out walk am Costello s Café, Fairlands Valley Park. Pauline Smith miles 9 miles Morning pub walk, organised and led by Mid Herts Footpath Society. An interesting walk over the Pegsdon Hills. Weston Golden Jubilee Walk. 9.15am Stevenage Or Motte and Bailey, Pirton (SG5 3QD). Order lunch prior to am start. 9.30am Stevenage Peter Cleasby Terry Ingle Dog Friendly 5 miles walk from the pub. Well behaved dogs welcome. 6.00pm The Strathmore Arms, St Pauls Walden (SG4 8BT) Jenny Mason Thursday 10 May 3.5 miles St Pauls Walden and Stagenhoe. Flat terrain, along field edges and tracks am. Stevenage Pat Rumpus miles. 12 miles. Pub. 4 miles From Ickleford, across to Holwell, then to Oughtonhead Spring. An easy walk with only one field to cross. A circular walk round Hitchin following HOOP. Explore the Nature Reserve at Oughtonhead Common 9.45 am. Stevenage am, Hitchin Market Square. (From Stevenage Bus Station, catch 100 bus at 0918.) 6.30 pm. The Angels, Bedford Road, Hitchin SG5 2NG Pat Biggins or Rod Grable Tom Byrne

7 Friday 11 May 4 miles. 6.5 miles 11 miles. 2.5 hours A circular walk west of the motorway from Norton Green to Knebworth Park. Icknield Way to Oughtonhead Common and Ickleford, returning by Hambridgeway Path. Friends of Hertfordshire Way Walk. A figure of eight walk with lunch at the pub. Full details on Friends website at From Hooks Cross via Frogmore House and Astonbury, with glimpses of the River Beane am. Stevenage (or am. Motte and Bailey, Pirton. (SG5 3QD) 9.20 am. Stevenage Or Rising Sun, Halls Green (SG4 7DW), to order lunch before start at am pm. Three Horseshoes, Hooks Cross (SG14 3RY). Meet at back of the car park. Ron Faulkner Dennis Cannon Ian Hirst Carole Willsher Saturday 12 May 3 miles Friends of Forster Country Walk. Along footpaths which E M Forster loved as a child. Easy walking on rolling countryside, and no stiles, am. By steps to St Nicholas Church, Rectory Lane, Stevenage. (SG1 4DA) John Spiers Dog Friendly 5 miles. Morning walk from the pub. Well behaved dogs welcome am Brocket Arms, Ayot St Lawrence (AL6 9BT). Jenny Mason miles Hexton and Pegsdon Hills. This walk passes through a Nature Reserve and has some fine views. David Norton Challenge 21 miles Nine Villages Walk. A circular walk through nine villages in unspoilt countryside east of Stevenage am Chells Park, off Gresley Way. Terry Ingle

8 Sunday 13 May Photo. Up to 4 miles. 6.3 miles. This walk will provide photographic opportunities for all, including camera phones and compact cameras. It will take advantage of seasonal opportunities in the area. A circular walk from Weston, returning via Hall s Green and Weston Park. Chris Young Richard Huxtable miles. From Stevenage we go west across the Langley Valley to Chapelfoot, Stagenhoe, Whitwell, St Pauls Walden and Langley. (or am Symonds Green Meadway car park). Peter Hill North Herts Ramblers North Herts Ramblers is the local walking group of the Ramblers. Our volunteer leaders organise a walk every Sunday, and most Saturdays, some all day, some half day. Every Saturday we also organise a morning Dog Friendly walk, usually setting off from a local pub. Join us and you automatically become a member of the nationwide Ramblers Association, with its many benefits. For more information and programme see Stevenage Leisure 50 Stevenage Leisure 50 was set up several years ago as a small walking group for the over 50s in Stevenage, but has now grown to a much larger group. The group is run by volunteer walk leaders, and there is no fee to join. Leisure 50 walk throughout the whole of the year, meeting on alternate Tuesdays, offering three different lengths of walks,, and. For the more active members, we also offer the chance to go away for a week s walking holiday somewhere else in the UK, such as Eastbourne and the Isle of Wight. The programme is available in the Library, the Leisure Centre, or by from Terry Ingle: terryingle@ntlworld.com Health Walks Stevenage Health Walks group offers walks around Fairlands Valley Park, aimed at those who require walking as a form of rehabilitation or a way to ease themselves back into a form of sociable exercise. The walks are led by a bank of experienced volunteer walk leaders and aim to encourage walkers to push themselves with their walking pace but still be able to talk and participate easily within the group. Look out for our quarterly brochures or visit gov.uk to find out more information. Home Start Home-Start Herts trains volunteers who support local families facing a tough time. The volunteers who are parents themselves offer 2-3 hours a week to support children and their families. The volunteers give practical and emotional support and have on-going training and supervision. Please do contact Home- Start Herts if you would like to volunteer or if you know of a family who may need some support All photographs by Rod Grable.