June update
Hello everyone,
This update is a bit of a bumper summer edition so find a nice comfy seat and a glass of something good and I shall begin.
May always feels like the highlight of the LDWA year with the annual 100 mile flagship event. The fun started on 2nd May with the Marshalls event. Whilst my walk unfortunately finished when I slipped into a ditch near Crowborough and damaged my back (yes we had rain, proper dark and waterproofs….. ), Gill and Heidi finished in great style. Thanks to those E&H volunteers who supported that event and to Kirsteen for stepping in and making some delicious handmade dahl for CP4 with less than 24 hours’ notice.
The main event started on the 23rd May under an amber heat warning which coupled with very hard ground and over 11,000 feet of climbing made this one of the toughest 100s on record with only 44% of starters finishing. A huge congratulations and well done to everyone who started and to those who finished it – we had a few first time finishers too, you are all amazing.
Gill, Jackie and I would also like to say a HUGE thank you to the people who ran the kit check and checkpoint 4 at Cowden Village Hall. Under extreme pressure and on a very long shift, you delivered an amazing service to some very tired, disoriented and in some cases distressed walkers - I couldn’t have been more proud.
As the stats have shown, the event this year was not manageable for the majority of starters and the organisers and NEC will be taking time to consider all the feedback. I think we can all expect heat to increasingly be a factor in future hundreds and it is right that we reflect on how we can continue to make this event safe, sustainable and dare we say fun! Thank you to all those that shared ideas and thoughts, we have sent in a long report to HQ.
Already we have in our secretary inbox requests for E&H to help on the 2027 Jurassic and 2028 Millstone Hundreds. Without a lot of volunteers these events cannot happen so if you would like to help in either or both of those events please do reach out to Sue and I. We will need help in cooking and serving food, drinks, clearing tables, supporting walkers, washing up, registration, logistics, site visits and liaison with HQ and many other jobs. Anyone supporting on the main event can take part in the Marshalls event on the first May Bank Holiday. It is inevitably quieter (no queues for the loos!) plus an element of your entry fee is refunded after the main event.
FUTURE WALKS
- Still Searching For That Special Constable - Sun 28th June
This is a joint walk with Norfolk and Suffolk and includes an ice-cream at Flatford Mill!
Meet at The Recreational Ground car park, School Street, Stoke By Nayland, CO6 4QY. ///riot.pursuing.indicated. Map : LR155. TL985364
A meander through both Essex and Suffolk countryside taking in some of the very best of Constable Country. We will have two short morning breaks; first at Stratford St Mary to rest our legs and then at Flatford Mill (public toilets/ NT shop). Our lunch break will be taken at Dedham after approx. 12 miles (public toilets/ shops/ café/ pubs). In the afternoon we follow the river Stour and gently rolling countryside back to Stoke By Nayland taking a brief stop at Rivers Hall Farm
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of John Constable and we will pass the setting for what is probably his best known painting The Hay Wain. A hay wain being a cart traditionally used to transport freshly cut meadow grass. Constable is less well known for his depictions of people and also for his religious paintings - in fact he painted just three - and the best of these, The Annunciation, hangs in St Mary’s church Dedham. The church should be open for us to take a peek. This Special Constable is occasionally on exhibition loan and if that proves to be the case, we have another special constable up our sleeve - or possibly on the wall! Special thanks to Bill Bowers for the route
Contact Gill Struthers and Jane Audsley Tel: Gill - 07591 97179. Jane - 07762 057584
Email gillastruthers@hotmail.com
- The Mildmay Line – 4th July
Start 9.30am in Stratford Station. Seat in front of lift, right of Pret A Manger, opposite Westfield exit/entrance, ///hunter.belly.farm
We will be following the Mildmay overground line and passing by or very near all stations to Hampstead Heath, with the trains being frequent (Saturday every 10 mins) there are many options for you to shorten the walk; by returning from or meeting at a station along the line.
Also, as there is so much to point out on the route that is interesting or unusual – to me anyway – and I like to give a small potted history as we go along, which at times maybe difficult to hear, or we are unable to stop, I hope to produce a short written history/description of some of those places we pass, as well as more details of the route taken, with mileage and estimated times arriving at some stations. Hopefully, I will have this ready for anyone that is interested to download the week before.
“Stratford meet at half past nine
All set to follow The Mildmay line.
Through ‘The Village’, cross the old River Lea
And after the Wick, in Hackney we’ll be.
Also Homerton, Hoxton, and Haggerston, the H is now used
Long since gentrified, and coffee-infused.
At eleven, Sutton House, then the Prodigal Son;
St Augustine’s tower, 1200s begun.
Next could inspire you to aspire
To stand on the stage of the Hackney Empire
And provide inspiration to come again this way
When open and free, on London’s Open House Day.
Lunch at one, while The Emirates beckoned
In Highbury Fields, forever Arsenal were second.
Give them a cheer, have they done it at last?
Or with hands over eyes, walk quickly past.
And on, but this I’ve yet to explore!
So, at this point, I shall say no more.
Except, 17 miles to Hampstead Heath
For the train back to Stratford. What a relief!
Contact Peter Tremain Email Peter.tremain@live.co.uk
- Northern Adventure Part 4” Stevenage to Biggleswade - Sat 18th Jul 2026
Start time: 8.50 at Stevenage station main entrance on Lytton Way, East side of station. From London the suggested train is the 8.16 from St. Pancras, 8.23 Finsbury Park arriving Stevenage 8.45. Car parking at Stevenage station or other options at Biggleswade station or Arlesey station and take the train at 8.30 from Biggleswade, 8.35 at Arlesey to arrive at Stevenage 8.47. Distance: 18 miles finish at Biggleswade station which is 3 stations north of Stevenage on the same train line. Expect to finish c.4.30
Hertfordshire Way, Letchworth Garden City Hicca Way, Kingfisher way, Bedfordshire green wheel. Mostly good firm tracks
General notes: Picnic stops only. Moderate Pace. The route started last year at St. Pauls Cathedral and this is the fourth in a pilgrimage set of walks with the aim of reaching Peterborough Cathedral. Dogs following the regulations are welcome. If intending to come, please notify the walk leader in advance if possible but even on the morning of the walk it is fine. This is a joint walk for BBN and Essex and Herts
Contact Jerome Ripp Tel: 07470196890 or email rippjerome@gmail.com
You can find more details of any of these walks and more on the Essex and Herts website, future walks tab.
DIARY DATES
- Herts Hobble 2026 - 21st June
There's still time to enter this year's Hobble which has a choice of 18 or 26 mile routes around the north Herts countryside following a written route description (GPX also available)
Entries are via SiEntries : Herts Hobble 2026
Were you Inspired by all those amazing walkers on last week's 100? Then your training for next year's Jurassic 100 starts here!
We are still looking for volunteers for the Hobble - can anyone interested get in touch with Jackie asap please Jackiecburnett92@gmail.com. There will be a supported marshals' walk on Sunday 7th June.
August 29/30th August - Laich o'Moray 50- and 30-mile Challenge Event
Our friends in North of Scotland LDWA wanted to highlight that the amazing Laich O’Moray challenge event is taking place in late August.
Here is the link to information about the event with information how to book on;
https://ldwa.org.uk/
Camping at Rafford Village Hall: The hall committee are kindly allowing tents and camper vans to use the adjacent playing field during this challenge event please let us know in advance if you would like to use this facility.
GENERAL INFO
We have had a lovely message from Graham Smith
“You may remember me as I used to be Strider editor (2017-2022) and I have agreed to take on the August edition of our magazine while the LDWA’s National Executive Committee recruits a new permanent editor.
I just wanted to let you know that I will be very pleased to receive stories from you about your group and your walks. Just email them to me on Editor@ldwa.org.uk
Because of my own commitments this month, I am extending the deadline for articles by a week – it will now be June 17, as opposed to June 10 as advertised in the current edition.
One other thing. As part of the process of integrating Strider into other media in this digital/multi-media age, please be aware that in future, some items sent to Strider may also be used on other platforms, principally the LDWA’s website. This is what is happening with magazines and newspapers all over the country, and it is felt that it is time the LDWA’s magazine embraced this process. If you wish to know more about this, please feel free to contact the LDWA’s communications and publicity officer, Julian White, on communications@ldwa.org.uk
I look forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes – and please give my best wishes to my friends in Essex and Herts Group. Happy walking!
Graham Smith,
Strider acting editor”
And finally a very happy Essex and Herts 90th birthday to Ron Brown. Ron is a very long-standing member and he and Hilary (his late wife) and his daughter and son, Hannah and Keith were very active walkers, event organisers and check pointers.
Have a great June.
Sue and I look forward to seeing you on a future walk.
Tracy x
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