Apologies for the lateness of the November update. I’m back in the country after a great trip to China, Hong Kong and Japan and it’s taking a bit of time to get back into the swing of things and in the same time zone! However, news of walks and Christmas events are below, along with a reminder about our 2026 competition, a plea for walk leaders and a reminder about the proposed Essex & Herts Essex Way in a weekend next year.

First though a chance to reflect on a great Essex Walker event on 25th October where we received many positive comments from walkers at the end of the event on the route, the catering and the marshals. Thank you to everyone who played their part in supporting the event and to those who came along and took part. You can see some of the comments and photos on our Facebook page and some photos from the event in our Photo Album.

Stansted Stagger 3rd Jan 2027
After the brilliant Essex Walker, it is time to turn our attention to the first of our 2027 challenge events - The Stansted Stagger. This will be the 25th running of the Stagger and Peter Tremain has come up with another superb 25-mile route to mark the occasion. The 2027 event is on Sunday 3rd January and will be starting from St John’s Church Hall in Stansted Mountfitchet again, with indoor checkpoints at Braughing and Farnham and a drinks point at Albury.

To run a successful event, we need a team of marshals at the start, finish and the checkpoints to dish out food, drink and a bit of TLC and to ensure all entrants are accounted for. Can you help us out? Don’t worry if you haven’t check-pointed before, you’ll be made very welcome and there will always be more experienced marshals around to help you.

We are holding a supported marshals’ walk on Sunday 8th November to give all marshals the opportunity to walk (and check) the route and gain their certificate and badge.The marshals' walk counts towards the Essex and Herts Triple Challenge. If you can help on the Stagger for all or part of the day on 3rd January 2027, can you let Jackie know at jackiecburnett92@gmail.com Can you also let her know whether you would like to do the marshals’ walk this coming Sunday and she will share joining details, the route description and the GPX file.

November Walks
Sun 8th Nov 2026 Stansted Stagger Marshal’s Walk
As above, a chance for those who are volunteering on the Stansted Stagger challenge event on 3rd January 2027 to walk the route, testing the Route Description and GPX file.

Thu 12th Nov 2026 Never Far from the M25 but still lots of green
Group Walk - 16.5ml. 9.15am Trent Country Park, Cockfosters EN4 0JY. What3words ///eagle.loose.minus. (GR TQ289969). We will head through Trent Park and out along the route of Salmon’s Brook to Crews Hill and then skirt the edge of Cuffley to get to Northaw where we will have lunch in the churchyard or on the village green. There is a nearby pub so a chance to grab a quick drink, although not a meal. The return to Trent Park will be via the edge of Potters Bar and through Hadley Wood. Trent Park is open from 8am. Parking is free and toilets are available and a café is open from 9am. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks for the walk. Sorry no dogs. Contact: Sue Gooch Tel: 07850 712967 E: suegooch5@aol.com

Christmas Events / Walks
Sun 6th Dec 2026 Secret Santa
Group Walk - 14ml. 9am From Maggie’s house, SG9 0LL. w3w ///appoints.nearing.pacifist Please hand in your Secret Santa presents as you arrive and sign in. (GR TL436277). Visiting several churches on route from Maggie’s house, for our annual carol sing song. We start at Furneux Pelham church, then Great Hormead and Little Hormead and then on to Braughing and Albury. Seasonal mulled wine and festive delicacies will be provided at morning break & delicious soup and rolls at the end of the walk, back at Maggie’s house, where we will do the Secret Santa present swop in the warm. Please BRING your OWN MUG & SECRET SANTA GIFT to the value of FIVE POUNDS. Prize for the best Festive Outfit. Head torches would also be helpful. Carol sheets will be provided. Christmas festive wear desirable. Please bring your own picnic lunch. Contact: Lizzie Bridge and Maggie Stevenson Tel: 07939 142016 For catering purposes, please book your place by emailing Lizzie at essexandherts.walks@ldwa.org.uk before 1st December.

Thu 10th Dec 2026 Christmas Lunch & Walk
Group Walk - 8.5ml. 9.30am Start White Hart Inn, Swan Lane, Margaretting Tye. CM4 9JX. (GR TL684011). The route will head to the woods for a Christmas tipple before returning for Christmas lunch at 1pm. Places must be pre-booked by emailing Tracy at essexandherts@ldwa.org.uk - she will then send you details of how to pay your £10 deposit, and make your menu choices. Cost - 2 courses for £29.95 or 3 courses for £34.95. It was a great event last year so do act now to secure your place - the committee have agreed that the club will subside this event by paying for one drink for each member and contributing £10 towards each meal and covering the tip.

Sun 13th Dec 2026 Welwyn Wander and Wassail
Group Walk - 14ml. 9am Circular route from Ayot Green, AL6 9AA. Map Explorer 182. (GR TL221140). Elevenses stop at Crusader's cricket pavilion at about 5.5 to 6 miles. Tables and chairs outside each year so far. If damp a small overhanging cover. Lunch at Tewinbury Farm complex. Toilets and cafe. Usually sufficient tables outside. About 9 to ten miles. No Tea stop as about 4 miles back to start from Tewinbury. Warm mince pies for all at start. Plus gf if notified. Let Leader know re mince pies for pre purchase. Contact: Nigel Schofield Tel: 07796 518032 E: nicelegs.schofield@btinternet.com. Text please or email, before 9pm.

Walk leaders wanted
Lizzie, our Walks Secretary would love to hear from you at essexandherts.walks@ldwa.org.uk if you’d be willing to try leading for the first time or have led before and have a walk that you’d be happy to lead and share with the group. Available walk dates can be seen at: https://ldwa.org.uk/EssexAndHerts/W/8283/available-walks-dates-2026.html and mid week dates are as welcome as weekend dates.

New Social walks guidelines, recently signed off by the LDWA NEC, for those leading and taking part in walks can be found at: https://ldwa.org.uk/website/downloads/toolkit/LDWA_Local_Groups_Social_Walks_Guidance_V1_July2026_Final.pdf

2026 Neckwear Competition
Lizzie is also still waiting for your entry for our cosy neckwear competition where the closing date is 1st December 2026. A reminder again of this year’s categories:

• Best E&H cosy neckwear photo taken within the county of Essex
• Best E&H cosy neckwear photo taken within the county of Hertfordshire
• Most intrepid sporting activity undertaken whilst wearing your E&H cosy neckwear

Entering is as simple as sending your photo/s to Lizzie at essexandherts.walks@ldwa.org.uk stating your full name, category entered and when and where the photo was taken. Prizes are available.

Essex Way Weekend Adventure – 10th & 11th July 2027
In last month’s update Kirsteen was looking to see if anyone fancied joining her for an Essex & Herts walking adventure with a difference. Very few people have expressed an interest so far so do please let her know if you’d like to be part of this. A reminder below of the plan to walk the Essex Way with “sleepovers”:

We will meet on the morning of Saturday 10th July at Epping station and set off along the Essex Way.There will be no checkpoints along the route, so all walkers will need to be completely self-sufficient during the walking day and carry their own food and drink. The walk is 41.4 miles from Epping to Coggeshall and 40 miles from Coggeshall to Harwich. At the end of the day's walking, we will arrive at Coggeshall Village Hall, where we will all pitch in and cook a meal together. Essex & Herts LDWA will cover the cost of the hall and the food for Saturday night.

On Sunday morning, our overnight bags will be collected and transported to the finish of the Essex Way, allowing us to continue walking without carrying all our kit. Once we reach the finish at Harwich, walkers have a couple of options. You can either stay overnight at the Premier Inn in Harwich or make your own way home by train. The majority of the group are planning to travel back to Epping by train on Monday 12th July. We will organise the collection of overnight bags from Epping train station on the morning of Saturday 10th July and arrange for them to be transported to Coggeshall Village Hall.

• There is a maximum of 25 walkers for this weekend.
• Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There will be no checkpoints or food supplied during the walking days, so everyone is responsible for their own food and drink.
• Essex & Herts LDWA will pay for the village hall and Saturday evening meal.
• Walkers are responsible for their own accommodation and travel arrangements after reaching Harwich.

If you'd like to take part in this rather unique Essex & Herts walking weekend adventure, or if you have any questions, please contact Kirsteen at: essexandherts.chair@ldwa.org.uk

Sad News
I am sorry to end on a sad note but it is with great sadness that I let you know that Eddie Short, whom many of you will know for his great charm and humour and who led many walks for the group died on 24th October. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. His funeral is being held at St Mary’s Church, Rectory Road, Hawkwell at 12.30pm on 18th November with a wake afterwards at Rochford Hundred Golf Club, Hall Road, Rochford, Essex. A memorial “seven woods walk” at Belfairs is planned for 15th December. This was one of Eddie’s favourite walks and more details will be provided in the next update.

Tracy and I hope to see you out on a walk soon.

Sue
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