News

It’s been a couple of busy weeks since the last update.

At  our AGM at the beginning of February we welcomed a new Chair, Kirsteen Newell, and Treasurer, Maggie Stevenson. We wish them all  the best  in their new roles. Many  thanks to  our retiring Chair Gill Struthers and  Treasurer Elaine Oddie for their tremendous  input to Essex and Herts  over the last few years. Thanks are due to Brian Martin  who also stepped down from the Committee, and  a welcome extended to Jane Skinner who has joined it.

The draft  Minutes from our AGM, the Officers’ reports and the 2023 Financial statement area all available on our website: Essex & Herts LDWA - Committee meetings & AGM

The other big news is that  the Finish Line Fund, a charity based in the Southend area, have donated a portable defibrillator to  us.  This will be a valuable addition to  our equipment on our challenge events.

And finally, last  week  we supported Norfolk and Suffolk on their 50 mile Winter Poppyline event and our checkpoint at  Felmingham saw the first outing  for our smart new aprons and blade flag. These were purchased following a successful bid to the Martyn Greaves Fund.

Social Walks

We’ve just  one more social walk in February with Peter Tremain leading  this coming Sunday. Peter will also be leading the following social walk  in early March.  Please check the Walk List on our website for full details of  these and future walks.

Sunday 18^th February: Writtle Wrattle. 17.5 miles, 9am Writtle car park,  The Green. Writtle CM1 3DT (free parking and  toilets) https://w3w.co/enjoy.dots.crash  Leader Peter Tremain 07427 857003  peter.tremain@live.co.uk

In Peter’s own words:  I wouldn’t call it a  circular walk, more like the shape of an Airedale Terrier; start off along it’s back to reach the back of the neck at Newney Green, Roxwell a pricked ear, Cooksmill Green a curly chin, on the extended front leg at 8 miles there’s a chance of a tea/coffee at the Bake House, & lunch at the hind leg (12.5 miles) at the Street Food & Craft Market in Hylands park – toilets, food, drink, picnic tables. 

 Returning to Writtle (the tail) at 14.5 miles & 100yds from the car park  is a shorter option but misses the 3 mile leader’s loop along the tail. Dogs are welcome

SATURDAY 2^nd March: To the Orient. 12 miles. PROMPT 9am start from Bell Common which is about 0.8 miles from Epping Underground Station (Central line). Leader Peter Tremain 07427 857003  peter.tremain@live.co.uk

A linear walk through Epping Forest to Leyton Flats, and then another  2 miles on to the finish at the bandstand in Coronation Gardens, Leyton  (0.3 mile from Leyton Station or 1.5 miles to Stratford Station, both on the Central line). 

Challenge Walks

Essex Walker – a reminder that  entries are now open for the Essex Walker  on Sunday 14^th  April: SiEntries - Essex Walker

This year the Essex Walker will be starting from Galleywood Heritage Centre again, but  with  two  new routes ( 27 & 17 miles) to  the south of Chelmsford.

And looking further ahead, the Herts Hobble, which will be starting from Baldock,  is  on Sunday 23^rd June. There will be a marshals’ walk on Sunday 19^th May. SiEntries will be opening soon.

And a couple more dates for your diaries  - the 2025 Stansted Stagger will be on Sunday 5^th January with the marshals’ walk on Sunday 10^th November.

We’re always looking for marshals for our events – if you can help out on any of them, just let me know at essexandherts@ldwa.org.uk and I will pass your name on to  the event organisers.

That’s all  for this update, except to  bid a fond  farewell  to  Sue and Mark who  will be setting off for a new life in Crete at  the end of this month.   Our very  best  wishes go  with you.

Happy Walking, 

Jackie  essexandherts@ldwa.org.uk