NOTICES

1: New members

A warm welcome to the following new Primary members Patrick Chamberlain and Becky Gardiner and the following Associate member K Johnston.

2: A message from our new Walks Secretary

Greetings fellow walkers!

Since the recent AGM I have been the LDWA London Walks Secretary. I took over from Jean O’Reilly who has been a great help in getting me settled into the role.

We currently have group social walks planned for every Saturday up to the Capital Challenge on 6th April 2024 including Jerome’s four day walk from Kingston to the south coast over the Easter weekend (Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April). Kate Copeland and Gavin are also providing three days of walking along The Shipwrights Way from Bentley to Portsmouth over the early May Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 4th May to Monday 6th May). However, there are a few weekend gaps coming up and as we move into the longer days of spring it would be good to get a few more midweek evening walks on the calendar. Ron Williamson, as usual, is doing good work planning some interesting midweek walks from late April onwards.

We have a good team of regular walk leaders but if you’re not one of them and you have a favourite walk that you’d like to share it would be great to hear from you. If you’ve not led a walk before and need advice I can put you in touch with an experienced walk leader to help with the planning and there are usually old hands around on the day of the walk who would be happy to assist. The basic details required to publicise a walk on the Current Walk Programme page of our website are:

Name of walk
Date and start time
Distance
Start location
Basic route details
Your preferred contact details if you want people to let you know they are coming or to be able to contact you on the day

Usually an all day weekend walk is 16 -22 miles long and a midweek evening walk is 5 - 9 miles long.

If you have an available day in mind but have yet to complete your research a date can be reserved for you.

I look forward to hearing from those who might like to lead a walk and hope we enjoy a full walk programme in the year ahead.

All the best,
Keith Mills

3. Trip to the Lakes

There are two spaces available on Ron Williamson's annual trip to the Lake District in July. This comprises a stay in a camping barn a couple of miles outside Keswick. The cost is £210 for the week which covers both accommodation and food. This year the week will run from Saturday July 20 to Saturday July 27. For more information or it you'd like to book a place please contact Ron at ronwilliamsonuk@gmail.com.

4: Book of the month

One of our members, Jessica Hepburn, has the distinction of having her new book Save me from the Waves as Stanford's Book of the Month this week. She's launching it this week at the Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town this Thursday. See more at

https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/jessica-hepburn/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Forthcoming Walks

We have two this week as the indefatigable Jerome Ripp has added a late extra to the schedule

POP-UP WALK

“Walking with the commuters 9-5” Linear on the Jubilee Greenway

Friday 8^th Mar 2024

Rationale

TFL are starting a scheme today for 3 months to allow the same concessions on Fridays as for the weekend. Freedom passes, over 60 Oysters etc can be used all day, no need to wait for 9.30. This is guaranteed to be a mud-free walk.

Distance

Approximately 20 miles at an average pace of 2.7 miles per hour.

Route

Meet at Westminster station start 9.00.

The northern section of the Jubilee Greenway. Buckingham Palace, Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Paddington Station, Grand Union Canal, Little Venice, Regents Canal, through Camden, Victoria Park, London City Airport finish at the River Thames and the Woolwich Foot Tunnel. Aim to finish at 5

Many opportunities to join or leave on the way.

Refreshments and comfort breaks: The plan is to have 3 stops at about 11.00, 1.00 and 3.00 at a suitable establishment with adequate facilities or bring own provisions for picnic but the usual “woodland facilities” are rather unlikely on this walk.

 Very helpful but not essential to send your name and membership number in advance in case there are last minute changes to arrangements. Text or WhatsApp walk leader

Contact

Jerome Ripp text 07470196890

Email

rippjerome@gmail.com)

Start

I'm delighted to say, and you might be delighted to hear, that from next week we have a new editor for the newsletter, in the shape of our former co-secretary Jeff Golland. Thanks Jeff for volunteering to take on the mantle, and I look forward to seeing what you do. So its goodbye from me!