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NOTICES
1: New members
A warm welcome to new primary members Gillian Wheeldon, Jonathan Faiman, Ellie Ives and Alex Lewis; and new associate members Carina Quayle, Michael Burgess, Hafida Sarachi and Julian Goodship.
2: Your LDWA needs you for Flower of Suffolk 100
Friday 23rd May to Monday 26th May 2025
Volunteers needed for Headquarters
This year the 100 is certainly a lot nearer than the Highlands of Scotland. Our volunteer weekend will therefore be the usual subtle blend of walking, waitressing and of course Wetherspoons. There might even be an ancient warrior thrown in as well.
London Group will be helping out at headquarters with general duties, and there will also be time for a Social Walk.
The event starts and finishes at Ipswich School Sports Centre, Ipswich IP5 1DE about 4 miles from Ipswich Railway Station. There is a regular bus service.
The Flower of Suffolk 100 should be less challenging than many but even so we can expect walkers to be blistered, exhausted, deluded and in need of plenty of TLC.
We may need a few volunteers to help out before the start of the event from 7am to 10am on Saturday mainly with general duties. We will be free the rest of the day for a Social Walk.
London Group will then be on duty from 10am Sunday morning to 10am Monday morning. This period will be split into 3 shifts so volunteers can catch some sleep.
Our duties will involve greeting and supporting returners, sorting baggage, helping serve food, clearing tables, emptying rubbish, monitoring loos and showers etc. Our multi-skilled forces have faced many challenges in the past and I am sure our legendary grace and humour will be a great asset. What better way to finish the 100 than to be meeted and greeted by our Luverley London Group. Just hope it isn’t raining!
Now for the practical stuff.
Accommodation
There will be a room set aside at headquarters for volunteers, which will be available from Saturday morning until the finish of the 100. You will need sleeping bags and mats. Unfortunately, the Sports Centre is not available on Friday night.
This means either travelling up early from London on Saturday morning or finding accommodation locally. There is a Travelodge in Ipswich.
Transport
I will provide information nearer the time on trains and buses.
Walks
There will be a chance for a Full Social Walk on Saturday following part of the Flower of Suffolk 100 route and exploring a somewhat overlooked but historically interesting part of the country.
Programme
Friday 23rd May
7pm London volunteers meet up for meal in Cricketers Ipswich (Wetherspoons)
Saturday 24th May
10am Watch start of 100
11am onwards SOCIAL WALK
Saturday night will be free for sleeping
Sunday 25th May Shift 1 10am to 6pm (quiet period)
Sunday/Monday Shift 2 6pm to 2am (busy)
Monday 26th May Shift 3 2am to 10am (very busy)
(There can be a little flexibility depending on how many of us there are).
In spite of overnight duties on Sunday/Monday this should be a great weekend away with a chance to support our London group champions.
Can you resist the call?
Please contact Susanne Waldschmidt if you are interested.
I will then send out an application form.
susannewoodsmith2@gmail.com
Forthcoming Walks
Wednesday 26th February 2025
A U to U Adventure Linear from Upney to Upminster
Event Type: Group Walk.
Region: Southern England / London
Start Time: 11:00
Route: Meet at Upney Station (District Line allow 1 hour from central London stations). Exploring parks, commons and green spaces at the east end of the District Line, including a section of a route from Peter Aylmer’s London walks guidebook and a section of the London Loop. Finish at Upminster Station at 16:45 for regular C2C mainline trains or District Line.
Notes: Picnic stops only. Moderate pace. Loos at the community centre within 1 hour of the start. Many opportunities to join or leave on the way. There could be some muddy / boggy sections and appropriate footwear is strongly advised. If intending to come please notify the walk leader by Text message/WhatsApp, in advance if possible but even on the morning of the walk it is fine. Starting and finishing stations are both within the Freedom Pass Zone.
Start : TQ458842: what three words: video.burn.panel
Finish: TQ561858: what three words: desks.orange.boring
Saturday 1st March 2025
Capital Ring - Woolwich to Crystal Palace
Event Type: Group Walk.
Region: Southern England/London
Route: Meet at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station. The Capital Ring is a 78 mile walk around London. This walk, hopefully the second in a series of four, starts at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station. We walk along the Thames for about a mile & then turn inland into Charlton Park. The route follows the Green Chain Walk through Woolwich & Eltham Commons, Oxleas Wood & past Eltham Palace. We walk through Beckenham Place Park & finish past the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park.
Notes: INDUSTRIAL ACTION MIGHT CLOSE THE ELIZABETH LINE SO PREPARE TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL PLANS. Woolwich Arsenal Station (Thameslink, Southeastern Trains and DLR) is a 4 minute walk from start so will be a good option for most. Lots of bail out options. Bring lunch.
Start:TQ438789: what three words: table.rocky.nature
Finish: TQ341705: what three words: bleat.dusty.tanks
Last week's walks
1. Tuesday 18th February 2025: Jerome led eight members on a 13.2 mile walk from Tolworth to Tattenham Corner.
Tuesday's walkers in Langley Vale First World War Memorial Woodland.
photo: Mari Espinar
Tuesday's walkers in Langley Vale.
photo: Mari Espinar
Tuesday's walkers in welcome sunshine.
photo: Mari Espinar
1. Saturday 22nd February 2025: Emma led 19 members on a 16.2 mile circular walk from Sevenoaks.
Saturday's walkers near Sepham Farm
photo: Emma Dowling
Saturday's walkers marching through the mud near Dunton Green
photo: Gavin Fuller
Saturday's mud close up
photo:Emma Dowling
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Property of the week
Chevening House spotted on Saturday's walk
Photo: Gavin Fuller
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