Welcome to the August walks update We had a great start to July with Norfolk and Suffolk hosting The Rodent Wriggle. It received a lot of positive feedback so a big thank you to the organisers and volunteers for making another memorable day for the contestants. Remember without these volunteers the events would not happen. Our group is not known for its hill walking however I would like to give a shout out to one of our members, Claire Bass who despite living in one of the flattest areas of the country managed to complete this years Summer Spine Race. A brutal non stop 268 miles along the Pennine Way. Congratulations Claire a remarkable achievement!  Please see link for Claire's fundraising page:  https://www.justgiving.com/page/claire-law-6?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL Claire will be marshalling at the Flower of Suffolk in October if anyone would like to donate items of sports equipment for her charity. In addition to the challenge event we also had a number of social walks to enjoy including Chelle’s Deben Dawdle which at 27 miles was longer than our usual group walks but was nice to have a change from the norm. It is certainly something we should be encouraging more as we all enjoyed stretching our legs a bit further and we had a wonderful time. Chelle is also now looking for volunteers to help cut back brambles on the Flower of Suffolk route before the event in October. Please contact her if you can assist. Looking ahead to next month and the remainder of the summer we have the Annual BBQ/walk at Martins House on the 9th August. Please can you contact Martin in advance as he requires numbers for catering purposes.suffolkbassett@gmail.com  It is a great opportunity to walk, socialise and enjoy Martin and Frans wonderful hospitality I hope a good number of you can make it. We have a number of social walks in the calendar for August and looking further into September is the group weekend trip to The Isle of White. Please see website for details. Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA - Isle of Wight trip Finally, I would like to congratulate Ron who has been out of the country recently adding to his medal collection in the Netherlands. We don’t call him Rocket Ron for nothing he has just completed his 19th Danish 300KM walk!! Schedule of upcoming walks   Sun 9th Aug 2026 Summer BBQ and Walk Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Craven farm Brampton Beccles NR34 8EGCT. (GR TM423833). Figure of 8 walk 12 in morning and 6 after lunch. Stopping by Reddisham Hall for refreshments in the morning with lunch at Westhall church. BBQ at 4.15pm. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of drinks for the walk Numbers are required at least 1 week before for the BBQ Please contact Martin Contact Martin Watson Tel: 07890 753516 Email suffolkbassett@gmail.com   Sun 16th Aug 2026 N&S countryside from Gillingham (Beccles) Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 St Mary's Church Church Road, Gillingham, South Norfolk, Norfolk, NR34 0ND What three words. ///dripping.fond.absent. (GR TM410922). Exploring the countryside on the Suffolk and Norfolk border. Leaving Gillingham on minor roads, heading into the countryside across Geldeston Marshes, through Shipmeadow, back via Ringsfield and through Beccles on our return, with an opportunity for an ice cream. Varied terrain minor roads, field edges, cross fields and commons. General Notes There will be a main morning break and a late lunch. Please note many of the paths are overgrown with nettles and cross field paths are of barley/wheat and rape seed, those who wish to protect themselves from stings and scratches etc I would suggest wearing clothing to cover legs. Some fields have cattle therefore dogs to be kept on leads at all times. On street parking near St Mary's Church Gillingham Contact Tracy Woods Tel: 07786 384448 Email Tracyj66@talktalk.net   Wed 19th Aug 2026 Summer Wednesday, Packhorse Potter Group Walk - 16ml. 9:30 Unnamed large parking area at the top of the Warren Hill gallops, Moulton Road, Newmarket, CB8 8DZ. What three words: cheer.wager.note. On google maps is it labelled as Warren Hill Gallops. Park at the top end. No charge. Check the exact parking location before travel. Note: if approaching from Newmarket town be aware there is likely to be many horses going to and from the gallops; give way to horses and riders. The parking area may be busy but the majority of vehicles will be in support of the horses From our start point we head towards Moulton, then along paths through Cheveley belt to reach the village of Ashley. We are then on a short section of Icknield Way to reach Dalham hall and church; this shall be the main morning break point. The next section is footpaths and bridleways through woodland and open land to reach Desning Hall which is likely to be the lunch stop (no facilities). We then head towards and through the village of Gazeley and onto Moulton and the 15th century packhorse bridge. We can also have an optional stop at the Packhorse Inn before the final section back to Warren Hill General Notes Paths along the route are varied but mainly good, landscape is varied often with good views. There are some sections of quiet road walking particularly at the start and finish. Please bring enough food and drink to last the entirety of the walk. Dogs welcome; note there are some sections close to stables where dogs must be on a short lead Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492 Email jon1965@runbox.com   Sat 22nd Aug 2026 “Suffolk Delights” Sudbury circular-Led by London Group Group Walk - 20ml. 9:20 9.20 at Sudbury station. Car parking at station. Train users take the 8.02 from Liverpool Street (8.09 at Stratford, 8.25 at Shenfield) and change at Marks Tey. (GR TL877410). Long Melford and Lavenham to admire the 2 famous wool town churches with a plentiful supply of ice cream and an opportunity to explore Gainsborough’s town General Notes Bring picnic, plenty of water and food. Moderate pace. Please let Leader know, ideally via WhatsApp or text, if you wish to come; ideally the day before so he can update you if there are any necessary changes to travel details or the route. This will be a joint walk for Norfolk and Suffolk (as it is all in Suffolk), Essex and Herts (as it is just over the Essex border) and London (as there is a train station here 1 hour from the end of the Elizabeth line) Contact Jerome Ripp Tel: 07470196890 Email rippjerome@gmail.com   Sun 30th Aug 2026 Reserved for Heather Group Walk - Sun 6th Sep 2026 Flower of Suffolk marshals walk Group Walk - For marshals of the main event only. Please contact Chelle for more details and if you would like to help. TBC. C: Chelle Armour. E: chellearmour@yahoo.co.uk Fri 11th - Sun 13th Sep 2026 Group weekend away to Isle of Wight Group Walk - Please see trip information on group website https://ldwa.org.uk/NorfolkAndSuffolk/W/10659/isle-of-wight-2026.html Sun 20th Sep 2026 Dedham Delight Group Walk - 20ml. 9:00 St Marys Church Car Park, Church Hill, Lawford CO11 2JX. (GR TM088315). Walking via Dedham Heath, Langham, Boxted,Stratford St Mary and Manningtree incorporating part of The Essex Way & St Edmunds Way. Hopefully the weather will still be nice in September so please bring enough drink to last the day. There will be occasional opportunities to restock on refreshments Contact Jane Audsley Rose Cottage Tel: 07762057584 Email janeaudsley@msn.com   Sun 4th Oct 2026 Flower of Suffolk Marathon Challenge Event - 26 or 18ml. all to finish by 5:00. Walberswick The Street, Walberswick, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6TZ Car parking available in nearby public car park (currently £5 a day) (GR TM498746). A scenic route on the Suffolk coast and inland on heathland footpaths around Minsmere and Dunwich. The route for 2026 will be slightly different due to the works for Sizewell C General Notes Entry fee includes hot drinks at start, food and drinks at checkpoints and meal at finish and a certificate for all finishers. Please note that there is no street parking in Walberswick and that the pay-and-display car park charge is £5.00. Please car share where possible. All entrants are expected to follow the route description provided (and optional gpx file for GPS users). The route description and GPX file for both routes will be available at least a week before the event. Substitutions are not permitted. Refunds less an admin charge are possible up to the 21st September 2026 Contact Chelle Armour Email chellearmour@yahoo.co.uk This takes us nicely into Autumn so I am now looking to fill the next part of the schedule. If you would like to volunteer to lead a walk it would be very much appreciated. Please contact me janeaudsley@msn.com   Enjoy the rest of the summer   Jane