Welcome to the September walks update.

I would like to start by congratulating all our members that completed Essex & Herts Shotley 50. It has been four years since it was last held so lovely to find it back on the schedule. It was a great day enjoyed by a number of our members and for some their first 50!

Last weekend also saw the return of the annual walk and BBQ hosted by Martin & Fran. We were extremely lucky with the weather. A great walk finishing up with fantastic food!

The autumn walks schedule is shaping up nicely and we are diversifying a little bit with an offering from Andy to lead a Cambridge Tour Walk - A few words from Andy re the walk: “Autumn in Cambridge is perfect as the visiting tourists have left and the students have returned to halls. Plenty of history old and modern, plus the beauty of this famous university town will be available on this walk.” Details are now available on the website.

I am also going to try the ramblers new “Wool Towns walk” which you may have seen advertised in Strider. In total it is 49 miles however we are going to split into two halves. (Unfortunately we could not break it down further due to restrictions in the bus service).  The route connects all of the old Wool Towns, namely Clare, Long Melford, Lavenham, Hadleigh and Sudbury. If you fancy more of a challenge on a social walk it would be lovely to see you!

The GPX files can be found on the Sudbury Ramblers website

Upcoming Walks Schedule : (Please refer to website for full details)

Sun 10th Sep 2023 - Diss Dawdle

Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Park Road c.p, Park Road, Diss, IP22 4NJ. Expl map 230. (GR TM114796). On leaving the town centre we utilise sections of Angles Way & Boudicca Way heading north toward Shimpling & Tivetshall St Mary. We then head west to cross the main line railway near Gissing, & pick up paths &…

Sun 17th Sep 2023 - Flower of Suffolk Marshals Walk-Long Route

Group Walk - 26ml. 8:00 Dunwich Beach c.p IP17 3EN. (GR TM478707). For those marshalling on the main event. Please email Chelle for the route Option to do shorter route and start at a different time if preferred. C: Chelle Armour. E: chellearmour@yahoo.co.uk

Wed 20th Sep 2023 - Flower of Suffolk Marshalls Short Route

Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Dunwich Beach c.p IP17 3EN. (GR TM478707). Chelle will be walking out the shorter route if anyone would like to join her. C: Chelle Armour. E: chellearmour@yahoo.co.uk

Sun 24th Sep 2023 - Workhouse Roundabout

Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Cherrytree c.p. Theatre Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2EW No charge for c.p. (GR TF988135). The route is a (sort of) figure of eight around Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse. Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492

Sun 1st Oct 2023 - Flower of Suffolk

Challenge Event - 26 or 18ml. in 9 hours - finish by 5pm. Location: Walberswick Village Hall, Ferry Road, Walberswick, IP18 6TZ. Car parking available in nearby pay and display car park (GR TM498746). A scenic route on the Suffolk coast and inland on heathland footpaths around Minsmere and Dunwich.

Wed 4th Oct 2023 - Shingle Street Shortie

Group Walk - 15.5ml. 9:00 Shingle Street Coast Guard cottages c.p. Nearest postcode IP12 3BG There are 2 small c.p at Shingle Street plus roadside parking. (GR TM367426). Circular walk taking in coastal paths, heathland paths, forest tracks & a couple of sections of road walking.

Contact Carol Williams Tel: 07999 542393

Sun 8th Oct 2023 - Cambridge Tour

Group Walk - 19ml. 10:00 Meet outside Cambridge Train Station, Station Rd, CB1 2JW. Start GR TL462572, Finish GR TL500650. This is a 19 mile social walk with an easy early finish at 13miles if required. We will do some urban walking taking in a few sites before heading out south to pick up the river Cam above Granchester and then to follow the river back through the city and out again to finish in Waterbeach.

This walk is designed with transport to and from being by train. The meeting point will be outside the Cambridge main station. The end of the walk will be Waterbeach train station

Sat 14th Oct 2023 - Wool Towns Walk Part 1 sections 1 & 2-Lavenham to Sudbury

Group Walk - 27ml Meet Sudbury in Car Park 7:15-The station car Park CO10 2SU to walk to bus station for 7:28 bus to Lavenham. All day parking 3 GBP. (GR TL914492). Starting in Lavenham we will walk the first two sections of the Wool Towns walk to Sudbury via Hadleigh.

Sun 29th Oct 2023 - Cathedral Views

Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Ship Lane carpark (off Broad Street), Ely, CB7 4BB Expl map 226. (GR TL544799). On leaving the carpark we head along the riverside path, then cross country to loop back towards Ely. We pick up Fen Rivers Way for a short time before heading towards Little Thetford and then Witchford.

Sat 4th Nov 2023 - Wool Towns Walk Part 2 sections 3 and 4 Sudbury to Lavenham

Group Walk - 23.5ml. Park Lavenham Prentice St Car Park (Free Parking) Meet 8:15 to walk to The Swan Lavenham bus stop to catch 8:24 bus to Sudbury. Walk to Start in Sudbury at 9:00. (GR TL872413). The Second part of the Wool Towns Walk from Sudbury to Lavenham via Clare and Long Melford.

Sun 12th Nov 2023 - Ten Churches in Autumn

Group Walk – Details to follow

Local upcoming Challenge Events for your diaries:

Sun 1st Oct 2023   Flower of Suffolk        26 or 18ml.        Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA

Sun 22nd Oct 2023          24th Blackwater Marathon          26.5 or 17.5ml. Essex & Herts LDWA

Sun 19th Nov 2023         Steppingley Step 26, 18 or 12ml.               Beds, Bucks & N'hant LDWA

Hopefully see you all around on one of the events

Enjoy your walking!

Jane