September 2026 Update
Welcome to the September newsletter
What a hot one! This summer will certainly be remembered for its wild fires and endless hot days. Thankfully the weather cooled very slightly for us to enjoy the Summer BBQ and walk. As usual the food was delicious, so thank you Martin and Fran for your wonderful hospitality and Chelle for her amazing salads. I do not know where she gets her inspiration but they are delicious!
As you will all be aware the devastating wild fire at Dunwich Heath has forced the closure of much of the heath and in particular parts of the Flower of Suffolk route. I am pleased to advise that a revised route has now been created which is just as interesting and picturesque. Subject to permissions being granted will provide a wonderful alternative to the original route. Chelle had already had to create a new route to avoid Sizewell and with very little time has now come up with an alternative for the heathlands. A few of us walked it out a couple of weeks ago and we were really impressed especially with the new section on the long route which takes you into Southwold. If you haven’t got your entry in yet best hurry as not many places left!
If you are keeping an eye on the walks schedule you will notice we are now moving into Autumn Wednesday walks. Jon has kindly offered one for the 30th September. We would really welcome more as autumn in my opinion is best time of year for getting out before it turns cold. If anybody else fancies taking on one or two to lead that would be great?
Finally with regards to social walks’ we will have to put a hold on the walk leaders allowance for treats. This has been incredibly popular over the summer particularly on the hot days which has lead to us eating (literally) through our allocated budget for the year…
Upcoming Walks Schedule
Sun 30th Aug 2026
Pakenham mills and open countryside walk
Group Walk - 19.5ml. 9:00 Large carpark at Ixworth village Hall, High Street Ixworth IP31 2HH. What three words: ///numeral.then.obstruction. This is also the village library. Park at the top end. No charge. Check the exact parking location before travel. (GR TL932703).
From our start point we head through Ixworth towards Ixworth Abbey. We stay on broad footpaths into Great Livermere and will look at the mere and the wonderful bird life. From there we will have a small amount of road walking then we are off road again till we get views of our first windmill. We then head out in a large circle offroad through Norton where we will have lunch at the church. Then crossing several small bridges, we head into Stowlangtoft and St George’ Church. There is lovely quiet road with views of Stowlangtoft Hall a Victorian Mansion. We then have a bit of road walking where we will reach our second mill – Pakenham watermill. We then cross the road and make our way back into Ixworth
General Notes
Ixworth is on the site of a major Iceni settlement and has wonderful architecture with many timber framed houses. Paths along the route are varied but mainly good with a little overgrowth in a couple of places, landscape is varied often with good views. There are some sections of quiet road walking, and a couple of busy road crossings- I’ll bring a fluorescent vest to aid the road crossing. Please bring enough food and drink to last the entirety of the walk no real access to food or drink. Though the Pykrell pub at the end should be open if anyone fancies. Dogs welcome on a lead- there were no cows on any of the recces
Contact Heather Boon Tel: 07771523301
Email heatherboonhomeo@btinternet.com
Sun 6th Sep 2026
Flower of Suffolk marshals walk
Group Walk - For marshals of the main event only. Please contact Chelle for more details.
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
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 o last the day. There will be occasional opportunities to restock on refreshments
Contact Jane Audsley Tel: 07762057584
Email janeaudsley@msn.com
Sun 27th Sep 2026
Group Walk - 18ml. 9.00 Route- Free on street parking near The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham PE32 2HN. (GR TF797229). From the start we will loop around Grimston Heath before heading to Harpley and Houghton then returning to Massingham along The Peddars Way . Lunch is planned to be at Houghton Hall where there are toilets and a cafe. Dogs are welcome but please be aware we will be walking through a deer park.
Contact Mel Spencer Tel: 07761378888
Email melaniespencer@hotmail.co.uk
Wed 30th Sep 2026
Autumn Wednesday, Buckenham Old & New
Group Walk - 15ml. 9:30 Old Buckenham village hall, Abbey Road, Old Buckenham, Norfolk, NR17 1PU. OS Expl map 237. What three words: buildings.angry.money. (GR TM065918). From our start point we head through the village to pick up the Tas Valley way, then along quiet roads and paths to the edge of New Buckenham to circle around the old castle.
We head west with a small deviation to call at the Old Buckenham Country park, and more specifically the café, for a coffee break. This is also likely to be the lunch stop.
After lunch we loop around the west of Old Buckenham past Stacksford and Old Buckenham Fen before turning south along a path back to the villageGeneral Notes
Paths along the route are varied but mainly good, landscape is varied and gently undulating. There are some sections of quiet road. Please bring enough food and drink to last the entirety of the walk; there are however a couple of opportunities to top up if required. Dogs welcome with well-behaved owners
Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492
Email jon1965@runbox.com
Sun 4th Oct 2026
Challenge Event - 26 or 18ml. all to finish by 5:00. Walberswick The Street, Walberswick, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6TZ Please refer to website and Sientries.
Please can I put the usual plea out for offers to lead a walk. I would really like to fill up the autumn schedule.
Many thanks
Jane
