alks for everybody · house and astonbury, with glimpses of the river beane. 6.30 pm. three...
TRANSCRIPT
1
http://stevenagewalkingfestival.webs.com
Saturday 5-13 May 2018
Walks for Everybody
2
This is the sixth
Stevenage Walking
Festival, put together by
members of Stevenage
Leisure 50, North
Herts Ramblers, and
Stevenage Health Walks
group, and with the
support of Stevenage
Borough Council.
With a choice of walks, walkers can
walk every day for a week, all locally
on their doorstep. Stevenage has
some "ne walking areas, both within
the boundaries of the Borough, and
in the surrounding countryside.
What does it cost? There is no charge for going on any
of the walks, although we invite
you to make a donation at the end
of every walk, the proceeds to go
to our chosen charity Home Start,
whose local branch supports families
with young children. Where cars
are shared, you may wish to make a
contribution to the driver to help with
his cost of fuel.
Do I need to book in advance? There is no need to book in advance
for any walk, apart from the evening
History Walk on Monday 7 May,
which has limited places.
Is there a choice of walks? There is a walk for almost every
level of ability. Long Walks are
between nine and twelve miles, with
a Challenge Walk of twenty one
miles; Medium Walks are around
"ve to seven miles; Short Walks are
three to "ve miles. Health Walks are
measured by time: warm up walks
will be around 30 minutes, followed
by a one hour brisk step out walk.
Short and Health Walks are suitable
for all members of the family. On
Evening Pub walks, you may wish to
join the leader for refreshment at the
conclusion of the walk.
Can I do the walk? Leaders will ensure that no walker is
left trailing behind, the pace being
set at that of the slowest individual.
Nevertheless we do expect walkers
to be reasonably con"dent that they
can walk the speci"ed distances
before setting out on a walk.
Welcome...
2
3
What should I wear? Comfortable and supportive
footwear, and suitable clothing
dependent upon the weather e.g.
waterproofs, sunhats.
Anything else? Everyone should have a bottle of
water with them. Bring a drink and a
snack for Short and Medium Walks.
For Long Walks a packed lunch
is also advisable. And sunscreen
protection is necessary on hot days.
What if the weather is bad? Whatever the weather, the leader will
always be at the appointed meeting
place at the scheduled starting
time, and will make any necessary
decision at that time.
Where are the meeting places? Most walks specify a meeting place
somewhere in Stevenage. This
may be a car park, from where
car sharing can be arranged, or a
location accessible by a regular bus
service.
Do all walks set off from their meeting places? Shared cars will be used to bring
walkers from the meeting place to
the starting point. You may wish
to make a voluntary contribution
towards the driver’s expenses. Note
that the advertised time is when the
walk sets off.
Can I bring children? Children over "ve are welcome on
all walks, but please check with
the leader "rst as to their suitability,
especially for younger children.
Those under sixteen must be
accompanied by an adult
Can I bring a dog? In the interests of safety for all
walkers, dogs, even those on leads
(other than registered guide dogs)
will not be accepted on walks,
other than those walks speci"cally
described as “Dog Friendly” walks.
Am I insured on a walk? All walkers walk at their own risk,
and neither Stevenage Borough
Council nor any of the organisers can
take responsibility for any personal
injury arising on a walk.
3
Herts Year of Physical Activity 2018Hertfordshire’s Year of Physical Activity,
also known as ‘HertsYOPA18’, is a
year to focus on getting Hertfordshire
moving. The campaign is being led by
the Herts Sports & Physical Activity
Partnership (HSP), Hertfordshire County
Council (HCC) and Hertfordshire
Association of Cultural Operators
(HACO). Using the support from other
organisations and individuals to help
promote sport and physical activity, the
main aim of this campaign is to increase
physical activity levels. Each month
has its own theme, and luckily May is
Walking Month. For more information
visit the HSP website:
http://www.sportinherts.org.uk/
Twitter: @HertsYOPA18
Facebook: @HertsYOPA18
Saturday 5 May
STEVENAGE SHOWGROUND (OPPOSITE LAMEX FOOTBALL GROUND), BROADHALL WAY (SG2 8RH). 9.15 AM.
OFFICIAL OPENING by the Mayor of Stevenage. A representative of Home Start, this year’s nominated local charity, will also be present to speak about its work.
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Health 1-1½ hours
An easy walk in Fairlands Valley in conjunction with the Festival charity, Home Start.
9.45 am for 10.00 am
start. Costello’s Café,
Fairlands Valley Park.
Pauline Smith07983 557168Hannah Marsh07766 160149
Dog Friendly 5 miles
Morning walk from the pub. Well behaved dogs welcome.
10.00 am. The Boot, Kimpton. (SG4 8PT)
Jenny Mason01438 871580
Medium6.1 miles
A walk from Breachwood Green. through the countryside of the Hertfordshire Chilterns and Kings Walden Park.
9.30 am Stevenage Showground (opp Lamex Football Ground) for car sharing to start.
Pat Rumpus07864 085193
Long 10.5 miles
A rural walk from Chells Park to Benington and Walkern, taking in part of the Beane Valley.
9.30 am Stevenage Showground (opp Lamex Football Ground) for car sharing to start.
Dave Weston01438 722301
Sunday 6 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Short 3.5 miles
Great Ashby District Park to Dane End with views of the Beane Valley.
9.45 am. Stevenage Showground (opp Lamex Football Ground) for car sharing to start.
David Norton01438 880083
Medium6 miles
Ware to Hertford along the River Lea, and round Hartham Park.
9.45 am Stevenage Showground (opp Lamex Football Ground) for car sharing to start.
Pauline Smith07983 557168
Long 10 miles
We pass Cam"eld Place (for Barbara Cartland), Ponsbourne Tunnel (with ventilation shafts), and Little Berkhamsted (for Stratton’s Folly)
9.30 am. Stevenage Showground (opp Lamex Football Ground) for car sharing to start (or 10.00 am, School Lane. Essendon. AL9 6HD)
Gabriela Lovelace 01462 432071 (OTD: 07788 505045)
4
Bank Holiday Monday 7 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Health
1 hour
A gentle Health Walk around
St Nicholas Park, suitable for
everyone.
9.45 am for 10.00 am
start. St Nicholas Health
Centre, Canterbury Way
(SG1 4LH)
Hannah Marsh
07766 160149.
Pauline Smith
07983 557168
Medium
6 miles
Morning walk from Ridlins Playing
Field through Astonbury Woods,
the Beane Valley and Aston.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start.
Harold and
Carol Stokes
01438 353666
Long
10 miles
Circular walk from
Wheathampstead, past Shaw’s
Corner and Brocket Park, returning
along the River Lea
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start.
Pat Hoar
01438 367139
or
07814 370812
Evening
History
2 hours
“Strong Oaks” and Other Trees of
Stevenage. Numbers limited. To
book call Carol Stokes on
01438 353666.
6.30 pm. White Lion
Bus Stop, Old Town High
Street.
Hugh Madgin.
Tuesday 8 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Short
5 miles
Wallington to Clothall, passing
the Icknield Way, George Orwell’s
cottage and “Animal Farm”.
9.45 am. Monkswood
Retail Park, Stevenage,
directly opposite B&M
Shop (or 10.00 am Kits
Lane, Wallington).
Peter Ingram-
Tedd 01438
226436.
Medium
7 miles.
A walk through the Lea Valley, with
lunch stop and time to explore at
Waltham Abbey before passing the
Gunpowder works on the return to
Turnford.
9.45 am. Monkswood
Retail Park, Stevenage,
directly opposite B&M
Shop for car sharing to
start.
Tom Byrne
01438 361813
Long
10.25 miles
From Benington to Wood Green,
then along the Roman Road to
Ardeley (for refreshment) before
returning to Benington.
9.30 am. Monkswood
Retail Park, Stevenage,
directly opposite B&M
Shop for car sharing to
start.
Mike Shelley
01438 358100
Evening
4.5 miles
Undulating countryside passing
through Combs bluebell Wood and
Gregory’s Farm
6.30 pm Lordship Arms,
Hebing End, Benington
(SG2 7BX)
Naomi Davies
01438 869620
5
Photo: R Grable
Wednesday 9 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Health A 30 minute gentle warm up walk,
followed at 10.30 am with a one
hour brisk step out walk.
10.00am Costello’s Café,
Fairlands Valley Park.
Pauline Smith
07983 557168
Medium
7 miles
Morning pub walk, organised
and led by Mid Herts Footpath
Society. An interesting walk over
the Pegsdon Hills.
9.15am Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start. Or Motte
and Bailey, Pirton (SG5
3QD). Order lunch prior to
10.00 am start.
Peter Cleasby
07810 774094
Long
9 miles
Weston Golden Jubilee Walk. 9.30am Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start.
Terry Ingle
01438 225738
Evening
Dog
Friendly
5 miles
Evening walk from the pub. Well
behaved dogs welcome.
6.00pm The Strathmore
Arms, St Pauls Walden
(SG4 8BT)
Jenny Mason
01438 871580
Thursday 10 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Short
3.5 miles
St Pauls Walden and Stagenhoe.
Flat terrain, along "eld edges and
tracks.
9.45 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start
Pat Rumpus
07864 085193
Medium
6.5 miles.
From Ickleford, across to Holwell,
then to Oughtonhead Spring. An
easy walk with only one "eld to
cross.
9.45 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start
Pat Biggins
01462 677579
or 07752
580759
Long
12 miles.
A circular walk round Hitchin
following HOOP.
10.00 am, Hitchin Market
Square. (From Stevenage
Bus Station, catch 100
bus at 0918.)
Rod Grable
07801 701805
Evening
Pub.
4 miles
Explore the Nature Reserve at
Oughtonhead Common
6.30 pm. The Angels,
Bedford Road, Hitchin
SG5 2NG
Tom Byrne
01438 361813
6
Friday 11 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Short
4 miles.
A circular walk west of the
motorway from Norton Green to
Knebworth Park.
9.45 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start
Ron Faulkner
01438 237747
Medium
6.5 miles
Icknield Way to Oughtonhead
Common and Ickleford, returning
by Hambridgeway Path.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start. (or 10.00
am. Motte and Bailey,
Pirton. (SG5 3QD)
Dennis Cannon
01462 629483
Long
11 miles.
Friends of Hertfordshire Way
Walk. A "gure of eight walk with
lunch at the pub. Full details on
Friends website at www.fhw.org.uk.
9.20 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start. Or Rising
Sun, Halls Green (SG4
7DW), to order lunch
before start at 10.00 am.
Ian Hirst
07792 070392
Evening
2.5 hours
From Hooks Cross via Frogmore
House and Astonbury, with
glimpses of the River Beane.
6.30 pm. Three
Horseshoes, Hooks Cross
(SG14 3RY). Meet at back
of the car park.
Carole Willsher
07778 877814
Saturday 12 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Short
3 miles
Friends of Forster Country Walk.
Along footpaths which E M Forster
loved as a child. Easy walking on
rolling countryside, and no stiles,
10.30 am. By steps to St
Nicholas Church, Rectory
Lane, Stevenage. (SG1
4DA)
John Spiers
01438 350217
Dog
Friendly 5
miles.
Morning walk from the pub. Well
behaved dogs welcome.
10.00 am Brocket Arms,
Ayot St Lawrence (AL6
9BT).
Jenny Mason
01438 871580
Medium
5.5 miles
Hexton and Pegsdon Hills. This
walk passes through a Nature
Reserve and has some "ne views.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start
David Norton
01438 880083
Challenge
Long
21 miles
Nine Villages Walk. A circular walk
through nine villages in unspoilt
countryside east of Stevenage.
9.15 am Chells Park, off
Gresley Way.
Terry Ingle
01438 225738
7
8
North Herts Ramblers North Herts Ramblers is the local walking
group of the Ramblers. Our volunteer
leaders organise a walk every Sunday,
and most Saturdays, some all day, some
half day. Every Saturday we also organise
a morning “Dog Friendly” walk, usually
setting off from a local pub. Join us and
you automatically become a member of
the nationwide Ramblers Association, with
its many bene"ts. For more information
and programme see www.nhrg.org.uk.
Stevenage Leisure 50 Stevenage Leisure 50 was set up several
years ago as a small walking group for the
over 50s in Stevenage, but has now grown
to a much larger group. The group is run
by volunteer walk leaders, and there is no
fee to join. Leisure 50 walk throughout the
whole of the year, meeting on alternate
Tuesdays, offering three different lengths
of walks, Long, Medium and Short. For
the more active members, we also offer
the chance to go away for a week’s
walking holiday somewhere else in the
UK, such as Eastbourne and the Isle of
Wight. The programme is available in the
Library, the Leisure Centre, or by e-mail
from Terry Ingle: [email protected]
Health Walks Stevenage Health Walks group offers
walks around Fairlands Valley Park,
aimed at those who require walking as
a form of rehabilitation or a way to ease
themselves back into a form of sociable
exercise. The walks are led by a bank
of experienced volunteer walk leaders
and aim to encourage walkers to push
themselves with their walking pace
but still be able to talk and participate
easily within the group. Look out for our
quarterly brochures or visit
www.stevenage. gov.uk to "nd out more
information.
Home StartHome-Start Herts trains volunteers who
support local families facing a tough
time. The volunteers who are parents
themselves offer 2-3 hours a week to
support children and their families. The
volunteers give practical and emotional
support and have on-going training and
supervision. Please do contact Home-
Start Herts if you would like to volunteer
or if you know of a family who may need
some support – 01438 367788.
8
Sunday 13 May
Walk Description Meet Leaders
Photo. Up
to 4 miles.
This walk will provide photographic
opportunities for all, including
camera phones and compact
cameras. It will take advantage of
seasonal opportunities in the area.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start.
Chris Young
07508 471928
Medium
6.3 miles.
A circular walk from Weston,
returning via Hall’s Green and
Weston Park.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start
Richard
Huxtable
01462 629006
Long
11 miles.
From Stevenage we go west across
the Langley Valley to Chapelfoot,
Stagenhoe, Whitwell, St Pauls
Walden and Langley.
9.30 am. Stevenage
Showground (opp Lamex
Football Ground) for car
sharing to start (or
09.45 am Symonds Green
Meadway car park).
Peter Hill
07941 889066
All photographs by Rod Grable.