Category Archives: Ramblers

Alan Haworth, the radical rambler

My friend Alan Haworth would have been 76 today, 26 April. Tragically he died while on a cruise last August. His partner Maggie Rae died, on another cruise, in November. It is such a sad story; I am privileged to … Continue reading

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Walking in the wind with Ramblers Cymru

Ramblers Cymru’s AGM this year was held in Llandudno in north Wales, a delightful Victorian seaside town. We were on the seafront, in the teeth of Storm Kathleen so we were blown about a bit, but it was exhilarating. My … Continue reading

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Launch of the River Coln Trail

I was in Fairford, Gloucestershire, on 23 March to open the River Coln Trail. This 33-mile route links the Walkers are Welcome Towns of Winchcombe in the north and Fairford in the south. It takes in the source of the … Continue reading

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Ramblers Scotland, working for walkers

I headed north on Friday 15 March for the Ramblers’ Scottish Council meeting at Croy in North Lanarkshire; I was pleased to be sitting on the east side of the train. That gives me a glimpse of Lincoln cathedral from … Continue reading

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St David’s Day, women, and wheelchairs

On 1 March I visited the Newport wetlands nature reserve, to celebrate St David’s Day, National Wheelchair Day, and (a week early) International Women’s Day. The event was organised by Ramblers Cymru, and I felt honoured to join some energetic … Continue reading

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‘Twas ever thus

Seventy years ago today there was a debate in the house of commons about the membership of the National Parks Commission, formed by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act five years before. Questions were raised about the … Continue reading

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John Elfes, campaigner for access

When we wander over Buckinghamshire’s access land we should remember John Elfes with gratitude.  John, who died last October aged 88, was the access officer for the Ramblers Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Area for 18 years, from 2002 … Continue reading

Posted in Access, AONB, Bucks, Chilterns, Obstructed path, Open country, Public paths, Ramblers, Ramblers' path-check, Turville, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Shrewsbury explorations

On 2 December I drove across England through freezing fog and arrived in Shrewsbury in glorious sunshine with delicately frosted trees. My eyes felt like burnt holes in blankets (as my friend Sylvia Sayer used to say) from the strain … Continue reading

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A gate to remember two Kent Ramblers

Last month the White Cliff Ramblers celebrated the installation of a gate, replacing a horrible stile, on Elham footpath HE334 in Kent (here, grid reference TR182434). The gate was to commemorate two leading members of the group, Margaret Lubbock and … Continue reading

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Desired not needed

It was a encouraging that a damaging planning application in the Chilterns AONB was rejected. Continue reading

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