Shorter Walks Group (About 3 miles 90 Minutes) Co-ordinator Richard Drake Click here to contact Co-ordinator Page Links Jump to Walk Details When:  Last Thursday of each month, most walks start at 11:00. Where:  Various locations as chosen by each walk leader. Cost:  Just £2 to join the group; no charge for each walk. This is a popular and sociable group who enjoy walking local fields and paths marvelling at the wonderful Warwickshire countryside on our doorstep. These are rambles and may include the occasional stile as well as gates. Sensible walking footwear and clothing is needed. However, they are meant to be less demanding than the full Ramblers Group who typically walk for 5 miles plus. We normally meet once a month, on the last Thursday at 11.00 am. However, in August we normally have an "Afternoon tea walk" and the December walk is on New Years Day to "clear the cobwebs". A number of walk leaders take it in turns to select a walk of about 3 miles. They choose where to go and where to meet. Members are encouraged to lead a walk but there is no requirement to do so, however, without leaders there will be no walks! The aim is to start in Balsall Common (or within 10 minutes of it) and normally find pub car parks for our starting/finishing points! Many members stay for a drink and/or a meal after the walk. (Although a good tearoom or café should not be ruled out.) We average 10–20 members per walk (although over 40 made it to a New Years Day "clear the cobwebs" walk). We walk in most kinds of weather. This is a rambling group and for safety and insurance reasons dogs are not allowed. The cost is very low — we have a joining fee of £2 and to date no other costs (and it is free for anyone who is already a paid up member of the Ramblers Group). You do pay for your own drinks/meals after a walk! If you would like to join or require any other information please contact Richard. Prospective new members can also "try us out" by just turning up at a walk starting point and joining us for that walk. Please note, however, if you are not already a u3a member you will not be covered by the u3a insurance scheme. Following that if you wish to continue you will need to join the u3a and the Short Walks group. If anyone wants to lead (or help lead) a walk please contact Richard. Support is here for anyone who has never led a walk before. All part of “lifelong learning”. (NB: New leaders often pair up with a more experienced leader for their first walk). If anyone wants to create a ramble route, either for the u3a or for personal reasons, try out the following sites: Where's The Path Millennium Way website — lists of walks   From 19th July 2021 all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, however, walkers must read the new Ramblers Risk assessment shown below Click here for Ramblers Risk Assessment Statement Shorter Walk April 2024 When:  Thursday 25th April 2024 Where:  Elmdon Park, Sheldon Meet:  11:00 a.m. Arden Oak Harvester, Arden Oak Road, Sheldon, B26 3LU. Travel Directions:  Take A452 out of BC towards Stonebridge roundabout. At the roundabout TL onto A45 and follow green signs to Birmingham (about 2.5 miles). Go past the airport and through 2 sets of traffic lights. After 2nd set keep in the right hand lane ready to TR. There are 2 blue Welcome to Birmingham signs. After 2nd sign TR on filter into Arden Oak Road. (You’ll see SHABAR Restaurant on the corner.) Park in The Harvester car park. Walk Description:  The walk is approx 3 miles with no stiles. It is mostly on gravel paths around the very pleasant undulating Elmdon Park. It might still be a little wet in the nature reserve area but hopefully it will have dried out a bit by the time we do the walk! Afterwards:  At Arden Oak Harvester. To view the menu please go to harvester.co.uk/ardenoak They do not require us to pre-order food but please let me know if you intend to stay for lunch by 6.00pm Tues 23rd April so I can advise them of numbers. I have provisionally booked for 10. Walk Leaders:  Phil and Barbara Hammonds 07774 012030 Email: barbarahammonds54@gmail.com Return To Top Shorter-Walk Leaders 2024 Date Walk Leader 1st January Richard Drake 25th January Keith & Sue Simpson 29th February Matthew Stephens 28th March Lin & Don White 25th April Barbara & Phil Hammonds 30th May Ian Lester 27th June 25th July Sandra Heard & Sue Simpson 22nd August Richard Drake — Afternoon Tea Walk 26th September 31st October Peter Calver 28th November 2025 1st January Richard Drake   Return To Top

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