Ramblers Group
Co-ordinator — Martin Richards
When: First Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month, most walks start at 10:00. Where: Various locations as chosen by each walk leader. Cost: Just £2 to join the group; no charge for each walk. This is a very active, popular and sociable group who enjoy each other’s company while tramping the local fields, highways and byways, marvelling at the wonderful Warwickshire scenery so close to us.
We meet twice a month, on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday at 10.00 am. Details of the next walk are given below.
We have a number of walk leaders, from the membership, who take it in turn to select a walk of about 5 to 6 miles. They choose where to go and where we meet. Newer members are encouraged to offer to lead a walk either singly, as a couple or a small group, after they have settled in with us but there is no compunction to do so!
We try to start within 10 miles of Balsall Common and most frequently find pub car parks very suitable for our starting/finishing points! Many members stay for a drink and/or a meal after the walk.
The membership of the group is about 80 of whom most are active.
A walk averages around 18–25 members with a high of 36! Walks take place in most kinds of weather with one major exception being snow!This is a rambling group and for safety and insurance reasons dogs are not allowed.
The cost is very low — there is a joining fee of £2 and to date no other costs. However, members are asked to pay for their own drinks/meals after a walk!
With the joining fee money raised so far we have bought and kept up to date three first aid kits for the leaders to take on their walks and future funds will be available to buy maps, written up walks, etc.
If you would like to join or require any other information please contact Martin Richards (the co-ordinator) by email: ramblers@balsallcommonu3a.org. Prospective new members can also "try us out" by just turning up at a walk starting point and joining us for that particular 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 Ramblers group.
If anyone wants to lead a walk please contact the co-ordinator. Lots of help is at hand for anyone who has never led a walk before.
If anyone wants to create a ramble route, either for the u3a or for personal reasons try out the following site:
http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htmMillennium Way website — lists of walks
For Archived Photographs for the years 2011 to 2017 Please Click Here. The archive is on the members page so Username and password required, if you have forgotten them please click here.
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2018 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2019 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2020 / 2021 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2022 Click Here
From 19th July 2021 all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, however walkers must read the new Ramblers Risk assessment shown below.
Click here to see Ramblers Risk Assessment Statement updated 19th March 2024
First June Walk 2024
When: Tuesday 4th June 2024 Where: Lowsonford Meet: 10:00 a.m. Fleur-de-Lys pub, Lapworth Street, Lowsonford, B95 5HJ.
Travel: (9 miles — 20 minutes) Leave Balsall Common south on A452. At Evesons Fuels depot turn right into Meer End Rd., A4177. At Fiveways roundabout take second exit into Five Ways Road. Continue about 2 miles to Give Way sign, turn left, then immediately right into Shrewley. Pass through Shrewley. Immediately after crossing motorway turn right, signposted to Lowsonford. Follow this lane for 1¾ miles. Pub is on right after crossing canal bridge — bridge is single track so care required. Pass the pub building and take the next entrance into the car park on the right.
Walk
Description:The walk leaves the pub, follows the Stratford-Upon-Avon canal south before crossing fields towards Valley Farm. Across northern fringe of Yarningale Common to the aqueduct. Back on the towpath and then across to All Saints Church near Preston Bagot. Then Preston Fields Lane and Millennium Way northwards to Coppice Corner Farm and returning east to Lowsonford.
Walk is a mixture of canal towpath, fields, a short minor road stretch, woodland path and farm tracks. There is a steady incline up towards the church and a short steep section of path beyond Coppice Corner. There are a number of manageable stiles. When Peter Calver and I recced the walk on 10th May there was still mud in places but this was quite negotiable. We did not encounter any cows. Walk distance about 5½ miles.
Afterwards: If you wish to stay for lunch would you please let me have your orders by 6pm on Monday 3rd June. The menu can be found on the following link. www.thefleur.co.uk The Garden Menu includes a sandwich selection.
Walk Leader: Alan Buckland: alanbuckland1945@gmail.com Telephone 07973 130269 or 01676 534357.
NB. Health and Safety requirement:
All participants will need to sign an attendance list and provide an emergency contact number prior to the actual start of the walk.
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Covid Precautions: Please see latest Ramblers Risk Assessment
Walk Leaders 2024
Date Walk Leaders 17th January Liz Cowley & Sheila Jones 6th February (cancelled) 21st February (postponed to March) 5th March Jim & Bernie Henry 20th March Martin Richards 2nd April Matthew Stephens 17th April Leslie & Carolyn de Chernatony 7th May Peter Calver 15th May Merryl Muat and Christine Harris 4th June Alan Buckland 19th June 2nd July Bob & Frances Critoph 17th July Keith Simpson 6th August Angela Reid 21st August Keith Simpson 3rd September Richard Drake 18th September Richard Glynn 1st October Liz Cowley & Sheila Jones 16th October Judy Hornigold 5th November Matthew Stephens 20th November Alan Buckland 3rd December Richard Drake 18th December no walk — Xmas lunch?
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