Chairs Report
Welcome to the Tunbridge Wells website.
My name is Lawrence and I have been walking with the Tunbridge Wells group for the last six years. I decided to put myself forward for the coming vacant seat as Chairman last September when David decided to step down after many years service. Hopefully I will be able to fill David's 'walking' boots and serve you as well as he has.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning rambling on 07753 117590 or twramblers@outlook.com.
Happy rambling,
Lawrence
My name is Lawrence and I have been walking with the Tunbridge Wells group for the last six years. I decided to put myself forward for the coming vacant seat as Chairman last September when David decided to step down after many years service. Hopefully I will be able to fill David's 'walking' boots and serve you as well as he has.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning rambling on 07753 117590 or twramblers@outlook.com.
Happy rambling,
Lawrence
Hi everyone we have had a realy good year with plenty of excellent walks. Some new leaders have brought some new walks to our group.
Unfortunately at the begining of the year Roger Fitzwater suffered a stroke and has been unable to walk since. Just recently Stuart Taylor
had a heart operation following which he also suffered a stroke but he is recovering. Our best wishes for the season go out to them both
and their families at this time of the year.
Happy rambling,
Lawrence
Unfortunately at the begining of the year Roger Fitzwater suffered a stroke and has been unable to walk since. Just recently Stuart Taylor
had a heart operation following which he also suffered a stroke but he is recovering. Our best wishes for the season go out to them both
and their families at this time of the year.
Happy rambling,
Lawrence
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERY ONE
Happy New Year to everyone.
Well the year has started as it did last year WET and MUDDY. Thank you to Nick and Carol Stevens for leading the first walk of the year from Capel Church last Sunday in very trying conditions, you did a great job. Hopefully my walk this coming Sunday will be as successful.
John Smout who heads up the Tunbridge Wells footpath wardens is retireing in Febuary after many years doing sterling work in the role. THANK YOU JOHN. As yet a replacement has not been found for him so if anyone would like the role please contact me on twramblers@outlook.com.
Finnaly thank you to everyone who has walked with us over the past year and I look forward to seeing you all again this year and any new members who would like to join us.
Happy Rambling
Lawrence
Well the year has started as it did last year WET and MUDDY. Thank you to Nick and Carol Stevens for leading the first walk of the year from Capel Church last Sunday in very trying conditions, you did a great job. Hopefully my walk this coming Sunday will be as successful.
John Smout who heads up the Tunbridge Wells footpath wardens is retireing in Febuary after many years doing sterling work in the role. THANK YOU JOHN. As yet a replacement has not been found for him so if anyone would like the role please contact me on twramblers@outlook.com.
Finnaly thank you to everyone who has walked with us over the past year and I look forward to seeing you all again this year and any new members who would like to join us.
Happy Rambling
Lawrence
First of all let me apologise for not entering this earlier, unfortunately I have been locked out following the change of my 'e' mail address.
Last Wednesday was the sad funeral of Marion Bond. Marion had been a member and regular walker with our group for many years and
will be forever remembered, not only for the chocolates she brought for everyone on the walks but for the never ending risk of leaving her
behind talking to any dogs and their owners and any horses she came upon in the fields we passed or walked through.
Her funeral was very well attended by members and the eulogy given by David Seaman on behalf of the group was excellent.
Our thoughts still go out to Marion's family
Lawrence
Last Wednesday was the sad funeral of Marion Bond. Marion had been a member and regular walker with our group for many years and
will be forever remembered, not only for the chocolates she brought for everyone on the walks but for the never ending risk of leaving her
behind talking to any dogs and their owners and any horses she came upon in the fields we passed or walked through.
Her funeral was very well attended by members and the eulogy given by David Seaman on behalf of the group was excellent.
Our thoughts still go out to Marion's family
Lawrence
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2016
I would like to start my report this year by thanking my committee members without whom the group would be unable to function. My fellow committee members and I would like to thank all our walk leaders who have provided us with a varied programme this year. We will be making our 'Walking Ted' award at the AGM along with an award for the walker who has attended the most evening walks.
My thanks to Ian for putting together this year's walking programme which has been running very well and also a thank you from all walkers for the cakes he provides. Once again we have put on two walks in aid of the The Hospice in the Weald which have both been supported by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress, although they have been unable to walk with us. We have also had ambassadors from the Hospice walking with us, and we have managed to raise over £300 for the Hospice. I would also like to extend my thanks to Stephen Thomas and Stuart Dixon for helping Ian with our website.
Earlier this year we sadly lost two longstanding and active members of our group. First of all Marion Bond, aka 'the chocolate lady', was unfortunately killed in a pub car park which she was crossing on her way home from work. It is still not known if she was knocked down or she fell and hit her head. In her memory Julie led the walk in Ryarsh which had been Marion's last walk lead. Marion's brother Stephen joined us and brought some of the chocolates that Marion used to share with us. Stephen Armstrong also died in April. He had been unwell for quite some time, but nobody knew just how ill he was. He was apparently waiting for a liver transplant when he died. Other members who have passed away this year were, Mrs Roberts of Willicombe Park, a life member for 40 years. Mr S Ling of Brenchley and Jeremy Waddle, a former very active member whom some of you will remember.
Membership stands at 263, down by 13 from last year's figure. This unfortunately reflects the ramblers national trend. People move away, become less able to complete our 6 mile walks, or are too busy etc. However, 23 different leaders this year have managed to provide a weekly walk which has been enjoyed by an average of 20 members. Membership costs £34 per year, which represents fantastic value and is much cheaper than the gym! Please try to introduce potential new members by bringing a friend along now and then, and let a committee member know if you know of a suitable new place where we can display a littler A4 ramblers' advert.
For many years now, a small group of members led by Martin Steibelt have walked the long distance paths of the south east at approximately monthly intervals on Sundays in the summer. These are full day walks of around 10-12 miles and have followed paths such as the 1066 Walk, The Saxon Shore Way and the Stour Valley. Currently they are walking an unmapped route called The Castle of Sussex Walk which will end at Arundel. They expect to finish the latter this season and their next project will be to walk the Capital Ring which covers 78 miles of open spaces and nature reserves around outer London. Their underlying aim is to explore new areas of the countryside and that includes some sightseeing (e.g. castle and historic buildings on route) and sampling local services such as cafes, etc. Because these are linear walks, they use public transport wherever possible to limit the number of cars needed to get back from the end of the walk, although this can be difficult in rural areas on Sundays where public transport services are minimal. On average their group comprises about 8 from a pool of around 20.
Finally, I would like to add that we always need new leaders, more so now than ever, having lost a number this year. Please don't be afraid - any committee member would be willing to help you lead your first walk. We would also welcome anyone interested in joining the committee - again any committee member would be happy to explain what this entails.
Lawrence McLean
Chairman
I would like to start my report this year by thanking my committee members without whom the group would be unable to function. My fellow committee members and I would like to thank all our walk leaders who have provided us with a varied programme this year. We will be making our 'Walking Ted' award at the AGM along with an award for the walker who has attended the most evening walks.
My thanks to Ian for putting together this year's walking programme which has been running very well and also a thank you from all walkers for the cakes he provides. Once again we have put on two walks in aid of the The Hospice in the Weald which have both been supported by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress, although they have been unable to walk with us. We have also had ambassadors from the Hospice walking with us, and we have managed to raise over £300 for the Hospice. I would also like to extend my thanks to Stephen Thomas and Stuart Dixon for helping Ian with our website.
Earlier this year we sadly lost two longstanding and active members of our group. First of all Marion Bond, aka 'the chocolate lady', was unfortunately killed in a pub car park which she was crossing on her way home from work. It is still not known if she was knocked down or she fell and hit her head. In her memory Julie led the walk in Ryarsh which had been Marion's last walk lead. Marion's brother Stephen joined us and brought some of the chocolates that Marion used to share with us. Stephen Armstrong also died in April. He had been unwell for quite some time, but nobody knew just how ill he was. He was apparently waiting for a liver transplant when he died. Other members who have passed away this year were, Mrs Roberts of Willicombe Park, a life member for 40 years. Mr S Ling of Brenchley and Jeremy Waddle, a former very active member whom some of you will remember.
Membership stands at 263, down by 13 from last year's figure. This unfortunately reflects the ramblers national trend. People move away, become less able to complete our 6 mile walks, or are too busy etc. However, 23 different leaders this year have managed to provide a weekly walk which has been enjoyed by an average of 20 members. Membership costs £34 per year, which represents fantastic value and is much cheaper than the gym! Please try to introduce potential new members by bringing a friend along now and then, and let a committee member know if you know of a suitable new place where we can display a littler A4 ramblers' advert.
For many years now, a small group of members led by Martin Steibelt have walked the long distance paths of the south east at approximately monthly intervals on Sundays in the summer. These are full day walks of around 10-12 miles and have followed paths such as the 1066 Walk, The Saxon Shore Way and the Stour Valley. Currently they are walking an unmapped route called The Castle of Sussex Walk which will end at Arundel. They expect to finish the latter this season and their next project will be to walk the Capital Ring which covers 78 miles of open spaces and nature reserves around outer London. Their underlying aim is to explore new areas of the countryside and that includes some sightseeing (e.g. castle and historic buildings on route) and sampling local services such as cafes, etc. Because these are linear walks, they use public transport wherever possible to limit the number of cars needed to get back from the end of the walk, although this can be difficult in rural areas on Sundays where public transport services are minimal. On average their group comprises about 8 from a pool of around 20.
Finally, I would like to add that we always need new leaders, more so now than ever, having lost a number this year. Please don't be afraid - any committee member would be willing to help you lead your first walk. We would also welcome anyone interested in joining the committee - again any committee member would be happy to explain what this entails.
Lawrence McLean
Chairman
