West London Group – Summer 2008 – Newsletter Welcome to another round of walking with the West London Group – one of a number in the Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Area of the Ramblers’ Association. Your Group programme is available in print form for members who have filled in and returned the programme slip. For economy reasons we only send the programme to all members in January with the Area Annual Report. Our programme is also available on the website. Our website is an excellent way of encouraging non-members to come walking with us. I hope you will make them welcome as many will be trying walking with a group for the first time. I attended RA General Council and had a wonderful weekend in Winchester waking up on the Sunday to a snowy wintry scene – magical! A lovely sunny walk through Winchester and its famous water meadows. Then up Twyford Down and St Catherines Hill. The business of the weekend was interesting seeing how the RA functions and listening to proposed motions seeking the approval of members. The event is also an opportunity to network and find out the strengths and interests of other Groups and members. The recent WLG Committee meeting raised the following: concerns over railway engineering works on Sundays: need for better equipment to view digital pictures at our evening talks; need to find new leaders to replace some affected by arthritis and other ailments; group holidays; need to update our website and email. (Any members prepared to help please contact the Chairman).
Finally, a few reminders for 2008!
Perivale Wood Open Day Sunday 6th May 2008.
Members Concerns raised at our AGM. Please read carefully and if you have any views please speak to a member of the committee either directly or by email/letter.
Communication for Group members – comment and debate on the need to put in place a more regular means of passing on information. The RA is to update its membership system in 2008 and will hold details of email addresses. It was agreed that this matter be referred to the Group committee for further consideration plus members to be asked for their comments in the next Group newsletter. Railway engineering works affecting group walks – members concerned that these can present problems on some walks leading to more than an hours delay in the walks starting in some instances. Different views were expressed and it was agreed to pass this to the Group committee to decide policy and to inform leaders and members. Backmarkers/rearguards on walks – what is Group policy? Present situation is that walk leaders are not required to have a rearguard. Leaders are reminded of the responsibilities and all WLG leaders were sent a copy of the ‘Walk Leaders Checklist’. Leaders can ask another walker to act as rearguard and/or ensure that members on their walks are aware of any hazards. The RA has sent out a copy of the latest insurance policy as it affects groups and walks. These will be circulated to the committee for comment. Other committee members – the Group always welcomes members interested in helping support the RA by joining the committee. Apart from specific jobs it is always good to have people on the committee who have a keen interest in the work of the RA. It is possible to co-opt members during the year. Next years WLG AGM will be at the same place on Thursday 18th December 2008 – details will appear nearer the time.
Contact details for your local boroughs if you have a problem path. Brent (Outer London Borough) Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9EZ, tel 020 8937 1234 Ealing (Outer London Borough) 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London W5 2HL, tel 020 8825 5000 Parks and countryside service: tel 020 8825 6999 or contact Ian Kitson by email: ian.kitson@ealing.gov.uk Harrow (Outer London Borough) Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow HA1 2XF, tel 020 8863 5611 www.harrow.gov.uk Hillingdon (Outer London Borough) Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW, tel 01895 250111 www.hillingdon.gov.uk Hounslow (Outer London Borough) Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN, tel 020 8583 2000 www.hounslow.gov.uk I wish you luck! Please do have a go as all improvements can only help make going for a walk a better experience! Tom Berry
Oop’s! Nearly run out of space!
A Winter’s walk from Rayners Lane Station-Piccadilly/Metropolitan Lines and buses. Pleasant suburban stroll to Roxbourne Park – lovely trees, stream, wild birds, and, in spring and summer, lots of wild flowers. The park has a childrens play area and at one end a miniature railway. Yet it all makes for a nice short walk – only 3miles in all. Turn right out of the station as far as High Worple. Go right down this road ending at a small roundabout. Cross and go ahead down a short, wide path between houses to pass a scout hut and go through gates. Immediately, go left, down a short slope and along a stony path near the Yeading Brook. Follow the path to a grassy open space. Continue on soon turning right to cross the brook.(This area is known as Roxbourne Park) Then go left - at first high up above the brook - but look for a sloping path on the left to return to streamside. Keep along this path to nearly reach Field End Road – bus service. Just before go right to follow a wide roadway through a car park and round past the miniature railway. Continue on now with houses on your left to reach a concrete access road bordered by shrubs. A little way along turn left under trees and following the left hand hedge head for trees ahead. Look for a wooden gate in a post/rail fence. Go through – you are now in Roxbourne Rough nature reserve – and follow the path ahead towards the railway. Keep going until you arrive at a large signboard near steps. Go up, cross Cannon Lane and go left – over the railway- and down to traffic lights. Here, turn right along Village Way – bus service. Continue as far as the shops where turn right up Rayners Lane to reach the station. Please note: any good AtoZ will guide you on this walk. All the best for Summer and don’t forget your sun hat! Have a lovely time . Best wishes Tom.
Tom Berry.Secretary.