Ramblers' Association Rochford & Castle Point Group

WALKS PROGRAMME NEWSPAGE April 2008

Welcome to our Spring and early Summer Programme. You may be interested to know that our Group has had a record year for walking. In the period December 2006 to November 2007 we have organised 139 walks covering 948 miles. Thanks, of course, goes to our volunteer leaders. Thanks also to our members who have joined in these walks.We are always looking for new volunteers to lead walks and also help run the Group. If you are able to assist please contact any member of the committee.

The Broomway On Sunday 27th July Arthur and Mike will lead a walk along the Broomway and connect two churches of the old Rochford Hundred.The Broomway is an ancient road to the island of Foulness which crosses the foreshore off Shoeburyness, Great Wakering and Foulness Island in a straight line, about half a mile offshore, across the Maplin Sands. Indistinguishable from the surrounding sand the route was marked by bundles of twigs on long poles rather like birch brooms; hence the name. Some suggest that it may have been used in Roman times, or earlier, but the earliest recorded use was in the 15th century. Due to the building of a new road and bridge to Foulness in the early 1920s and the many military restrictions on the use of the Broomway, it fell into disuse. However, there are many tales of adventurous journeys where the "sea flows faster than a man can walk" and sadly some fatalities! And since there are risks of adverse tidal conditions or Ministry of Defence closure the walk may have to be cancelled without notice. Foulness church, "St Mary the Virgin, St Thomas and All Saints", is now closed and sadly the only remaining public house, "The George and Dragon" has also closed, although it is hoped that a new landlord may be found, but perhaps not in time for our walk. Unfortunately numbers participating must be limited and hence only members of the Ramblers' Association are eligible and places will be allocated in order of of applications received by 31st May. To apply 'phone Arthur or Mike (no messages, please) when advice on footwear etc., will be given. See details in the walks programme.

NOTES FOR NEW WALKERS Newcomers are welcome on up to three walks before joining the RAMBLERS' ASSOCIATION , 2nd. Floor, Camelford House. 87-90, Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TW. For information please contact Bernie Haddy or Richard Paternoster. For contacts please see our Committee page. All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members always being the paramount concern, accidents may occasionally occur. It is important, therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards associated with the activity and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to arise.

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