Eleven Polyrambers set off from Westhumble rail station on a six mile circular walk including the village of Mickleham, woodlands making up Norbury Park and the Druids Grove with its fine specimens of ancient Yews.

The weather was unexpectedly fine with only a couple of quick showers passing through.  The only pub on route was closed when we passed by, but we were later afforded fine views of the Mole valley including Box Hill from where we picnicked.

The final leg of the walk became a bit of a challenge as the previous day’s wet weather had made sections of the chalky path slippery, but by using poles or holding somebody’s hand everyone managed to stay upright!

Near the end we encountered a large herd of Jersey Cows requiring navigation around certain deposits in the grass using a heads down rambling technique!

Finally, the leader perfectly timed the return to the rail station so that fellow ramblers only had a couple of minutes to wait for a train back to London!

Kim Chowns 

Photos by Ida and Patricia

16 members of the Poly Ramblers Club met at Hanwell Station to begin our walk to Richmond. I had warned about the short platform at Hanwell but had failed to mention that not all trains stopped there resulting in one member ending up at Hayes and Harlington. We stopped to admire the Wharncliffe Viaduct, one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s first great projects, before following the Capital Ring along Fitz Herberts Path named after a couple who petitioned the council for a path to join up the Brent meadows with the Grand Union Canal. We walked along the Grand Union Canal after our first stop at the popular Fox Pub to browse at their market. We continued our route towards Brentford diverting off to admire the fruit trees planted by a local group planting fruit trees for foraging along the canal and adjoining meadows. We crossed the canal at Gallows bridge and then past Clitheroe Locks to Boston Manor Park via a newly renovated wooden bridge, where we stopped for tea or ice cream at the newly opened café. We reached the Brentford Docks via a pontoon, the footpath being temporarily closed due to the construction of a new bridge across the canal. Our next stop was Syon Park, owned by the Duke of Northumberland, where we had lunch at the Garden Centre café. We reached the Thames at Isleworth with attractive views up and down the river. We followed the Thames Path continuing through a gateway and a short walk along the pavement led us to another Thames Path notice which returned us to the river. After a further short walk along the Thames, we crossed Richmond Bridge and continued towards Richmond. A walk across Richmond Green brought us to Richmond Station.

After a slightly delayed train journey, 19 Poly Ramblers and 1 guest made it onto the rail replacement bus at Staines, thanks to Ida who arranged for the bus to be held for us. Unfortunately 1 member arrived at Egham on a later bus, too late to join the walk. Such are the perils of rail delays and replacements. But we were lucky with the weather. The sun shone all day, at just the right temperature for an autumn walk. We made our way up Cooper’s Hill and down to Runnymede to enjoy the recent artworks commissioned to celebrate 8oo years since the signing of the Magna Carta.

Writ in Water by Mark Wallinger is a large scale round structure that leads to a central chamber open to the sky, above a pool of water around which the words of Clause 39 of the Magna Carta are reflected. Huw Locke’s 12 Jurors also echoes Clause 39. His 12 bronze chairs are decorated with images relating to the struggle for freedom and equal rights. We also admired some amazing, large wickerwork figures in the process of construction. However, what we did not see (sorry folks) was the memorial to J F Kennedy opened in 1965, which Andrew asked about. Apparently, Britain gifted an acre of Runnymede woodland to America in memory of JFK – the only piece of American soil in the UK (good quiz question). On it is a 7 ton block of carved Portland stone reached by climbing up steps made from 60000 granite setts (square cobbles to you and me). Definitely something to see on another visit.

After a snack stop at the NT cafe, we walked the Thames Path to Datchet for a late lunch, admiring the expensive houses and boats along the way. The pub and community cafe at Datchet served us well. Two people left after lunch and the rest of us continued on the Thames Path to Windsor, with views of the Castle and Eton school.

Thanks to all who joined me on this walk, my first as leader since January 2020! And thanks to Ida for her photos and negotiation skills. Sandra

Eighteen Poly Ramblers arrived at Oxted Station to begin our walk to the start of Section Three of the Vanguard Way. It was a very hot, quite muggy, day as we wended our way through the woods and up on the Downs. We enjoyed spectacular views of the countryside before we reached our starting point, joining the Vanguard Way at Limpsfield Chart. We stopped for a much need drink at the Carpenters Arms Pub before making our way to St Andrew Church and the official start point of Section Three. We passed the gates of Trevereux manor and an ornamental lake on the northern link to Crockham Hill our lunch stop.  Crockham Hill is a sleepy village on a south -facing promontory of the Greensand Ridge in Kent. In the village garden there is a memorial to the seven staff and twenty-two of the London County Council residential school in nearby Weald House who were killed by enemy action on the thirtieth June 1944.

We enjoyed our picnic with outstanding views outside the Holy Trinity Church. Inside is a marble effigy of Octavia Hill (1838-1912) a housing reformer and co-founder in 1895 of the National Trust, she is buried in the churchyard. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the interior of the church as a wedding was taking place. After lunch we rejoined the Vanguard Way and continued along a series of tracks and through wooded areas. It was at this point that we realised that a number of the group had gone in a different direction which added to their walk! We came out onto a lane and continued our route reaching a series of golf courses. We followed the link to Edenbridge Town where a number of us enjoyed an ice cream before catching the train back towards London Bridge.
Hilary

Photos by Stuart, Hilary and Lan

Report by Danny

On a warm but overcast morning, nineteen ramblers met at Cambridge Station for a leisurely circular walk along the River Cam to the village of Grantchester. We were pleased to see, amongst that number, three ex-members who lived in the vicinity. They were Heather Preston, Mike Nicholson and Mike ‘Trainers’ Hilton. The latter wore a new pair especially for the occasion! 

We started our ramble through a new housing development and then along a tree-lined road which took us to Coe Fen, a marshy area on the banks of the Cam historically used as free grazing land. Passing some cows, we crossed the river by a footbridge and then entered the Paradise Nature Reserve with its native wild flowers. A short section of road walking then took us past Skater’s Meadow and onto the riverside path with further meadows alongside. Punters, paddle boarders and kayakers accompanied us as we headed for Grantchester. There we had lunch in the famous Orchard House Tearooms, the essential riverside stop for undergraduates since it opened in 1897. By this time the sun had come out and many of our number sat in deckchairs in the extensive garden, sampling some excellent scones, with jam and cream, amongst other treats.

Suitably refreshed, the group admired the picture-postcard village, forever associated with the poet Rupert Brooke, before returning to Cambridge along a higher path, enabling views of the Cambridge skyline ahead. Reaching the city, we passed the busy mill pond with its numerous punts awaiting customers before looking at the mathematical footbridge, reputedly free-standing even with all its nuts and bolts removed. A short stroll then took us back to the station although some of our number a little footsore opted for the bus!     

Danny