Event Reports

CLUB XMAS LUNCH AND WESTMINSTER WALK – 10TH DECEMBER

As a prelude to the Xmas Lunch, around twenty-five members assembled at Hyde Park Corner Station on a damp morning for a short walk to sharpen their appetites for what was to come.

We first crossed the Wellington Arch roundabout with its array of war memorials before walking along the edge of Green Park to Buckingham Palace. There, we encountered numerous tourists awaiting the changing of the guard. The crowds eased as we strolled through St James’s Park and looked at the wildlife on the lake, although unfortunately no pelicans could be seen. Leaving the park and passing various ministry buildings, we entered Victoria Embankment Gardens which forms a green strip alongside the Thames between Westminster and Waterloo Bridges. We followed it to the Savoy Hotel where we headed up to the Strand and on through Covent Garden to our regular venue of the Freemasons Arms.

There we were joined by many more members so that a bumper attendance of fifty-six sat down for the 2023 Xmas Lunch. As ever, the food was good, the service efficient and the atmosphere convivial. To finish, before we all all wandered into the night, our chair Hilary thanked the staff and detailed the Club highlights of the year.

Danny

 

Walk reports

NORTHOLT to SUDBURY HILL – 6TH JANUARY

Nineteen Polyramblers arrived at Northolt Station for a prompt start. We walked through old Northolt village of which only the old Manor House, a few cottages, a pub and St Mary’s Church still remain. We then made our way to the four hills at Northala fields. The hills were constructed using rubble from the demolition of the original Wembley Stadium, which was closed in 2000 and demolished in 2003. We climbed the main hill to enjoy the view of London. Behind the hills lie several man-made lakes which have been constructed to encourage wild life.

Then we made our way along the Grand Union Canal heading towards Horsenden Hill farm. Steve kindly lead about half the group to the Ballot Box pub for lunch and the rest of us enjoyed a picnic, tea and cakes near the farm shop.

After lunch both groups met at the top of Horsenden Hill from where we made our way back to the Station. 

Sunita

Photos by Ida.

Walk reports

LOWER SYDENHAM TO GREENWICH – 30TH DECEMBER

On a day when two walks were offered to alleviate the excesses of Xmas consumption, twelve members chose the shorter option and gathered at Lower Sydenham station for a waterside walk through south-east London.

Initially, the group followed the Pool River through a green corridor until it joined the River Ravensbourne on its journey to the Thames. Passing under the South Circular Road, we entered the site of the old Catford Greyhound Stadium, now replaced by blocks of flats. Continuing through Ladywell Fields and past University Hospital Lewisham, we looked at St Mary’s Church before stopping for lunch. Some of our number sampled the beer and cuisine at the Ladywell Tavern while others had a picnic or went to a local cafe.

Suitable refreshed, we headed uphill to the 174 foot high peak of Hilly Fields for its wide-ranging views of London. This green area, once a farm, was saved in the late-nineteenth century by the intervention of Octavia Hill, the co-founder of the National Trust. Back down in the back streets of Lewisham, we rejoined the Ravensbourne and wended our way through Brookmill Park and Broadway Fields to Deptford Bridge, the site of a 1497 battle in the Cornish Rebellion against Norman taxes.

Finally, we headed for Deptford Station, via a bustling market and a distinctive post box artwork, where a few of us made a detour to a renowned pub the Dog & Bull pub for some fortifying mulled wine before heading home.

Danny

Photos courtesy of Patricia Burbidge and Kim Chowns

Walk reports

LITTLE CHALFONT AND AMERSHAM – 30 DECEMBER

Seventeen walkers gathered at Chalfont and Latimer station on a mild but wet and miserable Saturday morning for the last walk of the year. After a circuit of Chalfont Nature Park, waiting for two late arrivals to catch us up, we continued down country lanes with impressive properties and picked up a path along field boundaries above the Misbourne Valley. We passed close to but didn’t see Beel House, once owned by the Mason family who made their wealth from the slave trade in the 18th century, and later by such luminaries as Dirk Bogarde, Ozzy Osbourne and Robert Kilroy-Silk. Eventually we reached Stanley Hill Cemetery where we paused to view the memorial to the Polish soldiers who were stationed in the area in World War II.  Later we passed the Martyrs Memorial to the six men and one woman who were burnt to death in the early 16th century for being Lollards and wanting to read the bible in English. We headed through the woods to Amersham and lunch.

Twelve walkers continued for the afternoon circular walk in the Chess Valley, passing Latimer House. The weather had brightened slightly but conditions underfoot were difficult with slippery mud which slowed us down a bit. After a number of climbs and descents we finally emerged from the final wood as the sun set and did the last mile on tarmac back to Amersham station in the dark.

Happy New Year to all Poly Ramblers

Gillian.  Thanks to Ida and Chris for the photos

Walk reports

READING HISTORY AND ST JAMES WAY- 6 December mid-week walk

I only learnt recently about the link of Reading and Caversham as centres of pilgrimage with Reading Abbey (founded by King Henry I in 1121) which possessed over 230 relics including the hand of St James and Caversham where the shrine of Our Lady of Caversham was situated.  12 Poly Ramblers joined me on a sunny but cold day to learn about the history of Reading and Caversham.   Continue reading READING HISTORY AND ST JAMES WAY- 6 December mid-week walk →