Group News

Group walks – we are restarting from 29th March

We are delighted to announce that we are now able to restart group walks. There are already 16 walks published on the web site (click here) and on the Ramblers app and we are also hoping to add more walks soon, so keep an eye on the site. We really look forward to seeing you out on a group walk before too long.

There is no national restriction on the numbers who can walk together in organised, CoViD-secure groups such as ours, but as a group we are limiting walks to 12 people for the time being. This is because we consider it difficult to comply with social-distancing rules, etc for a larger group. Individual leaders may also set a lower limit for their walks if they choose. This means that if you wish to go on a walk, you must book in advance, as indicated in each walk listing.

You will see that the list of walks offered so far is less than a full programme, as some former leaders understandably feel that the time is not right for them to lead at the moment. If you would be prepared to lead a group walk, whether or not you have done so before, we would love to hear from you. Plenty of help is available if you’re new to leading or just want hand-holding through the CoViD-related aspects (which are not difficult). Contact one of the walk coordinators or email enquiries@bromleyramblers.org.uk.

 

Walk Sunday Afternoon – a WhatsApp Group for Bromley’s Sunday afternoon walkers!

If you have WhatsApp on your smartphone (it is easy to download from your App Store) then you too can join the Walk Sunday Afternoon group. You’ll receive reminders about the next walk, together with any changes to times or meeting places. If you want to know more about a particular walk, you can ask your question in WhatsApp and we will then try and answer your query. If you would like to join, just send your name and mobile number to me, via enquiries@bromleyramblers.org.uk so that I can add you to the group. By sending me your details, you are giving me permission to add you to my contacts list for the purpose of administering this WhatsApp group. You do not have to be a Sunday afternoon walker to join and this is a new initiative that we are trialling, so all feedback is welcome. Looking forward to welcoming you to the group.        

Hazel Taylor

 LBB Consultation on Open Space Strategy  

The London Borough of Bromley asked us to comment in short order on their strategy for the future use of open space in the Borough. There wasn't time to involve everybody but here are the considered comments of your committee. The Strategy document can be found on the Council website and this is  our response.

Kent Ramblers Annual Review

Kent Area Council have decided to enable members to opt out of receiving a paper copy of the annual review. 

They will be sending out the Annual Review as usual just after Christmas and producing printed copies and posting an electronic version on the web site.  If any member would rather not receive a printed copy then they can opt out by emailing their membership number and postcode to nopaper@kentramblers.org.uk.  To be effective for the 2019 edition, your opt-out should be made by 30 November 2019.  They will continue to apply the opt-out in future years unless you tell them otherwise.  If you are happy receiving a printed copy of the Annual Review then you don’t need to take any action.

 

Footpath Matters

Would you like to become a Footpath Observer?

This entails walking all the footpaths in a designated Area over the course of each year and reporting any problems to our Footpaths Officer and/or Bromley Council. Each Area equates roughly to a Ward in the Borough except Darwin which is split into three. If you would like to become a Footpath Observer for one of the Areas listed below or would like to know more about what is involved please contact us at enquiries

 We currently have vacancies for the following Areas:

Farnborough and Crofton

Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom

Cray valley West

Cray Valley East

 Footpath Clearing.

From time to time we organise days for clearing overgrown or blocked footpaths. If you would like to be put on our email list for future dates please contact us at  enquiries

To report a problem on a footpath

You can reporrt problems with footpaths stiles etc via the Ramblers app or directly to the relevant local authority in whose area the footpath is in.  Below are links to our nearest ones. On some websites, Kent for example, you zoom in on a map and click on where the problem is. This generates an exact location for the Rights of Way team. On others it is helpful to know the footpath number and grid reference. Photographs can also be useful. If you have problems with using the links you can contact us at enquiries and we will pass the information on.

London Borough of Bromley  https://fix.bromley.gov.uk/

Surrey http://surreymaps.surreycc.gov.uk/gisapps/rowdefect1.asp

Kent http://www.kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/public-rights-of-way/report-a-problem-on-a-right-of-way

East Sussex http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/rightsofway/default.htm

West Sussex
http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure/getting_around_west_sussex/footpaths_and_bridleways/public_rights_of_way_feedback.aspx

Please also let me know so I can keep an eye on the matter. 

Philip Wall
Footpaths Secretary, Bromley Group

Volunteers for Short Sunday Walks

Do you have a favourite walk that you could share with fellow ramblers ?  Could you commit – perhaps just once a year – to leading a short local walk, perhaps with a friend or with another leader ?  Volunteers are urgently sought to help with short Sunday walks; no previous experience necessary, just a desire to “give back a little” and of course, to walk.  Any assistance that you require will be gladly given.  Jean P can be contacted on  enquiries – and is looking forward to your email.

Walk Coordinator required for Short Sunday Walks

After many years of providing us with interesting and popular short Sunday walks, often accessible by public transport Jean P is retiring and we are looking for someone else to volunteer to coordinate these walks. If you feel you could spare the time (there are only 3 programme booklets a year) the Tony U would be pleased to hear from you.

Dogs & ground nesting birds

There has recently been comment in the media about dogs and the problems they may cause to ground nesting birds during the breeding season. The advice from the Ramblers is that dogs can be prohibited from areas where birds are ground nesting, and that walk leaders should explain this in advance in the walks programme by stating that a particular walk is “Not suitable for dogs” or “Dogs on leads please”. In fact, the Ramblers recommends that dogs are kept under close control at all times, and kept on a lead on roads, near livestock or sensitive wildlife, where the terrain requires careful footwork and wherever the law or other official regulations require it. If walk leaders discover that ground nesting birds may be an issue after the programme has been printed, please ensure that dog owners are aware at the start of the walk and that they take the necessary action. And, please clean up after your dog.

 

Email Address List

We do urge you to look at the website before you set off for a walk in case there have been any last minute changes due to weather, ill health, roadworks etc.
We do also ocassionally send emails to Bromley Ramblers who have given us their email address. Note this is quite seperate from the email address the Ramblers hold for you. If you wish to receive these emails please you would go to the Mailing List Page and follow the simple instructions to add yourself to the list. You can also remove yourself there at any time as well if you wish.

Páramo discount

Members of Bromley Ramblers can now get an exclusive discount of 15% at the Páramo Brand Store in Wadhurst or 20% if you buy two or more Analogy jackets. This discount can only be used on Páramo and Nikwax items. There are also various short-term offers on specific products, available in-store or by mail-order. As well as Páramo, the store stocks various other brands.

You will need to show your membership card and mention that you are from Bromley Group.

Store details are:

Páramo Wadhurst Store

1 Central Parade
High Street
Wadhurst
TN5 6AL

Tel: 01892 785634

Email: wadhurst.shop@paramo.co.uk

Web: https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/landing/brandstores/wadhurst/