SANDWELL GROUP – RAMBLERS’ ASSOCIATION (www.sandwellramblers.org.uk)

SANDWELL GROUP – RAMBLERS’ ASSOCIATION

WALKS PROGRAMME: November 2008 to April 2009

A warm welcome is extended to members and guests to participate in our programme of walks, which includes weekend full and half day walks, Tuesday full day walks and Wednesday morning walks. New members and guests are always very welcome.

Tue 14 Oct. Cropton & Bradgate Deer Park, Leics. 8 miles, grade C. Leaders, Barry & Pat. Tel 0121 353 7367

Sun 19 Oct. Chelmarsh, Worcs. 9.5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Cliff Farnell & Brian Stevens. Tel 0121 556 9868

Sat 25 Oct. Pontesbury, Shopshire. 17.5 miles, grade C+. Leader, Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Sat 1 Nov. Wetton Hill, Derbyshire. 16 miles, grade C+. Meet 8am, Turnberry Road car park, Bloxwich. Leader, Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Tue 4 Nov. Shifnal, Shropshire. 6.5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Margaret Skelton & Mavis Whale. Tel 0121 588 5068

Sun 9 Nov. Branston, Staffs. 8 miles, grade C. Leader, Roy Smith. Tel 0121 682 5177

Sun 16 Nov. Children in Need Walk, Sandwell Valley. 5 & 10 miles, grade C. Meet at Cenotaph, Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich at 9.30am. Park on town car parks. £5 donation or sponsorship forms from Betty Evitts. Leaders, Betty & Don Evitts (10 miles). Tel 0121 588 3759 & June Newman (5miles) Tel 0121 588 3914.

Sun 23 Nov. Claverley, Shrops. 8.5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Cliff Farnell & Brian Stevens. Tel 0121 556 9868

Sun 30 Nov. Staffs Area AGM morning walk, Codsall, Staffs. 5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Wolverhampton Group – contact Peter Figg 01922 496686. Meet as usual at WBLC 9am. Park at Staffs District Council Offices, Codsall. (see Social Programme).

Sun 7 Dec. Christmas Walk with Pub meal, Rugeley, Staffs. 8 miles, grade C. Meet at Tame Bridge Railway Station at 9.50am (passes valid to Hednesford – buy ticket for Rugeley, Trent Valley). Meals to be ordered in advance with £5 deposit from Leader, Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Sat 20 Dec. Long distance (LDWA) tinsel trail challenge walk. 21 miles, grade B. Meet at Turnberry Road car park, Bloxwich at 7.15am. Continental breakfast and festive snacks at the end. Bring a £1 wrapped present for the Lucky Dip. Walk starts at 8.30am – entry fee £6.00. Contact Peter Figg 01922 496686   

Tue 30 Dec. RA Festival of winter walks, Kinver, Staffs. 9 miles, grade C. Meet WBLC 9.00am. Leaders Don & Betty Evitts. Tel 0121 588 3759

Tue 6 Jan. Blakedown, Worcs. 8 miles, grade C. Leader, Lawrence Humphries. Tel 0121 605 3036

Sat 10 Jan. New Year Long Distance walk. 16/18 miles, grade C+. Meet at WBLC 8am. Leaders, Peter Figg Tel 01922 496686 & Phil Holmes Tel 0121 601 9292

Wed 21 Jan. River Rea Trail, Birmingham. 5/6 miles, grade C. Meet at West Bromwich Bus Station 9.25am. Leader, Vivien Du Bois. Tel 0121 429 6148

Sun 25 Jan. Cannock Chase, Staffs. 8.5 miles, grade C. Leaders, June Newman Tel 1021 588 3914 & Annette Stubbs Tel 0121 357 5436

Sun 1 Feb. Baggeridge Park, Dudley. 8 miles, grade C. Leaders, Dave & Sue Price. Tel 07544 570983

Tue 3 Feb. Pattingham, Staffs. 6.5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Margaret Skelton & Mavis Whale. Tel 0121 556 5218

Sun 8 Feb. Needwood Forest, Staffs. 9 miles, grade C. Leader, Lawrence Humphries. Tel 0121 605 3036

Sun 15 Feb. Bubbenhall, Warwks. 10 miles, grade C. Leaders, Mike Whale & John Talbot. Tel 0121 588 5068

Wed 25 Feb. Sandwell Valley, 5 miles, grade C. Meet at Park Farm car park at 10.30am. Leaders, Val & Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Tue 3 Mar. Romsley/Lickey Hills. 8 miles, grade C. Leader, Viven Du Bois. Tel 0121 429 6148

Sun 15 Mar. Haughton, Staffs. 9 miles, grade C. Leaders, Cliff Farnell & Brian Stevens. Tel 0121 556 9868

Wed 18 Mar. Pelsall The Finger Post, Staffs. 5 miles, grade C. Leaders, Val & Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Sun 22 Mar. Timberland Long Distance Walk. 15 miles, grade C. Meet at Turnberry Road car park, Bloxwich at 9am. Leader, Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686

Sun 29 Mar. Wyre Forest, Worcs. 9 miles, grade C. Leaders, Bryan & Diane. Tel 0121 357 8452

Sun 5 Apr. Kingsbury, Warwks. 8 miles, grade C. Leaders, Eric & Iris. Tel 0121 358 6560

Tue 7 Apr. Lapworth, Warwks. 8 miles, grade C. Leaders, Brian & Jan Gregg. Tel 0121 358 2680

Sun 19 Apr. Much Wenlock, Shrops. 10 miles, grade C+. Leaders, Mike Whale & John Talbot. Tel 0121 588 5068

Sat 25 Apr. Ladies’ Walk, Stafford Town & Castle. 6 miles, grade C. Leader, Vivien Du Bois. Tel 0121 429 6148

Sun 26 Apr. Gentlemen’s Walk (Ladies welcome), Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire. 14 miles, grade C+. Leader, Peter Figg. Tel 01922 496686   

Dates for the diary
Fri 15 to
Mon 18 May 2009. Eastbourne by coach. Accomodation at Majestic Hotel. Walks led by Ken & Margaret. Enquiries to Peter Figg 01922 496686


Walks are graded as follows:-  A - adventurous/challenging; B+ - strenuous with some fairly steep climbs; B - moderate/some climbs; C+ - as C but with the odd steep hill; C - generally flat and easy, possibly some modest slopes. Please note that all mileage is approximate. For more detailed information about a particular walk, contact the relevant walk leader.

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Meeting Point (unless otherwise stated):-
West Bromwich Labour Club (WBLC) car park, Sandwell Road (A/Z page 57 1F). Please show consideration for local residents, by keeping noise to the minimum when assembling, especially on Saturday & Sunday mornings.

Meeting Times (unless otherwise stated):-
Weekend full & half day walks - 9am (note, some meet at 8am/8.30am)
Tuesday full day walks – 9.30am
Wednesday Morning walks – 10.30am
Train Walks:- as stated above

Equipment:- you are advised to bring boots or stout footwear with a good grip, waterproof clothing and hat, liquid, packed lunch for day walks (although many include a pub stop where food may be available - check with leader beforehand) and a small personal first aid kit (2" crepe bandage, plasters and antiseptic cream). In the event of a pub stop, it is advisable to bring two plastic bags to cover dirty boots avoiding the need to remove them before entering the pub. A change of footwear is required if travelling in someone else’s car.                                                                                                           

Transportation to walks will be by members’ cars (at passengers’ own risk) with voluntary contributions by passengers towards fuel costs:- up to 20 miles- £1.40, 30 miles-£2.10, 40 miles-£2.80, 50 miles-£3.50, 60 miles-£4.20, 70 miles-£4.90, 80 miles-£5.60, 90 miles-£6.30, 100 miles-£7.00, 110 miles-£7.70. Thereafter at 7p per mile. Any parking fees to be divided amongst car occupants. MAY CHANGE SUBJECT TO FUEL COST.

Regretfully, dogs are not allowed. The programme may be changed in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Members and guests take part in all events at their own risk. All walkers are requested to cooperate fully with Walk Leaders especially when asked to walk in single file along roads and across certain fields, to avoid noise when close to dwellings or animals, and to comply with the Country Code.

Staffordshire Area Walks Programme
A combined Walks Programme of all the Groups in the Staffordshire Area is available by sending a SAE to Peter Mathews, 1 Barbrook Avenue, Longton, Stoke on Trent, ST3 5UG, or can be viewed by accessing the Staffs Area web site www.staffordshireramblers.org.uk  

 (Updated 13 October 2008)

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