Kent Ramblers - Latest News

Kent Area AGM: Saturday 6 February 2010

We have created a new web page for AGM information where you can now find details of motions to be debated. [read more...]

Bayham Abbey Appeal

The Ramblers - thanks in particular to the sterling work of Tunbridge Wells Group - have persuaded the Secretary of State to instruct Kent County Council and East Sussex County Council to place two claimed paths across the Bayham Abbey Estate on the definitive map. The landowners are expected to appeal, leading to a public enquiry and a costly legal process for the Ramblers.

Central Office are therefore launching an appeal for funds for this work and I hope that everyone in Kent Area will be keen to support the appeal.

I attach a copy of the leaflet which we will be circulating to libraries, send to other walking organisations, walking groups in Kent etc. Our hope is that it will generate not just money for the appeal but also new members when people see what we are doing to improve the footpath network.

Kent Area Council Meetings for 2010

Fridays: 12 March, 11 June, ~~24 September~~ changed to 1 October, 10 December 2010

All held at Quaker Meeting House, Union Street, Maidstone. 7.30pm. If any member would like copies of minutes, please contact the Chairman, Peter Skipp or the Secretary, Robert Peel.

Area Contacts as at 6 January 2009

Area Chairman	Peter Skipp	020 8857 0300
Area Vice Chairman	David Law	01732 883303
Area Vice Chairman	Les Preston	01303 863495
Area Secretary	Robert Peel	01689 829895
Area Treasurer	Ray Lawrence	01622 717316
Public Rights of Way Manager	Neville Machin	01322 864277
Public Rights of Way Administration Officer	Glynis Clifton	01474 564019
Membership Secretary	David Gatward	01580 762355
Webmaster	Margaret Lubbock	01304 831011
Communications Coordinator	Ken Neville	01474 569865

Group Contacts

Group	Secretary/ Contact	Telephone Number
Ashford	Andrew Prince	01233 668762
Bromley	Annie Brough	020 8693 2919
Canterbury	Ian Wild	01227 272754
Dartford & Gravesham	Liz Newcomb	020 8856 0537
East Kent Walking Group (formerly Trailfinders) 20-40)	Claire	01233 503266
Maidstone	Peter Royall	01622 710782
Medway	Tony Faulkner	01634 406634
North West Kent	Tim Wilson	020 8658 9616
Sevenoaks	Anita	01322 669685
Tonbridge & Malling	Nigel	nigel.ward@waitrose.com
Tunbridge Wells	David Seaman	01892 863760
West Kent Walking Group (20-35)	Lucinda	lucindajones@compuserve.com
White Cliffs	Rhona/Les	01303 258022/01303 863495

'Branching out' - All Ability Walking Group

'Branching Out' was the result of an initiative by Maidstone Ramblers as their response to the Disability Discrimination Act 1955 Directive from Central Office. The new all-ability group has been developed in conjunction with the research project 'By All Means', whose aim is to increase opportunities for disabled people to explore the countryside.

Report September 2008 from Tony Smith

We now have co-chairmen, a secretary and a treasurer with me remaining onboard as mentor. We have a breakdown of all the work that needs to be tackled, from funding to walk programming and the training of walk leaders and are hopeful (perhaps even a little confident) that with some further rallying to the cause we can get this workload sensibly spread among those that have volunteered to help.

The really good news to come out of this is that since July 2008 our numbers out on the walks have quickly risen again. The Mote Park walk the day after the KCC meeting had 40 people out; our August walk at Sevenoaks Kent Wildlife Trust had 27 out; the walk at Hadlow on 15th September was poorly attended (it was both a bad day weatherwise and not a good venue. Our walk on 25th September at Bedgebury was a great day out with 35 people in attendance all having a wonderful time.

We are in the process of writing the group constitution and setting up a bank account. We have already drafted a walk programme for the next twelve months giving us one walk a month until we can raise more walk leaders and volunteer back-up. After several months of ups and downs with meetings and walks I am now hopeful that if we can keep and nurture the support of those who said they would help us then we will have a fully sustainable group to go forward with.

However, if there is anyone else out there hearing/reading this who feels that they are sufficiently moved to help us with this pioneering group I would be pleased to hear from them.

Tony Smith
Branching Out/Maidstone Ramblers
(01622 710049)

Branching Out walks are:

from 500m to 4km – or as far as you want to go
led at a leisurely pace
following well surfaced routes and have no physical barriers such as stiles
providing an opportunity to enjoy the countryside in the company of other people.

Everyone is welcome and the walk can benefit a large and varied range of people to include:

parents, grandparents with pushchairs, toddlers and family groups
novice walkers and people who prefer the support of group walking
people with visual or hearing impairments, restricted mobility and wheelchair users
people with mental health issues
people with a learning difficulty
novice walkers and those who prefer shorter less challenging walks
people who prefer to walk in a group or enjoy the social element of doing so
anyone else who wants to join in

It is hoped that the new group will receive recognition and support from The Ramblers' Association to whom it is also hoped to become affiliated once a steering committee has finally been formed.

For further information on 'Branching Out' activities please contact: Tony Smith on 01622 710049