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Bayham Abbey

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

Ightham Mote

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