WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF THE CHELMER & BLACKWATER GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS' ASSOCIATION

ABOUT US

Our Group started in 1986 to serve RA members living in the central region of Essex, roughly defined by the Chelmer and Blackwater river valleys. The 20 founder members came from the West Essex and Brentwood Groups, with Kevin Ascott, our first chairman sent out on a 'mission' to organise a new group. Since those early days, the C&B membership has grown considerably.

WHEN DOES ALL THIS WALKING TAKE PLACE?

We organise 4 walks a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, which makes us one of the most active groups in the Ramblers' Association (RA).

We walk mainly in the Essex area, but frequently go into neighbouring counties to extend our range of walking interests. Usually we travel to walking venues by car, sharing when we can. Coach trips are organised every month from Spring to Autumn as well as week-end and week-long holidays as part of our social activities. We also meet up with other local RA groups for Essex area joint events.

The Wednesday, Friday and Sunday walks are for a full day, of length 10 to 12 miles starting at 10.15am. Saturdays are half-day walks of 5 to 6 miles starting at 1.30pm.
On full day walks we nearly always stop at a pub at lunchtime! Walks are usually circular but sometimes are figures of eight.

The turnout on walks varies quite a bit. Some days there may be 5 or 6 people out on a walk, other days it can be as many as 30. Whatever the numbers, you can guarantee a very enjoyable walk led by experienced leaders. We are a mixed bunch of characters from all 'walks' of life who enjoy each others company and very much welcome new walkers to our Group.

For the Walks Program, hover the cursor over the Walks Program link at the top of this page to display a drop-down menu. Click on "WalksFinder Program" to view the Ramblers Walks Finder, select the required walk and click on the Venue link to find details of the walk and a relevant map with zoom and scroll controls. For further details of the walk contact 01245 344636.

To get ideas and hints for locating the start of a walk, click on the "Locating the Start of a Walk" link in the drop-down menu. On this page there is also a link to a page describing various free mapping programs.

To view any changes or corrections to the published walks, click on the "Stop Press - Walks Changes and Corrections" in the drop-down menu.

WHAT TO BRING ON A WALK

You will need boots, enough warm clothing and waterproofs. A suitably sized rucksack is the best way to carry things. It is advisable to bring food and drink for lunch and snack breaks during the day. Many of us choose to have lunch at the pub, but it is not possible to eat your own food on the pub premises unless special permission is given by the walk leader. The main rule is that if you use pub facilities then at least buy a drink. Dogs are not allowed on our walks.

SO HOW DO YOU JOIN THE CHELMER & BLACKWATER RAMBLERS?

We fully support the RA in its objectives to promote walking and respect for the countryside. If you have similar views and wish to join us on walks, perhaps becoming new RA members, then why not click on this www.ramblers.org.uk/join link which describes various joining options. On this site you will find our Walks Programme for the next 4 months, with further links to maps to help you find the start venues. There is also a Useful Information page and even a Photo Gallery showing some of the many places we have visited on foot!

Full RA members of the C&B group receive a comprehensive, 4-monthly programme and newsletter, which also includes details of all the social activities. This programme may be received by e-mail or alternatively as a printed copy.

RA walk leaders will always guide you safely and responsibly, but individuals must behave sensibly and walk at their own risk.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO POST SOME OF YOUR BEST WALKING PICTURES ON THIS SITE?

To view an album in the Photo Gallery, hover the cursor over the Photo Gallery link at the top of this page and select an album to view. Click on a thumbnail image to see the full sized picture.

To post some of your walking pictures on this site, e-mail them as jpeg attachments to this address cb.website@btinternet.com (it may be necessary to split them between 3 or 4 e-mails). Alternatively, copy them to a CD-R as jpeg images and contact the website editor at the above address to arrange for the disk to be sent or delivered. Please limit the number of pictures per album to 15 in order to keep the site a manageable size.

FOOTPATH MATTERS

You might have noticed a new button at the top of this home page called ‘Footpath Matters’. We are very aware that many walkers in our Essex countryside frequently come across problems with footpaths. These can take many forms e.g. broken stiles, fallen fingerposts, barbed wire across your right of way.....the list is endless.

As part of the RA’s campaign to keep paths open for all walkers, we encourage you to make complaints to the Essex County Council, whenever you come across footpath faults. It is very easy to make a complaint, especially now that it can be done on-line. By clicking on ‘Footpath Matters', you will see a simple guide written by the two C&B Footpath Secretaries (John and Kevin) for Chelmsford and Maldon Districts, advising how to report the problems you encounter. There is a click on the link to the ECC Problems and Enquiry page and e-mail addresses for John and Kevin, who will assist you in this process and liaise with the ECC to help resolve your footpath problems.

Please click on ‘Footpath Matters’ and make use of this guide.

WHAT'S NEW ON THE SITE?

1. 3 new pages have been added to the website; a page listing hints to locate the start of walks, another describing the application and use of 6 free mapping programs and a further page listing changes and/or corrections to the published walks. See above in the "When Does All This Walking Take Place" paragraph for details of how to access these pages.

2. The Useful Information page has been re-organised making it easier to find useful and interesting websites.

3. Graham's Thames Path Walk has now been completed with the final section from London Bridge to the Thames Flood Barrier having been walked on 23rd October. Once again Graham has written a report for the website and John T. has kindly provided photos for the website photo gallery.

The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales.
Company Registration No. 4458492
Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1093577
This newsletter and walks programme is the property of the Chelmer & Blackwater Ramblers
and must not be reproduced or copied without written approval of the Chairman

Site last updated November, 2011