Chelmer and Blackwater Social Events 
Upcoming Events 2026
Broomway Walk Sunday 26th July, another chance to walk the famous “Broomway” across the sands to Foulness Island (see the latest edition of South East Walker for coverage of our 2025 trip). Booking details were emailed to members.
2026 Coach Walks the final coach ramble:
Sunday 6th September to the Chess Valley in Hertfordshire and the Betchworth Lock Canal Centre.
Places are available and booking details were emailed to members.
Summer Walking Holiday to Derbyshire based at Sheffield University, Monday 10th to Saturday 15 August. Places are available and booking details were emailed to members. There is now a new Walking Holiday Information Sheet for all walkers to explain how the holiday has been organized and what to expect from it. Please read if you are booked on the holiday.
C&B AGM Saturday 21st November at Keene Hall, Galleywood.
Events 2026
Sunday 12th July Coach Ramble to Hythe and south Kent coast See Walks Gallery for photos from the trip.
C&B 40th Anniversary Walks and celebration event at Galleywood Heritage Centre, 3-4 July 
Over 70 members came together on a hot sunny afternoon at Galleywood Heritage Centre to celebrate 40 years from the founding of our group. It was a great social event to meet up with members who no longer regularly walk in our group walks, and to celebrate what the group has achieved over the past 40 years. John Champ, a previous chairman cut the cakes and all enjoyed tea, cakes and prosecco. Many walkers arrived at the tea after completing the Chelmsford Centenary Circle over two days, or a short walk from Great Baddow to The Heritage Centre, but a big round of applause was given to six members who set off from the Heritage centre at 8.00am that morning to complete the whole 21 mile Circle route and arrive back in time for a well earned celebration. More photos can be found in the Walks Gallery.
River Crouch Boat Trip from Burnham A short morning walk on 17th June followed by a trip by Seal Boats Essex to view seals and other wildlife.
St Edmund Way Walk - C&B 40th Anniversary event. Four stages totaling 42 miles of St Edmunds Way were completed over 4 days at the end of May to celebrate the groups 40th anniversary. Day 1 started at the end of the trail at Brandon (the event was walked in reverse direction) walking through the Breckland Forest then following the pretty Little Ouse river to Thetford. Day 2 from Thetford joined the ancient Icknield Way and Angles Way in quite remote straight and sandy stretches through the Breckland Forest to West Stow Country Park. Day 3 from West Stow followed lakes to Culford then the River Lark and Lark Valley Way along lush riverbanks to Bury St Edmunds. Day 4 completed the last (or first) stage of the Way from Stoke-by-Nayland to Stratford St Mary the along the Stour River and Flatford Mill to Manningtree. Walkers on the shorter walks were able to spend time in Thetford, West Stow Anglo Saxon Village, Bury St Edmonds and Flatford Mill and join all walkers at the end of each day. The weather was perfect, even though a little hot and dusty through the Breckland Forest, and all agreed it was an extremely successful event. Thanks go to all the walk leaders and back markers, planners, coach organisers and to our Chairman for overseeing the whole event. Photos can be seen in the Walks Gallery
40th Anniversary Quiz Night, at Keene Hall Galleywood on Saturday April 11th to celebrate 40 years from the foundation of our group. Many thanks to Tux for a memorable evening and to the catering team.
New Years Day Walk, our annual mud free walk from Shoeburryness to Leigh on Sea.
Past Events 2025
Mince Pie Walk
C&B 2025 AGM, 22nd November. All existing Committee members were re-elected for the forthcoming year. Discussions were held regarding events for the 2026 including the group walking holiday to the Peak District, ideas to celebrate the groups 40th anniversary and suggestions for future social events and coach trips.
Tea and Cake Afternoon. The Group enjoyed a very sociable afternoon at Galleywood Heritage Centre in September. Delicious cakes and tea were organised by our invaluable catering team and many new and long standing members enjoyed catching up on news. Many thanks to the organisers.
Broomway Walk, Saturday 6th September. See photos in Walks Gallery
Geoff Watts Walk, The Ridley Round
Over 30 members braved the elements on 3rd September in memory of our former Treasurer and long-time walk leader. Three walks were organised based on the Ridley Round, a 13 mile walk connecting existing or previous Ridley Brewery pubs starting and finishing at the Compasses pub in Littley Green. The long walk led by Andrew followed the Ridley Round route, the 10 mile walk led by Rob was a slightly shorter version and Barbara led an afternoon walk. The pub opened early to accommodate walkers and non-walkers who, along with Geoff's daughter, raised a glass to remember him and his long committment to the group. See photos in Walks Gallery
2025 Group Walking Holiday in Devon
All participants agreed that this years walking holiday to Exeter was a great success. Over 50 members travelled by coach to Devon for four days of walking with excellent accommodation and meals provided by Exeter University. Walks were organised on Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Exe Valley Way and the Coastal Path. Photos can be found in the Walks Gallery
Sunday Coach Walks
Photos from the Sunday Coach Trips can be found in the Walks Gallery.
Easter Quiz evening
What a triumph again for Tux's quiz at Galleywood Heritage Centre. 54 people enjoyed a fun evening with tricky questions and games.
Many thanks to Tux for all her hard work, to Les Cutbush the scorer, Mo his assistant and Anne, Elaine and Chris the catering team and of course your support.
Congratulations to the winning team of Irene, Penny, Janet, Geoff, Debbie and Wendy. The lowest score team of Anne, Carole, Chris, Elaine, Bob and Lesley were delighted to be compensated with their wooden spoons.
Past Events 2024
Annual Mince pie walk and Christmas Lunch, December
Many thanks to the organisers for a very festive and enjoyable Mince Pie walk. Elaine, Chris and Anne provided mince pies and mulled wine in the hall of Little Totham church then all the walkers sang Carols in the church lead by Joanne and accompanied by Fiona playing the organ.
The group Christmas lunch was once again at Channels golf club in Chelmsford. It was a lovely occassion to catch up with other members of the group who may not walk so regulary or walk on different days of the week. Both events were a great way to mark the beginning of the festive season.
Tea and cakes on The Common, September 28th
On a sunny Saturday afternoon almost 60 members enjoyed tea and delicious cakes at Galleywood Heritage Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends who no longer walk regularly on our published walks but support our group in many other ways. Thanks to Elaine who organized the event and her helpers.
Cheltenham Walking Holiday August 2024 
Once again, the holiday committee and walk leaders organised a fantastic walking week based on the Cotswold Way and staying at the University of Gloucester in Cheltenham. Fifty-six members took part, and with three planned walks every day there was something to suit everyone.
Over the four days the long walks covered 50 miles along the Cotswold way from Chipping Camden to Painswick. The medium walks averaged 9 miles a day along sections of the way while the shorter walks were linear or circular and allowed time to visit sites such as Broadway Tower, Sudeley Castle and the Painswick Rococo Garden. Apart from one drizzly day the weather was perfect and allowed extensive views over Cheltenham towards the Malvern Hills and Black Mountains and then finally over Gloucester and the Severn Valley and estuary.
Many thanks to all the members of the organising committee and the walk leaders for their hard work in organising such a successful week. See the Walks Gallery for photographs of the four days.
Ely Coach Ramble 22st July 2024
Two walks were provided on this coach trip both starting from the impressive Ely Cathedral. The longer walk of 9.5 miles followed the Great Ouse as it passed through the Fens to Little Thetford, then returning via Kings School to circle the Cathedral and visit the riverside and marina. The shorter 5.5 mile circular followed the Great Ouse to pick up the Hereward Way to the village of Queen Adelaide then meandered back through meadows to the centre of Ely. See the photos in the Walks Gallery.
Cambridge Coach Ramble 23 June 2024
The Cambridge coach ramble was blessed with warm sunny weather and was a great success. Forty-two members joined the coach with some completing the 11 mile walk led and organised by Chris and Hazel while others enjoyed the short walk led by Helen from Trumpington into the centre of Cambridge, followed by a shorter walk around the colleges in the afternoon. See the photos in the Walks Gallery.
Chris explains the longer route:
“Hazel and myself led the longer walk from Mandingley Road Park and Ride, and after a 30-minute stop for coffee we walked for an hour to the American War Cemetery. The chapel had amazing mosaics and the visitor centre told us all about the cemetery and World War 2. From here, we walked for an hour and a half to Grantchester, where we ate our picnic in the church yard and had a look in the church. The church was featured in the Grantchester drama on TV recently. We walked into Cambridge along the river, stopping at the Mathematical Bridge before finishing at the Senate house. We had an hour to ourselves here to wander, have an ice-cream or a coffee. Our coach met us nearby and we were back in Chelmsford around 6:00. It was a great day with lovely weather.”
Many thanks to the leaders Chris, Hazel and Helen and to Sue for organising all the bookings.
Epping Fryer 11th May 2024
Members enjoyed a great day out on the steam train and heritage buses of the Epping Ongar Railway. A morning walk was followed by a fish and chip lunch aboard the train while travelling through the lush Essex countryside.
Henley Coach Trip 14th April 2024
Fortunately our Henley coach trip was blessed with a break in the ‘rainy season’ to give us a beautiful sunny day. The Bluebells were out in force, with majestic Red Kites soaring in wispy blue sky. Two afternoon walks meant we all enjoyed incredible vistas along the beautiful fast flowing Thames.
Our next coach adventure is Cambridge which will be equally enjoyable !
Quiz Night 23rd March 2024 at Keene Hall.
Another great quiz night organised and hosted by Tux. 80 Ramblers and friends enjoyed a fun evening based on a theme of spring and Easter, and were treated to hot cross buns, chocolate eggs and one table even won a bunch of carrots. We are very thankful to Tux for all the effort and detail she puts into her quiz evenings. Look out for the next one!.
Social Media - Members can contact each other through our Facebook page and Whatsapp groups to share walking news and photographs. If you are a member of the C&B group and would like to be included, please contact our membership secretary using the Contact Us page.