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Sunshine, Carols, a Walk and a great lunch – what more do you want at Christmas!
Sunshine smiled on the 60 Henley and Goring Ramblers as they enjoyed their annual Christmas Carol Service, Walk and lunch this year. In 2009 the event had to be called off as the pub in the Hambleden Valley where the lunch was to be held was cut off by snow! In 2010 half of the people who had booked a place weren’t able to get to the start point because of the snow. This year, mindful of the problems of access, it was decided to avoid the higher hills and valleys so the walk was centred on Checkenden church. The group met at the Bird in Hand pub in Sonning Common then set off in two groups to do a walk before meeting at the church for a service of carols and readings.

After the service the walkers took a short route back to the Bird in Hand where they were served a splendid hot lunch. All enjoyed the day and were very impressed by the quality of the food and efficiency of the service at the lunch. Those for whom it was the first experience of this annual event commented on how well it was organised with such large numbers taking part. They wanted to thank the main organiser, Susan Maguire, and all involved in making the day such a success.



AGM and supper, November 2011
Almost 70 members came to the AGM, supper and social evening at the Christ Church Centre in Henley. They were greeted with a glass of wine and enjoyed a chance to chat with old friends, look at displays about the past year’s activities and find out about plans for the coming year. At the AGM itself, following her annual report, the Chairperson for the past ten years, Susan Maguire, told members of her intention to step down. Members were relieved to hear that she is not ending her association with the group but will take on the role of Footpaths Officer following the retirement of Robbie Hanson. Susan was thanked for the magnificent work she has done for the group over the years and was presented with an engraved silver whistle (so she can continue to keep order!), a tree for the garden of her new house and a basket of flowers beautifully arranged by Lore Wade. Robbie was thanked for his work, initially as Walks Co-ordinator then as Footpaths Officer and presented with a laminated OS map. Peter Stone was unanimously elected to take over as Chairman. After the meeting the usual sumptuous supper, made by group members organised by Tilley Smith, was enjoyed by all!



Committee members for 2011/12 are:
Chairman Peter Stone
Secretary Eileen Burroughs
Treasurer Chris Corti
Footpaths Susan Maguire
Membership Gill Heaven
Social Tilley Smith
Walks organisers Peter Stone and Anna Dowling
Trips Peter Stone
Area representative Joan Clark
Publicity Vacancy – Joan Clark will continue till a replacement can be found.
Members Anna Dowling, Robbie Hanson

Cotswolds Weekend 16th-17th October
Being somewhat of a dilettante walker, I have avoided going away with the Ramblers for fear of not being able to keep up with those who walk far more regularly than I do, so when I saw this weekend advertised, I though this might be a good initiation – only two days, in the glorious Cotswolds and a choice of a longer or shorter walk each day. This is for us, I told my husband and how right I was! The weather was absolutely fantastic – especially on Sunday, the company excellent and the walks we chose (the shorter ones) quite within our limits. We set off from Burford car park on Sunday morning, divided into two groups – ours led by Bruce Brown and the longer walk by Peter Stone. We followed the Windrush and made our way to Widford, where there is a splendid church but little left of the village which effectively died at the time of the plague. The church is on the hill looking down on the river and the views are quintessentially English. There was some dry stone walling being done by a group of volunteers, all round the Church . We then went on to Swinbrook, which has strong links with the late Lord Redesdale and his famous daughters, the Mitfords, four of whose graves, Diana, Unity, Pamela and Nancy, I found in the churchyard of St Mary’s. The church itself is very interesting, with some splendid tombs. We lunched in the garden of the Swan, owned, I am told, by the dowager duchess of Devonshire and then made our way back to Burford where we spent a happy hour pottering about before joining the other group and setting off in convoy to the Mill house hotel at Kingham, where we were treated to a delicious cream tea before going off on our own to explore the beautiful village of Kingham. The day ended with an excellent dinner in the hotel. On Monday morning, after a very hearty breakfast, we drove in convoy to Adelstrop and set off on our walk to Chastleton and circumvented Chastleton house, which the National Trust has taken under its wing and then on through Dalesford – where we went through part of the Stud . Some of us took a shortcut back but we soon met up again with the main group who joined us for a picnic lunch , including hot soup, all provided by the hotel, in the grounds of Adelstrop village hall. It really was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and our sincere thanks go to Bruce Brown, who organised it all and to Peter and Jeanne Stone, who helped plan the walks.

Turkey October 2011
I have just returned from a walking holiday in Turkey with Henley and Goring Ramblers, and I have to say it is one of the most memorable, not to say the most relaxing holidays I have ever spent. It all began in early October when 18 intrepid Ramblers left London Gatwick bound for Antalya in southern Turkey, not knowing quite what a week of sheer delight lay ahead! This was to comprise a week of sunshine, walking and sea bathing, all from the delightful base of the Ceneviz Hotel situated in the equally delightful and unspoilt village of Adrasson. We experienced four days of wonderful walks, following the ancient Lycean Way in each direction, affording us spectacular views of the exceptionally beautiful coastline of southern Turkey which increased in magnificence as we climbed up the rocky mountain tracks. We also visited the fascinating historical ruins of the ancient Roman town of Olympus, and the amazing natural phenomenon of the flames of Chimaera. The middle of the week found us on a locally chartered boat with opportunities to swim in the crystal blue waters of several small secluded coves which punctuate this magnificent coastline. A delicious lunch of freshly caught fish was served on board, only confirming the ladies’ belief that they had all become Shirley Valentine for the day! As well as experiencing the satisfaction of completing quite challenging walks we had time to relax on the beach, swim in an invitingly warm sea and sample the excellent cuisine of our family run hotel. All our meals were enjoyed outside, either in the early morning sunshine or under the starry evening sky. Lastly, a huge thank you to Bruce Gomersall and Marilyn Payne of Henley and Goring Ramblers for organising such a wonderful holiday and allowing us to share for a week their personal corner of Paradise.



Dorset, September 2011
As you can see on the photographs the group had extremes of weather on the trip to Eypes near Bridport in Dorset. The wind varied from brisk to ferocious and when it was at its strongest the stormy seascapes off the Jurassic Coast and scudding clouds overhead made for unforgettable experiences of the power of natural forces. At one point on the coastal path a gust was so strong we all had to lie down to avoid being blown back down the hill! We did enjoy lots of sunshine too.
The group spent three nights in the Eypes Mouth Hotel near Bridport where we enjoyed warm hospitality and excellent food. The walks were organised by one of our members who lives part of the year in the area, so knows it well. On the day we drove down we walked in the Lulworth area visiting Tyneham and Durdle Door. Two full days walking along the coastal path, first east, then west of Bridport brought spectacular coastal scenery and exhilarating walking. On the final day we walked to a large Iron Age fort near Powerstock. After an excellent pub lunch we set off for home. Many thanks to Bob, Jacqueline and Colin for organising such a successful and enjoyable trip.

Oxfordshire groups’ joint picnic in Abingdon, June 2011
The Ramblers’ 75th anniversary celebration joint picnic for all Oxfordshire groups was such a success last year that it was decided to make it an annual event. Groups walked from different points in the county and met for a joint picnic on the banks of the Thames at Abingdon. Thanks to the Vale group for hosting this. See also the News page left.

Bank Holiday BBQ, May 2011
Last year it was sunshine, sizzling sausages, salmon and scrumptious salads at our August Bank Holiday BBQ. This year there were two changes: of date, from August to May Bank Holiday and of weather, from sunshine to showers! However, the other sizzling ingredients, including Colin Heaven’s jazz band to entertain the diners, were all present. Despite the weather about 40 members enjoyed a choice of walks led by John and Jane Case. Ray Maguire set up the BBQ in tithe shade of a tree and an umbrella and normal excellent cooking service was maintained. The quality and quantity of the salads and sweets contributed by the members was a tribute to their cooking and Tilley’s first class organisational skills. Thanks to all involved!

Walking the Wessex Way
Starting at Avebury and finishing at Lyme Regis, the Wessex Way is a wonderful walk packed with historical interest and spectacular scenery. Be warned, however, the way marking is decidedly patchy. Make sure you have good maps, a guide book and, preferably, someone with a GPS system or you might find yourself lost in the middle of a ploughed field!
A group of Henley & Goring Ramblers, having completed the Cotswold Way over the winter months last year, embarked on the 136 miles long Wessex Way starting with a day trip to the Marlborough White Horse, then weekends from November to April. The first weekend began in leisurely fashion wandering round the lines of stones at Avebury before a 12 miles walk and an overnight stay in Devises. The Sunday walk took us to West Lavington. Subsequent weekends involved walks varying in length from 10 to 14 miles with overnight stays in Westbury, Shaftesbury, Antsy and Lyme Regis. The route goes along ancient paths via the edge of Salisbury Plain and Cranbourne Chase to the Dorset coast. Devised by local Ramblers and opened in 1994, it is waymarked on maps, but waymarking on the ground is variable, in places excellent, in others nonexistent! The route is very varied and full of historical interest: iron age forts and long barrows, Old Wardour Castle dating in parts from the 14th century, interesting villages, romantic old pubs and manor houses, the bleak landscape of Salisbury Plain (with very dramatic big skies when we were there - bright sun and black thundery clouds), ridge walking with great views, fields and woods plus the not so welcome occasional muddy ploughed field. Much of the time walkers are in very rural surroundings making us feel almost as if we had gone back in time to a pre industrial England.
We were a group of 23 walkers, though not everyone managed to do every stage. This made organisation a big job, so it was shared among the group. A small core group worked out the route and decided on the different stages and responsibility for organising accommodation, meals and transport was shared among the rest of the group. This is certainly a long distance walk that we can recommend. It compares well with the Cotswold Way, and we thought that was brilliant.

Montgomery Easter 2011
Dry and sunny? Wales at Easter? Can’t be true, but it was for Henley & Goring Group’s trip to Montgomery, where Powys meets Shropshire and Offa’s Dyke reminds us of a turbulent past. There was nothing turbulent about the present in this quiet but lovely part of the country. The twenty people who made the trip were welcomed by the friendly hosts at the 17th century Dragon Inn, a coaching in the centre of the village sized town. The imposing castle ruins looming over the town attest to its former importance but quiet rural charm is a more apt description these days. The surrounding countryside with rolling hills and some sharp inclines is lovely and the group took full advantage of the good weather with walks on all four days of the trip.
On the first and last days we all walked together but on the middle days there was a choice of a long walk, a short walk and on one day a shorter walk as the short walk the previous day was described by those doing it as a long short walk!
The first walk took us to up the castle and nearby monument giving us excellent orientation views of the rolling landscape. A choice of walks was offered on our first full day. Both went over the border into Shropshire and took in sections of the Shropshire Way. The longer walk went along the Stiperstones Ridge with its superb views as we walked or enjoyed a lunchtime picnic. The shorter walk also enjoyed great views and included a lunch time pub stop at a charming pub at Norbury. A spectacular thunderstorm with hailstones made a dramatic end to the day but we were near to the cars at this point and the brief storm cleared the haze from the air. The next day’s walks, taking in sections of Offa’s Dyke, were more challenging and some of the inclines were decidedly steep! The shorter walk covered much of the same country as the long walk, just starting closer to Montgomery. This led to a third walk being offered – the short, short walk – taken up gratefully by those of the group who were still recovering from the previous day’s ‘short’ walk!
The last day brought a complete contrast as the full group walked a delightful section of the Montgomery Canal from Berriew to Powis Castle. The weather was glorious again and most people enjoyed a visit to the castle, a leisurely lunch and an ice cream before driving home We could have had a better Easter weekend away! Many thanks to the
organisers!

Carols in the Snow
Strangely enough ‘Good King Wenceslas’ was not on the carol sheet when Henley & Goring Ramblers went to Fingest Church for the annual carol service walk and lunch. However, the ‘snow lay all about, deep and crisp and even’! Last year the service had to be cancelled as the vicar couldn’t get to the church and the pub had not had a food delivery because of the snow. This year the snow came a little earlier so despite quite a few members not being able to make it, the roads were mostly clear and we went ahead. We were glad we did! The historic church, one of only two with a double tower in the country, dates from Norman times and is well worth a visit in its own right. Beautifully decorated with natural foliage it was lovely setting for the traditional Christmas service of nine carols and readings.
After the service two walks with a similar route but one longer and at a faster pace than the other, followed. The area around Fingest, Skirmett and Turville is one of the loveliest in the Chilterns and it was looking magical in the snow. Having worked up a good appetite the walkers returned to the village pub, the Chequers, for a buffet lunch. The warm welcome and the log fires encouraged lingering into the dusk of the late afternoon. All agreed we had had a great day out – spiritual uplift, healthy exercise and a good meal. What more could you ask for to put you in the mood for the festive season?

H&G Ramblers 75th anniversary baton walk
This month the Ramblers 75th anniversary baton reached South Oxfordshire on the final leg of its journey around Britain.
Throughout the year a special Ramblers baton has been carried from region to region, celebrating the Ramblers work to make Britain one of the most walking friendly countries in the world. This week it reached Henley.
It began on New Year’s Eve in Cornwall with the infamous ‘Trencrom Tipsy Toddle’- an annual amble to Trencrom fort with mulled wine and mice pies - then wound its way up the West of the country, through Wales, up into Scotland before heading back down the East side of England. Last month Ramblers from across London and the surrounding area carried the baton around the entirety of the 180 mile London Loop. Then it was our turn. Ramblers from across Oxfordshire have been walking sections of the Oxfordshire Way during October and November. On a cold but sunny day Henley & Goring Group members joined Didcot & Wallingford Group for lunch at The Crown at Pishill then took over the baton and carried it on the final Oxfordshire stretch from Pishill to Henley.
Actually the baton almost didn’t make it. When it arrived it wasn’t recognised for what it was – a blow-up baton! The Henley publicity officer seeing it in its deflated state assumed it was a plasticised banner and cheerfully stuck it onto a display board with drawing pins! Happily a replacement was sent in time for the baton passing walk.

Autumn in Tuscany
The wonderfully welcoming Hotel Giardini in San Marcello, north west of Florence was H&G’s base for a week of walking, sightseeing and Italian cookery lessons in October 2010. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays offer this trip as an exclusive group holiday if the numbers are right. They were for us and we enjoyed a great week in this lovely part of Italy.
The walking was varied both in terms of terrain and difficulty. On the easier walks we wandered through colourful woodlands over a carpet of chestnuts and acorns to villages with fascinating buildings and histories. The villages, usually on top of hills, looked as if they had been placed where they were by a landscape designer in order to achieve maximum picturesque effect! We crossed a gorge on the longest foot suspension bridge in the world: exhilarating or quite an ordeal depending on your susceptibility to vertigo! We climbed the delightfully named Libro Aperto (open book) because of its shape, which rises to just under 2000 metres and has spectacular views across the Tuscan hills. We took a long cable car ride with the intention of walking a high ridge. Unfortunately the clouds were down, the wind was cold and we might as well have been on a ridge in the Chilterns for all we could see, so we acknowledged that Italy can be like England in autumn, and turned round for a welcome hot cuppa in the cafe at the cable car station.
One day was spent sightseeing in Florence –a tantalising experience as there was too much to see and marvel at even for those who had visited the city before. An enjoyable aspect of this holiday was the food and drink. The bravery, patience and good humour of our hostess as she let 22 people into her kitchen to make classic Italian dishes like ravioli, minestrone, pesto Genovese, pizza, and tiramisu was amazing. Even more amazing was that the food we made was served for dinner and actually tasted good! Two evening entertainments stood out: the wine tasting, with fine local wines that were new to many of us and the final night of singing and dancing led by our host Rudi. Rudi, who has a passing resemblance to Tom Jones, entertained us with song and we danced as he couldn’t persuade any of us to try the karaoke! We may be shy about singing but I think we surprised the locals with the variety of our dancing – including a variation on an eightsome reel to the music of Abba!

Henley & Goring tackle the Yorkshire Big 3
Just before our departure the Met office predicted heavy rain and strong winds but fortunately over 3 days the intrepid group conquered the 3 peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent missing the bad weather nearly all the way.
The group of 10 met up at Ingleton to walk the Waterfalls Trail, through ancient oak woodland and magnificent Dales scenery; then on to our base, The Golden Lion Hotel, in the market town of Settle. The hotel was a delightfully traditional 17th century coaching inn where the staff where very obliging and welcoming. On arrival there was some disarray as the tenant manager had gone bankrupt the previous week. They had us booked for the right number of rooms but not the right combination of beds! However this was admirably sorted out and we enjoyed a comfortable, great value stay.
Settle is the starting point for the Settle to Carlisle Railway and we travelled on this excellent railway, over the Ribblehead viaduct of 24 arches, to Dent Station, then joined the River Dee and followed the Dales Way to the summit of Whernside, returning to Ribblehead station and the pub just before the rain started.
Our walk up Ingleborough started with a bus ride to Clapham, idyllic village shame about the name! From there we followed Clapham Beck which passed through spectacular limestone country going through Trow Gill and passing Gaping Gill which is one of the largest caverns in the Dales. On descent the route took us across an unusual section of limestone pavement where we were tempted to stop and soak up the sunshine like lounging lizards.
For the third peak, Pen-y-Ghent, it was back on the train, and the walk started and ended in the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Our route included a few steep scrambles, a quiet ridge and valley walk and we passed the magnificent chasm of Hull Pot and Hunt Pot. Mission accomplished! With thanks to Colin Sutton, Susan Maguire and Brain Maunder, the organisers.
Anna and Tim Dowling

Bank Holiday BBQ 2010
Sunshine, sizzling sausages, salmon, sumptuous salads, super sweets and serenades from 'Jazz Moves' ! What more could you want after a lovely walk?
Between 50 and 60 H & G members enjoyed a great day out in the country on Bank Holiday Monday. We started with a choice of walks from Bix village hall, led by John and Jane Case. The longer walk took in Greys court, Merrymoles and the Fleming Estate; the shorter walk went to Bix Bottom and Catslip. Food was organised by Tilley Smith and she and a team of cooks led by Chief Chef Ray Maguire stayed behind to get it ready for the returning hungry walkers. The pleasure of the excellent meal was greatly enhanced by music, provided by Colin Heaven's band. As usual many members contributed to the success of the day making salads and sweets or helping with setting up and clearing away. Thanks to all for making it such an enjoyable day!

75th Birthday Celebrations in the Sunshine
On a glorious day in June, 75 Ramblers from all corners of Oxfordshire converged on Shirburn Hill overlooking Watlington. Morning walks were arranged by six Oxfordshire groups, each starting from a different point and converging at lunchtime high on the Chilterns with wonderful views over the Oxford Plain. The Ramblers is 75 years old this year we celebrated with a picnic on access land. Pat Lonergan, Oxfordshire Area Chairman, welcomed the groups in turn and particularly thanked Henley & Goring Group, the main organisers of the occasion.  John Killick, who has been involved in the campaign to gain right of access to land in Oxfordshire, including Shirburn Hill, spoke about that campaign and some of the ironies involved. To put forward the case for access detailed reports on the land use had to be drawn up, but the owners’ barristers then claimed that the reports should not be admitted as evidence as the report writer must have trespassed on the land in order to write the report! Some fights were won, others lost. Luckily Shirburn Hill was one of the wins! Dr. Alan Bryden, Oxfordshire Ramblers President, welcomed the walkers and invited them to raise a glass to the next 75 years of walking and campaigning for the countryside. Birthday cakes, champagne and other drinks were passed round before walkers dispersed for short afternoon walks and the return to their own parts of the county.