THE SOUTH EAST ESSEX RAMBLERS’ GROUP HISTORYIn the beginning ….. A Public Meeting was held on 30th October 1975 at the Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea inviting all those interested in protecting our countryside and its footpaths to form a local group of the Ramblers’ Association for the Southend and District area. Following this meeting, 30 members were enrolled and the first Group meeting was held on 13 November 1975 when a committee was formed. The territory was Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Canvey Island.
ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS1975 – 2002
In February 1979, it was agreed to change the name from Southend and District to South East Essex Group and in November 1986, the territory was changed to the districts of Castle Point, Rochford and the Borough of Southend-on-Sea. In July 1990, our chairman, Dennis Nesbit had prepared figures showing a division between Castle Point/Rochford and Southend as being almost equal and suggested that the Group needed to consider ways of overcoming the heavy load of administration as numbers increased to over 600 members. In October 1992 concern was again raised over the size of the Group and it was agreed to invite the Area Formation Officer to come to the AGM with the idea of forming a new group. This was agreed in 1993 and in June 1994, the Rochford & Castle Point Group was launched leaving the S E Essex Group in tact. At the AGM November 1994, a motion to change the name of our Group to “Southend-on-Sea” was unsuccessful but it was agreed to change the territory to read “the Borough of Southend-on-Sea”. It was also agreed that any person having served in the office of Chairman for three consecutive years shall not be eligible for re-election to that post until at least one further year has elapsed. In recognition of his service to the group, Michael Easter was elected Honorary President. At the AGM in 1999, a motion to change our name from the South East Essex Group back to Southend & District was again defeated.
MEMBERSHIP30 members were enrolled at the opening meeting in 1975, in 1980 it had risen to 136, 1985 saw a drop to 111, a good increase by 1990 to 524, peaking at 709 in 1998 and 624 in 2001. The recent drop we have attributed to more walking groups being formed in the area, more leisure pursuits being available and the increase in subscriptions. The foot and mouth outbreak also took its toll.
SUBSCRIPTIONSEach Group was responsible for their own finances in 1975 and it was agreed that adults should pay 50p per year. In 1977 finance was controlled by Central Office who, in turn, would allow each group a capitation allowance. In view of the likelihood that our income would be reduced, it was decided to ask for donations from members instead. The generosity of our members kept us in the black and we were able over the years to make donations to any organisation connected with RA interests restricted to appeals within S E England e.g. National Trust, CPRE, Woodland Trust, Hadleigh Castle Conservation Group etc. The system was again changed so that Central Office allowed Areas a figure which, in turn, was distributed to Groups but we still had to ask for donations from members to keep us afloat. Whilst Joy Nisbet was secretary she organised the programmes to be distributed by members. This system continued for over ten years saving the Group hundreds of pounds in stamps and stationery until 2001 when programmes were sent by post.
ESSEX AREAThe Area was formed in April 1984 and Dennis Nisbet was elected to become Chairman. It was agreed that each Group should be represented by two committee members and two ‘individual’ members. Michael Easter and Geoffrey Forward, Marjorie Haylock and John Mallion volunteered to be ours. Dennis Strohm and Ron Mills also represented us later and currently, Les Jessen and David Hitchman are our two representatives. Marjorie also went on to be the Area Secretary. 1988 saw the birth of the ‘Essex Rambler’ edited by Norman Skinner.
At the AGM in November 2001, it was suggested that as we and Rochford & Castle Point, our neighbouring group, were experiencing difficulties in filling our walks programmes, we should amalgamate. However, after researching the conditions we would have to meet, i.e. both groups having to disband, hand over funds to Essex Area and then form a new group, neither group was willing to conform. Therefore, it was decided to co-operate to a greater degree in the task of compiling our walks programmes.
LOGOSIn March 1993, a competition was held to design a group logo – this was won by Sue Buckingham. This logo of the muddy “ramblers” boot was printed on a number of sweatshirts and remained our logo until we decided we should have a new one for the millennium. Our new logo of a typical country scene was designed by Brian Bishop.
FOOTPATH & COUNTRYSIDE MATTERSThis is high on the list of our Association’s aims and it was decided to encourage greater local participation in coping with developments which threaten the peace and beauty of our countryside. In January 1976 it was reported that there was no definitive map of Southend but that the Council was working on it. It was recorded that footpaths were in a poor condition, being ploughed up and used by horses, trees were falling over and there was a lack of signposts. The definitive map was made available in 1998 showing that there were 254 footpaths in the borough. David Hitchman, our current Footpath/Countryside Officer, now had the opportunity to contest paths and by May 2000 several of the footpaths claimed had been approved. However, there are many outstanding paths for which we need proof that they have been walked over the past twenty years but this proof has been hard to find. Footpath and countryside work has a very wide spectrum because over the years hundreds of complex problems and suggested developments have arisen which needed to be looked into by our Officers. Some could be dealt with quite quickly but others take months, sometimes years, to come to fruition – some won, some lost after a great deal of work has been done. Shipwrights Close was blocked by the owner who put many obstacles in the way over the years involving court cases and it took19 years for it to be officially agreed that the public has a right of passage six feet wide along the Close ignoring the fences which had been erected either side. We have to thank Michael Easter for his patience in pursuing this matter. Other developments include the Roach Valley and Dawes Heath Conservation Zones, Hadleigh Castle Country Park, Hockley Woods, Cherry Orchard Lane through road, Rayleigh Weir Underpass, North Shoebury development and the proposed Maplin Airport, Garons Golf Course and the Little Haven developments, the cycle route in Southend, the removal of Southend United football ground to Fossetts Farm and Blatches Farm, which we now understand will be developed into a country park. Over the years, covering Southend, Rochford & Castle Point, Edwin Amos, Brian Offin, Ian Sayers, Les Jessen, Dennis Nisbet, Paul Levy, Alan Bearman, John Ratcliff, Michael Easter, Graham Price and David Hitchman have all been involved. Currently, Les Jessen and Alan Bearman are looking after Rochford & Castle Point and David Hitchman, Southend.
ADOPT A PARISH SCHEMEDennis Nisbet’s draft of this Scheme was approved by Essex Area and welcomed by Parish Councils in 1989. Our Group undertook to walk all the local rights of way in every parish in the Castle Point, Rochford and Southend districts and to note any action which may need to be taken e.g. missing signposts and bridges, damaged stiles, useful way marking points, paths overgrown or illegally ploughed up or obstructed and then notifying the Council who in turn should rectify them. A lot of the problems were in fact put right by our Working Party. At the start of the scheme, our volunteers were Ron Mills, Geoff Forward, Dennis Strohm, David Hitchman, Dennis Twells, Paul Levy, Brian Haylock, Michael Easter, Hannah Hyde, Les Jessen, Malcolm Jeffries and Dennis Nisbit. By 1993, a number of these adopters had given up so volunteers needed to be recruited. By April 1994, we had a full complement ready to work towards the Essex Area’s project for the 60th Anniversary of the RA. of surveying 60 parishes and entering the results onto the ROWDAM computer system - Alan Chapple, Pam & Jim Cross, Michael Easter, Marjorie & Brian Haylock, Les Jessen, Ron Mills, Derek & Pauline Rayment, Pat & Dennis Strohm, Dennis Twells, Derek White and Jim Woodcock. David Hitchman had simplified the ROWDAM (Rights of Way Database And Monitor) scheme for our adopters to work to. The results of the Essex Area survey were presented at a mass walk to Essex County Council on 24 September 1995 to highlight the condition of the paths in 60 parishes of Essex as our contribution to “Open Britain Day”. It is now the responsibility of the Council to carry out the work required. Six years on, there is still much to be done.
WORKING PARTYWork on clearing paths started almost as soon as the Group was formed, Edwin Amos being in charge of Castle Point and Southend and Brian Offin, Rochford. There was plenty of work to be done. Leo Sleight recorded “If a footpath becomes overgrown and, therefore, little used, it can become lost and even closed. Clearance work is extremely important but attendance on working parties show that only about 5% of the Group membership care enough about this to help. A little time and effort is all we are asking.” He also encouraged ramblers to carry secateurs to have the “odd snip” when out on a walk. In 1985 the Working Party did a splendid job, under the energetic leadership of John Mallion, in clearing a wide avenue through dense scrub to ease entry into the Hadleigh Castle Country Park from the west end of the Downs. Alan Taylor also led the party in 1990.  Brian Haylock, party leader for many years, recorded “A day spent footpath clearing was very satisfying, particularly when one surveyed the day’s work and saw how the path had transformed from an ill-defined obstacle course to the manicured path that was left with relatively little effort! Lunch breaks had become quite entertaining with attempts to cook on open fires producing interesting results – some almost edible. Whilst some physical work was involved, the results were very rewarding. The event was quite social and a good night’s sleep was almost certain.” 
Small parties of workers turned out regularly 3-4 times a year carrying out difficult clearances owing to overgrown vegetation but the numbers dwindled over the years to a handful of regular, dedicated, diligent workers who, in 1992, were rewarded by having lunch provided (value 50p/head) if they worked all day ! “Do it yourself” lunches were tried on the bonfire but Janet Osborn and Nick Rochefort stepped into the breach and, as well as taking part in the clearances, brought along delicious goodies including mulled wine. A lunch worth working for !  We were also actively involved in the footpath clearance in readiness for the Hockley and Hullbridge Centenary Walk in 1994 and were thanked publicly for our hard work by the Parish Council. Derek Rayment, Ron Mills and Brian Jones then took over the footpath clearances but it was difficult to carry on because overall control had been taken over by the Essex County Council.  In December 1997, the Group donated and planted 300 trees in the Little Haven Nature Reserve at the new hospice in Essex for children.
HADLEIGH CASTLE COUNTRY PARKThis was officially opened on 18 May 1987. Those present then walked into the fine scenic area from the new car park off Chapel Lane, Hadleigh. Particularly happy on that day were our then Chairman, Dennis Nisbet and Countryside Secretary, Edwin Amos, who had actively campaigned for many years for this Country Park to come to life. Our Working Party was thanked for their work in clearing a path at the west end of the park to facilitate entry from Benfleet Station and thereabouts.
POUND WOOD NATURE RESERVEThis was opened on 6 November 1993 and is one of the string of woods in Dawes Heath that together form a wildlife corridor in an essentially urban area. It is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. All the paths in the wood were named after members of the Castle Point Wildlife Trust. There is a path named “Edwin’s Path” to commemorate Edwin Amos, Chairman of our Group for ten years and the work he did getting the Castle Point Council to make Dawes Heath a conservation area. Other areas have since been named after some of our ramblers who have worked in the reserve under the watchful eye of the Warden.
WALKSThe first programme was issued in December 1975 and the first walk was led by Michael Easter from Rochford to Mucking Hall. The bus timetables for each walk were published in the programme but this practice ceased in July 1976 when only bus numbers were given. Not many cars about in those days! There were 3 or 4 weekend walks each month and in May 1978, the first Wednesday walk took place but it was not until August 1980 that another was held. However, these became regular afternoon or evening walks in 1982 and are still going strong today, being our most well-attended walks of varying distances, usually a choice of two each week – a half day and full day walk.  Friends from S E Essex, Rochford & Castle Point & Greenways Groupsat the end of Essex 100 August/September 1996Our Group has taken part in the Essex Area and RA walks – the Essex series of 100 mile walks started in 1986 and the Spring Walks, 1987. The 1989 Essex Heritage Year walks, HERD (Happy Essex Rambling Day), Open Britain Day, Forbidden Britain Day, Family Rambling Day, Access Day and the Festival of Winter Walks have all been included in our programmes. We have been invited to join other Groups’ walks – Arthur Cooke’s (R&CP) Grand Union, Kennet & Avon and Basingstoke Canals and the Green London Way led by Ron Lockhart (Greenways). The 32 mile Greenways Challenge Walk 1994, the annual Chelmer Hike which started in 1988, the Rochford Parish Centenary Walk and the Hockley & Hullbridge Centenary Walk in 1994.  All togged up for the Boxing Day walk 2000 Family Rambling DayOur leaders have taken us far and wide on a selection of interesting walks – a midsummer night ramble along the Chelmer & Blackwater Canal (13 miles) and another from Rayne to Dunmow and back (14 miles), the dawn was heralded on Langdon Hills, Canvey Island, Thorndon Park and Hadleigh Castle sometimes with breakfast, complete with champagne, served from a motorvan. The Flower Festival walk at Great Easton and Great Dunmow was enjoyed. We had a treasure hunt ramble and an icicle walk in Hadleigh Castle Country Park. The Malden Millenium Meander and Maritime Trail took place in 1991. George Hood’s London and canal walks were very popular as were Michael Easter’s Autumn Tints walks in Epping Forest. Another fairly strenuous but splendidly scenic walk was 1000ft of climbing in S E Essex around Benfleet and Hadleigh Downs. The six churches walk, five Essex spires, Foulness Island, Lovejoy walks, the Constable Trail, Canvey Island Coastal Path, the Admiral McArdle Way, Stour Valley Way, Harcamlow Way and St Peter’s Way, Real Ale rambles and a fungi foray. George Hood also took us on ‘educational’ trips to the Gordon Gin Distillery Heritage Centre, Ridleys Brewery at Hartford End and the Working Silk Museum at Braintree. We also led three annual walks for the London Blind Ramblers.  The Jubilee Walk – a 2000 mile celebration of the English Countryside.This was organised by the RA to celebrate 50 years 1935 – 1985. It started on 31 March from The Royal Holloway College, Egham in Surrey, followed the London Countryway to Merstham Station when it picked up the North Downs Way as far as Borough Green, then the Wealdway to Alfriston where it followed the South Downs Way to Studland then onto Ivybridge School via the South West Way. It then followed the Two Moors Way as far as Bath Abbey Churchyard, then a short distance along the Cotswold Way to Chepstow. The journey went along Offa’s Dyke Path as far as Clun then onto Tong along the Shropshire Way. Tong to Edale on the Staffordshire Way joining the Pennine Way as far as Carlisle where it joined with the Cumbria Way as far as Burnside, onwards to Menston via the Dales Way. The Ebor Way was next on the route as far as Helmsley, joining the Cleveland Way as far as Filey; onto the Wolds Way Humber Bridge to Ketton on the Viking Way. Hereward Way to West Bergholt joining the Essex Way as far as Epping. Back to the London Countryway to Windsor Bridge and ending up along the Thames Walk back to the Houses of Parliament. The last stage was by a specially chartered boat from Putney to Westminster. One lady and one gentleman completed the whole walk, finishing on 27 September 1985. The idea was that as they entered each RA area, members of those groups accompanied them through their territory. Our task was to lead the 11 miles from Purleigh Law to Stock along St Peter’s Way on 13 September, ably carried out by Les Jessen with Geoff Forward backmarking. However, they were joined by many walkers throughout the 2000 miles who spent days and weeks taking part in this mega-walk. If you have six months to spare, perhaps you would like to have a go. I wonder if the same footpaths are still there though?
Millenium WalksThe Rochford & Castle Point Group devised a series of walks as part of the Festival of Christmas Walks in the spirit of local history of “The Hundreds”, by which the coastal Hundreds of Dengie and Rochford were known, and in acknowledgement and primary significance of the Millenium, these walks together connected twenty “hundred” (2000) churches – St Nicholas Great Wakering, St Mary the Virgin Little Wakering, St Peter’s and St Paul’s Hockley, St Nicholas Rawreth, Holy Trinity Rayleigh, St Nicholas Canewdon, St Mary’s and All Saints Great Stambridge, St Peter’s Paglesham, St Leonard’s Southminster, St Lawrence Tillingham & St Nicholas Tillingham, St James Dengie, Asheldham Youth Church, St Andrew’s Ashingdon, All Saints South Fambridge, St Mary’s Hawkwell, St Andrew’s Rochford, St Clement’s Leigh, St James the Less Hadleigh, St Peter’s Thundersley passing many places of interest along the way. In August 2000, our Group walked “The Ramblers Millenium Walk” devised by David Hitchman, a 23 mile route around Southend and the surrounding countryside. This was so successful that it was repeated in 2001 as a Challenge Walk. Essex Area’s contribution to the Millenium was a series of sea wall walks, our group’s brief being a walk from Oxon, Fleethead, Little Wakering, Shoebury Ranges and Millhead. Pauline & Derek Rayment also devised an Essex Coast to Coast 14 mile circular walk starting at Southchurch Park to Bournes Green, along the River Crouch to Barling, Wakering, Shoebury Park, Gunners Park and along the seafront back to Southchurch Park.
Roach Valley WayThis walk was originally devised by Rochford District Council’s Conservation Project in 1986. Staff and pupils of the Deanes School at Benfleet had a long association with the Roach Valley Way having participated in the inaugural walk in 1986 and had used the route for sponsored walks ever since. They had been working in partnership with Ways Through Essex, Essex County Council’s public Rights of Way project, to re-establish the Roach Valley Way. This is now a 23-mile circular walk around south-east Essex winding through a rich variety of landscapes – from the woodlands of Hockley to the expansive coastal margins of the Roach and the Crouch estuaries.
Rochford 100 WalkThis walk, devised by Paul Levy, covered almost all footpaths in the Rochford district and was walked by our Group over a period of 10 weeks in 1995. The parishes covered were Ashingdon, Barling Magna, Canewdon, Great Wakering, Hawkwell and Hockley, Hullbridge, Rayleigh and Rawreth, Paglesham, Rochford, Stambridge and Sutton. To my knowledge, this series of walks has not been published.
The Priory WayThis walk was originally devised in 1978 by Edwin Amos as a 14 mile walk which the Group first walked in 1985, beginning and ending at the Prittlewell Priory. In 1993 Michael Easter requested that we should try to get the route published for our 20th anniversary in 1995. A working party was formed to organise the clearance, way-marking, walking out, writing up and publication of this walk. Michael then extended it to about 50 miles which the Group walked in 1995 from the Priory to Rayleigh, Rochford via Hockley, a circular route from Rochford taking in Canewdon and Paglesham then back to the Priory via Sutton and Little Wakering. However, there were quite a few footpath problems to be solved and the walk is still unpublished.
Southend Floral TrailThis walk was published by one of our members, Bill Howe, while he was Chairman of the ‘Southend in Bloom’ project, to celebrate the R.A.’s 60th, our Group’s 20th anniversaries in 1995 and the success of Southend in the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition in which we always did particularly well. The circular route visits our many parks and gardens starting at Chalkwell Park, Chalkwell Esplanade, Cliff Gardens, Prittlewell Square, Cliff Bandstand Gardens, Southchurch Park, Southchurch Hall, Churchill Gardens, Priory Park, Prittlewell Brook and back to Chalkwell Park. Visiting these gardens was one of the bonuses of our urban walks while the foot & mouth epidemic was rife and we were unable to walk in the countryside.  Two old friends on the Essex Way – Ron Mills and Bill Thatcher COACH RAMBLES & LONG DISTANCE PATHSIn July 1977, the first coach ramble was arranged to walk part of the South Downs starting at Upper Beeding. These coach rambles continued at the rate of about two per year visiting the Surrey and Chiltern Hills, North Downs, Weald Way, London Country Way, Painters Way, Epping Forest, Greensands Way, Ickneild Way, Suffolk Coastal Path, South Downs Way and Seven Sisters, Essex Way, Vanguard Way, Eden Valley Walk, the Three Castles Path and parts of the Thames Path. However, it was decided to walk the whole of the North Downs Way in 1996 and the Greensands Way in 1999 at a rate of one section per month to enjoy the continuity of a long distance path. An alternative to a full-day walk was to visit a place of interest in the afternoon. This included places such as Bressingham Gardens, Leonardslee Gardens, a canal cruise on the Basingstoke Canal, a ride on the Watercress Line steam railway, Denbies, the ‘ultimate wine experience’ and a visit to the historic Georgian town of Alresford; Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival; Hever, Penshurst, Windsor, Barnsgate Manor Vineyard and a series of Suffolk rambles for our Wednesday walkers. In 1997 Peter Golightly arranged a coach ramble to France spending time in Boulogne after the walk which was so successful that it has become a regular item on the programme. Our coach booking secretaries have been Les Jessen (for ten years), Lesley Hey, Joyce Law and Pam Cross.
YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION GROUPThis was formed in 1977 by Michael Easter and Geoff Forward then became the secretary who successfully arranged trips several times each year to all parts of the country. In April 1983 at the request of some members who sometimes appreciated a little more comfort, it was decided to alternate between Youth Hostels and B&B. Geoff resigned in October 1990 and the holidays were taken over by Michael Easter, who changed the name to HILL & FELL WALKING in 1992 and arranged several holidays until 1996. In 1992, Alan Gladman formed a BACKPACKING Group and took small parties on ‘wild and soft-camping’ sorties. December 1998 saw the birth of our SUPER GROUP – those who enjoy a ‘once a month 15/20 mile, brisk pace, possibly hilly walk, route to be chosen on the day’. This group of friends have walked many miles, including holidays along Wainwrights Coast to Coast, the Lyke Wake Walk, Offa’s Dyke and the South Downs Way. The mileage has been dropped to 12/15 miles to encourage more walkers to join them.
HOLIDAYSGroups of friends have arranged walking holidays in the UK for many years. Marjorie & Brian Haylock arranged a hotel holiday in the Isle of Wight twelve years ago which was so successful that each year since then Linda & George Tull have organised a holiday in all parts of the country. Richard Carpenter also arranged two. Other groups of friends continue to enjoy the YHA holidays.  Off on our first walk in Austria – June 1995
 At the end of the 81 mile Dales Way – July 1996  “Yes!” We made it to the end of the Wainwright’s Coast to Coast 1997
MAP & COMPASS/NAVIGATIONRight from the very start, leaders for walks have been in short supply – nearly every other programme was crying out for them and it is still the same today. Map and compass evenings were arranged to help ramblers become “leaders” run by Charles Ablethorpe & Brian Haylock. David Hitchman led “exploratory walks”, again, to encourage more leaders. Many ramblers enrolled and passed Alan Gladman’s navigation course, but although these were well-attended, few new leaders emerged. LIBRARYEugene Clusty founded the Library in February 1978 and purchased for approximately £9 most of the maps covering the county. (What would they cost today?) Stan Jeffries, Bill Thatcher and Geoff Forward were in turn responsible for running the library and in 1991 Pauline Rayment became our Librarian. Today we have a comprehensive library containing over 50 books on walks countrywide, of historic interest and on long distance footpaths. Landranger 50,000, Pathfinder 25,000, Outdoor Leisure and Explorer Series maps, all available for our members to borrow. Pauline also has details of walking holidays and accommodation in various parts of the UK and abroad.
PUBLICITYIn 1975 in his capacity as Publicity Officer, Stan Jeffrey arranged that walks were broadcast on Radio London and in local libraries. Hannah Hyde took over the role followed by Ron Mills who held the position until 1992. During that time our walks were advertised in the South Eastern Rambler, the Evening Echo, Yellow Advertiser, Essex Rambler, Essex Countryside and Select and on Essex Radio.  Ron Mills & Dennis Twells manning an Exhibition June 1988A series of walks were successfully advertised in the local paper under the heading “Now walk this way…” Ron made up display boards illustrating the work of the Ramblers which were used at a number of Exhibitions held at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, the Dutch Cottage Museum, Runnymede Hall, Priory Park Spring Festival and Southend & Hockley Libraries. These were all very successful but in latter years it was found that little interest was shown at the International Festival at Priory Park, local exhibitions such as Shoebury, Eastwood and Rayleigh and an exhibition at Southend library where we joined up with the Deanes School promoting the opening of the Roach Valley Way. In 1990, our first walks book “15 Walks in S E Essex for all the Family” was published which brought Group funds up to a good level. Ron Mills devised the book with the help of Michael Easter, Brian Haylock, Dennis Strohm and Bill Thatcher. It was all done by hand - no computers around then. This book was updated in 1997 and to date, hundreds have been sold. Our second book, devised by David Hitchman, was published in 1998 - “17 more Walks in and Around S E Essex” and this too has been well-received – this time done on a computer giving a very professional finish. Our latest book “Short Walks in the area of Southend-on-Sea”, again by David Hitchman, has just been published. The walks are all less than four-and-a-half miles. The sale of these books is the Group’s bread and butter. Len Carpenter took over from Ron, followed by Graham Price, who made new contacts in the media, Joyce Law then Hazel Francis. Joyce covers the position today, advertising in the Evening Echo, Yellow Advertiser, Standard, The Times Group Newspapers and in local libraries and other outlets. Any special events are also broadcast on local radio stations.
SOCIALThe first ‘get together’ was held in September 1976. The social scene was a miscellany of slide evenings, barn dances, cheese and wine evenings and many informal meetings with suppers in different public houses held between three and five times a year. In 1978, the first Christmas dinner was held at the Black Rose Restaurant in Leigh; these have continued over the years at different venues in various forms, latterly as lunches in local public houses and restaurants - the 2001 celebration is to take place at the Hollywood Restaurant, Thundersley.  Outside the Shepherd & Dog Christmas lunch 1998  Ready for lunch at the Airport Hotel, Christmas 2000 In October 1985, the 50th anniversary of the RA and the Group’s 10th was celebrated with a dinner/dance at the Old Vienna Roadhouse Leigh which was a huge success. When we tried to revive this to celebrate our 20th anniversary, the dinner/dance had to be cancelled through lack of support. The trend for socialising had become more ‘informal’ The slides evenings continued regularly as did the fish and chip suppers, walks with buffet lunches or evening meals, cheese and wine evenings and barn dances. We have had quiz nights, an indoor games evening and we were ten-pin bowling at the pier the night before it caught fire. Visits to the theatre were also arranged. Since Pam took over in 1996, she has arranged successful coach trips to RHS Wisley Gardens, the Royal Palaces, Hampton Court with a boat trip included from Kingston, Kew Gardens arriving by boat from Westminster, a walk round the original ‘London of Dickens and Shakespeare’, ‘London, the secret city – a walk back in time’ and the Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum in East Sussex. Our social secretaries have been Sue Ellis, Pauline Hutchman, Rita Mazirel, Hannah Hyde, Pat Strohm, Sue Folwell, Paul Levy, Janet Osborn, George Hood, Joyce Law, Anne Collins and, currently, Pam Cross. Joyce Law Publicity. November 2001
ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS 2002
Chairmen: Jim
Cross & Peter Golightly ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS 2003
Chairmen: Peter
Golightly
MEMBERSHIP
As you can see from the table above, we have had a steady intake of new members but our total membership has dropped owing to the number of people resigning or changing groups. However, the number of members taking part in our walks is healthy.
ESSEX AREA Norman Skinner, a stalwart of the Area, sadly died in December. He was well-known to many members of our group as we met him during the Essex Area walks when he was a regular leader. Norman was the editor of the Essex Rambler and it seems that this will now be replaced by an area website. Our representatives to the Area Executive Committee are Les Jesson and Brian Jones.
WALKS Essex Area organised a Festival of Spring Walks in May and the Essex 100 in August and the Ramblers Open Walks Day in September were all supported by our group. We ran several ‘special’ walks this year, the Lovejoy Walk, the Lea Valley Walk, a tour of Colchester, our annual 23-mile Challenge Walk and the annual trip to France. Our Thursday summer evening walks have been popular as well as our 12-15 mile monthly Sunday walks. Members of our group have joined Rochford & Castle Point group on their Essex Way, London Loop and river & canal walks. We arrange walks on a Saturday, Sunday, two on Wednesday and Thursday summer evenings and this year totalled nearly 2000 miles.
COACH RAMBLES Visits to Tonbridge and Penshurst Place were very popular as well as the walk through the Royal Parks in London commemorating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in June.
HOLIDAYS A very successful holiday was enjoyed in a hotel in Bude which included visits to the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. LIBRARY The number of books and maps has increased owing to kind donations from members and an up-to-date list has just been issued. Pauline Rayment, our librarian, also keeps details of holidays at home and abroad. PUBLICITY This follows the same monthly format as previously but when we have a special event, we advertise more widely. Advertisements in local free papers have a reasonable response.
SOCIAL This year the committee enjoyed a dinner at a local restaurant and, to show its appreciation to our walks leaders for their loyalty, a social evening was arranged. Christmas lunches were held at the Hollywood Restaurant again and over 100 members attended. Pam Cross resigned as Social Secretary in May upon her & Jim’s removal to Spain. Pam was a very successful social secretary as all the events she organised were very varied and popular. Celia Bland and Brian Jones now hold the reins. The AGM in November was very successful as the ‘business’ was dealt with competently and quickly and the meeting ended with a ‘cheese & wine’ social occasion. 46 members attended which was a great improvement on recent years. Joyce Law Publicity. January 2003
ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS 2003 Chairman:
Peter
Golightly At the AGM in November 2002, our president, Michael Easter, informed the meeting the he would be moving to the Peak District the following year. He will be hard to replace as he has been a working member of the committee since the group’s formation in 1975. We wished him good luck in his retirement in his new home and presented him with an engraved tankard at a dinner later in the year.
MEMBERSHIP We have had 97 new members, 7 renewed and 6 reinstated, but because of resignations, changes of group/area and members who did not renew subscriptions, our overall increase in 2003 is 38. The number of members actually walking continues to increase.
ESSEX AREA Our representatives to the meetings are Les Jessen and Brian Jones. Since the demise of the Essex Rambler, which used to be distributed to members with programmes every four months there has been little contact between Area and Groups. However, the introduction of the monthly Essex Area Update (EAU) has greatly improved contact. Originally sent out to group secretaries by mail, it is now electronically distributed, where available.
WALKS Our regular walks on Saturday, Sunday, two on Wednesday and Thursday summer evening walks continue. “Specials” include parts of the Grand Union Canal, Greenwich and the Thames Barrier, Kenwood House and Richmond Park, London Loop and walks in Essex, Suffolk and Kent. Coach rambles were arranged around the Shotley Peninsular and London Parks as well as our annual day trip to France. 115 walkers registered but only 76 people took part in our Challenge Walk in August mainly because of the heat. Once again we were congratulated on the organisation of the Walk, especially the food !
COACH TRIPS All our outings were well-supported – a guided tour around Cambridge, and visits to Hever Castle and Woburn Abbey and the Safari Park were all enjoyed.
STROLLERS & FAMILY WALKS 167 people took part in the introduction of shorter and slower walks for “Strollers” over the 9-day Easter holidays. It was soon obvious that although most people wanted shorter walks, they need not necessarily be slow, so gradually the walks got quicker and at the end of six months, these walks were just another choice on our programme. The difference was that we all walked together in a group and didn’t get stretched out like some of our regular walks. 12 new members were enrolled from these walks. Instead of walks for “Strollers” we now try to include shorter easy-paced walks on our programme. There was a shortage of children on our Sunday 2-3 Family walks but adults enjoyed them so these will continue from May to September. Once again, the search goes on for more leaders. Several new ones have come forward but some of our older leaders have had to drop out mainly because of illness. Despite this we have managed to fill a year’s programmes with 5 walks per week.
HOLIDAYS Another holiday in Bude was arranged for those who couldn’t go last year. Once again, there were two days’ walking and visits to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project. Pam & Jim Cross arranged a holiday in November in Spain near where they live which was enjoyed.
SOCIAL 103 members enjoyed Xmas lunch at the Hollywood Restaurant. The committee met for dinner at the Belfairs Portuguese Restaurant and the walks leaders were invited to an evening at a local club for us to show our appreciation of their efforts. These were arranged by Celia Bland and Brian Jones.
Joyce Law Publicity. March 2004
ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS 2004 Chairman: Pauline Smith Treasurer: Rod Birks Secretary: Paula Hayes Rambles secretaries: Pauline Smith Judy Birks Peter Golightly Jim Folwell The Group dedicated two seats in memory of past members. One is situated in Hadleigh Castle Country Park and the other erected on the verandah at the Salvation Army Restaurant, Castle Lane, Hadleigh.
MEMBERSHIP Although we have had 47 new members and 16 who have rejoined, we suffered an overall loss of 46 bringing our total at the end of 2004 to 600. One of the items to be discussed at the Area AGM is how we are to tackle our noticeably lower recruitment figures compared with other Areas. The number of people walking continues to increase. In fact, on one Wednesday, we had over 70 people out walking. We also have 50 members of other Groups who purchase our programme in order to join us on our walks.
ESSEX AREA Our representatives to Area meetings are Peter Golightly and Gordon Grout. The Essex Area Update is distributed to all Groups each month and is successful in keeping Groups in touch with Area business.
WALKS The two area-organised walks this year were the Essex 100 which started at Furneaux Pelham to Althorne held 1-9 May and the 72 mile Saffron Trail, devised by Dave Hitchman of our Group, starting at Southend Pier finishing at Saffron Walden, was held from 29th August to 5th September. Although these Area walks are enjoyed, their future has to be decided as the numbers taking part have decreased greatly over recent years. Our Wednesday short walks attract the most members but the weekend walks have fewer walkers taking part, although this is not a bad thing. Our monthly 12-15 mile walks attract our more experienced walkers. As long as we can vary our distances and speed, we hope we can please most people. This year we have walked mostly in Essex but occasionally go to Kent & Suffolk. Our 5th 23mile Challenge Walk was again very successful this year. 9 of our members took part. 83 walkers started and five retired. The weather was ideal for walking. Once again, we organised our 2-3 mile Sunday walks in June & July but children were in short supply. Coach rambles to Waltham Abbey and Lee Valley, Virginia Water to Windsor Great Park and our annual French trip from Cap Blanc Nez to Sombre were all fully subscribed and enjoyed.
COACH TRIPS Windsor and Thames Tea Cruise and a visit to Blenheim Palace were well-supported and enjoyed.
HOLIDAY Marjorie Haylock organised a successful walking holiday to the Cotswolds staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Berkeley, Gloucestershire.
SOCIAL Our walks leaders were invited to a social evening to show the Group’s appreciation of all their hard work. Two Xmas lunches were arranged at the Cliffs Pavilion which were very successful and well-supported. We also had a meeting following two walks at Brandy Hole Yacht Club to imbibe mulled wine, soup and roll, and mince pie. All very much appreciated. These were organised by Pauline Smith & Brian Jones.
AGM It was proposed that a sum of £500 is to be used for the purpose of promoting walking and that the Challenge Walk should be continued even though the organiser, George Hedger, had resigned. The closing of the footpath under Southend Pier was also discussed but will be continued at further meetings under the direction of Dave Hitchman, our Countryside/Footpath Officer for Southend. Over 50 members attended, enjoying cheese and wine after the business was completed.
Joyce Law January 2005
ROLL OF HONORARY OFFICERS 2005
Chairman: Pauline Smith Treasurer: Rod Birks Secretary: Carol Clark Rambles Secretaries: Pauline Smith Judy Birks Peter Golightly Jim Folwell MEMBERSHIP The decline in membership continues in that we have had 57 new members and 16 who have rejoined, but the total membership at the end of 2005 is reduced to 581 making an overall loss of 19. It is, however, a problem facing many groups and the Area Executive Committee are trying to find the reason. During the last few months we have asked the members who have not renewed their membership if they could let us know the reason but, so far, have had no response. The two Wednesday walks are the most popular attracting on average 50 but smaller numbers take part on weekend walks. We have about 50 people who belong to other groups who buy our programme in order to take part in our walks.
ESSEX AREA Our representatives to Area meetings were Peter Golightly and Gordon Grout. Peter had to resign at the end of the year through ill-health. The Essex Area Update (EAU) is very useful in keeping group committees informed of what goes on at Area Executive Meetings. An area website is also now up and running www.essexarearamblers.co.uk.
WALKS The Essex 100 took place from 3rd – 11th September starting at Ongar and finishing at Great Braxted but the number of people taking part was disappointing. Our Group started the High Weald Landscape Trail, a 90 mile walk starting from Horsham and finishing at Rye. The first leg on 15th May finished at Cuckfield, after 14.5 miles, and those preferring to walk in the morning only, were taken onto Wakehurst Place in West Sussex to spend the afternoon there. The second leg on 17 July finished walking at Stone Hill House after 14 miles, and the half-day walkers went onto Sheffield Park. The 3rd leg finished after 13.5 miles at Mill Pond Wood with the option of spending the afternoon in Lewes. These outings proved to be very popular, giving everyone a choice of walking all or half-a-day. The 4th leg will take place in April. A repeat of the 10 mile walk from Virginia Water to Windsor Great Park was also organised. We arranged a 13-mile circular walk around Southend as no one volunteered to spearhead the 23-mile Challenge Walk which had taken place the previous 5 years. This had to be cancelled due to the number not reaching the 60 deemed acceptable by the Committee. George Cox’s monthly 12-15 mile walks continue to be popular as is the annual coach ramble to France, this year being 9 miles from Cap Gris Nez to just beyond Ambleteuse. After organising this successful day trip for many years, Peter Golightly has passed the reins over to Peter Thompson and Rod Birks. Frank Kaye led the ‘John Ray’ Walk a 10 mile linear walk in his memory between Witham & Braintree. Mervyn Frances led a 5-6mile Docklands Walk from the Tower of London to Canary Wharf with an historical commentary. This proved of great interest. We walked mostly in Essex but also went to Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex led by the usual group of dedicated leaders whom we have to thank for their time and trouble.
SOCIAL Our Christmas lunches were held once again at the Cliffs Pavilion which offered a full menu which proved popular. The Brandy Hole Yacht Club also provided lunches at the end of the Wednesday walks which were well supported. Val Jordan also organised a “Quiz with a difference” with a “ploughman’s supper” which was enjoyed by a full house at the WI Rochford. This is to be repeated in January 2006. In November, Val organised a successful 30th Anniversary Social Evening at Southend Hospital Orchard Rooms with ‘The Famous Potatoes’, again she provided a supper for 100 people.
AGM Our AGM on 28th October was well supported and when the business was completed, ended with ‘Cheese & Wine’. All posts on the committee were filled including several new members volunteering.
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