Ramblers Group
Co-ordinator — Martin Richards
When: First Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month, most walks start at 10:00. Where: Various locations as chosen by each walk leader. Cost: Just £2 to join the group; no charge for each walk. This is a very active, popular and sociable group who enjoy each other’s company while tramping the local fields, highways and byways, marvelling at the wonderful Warwickshire scenery so close to us.
We meet twice a month, on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday at 10.00 am. Details of the next walk are given below.
We have a number of walk leaders, from the membership, who take it in turn to select a walk of about 5 to 6 miles. They choose where to go and where we meet. Newer members are encouraged to offer to lead a walk either singly, as a couple or a small group, after they have settled in with us but there is no compunction to do so!
We try to start within 10 miles of Balsall Common and most frequently find pub car parks very suitable for our starting/finishing points! Many members stay for a drink and/or a meal after the walk.
The membership of the group is about 80 of whom most are active.
A walk averages around 18–25 members with a high of 36! Walks take place in most kinds of weather with one major exception being snow!This is a rambling group and for safety and insurance reasons dogs are not allowed.
The cost is very low — there is a joining fee of £2 and to date no other costs. However, members are asked to pay for their own drinks/meals after a walk!
With the joining fee money raised so far we have bought and kept up to date three first aid kits for the leaders to take on their walks and future funds will be available to buy maps, written up walks, etc.
If you would like to join or require any other information please contact Martin Richards (the co-ordinator) by email: ramblers@balsallcommonu3a.org. Prospective new members can also "try us out" by just turning up at a walk starting point and joining us for that particular walk. Please note, however, if you are not already a u3a member you will not be covered by the u3a insurance scheme. Following that if you wish to continue you will need to join the u3a and the Ramblers group.
If anyone wants to lead a walk please contact the co-ordinator. Lots of help is at hand for anyone who has never led a walk before.
If anyone wants to create a ramble route, either for the u3a or for personal reasons try out the following site: http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm
Millennium Way website — lists of walks
For Archived Photographs for the years 2011 to 2017 Please Click Here
The archive is on the members Page so Username and password required
If you have forgotten them please click here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2018 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2019 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2020 / 2021 Click Here
For Photographs of Ramblers in 2022 Click Here
From 19th July 2021 all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, however walkers must read the new Ramblers Risk assessment shown below.
Click here to see Ramblers Risk Assessment Statement updated 21st July 2021
Second November Walk 2023
When: Wednesday 15th November 2023 Where: Meriden Meet: 10:00 a.m. Queen’s Head, Old Road, Meriden, CV7 7JP.
Travel: From Balsall Common travel along A452 towards Stonebridge. At the Hampton in Arden roundabout turn right onto B4102 towards Meriden. At the roundabout in the village turn right. Note 20 mph speed limit through village. After almost 1 mile, take left fork into Old Road. Queen’s Head is approx 200 mtrs on left hand side.
An alternative route is Meriden Road out of Berkswell and turn right at duck pond in Meriden. Old Road is approx half mile on left.
Walk
Description:Through Eaves Green, east to Harvest Hill, north along country lanes past Couchman’s Farm. We then take bridleway south west and through Meriden Shafts, returning to the Queen’s Head via Lodge Green Farm and Walsh Hall. Open farmland, paths, bridleways, woodland, quiet lanes. We have once again opted to use quiet roads rather than open fields in certain sections of the route to avoid meeting up with cows. There are some short inclines but generally easy walking with only two stiles. Despite the recent rain, there were no serious muddy areas when Peter Calver and I did the recce. Distance approx 5.5 miles.
Afterwards: The Queen’s Head would like bookings in advance. If you wish to have lunch, would you please let me know your choice by 6.00 pm on Monday 13th November. I will confirm the booking with you. The lunch menu pdf can be downloaded from queensheadmeriden.com.
Walk Leader: Alan Buckland 01676 534357 / 07973 130269 / alanbuckland1945@gmail.com (note new email address)
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First December Walk 2023
When: Tuesday 5th December 2023 Where: Balsall Common Meet: 10:00 a.m. The White Horse, Kenilworth Rd, Balsall Common, Coventry, CV7 7DT.
Walk
Description:This is a mostly flat walk with hard surfaces and no stiles. We will walk from the The White Horse to Meeting House Lane and then via Kelsey Lane/Windmill Lane to Hob Lane. We road-walk for a while to a footpath across a couple of fields to cross the Temporary Greenway and make our way to Burton Green bridge to view progress on the HS2 tunnel. A short walk to Red Lane to view the new Village Hall. Returning to the bottom of the Temporary Greenway we walk back to Balsall Common, crossing Waste Lane to Station Road. Returning to The White Horse via Sunnyside and Meeting House Lanes. Distance approx 6.0 miles. Currently the fields are not unduly muddy. I will do a final recce and there are options to shorten the walk if the weather is inclement and/or we are not making good time.
Afterwards: Lunch will be at The White Horse (Main Menu (https://thewhitehorseatbc.co.uk)). I have provisionally booked a table for 8. If you want to stay for lunch please let me know by Sunday 3rd December 6.00 PM.
Walk Leader: Richard Drake 07777 663349 richarddrakeu3a@yahoo.com.
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Covid Precautions: Please see latest Ramblers Risk Assessment
Walk Leaders 2023
Date Walk Leader 3rd January Liz Cowley & Sheila Jones 18th January Angela Reid 7th February Jim/Bernie Henry 15th February Martin Richards 7th March Judy Hornigold 15th March Matthew Stephens 4th April Richard Glynn 19th April Liz Cowley & Sheila Jones 2nd May Keith Simpson 17th May Richard Drake 6th June Alan Buckland 21st June Christine Harris and Merryl Muat 4th July Sandra Heard & Frances Critoph 19th July Keith Simpson 1st August Peter Calver 16th August Geoff Kennedy 5th September Richard Drake 20th September Richard Glynn 3rd October Leslie & Carolyn de Chernatony 18th October Liz Cowley & Sheila Jones 7th November Matthew Stephens 15th November Alan Buckland 5th December Richard Drake 20th December no walk — Xmas lunch?
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