Shorter Walks Group
(About 3 miles 90 Minutes)
Co-ordinator Richard Drake
Click here to contact Co-ordinator
When: First Wednesday of each month, most walks start at 11:00. NB: from 2024 this will be the last Thursday except December which will be New Years Day Where: Various locations as chosen by each walk leader. Cost: Just £2 to join the group; no charge for each walk. This is a popular and sociable group who enjoy walking local fields and paths marvelling at the wonderful Warwickshire countryside on our doorstep. These are rambles and may include the occasional stile as well as gates. Sensible walking footwear and clothing is needed. However, they are meant to be less demanding than the full Ramblers Group who typically walk for 5 miles plus.
We normally meet once a month, on the 1st Wednesday at 11.00 am. However, in August we normally have an "Afternoon tea walk" and the January walk is on New Years Day to "clear the cobwebs".
A number of walk leaders take it in turns to select a walk of about 3 miles. They choose where to go and where to meet. Members are encouraged to lead a walk but there is no requirement to do so, however, without leaders there will be no walks!
The aim is to start in Balsall Common (or within 10 minutes of it) and normally find pub car parks for our starting/finishing points! Many members stay for a drink and/or a meal after the walk. (Although a good tearoom or café should not be ruled out.)
We average 10–20 members per walk (although over 40 made it to a New Years Day "clear the cobwebs" walk). We walk in most kinds of weather.
This is a rambling group and for safety and insurance reasons dogs are not allowed.
The cost is very low — we have a joining fee of £2 and to date no other costs (and it is free for anyone who is already a paid up member of the Ramblers Group). You do pay for your own drinks/meals after a walk!
If you would like to join or require any other information please contact Richard.
Prospective new members can also "try us out" by just turning up at a walk starting point and joining us for that 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 Short Walks group.
If anyone wants to lead (or help lead) a walk please contact Richard. Support is here for anyone who has never led a walk before. All part of “lifelong learning”. (NB: New leaders often pair up with a more experienced leader for their first walk).
If anyone wants to create a ramble route, either for the u3a or for personal reasons, try out the following sites:Millennium Way website — lists of walks
From 19th July 2021 all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, however, walkers must read the new Ramblers Risk assessment shown below
Click here for Ramblers Risk Assessment Statement
December Shorter Walk 2023
When: Wednesday 6th December 2023 Where: Meer End Road Meet: 11:00 a.m. Tipperary Inn, Meer End Road, CV8 1PW. Travel
Directions:South out of Balsall Common on A452 Kenilworth Road. Turn right at Eveson's Fuels. Tipperary is less that a mile along on the right. Turn right into Table Oak Lane. Car park is immediately on the left. Walk
Description:East past Meer Farm to Rudfyn Manor and continuing towards Chase Lane. After about half mile we retrace our steps back to the Manor (the scenery looks quite different through 180 degrees!). We then pick up a path via Brook Farm back onto Meer End Road. The walk is largely over pleasant open farmland on field paths, with a short road section at the end. There are four stiles early in the walk. Not surprisingly, there is mud on some of the paths but this is easily negotiated. Distance is three miles. Afterwards: Lunch at the Tipperary thetipperaryinn.co.uk Main menu is on their website. They also have a sandwich menu that is not shown on the website, but a photo of this is attached. They have asked for orders the night before. If you wish to stay for lunch could you please let me have your choices by Tuesday 5th December at 6.00 pm. I will confirm the booking with you. Walk Leader: Alan Buckland 07973 130269 or 01676 534357
Email: alanbuckland1945@gmail.com
Shorter-Walk Leaders 2023
Date Walk Leader 1st November Richard or a volunteer? 6th December Alan Buckland 2024 1st January Richard Drake 25th January Keith & Sue Simpson 29th February Matthew Stephens 28th March Lin & Don White 25th April Barbara & Phil Hammonds 30th May Ian Lester 27th June 25th July Sandra Heard & Sue Simpson 29th August Richard Drake — Afternoon Tea Walk 26th September 31st October Peter Calver 28th November 2025 1st January Richard Drake
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