Shorter Walks Group (About 3 miles 90 Minutes) Co-ordinator Richard Drake Click here to contact Co-ordinator Page Links Be Prepared For An Emergency Jump to Walk Details When:  Last Thursday of each month, most walks start at 11:00. Where:  Various locations as chosen by each walk leader. Cost:  Just £2 to join the group; no charge for each walk. This is a 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 last Thursday at 11.00 am. However, in August we normally have an "Afternoon tea walk" and the December 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: Where's The Path 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 Shorter Walk November 2024 When:  Thursday 28th November 2024 Where:  Kenilworth Meet:  11:00 a.m. Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, CV8 2LD. (There are two pairs of car park entry/exit gates, drive in through the first gate, turn immediately left, then drive to the far end where there should be plenty of spaces. There is a code (displayed in the hotel reception) to exit the car park but no charge.) Travel Directions:  From Balsall Common take the A452 all the way through Kenilworth and towards Leamington. Chesford Grange is on the right soon after crossing the A46. You have to go past the No right turn and do a U-turn at the next island. Walk Description:  The walk is 3 miles long, all flat and no stiles. I would recommend long trousers as there are patches of nettles in places. It goes through the lovely village of Ashow and past the Blackdown Mill. Afterwards:  Lunch will be booked at the Chesford Grange Hotel — provisionally for 15 people. The Lounge menu is here: lounge-menu-april-2024.pdf (chesfordgrange.com). Please let Judy have any orders by Tuesday 26th November. Walk Leader:  Judy Hornigold Email: judyh1@hotmail.com     NB. Health and Safety requirement: All participants will need to sign an attendance list and provide an emergency contact number prior to the actual start of the walk. Return To Top Shorter-Walk Leaders 2024 Date Walk Leader 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 Richard Drake 25th July Sandra Heard & Sue Simpson 22nd August Richard Drake — Afternoon Tea Walk 26th September (postponed to November) 31st October Peter Calver 28th November Judy Hornigold 2025 1st January Richard Drake — New Years Day Clear the cobwebs 30th January   27th February Matthew Stephens 27th March 24th April Tom & Vivienne Waterer 29th May Ian Lester 26th June Linda & Don White 31st July Sandra Heard 28th August Richard Drake — Afternoon Tea Walk 25th September 30th October Keith Simpson 27th November 2026 1st January Richard Drake — New Years Day Clear the cobwebs   Return To Top

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