MBRA Autumn Newsletter 2024 
Hello Everyone!
When you're out and about this month you may notice the first signs that changes are on the way. Golden colours are sweeping across the fields, berries are ripening in the hedgerows and grasslands are bustling with small rodents preparing for the cold months ahead. Things are happening in the skies too. The migrant birds that came here to breed are now heading for warmer shores …… Autumn is here and welcome to our latest newsletter! Here you will find the usual information regarding our local group, the National news & some other events in our area.
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Membership
Mid Berks current membership on 2nd October 2024 is 185. Unfortunately, we have lost 10 members due to various reasons but welcome our 5 new members.
Ramblers membership is bursting with great benefits – access these on the National web site:
ramblers.org.uk/my-account
The Berkshire Area AGM is being hosted by Windsor & District Group on Saturday 23rd November at Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Road, Windsor. SL4 6LT. The day starts with a choice of 2 walks, a 6-mile starting at 10am & a 4-mile leaving at 10:30. A talk on Windsor & the Great Park will be followed by the AGM. See the Area website, https://www.ramblers.org.uk/berkshire, for more details. 
Christmas Celebration Lunch - Thursday December 19th
This is booked at the Wheelwright's Arms and we will have a walk beforehand at Dinton Pastures which is very close by.
The address is: The Wheelwright's Arms, Davis Way, St Nicholas Hurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 0TR
The cost will be £29.50 for two courses comprising of starter and main course or main course plus dessert or £37 for three courses.
There are limited places so please send your choices and names as soon as possible to Paul Townson (
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Mid Berkshire Walks Programme
Our Mid Berks website www.mbra.org.uk shows activities and our current walks programme. We are still short of walks for the programme, due to the sparsity of walk leaders. If you can contribute, please let Rita or any of our walk leaders know. If you would like to consider leading walks, we would offer guidance and mentoring, plus full support.
Recent local walks.
Lakes and Ridges – 6 miles
Starting along the Blackwater River, we passed by several lakes before climbing up to Finchampstead Ridges for glimpses of the beautiful surrounding countryside through the trees. The walk continued through mixed woodland and heathland before returning to the Blackwater Valley & afterwards, some participants enjoyed lunch at the Lake View Café which is also a water sports activity centre.
Thatcham Discovery Centre to Greenham Common – 5.5mile
This was a leisurely flat walk from Thatcham Discovery Centre to Greenham Control Tower, where we stopped for lunch break before returning.
Bucklebury and Frilsham – 7 miles
Starting from the pretty village of Bucklebury, we gradually climbed out of the Pang Valley up to Bucklebury Common, passing along the Common before dropping down to cross the Pang and up through Burgess Copse and High Copse to Frilsham Common. After finding St Frideswide's well we walked through Frilsham Village before heading back to Bucklebury through woods and fields.
Hermitage, Fence Wood and Grimsbury Castle – 5.5 mile 
A circular walk, starting from near the Fox Inn in Hermitage. We traced the haunts and walk past the cottage where D.H. Lawrence lived for a while. Initially walking through Roebuck Wood, we then followed woodland and open fields to Fence Wood and Grimsbury Castle, finally following a disused railway line back to the start. The walk had a few ups and downs, so was classified as moderate, but we took it at a leisurely pace & so it did not prove too much of a problem. We stopped for a drink or lunch at the Fox Inn at the end of the walk.
Basingstoke Canal from The Barley Mow Pub, The Hurst Winchfield – 6.5 miles / 3 miles
An easy flat walk along the Basingstoke Canal, towards Odiham, then through Dogmersfield Park and back along the Basingstoke Canal.
An alternative shorter (3 miles) easy-paced flat walk was led by Thelma T, along the Basingstoke Canal, joining folks from the longer walk for lunch afterwards at the Barley Mow pub.
Chiltern Greens – 6.3 miles 
A wonderful sunny day and a circular walk starting from the car park at Clayfield Copse in Emmer Green. The walk passed through Littlestead Green and Dunsden Green, passing through some gently rolling countryside near Crowsley Park, returning through Chalkhouse Green and back to Emmer Green. Some members would have stayed for refreshments or lunch at the Herb Farm after the walk but were disappointed when they found it shut for refurbishment.
Aldermaston Wharf (circular train walk) - 5 miles 
This mainly flat walk started from Aldermaston Wharf on the canal and went to Padworth Mill on the river crossing various sluices nearby. It then went through meadows, woodland and stretches of the Kennet and Kennet and Avon canal back towards Aldermaston. There was an optional stop afterwards for tea/coffee at the café next to the visitor’s centre which was taken by most to dry out after the damp ending to the walk. Having dried out and left to catch the train back to Reading, a number were caught in the torrential downpour which followed later
Hambleden
This was one of those wonderful inclusive split walks where the faster longer walkers started at the same point outside Hambleden Church with the slower strollers. The longer walkers set off down the Hambleden Valley to Skirmett and then up into the undulating hills and beautiful beech woods of the area back towards Hambleden where many of us shared coffee and cake in the village shop before returning home
Are you interested in leading walks?
If you want to know more about becoming a Ramblers Walk Leader, you can join a 1 hour ‘Getting Started’ Walk Leader Conversation to find out what’s involved. You’ll hear from an experienced volunteer, who will talk about a ‘day in the life’ of a walk leader – and be able to ask questions to help you decide if it's the right role for you. More information on the Ramblers Website, or speak to a member of the MBRA Committee for more details.
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The Rambler's Wellbeing Walks help. people take the first step towards better health and well-being in a friendly & supportive way. These seem to be growing in popularity, as they also allow people who prefer shorter, less demanding walks, for whatever reason – illness, reducing ability, energy levels - to participate. There is one everyday somewhere in our area - for information go to https://www.ramblers.org.uk/wellbeing-walks.
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Travelling by bus or train and car-sharing to walks benefits the environment.
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Walks Archive
Brian H is compiling a library of completed walks on our website, for people to repeat, or to check whether a proposed walk has recently been accomplished. Please take a look & see if you can add more to the collection. It is beneficial to submit a walk that you have completed so that walk leaders and walkers can choose a route which may help to make it easier when choosing a walk.
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Health and Safety
Walking in nature is good for our bodies and minds….
ICE
…. but as a precaution, it is useful to have in your possession, a record of someone to contact in case of emergency (ICE). The National Ramblers have produced appropriate cards, or you can put it on the home screen of your mobile or print it off and place in a prominent place whilst walking.
Stay safe on winter walks
A winter walk is wonderfully invigorating, but there's always the chance of finding yourself in cold, wet, slippery or poor-visibility conditions – It is vital to minimise risks in case you or one of your walking companions gets into difficulty.
First Aid certification
This must be renewed every 3 years to be valid although not compulsory for walk leaders. There is a very good St John Ambulance App which walkers could download onto their mobile phones. Admission of health issues by members attending walks (such as diabetes) is, at present, voluntary. These health issues could constitute a significant risk.
Ruck & Roll!
Want to lose weight, or just increase muscle mass without expensive gym membership? Try “rucking” (weighted walking), a form of exercise that involves walking or hiking with a weighted backpack. Start slowly & don’t forget to warm up. It enhances functional strength & endurance as you increase the weight in your backpack & the distance & more challenging terrain you travel
Dogs on Walks.
Please check with the walk leader if the planned walk is suitable for dogs.
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Footpaths
Whether you’re heading far from the beaten track or just going somewhere new, a what3words address is the best way to find your destination quickly and precisely.
Our Footpath Secretary is Brian Hackett (details on MBRA website). Inform him of paths blocked, e.g. by barbed wire fences or crops, overgrown hedges, earth banks, broken stiles and also of any missing signage, as soon as you can. If possible, include a photo of the problem. Meanwhile, it is useful to carry secateurs, to remove offending small branches, which might only get bigger/longer.
The Thames Path is currently closed at Marsh Lock, south of Henley-on-Thames. The Footbridge requires repair or replacement & funding is being sought. A diversion is 2.7 miles (4.3km) and could take 1hr 15 minutes to walk. Please do not use the A4155 as there is no footway and it is a very fast road.
The Path Accessibility Fund is open for applications - head over to the National web page to find out more and send in your application, until 1 November.
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Mid Berks Website
Our Mid Berks website can be found at www.mbra.org.uk. There you will see slide shows & photographs which Terry has kindly taken / co-ordinated on our walks and holidays from 2020 onwards. If you would like to submit an interesting photograph from one of your walks, just forward to Brian H or the walk leader (& Catherine B for inclusion in the newsletter) but please ensure that anyone in the photo doesn’t mind it being published on the website / in the newsletter.
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Holidays
The group holidays are held in Spring and Autumn and have been managed by Maggie Hills. These holidays have been a resounding success, having been well attended, and the various walks offered have been researched, recced and well-led by volunteers co-ordinated by Liz Hewitt.
Our Autumn holiday was held on Monday 7th October 2024 –
Friday 11th, in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, staying in Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel.
Bodelwyddan Castle, close to the village of Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl, Denbighshire in Wales, was built around 1460 by the Humphreys family of Anglesey as a manor house. It was associated with the Williams-Wynn family for around 200 years from 1690. It has been a -Grade II* listed building since 1962 as a "Gothic castellated style in the early C19". The estate offers 236 rooms, including contemporary Garden Lodges in landscaped grounds and suites with stunning views of the Clwydian Range bordering England and North-East Wales.
Apart from our group led walks or independent sight-seeing, the evening entertainment was RE-MIXED, Showcasing Cirque package - The Greatest Show: a spectacular theatre production, in which our very own Maggie H played a starring role. Hauled from the audience, Maggie swiftly rose to the occasion, giggling her way through an astonishing performance, supporting the “magician” / comedian, receiving a standing ovation, as she took her grateful, final bow. There were also vocalists, bands & comedy acts, ballroom & party dancing on other nights and daily leisure activities, including a state-of-the-art spa and wellness centre. Unfortunately, the pool was closed during our break due to essential major structural works, although access to the gym, sauna and steam room was still available.
The hotel grounds are set in 6 acres of stunning walled gardens backed by 260 acres of Victorian parkland. Aber Falls, The Great Orme, Llandudno and Betws-y-Coed are each approx. a 35-minute drive away. Conwy and Bodnant gardens are slightly closer. Snowdon is about an hour away. We had wonderful weather – dry in the most part & sunny & warm most days! Reports on the walks will be included in the next Newsletter.
Our Spring holiday, (Monday 31st March – Friday 4th April 2025) will be held before Easter at Warner’s Nidd Hall, Harrogate, close to Knaresborough. North Yorkshire’s grandest 18th century property, this is rumoured to be the location of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s first encounter & is close to Mother Shipton’s Cave. Single & double rooms are available.
Harrogate and Ripon are both just a few miles from the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, and both allow easy access for memorable and breath-taking day trips into the history and heritage of this evocative landscape, whether it be a day tour in the car, or your own adventure on foot.
If you have never been on one of our breaks you will be made to feel most welcome and generally, there are walks for most abilities but even if you do not want to walk, there are many other activities and places to visit.
Contact Maggie at
National Ramblers News
Coinciding with the Ramblers 90th birthday this autumn, the Ramblers Office will be trialling a digital only edition of the Walk magazine in December but will be back as normal for the March ‘25 edition. This is an
effort not only to lower costs but to reduce our carbon footprint. The South East Walker will also only be available to view on the Area website this winter.
Membership fees
Every year, membership fees are reviewed to ensure that Ramblers membership provides great benefits and is good value for money. Like many charities, we are experiencing a significant spike in costs due to inflation. So, the difficult decision to increase individual, annual membership by £2 from £41 to £43 has been taken. The changes will take effect from 1 October 2024 for new members and on the date of the next renewal for existing members.
Britain's Favourite Path
Volunteers, members and the general public have been invited to cast their vote and crown Britain's Favourite Path. See the web site: ramblers.org.uk, for further information
Access to Nature Bill
This bill will break down barriers to the outdoors so everyone in England can enjoy the benefits of walking in nature. The Bill delivers in three key areas:
- Create new opportunities for people to access nature
- Protect and improve the existing paths and access network
- Establish a framework to support public access in the long-term
Protecting Natural Places
The Ramblers is a partner in a Natural England funded project, Countryside Access, Recreation, and Environmental Stewardship (C.A.R.E.), alongside Blenheim Palace, the Eden Project and Oxfordshire County Council. C.A.R.E. is investigating how responsible recreation can be encouraged whilst protecting sensitive natural sites.
Festival of Walking
The National Rambling Association have partnered with YHA to support their Festival of Walking, which aims to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone.
Walk Leadership Sessions.
Designed for all new walk leaders or anyone considering becoming one, this volunteer-led session will go over everything you need to know about the role and answer any questions you may have. This is now available on the web site: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/walk-leadership. New walk leaders will need to read and sign up to this, and complete the two e-learning modules, before leading a walk.
Navigation for Novices
There are 17 films available on the National website, each just 1 to 3 minutes long, covering a wide range of topics, from understanding map symbols and measuring distances, to making the most of your smartphone and pinpointing your location in an emergency.
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The Government has ordered a 'rapid review' of the statutory environmental targets contained in the Environment Act, concerning such areas as air quality, water pollution, biodiversity and tree planting. The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) should be completed by the end of the year to deliver the legally binding targets and save nature.
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Other events for your diary
Nature Parks
Wokingham Borough Council have recently finished building a new pedestrian and cycle path connecting two of the borough's nature parks. The route runs through Hazebrouck Meadow at Arborfield Green and connects to its new counterpart at Hogwood Park, at the former Reading Football Club training ground in Finchampstead parish.
Walks in and around Earley
A new book of mainly urban walks and cycle rides in and around Earley is available. Contact Brian Hackett, or see http://www.earleyenvironmentalgroup.co.uk/Walks/EarleyWalks.asp
More Walks
Walking in the great outdoors can help you feel better physically & mentally. For further walks in our area, see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/walking/walk-together-pathway.
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Neighbour's fury over deforestation works in Bracknell
Bracknell Forest Council are starting a woodland management work at Buckler’s Forest, Crowthorne, which will take approximately 4 weeks to complete this autumn. The thinning of trees and creation of glades (open wooded areas) in some areas within the conifer plantation is being completed as part of the 10-year woodland management plan. The council have a felling licence for this work (Forestry Commission reference 1475) & it is part of the approved woodland management plan. Future work includes planting native trees, to boost woodland regeneration in the 2 areas to the north. For further information, see https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/parks-and-countryside-improvements/bucklers-forest-tree-work.
Let us know if you are finding these newsletters of interest
& if there is anything else you would like us to cover.
Please send comments to Catherine Breen (
especially if you could provide something relevant for distribution to the MBRA members….
In particular, it would be good to receive some photos of our events and walks.
MBRA Committee