Vale of Belvoir Ramblers

Reminder - VBR AGM, 1st November 2020

To: VBR members

The VBR Committee would like to draw your attention to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Vale of Belvoir Ramblers which, due to Covid restrictions, will be a virtual meeting using Zoom at 2pm on Sunday 1st November 2020.

To use Zoom you need to have a computer with a camera and microphone attached, a smart phone or a tablet. When you are sent an invitation to a meeting you just need to click on a link and you will be guided through a few simple steps to set up a temporary connection to Zoom and this will allow you to join the meeting.

The link to use to connect to Zoom is shown here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4664409517. The link was also shown in the email inviting you to join the AGM. Just click on it to access Zoom no sooner than 15 minutes before the meeting. Before the meeting, you may wish to view or download the Agenda and Officer Reports by clicking here .

Prior to the AGM we will have a 5-mile walk, starting from Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall, LE14 4AG, at 10am. Please note, facilities at the Hall, before and after the walk, will NOT be available.

We would like as many members as possible to come and air their views (good or bad!) about the Group and its activities. We would also welcome suggestions for future social events, when these can be resumed.

As always, we are looking for new members to join the Committee to inject fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the Group. If you feel you could help please put your name forward before the AGM. We are happy to chat informally with you about what is involved if you would like to know more before committing yourself.

John Young

Chairman and Zoom Host

Bingham, Newton, East Bridgford and Saxondale, 18th October 2020

Starting at Bingham's Town Pavilion, Dave C took twenty-four of us to circumnavigate Newton and then walk across fields to the outskirts of East Bridgford. We then used the Trent Valley Way before crossing RAF Newton Airfield and on to Saxondale Village before returning to Bingham.

The start at Bingham Town Pavilion

Over the A46

Off-route today but worth a visit in future

Stokes' Mill, East Bridgford

Base of an early 19th century windmill on the Trent Valley Way

Control Tower and hangers at RAF Newton

Autumn Walks Programme, updated October 15th 2020

Autumn 2020 Walks Programme

With the help of walk leaders, Maggie and Heather have produced a two-month Autumn Walks Programme which started in October 2020. An up-to-date list of walks can be viewed or downloaded from here. To find the map of a start location, go to the spreadsheet version and click on Map of start point.

For the time being these walks are being advertised to VBR members and Ramblers from other groups who regularly walk with us rather than on the Rambler's website. It is important to note however that all Ramblers' insurance is valid as long as a walk is advertised on a public site such as this.

Coronavirus advice - no recent changes

Note that new Government guidelines applied from 14th September. However, we are advised by Ramblers HQ that:

"The UK government has announced that from 14 September social gatherings of more than 6 people will be banned in England - although there are some exemptions. The Ramblers organised walks are one of those exemptions.

As of 15th October, we are very happy to confirm that Ramblers groups can continue to organise led walks for up to 30 people, as long as they follow the guidance to restart group walks in a COVID-secure way."

Clearly, we will continue to adhere to all UK Government and Ramblers' guidance regarding the coronavirus risk as follows:

Walkers should have a face mask with them in case of incidents when they may not be able to maintain social distancing
Have hand sanitiser with them
Maintain social distancing of ideally 2m however no less than 1m if 2m is not possible
Avoid touching gates, stiles etc. Use protective gloves or cloth
Walk Leaders will brief walkers at the start of the meeting and remind everyone of the Covid 19 controls everyone needs to adhere to
A register will be taken on the day of the walk. Your name and telephone contact number is required for Track & Trace in the event of a Covid 19 problem

Waltham on the Wolds, Bescaby and Stonesby, 11th October 2020

A fine day for Steve's walk from Waltham on the Wolds which took eighteen of us past the medieval village of Bescaby, to Stonesby for lunch and then back to Waltham.

The start on the outskirts of Waltham

Fish pond near the medieval village of Bescaby - coffee stop

Another fish pond near the medieval village of Bescaby

St Peter's Church, Stonesby, one of a dozen or so locally which were built by the monks from Croxton Kerrial during the 12th and 13th centuries

An SSSI in the old Lincolnshire Jurrassic limestone quarry

Lunch in the quarry

Shepherding leaving Stonesby

Beacon believed to be related to flight paths to East Midlands Airport (citation needed)

Click here for an interactice OS map

Cropwell Bishop and the Grantham Canal, 4th October 2020

Rod lead eight of us plus Carrie on a 6-mile walk from the car park off the old A46 towards Cropwell Butler then back across fields and canal paths, passing the Old Mill at Cropwell Bishop and back along the canal.

Coffee stop, looking towards Cropwell Bishop

The Old Mill, Cropwell Bishop

Back along the canal

Ravenshead, Blidworth, Papplewick and Newstead Abbey, 27th September 2020

Starting in the Thieves Wood car park, Paul's 11-mile walk took twelve of us along Robin Hood's Way, though Fountain Dale alongside Rainworth Water to the outskirts of Blidworth, towards Papplewick and then north through the grounds of Newstead Abbey and back to the start.

Thieves Wood

From Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar.

The frier took Robin Hood on his back

Deep water he did bestride

And spake neither good word nor bad

Till he came at the other side

Fallen tree in Harlow Wood

This conglomerate of stone, cemented together when it was deposited by glaciers in fields around Blidworth thousands of years ago, is similar to the nearby (famous?) Druid Stone

Lodge at entrance to the grounds of Newstead Abbey

Selworthy Weekend Away, 19th to 21st September 2020

HF's Holnicote House near Selworthy in Somerset hosted thirteen members of the Vale of Belvoir Ramblers on their annual Weekend Away organised by Sue and Dave and assisted by Glen and Maggie. Welcome back to Gordon and Sheila.

Holnicote House, Selworthy

Sunday - Dunkery Beacon (and Great Rowbarrow)

Sunday's shorter, 10 mile walk took us from the house through forest and over moorland to Dunkery Beacon and returned on a meandering path alongside the river. The longer 11.5 mile walk crossed Exmoor to Great Rowbarrow before returning through woods to Holnicote House.

Dunkery Beacon - Glen on the recce

Wild ponies on Exmoor

The hamlet of Stoke Pero has the highest church building in England (allegedly)

Stoke Pero Church

Monday - Selworthy Beacon

This 11.6 mile walk circular walk included woodland, open moorland, quiet lanes and farm tracks plus great views across the Bristol Channel and Porlock Bay.

Allerford Village

Hurlstone Point, an old coastguard station

Selworthy Beacon toughies

Selworthy Beacon smarties

Looking towards Porlock

Selworthy Church

Cottage in Selworthy

Come on in, it's ten degrees

Tuesday - a 6.3 mile circular walk around Dunster

Coffee time behind Dunster Castle

Dunster Castle

The Yarn Market in Dunster

Farnsfield, Edingley and Hexgreave Park, 20th September 2020

A good turnout (10) for Dave and Elaine's walk considering that thirteen of us were in Selworthy. From St Michael's Church in Farnsfield we first went southwest along Coombs Lane and then up through Coombs Wood to cross Greaves Lane and climb up to Robin Hood Hill for coffee. Returning to Greaves Lane, we followed it for over a mile before leaving to pass through Old Hall Farm and Cotton Mill Farm and across fields to St Giles' Church, Edingley for lunch.

From Edingley, we crossed fields to reach the Southwell Trail but left it soon afterwards to head for Hexgreave Park and its large herd of deer.