Programme
Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events
August 2004
Wednesday 4th August
Ongar Evening Walk
Join us for a beautiful evening's walk to the oldest wooden church in the world at Greensted.
Meet at 7.30pm by Budworth Hall, Chipping Ongar (large car parks on both sides of High St. A128, grid ref TL552031, see map).
We intend to finish up with a drink in the Cock Inn opposite Budworth Hall for a well-earned drink.
Saturday 7th to 8th August
Epping Forest Cycling Weekend
Cycle on quiet lanes from Chelmsford to Epping Forest on Saturday. Stay at this traditional hostel, hidden in the forest near High Beach, with a meal at a nearby pub, and cycle back to Chelmsford on Sunday. Cycling distance will be 30 miles or so each way, with plenty of stops for pubs, ice creams, etc.
Meet at 10am at the Coval Lane car park in Chelmsford (near the fire station, just off Waterhouse/Rainsford Lane, grid ref TL700069, see map)
£12 will cover your bed, and breakfast.
Wednesday 11th August
Committee Meeting
The future starts here. What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? We will be trip planning autumn and organising Wednesday evening activities for October. Everybody welcome!
Saturday 14th August
Walk and Evening Barbecue
Enjoy an afternoon walk on the beautiful Stour Valley Way to Glemsford from Long Melford. Meet at Long Melford, Suffolk (car park at north end of the main street, grid ref. TL865463, see map) for a pub lunch (optional - call Nigel's mobile to find out which pub) at 12:30, or 2:00pm for a leisurely 3 hr walk followed by an afternoon/evening barbecue at Nigel's house in Sudbury to celebrate his 40th birthday. Barbecue buffet will be provided, please bring a bottle. Everyone's welcome (even if you don't know Nigel!), but please let Nigel know if you're coming. You might want to bring a deck chair for the garden, and there's floor space available if you want to bring a sleeping bag.
Wednesday 18th August
Pub Night
Yes, here we are trying to make the most of the lovely, long summer evenings. Join us for a long cool drink in the setting rays of the sun at the charming Compasses Inn in Littley Green (from about 8.30).
Leave Chelmsford on A130 towards Gt.Dunmow; turn right onto B1417 (towards Felsted) for ¾mile; turn right into lane opposite Hartford End Brewery; after another ¾ mile left at T junction, pub is on left. Grid ref TL 699173, see map.
Wednesday 25th August
Python Nite
Ever wondered what some of the lads were talking about when they ask for their dinner served in a bucket with an egg on top? Or been present at a spontaneous outpouring of the Parrot Sketch? Either join in or find out what it's all about with this evening of scripts & DVDs.
Friday 27th to Monday 30th August (Bank Holiday Weekend)
The Small Hostels of Mid-Wales
A chance to get away from it all with a walk between three of the UK's most remote hostels. The "Tregaron triangle" is a popular three day trip involving overnight stays at Blaencaron, Tyncornel and Dolgoch hostels. Walking distances hostel to hostel between 5 and 10 miles each day (or if you prefer not to walk the whole way, there will be at least one car driving between the hostels carrying food and luggage).
On Friday evening we drive to Blaencaron hostel, on Saturday we'll walk to Tyncornel hostel, and on Sunday walk on to Dolgoch hostel. On Monday we return to our cars at Blaencaron.
This part of mid-Wales, east of the small town of Tregaron, is a vast upland area known as the Elenydd. This is an airy plateau cut by gentle, sometimes lush, valleys. It is an area with no major roads, and with no towns or villages, just the occasional isolated farmhouse. Here sheep munch at grass, the trees quietly grow, and the majestic red kite swoops and soars over the land.
The hostels are simple and remote. Two of them are lit by gas and have open fires; all have a distinctive character and charm.
£25 deposit please. Estimated total cost £58 for the 3 nights including bed, meals and petrol contribution. Note that because of the distance, you'll need to be able to get away reasonably promptly on the Friday afternoon.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford
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