Programme

Sunday 1^st September

Cycle Ride to Hanningfield Reservoir

James K

Meet outside the YMCA at 11am for a scenic ride out to Hanningfield Reservoir. There'll be time to see the new visitor centre and nature reserve, and there is a restaurant and choice of pubs for lunch.

Wednesday 4th September

Dusk Walk in Old Leigh

Jim

Join us at the lovely village of Old Leigh near Southend for a short stroll along the sea front at dusk,. Meet at 7.30pm in the pay and display carpark near Belton Gardens about ¼ mile east of Leigh-on-Sea railway station. The grid reference is TQ836858 (see map), the car-park is under the railway bridge (shown as a white road on 1:50,000 Thames Estuary map).

Sunday 8^th September

North Downs Walk

Tom

A walk in Kent of 7½ miles including one of the best sections of the North Downs Way, between Thurnham and Hollingbourne, with fine views from the top of the ridge. Pub lunch in Hollingbourne planned.

Start at 11am. Parking at Cobham Manor Riding Centre GR TQ815573 (see map) on Landranger 178 or Explorer 148.

Directions from M20 J7: Follow A 249 towards Sheerness. Take first right to Detling. Turn right in village and follow narrow road to Thurnham. Straight over at x-roads and the riding centre is about 3/4 mile on the right. (allow an hour from Chelmsford). Please let Tom know if you're coming.

Wednesday 11th September

Committee Meeting

Join us discussing November events and weekends away later in the year. Everybody is welcome.

Sunday 15^th September

Saffron Walden YH Heritage Open Day

Dave P

As part of the National Heritage Open days scheme, Saffron Walden YH will be open all day. The hostel, the oldest inhabited building in Saffron Walden, is a former maltings with parts dating from 1402, and well worth looking around. Please feel free to come along, either for a tour of the premises, or bring a trowel and some gloves and join us in the garden for a little routine maintenance. We'll be there from about 11am until 4pm.

Wednesday 18th September

Birthday Celebrations III

Dave J

Another Birthday, another pub night. Come and commiserate with Dave on the passing of a Significant Birthday (we promised not to say how Significant, but his life should be beginning any time now).

Meet at the Queens Head pub (formerly The Partners) in Lower Anchor Street, off the B1007 New London Road, Chelmsford (Grid Ref TL702063, see map). Meet from 8.30pm. Everybody welcome.

Friday 20^th to Sunday 22^nd September

Woody's Top hostel

Dave

The converted farm buildings of Woody's Top are a peaceful haven surrounded by fields at the top of a hill in the Lincolnshire Wolds. The secluded countryside offers opportunities for walking, cycling and exploring the nearby market towns. Bracing visits to the seaside at Skegness or Mablethorpe are also possible.

Woody's Top is near the hamlet of Ruckland, six miles south of Louth. We have rented the whole hostel for the weekend.

Deposit £15 to book your place please. Total cost will be about £35 including bed, food and petrol.

Wednesday 25^th September

Competitive Art

Ann

This event requires no skill or talent, just imagination and animal cunning. Teams will be describing book and film titles in glorious technicolor crayons. Points will be awarded for correct guesses with bonuses for imaginative self expression (as long as it's not too rude).

Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford

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