Maldon and Dengie Hundred Group of

the Ramblers
Newsletter/Programme No 55

Winter 2017

www.maldondengieramblers.org.uk

From the Chair Dates for the diary

After a lifetime spent studiously avoiding doing anything to do Sunday 10 December 2017
with committees I find myself not only on a committee but Mince Pie walk. Four mile walk
Chairman to boot! However, as I said at the AGM, taking on starting at 1pm followed by mince
the position was an easy choice given the friendly and pies and festive nibbles from 2.30.
supportive nature of the committee and members of Maldon Open to all members - walking or
and Dengie Ramblers. not! No charge & no booking
required. Venue - Purleigh playing
I would like to take this opportunity to give many thanks to the field pavilion, Howe Green Road,
committee members who stood down at the AGM. Tracy CM3 6PE.
Rayner who has been working hard as Social Secretary, Ray
Saturday 27 January 2018
Pearce our longstanding Treasurer and Norman Hodson our
New Year Lunch at
webmaster. Also of course retiring Chairman Jim McWhirr who
Le Bouchon Brasserie, Maldon
thankfully will be on hand for another year to provide valuable
See attachment to newsletter for
guidance.
booking information. Booking form
The new composition of the committee is listed at the bottom also available for download from
of the Newsletter but please bear in mind that there are many M&D website. Space is limited and
other members who are providing their time to ensure the the closing date 6 January.
Maldon and Dengie Ramblers runs smoothly and gives us all Saturday 3 March 2018
the opportunity to enjoy the countryside with like minded Charity Quiz, 6.30 for 7.00pm start.
friends and companions. Venue - Wickham Bishops Village
Hall. Details later in newsletter.
As we continue our journey down the footpaths I hope to be
able to report a continuation of the walks programme. Plus
other social and walking events with perhaps some new ideas
that are open to all group members, be that regular walkers or New webmaster!
less active supporters. Watch your emails and the website for Alan Davey has taken over the
events and updates. running of our website. Articles,
photos, updates etc. for the
Russell website can be emailed direct to
Alan at
davey544@btinternet.com

and very best wishes for 2018

 Annual Charity Quiz

Our annual charity quiz will be held on 3 March 2018 in Wickham Bishops Village Hall, ( CM8 3JZ ) at 6.30
for 7pm, but this year in the smaller hall so that you will need to use the side entrance. Teams of up to 8
are welcome and the cost is £5pp. BYO drinks and supper but tea and coffee will be provided. To reserve
a table please contact Jim McWhirr on james.mcwhirr@btinternet.com. Book early because space is
limited.

Bring plenty of money because there will be a raffle with valuable prizes in support of Rett UK. Rett
Syndrome is a complex neurological disease, rare, but with devastating consequences for sufferers,
mainly girls, who develop normally for their first 18 months but then lose the abilities they have gained,
until, in the worst cases, they are left doubly incontinent, cannot speak, are confined to bed and cannot
move unless someone moves them. Rebecca Marshall, now about 26, the daughter of one of our former
members, is so affected and has lived all her life in residential care.

Footpath Maintenance Work

The footpath maintenance group is up and running. Leaders and walkers, if you find a footpath we use in
Maldon district in need of some TLC let me know and we might be able to do something about it.
Currently the group is only undertaking vegetation clearance work. Later we may be able to take on
construction work such as stiles and bridges.
For more information contact Russell at russgriffiths1@aol.com, with 'path clearance' as the email
subject.

Reporting a path (or any highways) problem in Essex

Please report any footpath problem, anywhere in Essex using the online system. As follows:
 log onto essexhighways.org,
 click on 'tells us something', then click on map, click on PROW option and identify the type of
problem. You will be asked for a post code, road/place name etc - just put in something nearby
and zoom in on the map, click exactly where the problem is.
 Complete the boxes - exact location with grid reference and details of the problem & submit

Donate a Gate

Two of our members have encountered a scheme on the Isle of Wight called 'Donate a Gate' whereby
members can pay to replace a stile with a gate bearing a plaque in memory of a loved one. The
committee are still considering how to approach this scheme, but anyone interested should please
contact Jim McWhirr at james.mcwhirr@btinternet.com for more details.

New Walking Venue

Maldon Golf Club have extended an invite to our walking group to use the club facilities. To
make use of the facilities please contact the club in advance on 01621 853212. They are able
to provide bar snacks and sandwiches. A named contact at the club is Kevin Clarke.
Address - Beeleigh, Maldon, CM9 4SS.
 WANTED!! Walk Leaders
Please contact Alison (TA) or Alan (Sunday) or Jean-Pierre (Tuesday all day) if you would like to take on
the challenge of leading a walk. There are plenty of people who are willing to help if this is your first
time.
alisontaylor@btopenworld.com davey544@btinternet.com jpdutaut76@aol.com

Useful Websites
 www.gridreferencefinder.com - easy to use & useful for identifying post codes and grid references
 www.mapmywalk.com - library of many walks and helps with plotting your own
 www.walk4life.info - UK site useful for plotting and finding walks
 www.essexhighways.org - has host of information to local PROWs e.g. guides, policies, access.

Maldon & Dengie Hundred Ramblers' Committee 2017/18

Office Holder Telephone e-mail
Chair Russell Griffiths 07591 177410 russgriffiths1@aol.com
Vice Chair vacant
Secretary Jim Roche 01376 514073 rocheten@gmail.com
Treasurer Wendy McWhirr 01621 891055 wbm.145@hotmail.com
Membership & Publicity Chris Elliott 01621 852248 chris.elliott@talktalk.net
Secretary
Rambles secretary Alison Taylor 07743 763978 alisonjtaylor@btopenworld.com
& TA walk co-ordinator
Countryside & footpath officer Jackie Harrop 01621 743770 jackie.harrop@hotmail.co.uk
& newsletter editor
Committee member Jim McWhirr 01621 981055 james.mcwhirr@btinternet.com
Committee member Dennis Miller 01245 223894 millers8@btinternet.com

Maldon & Dengie website www.maldonanddengieramblers.org.uk

Essex Area website www.essexarearamblers.co.uk

The Ramblers is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration no. 4458492. Registered Charity in
England and Wales no. 1093577. Registered Office - Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW
 Maldon & Dengie Hundred Ramblers
Members Annual Lunch

When - Saturday 27 January 2018, 12.15 for 1pm

Where - Le Bouchon Brassiere, Heybridge (CM9 4LT)
Price - £30 pp, this includes three courses, tea or coffee and a gratuity

There will be no walk before the meal.

Please support this annual event which has proved so successful in the past. If you
wish to join us please complete the tear off slip below with your menu choices and
return it, together with your cheque for £30pp. Cheque payable to Maldon & Dengie
Social Account. Send completed form and cheque by Saturday 6 January 2018 to:
Wendy McWhirr, 18 Blacksmith's Lane, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3NR
Please advise of any dietary requirements. For more information contact Wendy on
01621 891055 or wbm.145@hotmail.com
.................................................................................................................................

Name(s) 1. ............................................................ 2....................................................................

contact details (phone or email) ............................................................................................................

Please tick your choices

Name 1 Name 2
Starters
English white onion & cider soup, crispy shallots
Beetroot, soft hen's egg, horseradish & watercress
Ham & savoy cabbage terrine, pickled vegetables, caper mayonnaise
Mains
Roast hake, white bean, samphire & cockle cassoulet
Breast of chicken, morel cream, herb gnocchi & spinach
Tian of aubergine & tomato, balsamic & shallot dressing & goat's curd
Dessert
House crѐme brulee, vanilla tuille & berry coulis
Sticky toffee pudding, ginger ice cream & caramel sauce
Selection of European cheeses, quince paste, celery, grapes, biscuits
& breads