ABOUT
US
We walk
every Thursday, throughout the year, whatever the weather !
The group currently has about 30 members; a typical walk attracts
10 -18
participants.
We have
a very varied programme which reflects the enthusiasm and interests
of our members. For example, we explore the footpaths and lovely
villages of the North
Downs
and the South Downs National Park as well as the coastal paths
around Chichester Harbour, Hayling and
Langstone.
The local heathlands of Hindhead, Frensham and other commons
provide good walking in winter. Sometimes we walk in historic
centres such as Winchester, Chichester, Farnham and
Arundel.
A summer outing is organised each year to explore good walking
country further afield. In the past, we have been to the
Jurassic Coast, used the Bluebell Line and explored Watership Down.
An annual trip to London has seen us follow the Regent's canal,
visit the Olympic Park and this year Hampton Court and Richmond
will give us a very topical experience of the
Tudors.
Over the past few years we have reinstated a group walking holiday.
The first year we walked the coastal path around the Isle
of Wight and last year some of the members walked the
St. Oswald's Way in Northhumberland. September will see us in
the Cotswolds.
Starting points of the weekly walks are within 30 miles of
Haslemere. We operate a car sharing scheme to reduce costs. The
walks are usually between 7 and 9 miles long, with occasionally
longer ones of up to 10 miles. The walk starts at 10.15 am ( with a
break for coffee mid-morning ) and usually finish between 3.00 and
4.00 pm.
A feature of almost all walks is a country pub where walkers have
time for a chat over a pub lunch, before beginning the afternoon
section of the route. Some of us prefer to bring a picnic lunch but
join the others for a drink in the pub. In this way many of us have
been introduced to hitherto unknown pubs which have since become
favourites !
With regret, we do not allow dogs or other pets on the
walk.
Although walking is our main activity, the group also organises a
number of social events during the year such as a summer BBQ,
a skittles evening, Christmas lunch and some half day walks which
are followed by a leisurely lunch. Partners are very welcometo take
part in these occasions and can become " social " members if they
do not want to walk regularly.