INTERMEDIATE WALKING GROUP – PROGRAMME 2011 - 2012

Group Leader:    Alan Jeffery    01270 765877

19 Tatton Drive Sandbach CW11 1DZ

email – dotandalan@philbratt.co.uk

Please note that some walks/meals/coaches need to be booked in advance. 

Welcome to another year of walking with the Intermediate Walking Group.

This group operates throughout the year without a break and is aimed at walkers who are able to cover up to 7 miles of easy to moderate routes at a “steady pace” and is intended to sit between the Short Walking Groups and the Long Walking Group.

We ask that you keep to the pace of the leader(s) and as far as possible do not walk in front of the leader(s).

The leader(s) will keep to the pace of the slowest walker and it is the intention that no one should feel under any pressure to keep up. If you do have a problem of any sort or you intend to leave the group for any reason, please inform the leader(s) immediately.

The leader(s) will always have in their possession a complete 2 ½ inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map to cover the entire route of the walk and will also carry a first-aid kit, although they may not be currently first-aid trained.

In the event of a large number of walkers wishing to take part, the group may be split into two smaller groups using the same route.

It is a requirement that you have waterproof clothing and a pair of suitable walking boots or shoes.

Except for the Christmas meal walk we will be out and about at lunchtime, so you will need to bring your own food and drink. At the very least you should carry water in hot/warm weather and a hot drink in cold weather.

Dogs are not allowed.

Please bring a change of shoes if you are wanting a lift with another walker and always when travelling by coach.

The U3A walk fee is 50 pence per person – this is included in the coach walk costs.

Walking Holidays

In addition to the monthly walks Alan and Dot also arrange coach holidays so that members of the intermediate walking group can travel further afield and spend a few days walking, sightseeing, or relaxing.  The holidays arranged for 2011-2012 are listed on a separate page.  Click here to see them.

Note: Take care with the dates of walks; there are some changes to the normal day of the month for intermediate walks.

Thursday, 8^th September 2011

Blakemere, Whitegate & The Whitegate Way

Leaders:  Rod Daniels, Jean Bound and Keith Moss Enquiries: 01270 765164

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses. Alternatively, go direct and meet at Lower Car Park, Blakemere Craft Centre on A556 near to Falconry Centre for 9.50am, where Liz and Keith will be waiting.

Walk: This lovely easy walk is approx. 7 miles through delightful countryside on paths, lanes and bridleways taking in a section of The Whitegate Way. Toilets at start, middle and finish. Café available on our return.

Thursday, 13^th October 2011

Carsington Water, Derbyshire

(Coach walk - needs to be pre-booked - see bottom of page)

Leaders:  Doreen & Paul Hebden    Enquiries: 01270 762494

Meet: Military Arms, Sandbach, on the coach and ready to leave at 9.00am.

Walk: An outstanding walk of 7 miles most of which is easy, but there is one steady climb which will be taken at a very steady pace to suit everyone. Do not be put off by this or you will miss out on a great day’s walking. We start at the relatively new Carsington Water reservoir and walk alongside it into the village of Carsington from where we climb to the High Peak Trail that used to be the rail link between Cromford Canal and Whaley Bridge Canal. This trail is very easy walking – 4 miles downhill to Cromford Canal passing a number of industrial heritage sites and lovely scenery. Toilets should be available at the start, part way and at the finish together with a café.

Booking: To Julie Clarke, (see bottom of page).

Cost: £8.00 per person, including coach, U3A walk fee and tip for driver.

Thursday, 10^th November 2011

Alderley Edge

Leaders:  Marian & John Brain    Enquiries: 01270 765140

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk: A 7-mile walk of the Alderley Edge area starting at the Wizard Car Park (National Trust, so a charge for non-members). Alderley Edge is owned by the National Trust and has fine views all around. The walk has some hills that are not too difficult and will be taken steadily. It also includes lanes, tracks and fields. Toilets are available at the start and finish and as usual there is a café at the end.

Note: Bournemouth holiday – 27^th – 31^st January 2012

Thursday, 10^th November is the final payment day for the holiday to BOURNEMOUTH in January. There is a further £114.50 per person to pay plus single supplements of £16.00. All cheques to be made payable to D JEFFERY, and forwarded to Dot at 19 Tatton Drive, Sandbach CW11 1DZ.

Thursday, 8^th December 2011

Christmas walk & meal, Hurleston to Ravensmoor

(Lunch needs to be pre-booked - see below)

Leaders:  Dot and Alan Jeffery  Enquiries: 01270 765877

Meet: Either opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach at 8.45am (earlier than usual) or go direct to The Farmers Arms, Ravensmoor, for 9.25am parking on their car park.

Walk:  Toilets will be available at the pub. The walk will start with a very short coach journey (no charge) from The Farmers Arms to Hurleston Bridge (please wear your clean boots) we walk about 4¼ miles taking mainly the canal towpath and lanes (with a coffee break) back to The Farmers Arms for our Christmas lunch.

Xmas Lunch:  The meal will be your choice of either 2 or 3 courses. Both selections include coffee/tea and a rambler’s mince pie. A menu will be available nearer the time so that you can make your food selection. The cost for 2 courses is £13.75, and for 3 courses is £15.75, both prices include a small tip and the U3A walk fee.

Booking: To reserve a place contact Dot on 01270 765877, then confirm this by forwarding a cheque for the appropriate amount to Dorothy Jeffery, 19 Tatton Drive, Sandbach CW11 1DZ, together with your menu selection. Please make cheques payable to D JEFFERY.

Thursday, 12^th January 2012

‘Two Pools & a Palm Tree’ Visit to Liverpool

(Coach walk needs to be pre-booked - see bottom of page)

Leaders:  Lu & Jeff Burnand    Enquiries: 01270 750377

Meet: Military Arms, Sandbach, on the coach and ready to leave at 9.00am

Walk: Join Lu and Jeff for a walk beside the Mersey for about 3½ miles of flat easy walking, followed by lunch at Maritime Museum. (A lunch menu will be available nearer the time so that you can make your food selection. Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking). After lunch there will be the opportunity to visit the recently opened Museum of Liverpool (free entry), shop in Liverpool One (not so free) or have Gerry serenade you as you take a “Ferry Cross the Mersey”. ¾ hour tourist cruise (approx £5.00). Boots not required but as it is January and the wind comes directly from New York – please wrap up warmly.

Booking: To Julie Clarke, (see bottom of page).

Cost: £21.00 per person, including coach, lunch, U3A walk fee and tip for driver.

Thursday, 9^th February 2012

Weaver Valley

Leaders:  Rod Daniels (01270 765164) & Jean Bound (01606 832002)

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk:  An easy 7-mile walk from Kingsmead to Northwich with no hills and only one stile but no toilets at the start. Excellent paths and mud not anticipated. This highly attractive walk starts from Poors Wood and follows both sides of the river passing a Marina and going through Marshall’s Arm Nature Reserve. A loop takes us past Vale Royal Abbey before returning via a wood and fields to the riverside. After the walk refreshments are available at The Kingfisher pub nearby.

Thursday, 8^th March 2012

Farndon & Churton

Followed by a Carvery & Skittles at The Bickerton Poacher

(The Carvery & Skittles needs to be pre-booked - see below)

Leaders:  Dot & Alan Jeffery, Liz & Keith Moss  Enquiries: 01270 765877

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, at 10.15am (note later start time). Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk:  A relatively easy walk of 6½ miles in the Farndon and Churton area. We set off from Farndon on this pleasant walk across fields leading to Churton from where the route continues along enclosed paths and through woodland to the River Dee. Lovely views of the surrounding area.

On the return journey, a Carvery followed by Skittles has been arranged at The Bickerton Poacher, which is on the A534 at Bickerton. We intend to eat at about 5.00pm, so our lunch stop on the walk will be earlier than usual.

Booking:  The Carvery and Skittles have to be pre-booked. To do so, please forward a cheque for £10.00 per person, to Dorothy Jeffery, 19 Tatton Drive, Sandbach CW11 1DZ. Please make cheques payable to D JEFFERY.

Extra Walk, Thursday, 29^th March 2012

Beddgelert, North Wales (2 Walks)

(Coach walk needs to be pre-booked - see bottom of page)

Leaders:  Dot & Alan Jeffery, Ian Clarke & Jeff Burnand      Enquiries: 01270 765877

Meet: Military Arms, Sandbach, on the coach and ready to leave at 8.00am (Please note early start)

Walk 1: The first walk is shorter than normal at approximately 5 miles that will give walkers time to enjoy the wonderful scenery and to explore Beddgelert village itself. Starting with toilets at Bethania we take lanes and tracks to the banks of Llyn Dinas and then follow the river valley into the village passing toilets and then time to enjoy the local facilities, including cafes, where our coach will be parked, ready for our return journey.

Walk 2: The second walk is moderate – about 7 miles that is splendid in a majestic landscape without strenuous climbing or difficult terrain. Starting at the same point as the shorter walk, with toilets, the route via Lyn Dinas climbs over to the next valley and then via Nantmor takes in the wonderful pass of Aberglaslyn with fine views of the River and the new Welsh Mountain Railway. We return to Beddgelert with toilets and cafes, prior to our return to Sandbach.

Booking: To Julie Clarke, (see bottom of page).

Cost: £9.00 per person, including coach, U3A walk fee and tip for driver.

Thursday, 12^th April 2012

Baldwins Gate, Staffordshire

Leaders:  Mo Page (01270 582689) & Jeff Burnand (01270 750377)

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk:  This lovely walk is 6½ miles with quite a few stiles, but passes along lovely tracks with fine views over the countryside. A part of the walk follows a very busy main railway line, which adds interest. Baldwins Gate is situated on the A53 between Stoke/Newcastle and Market Drayton

Thursday, 10^th May 2012

Aston near Frodsham

Leaders:  Sandra Roberts & Sheila Jessup  Enquiries: 01270 768001

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk:  This is a flat walk of about 7 miles starting from the church at Aston village, which is about a mile from the A56. A very scenic and peaceful walk with picnic tables on which to take lunch! The route takes in canal, lanes, tracks and riverbank – no loos but lots of bushes!!

Extra Walk, Thursday, 17^th May 2012

Tissington and Alsop-en-le-Dale (Well Dressing)

(Coach walk needs to be pre-booked - see bottom of page)

Leaders:  Dot and Alan Jeffery    Enquiries: 01270 765877

Meet:  Military Arms, Sandbach, on the coach and ready to leave at 9.00am

Walk:  This is a 6-mile walk in an area of the Peak District that abounds in idyllic and unspoiled villages of warm, honey-coloured limestone, two of the finest being visited in this pleasant walk. It includes two short stretches of the Tissington Trail, a former railway line, with wonderful views. A few modest climbs all taken at a very steady pace.

We take in the “Well Dressing” at Tissington - some believe that Tissington has the finest examples of “Well Dressing” and during previous years up to eight wells were dressed and there will be plenty of time to view these during our visit. Tissington is known as the mother of “Well Dressing” and visitors come from all over the world to witness this very special event.

Booking: To Julie Clarke, (see bottom of page).

Cost: £8.50 per person, including coach, U3A walk fee and tip for driver.

Thursday, 7^th June 2012

Audlem & the Shropshire Union Canal

Leaders:  Ian Clarke & Alan Jeffery    Enquiries: 01270 765877

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk: This is a circular walk of about 6 miles of easy walking along the attractive valley of the River Weaver and the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal with fine views throughout.

Thursday, 12^th July 2012

Weaver Parkway from Winsford

Leaders:  Sheila Jessup & friends    Enquiries: 01477 537905

Meet: Opposite 41 Congleton Road, Sandbach, no later than 9.15am. Please take care not to restrict resident’s driveways and park on the opposite side to the houses.

Walk:  An easy 7-mile walk starts along the River Weaver using the Weaver Parkway in Winsford, a recreation area full of signs of local heritage and wildlife. The walk then follows the Vale Royal Cut, crosses the Golf Course to Whitegate and returns via the Whitegate Way. No hills and few stiles.

Thursday, 9^th August 2012

Cheswardine & Hales, Shropshire

(Coach walk needs to be pre-booked - see bottom of page)

Leaders:  Jan & Phil Boulton     Enquiries: 01606 835307

Meet:  Military Arms, Sandbach, on the coach and ready to leave at 9.00am

Walk: Starting at St Swithun’s Church at Cheswardine this beautiful walk around 7 miles is easy to moderate in an area of low rolling farming landscape. It takes in lanes tracks and footpaths in this little discovered area of Shropshire.

Booking: To Julie Clarke, (see bottom of page).

Cost: £8.00 per person, including coach, U3A walk fee and tip for driver.

All coach walks need to be booked in advance.

Firstly contact Julie Clarke (on a walk or on telephone 01270 584146) to check availability of places.

Booking to be confirmed within 14 days by a sending a cheque for the appropriate amount, to Julie at 57 Bradeley Road, Haslington, Crewe CW1 5PX

All cheques to be made payable to ‘SANDBACH AND DISTRICT U3A’.

The U3A walk fee and a driver’s tip are included in the coach walk costs.

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