HG events
Henley and Goring have an active social programme with a range of events and activities. To give you a flavour, here are some of the things we have done this year:
• Summer evening walks followed by a pub supper
• Oxfordshire Ramblers Groups annual joint picnic
• Summer Special walk and Bar-B-Q at Harpsden village hall with a jazz band
• Joint walks with Wycombe Group and with Weekend Walkers Group
• Christmas dinner for walk leaders and committee
• Carol service at Dunsden church followed by walk and pub lunch
• AGM supper, slide show and social
• Boxing Day mystery walk with mince pies and mulled wine
• Chantry House lecture and Social Evening
• Get Walking Day display in Falaise Square Henley
• Joint walks and working parties with Chiltern Society
• Special interest walks – orchids; historical church, almshouse and school; iconic London buildings; archaeological walk with visit to a dig and special tea at Dorchester abbey
above: interior of the historic church at Ewelme to be
visited on the Exploring Ewelme walk on 7 September
below: Area picnic 2013
Arts and Culture Group
The group is thriving as more members use the e-mail list (which anyone can choose to join) to tell others about interesting cultural events or to organise group outings. This year we’ve seen lots of films, several concerts, operas, ballet, concerts, special exhibition visits. We’re always open to new ideas! To join, contact Barbara Wilkinson - email:
Coming up in 2014
5 April: Bird Reserve Walk at Little Marlow
26 April: Bluebell walk and tea
11 May: Bluebell Bonanza and tea
1 June: Historic walk round Bix
21 June: Oxon Area picnic at Wittenham Clumps
6 July: Joint walk with Henley Wildlife group
3 August: Great parliamentary houses walk from Great Hampden
25 August: Summer BBQ with jazz band and walk from Northend village hall
7 September: Exploring Ewelme: historic sites tour and walk
13 September: Henley Show – visit our stand.
22 November: AGM at Christ Church centre.
For reports on trips, special walks and social events we've organised in recent months, see the Reports page
HG Working parties
Working Parties
The South Chilterns path volunteer section of the Chiltern Society organise working parties in liaison with Oxfordshire County Council and do a brilliant job. Ramblers assist them where possible. 
The work is enjoyable and sociable, usually ending up in the pub for lunch. Workdays are generally the second Wednesday and the fourth Saturday and the Wednesday following the fourth Saturday of each month. Ray Maguire is acting as Gate Storeman. He is involved with the purchase of gates parts and their storage. If you would like more information on working parties please contact Susan Maguire
Henley & Goring install their donated gate
On a bright, crisp morning five of our members joined a Chiltern Society working party to install a kissing gate donated by our members.
Digging metre deep holes in the chalk was hard work and the tea break with home made cakes was most welcome.
The work was finished just in time for the first customer, a local lady with her dog. She thanked the workers very much as this particular stile had been very difficult to get over.
HG Reports
Exmoor April 2014
As a relatively new member of Ramblers, this was my first trip away on a long weekend with H&G, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We were based in Simonsbath, at the Simonsbath House Hotel, from where we were able to walk or drive a short distance to the start point of our walks.
beautiful coastal scenery
The weekend started well with a lovely coastal walk from Woody Bay in the Heddon Valley on Friday afternoon in bright sunshine, followed by three full days of walks, and ending with a walk on Tuesday morning, followed by a pub lunch. The hotel staff were extremely welcoming, offering us comfortable accommodation as well as excellent food and we enjoyed a three course meal each evening. Some of us also sat down to a full English breakfast before we set off on our walks each day.
wild moorlands
The walks were varied - up hill some of the time, across the moors, along the SW coastal footpath, across farmland and alongside clear streams and rivers. There were over 20 of us, and on most walks we split in to two groups, enjoying the option of a slighter shorter or longer walk, depending on our energy levels each day. We all met in the evening for a pre-dinner drink and to eat together.
We were extremely lucky with the weather and enjoyed some welcome sunshine on our walks, and the late spring was evident, with primroses and daffodils in the hedgerows. We also saw new born lambs and some Exmoor deer.
The stunning landscape of Exmoor and the North Somerset/North Devon coast made for a great location and the weather and company of fellow walkers also contributed to an excellent break. A big thank you to Susan and Ray for organising this event and for leading the walks each day.
Barbara Wood Ridges
What do you do for Winter Walks Weekends when you have done all the long distance linear trails in easy driving distance? This was Henley & Goring’s dilemma this winter. For the last few winters we have walked a long distance linear trail over 5 weekends in the winter months, with trails ranging from Bath to the coast of Kent. We had to think of something new so decided to make our theme Ridges. 
In October we went to Derbyshire, staying in Edale; in November it was the Mendips; then came the White Horse trail in Wiltshire in January, the Malverns in February and the Cotswolds in March.
We got off to a fine start with a 2 night trip to the head of Edale. The walk, from Hope, up Win Hill, across to Lose Hill then along the ridge dividing Edale from the Hope Valle, up and over Mam Tor then back via Dalehead, must be one of the best in England. The Mendips trip provided some memorable views over the Cheddar Gorge and the Bristol Channel. In Wiltshire walking parts of the White Horse Trail and on the Marlborough Downs we had the best of ridge walking with sunshine and fine vistas on one day and the worst of views the next day when the mist meant we could have been walking anywhere for all that we could see! Floods all round made the drive to the Malverns an interesting experience as we tried to find bridges over the Thames and the Severn that were still open. Once there, however, the ridge walking provided wonderful views over Malvern town and the surrounding countryside. The last weekend, in the Cotswolds, an area we visit often, was as enjoyable as usual with lovely weather and great walking.
Walking the Wiltshire White Horses Way
The Winter Walks group, which started off with small numbers, has crept up to around 33, though not all go on every weekend. It is great that so many H&G members want to come on winter weekend walks but finding reasonably priced accommodation for such numbers is not easy. The planning group is having to consider offering two series of walks, repeating some like the South Downs Way which we did a few years ago for those who did not do it then, and trying to find new long distance routes for the original members of the group. Suggestions for good long distance trails in driving distance from south Oxfordshire, very welcome!
An Autumn Weekend in the Cotswolds
Twenty-seven people signed up for another of Bruce Brown’s well-organised relaxed weekends in the Cotswolds. This time we were based in the lovely town of Broadway. We set off to follow the Cotswold Way (With a few walking wounded who kindly volunteered to meet us at the pub halfway to ferry those who didn’t want to walk the whole distance). A steady climb towards Buckland Wood then a flattish stretch above Stanton where the weather got blustery (remember this was the weekend of the storms that swept southern England!). We then went down to the delightful village of Stanton, which has been described as one of the most complete villages in England. Many of the houses bear dates of 1604 and 1615 on their fronts, which was the peak period of Cotswold prosperity based on wool. The pub, The Mount Inn was rather crowded but most of us got in for a meal. After lunch some got a lift back to the hotel and half of us walked back. This time the route was along the bottom of the scarp slope, taking in the `Spring Villages`. Of particular note was Buckland, with its 13th century rectory and the church has 15th century cope and floor tiles. We got back to the hotel in time for a well-earned tea and bath.
Next morning we caught the bus to Chipping Camden (my favourite town in the Cotswolds) and we had an enjoyable hour to look round. Highlights were the silversmiths which dates back to the arts and crafts movement of the 1920`s. They are still using the original hand tools to produce superb articles in silver mainly for commissions. The other must see was the magnificent `wool church`
We set off and climbed up Dovers Hill to the site of the Cotswold Olimpick Games started in 1612 and revived in 1951. Amongst the more exotic events was `shin kicking`!. Following the Cotswold Way we reached Broadway Tower our lunch venue. The tower is on the second highest spot in the Cotswolds and is a folly standing 65 feet high designed by James Wyatt in 1799.
The café was a revelation as they had reserved the upper floor for our group and the food was hot and very welcome after the walk. As on the first day, some ramblers felt they had done enough and got lifts back to the hotel. The rest of us were rewarded with superb views over the vale of Evesham as we walked down to Broadway. I felt immensely relieved that the walk had gone so well as the night before the forecasts were for 80mph winds and we were going up high!
The hotel and food were excellent and Bruce had done his usual superb job of organising a great weekend. We are already working on this year’s weekend.
Brian Maunder Christmas Carol Walk and lunch 2013
Sunshine, Carols, a Walk and a good lunch – what more do you want at Christmas! 
Sunshine smiled on Henley and Goring Ramblers as they enjoyed their annual Christmas Carol Service, Walk and lunch this year. About fifty members assembled in the car park of the chosen pub in Sonning Common before setting off for a walk to Rotherfield Peppard church. There was a choice of two walks, one a bit shorter and at a slower pace than the other but we managed to all arrive at the church at about the same time The service of carols and readings by members of our group was conducted by the same vicar who conducted last year’s service in a different church as he has three different parishes to care for! After the service the walkers took a short route back to the pub where they were served a welcome hot lunch. 
Those for whom it was the first experience of this annual event commented on how well the event was organised with such large numbers taking part. They wanted to thank the organisers, mainly Susan Maguire, and all involved in making the day such a success.
Our AGM and supper were well attended as usual (with about 60 people). New members, Alun & Breeda Hickman, wrote: Many thanks for a lovely evening on the 23rd November. We joined Henley and Goring Ramblers earlier this year so this was our first AGM. We didn’t know many people when we arrived but everyone was very friendly and made us welcome. We were very impressed to hear about and see pictures from some of the walking holidays organised this year as well as more local walks and we are looking forward to joining the walks and maybe even a holiday during the next year. The meeting was followed by a delicious supper with a wide variety of savoury dishes followed by deserts which gave us the opportunity to meet a lot of the members who told us about their walking adventures. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for which we would like to say a big thank you and we look forward to the coming year with the Ramblers.
New Roles
Alie Hagedoorn (pictured right) joins the committee and is taking on the role of Walks Co-ordinator, previously done by Chairman, Peter Stone.
Glen Teasdale is taking on some of the Publicity role.
New Events Team
Susan Maguire is taking over from Tilley Smith as Social Secretary, with the assistance of a team of nine members who will help out in running events like the AGM, Barbeque and Chantry House Lecture. The team will help coordinate the events but we will still be relying on all members for the lovely food they provide and help in setting up, washing up and other tasks. Other members of the committee were re-elected to continue their current roles.
In the absence of a volunteer to take over as Footpaths officer, Susan Maguire will continue in the role on a temporary basis. The new committee for 2013/2014. :
From the left: Susan Maguire (Social secretary and Footpaths Officer), Robin Hanson (member without portfolio), Allie Haggedoorn (Walks Coordinator), Chris Corti (Treasurer), Peter Stone Chairman), Gill Heaven (Membership), Joan Clark (Newsletter Editor and Area Rep.), Judith Hill (Secretary).
On the way to the Cares Gorge, Picos de Europa
The Cares Gorge path
We stayed among the hills just outside the town of Arriondas, in the Posada del Valle, a family run hotel, which prided itself on being completely organic.Most of the delicious food came from its own farm and garden, with lamb, chickens and eggs all on the menu as were vegetables grown in the kitchen garden. Even the soap was organic and quite unlike anything most of us had seen before.
Coastal path, Asturias, part of the Camino de Santiago de Copestella
The weather was very kind to us, if anything it was a trifle too hot for walking on some days. The whole group walked together for two days but on the others we had a choice between a more strenuous walk and an easier one. The strenuous group tackled the Carres Gorge, eight kilometres along a narrow path, which is positioned half way up the vertiginous gorge side, and then eight kilometres back – regretfully it was too much for most of the group in the heat. Then there was a walk, which included stepping stones at the foot of a cliff, the water side was thirty feet deep and yet three of our brave walkers rose to the challenge – all girls. For variety there were three walks which included a visit to the beach and bathing in the Bay of Biscay’s surf; it was wonderfully refreshing.
Lovely lake, high in the Picos
This trip was a perfect holiday for setting everyone up before a British winter and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Anne Brown
Glorious Gower
Having holidayed in Wales many times as a child, I was keen to revisit the Gower and was delighted to be able to join the Henley & Goring group on their three night break to Reynoldston in early September. Our thirteen-strong group included three members from the Vale and myself from the Oxford Weekend Walkers, but I had walked with the H&G group on a few previous occasions and like to make new friends so rightly thought this would be a very pleasant trip. Expertly organised by Susan Maguire, our accommodation at the King Arthur Hotel, a traditional country inn, was very comfortable, easy to locate and very prettily situated, although I would advise a pre and post-holiday diet plan to cope with their very generous meal portions, and a pair of ear plugs to counter the early-morning wake-up call from the sheep bleating outside my bedroom window!
We had two half-day and two full day walks of around 11 miles covering the wonderful
Oxwich Bay and Rhossili areas, which included the glorious coastal path, downlands and beaches, and a visit to Oxwich Castle (a Tudor fortified manor). The weather was very kind to us; threatening rain showers never arrived, so we enjoyed sunshine and a cooling coastal breeze for our walks. Highlights for me were the delightful Welsh ponies which we encountered along the paths, the beautiful heather and gorse on the coastal downlands, and the very lively chat from all members of the group. We had a few minor dramas; Susan was attacked by a wasp while picnicking on the beach at Oxwich, and Marcus twisted his ankle and spent half a day in A&E! Having made new friends, I was sad to be going home, but have already booked a place on the H&G’s trip to Exmoor next April!
Sarah HowesHay-on-Wye in April 2013
Our Henley & Goring Group's trip staying at the Baskerville Arms in Clyro on the Powis border proved to be a great success thanks to the preparation and planning by Susan, Ray, Jeanne and Peter. We had wonderful and varied walks in the region of the Black Mountains, Golden Valley and Wye Valley.
On the first day, a circular walk from Bredwardine passing Arthur's Stone Burial Chamber, taking in Dorstone Hill and Merbach Hill, was quite energetic. The following day, after ascending through patches of snow via part of Offa’s Dyke Path to Cat’s Back Ridge (said to be the best ridge walk in England) we had a magnificent safe path along the ridge with stunning views either side. We had a picnic lunch, in the sun before we reached the end of the ridge. The steep descent on wet slippery grass caused some entertaining and spectacular falls by some of the party. We walked at a lower level back to Hay through lovely countryside with a second picnic stop by a very pretty babbling brook.
Looking to the Black Mountains
Next day after a morning in Hay, we met for lunch at the attractive Boughton Arms, then had a beautiful walk in the Golden Valley through pastures and woodlands, with gorgeous scenery and an abundance of daffodils and sheep with their young lambs, which made it really idyllic.
Our walk up to Lord Hereford's Knob on the last day was more challenging. After ascending the steep path with very strong winds gusting at 50 mph, we reached the summit. Negotiating the wind saw most of us either crawling or sitting and sliding along on our bottoms, unfortunately a photo opportunity missed as we were too busy to look for cameras or admire the view. Hats and hearing aids were blown away but the eleven of us who braved it had a feeling of achievement and could look back afterwards with some amusement. A well earned tea at the Llanthony Priory before our drive home was an excellent finish to a wonderful holiday.
The Howgill Fells in June
Located in eastern Cumbria, between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, the Howgill Fells and surrounding area is a wonderful wild region that most tourists overlook as they head for the better known places to the west and the east. Henley & Goring took full advantage of this uncrowded walking area in June 2013 on a 5 day trip to Ravenstonedale. 
Our hotel, the Fat Lamb, stands isolated at a crossroads half way between Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen. It could be a bleak spot in winter but in the June sunshine it was very inviting and the views on all sides are stupendous. The hotel is comfortable and friendly with excellent food. It even has its own nature reserve, based on a natural spring with ponds and channels dug out to provide a range of habitats. Our host, Paul, gave us a private conducted tour. The Howgills, largely limestone and sandstone are rounder and lower than the craggier metamorphic areas of the Lakes, but the wide vistas, rolling outlines and the big skies above make them a delight to look at and walk in. The valleys, with their isolated stone built farms, hamlets and villages are full of interest and history. Everywhere are sheep and, above all when we were there, wild flower meadows. The predominant colour was the yellow of buttercups but a closer look revealed a wealth of flowers and plants including orchids. Organisers Susan and Ray Maguire led the walks 
– a choice of two each day, one longer and going higher up the hills than the other. We started with a walk to Cautley Spout, a spectacular waterfall that tumbles down the steep side of the Fell and becomes the River Rawthey – a good introduction to the area. Our first full day involved a ride on a vintage bus – a 1958 Bristol Lodekka 627 HFM, called Harvey! One group took the bus to the start of their walk while the hardier walked over the hill from the hotel. The bus takes its time and has to go the long way round to the Mallerstang Valley. Even so it was amazing that the two groups converged on the same spot in the valley at precisely the same time so we joined forces for the walk along the ridge above the valley along the Pennine Bridleway to the Moorcock Inn and the bus stop for the ride back to the Fat Lamb. After a tour of the nature reserve one group set off down the valley to Ravenstonecroft with its unusual Grade 1 listed Georgian church (built to replace a much earlier one), mediaeval monastic remains and hospitable village centre serving coffee and homemade cakes. The group continued to Smardale Gill which has carved a gorge for itself. 
A disused railway line runs high up on the side of the gorge leading to a spectacular viaduct. The remains of a huge lime kiln remind us of the industrial past of the area. The line connected the coal fields of the north east with the shipbuilding and other industrial activities of the Barrow in Furness area in south Cumbria. The other group took the high route. A stiff climb from the Lune valley took them to the heart of the Howgills to the ridge leading to Bram Rigg, then on to Arant Haw and eventually to the highest point in the Howgills, the Calf at 676 metres. It was a glorious day and the views from the top were spectacular in every direction, the Lakes to the west, the Dales to the east, the Pennines to the south and Cross Fell to the north. As everyone had enjoyed their days so much the groups did variations of each other’s walks the following day. Sadly the weather was less kind so the group going up the Calf were denied the wonderful views enjoyed the day before. The last day dawned wet and misty with low cloud so no walk was arranged and people left the hotel to visit any of the many places of interest in the area or on the way home. Everyone agreed that this was an area and a hotel well worth another visit, so we may well be back before too long!
Test Way and Wayfarer’s Way: a personal view
It was probably not the best winter to enjoy these walks at their best, but Henley & Goring Ramblers, having done most of the long distance trails in the area, did the Test and Wayfarers’ Ways over five weekends from October to March. The main impression they left was of mud, cold weather and, apart from a couple of stages, not very interesting walking.
A soggy start to the walk
The start was inauspicious. We were greeted by a sign saying that the first section was closed as the water was above wellie height! A detour through a housing estate brought us back on to the route. I had expected to be following the river valley but the route doesn’t keep to the river. We crossed the river, much swollen by rain, a few times but a lot of the route was along nondescript paths or a disused railway line. The scenery and views improved on the third section when we reached higher ground. We tackled this on a snowy weekend and the minibus taking us to the start was unable to reach the top of Inkpen hill because of the snow and ice. It was, however, the best section of the walk along a ridge with good views, and, despite the slippery conditions, we enjoyed the day. The following day we were back to lower ground and lots more mud, which made for tiring walking. The fourth stage was fairly unmemorable, apart from the interest of the Watercress Line, a restored steam railway which runs through Arlesford where we stayed the night. The full size racing green steam engine with carriages to match and the immaculate uniforms of the volunteers who run the railway were impressive. We asked the station master where we could go if we took the train. His answer was, ‘Anywhere between here and Istanbul – but you have to change at Alton’!
Crossing the causeway to Emsworth on the last stage of the walk
The final stage provided more interest. After a few more muddy fields and lanes we reached the coast. The views across Portsmouth and the ridge to the north of the city were impressive. The last section skirting the northern flank of Langstone and Emsworth harbours on a causeway along the shore with mud flats, islands and lots of seabirds was delightful if rather cold in the biting east wind. We finished in traditional style with sparkling wine on the quayside. Last year, at the end of the Greensands Way we enjoyed our wine on the beach near Rye in sparkling sunshine. This year we would probably have preferred hot toddies to sparkling wine and it was noticeable that the wine was drunk quickly so we could get into the warmth of the nearby cafe for a hot drink!
Celebrating the end of the walk
Would I recommend this long distance trail? Probably not as there are so much better ones in our area. The section round Inkpen Hill is well worth doing as a day walk, as is the last section along the heights above Portsmouth then along the causeway and shore line to Emsworth, but for the rest – well, it might be better in summer or in a less cold and wet winter!
Joan Clark, April 2013.