This years Golf Day will take place on Tuesday 4th June, Tee Off 11:am, cost approx £50.
Contact Roger Goodman for further information and to book in.
View from the Heights – May 2019
The Heights Hotel overlooks Chesil Beach and Weymouth Harbour. Since the rambling club was last here in 2006 the Olympic Rings had been constructed because, in 2012, some sailing competitions took place off the coast. Sunsets were spectacular from our dining area, and the views are outstanding.
The first ramble was on Portland itself and involved going part way up the west side and down the east, with a path linking the two. However it appears a housing estate had been built since the guide map was devised! It took some time to navigate our way out but there was, needless to say, a pub for us to ask locals how to find the route, over drinks. The footpath appeared to be especially steep and Dennis and Roger went to investigate. As a result the rest of us waited for three walkers coming in the opposite direction who remarked on Roger’s red tie, and were greatly impressed by his correct dress code for Old Askean ramblers. He was able to tell them that the club was founded in 1889 for cycling and camping, with rambling as a lesser activity. After easy terrain it was a shock to find a small rocky ‘ravine’ to cross. As four of us arrived a woman on a horse came and plunged down and up the other side! I was helped down but, not to be outdone by a mere animal, attempted the climb on my own and fell, causing cuts and grazes to my hand and arm. I was patched up by a passing walker and we continued to the Lobster Pot near the lighthouse to eat. There were pots along much of the coastline, their position indicated by floating markers.
Since Diana and I were staying for only a couple of rambles I looked back in my diary for memorable events in June 2006 before I was reporting for the magazine. Among them was my unsuccessful attempt to climb Pulpit Rock, on which two of my aunts were photographed near the top in 1928. The caption reads ‘Edie and Win with the wind up’! Unfortunately the quality of the picture was poor, so Uncle Harry is shown climbing instead.
We didn’t have much joy at pubs on the rambles back then. At The Sunray the distinctly unsunny landlord wanted to charge Roger £10 for parking his car for the afternoon, even though we had eaten there. On a hot day between Higher Brockhampton and West Shalford, I was asked to prevent the leading ramblers from passing a thatched pub. Imagine our dismay when we found it had burned down a month before. Fortunately we were able to cadge water at the village hall where an event was ending.
Having declined the five-mile walk by the River Frome, Diana and I suggested a short walk through quarries close to the hotel on our last day. Sculptors were working at one and beyond it was a sculpture park with completed figures of an elephant, octopus, lion-faced man and a grinning dog among others. On a rock face Antony Gormley had carved a human figure he called Still Falling– something I am resolved, if possible, not to do again! I will not do so in OA rambling company, anyway, since I regret that this is my last report for the magazine. Age has caught up with me.
Back in 2006 we had sung The Sandbin outside by the War Memorial but this year, for the benefit of Diana and I, it was sung the night before this ramble and we stayed in the restaurant to sing.
Sixteen of us assembled for ‘standing orders’ at our hotel along with Rocky a Border terrier, rescued by Hazel and Roger, previously owned by a friend who could no longer cope with him. Three more members joined us later in the week. Rocky accompanied every ramble and even appeared to lead some, but to claim that would be denigrating the skills of Dennis and Roger!
When Bill Bryson wrote A Walk in the Woods his understated title referred to trekking in the Appalachian Mountains. However the first Rambling Club walk, a stroll through the forest, was just that. The forest was the New Forest in Hampshire and we began at Lyndhurst Heath near the hotel at Cadnam where we stayed. It was only three fairly easy miles, starting on open heathland with a single cow (an escapee?) and several ponies which would came right up to you. Once among trees navigation was difficult, but modern technology saw through to Beechen Lane and back to Lyndhurst. Presumably ‘beechen’ is the local plural of beech, as in children and oxen, and there were beech trees on both sides of the lane.
The next day our fittest four accepted an invitation to join the New Forest Ramblers for a five–and–half mile ramble beginning at Millyford Bridge. Fearing I would merely stroll and hold up the others I was not one of the four. I understand there were some tricky paths with fallen trees to be negotiated, and the pace was brisk. I also didn’t take part in the slightly shorter ramble at Keyhaven by The Solent on a hot, sunny day. Those who were not taking part in any of the walks went to towns like Lymington where there are cobbled streets and the church has a huge gallery erected in 1798. There are attractive villages such as Minstead, gardens noted for azaleas and rhododendrons, Beaulieu Abbey and The National Motor Museum.
The final ramble began at Burley which seems to be a village obsessed by witches and things occult. I usually find something historical to write about when recording Old Askean rambles and this time it was a stone rather like a milestone but placed on the edge of the village in 1802. It reads ‘Peace restored 27th March 1802. Rest and be thankful’. This refers to the fourteen months of peace, agreed at the Treaty of Amiens, during the wars with Napoleonic France. The path took us along a disused railway track and through Holmsley Bog which fortunately lay below road level.
Blazers were worn for the last meal of the holiday and The Sandbin was sung more tunefully than in the recent past. Unfortunately there was no Welsh choir present to appreciate our efforts. Jenny set the quiz which was won by Ann Johnson (on her own she insisted).
Vic Harrup
Pilgrimage to Faversham
Funeral of Dave Kingston
Some 150 plus people crowded in to the North Chapel at Eltham Crematorium on Thursday 6th September 2018 for the funeral of Old Askean Dave Kingston. There were many Old Askean in the congregation who had come to say farewell to a good friend. The service was conducted by fellow Old Askean Deacon Barry Mellish and one of the two eulogies was given by another Old Askean Robert Noble.
After the service the assembly moved to the Royal Blackheath Golf Club where Dave had been a member. Memories and anecdotes were shared for several hours over a glass or two of beer and plates of food. It was a fitting farewell to a good man.
Thames River Cruise Sunday 22 July 2018
Forty-one landlubbers were aboard the Thames Barge “Lady Daphne”
on Sunday 22 July 2018 on a trip organised by Roger Pawley. It was a splendid day in all senses of the word. The weather was perfect. The on board Guide, Bill, was full of information about what we were passing as the Barge went through Tower Bridge
and past historic Greenwich and the Thames Barrier. We were treated to morning coffee, a two course lunch and tea and cake mid-afternoon, before our return about 5 pm, having left London Bridge Pier around 10.30. For some shipmates the act of boarding and disembarking on a choppy Thames tide was an adventure in itself.
By Dennis Johnson
OAA AGM 5th July 2018
Some 25 plus members attended the AGM in the lovely setting of the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. Andy Jordan-Smith was elected President for the coming year.
After the meeting the members plus guest enjoyed a very pleasant meal. A more detailed account of the meeting will appear shortly.
City Diners 2nd March 2018
This date was bedevilled by bad weather and snowfall, causing all kinds of travel disruption. However, it went ahead, producing :
“This time last week there were thirty eight of us due to be dining at The George Borough High St; in the event there were a hardy eleven us that sat down at the only surviving galleried London coaching inn. We tried valiantly to ensure that the bar takings were the same as if the thirty-eight were there, but sadly we failed although it were not for want of trying!
Many thanks to our gallant leader Steve for organising today’s event, the fish menu was excellent as was the wine and the company.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That drank with us at The George Inn this day.”
Organiser for City Diners is Steve Homewood, who was stuck outside Lewisham station for two and half hours on his way home, – and no access to a toilet on the train…..!!!
Updated Rambling Club Walks
Grove sponsored walk, 4 nights in Bournemouth on 19th Oct:
I have cancelled one room and there are now 7 booked, those being
Carol and Brian, Hazel and Roger, Bob Nason, Pam Hudson, Beale,
Barbara Bloomfield and Ann and I. (10)
I am not certain there would be a room still available, but if anyone wishes to join us please let me know. Tariff is £55 pppn, no single supplement. Sponsorship of at least £50 per room has s been agreed with the charity.
Sunday 4th Nov. Roger has arranged for us to join a joint walk with Blackheath Ramblers, as follows. NOTE 10AM START
Ravensbourne Valley and Blackheath. Meet New Cross station 10am. A short walk that first traces the River Ravensbourne through picturesque Brookmill Park, climbs slowly to the heights of Blackheath. Ends at Blackheath Station. 3.75 miles, about 2.5 hours.
Sunday 25th Nov at 1.00pm
A Walk kindly offered by Pat and Mike Nicholls from their house
28A Birchwood Road Petts Wood ORPINGTON BR5 1NZ
We walk towards Chislehurst and then stopping at some places of interest. Back a slightly different way and stopping at two memorials in the Willett woods. It will take about 2 hours and maybe a little muddy in places but not hilly. Pat would like to do tea for the walkers at our house. Sandwiches and cake.
The Captain’s Walk will be on 9th Dec.
2019
Sunday Jan 13th – Ramble – Leader Dennis Johnson
Sunday Feb 3rd – Ramble
Sunday Feb 24th – Ramble
Sunday Mar 17th – Ramble
Sunday Apr 7th – Cotmans Ash walk
Sunday Apr 28th – Ramble
Sunday / Monday May 12th or 13th, five night break
Sunday June 9th – Ramble
Sunday June 30th Picnic (at Linkhorns to be confirmed)
Wednesday July 10th – Evening walk
Rambling Club Walk 25 November
A Walk kindly offered by Pat and Mike Nicholls from their house in Petts Wood. Full details from Dennis Johnson.
We walk towards Chislehurst and then stopping at some places of interest. Back a slightly different way and stopping at two memorials in the Willett woods. It will take about 2 hours and maybe a little muddy in places but not hilly. Pat and Mike would like to do tea for the walkers at their home, Sandwiches and cake.
Federation Winter Fair – 1st December 2018
Local arts and crafts, festive food, mulled wine and lots more.