News

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership have lots of interesting events... how about a fruity pedal on the Marsh

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE ATTENDING AN EVENT
Every care has been taken to ensure that the details given here were correct at the time of printing. You may wish to check with the leader by telephone before travelling, particularly when weather conditions are likely to be poor. The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Please note that you attend an event at your own risk. Anyone suffering from a serious health condition is advised to check with their doctor before attending any event. Please inform the leader, in confidence, of any serious health condition at the start of an event. The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, Dover District Council and the sponsors accept no liability for any accident or loss.

OCTOBER 2011

Saturday 1st October 2.00pm
THREE VILLAGES WALK
Visiting Ringwould, Sutton and Ripple. On the way a panoramic view of the Downs from Nelson’s Seat. Children over 7 welcome. Suggested donation of £1 (to WCCP) appreciated. LEADER: Bernadette of Collyer’s Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Walmer railway station (TR 364 504). DISTANCE: 5.75 miles (3.5 hours). GRADE: 3. Dogs on leads.

Sunday 2nd October 2.00pm
SAMPHIRE HOE STORIES
Come and hear some of the fascinating stories about this beautiful place as we take a gentle stroll walk around the site. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 225649). MEET: Site Management Office, Samphire Hoe (Pay and Display car park), Dover (signposted off the A20 when driving from Dover to Folkestone) (TR 294 391). DISTANCE: 1.5 miles (1.5 hours). GRADE: 2.

Saturday 8th October 2.00pm
WALK THROUGH THE ASH ORCHARDS
We will walk through the orchards. Please do not pick fruit from the trees, although where fruit has fallen, you may pick up fruit from the ground. Please bring water to drink. Children over 7 welcome. Suggested donation of £1 (to WCCP) appreciated LEADER: Diane, Collyer’s Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Chequers Lane, junction with Queen’s Road, Ash (TR 287 589). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3. Dogs on leads.

Sunday 9th October 2.00pm
THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOURS
A leisurely autumn stroll over the Folkestone Downs looking at the various fruits still on the bushes and any wildlife still active. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Philip Green, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01303 274806 or 07880 706993). MEET: At the bottom of Castle Hill, off M20 Junction 13, Folkestone (TR 210 377). DISTANCE: 3 miles (3 hours). GRADE: 4

Saturday 15th October 2.00pm
CYCLE RIDE: ELHAM VALLEY CYCLE RIDE
Join an afternoon cycle ride to discover the proposed Elham Valley Cycle Route. We would like to know what you think. Off road bike needed as we will be using forest tracks as well as country lanes. There is one steep hill up (and one steep hill down) but we won’t be in a hurry. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01303 274806 or 07885 599182). MEET: Lyminge Library, The Sidings, off Station Road, Lyminge, near Folkestone (TR 164 410). DISTANCE: 11 miles (2 hours)

Saturday 15th October
No walk planned – check WCCP internet for any updates. LEADER: Collyer’s Companions (01304 241806).

Sunday 16th October 2.00pm
SOUTH FORELAND VALLEY WALK
With luck there will be views out to France on this circular walk around South Foreland Valley and St Margaret’s. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Josie Newman, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 241806 or 07789 778276). MEET: St Margaret-at-cliff village car park, off the High Street, just past the church (TR 358 447). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3 (steep sections)

Sunday 16th October 2.00pm
CYCLE RIDE: A FRUITY PEDAL ON THE MARSH
This is the last bike ride of 2011 on the Marsh. Join a friendly bunch of seasoned riders and novices alike for an autumn guided tour. It doesn’t matter what the weather throws at us, come along in lycra or woolly jumpers to pedal round some quiet lanes to discover the hedgerow harvest and autumn colours. Children over 9ish with accompanying adult welcome. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Pay and display car park (opposite Cinque Port Arms pub), West Street, off the High Street, New Romney (TR 063 247). DISTANCE: 11 miles (2.5 hours).

GREEN GANG / KENT COASTAL WEEK (22nd October - 30th October)
A special programme of activities for children and their families is organised during the school holidays. The full programme can be found in the free Green Gang magazine, which is available from WCCP (01304 241806) or www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk . Please note that children must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult.

Saturday 22nd October 10.00am – 5.00pm
MINI WESTERN HEIGHTS OPEN WEEKEND
Enjoy the last opportunity of the year to explore the Drop Redoubt and Grand Shaft and meet the re-enactors. Please wear sensible footwear as the visit involves many steps. More details at www.doverwesternheights.org  or White Cliffs Countryside Partnership on 01304 241806. CHARGE: For entry to Drop Redoubt at a special price of £3.00 for adults and accompanied children FREE, Grand Shaft will also be open free. LEADER: Western Heights Preservation Society. MEET: Drop Redoubt Road, Western Heights, Dover (TR 317 409). Walk to the site following the signs from the town, use the Grand Shaft staircase (Snargate Street) or limited parking available on the Grand Shaft Barracks site or at St. Martin’s Battery car park.

Saturday 22nd October 2.00pm
A WINGHAM WANDER
Walking over Neavy Downs to Bossington, through Broome Wood and return via Wingham Well. Water meadow to walk through. Please bring water. Children over 7 welcome. Suggested donation of £1 (to WCCP) appreciated LEADER: Bernadette of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Village car park, Wingham (TR 574 246). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 23rd October 10.00am – 5.00pm
MINI WESTERN HEIGHTS OPEN WEEKEND
Please see 22nd October for more details.

Sunday 23rd October 2.00pm
A SHORT WALK UP THE LONG PITS
This is a walk around an area known locally as the Long Pits at Dungeness. It is an opportunity to experience the wildlife rich and diverse shingle landscape of this vast National Nature Reserve while enjoying the delights of the autumn season. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: Old Lighthouse, Dungeness (TR 089 169). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE 5 (Shingle).
 

 Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News ©2011