Chiltern Young Walkers

Autumnal Hike in Berkhamstead (before Fireworks Social!)

Sat, Nov 7 · 2:00 PM GMT

Berkhamsted Railway Station, Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, GB

Start time: 14:00 (Estimated finish time: 17:45)
Moderate: 7.4 miles / 11.9 km
Led by Beth S: 07956 242703
Grid reference: SP993081
Nearest postcode: HP4 2AJ

Elevation gain: 694ft / 211m

Join the CYW for a moderate and relaxed afternoon hike that starts and ends at Berkhamsted train station, and is perfectly timed for those who want to head to the Berko Fireworks event after.

We start by heading past the cricket club up through woodland on our way to the village at Frithsden, famed for the Alford Arms pub. Heading to the top of the hill and down into the Golden Valley created by Capability Brown, showing off its autumnal colours.

We're now on the edge of the Ashridge Estate and as we continue through Frithsden Beeches, if we are lucky, we'll encounter some deer which roam through Ashridge forest. As we return to Berkhamsted we pass some of the practice trenches dug by soldiers before they went to fight in France for the first world war. Emerging near the Castle, if we have time before the next event we'll head to the pub for a drink.

## Transport

Lower Kings Road Multi-storey (floors 4-7 for long stay) is 5 minutes walk away (HP4 2AB) is £5 or the station car park at £8 for the whole day.

Trains arrive: Southbound (from MK) at 13:59, Northbound (from London) 13:46 (please drop a comment if you're on this train so we know to wait for you)

## Additional notes

This is a circular walk

On 28 September 1914 troops from the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps, arrived in Berkhamsted to train before heading for the battlefields of northern France. More information on this from the Chilterns AONB Berkhamsted WWI troop training trenches

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but are the responsibility of the owner and must remain on a lead at all time.

It helps us if you to sign up and tell us you're coming. If you sign up and later find out you cannot attend please change your RSVP on Meetup so we're not waiting for you.

Did you know we're on Instagram? Follow us at @ChilternYoungWalkers to see pictures from our walks!

Become a full member: CYW are part of the Ramblers and you may try up to three walks free. When you decide to continue walking with us, please see details at 'Become a member' to join the Ramblers.

Remember, remember, the ...7th of November? (Fireworks Night with the CYW)

Sat, Nov 7 · 6:00 PM GMT

Berkhamsted Railway Station, Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, GB

Meeting time: 18:00
Meeting point: Berkhamsted Train Station
How to buy tickets: Here, or on the door!
Contact: Beth 07956242703

Want to see some fireworks this year but not sure where to go? Or want some people to stand next to and go "ooh" and "aah" with? Come join us at Berkhamsted Fireworks show!

Run by the Rotary Club, Berkhamsted Fireworks show is open to anyone and promises to be a great show! There's a bar and food stall on site, and the professional firework show kicks off at 7pm. More info about the event can be found here

If you'd like to join us, please meet at Berkhamsted Train station, or at the show itself if coming later (text Beth if you can't find us and she'll tell you where we are). Please note that the gates shut before the show starts at 7 so please plan to be at Berkhamsted Cricket Club by 18:50.

We'll set off together at 6.15pm and walk the 10 mins up to the Cricket Club, where the display is.

There will also be a 7 mile walk with the same start point earlier in the afternoon, timed to finish just before this event starts. Check out the event here!

Tickets are £12.75 (inc. booking fee) if bought in advance, or £14 on the door - link here to book in advance

There is a possibility that they might reach capacity so if you're sure you'd like to come we recommend booking your ticket in advance.

Wrap up warm, bring a raincoat etc if it looks like rain.

Please allow plenty of time for parking as it might be busy.

Parking is available at:

Canal Fields (HP1 1HR): Free
Lower Kings Road (HP4 1PB): Free after 6, £2 for the hour between 5-6pm
Berkhamsted Train station: £8
St John's Well Lane (HP4 1HA): Free after 6, £2 for the hour between 5-6pm
Water Lane (HP4 3AP): Free after 6, £2.10 for the hour between 5-6pm

Train:

From London Euston/Hemel direction: there is a train arriving at Berkhamsted at 17:46
From Milton Keynes direction: trains arriving at 17:59

Bus:

The 500 bus serves Berkhamsted from Aylesbury/Aston Clinton and Hemel/Boxmoor, see here for timetables.

There's also the 302 bus from St Albans and the 508/20 from Watford which links with the 500 at Hemel if travelling from further afar.

Wendover Woods in Autumn - Pre-AGM Intro Walk

Sat, Nov 14 · 1:00 PM GMT

Wendover, Aylesbury, GB

Start Time: 13:00 (est: finish time 16:30)
Walk Length: 5.3 miles / 8.5 kilometers
Walk Difficulty: Leisurely (there are a few climbs but on easy paths and we will take them slowly)
Ascent: 650ft/198m
Walk Leader: Beth (07956242703)

The Chiltern Young Walkers invites you to one of our favourite areas of the Chilterns to join us on an introductory walk ahead of our annual meeting which is straight after at 5pm - see event here!

It's a gentle walk on well-used footpaths, there are some hills, but we will take them slowly and once we reach the café its downhill the rest of the way! It's a great walk to get to know the group and ask any questions you might have about how we work than any complicated or strenuous walking. Any of our regular walkers are welcome of course, too and please bring any guests you like.

We'll be meeting outside Budgens in the town centre, by the war memorial. Best parking options are either Wendover Library Car Park where parking costs £1.30 for up to 4 hours, or the station car park (£6.40 all day). Both are just a few mins walk from the start point. Some free parking is available on local roads such as South Street (please double check signs) but please plan additional time if you wish to try to find some as it is often taken up. Trains run to Wendover from London Marylebone and Aylesbury and the station is 5 mins walk from the meeting point.

The route sees us walk through the charming town of Wendover before starting our ascent into Wendover Woods from the back of the hills. Note there is a long gentle climb near the beginning, a bit of a turn downhill and then another shorter climb up to the café, but we will take it slowly for those less used to hills and will be rewarded with a coffee and a flat and downhill walk in the second part.

Wendover Woods are a firm favourite with the locals as they offer wide chalk footpaths through beautiful woodlands, views over the vale and lots to do like GoApe and the Gruffalo trail. We'll take advantage of the café and picnic benches for a short snack/coffee stop (loos also available here) and admire the remains of the Iron Age Boddington Hill Fort.

Please wear sturdy shoes (trainers or walking boots, please no plimsoll type shoes) that you don't mind getting muddy - due to the weather in November there is a chance some parts could be muddy. Dress warmly and bring a waterproof coat, water and snacks or a packed lunch, though refreshments are available at the café.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead the whole time.

It helps us if you to sign up on Meetup and tell us you're coming. If you sign up and later find out you cannot attend please change your RSVP on Meetup so we're not waiting for you.

Did you know we're on Instagram? Follow us at @ChilternYoungWalkers to see pictures from our walks!

Become a full member: CYW are part of the Ramblers and you may try up to three walks free. When you decide to continue walking with us, please see details at 'Become a member' to join the Ramblers.

CYW AGM - Annual Updates, Committee Selection and Feedback

Sat, Nov 14 · 5:00 PM GMT

Wendover, Thornton Crescent, Wendover, Aylesbury, GB

Time: 17:00 - 19:00
Location: Wendover Community Library (first door on left, then immediately left)

Every year we host an AGM which gives members new and old to come along, chat to the volunteer committee, get an update on how the group has fared in the past year and, most importantly, get an opportunity to feed back!

This is also where you have the opportunity to join the committee, more details on the different roles below. We will have some vacancies for sure this year and always are in need of fresh voices and ideas, so please do consider donating some of your time and joining us this year.

We'll host a hike to take in the beauty of Wendover in the autumn beforehand, and head out for a meal after (details to follow).

We'd love to see as many people as possible if you can swing by for any part of the day, because without your voices the group would be nothing!

FAQs
If I turn up, do I have to join the Committee?
Not at all - we're grateful to everyone who does volunteer for a role of course, but understand that not everyone can get involved and simply joining the Ramblers and turning up on our walks is such an important part of what we do anyway. Come along and feedback, or just listen along as you soak up the atmosphere.

Can I give feedback before the meeting?
Of course! Just drop Beth an email on chair@chilterns2030s.org.uk. If you'd rather speak to someone else, you can find their contact details here: https://www.chilterns2030s.org.uk/meet-the-team

I'd like to get involved, but not join the committee - what else can I do?
Become a walk leader! You don't have to be on the committee to lead a walk, or vice versa. Let Beth or Eleanor know if you're up for occasionally leading a walk. No minimum commitment, some people just lead 1 a year as that works best for them.

I'm thinking of joining the Committee, what time commitment would it be?
Some roles are as little as a couple of hours every few months, some are around 1 hour a week, and everything in between.

Sounds good, what roles are there?
All roles are up for re-election every year! Here's the list with a brief description of each role:

• Chair - overall responsibility for keeping the group running smoothly
• Secretary - takes minutes at the quarterly committee meetings
• Treasurer - keeps the group accounts and authorises expenditure
• Membership - first point of contact for new members and keeps an eye on who is a member of the Ramblers
• Walks Coordinator(s) - Arranging the walks programme, publishing walks and acting as the first point of contact for walks leaders. We currently just have the one coordinator but are keen to recruit a second this year.
• Socials - organises our social calendar and helping others to put on socials.
• Publicity Officer(s) - responsible for contacting the media and promoting the group. They are the first point of contact for press/media enquiries.
• Footpath Officer - arranging our annual footpath checks and coordinating any foothpath issues we might come across on our walks.
• Area Rep(s) - Represent the group at Ramblers area and national meetings
• Web Design and Technical - managing our website and other technical requirements we might have as a group
• General Member - this person represents the rest of the members and helps to make sure they are represented in any decisions we make