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Programme of Walks and Events

Please note that the Berkshire Weekend Walkers programme may have been updated since this web page was printed. Please check the website for updates.

If you cannot check the website before attending a walk or social event, please contact the walk leader or social event organiser to check for any changes in the details.

Walks Our walks are mostly planned and led by volunteers from within our group, but we also have joint walks with our neighbouring Ramblers groups. The walks are open to all members of the Ramblers and to anyone interested in joining our group.

Social Events Our social events are mostly organised by volunteers from within the group and are open to members of the Berkshire Weekend Walkers and to anyone considering joining the group.

Holidays Our walking holidays are mostly planned and led by volunteers from within our group, but we sometimes use Ramblers approved holiday companies. The holidays led by our group are open to members of other Ramblers groups, but where numbers are limited, priority will be given to members of our own group. (Obviously the holidays run by holiday companies are open to anyone.)

Note: The Ramblers website has a Walk Finder Page where you can find other walks in your area.

Sat Nav references are given as a post code and as Latitude/Longitude co-ordinates. Ordnance Survey Landranger map references for the start point of walks are also provided for the more traditional map reader.

Please be aware that post codes in the countryside may cover a large area and your Sat Nav device will assume the centre of that area, which may not be where we are! It is much more accurate to put Lat/Long co-ordinates into your Sat Nav if you can. (Most of them can accept Lat/Long input. Have a look in the manual.)

Our group has been walking since July 2012 and we've been to all sorts of places in and around Berkshire. Take a look at our Scrapbook pages to see where we've been so far.

December 2018

Sunday 2nd December: 8½ Mile Walk - Whitechurch Hill & Goring Heath (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Car park at Pangbourne Village Hall, Station Road, Pangbourne
Post Code: RG8 7AN, Lat/Long: N51.4842°, W1.0883°, OS Map: SU634765

Starting at Pangbourne village hall at 10:30am, after (not before) the arrival of the 10:22 train from Reading.

Over the toll bridge and east to Hardwick Hall. Then via Collin's End to the Alnott Almshouses, Path Hill, Coombe End farm, and the Hartslock Overlook. Return via the Thames Path to Pangbourne.

Bring a packed lunch and something to drink as usual.

Leader: Peter W

Saturday Evening 8th December: Christmas Dinner at Zero Degrees

Meeting Point: Zero Degrees, 9 Bridge Street, Reading
Post Code: RG1 2LR, Lat/Long: N51.4538°, W0.9735°

This year's Christmas diner is at Zero Degrees in Reading. The cost is £28.55 per person (including a 10% service charge) for the three-course meal with a glass of bubbly on arrival. See their Christmas Menu.

A £10.00 deposit it required to confirm your place, along with your menu choices by Thursday 15th November. Please contact Jane and she will provide you with payment instructions. (Please note if you are unable to make the dinner on the night, full payment will still be required.)

Please arrive from 7pm, drinks available from the bar, for a 7:30pm sit down. For those that wish to continue partying the organiser is happy to frequent a pub or to head to the After Dark Club if you fancy dancing the night away.

Organiser: Jane K 07881 805 156 or janekendrick(at)btinternet.com

(Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.)

Sunday 9th December: 11 Mile Walk - Windsor, Runnymede and Old Windsor (moderate)

Meeting Point: Alma Road car park (by the railway bridge) Windsor
Post Code: SL4 3HU, Lat/Long: N51.4834°, W0.6146°, OS Map: SU962769

The walk starts at 10:00am from the pay and display car park by the railway bridge on Alma Road. (Parking charges are £12 for the day, so consider car sharing, however they sometimes waive the parking charges over the Christmas period, so check nearer the time.)

Update: Windsor don't seem to be doing free parking this Christmas, but there is a cheaper car park by the East Berkshire College. This is on Claremont Road, SL4 3AX (off Alma Road) and costs £4 for the day on Sundays. If you use this car park, allow ten minutes to walk down to the start point of the walk.

We will walk along the Long Walk up to the Copper Horse stature and head for Bishops Gate. There will be a pub stop at the Harvester in Old Windsor followed by a lunch stop by the river. Then we will walk along the towpath heading towards Datchet and back to Windsor through the Home Park.

Bring packed lunch and drink as usual.

Leader: Greg 07780 945 591 or 01753 842 171

Sunday 16th December: 8 Mile Walk - Yateley Common (easy/moderate)

Meeting Point: Wyndhams Pool car park, off Cricket Hill Lane, Yateley
Post Code: GU46 6BE, Lat/Long: N51.33009°, W0.8217°, OS Map: SU821596

Meet for a 10:30am start at Wyndhams Pool Car Park, off Cricket Hill Lane in Yateley. The nearest postcode is GU46 6BE (This is for houses further along the unmade road.)

This easy walk around Yateley Common includes the decorated "Dog Walker's Tree" and a short loop around Castle Bottom nature reserve, returning along the Blackwater River via Moor Green Lakes and Horseshoe Lake. There will be a picnic stop ¾ of the way round and an optional pub stop at The Cricketers at the end of the walk.

Please bring a packed lunch and a drink, as usual.

Leader: Denise 07748 766 371

Saturday Afternoon 22nd December: Pre-Christmas Pub Crawl in Reading

Meeting Point: The Three Guineas, Station Road, Reading
Post Code: RG1 1LY, Lat/Long: N51.4587°, W0.9723°

Our pre-Christmas pub crawl is an annual tradition. A chance to meet up before Christmas in a social environment, exploring some of the characterful pubs in Reading plus a chance to see the decorations.

We will meet up at The Three Guineas outside Reading station from 1:30pm. After a drink or two, we will go on to try out some of the other pubs within walking distance. Feel free to join us for just part of the afternoon or to dip in and out during the afternoon, allowing time for a bit of last minute shopping.

Organiser: Rob C. 07786 116 988 or mail(at)berksww.org.uk

(Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.)

Sunday 23rd December: 6½ Mile Walk - Dinton Pastures and Hurst (easy)

Meeting Point: Car park at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation, Mohawk Way, Woodley
Post Code: RG54UE, Lat/Long: N51.4508°, W0.8832°, OS Map: SU776730

Meet for a 10:30am start at the car park by the Museum of Berkshire Aviation.

The walk follows the River Lodden past Whistley Park towards Twyford, then onto Hurst for a pub stop at The Green Man and picnic stop by the pond, returning via Sandford Lake and Black Swan Lake.

Leaders: Sue J. 07931 291 552 and Colin R. 07738 911 507

Thursday Evening 27th December: Post-Christmas Drinks at Back of Beyond

Meeting Point: Back of Beyond, 104–108 Kings Road, Reading
Post Code: RG1 3BY, Lat/Long: N51.4547°, W0.9636°

Post Christmas Drinks at the Back of Beyond pub in Kings Road, Reading, from 7pm onwards.

Enjoy an evening let off the leash with friends for a relaxing drink or two after all the turkey 'n' family stuff! This is a Wetherspoons pub offering a fine selection of real ales as well as a myriad of other snifters and reasonably priced pub grub for those who would also like a bite. All are welcome including prospective members who would like to dip their toe in 'under controlled conditions' so to speak. See you there...

Organisers: Jude 07585 234836 and Adam 07709 032516

January 2019

Saturday 12th January: 4½ Mile Walk - Yattendon Walk and Brewery Lunch/Drink (easy)

Meeting Point: West Berks Brewery car park, Yattendon
Post Code: RG18 0XT, Lat/Long: N51.463°, W1.2023°, OS Map: SU555740

January blues and feeling in need of an easy walk followed by a meal or perhaps just a drink after all the Christmas activity or maybe you have a new year resolution to walk for fitness and be more sociable? – Yes? – please sign up with Mike, No? – come along anyway and let Mike know – the food and beers are rather nice!

Starting at 10:30am from the West Berks Brewery, which is just south of the village of Yattendon but north of the M4 (see signs for the shop, which is based at an old dairy farm) this is an easy short walk taking in the village and parish of Yattendon and includes a mixture of farmland, woodland and some country lanes.

There will be no lunch stop on the walk, the idea is to have lunch or just a drink at the West Berkshire Brewery tap room and kitchen (https://www.wbbrew.com/the-brewery/) directly after the walk at around 12:00 - 12:30.

I have reserved a table for 12. If you wish to stay for a social meal and optional drink or drink only please pass your name(s) to Mike ideally before Saturday 5th January by emailing mdd150407@gmail.com (that is with digit zero) or texting advising your name(s) and if you are coming along for the meal and drink or just drink. The 12 booked places will be allocated in booking order with priority given to those eating a meal. Please do attend if you say you are coming along, If you are not in the first 12 I may be able to increase numbers otherwise it is a case of taking your chance of getting a seat – the tap room though is quite large so there is a reasonably good chance you will get a seat but it may not be directly by the table booked.

There is a choice of meals normally available in the region of £9-£14, order your meal and drinks individually at the bar. See an example menu at https://www.wbbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Menu-August-18-1.pdf

For the walk please still bring a drink.

Leader: Mike 07938-843660 or before the day on 01635-863831

February 2019

Sunday 17th February: 7 Mile Walk - Pangbourne and Mapledurham Lock (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Car park at Pangbourne Village Hall, Station Road, Pangbourne
Post Code: RG8 7AN, Lat/Long: N51.4839°, W1.0881°, OS Map: SU634765

Park and meet in the car park in the centre of Pangbourne, on Station Road. (This Pay and Display car park is free on Sundays.) The walk starts at 10am and will finish in time for a late lunch.

The walk follows a lovely stretch of the Thames Path from Pangbourne to Mapledurham Lock then fields and woods, returning to Pangbourne via Tidmarsh and the River Pang. Bring a snack and a hot drink. Plenty of opportunities for lunch in Pangbourne on our return. (You may wish to book somewhere in advance.)

Leader: Diana L. 07866 053 215

March 2019

Sunday 3rd March: 8 Mile Walk - Nettlebed, Highmoor and Crocker End (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Near the Brick Kiln, The Green, Nettlebed
Post Code: RG9 5BA, Lat/Long: N51.5756°, W0.9888°, OS Map: SU701867

Park near the Brick Kiln, on The Green or The Old Kiln roads, ready for a 10:30am start.

We will take the footpath past the church and cross Stoney Bottom to Highmoor. Then through woods to Broomsden Farm and return via Crocker End. There is one steep ascent and two stiles.

No dogs please, except registered assistance dogs. Bring a packed lunch.

Leaders: Jo and John S. 01731 054615

Updates to Details

Please note that walks, social events and holidays may be added to this programme at any time. Also we occasionally have to make changes to an item that is already on the programme. If you have printed out this programme, please be aware that it may have changed since you printed it.

If you are unable to check the website before attending a walk, it would be wise to call the walk leader/event organiser to confirm that the details haven't changed.

If you wish to reproduce any of the events from this programme in a local paper, magazine or elsewhere on the Internet, please contact us. Your reproduction could become incorrect and misleading if we update the programme and were not able to alert you of the changes. Also we would like to extend the courtesy of informing our leaders that their walk has been more widely publicised, so that they may expect more attendees than usual.

Please remember that our social events are organised by volunteers, so your co-operation is greatly appreciated. For some events the organisers need to know in advance who is going so they can make the necessary bookings etc. If you wish to attend a social event that specifies a deadline then please contact the organiser before the deadline otherwise you will be putting them to extra trouble and it may not be possible to change the booking anyway.

If there are still some spare places on an event after the specified deadline has passed, a bulletin will be sent out, otherwise you must assume you are too late. (Please don't try to sneak in by contacting the venue and changing the booking without the organisers consent!)

Also, if you are booked on an event and then find you are unable to make it after all, please let the organiser know so that they don't wait around for you, and as they may be able to offer the place to someone else.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.