WALKING
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HALF DAY WALKS
Convenors Marilyn Jones and Diane Hartwell marilynjones560@icloud.com hartwells@btinternet.com We meet at Rockfield Community car park on the 2nd Thursday and the 4th Tuesday of the month and aim to leave at 9.30 am. The walk is approximarely 5 miles. We share cars and reimburse the driver for the cost of petrol. I recommend that you wear walking boots or stout shoes and bring a waterproof for bad weather. Please bring clean shoes for the ride home. Also bring a drink as we usually make a brief stop about 11 am. Leaders Guidelines at the bottom of the page. |
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When walking with the U3A, please carry your In Case of Emergency (ICE) card, with details of the person to contact in the event of an accident.
Half Day Walk Programme 2019
If the weather is very bad and you intend to meet at the start point of the walk rather than at Rockfield, please check with the organisers to find out if the walk will take place. For walks on 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursdays click here
2019
Thursday, 10th October. Cherry
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30. 4 miles. Start is at the entrance to Bream Scowles, Forest of Dean: SO 6075 0484 on the B4231 Bream to Lydney road, a small forest turning on the right just past Woodland House. Satnav reference: GL15 6ER. Parking is limited to 4 or 5 cars. Alternatively there is a layby on the right, 100 yds before you get to Woodland House, but this means walking down the very busy road to the start. Mostly through woodland; one steep up and down section, half-a-dozen stiles, two of which are rather rickety. This short walk is designed to allow time at the end for the more intrepid among us to explore the Scowles, a dramatic landscape unique to the Forest of Dean which once contained vast iron ore deposits. There is much debate as to how this unusual landscape formed. Discuss!
Tuesday October 22nd Shirley
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30 as usual. Starting from The Hand in Tregare. About 5.5 miles. 2 steep hills and one average hill. No stiles.
Thursday 14th November Charles
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30 as usual. Start is at the Narth. A walk in the woods, namely Manor, Firhill, Bigsnap and Cuckoo. Fine views across the Wye Valley. About 5 miles. Undulating. No stiles.
Tuesday, 26th November. Tom and Sue.
Meet as usual at 9.30am at Rockfield. A 5.25 mile walk starting in St Briavels. We descend to Slade Brook and walk along the brook to Slade Bottom, a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the Travertine Dams. After a gradual climb out of the valley, the walk becomes a gentle undulating circular walk back to St Briavels.
Thursday, 12th December. Marilyn and Diane.
'Leaders required Thursday, 9th, and Tuesday, 28th, January
If the weather is very bad and you intend to meet at the start point of the walk rather than at Rockfield, please check with the organisers to find out if the walk will take place. For walks on 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursdays click here
2019
Thursday, 10th October. Cherry
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30. 4 miles. Start is at the entrance to Bream Scowles, Forest of Dean: SO 6075 0484 on the B4231 Bream to Lydney road, a small forest turning on the right just past Woodland House. Satnav reference: GL15 6ER. Parking is limited to 4 or 5 cars. Alternatively there is a layby on the right, 100 yds before you get to Woodland House, but this means walking down the very busy road to the start. Mostly through woodland; one steep up and down section, half-a-dozen stiles, two of which are rather rickety. This short walk is designed to allow time at the end for the more intrepid among us to explore the Scowles, a dramatic landscape unique to the Forest of Dean which once contained vast iron ore deposits. There is much debate as to how this unusual landscape formed. Discuss!
Tuesday October 22nd Shirley
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30 as usual. Starting from The Hand in Tregare. About 5.5 miles. 2 steep hills and one average hill. No stiles.
Thursday 14th November Charles
Meet at Rockfield at 9.30 as usual. Start is at the Narth. A walk in the woods, namely Manor, Firhill, Bigsnap and Cuckoo. Fine views across the Wye Valley. About 5 miles. Undulating. No stiles.
Tuesday, 26th November. Tom and Sue.
Meet as usual at 9.30am at Rockfield. A 5.25 mile walk starting in St Briavels. We descend to Slade Brook and walk along the brook to Slade Bottom, a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the Travertine Dams. After a gradual climb out of the valley, the walk becomes a gentle undulating circular walk back to St Briavels.
Thursday, 12th December. Marilyn and Diane.
'Leaders required Thursday, 9th, and Tuesday, 28th, January
STROLLERS
Convenors Mel Bucktrout melvyn.bucktrout@tiscali.co.uk
Strollers walk on the first Tuesday of a month. New members are very welcome to join us. We meet at Rockfield car park at 1.30 and are usually back by 4.00pm.
Tuesday 1st October meet by 1.30 at Rockfield car park as usual. Walk is approx. 2 miles around the Doward including King Arthur's cave and 7 Sisters view point. Easy walk, no stiles and one very short climb. Starting from small car park opposite caravan site on the Doward. "
Convenors Mel Bucktrout melvyn.bucktrout@tiscali.co.uk
Strollers walk on the first Tuesday of a month. New members are very welcome to join us. We meet at Rockfield car park at 1.30 and are usually back by 4.00pm.
Tuesday 1st October meet by 1.30 at Rockfield car park as usual. Walk is approx. 2 miles around the Doward including King Arthur's cave and 7 Sisters view point. Easy walk, no stiles and one very short climb. Starting from small car park opposite caravan site on the Doward. "
July Walk in memory of Tony Cutting
'The July strollers walk was from Linton nr Ross around the lakes at Hartleton. This we did in memory of Tony Cutting, a stroller of many years, and who led many walks over the last ten years. The Linton walk was one of his favourites .'
'The July strollers walk was from Linton nr Ross around the lakes at Hartleton. This we did in memory of Tony Cutting, a stroller of many years, and who led many walks over the last ten years. The Linton walk was one of his favourites .'
Highway Code Guidelines and Ramblers' Countryside Code for Walkers and Leaders
These notes are taken from The Highway Code (there is a section for pedestrians), The Ramblers’ Countryside Code and based on advice from experienced walkers, walk leaders and farmers (who are also walkers). Compiled by Diane Booker
Road Walking
These notes are taken from The Highway Code (there is a section for pedestrians), The Ramblers’ Countryside Code and based on advice from experienced walkers, walk leaders and farmers (who are also walkers). Compiled by Diane Booker
Road Walking
- Stay Safe! Think like a motorist.
- Use footpath or verge if provided.
- Face oncoming traffic.
- Walk in single file. (Even on minor roads!)
- It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic can see you. Cross back after the bend.
- Follow the leader and cross where the leader crosses-do not fan out across the road.
- Try to keep behind the leader.
- Leader and back marker should wear a fluorescent vest and/or rucksack cover-Be Safe, Be Seen.
- If a vehicle is passing on a narrow lane, all walkers should move to the same side of the road (less risk of being hit by a wing mirror).
- When crossing a busy road, the leader should wait until the whole group are safely across before moving off.
- Wait at a junction or fork in the track until the next walker arrives so that no-one gets lost or left behind. Alert the leader if the group is becoming too spread out.
- When walking in National Parks, try to stay on the official path, even if it is a bit muddy. Diversions can cause erosion.
- Don’t feed livestock or wildlife-your lunch is for human consumption only.
- If you have to climb over a gate, climb next to the hinge to avoid straining the gatepost.
- If the route involves walking through a crop, walk in single file-the crop is someone’s livelihood. (Hay is also a crop and difficult to harvest if it has been flattened).
- When crossing a field containing livestock, cross as a group-there is safety in numbers. Try not to separate a herd and never pass between a cow and her calf.
- If you think that an animal may be ill or in distress, inform the farmer. Animals (usually sheep) trapped in fencing can sometimes be freed, but a panicking animal can be dangerous and best dealt with by professionals.
- Leave gates as you find them-open or shut.
- Take only memories-Leave only footprints.
- Banana skins and orange peel etc. are litter! If you would not leave it in the middle of your manicured lawn, take it home and compost it!
- On returning from a walk (especially in woodland and fields with livestock), clean the mud from your boots including the soles and allow to dry. Ideally treat the soles with dilute disinfectant. March 2018
When walking with the U3A, please carry your In Case of Emergency (ICE) card, with details of the person to contact in the event of an accident.
The text and photographs on this website must not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder Monmouth U3A. The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only, and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and suitability of this information, neither Monmouth U3A nor the website hosts can accept liability for errors or misinterpretation resulting from its use, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever including without limitation and indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from use of this website. January 2014 ©