2020 London’s Roman Wall Social walk

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Saturday 7th March 2020

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Social walk March 2020

We started our walk from outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street station, making our way to Tower Hill and the first sighting of the old wall.
From here we travelled North, weaving between the streets to spot remains of the wall before reaching Aldgate. Although the old gates of London are long gone, the Museum of London have placed tiles or information boards where they once stood. The display at Aldgate is one of the best. Our walk was fortunate to coincide with a exhibition of sculptures in the city and as we followed the route of the wall North towards the Barbican, several of these sculptures could be appreciated. The group spent a little time exploring the area around the Barbican where some of the best remains of the wall are seen. Onwards to the Museum of London and a break for lunch.
After lunch, it was South to the River Thames, passing places of interest such as the burial place of Dick Whittington, probably London’s most famous Lord Mayor. The river was much wider when the Romans were here, and a real find, tucked away in what is now a church-yard just off Lower Thames Street, was an original timber post from the first bridge across the river. A short stroll back to Tower Hill completed the walk.
 
I thank the Centurions and friends who attended the walk, George Beecham who did the reconnaissance walk with me, and Ken Livermore for providing extra notes of interest on the day.

2019 Cambridge

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Centurion’s Social Walk  – Saturday 30th March 2019                                
Centurions, friends and family were invited for a leisurely 6 mile stroll through some of the sights of Cambridge to Granchester, beloved of literature’s 1900’s Bloomsbury Group and former village resident Rupert Brooke.
For over 700 years students such as Newton, Darwin, Cromwell, Wordsworth and others (e.g Pink Floyd) have travelled from Cambridge to Granchester village so now we are adding the Centurions to the list. The route took in modern and old architecture, including Paradise and  Number 10(!)
After a break at the Orchard Tea Rooms in Granchester the route wandered back to the railway station via Byron’s Pool where Lord Byron is reputed to have swum, Trumpington Meadows and eventually following the guided busway back to the station.
Below – participants in the walk

 
 
 

 

2018 Chelmsford to Heybridge

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The Blackwater & Chelmer Navigation, distance 14 miles

 
30th September 2018

 

Report from Social Secretary, Steve Kemp:
 
The Centurions took to the canal towpaths of Essex for a social walk on Sunday 30th September. From Springfield basin in Chelmsford the group followed the Chelmer and Blackwater navigation east, passing a couple of permanent mooring communities, before reaching Paper Mill lock, 7 miles completed and the mid-way point of the route.
Continuing through the Essex countryside, motor cruisers began to replace canal boats on the approach to Heybridge basin at the mouth of the Blackwater estuary, marking the completion of our 14 mile stroll.
Cream tea was enjoyed in the Tiptree tea rooms. Then with souvenirs purchased it was time to take to our vehicles for the return to Chelmsford.
Centurion social walks take place throughout the UK and are open to all.
Strolls secretary Steve Kemp racewalker@sky.com welcomes volunteer walk leaders and suggestions for new venues.
Contact Steve if you have an idea for a social walk in your area. Keep an eye on our website www.Centurions1911.org.uk for details of our Spring 2019 walk in Cambridgeshire.

 

Walk details:
10am Springfield Basin , Wharf Road, Chelmsford CM2 6YQ. The walk passes through lovely countryside and pretty locks, with a lunch stop midway at Paper Mill Lock.

FINISH
The walk finishes at Heybridge, where the Tiptree tea room apparently serves a nice Cream Tea!
Centurion social walks take place throughout the UK and are open to all.
Strolls secretary Steve Kemp racewalker@sky.com welcomes volunteer walk leaders and suggestions for new venues.
Contact Steve if you have an idea for a social walk in your area. Keep an eye on our website www.Centurions1911.org.uk for details of our Spring 2019 walk in Cambridgeshire.

 

2017 Historic Cambridge

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Centurions Social Walk around Historic Cambridge (about 6 miles) Sunday 30 April 2017

Start time 10:30 Cambridge Railway station
Finish: Cambridge Railway station about 4.30pm
The route today consisted of two loops:
Loop 1: From the railway station, our route went anti-clockwise via Castle Street to Kings Parade near Market Hill.
Loop 2: Walking anti-clockwise to Lammas Land, then on to Trumpington Road and returning to Market Hill.
The route did indeed include (as promised) picturesque views of the river, some of the colleges including the opportunity to walk round one of the gardens, along the Backs to see the spectacular view of King’s College Chapel, through Sheep’s Coe Fen and end at the Sunday market.
Again (as promised!) we had plenty of time to gaze at other sights along the way and learn some interesting facts about Cambridge.
Being a Bank Holiday Sunday along with the promise of good Spring weather, Cambridge was a pretty crowded place. But, thankfully, our route seemed to avoid most of the tourists.  We did manage to see the garden of Magdalene College as we pretended not to be a group. (Groups aren’t welcome…..)
From there, up Castle Hill and by Shire Hall climbed up to the top of Castle Mound (see Team Photos below).  Then it was back down to the City centre, over the  River Cam stopping off at Trinity College. Now, as luck would have it, we had Ruth Borgars with us who is a member of Trinity College and so we manage to gain entrance to the College and take a look at the courtyards (see photos below). Then winding our way throyugh some of the narrow streets, we stopped for an al fresco lunch outside the famous Kings College.
Lunch over,  on we went through Lamas Land and headed back into the City Centre  passing the Botanical Gardens and the famous Fitzwilliam Museum on the way..
Inevitably, there was a parting of ways as some of us went to catch buses and trains. Chris went off to get the bus back to Trumpington Park & Ride and believe it or not, as we were making our way down Trumpington Street – there he was on the bus!!!  Much shouting, waving and jumping up and down, but he just ignored us!! Karsten then made his way home as did Ron, Joan, Ken and myself heading back to the station. So a total of six DNFs!!!
Many thanks to Sue who organised the walk (and weather) for us.
Report by Kathy Crilley
Magdalene College was founded  in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel,
in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being
refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene
Although there are no ruins to be seen on Castle Hill, this grassy
mound is of great importance in the history of Cambridge.
This was the site of the Roman town of Duroliponte, originally
an Iron Age hill fort.

Well worth the climb to the top of the Castle Mound – expansive
views over the roof tops of the town and surrounding countryside.
Trinity College was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, combining
Michaelhouse and King’s Hall. Michaelhouse had existed since
1324.
King’s Hall had been established by Edward II in 1317 and
refounded by Edward III in 1337. Trinity’s flag, flown on
special occasions, has as its design the royal standard of
Edward III.
Taking part in the walk were:

 

Ken Livermore C 386
Dave Ainsworth C 540 and Sandra
Chris Flint C 849
Ron Wallwork C 893 and wife Joan
Kathy Crilley C 933
Sue Clements C 950
Karsten Koehler C 1059
Steve Kemp C 1075 and John
John Borgars C 1167 and wife Ruth
Dave Hoben
Joyce Crawford

2017 The Cuckoo Trail

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A stroll along the Cuckoo Trail, Sussex – from Polegate to Heathfield

25th November 2017

The ‘Cuckoo Trail’ is a 12 mile route, mostly tarmac, following an old railway from Polegate to Heathfield (although there are extensions down to Hampden Park near Eastbourne and north to East Grinstead following the cycle path 21)

The walk was organised and led by Dave Hoben – President Surrey WC and friend of the Centurions.

Report by Kathy Crilley

The plan was to set off from Polegate station at 10:15… however, as we all know, the best laid plans, etc.

It just happened to be the coldest night of the century (according to Southern Rail) and no-one had thought to get the the de-icing spray out. Consequently, a train got stuck between Lewes and Eastbourne..
Dave sent a message to say his train had been diverted to Brighton and he was working his way back to Lewes in the hope of getting to Polegate; Chris Flint sent a message to say he was stuck in Eastbourne and then when I reached Lewes, the train driver announced everything was back to normal… but…. the train would not stop at Polegate..(or Eastbourne)…. just managed to jump off in time….

The station supervisor at Lewes, however, was magnificant. He ordered taxis for the stranded passengers and after a 15 minute wait I was on my way to Polegate. Thank you Seb.  Chris arrived more or less the same time as I did. Steve Kemp, George Beecham along with their friend John arrived by car.  And off we went (albeit 30 minutes late…)

The Cuckoo Trail is conveniently signposted at the station and indeed throughout the whole walk. It was a pleasant walk out of the town and the first 3 miles to Hailsham was taken at a gentle pace which is where Steve, George and John left us to return to Polegate. The late start had scuppered their plans.

Fast traffic coming through…

Despite the cold, we soon warmed up as the pace quickened  – well we were getting quite hungry by now! The 30 minute lunch stop was a really nice cafe in Horam, just off the trail, where we stocked up on carbohydrates, tea and coffee. Only two miles to the finish in Heathfield .. and another cafe and another cup of tea. We had hoped to get the 15:33 bus back to Polegate but it never turned turned up so we did have rather a cold wait at the bus stop for the next one (which fortunately did turn up!)

It was a very pleasant day out and many thanks for Steve, George, John, Chris for making the long journey to Polegate. Also, many thanks to Dave for organisng and leading the walk.

It introduced a part of Sussex not seen by us before and it would make a really great training day out – especially if the extension routes were added on.

 

2016 Colchester

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Camuplodunum Social Walk 23-25 miles

2nd April 2016
Led by Jim Catchpole, supporter of the Centurions, this was the first social walk in 2016.
Local Colchester man, Derek Keeble, is credited with devising the Camuplodunum in 1974 as a long distance training walk.
The route followed the boundary of Camulodunum, the Roman city which we know today as Colchester.
On a warm Spring day, the conditions were ideal for the walk – a mix of off-road riverside and woodland walking. Sights passed en route were the Roman River, fine examples of Essex pargetting on various buildings, the new Colchester FC football ground and a lot of excellent fine countryside.
Steve Kemp, Social Walks Coordinator