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New Year's Day Walk, our annual mud-free walk from Shoeburyness to Leigh-on-Sea.
\n![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Southend_group.jpeg\")
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Past Ev****ents 2025
\nMince Pie Walk
\n![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Mince_Pie_25/WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-11_at_16.12.21_fbfef51a.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Mince_Pie_25/WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-11_at_16.36.38_cd005615.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Mince_Pie_25/WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-11_at_14.49.26_9f80f66e.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Mince_Pie_25/WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-11_at_16.01.52_9a823308.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Tea_and_cakes/WhatsApp_Image_2025-10-11_at_18.21.12_3e9a419e.jpg\")
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Cheltenham Walking Holiday, August 2024
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![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/Epping_Fryer/WhatsApp_Image_2024-05-11_at_15.53.25_597e0ae3.jpg\")
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![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/henley/WhatsApp_Image_2024-04-14_at_191609_3ea4d0c1.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/henley/WhatsApp_Image_2024-04-14_at_191609_7c52de7f.jpg\")
![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/henley/WhatsApp_Image_2024-04-14_at_194450_e25b7926.jpg\")
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![\"Image\"](\"https://www.chelmerandblackwater-ramblers.org.uk/images/Article_photos/CandBNews/9_the_winners.jpeg\")
Chelmer and Blackwater Events
\nUpcoming Events 2026
\nC&B AGM Saturday 21st November 10:30am to 12:30pm, at Keene Hall, Galleywood CM2 8PT. Join the AGM and also discuss ideas for walking and social activities for the coming year. Refreshments at the end.
\nNEW DATES ANNOUNCED
\nC&B Christmas Lunch Sunday 6th December at the Six Bells, Boreham. Details were emailed to members.
\nMince Pie Walk Friday 18th December.
\nEvents 2026
\nChess Valley Coach Walk, September from Chesham to Rickmansworth along the Chess Valley Way, and a visit to the Betchworth Lock Canal Centre. See Walks Gallery for photos from the trip.
\nSummer Walking Holiday, August. Four days of fabulous walking and weather in the Peak District National Park with accommodation at Sheffield University. See Walks Gallery for photos from the trip.
\nBroomway Walk Sunday 26th July Another group of intrepid walkers took the chance to walk the famous “Broomway” across the sands to Foulness Island. See Walks Gallery for photos from the trip.
\nSunday 12th July Coach Ramble to Hythe and south Kent coast See Walks Gallery for photos from the trip.
\nC&B 40th Anniversary Walks and celebration event at Galleywood Heritage Centre, 3-4 July
\nOver 70 members came together on a hot sunny afternoon at Galleywood Heritage Centre to celebrate 40 years from the founding of our group. It was a great social event to meet up with members who no longer regularly walk in our group walks, and to celebrate what the group has achieved over the past 40 years. John Champ, a previous chairman cut the cakes and all enjoyed tea, cakes and prosecco. Many walkers arrived at the tea after completing the Chelmsford Centenary Circle over two days, or a short walk from Great Baddow to The Heritage Centre, but a big round of applause was given to six members who set off from the Heritage Centre at 8:00am that morning to complete the whole 21-mile Circle route and arrive back in time for a well-earned celebration. More photos can be found in the Walks Gallery.
\nRiver Crouch Boat Trip from Burnham A short morning walk on 17th June followed by a trip by Seal Boats Essex to view seals and other wildlife.
\nSt Edmund Way Walk - C&B 40th Anniversary event. Four stages totaling 42 miles of St Edmund's Way were completed over 4 days at the end of May to celebrate the group's 40th anniversary. Day 1 started at the end of the trail at Brandon (the event was walked in reverse direction), walking through the Breckland Forest then following the pretty Little Ouse river to Thetford. Day 2 from Thetford joined the ancient Icknield Way and Angles Way in quite remote, straight and sandy stretches through the Breckland Forest to West Stow Country Park. Day 3 from West Stow followed lakes to Culford then the River Lark and Lark Valley Way along lush riverbanks to Bury St Edmunds. Day 4 completed the last (or first) stage of the Way from Stoke-by-Nayland to Stratford St Mary, then along the Stour River and Flatford Mill to Manningtree. Walkers on the shorter walks were able to spend time in Thetford, West Stow Anglo Saxon Village, Bury St Edmunds and Flatford Mill and join all walkers at the end of each day. The weather was perfect, even though a little hot and dusty through the Breckland Forest, and all agreed it was an extremely successful event. Thanks go to all the walk leaders and back markers, planners, coach organisers and to our Chairman for overseeing the whole event. Photos can be seen in the Walks Gallery.
\n40th Anniversary Quiz Night at Keene Hall, Galleywood on Saturday 11th April to celebrate 40 years from the foundation of our group. Many thanks to Tux for a memorable evening and to the catering team.
\nC&B 2025 AGM, 22nd November. All existing Committee members were re-elected for the forthcoming year. Discussions were held regarding events for 2026 including the group walking holiday to the Peak District, ideas to celebrate the group's 40th anniversary and suggestions for future social events and coach trips.
\nTea and Cake Afternoon. The Group enjoyed a very sociable afternoon at Galleywood Heritage Centre in September. Delicious cakes and tea were organised by our invaluable catering team and many new and long-standing members enjoyed catching up on news. Many thanks to the organisers.
\nBroomway Walk, Saturday 6th September. See photos in Walks Gallery.
\nGeoff Watts Walk, The Ridley Round
\nOver 30 members braved the elements on 3rd September in memory of our former Treasurer and long-time walk leader. Three walks were organised based on the Ridley Round, a 13-mile walk connecting existing or previous Ridley Brewery pubs, starting and finishing at the Compasses pub in Littley Green. The long walk, led by Andrew, followed the Ridley Round route. The 10-mile walk, led by Rob, was a slightly shorter version, and Barbara led an afternoon walk. The pub opened early to accommodate walkers and non-walkers who, along with Geoff's daughter, raised a glass to remember him and his long commitment to the group. See photos in Walks Gallery.
\n2025 Group Walking Holiday in Devon
\nAll participants agreed that this year's walking holiday to Exeter was a great success. Over 50 members travelled by coach to Devon for four days of walking with excellent accommodation and meals provided by Exeter University. Walks were organised on Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Exe Valley Way and the Coastal Path. Photos can be found in the Walks Gallery.
\nSunday Coach Walks
\nPhotos from the Sunday Coach Trips can be found in the Walks Gallery.
\nEaster Quiz Evening
\nWhat a triumph again for Tux's quiz at Galleywood Heritage Centre. 54 people enjoyed a fun evening with tricky questions and games.\nMany thanks to Tux for all her hard work, to Les Cutbush the scorer, Mo his assistant and Anne, Elaine and Chris the catering team, and of course your support.\nCongratulations to the winning team of Irene, Penny, Janet, Geoff, Debbie and Wendy. The lowest score team of Anne, Carole, Chris, Elaine, Bob and Lesley were delighted to be compensated with their wooden spoons.
\nPast Events 2024
\nAnnual Mince Pie Walk and Christmas Lunch, December
\nMany thanks to the organisers for a very festive and enjoyable Mince Pie walk. Elaine, Chris and Anne provided mince pies and mulled wine in the hall of Little Totham church, then all the walkers sang carols in the church, led by Joanne and accompanied by Fiona playing the organ.
\nThe group Christmas lunch was once again at Channels golf club in Chelmsford. It was a lovely occasion to catch up with other members of the group who may not walk so regularly or walk on different days of the week. Both events were a great way to mark the beginning of the festive season.
\nTea and Cakes on The Common, September 28th
\nOn a sunny Saturday afternoon, almost 60 members enjoyed tea and delicious cakes at Galleywood Heritage Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends who no longer walk regularly on our published walks but support our group in many other ways. Thanks to Elaine who organised the event and her helpers.
\nOnce again, the holiday committee and walk leaders organised a fantastic walking week based on the Cotswold Way and staying at the University of Gloucester in Cheltenham. Fifty-six members took part, and with three planned walks every day there was something to suit everyone.
\nOver the four days, the long walks covered 50 miles along the Cotswold Way from Chipping Camden to Painswick. The medium walks averaged 9 miles a day along sections of the way, while the shorter walks were linear or circular and allowed time to visit sites such as Broadway Tower, Sudeley Castle and the Painswick Rococo Garden. Apart from one drizzly day, the weather was perfect and allowed extensive views over Cheltenham towards the Malvern Hills and Black Mountains, and then finally over Gloucester and the Severn Valley and estuary.
\nMany thanks to all the members of the organising committee and the walk leaders for their hard work in organising such a successful week. See the Walks Gallery for photographs of the four days.
\nEly Coach Ramble 22nd July 2024
\nTwo walks were provided on this coach trip, both starting from the impressive Ely Cathedral. The longer walk of 9.5 miles followed the Great Ouse as it passed through the Fens to Little Thetford, then returning via King's School to circle the Cathedral and visit the riverside and marina. The shorter 5.5-mile circular followed the Great Ouse to pick up the Hereward Way to the village of Queen Adelaide, then meandered back through meadows to the centre of Ely. See the photos in the Walks Gallery.
\nCambridge Coach Ramble 23rd June 2024
\nThe Cambridge coach ramble was blessed with warm, sunny weather and was a great success. Forty-two members joined the coach, with some completing the 11-mile walk led and organised by Chris and Hazel, while others enjoyed the short walk led by Helen from Trumpington into the centre of Cambridge, followed by a shorter walk around the colleges in the afternoon. See the photos in the Walks Gallery.
\nChris explains the longer route:
\n“Hazel and myself led the longer walk from Madingley Road Park and Ride, and after a 30-minute stop for coffee we walked for an hour to the American War Cemetery. The chapel had amazing mosaics and the visitor centre told us all about the cemetery and World War 2. From here, we walked for an hour and a half to Grantchester, where we ate our picnic in the churchyard and had a look in the church. The church was featured in the Grantchester drama on TV recently. We walked into Cambridge along the river, stopping at the Mathematical Bridge before finishing at the Senate House. We had an hour to ourselves here to wander, have an ice-cream or a coffee. Our coach met us nearby and we were back in Chelmsford around 6:00pm. It was a great day with lovely weather.”
\nMany thanks to the leaders Chris, Hazel and Helen, and to Sue for organising all the bookings.
\nEpping Fryer 11th May 2024
\nMembers enjoyed a great day out on the steam train and heritage buses of the Epping Ongar Railway. A morning walk was followed by a fish and chip lunch aboard the train while travelling through the lush Essex countryside.
\nHenley Coach Trip 14th April 2024
\nFortunately, our Henley coach trip was blessed with a break in the ‘rainy season’ to give us a beautiful sunny day. The bluebells were out in force, with majestic Red Kites soaring in a wispy blue sky. Two afternoon walks meant we all enjoyed incredible vistas along the beautiful, fast-flowing Thames.\nOur next coach adventure is Cambridge, which will be equally enjoyable!
\nQuiz Night 23rd March 2024 at Keene Hall.
\nAnother great quiz night organised and hosted by Tux. 80 Ramblers and friends enjoyed a fun evening based on a theme of spring and Easter, and were treated to hot cross buns, chocolate eggs and one table even won a bunch of carrots. We are very thankful to Tux for all the effort and detail she puts into her quiz evenings. Look out for the next one!
\nSocial Media - Members can contact each other through our Facebook page and WhatsApp groups to share walking news and photographs. If you are a member of the C&B group and would like to be included, please contact our membership secretary using the Contact Us page.
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