Saturday 13th December Steppingley Christmas Fayre

As your Special Events organiser had requested someone to lead a walk to Steppingley & no one replied your Chairman stepped in & volunteered to lead a short 2 mile walk from Eversholt Rd lay-by to Steppingley Church.
It was a bright & sunny morning but sadly there were only 3 walkers including your Chairman. We set off  at 10 am taking the footpath through Poorshills Wood & Town Mead crossing the M1 via a substantial concrete bridge. On exiting the wood we met a lady removing the front numberplate from her VW car so that she could take photos prior to putting the car on sale. We crossed the road & entered Flitwick Plantation on a rising track past the natural gas transfer station. On exiting this wood we followed a footpath past Park Farm where we turned left to walk along a well surfaced farm track. After a couple of sharp bends we climbed a few steps &went through a gate into a sheep field. We left this field through another gate to join Eversholt Rd which we crossed. This latter path enabled us to avoid the nasty narrow road entering Steppingley which we had used once before. We walked past the French Horn pub, with several stalls selling Christmassy items, & then along Church Rd to the church. The church was set up with a long counter serving nibbles & cake, including gluten-free cake which Anna sampled. Other club members were then starting to arrive having gone directly to the church & without doing the walk. We went outside to witness a display of Morris dancing. Later they moved inside the church with several of our members joining them for a dance. By this time about a dozen TRC members had arrived directly at the church.

The Morris dancing with several TRC members

At 1 pm we were treated to a selection of carols & other Christmas songs by Eversholt Choir. 

The choir with Wendy & son, Mark, in the foreground

Soon afterwards we left the church & as they were so few walkers we got lifts back to the walk start. 
A very enjoyable day, well attended at the church, but sadly a very few number of walkers.

Track of route 2.1 miles 

 

Saturday 13th December 2025 Steppingley Christmas Angel Cafe and The French Horn Dickensian Fayre

 Another wonderful time at Steppingley! 

Thank you to Sandra and Paul, Viv and Joan Penny, Tony Madeley, Margaret and Bill, David, Wendy Richard and their families for coming to enjoy the fun and delicious buffet of home-made savouries and cakes and Tea and coffee. 

 It was lovely to see so many in Dickensian dress.  

 

We sang Happy Birthday to Wendy and were accompanied by the Morris dancers music.

  We had great fun and laughter joining in the Morris dancing and later listening to the Eversholt choir.

There was the usual Raffle and Christmas gifts. 

 This year The French Horn held a Dickensian Fayre outside the Pub, with stalls, fun and games and a festive BBQ, with live music too.

 Tony R lead a short walk of 2 miles and was joined by Tony P and Anna, meeting us at the church for 11am. Well Done! 

Thursday 4th December Christmas Lunch at The Compasses Greenfield

It was lovely to see 31 members enjoying their lunch in this festive pub.
The food was plentiful & enjoyed by everyone.  

 

 

  

Sandra. Nita, Tony R, Cynthia, Yvonne, Sue, Beryl & Anna enjoying their lunch

 

Redbourn circular walk Thursday 27/11/25 led by Cathy and Neil

 

Redbourn circular walk        Thursday 27/11/25

12 ramblers including David Ridley who will be joining TRC made our way across Redbourn West Common to start the River Ver valley circular walk.  

 Part of the walk needed us to cross the river, this was on stepping stones although some decided to ‘wade’ across ( it was shallow).

Tony in the lead

..then follow my leader.....

We had a detour to Redbournbury Mill where we stopped for refreshments. Continuing the walk we skirted Harpenden golf course, then headed back to Redbourn along the disused railway line known as the Nickey Line.

 

It was muddy when crossing the fields but everyone enjoyed the walk.

Thursday 6th November Wilstead Walk led by Sheila & Mike Briggs

 Nine walkers started off from the large lay-by north of the village.It was drizzling as we started but undeterred we walked through the village, past the pub now not serving food at lunchtimes. We left the main road  by turning left on to a dog walkers footpath meeting many of them coming in the opposite direction. After about a mile we turned right to ascend Firtree Hill. Almost at the top we stopped at a seat for a coffee stop. We should have had a wonderful view over Bedfordshire but the drizzle & mist partially spoiled it, although we could see the Cardington Hangers. We reached the summit & then came to a wood where we turned left along a track which led us to join the John Bunyan Trail. We turned left onto this  with the drizzle ceasing. We came to Manor Farm where we heard some very noisy geese.

The walkers at Manor Farm with the geese

 

The noisy geese

After our photoshoot we followed the path back to Wilstead shedding layers as we went, due to the lack of rain & increasing temperatures. We arrived back at our cars mostly dry after an enjoyable 6 mile walk.

Saturday 1st November 2025 Steppingley Holy Halloween led by Sue Fox

Hilary, Anna, Jenny and Ged joined Beryl and Sue for a short, sunny and windy short walk to Steppingley for the Holy Halloween Cafe.

Nita and Penny joined us at the church and a surprise visit from Pam Buckley. So lovely to see members we do not see for a while. 

Jenny, Ged, Beryl, Anna & Hilary

There was the usual delicious buffet, savories and delicious homemade cakes.

Raffle, Pumpkin making and a climb to the church tower if you wished.

  

On our short walk back, we saw lots of houses decorated for Halloween and we all had fun on the Zip Wire.

Thursday 9th October - Walk around the Ivinghoe area on led by Lynn

 There were 16 people who met at Pitstone Hill car park in Stocks Road to join Lynn on her walk:

 Tony R., Tony P., Beryl, Jean, Maureen, Diane, Cathy, Kate, Geoff, Torunn, Sandra & Paul, Janet & John, Ruth and Linda, another lady from Toddington, who was joining us for the first time.

 

After introducing and welcoming Linda, we set off up a hill straight away. Apparently, this is known locally as Paul's Knob, which got some giggles!

There can be excellent views from the top here on a clear day but unfortunately it was very grey and murky on the day. 

 

At the top of the first "Incline"

We carried on along the ridge and then headed down to Aldbury Nowers, through woods and a nature reserve and as the Ridgeway turned right, we headed up the hill again to the edge of Stocks Golf Club, where we found some logs and tree stumps to sit and have our elevenses.

 

Janet and John poised on a bit of a See-Saw of a branch

 

Elevenses on Logs

The route carried on along the edge of the course, through trees to reach Stocks Road again, a little way up from Aldbury and joined the Icknield Way for a short distance. We turned left and walked across a couple of fields to come out on the track to Duncombe Farm, going across that to start the long, gradual climb up the escarpment to Duncombe Terrace.

 

Continuing in the same direction, we came out of the woods at Bea​con Road and crossed over to head up to Ward's Hurst Farm. On the other side of the farm, there is a nice view of the escarpment heading round to Dunstable Downs and the chalk lion at Whipsnade Zoo.

 

We turned left here, picking up the Icknield Way again as it goes through a nice, wooded area called The Coombe. The Ashridge Estate (and National Trust?) have been doing a lot of work clearing trees affected by ash dieback as well as reducing the number of conifer trees - which meant there was a very nice smell of pine - to then plant more native broad-leaved trees.

 

In the Coombe looking towards the Whipsnade Lion

At the other end of the wood, we came out into the open again with views of the Ivinghoe Hills and Beacon Hill. We walked towards Beacon Hill but stopped on the east facing side, where we were sheltered from the cool breeze and had our lunch.

 

View from the lunch spot overlooking the Whipsnade Lion

 

Candid snap of the Lunch spot!

Once we were refreshed, we crossed the road and headed up the path on the other side to Steps Hill, then followed the Ridgeway down the other side and then on to the car park.

 

Everyone seemed to enjoy the walk, despite the disappointing weather and hopefully Linda will be joining the Club!

Thursday 2nd October Where Julius Caesar marched 6.5 miles Led by John Dixon

Meeting at two different locations, the cricket club car park walkers set off across the pitch and through the woods to meet with walkers who were parked in the Nomansland common car park.
Both groups joined up a John D took the lead on towards the Elephant & Castle pub, unfortunately to early to call in for some well earned early morning refreshment.

Passing the Elephant & Castle

Some road walking brought us to Aldwickbury Golf Club, skirting the perimeter we walked through a field of sheep where some shearing had taken place, with a lot of wool just left stacked on the floor.

 A well earned coffee break was taken with views of Marshals Heath in the distance.

 Pushing on, we stopped of at St Helen’s church for a look inside and the impressive lead clad steeple.

Members looking round inside the church & Geoff outside

 

The 2 Tonys considering a job advert

 

Through Wheathampstead, turning onto the track walking us along the river Lea towards Marford Farm.
Walking along Devils Dyke, we turned and headed back towards Wheathampstead, crossing the road we were now on our way back to the car park for the end of a very enjoyable walk.

Hilary, Kate, Cathy, Lynn & Geoff sitting with John D & Torunn standing.

Many walkers took the opportunity to have their picnic lunch overlooking the cricket club on a pleasant October afternoon.    Regards    Anthony Price

Thursday 25th September Harlington walk led by Tony Price

After meeting at Harlington village hall 7 walkers set off through the village making our way through the new housing and taking the tracks out towards Dyers Hall Farm.

Crossing the road we joined the Bottoms to make our way to the tracks skirting the bottom of the Sundon Hills,

Neal, Cathy, Tony R, Torunn, Jean S & Diane enjoying their coffee

After stopping for a well deserved coffee break, we were soon on our way again heading on towards the Moleskin Hills, carrying on until we came out at the bottom of Sharpenhoe Clappers.

  

Tony P, Torunn, Cathy, Tony R, Jean S & Diane

 

Walking through the village joining the tracks taking us towards Wateroff.

Continuing on we were soon on our way back towards Harlington and the end of a very enjoyable walk in lovely autumnal sunshine.

 

Thursday 11th September Beds Walk Fest Walk

This 6 mile walk was part of the Beds Walk Fest, but led by the chairman of TRC.
Sadly only 9 walkers took part, 7 from TRC & 2 others.
We started from Sundon Hills car park & walked through a kissing gate, across a meadow, through another gate. We then descended several "flights" of steps before climbing again to reach the old lime pit. 
It was pointed out that the depressions in this pit were caused by US soldiers practising their mortar firing during the second world war. We left this pit passing the old seat overlooking the Bedfordshire countryside. After descending a slope with redundant steps we reached the path along the bottom of the hills. We continued until we reached kissing gate on the right. On the is gate was a notice saying that "sheep were coming" & the gate was to be locked. No timescale given. Thankfully it was open. We ascended a steep path, stopping for a photo at the top taken by Geoff.

John, Tony R, Tony P, Janet, Lynn, Lucy, Graham & Sue at the top of the slope.

We continued to finally cross the road & enter Sharpenhoe Clappers NT site. Here we stopped for a coffee break.  Afterwards we continued along the path around the Clappers perimeter entering the woods at its northern extremity. We left the woods making a detour to avoid descend a steep bank & then followed a path for almost half a mile before turning sharp right along a hedgerow to the road again. We crossed the road & followed a path leading into the woods. After a steep descent of a short flight of steps we reached a sheep meadow. Here we could see rain clouds approaching so we quickened our pace. Continuing we eventually reached the car park just as the rain started. A great walk enjoyed by all.

Sunday 7th September - Flitwick Moor & Folly Wood nature reserve led by Tony P

Five of Toddington ramblers finest walkers met by the track leading to the Flitwick gun club for the start of a very pleasant 4 mile amble around Flitwick Moor & Folly Wood nature reserve, on what was a very pleasant & sunny autumn morning.

Penny, Annie, Cathy & Neal outside the memorial hut

The gun club was in action on the ranges, the wildlife trust were carrying out maintenance and along the river Flit heavy machinery has been cutting down many trees & re-profiling the river banks.

Cathy, Penny, Annie & Tony P

We returned to our cars along the track for the end of what was a lovely Sunday morning amble in the sunshine.

 

 

Thursday 28th August Clophill walk led by Debbie

I Just made it in time to lead the walk due to a van blocking my drive & in no rush to move, followed by a road closure !!  I was joined by a very good turnout of 20 members. Some parked around the green, but others parked nearby & walked to the green.

We walked along the High Street turning left up Mill Lane.  We looped round the lanes re-joining the High Street and turning off up Old Church Road where we passed the Eco Lodges before coming to the old Church ruins where we had our coffee break in the sunshine.  Some sitting on the boundary wall, some in the adjacent grassy area & some on the bench next to the church.

Members on the boundary wall

  

Members sitting in the adjacent grassy area

On the church bench

We continued up the lane through a track & field joining Great Lane then turned right into Old Kiln Lane, passing a farm before taking a footpath on our left. We crossed a grassy meadow through a small holding and  copse before joining The Slade.  
This brought us back onto Mill Lane joining the High Street at the bottom after 3.5 miles of walking.. 
Thank you all for joining me. Debbie