LOAF plans 100km walk in 2012 – but fear not much shorter options are available!!!
The annual May Day Bank Holiday Walk organized by LOAF Project has regained its popularity in the past couple of years, with walkers being able to raise money for their own choice of overseas development projects. Church and charity teams well as individuals have raised in excess of £20.000 in the past 2 years. This year, in the year of the Olympics, there are exciting new opportunites for those craving a bit more challenge – and in doing so to benefit some of the poorest people in the world.
May 7th Bank Holiday Monday May Day Walk
Country footpath walks of 4, 9 and 18 miles available.
The longest route this year starts in Rye at the Baptist Church in High Street, just 2 minutes walk up from the station and with a train from Hastings time to arrive at just the right time! It then joins the last day of the long distance walk to follow the 1066 Walk back to Hastings, through picturesque, and hopefully sunny, countryside, bluebells and spring flowers, terminating at St Leonards Parish Church for a welcome cup of tea! On route, walkers are able to join in the family picnic at Icklesham Memorial Hall from 12 noon.
Two afternoon walks are planned, both starting at 1pm at Icklesham Memorial Hall. Both the four mile family walk and the longer 9 mile circular route explore the countryside to the north of the Brede Valley. Everyone is invited to bring their own picnic and there will be games for children between 12 and 1.
Fill in the application form at the back of this issue of GRAPEVINE to register and obtain details and a sponsor form.
For anyone who wants to just walk for one day but can’t manage the May day itself, there is the option of joining the 100km walk for just one day – but be prepared for 20 miles! Contact info@loafproject.co.uk for details
Three day 100km walk Canterbury to Hastings May 5th-7th
For some intrepid folk, the traditional one day walk on the Monday of the early May Day Holiday does not present enough challenge. As a trial run in 2012 there will be the chance to walk all the way from Canterbury to Hastings over the three days of the bank holiday. In effect we will be tracing paths trodden by the pilgrims of earlier centuries on their way home. Averaging around 20 miles each day we will This is a beautiful walk, from Canterbury Cathedral to come to Hastings over the cliffs and the full length of the seafront to St Leonards Parish Church. It will include sections of North Downs or Stour Valley Ways to Ashford, the Greensand Walk and the Saxon Shore Way to Rye and the 1066 Walk to Hastings. It will pass through woods, fields and orchards, past historic buildings and besides rivers and ponds.
Church hall dormitory type accommodation overnight in Ashford and Rye can be provided, thanks to the generosity of Centrepoint Church in Ashford and Rye Baptist Church – but walkers can book their own accommodation, camp or even catch the train home for the night as each stage ends close to a railway station.
This will be a challenging but achievable 3 days – and hopefully allow large amounts of money to be raised for those in need.
For more details and to register for the 100km walk or a single day of it should register interest as soon as possible by downloading a form from www.loafproject.co.uk. For enquiries phone Kevin Hatch on 01424 422759, emailing info@loafproject.co.uk
We would especially like to hear from people who can offer administrative or logistical support for the May day walks or to help with one or more days on the three day walk. Transport, registration, manning a checkpost, making refreshments and first aid are all needed.
For Those Who Prefer Two Wheels To Two Feet
Rev John Western, minister of St Leonards Baptist Church and a keen cyclist and marathon runner will be leading a cycle route from Canterbury to Hastings (56 miles/90kms) along byeways and backroads. The aim is to catch uop with the 100kms walkers and the May Day 18 mile walkers when they reach St. Leonards – and raise money for charities of choice.
Details on www.loafproject.co.uk or contact John at St Leonards Baprtist Church.