Rushden Rambling Club
& Tortoise Group

THE HISTORY OF RUSHDEN RAMBLING CLUB

In 1971, the "Rushden Rambling and Environment Group" was founded, by Dr Paul Wix and Alan Wilson. It was an off-shoot of the Rushden West Ward Labour Party. Its object was to keep the footpaths in the area in good condition. Each path was walked regularly, using a set programme and route for the monthly walks. Alan was a very good organiser. Soon there was a regular group of members, including Cyril Newman of Higham Ferrers, who recorded his early memories of the Club, in December 1988.

By the 1980s, it had become "Rushden Rambling Club". The regular walkers at this time included Cyril and Georgina Newman and Stan and Dorothy Rollings, of Higham Ferrers. Wendy Truslow was introduced to the Club by Dorothy. Soon there was a regular group of members, who had a walk on the last Sunday of every month. Arnold Patenall, Janet and Cliff Sargeant, Roy and Jean Dickens, David and Margery Coleman, Bill and Pam Beckett, Jill Turner, John and Maureen Richardson, Ken and Margaret Mandale and Chris Coram were among the regulars. Janet and Roy Presland joined them in 1985 and they led their first walk for the Club on Sunday December 22nd 1985, starting from Whiston. By then the walks had become more varied and often farther afield. (Bill Beckett had suggested the change soon after he became a member)

Little Everdon - Sunday April 25th 1993

In the mid 1980s some weekends away and the occasional coach trip had entered the programme. By the 1990s there was a large core of active members with around twenty five people on the Sunday walks. Others, who had joined by then, included John Pentelow, Brian Stokes, Sue Dawkins, Dick Sanders, Sylvia Wilson, Barry Allen, Ted and May Shepherd and Ted Lockie.

Some social activities and annual meetings were held at the "Rock Foundation" in Little Street and also at Newton Village Hall. When Arnold Patenall was the President, the Club held a "Down Memory Lane" evening on Friday October 25th 1996, at the Hensman Hall, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee Year of Rushden Rambling Club. Veterans from "yester-year" joined the celebrations and came along to some Sunday walks including the first journey made by the Club. Bill Beckett is also a past President. Both Arnold and Bill have added their characteristic humour to the life of the Club. Recently there have been some active Chairmen, including John Pentelow, Ken Mandale and the present Chairman - Graham Abraham. A few people have been members for about thirty years.

Stanwick Lakes - Tuesday May 10th 2005

The Sunday walks continue every month, with walks of about eight to twelve miles. An Annual Outing, an Annual Dinner, a meal at Christmas time and two weekends away take place each year. Recent day outings have been to the Peak District, Norfolk, Windsor, Brighton and London. Weekends Away have been to Bridgnorth, Saxmundham in Suffolk, Eastbourne and Clitheroe in Lancashire.

Fermyn Woods - a frosty Feb 19th 2008

The years have passed and some members have retired so now have more freedom. Some now prefer shorter walks. In March 1999, the Tortoise Group was formed for more leisurely walks of about four miles, to take place during the week. Despite the doubt of some more active members, it has proved to be very successful and popular. More members have joined the Club because of the Tortoise Group and several have now become reliable walk-leaders. The only problem is that sometimes there are so many people on a walk and parking can be more difficult. Ten people were on the first walk from Summer Leys in March 1999. In April 2008, there were 41 walkers to see the bluebells in Short Wood.

The Club is now looking forward to its 40th Anniversary in 2011. We would welcome a few new younger people to come along and join in the fun!

Janet Presland (01933) 314831, May 2008

Janet is an enthusiastic member of the club and as well as organising some of the walks, she also records the history and takes the photographs. This is a rare picture with Janet included (front right), taken on Saturday March 27th 1999 at Summerleys - a Country Park near to Wollaston just five miles away. It was the 'First Tortoise Walk'. Kay Collins, 2008