From hornets to shotguns: Ramblers look back on 50 years

A walking group has marked its 50th anniversary after half a century of exploring the countryside – and occasionally stirring up trouble along the way.

Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers was formed in March 1976 when the two fledgling Godalming and Haslemere groups merged.

Of the original 100 members, two – Rosemary Bryant and Susan Holmes – are still walking with the group today. With a third original member, Richard Evans, sadly passing away only a short while ago.

And while the group has spent five decades enjoying the countryside, its members have also played a major role in protecting it.

In its early years, walkers relied on paper maps and often poorly signposted paths, prompting the appointment of the group’s first Footpath Secretary in 1977.

Volunteers went on to repair stiles, gates, bridges and boardwalks, install signposts and waymarks, and work with Surrey County Council to improve public rights of way.

Their efforts earned the group a national Ramblers award in 2004.

But the work has not always been without risk.

In 1982, a path repeatedly blocked by aggressive dogs resulted in a confrontation between the Footpath Secretary and an angry landowner who was brandishing a shotgun.

And on a group holiday to Germany’s Moselle region in 2005, one member accidentally planted her walking pole into a hornets’ nest, resulting in “chaos and pandemonium”.

The group has also campaigned on major local issues, helping secure the inclusion of the Western Weald and Blackdown in the South Downs National Park and supporting the A3 Hindhead Tunnel.

Its walks have evolved considerably since the early days, when most were eight to 15 miles long and held at weekends.

Railway stations were often used as starting points for members without cars, while Sunday walkers sometimes had to hurry to reach a pub before the 2pm closing time.

Today there are walks to suit a wide range of abilities, from brisk and lengthy outings to leisurely, shorter and “ambling” walks.

The group has also organised fish-and-chip and curry walks, London trips, coastal excursions, mystery walks and an annual walk for the London Blind Ramblers, which traditionally ends with tea and cake.

Over the years, members have travelled further afield on walking holidays in France, Germany, Majorca, Austria, Lake Garda, Catalonia, Greece, Bavaria and Croatia, as well as destinations across Britain.

Social events including quizzes, bowls, skittles and festive lunches have also become part of the group’s calendar.

Members have continued walking through challenges including Foot and Mouth in 2001 and the Covid pandemic, when restrictions even split walkers on either side of the Waverley boundary.

Now more than 400 members strong, the group celebrated its golden anniversary with a tea at Godalming United Church Hall on June 27.

Guest of honour Kate Ashbrook, one of Britain’s leading footpath campaigners, joined members for the celebration.

After 50 years, the group continues to do more than simply walk the countryside – helping to protect it for generations of walkers to come.