Our Walking Group usually meets on the third Thursday of every month for a morning walk of around 6 miles. None of the walks tend to be particularly strenuous, but importantly all start and finish at a selected pub to facilitate the enjoyment of an optional spot of lunch and/or a drink after the morning exercise. There is no need to book, just turn-up at the allotted time and place in appropriate clothing & footwear for the forecasted weather conditions.
If you would like to suggest and lead a future walk, then please contact the Walks Coordinator, Bob Whaley via email: walks@316club.org.uk.
Future Walks
11th December, circa 5.5 miles, led by Bob Whaley
10am Start from The Stag, 35 Brook Street, Stotfold, SG5 4LA
This is a fairly flat walk of with a number of short walk options. The pub will open its doors before the walk so that food can be ordered before the walk begins. Please note that the pub is on a one way street and can only be approached by car from Stotfold, High Street. Also, parking is limited at the pub.
15th January, circa 5 miles, led by Tim Alexander
10am Start from The Grandison, Bury Lane, Bramfield, SG14 2QL
The walk will be on minor road, farm tracks and woodland., The pub will take orders before the start of the walk.
19th February, led by Frank & Pauline Everest
Details to follow.
Past Walks
Below are short reports of our 5 most recent walks.
Our History
Thursday 19th September 1991 dawned bright and fresh with some cloud bubbling up, ideal walking weather! At Philip Wise’s suggestion, 10 members of the 316 club met at Great Offley near the car park of the Red Lion for a walk of approximately 6 miles. Phil had planned the walk and following in his footsteps were Phil’s wife Margaret, Peter & Myrle Cannell, Joan & Maurice Beadsmoore, Bob Moggridge, Douglas Clegg, Alf Bennett and Jim Sommerville. Over a pint in the pub afterwards, it was agreed that “we should do this again” and thus the start of the 316 Walking Group became established with Phil Wise as walks manager and members taking turns to lead.
The 316 group has continued unabated with a walk the 3rd Thursday in each month throughout the year affected only by the foot & mouth outbreak which closed the countryside for March to July in 2001. However, the enterprising John Boylett produced a walk along Regent’s Park Canal in the May, starting a programme of London walks led by Tom Byrne, and Maurice Beadsmoore devised a walk from the Rose & Crown at Aston following Stevenage town footpaths that took in Fairlands Valley park.
Phil continued to manage the 316 walks programme until 1998 when Brian Walker assumed the role until 2007. At this point Ron Vincent ran (walked?) the programme until his hip replacement which stopped him walking during 2012/2013. Bob Clough then took over until his hip problems then Ron was back in the lead at the beginning of 2014 until the end of 2017, when Alan Hutchinson took over the role. Bob Whaley took over in 2020.