Tales of the Fanns Walk 1: Thames Chase Forest Centre and Broadfields

Circular Walk, Saturday 22 May, 10.30am-1.00pm

The walk starts at Thames Chase Forest Centre where there will be an introduction to the Tales of the Fanns festival by Ali Pretty, Kinetika and the Land of the Fanns team and an exciting announcement about our new book; Fens, Forests and Fields. The walk will be circular in and around the Broadfields site.

At the end of the walk there will be a chance for everyone to make their own bird feeder and to reflect on their hopes and wishes for the future of our landscape. The hopes and wishes will be written or drawn so we can hang them on the wishing tree at Langdon Hills Country Park on the festival finale day, Sunday 6 June.

Registration for walk: 10.15am

Introduction: 10.30am

Walk starts: 10:45am

Meet: Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3NS

Walk ends: 1.00pm

Ends: Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3NS

Duration: 2 hours (15 minute talk, 2 hour walk, 15 minute activity)

Distance: 3 miles

Grading: Moderate

Walk leader: Bob Stevenson

Parking Parking at Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3NS. £2 for the day

Train station The nearest train station: Upminster (approx 1.5 miles from Forest Centre).

Buses Take the 346 bus to Pond Walk – approx. 0.6 miles from the Forest Centre. Take the 248 bus to Moor Lane – approx. 0.6 miles from Forest Centre. Take the 370 bus to Stubbers – approx. 0.4 miles from Forest Centre. Take the 347 bus to Winchester Avenue – approx. 0.3 miles from Forest Centre

Accessibility These walks are of different lengths and on different terrain. Some are mainly on footpaths, and others mainly on footpaths where ground may be uneven. This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Please note:

You need to choose walks within your capabilities; the walk leaders are experienced but must take your word that you are sufficiently fit for the grade of walk you have chosen.

Please ensure you have a face mask with you. Whilst this walk is outside there may be times when you are in close proximity of others or need to use the facilities where a face mask will be required.

Walk leaders will be at the start of the walk regardless of the weather. In the unlikely event of any unforeseen circumstances, Land of the Fanns reserve the right to change or cancel a walk and/or performance. Please check the website www.landofthefanns.org regularly for any updates or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Please ensure that you are properly equipped for all walks. The weather can be unpredictable so bring waterproof clothing and/or sun hats and sunscreen – it’s best to be prepared for everything!

Walking boots/shoes are recommended, but otherwise please wear suitable and comfortable footwear – best to leave open-toe sandals or high heels at home.

Make sure you bring a packed lunch, if necessary, and plenty to drink.

Due care has been exercised in organising the walks, however Land of the Fanns, the funders and associated partners of the project cannot accept liability for loss, accident or injury caused to any person following the routes.

We will be taking photographs and video of this event to promote and celebrate the project in print and online. If you do not give consent to be photographed or filmed please let a member of the team know on the day.

Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

About the Tales of the Fanns, A Walking and Arts Festival

The Tales of the Fanns festival is a celebration of the Community Mapping Project which began in 2019 with arts organisation Kinetika. The project gathered 100 stories, to tell the history and celebrate the people and places of the area, from people living across the Land of the Fanns through drawing, creative writing, filming, photography and walking. From those stories illustrations were created to adorn 100 hand painted silk flags. This project culminates in the Tales of the Fanns Arts and Walking Festival, Saturday 22nd May – Sunday 6th June, which celebrates the uniqueness of the Land of the Fanns. The flags together with costumes made by artist Jackie Creasey, and students from University Centre South Essex and a series of short films about special areas in the Land of the Fanns, produced by Rosa Productions and the local communities, will play a part in the walks and at the special finale event on Sunday 6 June at Langdon Hills Country Park.

Map of the 100 Stories: www.landofthefanns.org/100-stories

Tales of the Fanns Festival: www.landofthefanns.org/talesofthefanns