Ian Bull

Thank-you, hpsaucy, for replying. You and others on ED might wonder why there’s been so little mention from me about the Green Chain Walk in recent years. I used to post quite often! In 2016 the lead Borough in the local authority consortium that managed the footpath, the Royal Borough of Greenwich, dropped out. There’s been no maintenance, management or promotion since. TfL’s Walk London project offered guided walks on the network until May 2018 which I led. TfL had financed most of the waymarking and together with the Ramblers they are attempting to revivify the network. The directions I’ve sent links to are a first stage. Walk London’s closure was met with dismay and I was asked to continue with offering guided walks by hundreds of participants. The walk’s span London although they do still visit the Green Chain several times each year.

The Green Chain Walk, South East London’s 52 mile footpath is within ED’s sphere. New guidance to the network has just been published by the Ramblers jointly with TfL and a general overview showing its 15 sections is here… https://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/images/GreenChainWalk/guides/GCW00-Overview-Mar23.pdf The whole network’s directions are here… https://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwalks/green-chain-walk-guides.html And here... https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/green-chain-walk It’s truly worth exploring this path. There’s splendid landscape and woodland as one goes further east and the further you go the better it gets! Ian Bull

Yes! Hullo!! The January Green Chain 'Midnight Megawalk' didn't happen because I didn't have time to guide it. Never mind, it's nearly time for the Summer version which was very successful last year. The idea is to start from Crystal Palace station at 22.30 on a Friday or Saturday in about two or three weeks time. Sunrise is observed from Shooters Hill and very pleasant it is too. The finish will be at Erith in time for early trains home. Walking through all those woods in the dark is a experience worth having and the views over London just prior to sunrise are most impressive. Any day/time/date preferences anyone? As every year, there will be a daytime version on the last Saturday of September (29th). It's not yet known whether this seventh Green Chain Megawalk will be promoted by the Green Chain itself or Walk London. Walk London's events are suspended as TfL are not presently able to offer funding, but don't write them off yet. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, Not in ED but very strong SE London connections! Is there anyone out there interested in Industrial Archaeology, Architecture, Engineering or, Railways? Would you play a part in one of two important projects? (Or maybe both!) Hoping that you click on some of the links within for videos etc., please see this url... Then do an image search for Crossness pumping station... Now I'll explain. Since 1865 almost all of South London's sewerage has gone to Crossness treatment works. Those works were equipped with the largest steam pumping engines in the World. The utterly exuberant interior of their 'House' is also World class, literally a Cathedral of iron. It closed in 1930 and since 1985 volunteers have devoted hundreds of thousands of hours to its restoration. It is now probably the finest Victorian industrial building on the planet. The pumping station was adjacent to another World class example of industry, the Royal Arsenal. This was the UKs largest factory, once with over 100,000 employees. Within it's two square there were 130 miles of railway, 70 of which had rails just 18 inches apart. The UK depended on those narrowly spaced rails for its defence and earlier this year the chance came to preserve and restore the last locomotives and rolling stock to have run on them. Where to restore them? Crossness of course! The facilities are superb and the people are very friendly. Would you like to play a part in these two splendidly important projects? If so, we're having an open day for new volunteers on Sunday 31st July. Our very approachable and friendly group offers a truly warm welcome irrespective of your experience or abilities. If you do volunteer you'll be genuinely amazed at what you see and what's already been accomplished. It is essential though that you let us/me know in advance if you'd like to visit. These are worthwhile tasks and, I assure you, the satisfaction of playing a part is considerable. If you can't make the 31st, don't worry. You'll still get a job! All the best Ian Bull

Hullo Louisa, The annual 'Green Chain Megawalk' takes place on the last Saturday in September. It's 21.5 miles from Crystal Palace to Erith at average walking place. You're right, it really is fun and tremendous camaraderie can build up. Some of the regular participants have suggested an additional Megawalk in June to mark the shortest night of the year. They want to do this overnight! I think this is a brilliant idea and current thoughts are for either Friday 17th or Saturday 18th June leaving Crystal Palace at 11pm or Midnight. I'll let everyone know closer to the date. Best - Ian

Hullo Acumenman and Lost Yorkshire Man, Thanks to 'Lost Yorkshire' for furnishing the answer. That map is part of the Green Chains 'Route Pack' which you can obtain by visiting... http://www.greenchain.com/ It will cost you ?3.50 but covers the whole 50 mile network and is laminated for use in wet weather. There's another simpler map on the same website. To the left, click on 'Explore the network' and the click section 11 on the map that's displayed. Unfortunately Walk London's website doesn't yet have a map of the Dulwich/Nunhead to Crystal Palace extension. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, I'd just like to thank everyone for taking part. I was left with a strong impression that you all thoroughly enjoyed it! There aren't very many organised walks on the Green Chain these days but 'Walk London' will be offering two more over the last weekend in May. There will also be an opportunity to walk all the way to the Eastern extremity of the Green Chain in mid June and further walks in late September. I will post details on ED. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, Just to remind you all that this walk received enough advanced support for it to go ahead and it's tomorrow! (Saturday 29th). The entry has appeared in the 'What's on' section as message 6,606585 which is very near the top. The thread is called 'Green Chain - Free guided walk - 29th'. We're starting at the College Road entrance to Dulwich Park outside Dulwich Picture Gallery at 1.30pm. It's 5.5 miles long and will take us on a very pleasant part of the Green Chain to Crystal Palace. I look forward to seeing you! Ian Bull

Hullo Louisiana, Each September, usually on the last Saturday in September, is the 'Green Chain Megawalk'. It's all the way from CP to Erith in one go - 21.5 miles. I mentioned it here and a few people from ED did take part. If there was sufficient interest I'd be quite happy to organise another of these long distance walks earlier in the year. There is also a bizarre idea circulating of repeating the Megawalk *overnight* on 25th & 26th December. The idea of a 'Super Megawalk' from Nunhead to Erith has been mentioned as well. Now that would be fun! If anyone's interested in the above - let me know! Ian

No, all very friendly and unofficial. The times and details will appear on Walk London's website and I'll post them here. On the day, just turn up! Should be good. :) Best Ian

Hullo Lisa, Thanks for the above. Interest has been encouraging and Walk London have agreed to adding this to their schedule for Saturday 29th January. They'll be narration about the route and some old photos for everyone to look at. It will just be an afternoon's stroll of about five and a half miles but it's a lovely path and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it. I'll post all the details on ED about 10 days in advance. All the best Ian

Hullo everyone, Given the interest in these gates might there be some interest in the Green Chain itself? See my post entitled "A Green Chain Walk in January anyone?". If there is any interest I'll ask Walk London to have one of their guided walks on the Dulwich to Crystal Palace section at the end of January. These walks come with narration and old photographs etc. but there's 50 miles of the GCW for Walk London to choose from, not just Dulwich! Best - Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, Would you like to explore the Green Chain? Last September I led the walk that opened the Green Chain's extension from Dulwich and Nunhead to Crystal Palace. Over 200 took part and I suspect it would have been 400 if the weather hadn't been so rotten. Only 48 braved the driving rain for the very attractive section from Dulwich Picture Gallery to Crystal Palace though. Walk London have asked me to devise some walks for the last weekend in January. Would anyone like a further stroll over the route? If so, please say so here or send me a private message. I was thinking about repeating Dulwich Picture Gallery to Crystal Palace for those who were too cold and soaked last time. If there's sufficient interest I'll add it to the list, probably for Saturday 29th January. I look forward to droves of enthusiastic replies! All the best Ian Bull

Hullo Louisiana, Thanks for the above. I do hope you enjoyed the walk. Perhaps 'bandwidth' is not quite the right term yet I think my point is correct. The photos are on a gallery website and I must assume that the photographer has a free account. The problem with these gallery providers is that they expect a fairly small number of people (100?) to access 'our day at the beach' which is typical of their content. Were a large number of users to seek access the subscriber might well find their account unexpectedly cancelled due to a terms of use abuse. This has happened to many people whom I know. The amount of data may be small but the gallery providers do wish to make some money. Cancelling a free account for over-use is widely used to persuade subscribers to seek a paid-for account. The walks were mentioned on several bulletin boards and so far there have been just under 3,500 'hits'. Less than 300 people took part. It's so easy to click on a link! So far just one person has sent me a PM asking for the link. If I made the photos url publicly available I suspect the photographer could easily lose their account through hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people having a look. I believe that requesting a PM for access is reasonable. Please do send me a PM if you'd like the url! All the best Ian

Hullo everyone, Many thanks to all who braved the weather and attended the opening of the Green Chain Walk's extension on Sunday 26th. Thanks also to those who took part in the fifth Crystal Palace to Erith 'Megawalk' on Saturday 25th. It was a real pleasure, on both days, to walk with such splendid people. I'm sorry I couldn't speak with more of you. The penalty of being stuck at the front... I had my work cut out. About 200 people participated on the 26th, I wonder how many more there'd have been with better weather? The railway to Crystal Palace High Level station closed in 1954. Since then it's been a well trodden route, not least by my fellow railway enthusiasts. The Green Chain footpath network opened in 1977 and adding the old railway was first mooted decades ago. Publicly financed mootings began about seven years ago. Today's route follows the line less closely but I hope you'll agree that the landscape and views are the better for that. Now that the extension is with us you might like to follow the Green Chain a little further, perhaps a lot further. It's well worth it! One of the participants on Saturdays Megawalk has placed an insight into what's East of Crystal Palace online. If I put the link here his bandwidth would be exceeded very rapidly! But, if you send me a PM, I'll supply the link. There will be more walks on the Green Chain over the last weekend in January. I hope the moderators won't mind if I post some details here. Again, thank you all for being such great company and I hope you enjoyed the weekend's walks as much as I did. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo felt-tip, Thanks very much for the above and sorry for the delay in replying. I'm pleased you enjoyed the Megawalk, so did I. If anything it was a bit too easy this year as all the walkers were so competent. Usually I have to run miles rounding-up and encouraging the weary. I hope those feet were well soaked and that you'll give it another bash next year. There's a super series of photos taken this year by Babul, who came all the way from New Hampshire. I'm sending you the url in a private message. If I put it here his bandwidth would be burnt up very rapidly! The annual Megawalk shows just how good the Green Chain is and why it's well worth venturing further. If anyone else wants to see this years photos just PM me and I'll send you the url as well. Thanks again felt-tip. A pleasure to have your company. Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, I think I should have said that Prams, pushchairs and buggies etc. will encounter some difficulty on the Green Chain extension walk on the Sunday 26th. In Sydenham Hill Woods Nature Reserve a kissing gate makes it necessary to lift carriages. Those wishing to complete the walk to Crystal Palace will, I'm afraid, find two further such obstacles. I hope this doesn't deter you! Ian Bull

Hullo again everyone, As requested, here's a map of the Green Chain Walk's extension including the Dulwich branch. The first part of Sunday 26ths walk, from Nunhead to Dulwich Park, is shown with a dotted green line. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo Peterstorm1985, Here are two I drew up to measure the mileages. You'll have to zoom out a little with the slider on the left. Please don't attempt to edit them! Nunhead - Crystal Palace is at... Sydenham Hill Woods - Dulwich Park is at... There is a specially commissioned 'artistic' version and tomorrow I'll ask the Green Chain office if I may upload it. All the best Ian Bull

Hullo everyone, Are you interested in fitness, walking and, great landscape? On the weekend of 25th & 26th September the Green Chain Walk, London's first long distance footpath network, extends into Dulwich. An array of remarkable views and the Capital's finest woodland await you. An important new amenity, this is the first major extension to the network since its inception in 1977. To make the most of this, two free guided walks are taking place and everyone in Dulwich is more than welcome to join either or both of them. ** On the 25th there'll be the fifth Green Chain Megawalk. This takes us from Crystal Palace to the Thames at Erith, the furthest point on the network, in just one day. If you've ever wondered where the GC goes to this is for you and you don't need to be an athlete to complete it. Despite traversing 21.5 miles the measured pace has always seen just about everyone finish. You can do this, and you certainly won't regret it! ** The 26th sees the opening of the extension to Dulwich. We start fairly late at 2pm (time to recover from the Megawalk) from Nunhead and make our way to Dulwich Park (5 miles) for a reception. The walk will then optionally progress to Crystal Palace (8.5 miles) so we can say we we're the first to complete the new footpath's course. We should be there by 6pm. It's hoped for a really well attended and jolly event so, do tell everyone and bring them along. Details of both walks are given below. I'm leading them on behalf of Walk London and very much hope to see you over the weekend. If you have any queries do feel very free to contact me. All the best Ian Bull ------------------------ ** The 25th's 'Megawalk' has brief details at... ** The opening of the Green Chain Walk's extension on the 26th has brief details at... ** The Green Chain's website is... ***Greater details are given below.*** ======================= Saturday 25th September 2010. The fifth Green Chain 'Megawalk'. ----------------------- South East London's 'Green Chain' stretches in a great arc from Crystal Palace to Erith. The first long distance footpath in the Capital it links together a huge variety of undeveloped greenery ranging from playing fields to miles of uninterrupted dense woodland. The Green Chain also offers spectacular views over London and out into the North Sea. The annual Megawalk allows you to see the best of those views and landscapes in one day. A 9.15am start at Crystal Palace is followed by 21.5 miles of splendid walking to Erith. For much of the walk you'll have no idea that you are in a City, let alone London. The key to completing this pleasantly challenging walk is solid progress at average walking pace. No faster and certainly no slower. If three, to three and a half mph is maintained the walk will be comfortably completed by our cut-off time of 6.15pm. The cream of walking in London, the Megawalk generates terrific camaraderie and, a wonderful feeling of achievement at the end. You can see the route online at... http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3142264 for Crystal Palace to Shooters Hill. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3095310 for Shooters Hill to Erith. ** Some important points! ** * Meet 9.15am at Crystal Palace railway station. * You must be reasonably fit to complete this walk. It is steep in places, notably after lunch. * A packed lunch is essential. * Make sure you have plenty of water with you. * The walk leaders No. on the day is 077 998 101 78. NOTE: this cannot accept SMS Texts or voicemail. There's always pleasant company, the camaraderie and landscape sees everyone through to the finish and yes, it really is London's best walk. Feel free to contact the Walk Leader, Ian Bull, in advance. 020 7223 3572 ianbull AT btinternet DOT com =========================== Sunday 26th September 2010. Opening of the Green Chain Walks extension. --------------------------- Good news! On Sunday 26th the Green Chain Walk's long awaited extension from Crystal Palace to Nunhead will open. There will be an opening ceremony followed by a walk along the route. Everyone is most welcome. The route really is very pleasant. The ridge of land between Nunhead and Crystal Palace affords wonderful views and the greenery throughout gives the course a rural air. If you've not been to the area before you'll see some wonderful vistas of London that might surprise you. We'll start from Nunhead station at 2pm and make our way into the Victorian splendour of Nunhead Cemetery for the 'Ribbon Cutting' ceremony. We then progress via Camberwell New Cemetery, One Tree Hill, Camberwell Old Cemetery and Horniman Gardens (Public Conveniences available) to Sydenham Hill Woods Nature Reserve. Here we'll take the extensions branch to Dulwich Park where a reception with refreshments will take place between 4.00-4.30pm or slightly later. We'll have covered just under five miles. There will be the option of a flatter route via Brenchley Gardens avoiding the steep climb up One Tree Hill. For those wishing to enjoy the whole route we'll continue from the Dulwich Park reception back down the branch to Sydenham Hill Woods and make our way through the rest of the Nature Reserve to the former Upper Sydenham railway station, High Level Drive, and Crystal Palace Park for buses and trains home. We'll be there by 6pm and will have done just under 8.5 miles. The walk will be led by Mark Budd, the Green Chain Walk's Project Officer, and myself, on behalf of Walk London. If you'd like further details contact Mark at [email protected] or myself at ianbullATbtinternetDOTcom We both very much look forward to seeing you. If you'd like to make it a Green Chain walking weekend, Saturday 25th sees the fifth Green Chain 'Megawalk'. See All the best Ian Bull