MBRA Coffee & Chat Events
The Summer Events programme got off to a flying start when a large group of MBRA members got together at the Henry Street Café on Thursday 7th May to celebrate Mike N’s 90th Birthday. Mike – a legend in his own lifetime - was a MBRA walk leader for many years and is a valued friend. Congratulations Mike! Kaye G, a mere teenager in comparison, celebrated her 80th on the same day. Proof indeed that walking keeps us fit, ‘young’ and healthy!!
This Coffee Meeting event was one of many that have been organised by Gloria and Mike R, who have discovered some great venues for us to meet, chat and enjoy cake! Please join us as all Ramblers are welcome to become part of the community. Check the MBRA website for details.
“THE BEST PART OF A WALK IS THE CAKE AT THE END OF IT” and our Walk Leaders have been very successful in ensuring that there’s always a good café or hostelry where we can relax and indulge on completion of our walk and be joined by non-walkers. It has become an essential element of every recce to identify the best venue in which to complete our walk experience!
WALK LEADERS/ EVENT ORGANISERS – Sadly, despite our appeal in the Spring Newsletter nobody new has yet come forward to volunteer to lead walks or organise events. Our small band of Walk Leaders will continue to maintain a programme of walks and strolls where possible, so please support them. We are fortunate that Ramblers’ Groups in Berkshire offer a good selection of walks throughout the county, operating most days of the week in which as a member of Ramblers you can easily participate. Details of these local walks can be found on our website . Much shorter Wellbeing Walks (10 minutes to an hour) operate locally. Details of this option can be discovered on the www.ramblers.org.uk website. As member of Ramblers, you’ll never be short of walking opportunities wherever you are.
*NEW DATE FOR YOUR DIARY*- Booking Essential
WALK & SUMMER LUNCH, THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026 @ THE HIGHWAYMAN, EXLADE STREET CHECKENDON RG8 0UA
Paul has booked The Highwayman Inn at Exlade Street for a Walk & Summer Lunch. We visited this excellent establishment for our Christmas Lunch, and we hope you’ll sign up in August. There will be a stroll as well as a longer walk and details will be posted on the Walks Programme. We need to pre-order Main Courses only by Friday 21st August. (Dessert/coffee can be ordered as required on the day).
Please choose your Main Course from the A la Carte Menu only which can be found at: https://thehighwayman-inn.co.uk
NB: do not select from the Set Lunch menu which is subject to regular change!!
To book, please contact
AUTUMN HOLIDAY 2026
19th – 23rd OCTOBER 2026 – Studley Castle, Studley, Warwickshire
32 people are booked for this holiday, and participants should have made final payments by now. Walk Leaders will be researching routes, so if you can help with the walk programme, please contact Robert W on
SPRING HOLIDAY 2027 - Warners Corton Coast Hotel
We have made a booking for four nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Corton Coast Hotel, Lowestoft, Suffolk from Monday 12th to Friday 16th April 2027. The reservation includes: 20 singles and 10 twin/doubles. There are 5 premier suites within the twin/doubles; which are equivalent to Signature rooms. Warners now operate a dynamic pricing structure, so Maggie cannot confirm the other upgrade prices until you want to take one.
Unfortunately the single supplement is costed differently now and single room upgrades are very expensive. Comprehensive details of all the room rates can be found on our website. The cost includes evening entertainment, pool and gym access, as well as daily activities. We plan to offer a range of suitable walks. Full details can be found on the MBRA website. For enquiries and bookings, please contact
EARLEY TOWN GREEN FAIR – Saturday 1st August 2026 10am – 3 pm
Location: Maiden Erleigh Nature Reserve – access from bottom of Beech Lane
We hope you will come and visit our Stand where we are promoting membership of both The Ramblers and Mid Berks. Annual Membership of Ramblers at £45.00, less than £1 per week, is superb value and opens up opportunities to join a friendly community of walkers, share an extensive library of walking routes countrywide, improve your health, enjoy nature and fresh air but importantly amplify your voice to call to account those who should maintain paths and ensure fully open access to our countryside.
PLEASE come and support us during the day to talk to visitors and promote the benefits of walking, WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!! It will be much appreciated if you can join the Team for an hour or two, morning or afternoon or just with the end of day clear up, please email Kaye G on:
LOCAL NEWS UPDATE: Thames Path between Marlow-Henley: Bryan Ferry Service
Temple Bridge, between Henley and Marlow, remains closed. However, a new ferry across the Thames has been introduced so that Thames Path walkers can avoid the current dangerous diversion. The ferry known as Bryan Ferry, run by Julian Whelan, can take 12 passengers operating from 10 am and 3 pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays with the intention to expand the service in summer, if possible, once a volunteer rota is established. Passengers can join the ferry on the Temple side to Hurley or vice versa at a cost of £2.50 each way for adults and £1.50 for children under 12 yrs.
ALL FEEDBACK REGARDING THE NEWSLETTER OR
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE FEATURES ARE WELCOME.
CONTACT US ON: Email:
MEANWHILE KEEP WALKING AND STAY IN TOUCH
IMPORTANT LINKS & CONTACTS:
Our website: www.mbra.org.uk
Membership Email:
Holidays Email:
Footpaths Email:
Publicity Email: