Bookings are closed for this event.
18th September 2021, 09:30 - 16:00
Join Street Angel Leaders and our Chairman Gordon Jackson together with Vice Presidents, Chris Howard and Ken Bare (who are also the Chairman and Co-ordinator of Guildford’s Walkfest, respectively) on a sponsored Angel Walk along the North Downs Way from Guildford to Farnham. The Surrey Hills Society Events Team will be leading this sponsored walk to raise funds for the important work done by Guildford’s Street Angels and the Guildford Community Angels, two fabulous projects run by Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy (GTCC).
A team of ‘Angels’ will be treading the stunning Surrey countryside by following this ancient route of pilgrims along the North Downs Way, as a fund-raiser for the charity. Surrey Hills Society members, friends and supporters and members of the public are invited to join for all or part of the route. We are honoured that The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, who is both Patron of GTCC and the Surrey Hills will be joining us for some of the walk.
The 11 mile route will start in Guildford, with a coffee break at Watts Gallery, Compton. Some people may just wish to walk from Guildford to Watts Gallery and enjoy the coffee break and not participate on the afternoon walk. After Watts Gallery we then continue on through the lovely Hampton Estate and the old hop fields of Puttenham breaking for a bring your own picnic on the trail.
There are therefore 4 options in relation to the event:
2. Walk with us from Guildford just to Watts Gallery (about 3 miles) and at your option enjoy a coffee before you leave.
3. Join us at Watts Gallery for optional coffee and then do the 8 mile walk to Farnham bringing your own picnic lunch.
4. Join us just for the coffee stop at Watts Gallery to support the ‘Angels’.
If you choose to have coffee at Watts Gallery there is a single charge of £3 to cover the refreshment cost. Please choose the Refreshment Option in addition to your walking option.
The Award winning Guildford Street Angels are well known for patrolling their cobbled High Street, bringing a calming presence to the night-time economy, which they have been doing since 2008, every Friday and Saturday night between 10.30pm and 4am. Each year they assist some 5,000 people, providing a hospitable and compassionate presence in the town centre, reducing the risk of anti-social behaviour and crime. They seek to reassure, offering practical help to enable people to get home safely. They give flip flops for broken heels, foil blankets to protect against hypothermia, offer a listening ear, re-charge mobile phones and signpost people to other services.
Sister project, Community Angels, was established in 2018 to provide a befriending service for vulnerable adults of any age living in Guildford. Their aim is to reduce loneliness and isolation by training volunteers to provide one to one support, encouraging individuals to reconnect with their local community. During the pandemic, demand for this compassionate service has increased dramatically, and a blend of telephone and personal contact has been provided. For more information about the work of the Angels visit www.gtcc.org.uk
You are invited to sign up and seek sponsorship, or “Be an Angel” by sponsoring our team of walkers, to encourage the host of ‘Angels’ on their way – it costs over £90,000 a year to run the Angel projects. Please donate to help keep them protecting the vulnerable on our streets, no donation is too small! Go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/21Walkfestangelwalk for details.
Guildford Walkfest is now in its 12th year and offers a full month of walks to celebrate the beautiful borough in which many of us live. The festival is run by volunteers from all the different walking groups represented in the borough, including the Surrey Hills Society.
This walk is for moderately fit walkers. You should note that the North Downs Way is hilly and has variable unmade surfaces. Consequently, the event is not suitable for young children, those with hip or knee problems or who are unable to maintain a reasonable pace. Obedient dogs on leads are welcome. We would re-emphasise that the event is definitely not suitable for anyone with mobility challenges.
Meet us at Guildford Railway Station from 9.15am for a 9.30am prompt start and an approx. finish around 4.00pm, depending on our pace. This 11 mile, linear walk will take us to Farnham from where we will return by bus, car share or train. There are several long stay car parks in Guildford. See www.guildford.gov.uk/carparks for details.
The event is free, but booking is essential. Book your place at the bottom of this page and register on the understanding that you are fundraising and/or donating to the Angel Walk via the GTCC sponsorship page. You may visit their page here.
You should not attend if you are feeling unwell or show any COVID-19 symptoms and, if you need to cancel, please let us know. If government advice alters prior to the event, we may implement changes or cancellation at short notice.
For further details and enquiries contact us at info@surreyhillssociety.org
By continuing and making a booking you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Terms & Conditions specified in our Cancellation Policy and Responsibility Statement, both of which can be viewed by clicking here