Wiltshire Wanderer Issue 15, May 2010
Newsletter of the Wiltshire LDWA Group
Welcome to the Wilts
We have the following new members who have joined the Group since the last Newsletter: Neil Scott (Bampton), Johnny Bullard (Salisbury), Jacky Page (Warminster), The Dunville Family (Amesbury), Martin Webb (Purton), Andrew Todd (Devizes), Richard French (Swindon), Richard & Karen Satchel (Edington), Linda Barrett (Swindon), Brian Cranfield (Salisbury), John Campbell (Faringdon), Margaret Hurst (Wroughton), Andrew Shakeshaft (Westbury), Paul Hatvany (Colerne), and Simon Hickey (Lyneham). A warm welcome to all and we hope to meet in person some day on a social walk. I have included their nearest major location, as I am sure some existing members might like to know that there are others of their ilk in the vicinity.
In Memoriam
I am sure all of the current members will know of the tragic death of Miriam Mitchell whilst cycling to visit her husband. Many of you where present at the burial service, and thus able to pay your last respects to a delightful individual. The following is a note from her sister, Sybil:
"This is to say thank you to all of you who came to Miriam's funeral and to say good bye. It is also to thank
the many people who, for one reason or another could not come, for all your supportive messages and for sharing moments of your lives
when they included Miriam. Apologies if you receive more than one of this message, but I'm sending this to any contact that I have.
With my sincere best wishes, Sybil."
A walk in memory of Miriam is proposed, probably around the same route that she lead us on last year. Details to follow.
Pray silence for an address from your Chairman
The Group has got off to a fine start this Spring, after the first real Winter in decades. Turnouts for our walks have never been better and there is even keen competition to lead them. If you are tempted to lead a walk, don't hesitate in contacting Paul Hopkins or Stuart Sutton.
Our Pewsey Downsaround challenge walk in April was even better attended than last year's successful event. A total of 138 walkers started from the Scout Hut in Pewsey - a record in itself. Of these, 59 elected to walk or run the 26 mile circuit; this route had been extended to ensure it was a true 'marathon'. Last year's decision to introduce a 16 mile route paid dividends as more people walked this route than the 35 mile one. This year we experimented with a 10 mile 'family' route which attracted ten entrants; several of them promised to return next year to walk the 16 mile route, a healthy trend in itself.
Many heartfelt thanks to all of you who volunteered to help on the Downsaround. Whether you were in the Scout Hut HQ, at any of the six checkpoints, transporting the food and equipment or sweeping, without your efforts the event could never have taken place. Thanks again.
Our weekends away are continuing to be among the highlights of the Group's programme. In April we had a weekend in Devon, which incorporated the Chagford Challenge event. In early May there was an excellent turnout for our Peak District weekend in Bakewell. We were joined by members of other LDWA Groups as far afield as Heart of England, Merseystride, Wessex and High Peak. Our fame is spreading!
Dave Drake will lead our next weekend away on October 8, 9 and 10th. This will be a linear jaunt along the Mid -Wilts Way. Don't miss out on this as it it promises to be a splendid weekend in our home county.
Finally, there has been a little confusion regarding the venue of this year's AGM. This will take place at the Royal Oak in Pewsey on December 5th; it seems a long way off but it will come soon enough.
Keep on walking
John Walker
Week Day Walks Programme
Details of our week day walks which are generally on the third Thursday of the month are on the Week Day Walks page.
Week End Walks Programme
Details of our week end walks which are generally on the first Sunday of the month throughout the year with some additional mid month walks in the summer. All are on the are on the Week End Walks page.
An offer you cannot refuse!!
The irrepressible Adrian has concluded that the Group really needs an identifying Wilts.
shirt, and after investigation has come up with the following proposal:
On offer to members, polo shirts or sweat shirts, with the Wiltshire LDWA logo embroidered on each garment.
Colours: Navy Blue, Bottle Green, Royal Blue, Burgundy. Size: S, M, L, XL.
Estimated cost: Polo shirt, (short sleeve with collar) £12.85, Sweat shirt, (round neck, long sleeve) £14.05.
To order: email adrianccrocker@googlemail.com
Another amazing offer exclusive to Wilts Group members!!
Want to learn the basics of map reading or using your GPS or both? Bea Therin has kindly volunteered to put on a map and GPS training course during the summer. See her note below. If you are interested in participating, please email her on Beatrice Thérin, email beatrice_therin@hotmail.com.
During the summer I am going to run some map reading and learning to use your GPS training and if these are successful continue them on a regular basis. In small groups the training will consist of some theoretical learning and lots of practical outside learning on location. I will be your trainer and it's my hope that in a fun environment and small group size you quickly pick up the basics.
Hoping that I tempt some of you to learn new skills whilst having fun.
Bea
A Charity walk with a Difference
Stuart Sutton completed a sponsored walk last year in aid of the returning troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. As one of the UK's classic walks, in addition to it being a worthy cause, I am sure some people will be interested in his account of The Great Glen Way.
And now, a couple of items from Roger Swift
I just don't know how much John Walker paid him to send this in. From the Guardian Newspaper entitled 'The Pensive Walker' or some other tosh.
The sociable strider:
"The deepest friendships I've had in my life have been with people that I've met through walking. The fact that you are exercising your body
tends to open your mind as well. So if you are walking with someone else, it's amazing how honest you become with each other. Certainly, in
long distance walking, by the time you see the second dawn with someone, whatever masks you might have had at the beginning have long since
disappeared."
John Walker
The long distance hiker
"I was about 72 when someone put me in touch with the LDWA, and I've been walking with them ever since. It has improved my fitness levels
hugely. In fact, I'm now aware that I'm a lot fitter than some younger people I know. And it's good for my state of mind, too.
Everything melts away, and you can just enjoy the moment. Now I really don't feel my day is complete
unless I've had an out of doors buzz. There's no great mystique about it: it's just a natural, normal thing to do."
Betty Lewis
And to follow that, a write up on the Pewsey Downsaround et al by Betty.
Not our usual practice, but seems like a worthy appeal
Wiltshire Group member Mark Stephens is going to walk Wainwright's Coast-to Coast in aid of Help for Heroes in July, and is looking for sponsorship. Whilst this is a wonderful walk, (I would happily pay someone to do it myself), this is an excellent cause and one I hope we will all support.
I have attached a copy of Mark's sponsorship form. At the very least, we should chip in as a group, and I will start the ball rolling for a fiver. Those who fail to contribute should note that Mark is a W.O.2 in Signals at Salisbury, and you will get 7 days jankers if you wimp out! (note for the chronically challenged - Stuart Sutton will help out with a translation of jankers). Please call Mark on 01722 433999 or email mark.stevens887@mod.uk to register your contribution.
A Challenge Walk Virgin on the Chagford
Adrian's account of his first challenge walk and a couple of other week ends away can be seen on the Away Days page.
Other People News
I always thought that the estimable Laura Glynne-Jones was too good to last, and I have once again been proved right! Sadly, she is going to run a B&B in the Lake District, in a place called High Newton. Maybe we will run a Lakes weekend some day, and renew our acquaintance.
I am sorry to say there is little in the way of good news about Stuart Harding, who you may remember suffered a debilitating stroke in October. However, he is making progress and has now been moved to Woodside Nursing Centre in Bathwick Hill. A number of members have visited him there, and report that he is showing signs of slow improvement. We all wish a grand old walker a speed recovery.
Future events for your Diary
- October 8, 9 and 10th. Mid-Wilts Linear weekend walk. Leader Dave Drake
- December 5. Christmas Walk and AGM
- March 17th. Chagford Challenge
- April 10th. 2011 Pewsey Downsaround
- May 6, 7 and 8th. Shropshire Group Weekend. Leader Roger Swift
And Finally
To my shame, I invited contributions for the Newsletter, but did not realize how many budding authors there were in the Group. So, the rest will have to wait until the next edition, as this one is too long already; grovel, grovel. I could not, however, resist the following item sent by Roger Swift extracted from the Grudian.
Michael O'Leary of Ryanair is in a Dublin bar and orders a pint of Guinness.
"That will be one euro" says the barman.
"That's a very reasonable price!" says O'Leary.
The barman leans forward,
"And will ye be wanting a glass as well, Mr O'Leary?"
And also - have you noticed that Amazon is offering walking boots at 33% discount? So, a final great heave and the missive is dispatched over the ether. Personally, I am off to Turkey and Georgia for a few weeks.
Good Walking
Phil