Many of our members can expect to get a first vaccination before too long. Hopefully, this means that an end is in sight and hopefully before too long we shall be able to resume walking as a group.

Glasgow Ramblers Winter Challenge and talk on The History of ’s Parks

Quite amazing but between us, we have recorded and walked over one hundred parks and greenspaces, see attachment. These walks have been almost entirely within the city boundaries. Only one walk was a group walk and the rest have been walked by at most two people. Thank you to everyone who has sent in photos, dates and walk details. Once restrictions are eased, we will have a few more recced walks ready to lead. Lots of interesting parks, cemeteries, greenspaces and corridors linking these have been found. The blog, Walk Glasgow Parks can be found on walkglasgowparks.wordpress.com The prizewinners for the longest walk of 22km are Helen and Geoff who walked the Seven Lochs Way from Loch to to the edge of Drumpellier Country Park and back via Auchinlea Park. The prize for the best photographer is shared between Sandra and Virginia. And the prize for the best walk title goes to Bobby for "Bobby’s Five” and he has offered to lead this walk before too long.

All the parks on the original list have been walked. This seems a good time to bring the Challenge to an end and what better way than to listen to Gary Linstead, the SE Glasgow Countryside Ranger, talk about the history of the parks in Our Dear Green Place. Gary gave a similar talk at one of our AGMs but it is a topic worth revisiting especially now that we have actually wandered through all these places. We’ll also share some highlights.

Talk The History of Glasgow Parks When Tuesday 16th February 2021 Time 7pm sharp but log in after 6.45pm How by Zoom. If you are interested in attending then email [email protected] and he will send you the Zoom link

Photographic competition Geoff and Alan would like to replace some of the photographs on our Glasgow Ramblers website with new ones. So this is your opportunity to display your talent and skill by having your photographs on the GG website. To achieve this we need YOU to submit your photographic gems that you have taken on your walks. Your Photos should have been taken in the the past two or three years. If your photo includes people who are recognisable then they should be members of our group who have agreed to have their photograph taken.

Geoff and Alan will choose the photos that are suitable for the website. From those a winner will be selcted for an image to replace theone on our web page. Please send your photographs (max 5 each) to Alan by email at [email protected]

Covid Advice from Ramblers

Scotland - It is the law to ‘stay at home’ at all times apart from when taking part in a few limited exempt activities, which include local outdoor recreation.  Walking with family & friends: A legal exemption allows unlimited local outdoor walks, provided you follow existing travel advice. You can walk in one household, or groups of up to two people from up to two households. There are separate exemptions for childrenaged 11 and under.  Ramblers group walks: All Scottish group walks are currently suspended.  Path maintenance: All path maintenance activities are currently suspended.  Other Ramblers activities: All other Ramblers activities are currently suspended, unless they can be carried out from home.

Magnificent Eleven Update It is a sobering thought to think that without the pandemic, the route would now be fully waymarked. The first draft of the leaflet was sent to to Glasgow Council and the Friends of Groups for comment. Many, many thanks to Ian Brooke who has led five of our group members working on the leaflet which will shortly be finalised. Due to the current restrictions, we cannot get on with the completion of the way-marking but we are now ordering the roundels for the wooden posts and bigger ones for lamp posts. We look forward to sharing it with you all.

ELearning for Walk Leaders The Walk Leader(WL) course has been converted to an online course so that you can learn from home. For new WL this is an opportunity to understand & know the basic skills needed for when we are out there on a group led walk. For the experienced WL it is a golden opportunity to refresh your understanding of the role from the comfort of your home. New WL can access access this training once they are recorded on Assemble. To access E Learning go to Training Tab on your assemble profile and click the link for WL foundation where there are instructions to guide you.

Ramblers newsletter You will have seen in the recent newsletter that the Scottish Council takes place early in March but one of the events takes place this month, .Dick Balharry Memorial Talk. This year the talk will be given by Pammy Johal via Zoom on 26th February commencing at 7pm. Scottish Council will take place on 6th March. In the afternoon there will be a presentation Successes of the Year at 2pm.which is open to all members. This is where you can learn about the most significant projects, campaigns and share your views & questions. Further details of the above events in the Ramblers Scotland newsletter.

In the newsletter from Ramblers GB there is information on Assemble including an online tour, creative ways to keeping in touch, beat lockdown blues.

So here we are February 2021, moving forward aiming for One Step Beyond the heartache, bewilderment, strain of the pandemic and striding out for better times. Attached is a manifesto for improving everyone's health. Take a look, have a read, together we can make a difference to one and all.

Walk Back Better - a manifesto for 2021 https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/mediaLibrary/other/english/walk-back- better_manifesto-2021.pdf 100 Parks & Greenspaces walked by Glasgow Ramblers 1st Dec 2020 to 31st Jan 2021 Alexandra Park Glasgow University Campus Arboretum Glenconnor Park Auchinlea Park New Park Auldhouse Park Gorbals Rose Garden Park Park Park Greenbank Park Bingham’s Pond LNR Hampden Bowling Club Bishop Loch LNR Hayburn Park Bloomfield Park Hogarth Park Botanic Gardens Hogganfield Park LNR Cairnhill Woods Holmlea Park Cardowan Moss LNR Househill Park Low Green Kelvin Way Park LNR Cemeteries Kings Park Cathedral Square Park Country Park LNR Linn Park LNR Malls Mire LNR Cessnock Festival Park Park Claypits LNR Maxwell Park Clyde Walkway Mount Vernon Park Crookston Castle Naseby Park Cross Park Netherton Braes Crosshill Park Newlands Park Coulter’s Wood North Kelvin Children’s Meadow Cunigar Loop Country Park Park Old Station Park Dams to LNR Newlands Park Darnley Mill Park Petershill Park LNR Plantation Park Park Possil Marsh Dyce Park Rotten Row Gardens Earlybraes Park Library Park Eastfield Park Queens Park Elder Park Queens Park Recreation Ground Fernbrae Meadows LNR Richmond Park Forth and Clyde Canal. + Glasgow Spur Cemetery Frankfield Loch Park LNR Wood Ross Hall Park Garscube Estate Park Gartnavel Hosp – Walled garden + Southern Necropolis Maggie’s centre garden Strathclyde Sculpture Park Sighthill Cemetery Park Park Park Temple Walkway The Hidden Garden The Necropolis Victoria Park Nature Walk. Tollcross Park Western Necropolis. Park Trinley Brae Park Victoria Park