FOOTPRINTS NEWSLETTER OF THE DALES GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS January 2016 Nick’s Natterings

It is with much sadness that I announce the death of one of our stalwart members, David Snodin, who died in October, aged 80 years. Although living on the outskirts of Worksop, he was a regular attendee on our Thursday walks, downshifting to the Tuesday extra-leisurely walks when increasing infirmity took its toll on his body. David was a real character who would always crack a joke, even during the final days of his illness- es. A dozen or more of the D.D. Group attended his funeral. At our committee meetings, there has been much debate about allowing dogs on our walks, with views ranging between “I don’t like dogs” and “I love dogs”. Obviously respect has to be shown for both extremes, so if the walk details say “No dogs”, please respect the leader’s request by not bringing any dogs along. That way no embarrassing scenes will oc- cur at the walk start. In all other cases, please check by ringing the walk leader beforehand to ascertain that it is suitable to bring along a dog (the walk may pass through fields with cows, calves & even bulls). Dave Pearson is doing a sterling job as our Footpath Secretary and has a short article in this edition asking for recruits as Parish Wardens. Please try to offer your help. When submitting walk details to our walk collectors, I am as guilty as much as others when I submit the description “local walk”, having not yet decided the exact route my walk will take. However, when it comes to entering the walk description onto Ramblers CO Group Walks system, actual place names need to be listed, as that will be the search criteria that members/visitors to the website will be entering. Thanks to Paul Greenfield for his work as Footprints editor. He has now resigned. We are looking for a replacement. Any volunteers?

Nick Stephens. Chairman

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Ken Hammond On Sunday 2 August some of the members gathered on the Cromford Canal, opposite Leawood Pumping Station, for the “opening” of a bench which they had had installed in memory of the late chairman and presi- dent, Ken Hammond. Ken did sterling work for the group during his life- time and members thought it a fitting tribute to honour his memory with a bench and plaque in a popular place for walkers. Ken was an engineer during his working life and it was felt that the siting of the bench opposite the pumping station was an ideal place and that Ken would have ap- proved. The bench was funded jointly by members and Ken’s family. Thanks must also go to Patrick Mountain, ranger with Derbyshire County Council, who facilitated the installation of the bench. The picture shows the current president, Frank Ogden, cutting the ribbon, with chairman, Nick Stephens, and programme secretary, Kath Cartlidge, looking on. We hope that the bench will be well-used by walkers in the future.

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Cromford FP2—temporary closure The footpath at the side of the Cromford canal from Lawns Bridge (SK303567, the bridge opposite the Rugby club pavilion) to High Peak Junction (SK313560) will be closed from 9th November to 31st January 2106 for resurfacing work. There is no alternative route and access to the footpath will be maintained wherever possible.

Derbyshire Dales Group—New Members

We would like to welcome the following members to our Group

Mrs Abrahams Mr N Anthony Ms D Binns Mr N & Mrs A Bestwick Ms Callen Ms J Carter Mr R Essen Mr Green Mr M Cartledge & Ms M McFarlane Mr J & Mrs J Entwistle Miss L France Mr D Furness Ms J Harrison Mrs H Hall Mr D Marshall & Miss A Garbett Mrs S Millward Mr Palazzi Ms Pettett Mrs M Lambert Mr R Rawlinson & Mrs L Rawlinson Mrs J Robson Mrs P Weston Mr D Stevenson & Mrs G Stevenson Mrs L Williams

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Footpath Wardens The group now has 28 path wardens covering 66 parishes and in total they have reported 123 faults, of these 70 have been attended to by the Rights of Way team. Of the remaining 53 faults, 33 are sign posts which are contracted out on an annual basis. Our footpath fixers are dealing with the faults on a monthly basis

We still have 42 parishes without wardens. Anyone who is interested in becoming a warden should look at the list of free parishes and then contact me. Guidance on what is required, along with maps and information regarding start and finish grid references are given.

If you are not sure of what is expected, but like walking paths, give me a ring and we can discuss.

Thanks to all who have volunteered so far.

Dave Pearson [email protected] Tel 01629734576

ALKMONTON FENNY BENTLEY NEWTON GRANGE ATLOW GRATTON NORBURY & ROSTON BALLIDON GRINDLEFORD OUTSEATS BOYLESTONE HATHERSAGE PARWICH HAZELBADGE PILSEY BRADLEY HOLLINGTON RODSLEY CALLOW HUNGRY BENTLEY SHIRLEY CHELMORTON KNIVETON SNELSTON CUBLEY LONGFORD SOMERSALL HERBERT DOVERIDGE MARSTON MONTGOMERY STONEY MIDDLETON EATON,ALSOP MERCASTON SUDBURY EDLASTON & MIDDLETON & SMERRILL YEAVELEY EYAM MONYASH YELDERSLEY

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Wednesday Walkers’ Break Once again the Wednesday ramblers went to the Yorkshire Dales for their mid October break. This year we stayed at the White Rose Hotel, Askrigg in Wensleydale.

On the Monday afternoon of our arrival we all did the 5 mile waterfall walk around Askrigg. On Tuesday the longer circular walk was from Hawes via Hardraw, onwards and upwards along the Pennine Way until lunchtime at Great Gunner Fell. The return was across the grouse moors, Buttertubs Road and to Lovely Seat before descending. Meanwhile the shorter walk (9 miles) was circular from Askrigg to the renowned Aysgarth Waterfalls. Sue and Ian cycled. The Wednesday walks commenced from Wensley Church along the River Ure, returning to Askrigg by Aysgarth Church and bridge, or crossing the river earlier over the perfectly dry stepping stones to Bolton Castle. Some ramblers spent the day visiting the Wensleydale cheese factory. The longer walks on Thursday went southwards from Askrigg across the road bridge to the top of Addlebrough and around the fells. The return route, using the stepping stones below Askrigg was found to be too treacherous, so it was the road bridge again. The short walk was from Hawes to Askrigg. We awoke on Friday to heavy rain but this soon abated as we wound our way home with happy memories of the time we spent in the Yorkshire Dales, enjoying good food, comfortable accommodation, fine weather, interesting walks, competent navigators, good company and spectacular scenery.

Tony Hall

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Tick Fever There has been a bit of coverage in the walking press this year warning us all about tick fever. There are various varieties of this disease and Lyme disease is the one most commonly quoted. If you walk through bracken or heather, ticks may attach themselves to you and this can lead to infection. Thankfully these incidents are relatively rare. Less coverage has been given to another variation of tick fever. This dis- ease is little talked about, but it is arguably both more common and more serious. Certainly, the effects are much longer lasting. I refer to the tick fever which causes walkers to compulsively tick lists. In relatively mild cases the sufferer only has a problem with a single list, but it is sadly much more common after one list is completed another takes its place until the complaint is chronic. In reality at this stage it is a serious addiction which is very difficult to overcome. I have to report that this is becoming a widespread problem and it is highly likely that there are members of the Ramblers who are suffering from this condition. They will try to deny it or pretend that it is only a temporary problem, but sadly, this is usually just a façade to conceal the severity of their addiction. The first stage of the disease may seem very innocent, most people would not consider a list of Munros (this is a list of all the mountains in Scotland over 3,000ft) a hazard, but it is in fact a potentially serious and life changing addiction. Once it has taken hold this condition can last for many years. When the list is finished life becomes meaningless until another list takes its place, some people are so severely affected they have to repeat the list. The worrying thing is that these lists are found everywhere, in books, magazines, newspapers, you may be surprised to learn that there is no legal restriction on the production of lists and the materials to ‘grow your own’ are very easily obtained. In the face of this I have come to the conclusion that it is hopeless to try and cure sufferers, all Derbyshire Dales members can do is to be aware of the condition and offer as much support as possible. This may not be as easy to do as you might think. Light-hearted banter and the appearance of not taking the endeavour seriously is often rejected and can even result in violence and strong language. The best approach is to humour them, praise their efforts and be understanding of the drain on

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household resources that list ticking activity can cause. Almost certainly there is a place for a local group of TFA, Tick Fever Anonymous. However, these groups, though providing vital support, are few in number as at the heart of the condition is the sufferer’s almost complete state of denial that there is in fact a problem.

Symptoms: There are certain symptoms to look out for which indicate that someone you know may be suffering from Tick Fever: 1. Apparently causal but repeated reference of new summits. 2. Innocence, seeming to detour from Group walks to visit certain features. 3 Certain words casually but repeatedly dropped in to the conversation, along with the assumption that you understand their meaning. A glossary of the most common of these is given below, both as a means of supporting sufferers and also as a warning – these words are dangerous.

MUNROS: Mountains in Scotland over 3,000ft. Often the first stage of the disease. WAINWRIGHTS: The hills in the Lake District listed by Alfred Wainwright in his famous guide books. This is also a common first stage in walkers who live in . CORBETTS: Mountains in Scotland under 3,000ft but over 2,500ft NUTTALLS: Hills in England and Wales over 2,00ft MARILYNS: Any hill in the that has an overall ascent of 500ft. TRIG POINTS: This is an indication of how desperate the situation is, there is a list of all trig points available on the internet.

Sue Weatherley

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SOCIAL EVENTS CALENDAR All talks are at Dale Road Methodist Church Hall, Darley Dale. Starting at 2.00pm. Admission £3

Friday 19 February 2016 Chris Hollis: Wildlife of the Picos de Europa Chris’s talk covers the region of Northern Spain. See bears, wolves and a wealth of wildflowers, birds and fabulous butterflies

Friday 18 March 2016 Roger Hartley: Long Distance Trails Roger’s talk and excellent slides are a record of all of the major trails he has done over his 40-year walking career.

Further information may be obtained from Pat Stephens on 01629 650092

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