THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS MAY 2017! The Sheffield Rambler

Spirit of Kinder Day, April 22nd at Edale.

Vanessa Griffiths New Chief Executive

Stuart Maconie President of the Ramblers

Anyone who was there that day, and there were many of us, can certainly feel that we have passionate and influential people looking after our interests in walking around Kinder and many other places in the UK. The speakers were: Dame Helen Ghosh, Director General of the National Trust; Stephen Trotter, Director of the Wildlife Trusts; Jon Stewart, General Manager of the National Trust in the , and Vanessa Griffiths, the new Chief Ex- ecutive of the Ramblers. Vanessa also took the opportunity to introduce Stuart Maconie as the New President of the Ramblers. Stuart is a well known writer and broadcaster and a pas- sionate advocate of walking and walkers’ rights. A new book Clarion Call was launched at the event, quite a fitting time and place, the 85th anniversary of the Kinder Trespass and in the shadow of Kinder Scout. The "master of ceremonies" was Rony Robinson of Radio Sheffield and the event was closed with songs and a mini-play by Sally Goldsmith, local singer and songwriter. Very many people commented it was an inspirational event. Not only can we, the participants, be inspired by such speakers but, in turn, the speakers can them- selves be inspired by such a large and responsive audience. In these uncertain times it is

good to know that there is wide interest and support for walking. Terry Howard

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"Clarion Call"

This book had two launches, one by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and the other at Edale. The book is based on "found" glass slides taken in the early 1900s and a rescued photo album of the 1920s found in a skip. The earlier photos show Ramblers in their "Sunday Best", whatever the weather. Also can be seen the early access pioneers in all their finery, even "without". The photos were traced to actual rambles contained in the Clarion Ram- blers handbooks. The book also includes several other features of interest to Ramblers. Although the book may be about the Clarion Ramblers, it is also about where the Ram- blers Association came from. It has been well received by reviewers and widely publi- cised. I have to strongly recommend it to all who are interested and love walking. Cop- ies are available at most bookshops and outdoor shops at £7-99 but RA members can get copies for the concessionary price of £5-00 (add £2-00 for p & p) from me.

Terry Howard

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FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE 2017 - Sheffield Round Walk Sheffield Visually Impaired Walking Group

Rambling Walking Hiking Tramping Whatever You Call It - SVIWG DO IT!

In past years the Sheffield Visually Impaired Walking Group has climbed Kinder Scout, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike and tramped across Morecombe Bay - all to raise money for Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) and our own walking group funds. This year on Saturday 17th June a band of some 20 walkers, visually impaired and their guides, will tackle the 14½ miles of the Sheffield Round Walk. We will be raising money for SRSB and SVIWG. This will be a tough challenge for the Group. Not only is the distance twice what we would normally walk in a day, it is also tough going in places because of the hilly na- ture of Sheffield's terrain.

Those participating will be seeking sponsorship for the challenge. Please be generous in this very worthy cause. You can sponsor individual walkers or you can donate on line at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/SVIWGSheffieldRoundWalk17.

Thank you for your support

Christine Hewitt

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Sheffield Walking Festival: Year 2

We will be holding the festival from 8th to 17th September this year. There will be at least 3 walks each day and, hopefully, something for everyone: short family walks, inner city walks, longer more challenging countryside walks and walks of historical interest, such as the eight halls of and the boundary of the old Sheffield Deer Park.

Some people last year were disappointed that they could not take part in the festival because, al- though the programme looked so interesting, they had already booked holidays away. To avoid that happening again the detailed programme will be out earlier this year – and at least you know the dates already.

The festival will be bigger and even better this year as we build on last year’s success so, as well as staying around yourselves, why not encourage friends from other places to book a week in Sheffield at that time?!

Judy Gathercole

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New Peak District Boundary Walk

The new Peak District Boundary Walk will officially open on Saturday, June 17th this year. In total it is 192 miles in length and the whole of it is being done on that day to mark its opening – here’s how:

The walk is being divided into 20 stages and at around 10 a.m. that morning groups of walkers will set out to walk each stage of the walk. By approximately 3 p.m. the whole walk will be completed.

I have registered to walk the stage from Low Bradfield to (approximately 10 miles) and it seems they’re expecting me to bring some friends along! In any case, it would be good to have more company – I think there are only a few registered at the moment.

At the moment I’m planning to catch the 8:55 bus from Arundel Gate to arrive in Low Bradfield at 9:41 as they are expecting to arrange departure and arrival events at the be- ginning and end of the walks. However, all the details still need to be sorted out so we might be able to get the next bus if the start is going to be later. At the end we could walk down to Forge Dam to catch buses at Fulwood (though I think some transport may be arranged).

If you are interested in coming along please email me ([email protected]) and I will send you a registration form.

There are also events in Buxton all day long and a celebration for all walkers in the eve- ning if you wish to attend. The outline and timing of the event is as follows:

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9:00

Buxton Market opens with a special outdoor focused event with climbing wall, caves, specialist equipment suppliers and outdoor based voluntary groups. Plus lots of stalls selling food and drink.

10:00

From twenty locations around the boundary of the National Park, teams of walkers will set out on each of the twenty stages. Their progress will be displayed in Buxton Market Place through- out the day.

12:00

The Grand Opening Ceremony will take place outside Buxton Town Hall, and will be hosted by the Mayor of High Peak and Buxton's Town Crier and officially opened by Emma Bridgwater, President of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England).

15:00 (approx.)

Between them, the twenty teams of walkers will have completed the whole of the Peak District Boundary Walk. They will then head to Buxton to join in the celebrations.

18:00

Formal congratulations and Welcome to the Walkers, followed by a celebration of the inaugural completion of the UK's newest long-distance walk.

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