Deeside Ramblers Newsletter No. 30…. June 2018

This year is the 25th anniversary of the formation of the group.

The meeting to form the group took place on an evening in October 1992 at Wepre Park Visitors Center. At this meet- ing, Deeside Ramblers Group was formally recognized as a member of the Ramblers Association. About 15 people at- tended and officers were elected to form a committee and organise the group. An official from Cardiff HQ attended and advised on the structure of the group. The committee consisted of chair, secretary, treasurer, footpaths officer and pro- gramme secretary. The group elected Jim Irvine as chair, Pauline Roberts as secretary, Gordon Welch as treasurer, Elwyn Jones as footpaths officer and Jack Cawley as program secretary.

The group remains in good shape and has around 120 members. Walks and other events are well supported, and the com- mittee continues to keep the group active not only with our walks programme, but social events, our annual holiday, coach ramble, and joint walks with other North Wales Groups.

To celebrate these 25 years we are holding an evening walk and social event at which we look forward to welcoming members of the group past and present, as well as officers from Ramblers Wales. Our present chairman David Jones will be welcoming everyone to this event, and also presenting some pictures and film from past years.

Different weather, and different terrain for two of our walks. Above our group is out in the Cheshire countryside, and below, out in the sunshine on a joint walk with our friends from Vale of Clwyd. It just goes to show what a diverse range of walks and weather we get out and about in.

Anniversary walk and social evening…...Thursday July 12th See leaflets enclosed and the Coach Ramble…….. Saturday September 15th. walks booklet for details Social evening…Friday 21st September. Fish & Chip supper. of these events AGM ………….Wednesday 14th November

Group web site

http://www.deesideramblers.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/deesideramblers/ https://twitter.com/deesiderambler1 Newsletter June 2018 weekend

TISSINGTON VILLAGE, THE TRAIL AND DOVEDALE We set off from the house along the Limestone Way on a bright day and made our way across fields to the delightful village of Tissington. On our way, Richard had to push a pony out of the way as it was itching its posterior against a kissing gate! We had a photo stop by a very realistic plastic policeman on the entrance to the long drive that led to Tissington. The village had just been decorated in the well dressing that takes place each year. This event began after the plague in 1349 in which the people of the village survived and this was attributed to the purity of the well water and as a thanksgiving this tradition has taken place ever since. We spent sometime admiring the Biblically themed with their intricate designs etched on them. From there we sped to the , now a now-disused rail- way that once linked Ashbourne and Buxton and axed in 1967 having survived since 1899. An easy stretch led us to Milldale where we had lunch and met Tricia’s and Josie’s group who were indulging in ice cream. Geoff also joined them in that exercise! After that, it was a trek through Dovedale with its impressive natural limestone rock formations such as Ilam Rock and the Tissington Spires to name but two. At the end, some ventured across and back on the fa- mous stepping stones. From there, we strolled uphill to our hotel.

BRADFORD DALE, ELDON AND LONG DALE After a drive from the hotel to , we set off along Bradford Dale, a simple scenic dale with its waters display- ing an abundance of trout, coots, moorhens and various water vegetations. After that, it was a trek along and up the scenic rolling hills with wide ranging views of Youlgreave and its surrounding countryside. We made our way to the village of Eldon where we sampled some lunch in the bright sunshine. From there, our way was across very large fields of corn while also attracting the attention of a family of goats. Our next target was Long Dale, a dale with wide open sides of grassy slopes. With a small incline, we accessed the path to Middleton village and then it was onwards and up- wards back to the car park. Jack Cawley Newsletter June 2018 Chairman’s corner.

What a great time to be walking, the wild flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and at last the paths are drying out. This year the group celebrates its 25 th Anniversary. We are holding a special event on the 12 th July 2018, details are enclosed in the pack. The 11 th May was the date of the group’s annual walking holiday which was in Dovedale, , staying at HF Holidays Peveril of The Peak. 43 members came along and once again we were blessed with fine weather and great walks. Many thanks to Jack and Debbie, Tricia and Josie for leading the longer and intermediate walks. For my part I led two easy walks both from the hotel one to Ilam Hall and the other to Tissington Village where the annual well dressing was in full flow. While in Tissington I was persuaded to go into the village stocks. Our treasurer Bob Lee decided to lock me in hoping the locals would throw tomatoes and eggs. Luckily, I was the only one who knew the walk route and was eventually released. Lots to look forward to again this year, the coach ramble in September and several so- cial events, details are enclosed.

David Jones

On the right is a part of the first walks programme the group organised. How many remember where the “Gateway” car park was I wonder. .

Two examples of Tissington well dressing are pictured here. If you are in the area when it occurs, it is well worth going to see them. Tissington has 6 wells, and they all get adorned with displays. Most of the wells are still running with water, and as the water comes from the Limestone in the area, it is crys- tal clear. Lots of refreshment facilities were around the village, as well as cake stalls. We re- sisted the temptation..!!

From Paul Stevenson our walks coordinator. If there is a particular walk that you know about that you would like to see included in a future walks programme, please let either me or one of the walks leaders know. This is one of the ways we can help to ensure that our programme reflects the wishes of the mem- bers of our group. Pre planned walks are available to those who may not have the time Etc. to find new routes. Newsletter June 2018

Data protection and our group.

By the time this newsletter is published, the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will have come into force.You may well have already received letters and/or mails from other groups and websites/companies you subscribe to for product updates etc., asking you to confirm you are still wanting them to send you information etc. The main thrust of the new data protection laws means that unless you give your permission for your contact information to be used to contact you, then you will not receive information from those various places.

The Ramblers Association will be contacting all members inviting them to update their contact preferences (email, phone, post). These will be used whenever the Ramblers (Head Office or Deeside Group) wants to send you any infor- mation, magazines or other material. Not replying to this letter, or saying no to them using your contact information, will result in you not receiving the Ramblers magazine, this newsletter, the walks booklet and any other information they/we may wish to send you.

Another issue over data protection and permissions concerns photographs. As we understand things at the moment, taking and publishing general scenes of walks and large group pictures where no individual is named is allowed, providing in the case of group pictures it is made clear before the shutter clicks, where the picture may be used. This newsletter, our website and our Facebook page are examples. Any individual not wanting to be included has the opportunity to stand aside.

Your committee has discussed all these matters, and is in the process of making the changes to our procedures required by Ramblers HQ. These will include details of how long we can keep various records and for what purpose. The Ram- blers Association has published more details on GDPR on a dedicated section of the “Volunteer Zone” on its website at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone.aspx .

Our very successful “Race night”. Great food, and no money was lost …..!!

Photographer waiting for a big “splash” but all got safely across. And back again. Stepping stones in Dovedale.

Newsletter compiled by Geoff Morris. Thanks to various members for pictures. Feel free to comment or suggest items for next edition. Available on our website or from myself in PDF format. [email protected]