East Staffordshire Ramblers Association Group

September 2013

Despite all our worries about weather over the last year it has been a glorious summer. It has been a delight to be outdoors and among friends in our great countryside. I only hope this continues into Autumn especially for those who are going up to the Lakes for the group holiday. You will notice in the newsletter that our winter offerings are surfacing with details of events in November and running up to Christmas. Don't ignore them as it's still fine weather, but get your replies in early! If you need to contact me with news, views or comment I am Mick Gould and my phone number is 01283 703615 and my email is [email protected]

Chairman's Chat

Well we have eventually had a decent summer although I have been hearing complaints that it is too hot for walking – there is no pleasing us. I would like to thank all those members that have elected to have their communications by email – it does save us a lot of time as we have less photocopying to do, and less envelopes to stuff. The newsletter and walks programme can take four of us about 3 hours to prepare to distribute. Remember to contact me if you would like to elect to have your information this way. [email protected] It is fast approaching AGM time, so come and enjoy a cream tea (bribe !!) with us after our AGM. The week after we will be hosting the Staffordshire Area AGM and we would appreciate any help you could give us, even if only support on the day. As you can see below, this will be my last Chairman's chat as I will have served my 3-year term as Chairman and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee and you the members over this time. Jane

Walks programme

You should receive the Winter (October – March) walks programme with this letter. You can also access the walks programme and leaders section via the website.

Anslow Village Hall – if a walk starts from the hall please park on the side of the road. Apparently we have, understandably, been upsetting users of the hall by using their car park.

Could we also remind members that if we use private premises e.g. pub car park that members park considerately – away from the buildings and close together. The premises kindly let us park and we do not want to upset them as it will prevent us using them at a later time.

Ever thought of offering to lead a walk? It's not that difficult, honest and the more people who offer, the more the walks seem to vary. If you are willing to try but feel you need some help many of us will offer to guide you through the process.

We would like to thank those leaders who were able to enter their own walks on the programme, it helped the walk programme secretaries. The Summer programme will be available to fill in by the New Year, and could we remind all leaders to let Lyn (07842793666) or Jane (01283 543483 or [email protected]) know the numbers on their walks or complete the numbers on the website leaders section. We are monitoring the walk numbers to try to ensure we give the best balance to the programme, in terms of walk length and travel distance.

If the weather is forecast to be bad, or there is a likely chance of flooding on the walk, please check with the leader beforehand that it is going ahead.

What have we been up to?

On June 26th 24 members had a great History Walk and supper in Willington hosted by the Willington WI. June 29th was our Family Walk at Staunton Harold Reservoir. 14 adults, 6 children and 3 dogs enjoyed a walk of either 5 miles or 1.5 miles. Both walks were lovely, as the wild flower meadows were in full bloom, and we had quiz sheets provided by John (and Charlie). The meercats were a great hit!

The High Peak Weekend at the beginning of August saw us viewing the wreck of the Superfortress on Bleaklow and scrambling (optional) up Redbrook Clough onto Kinder and walking the ridge before dropping into Hayfield. I think Peter misled us all as to which was Mount Famine !!

The Picnic in the Park was on August 10th at Foremark Reservoir. 20 adults and 10 children enjoyed a very good walk including a warden guided walk over the dam wall and nature reserve.The picnic featured some fabulous food brought along by the walkers. Thanks to John who along with Charlie again led the walk and to Mary who arranged the catering marquee while we all rambled.

September 1st saw our Coach Ramble to Bourton-on-the-Water, organised by Brian. (Spies will report in the next newsletter.)

So what next?

Charity Skittles evening (in aid of trinity church Anslow) 7.30 pm Saturday 16th November

To be held at Anslow Village Hall. Cost £6 per person. Skittles will be played in teams of four – don't worry we will provide you with a team if needed. Please bring your own drinks/glasses/food. Nibbles provided. Contact Lyn 0784 279 3666 to book tickets – or sign up on the form attached. The form must be returned by 20th October although you can book after this date by phoning Lyn.

East Staffordshire A.G.M. 2.00 – 4.00 pm Sunday 17th November

The Group A.G.M. will be held at Tutbury Village Hall at 2.00 pm on Sunday 6th November. The formal business will be followed by an open forum and afternoon cream tea. The afternoon should finish by 4.00 pm.

Any items to be raised at the formal meeting should be notified in writing to the Group Secretary at least 7 days prior to the meeting, no later than Sunday 10th November. Group Secretary details: Mrs J. King, 39 Faraday Avenue, Stretton, Burton-upon-Trent, DE13 0FX.

If there is anything you would like discussed at the open forum – advance notice would be appreciated in case we have to do any research.

Below is a list of the current committee members with the tasks they do on your behalf, the number of years they have served on Committee and whether they are willing to stand for re-election, usually they would serve three years. If you would like to serve on Committee, please let us know – if you would like to take on a particular task or just as general helper. We have four committee meetings a year.

Name Position Years on Committee/in job Willing to stand again Jane Chairman 19 / 3 no Group Secretary 19 / 19 yes Walks Programme Co-ord 19 / 19 yes Holiday co-ordinator 19 / 19 yes Mary Vice Chairman 6 / 3 no Social Secretary 6 / 5 yes Graham Treasurer 6 / 6 yes Len Membership/Publicity 2 / 2 yes Dave Footpath / Countryside 18 / 18 yes Peter Webmaster/Footpath group 2 / 2 yes Brian Friday Walks / Coach Trip 9 / 9 yes Bill Wednesday walks 3 / 3 yes Diane Weekend walks 3 / 3 Lyn Assistant Secretary 3 / 3 yes Jill Asst Social 4 / 4 yes Anne Asst Social 4 / 4 yes Jackie Misc. 1 yes Mick Newsletter 1 / 1 yes

Staffordshire Area AGM Sunday 24th November

The East Staffordshire Group is hosting the Staffordshire Area AGM at Tutbury Village Hall – there would normally be about 100 members present – so we need plenty of help. This is an all day event with walks in the morning, tea coffee and soft drink provision at lunch time and afternoon tea during the meeting in the afternoon. If you could help with some part of the day, in assisting as a “local host” on the walks, (don't worry Jane and Brian are leading) providing drinks or washing up over lunch, or helping serve and wash up afternoon tea, we would be most grateful. Mary is also hoping some of you will bake a cake for the tea. This is a big event for us and we really could do with a strong show of support to demonstrate the effectiveness of East Staffs Ramblers! Walk hosts contact : 5 miles Brian on 01283 740376 3 miles Jane on 01283 543483 Catering/cake baking contact Mary on 01283 567055 (either lunch or afternoon tea, or cake baking)

Don't wait to be asked by these busy people, decide to offer your help now and pick up that phone!

Christmas Lunch Ramblers Retreat, Alton Saturday 7th December

A short walk starting at 10.00 am will be followed by lunch at 12.30 pm. Two courses £ 15.25, Three courses £ 17.45. Please make your menu choices and return with a £5 deposit by the 25th November. Payable on the day will be the balance and any drinks. If you should have to cancel, please notify us as soon as possible and we will endeavour to return monies if possible. Homemade Leek and potato soup Chicken Liver & cranberry pate Warm smoked mackerel fillet Melon platter with a spiced berry coulis

Staffordshire roast turkey Staffordshire roast beef Braised lamb shank in mint gravy Homemade Steak, ale & Mushroom pie Poached fillet of salmon in creamy dill sauce Mature cheddar & nut roast served with a plum & port sauce

Choice of any of homemade desserts Christmas pudding with brandy sauce

Coffee or tea served with homemade mince pies & chocolate mints

Christmas Lunch The Lakeside, Overseal Friday 13th December

A short walk starting at 10.00 am will be followed by lunch at 12.30 pm. Please make your menu choices and return with your full monies (2-courses £ 13.95, 3-courses £ 16.95) by the 25th November. Payable on the day will be any drinks. If you should have to cancel, please notify us as soon as possible and we will endeavour to return monies if possible.

Honey Roast Parsnip Soup Prawn and pea risotto Chicken liver pate Breaded cheese (Wensleydale & cranberry)

Traditional Roast Turkey Braised beef casserole Salmon fillet Wild rice and cranberry bake

Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Apple and blackberry crumble with vanilla custard Chocolate Orange cheesecake with double cream Lemon panna cotta with shortbread biscuit

Fresh coffee and chocolate mints Madeira Holiday March 2014 We are taking a group to Madeira in March 2014 for one week. The details have not yet been finalised, however we shall have to book before the next newsletter goes out. If you are interested please indicate on the return slip and we will forward details to you.

Advance Notices for 2014 – more details in next newsletters !

Social Evening Saturday 21st February

Annual Buffet Sunday 2nd March

Rollestonbury 2014 Saturday 12th July Robbie Williams Tribute plus fireworks etc.

A marquee has been reserved for the above event. The cost will be £15 a head to include a 3 course meal. If you are interested could you please return a £5 deposit by 20th October with form on newsletter.

Moonlight walk Saturday 15th March

Footpath Report

Dave says not a lot to report, but what he really meant was something about secateurs!

Footpath Working Group

There has been much activity in and around Dunstall, Barton, Anslow and Rangemore. There are lots of photographs on the web page. Past progress and future arrangements for the Working Group can also be found in the group website by clicking on the 'Footpath' item in the menu on the right-hand side of the web-pages or please contact Peter – 01283 713209, [email protected].

A New Challenge (by Beryl)

Many of you will remember our group walking The Derwent Valley Heritage Way back in the Autumn of 2005. We divided the 55 mile walk into 5 linear walks, there was much organising of lifts, choosing drivers etc. However, it was a very enjoyable experience for all who took part. If I remember rightly only Helen and Peter completed all the sections on the dates on our programme. They received Mike's much treasured badges and certificates for their achievement. Some of us did go back at a later date to complete the sections we had missed. Now Mike has turned the original D.V.H.W. into circular walks, 19 in all. Each one includes a section of the original Heritage Way. All of these walks are described in the super book, “Derbyshire Ramblings, Walking in circles down the Derwent Valley” with Ashley Franklin and Mike Warner. I am sure that those of you who have purchased the book will agree with me that it is a fascinating read, full of interesting facts, anecdotes, humour and beautiful photographs. Mike being “the proper rambler” on the project has provided the walk notes and the maps. Many of the walks are about 6 miles in length, which makes them ideal for half day rambles. The new challenge is to complete all of the walks which total 150 miles. I am making a start with Walk 13 centred on Belper, which has long been one of my favourite places. This will be on the new Winter programme. Do join me if you can and maybe I will get some volunteers to recce and lead the remaining 18 walks! I feel that Ashley and Mike are to be congratulated on their book, which I know will inspire us to set off on more delightful walks in Derbyshire, a county which John Betjeman observed “has every kind of scenery except the sea.”

One of our members, Vicki, has asked if we would publicize the following event in aid of St Giles Hospice. A Quiz at Yoxall Village Hall on Saturday 28th September, 7.30 pm for 8 pm. start. £5 per table. Bar provided, bring your own nibbles. Please ring Vicki on 01543 472 106 to book.

Reminders Christmas lunch dates, venues, menus and booking forms are attached to this newsletter.

It is never too early to nominate for the Muddy Boot award. Please use the form on the last page.

The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales No. 1093577, Scotland No. SC03799] and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (No. 4458492). Registered office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SEl 7TW EAST STAFFORDSHIRE RAMBLERS

Could you please indicate if you will be attending an event. It may still possible to attend events after the cut off date please ring Mary 01283 567055.

Please return by the Mrs Mary Jones, 20 Dovecliff Road, Stretton, Burton-upon-Trent, DE13 0DH

Name: …...... Tel: …......

Event Date No. Paid

Please return by 25th November:

Christmas Lunch Ramblers Retreat Saturday 7th December £ 5 per person deposit …...... …...... 2 course: £ 15.25 3 course: £17.45

Starter...... Main …...... Pudding......

Christmas Lunch Lakeside Friday 13th December Payment in full. 2 course: £ 15.25 3 course: £17.45 …...... …......

Starter...... Main …...... Pudding......

…......

Name: …...... Tel: …......

Event Date No. Paid

Please return by 20th October:

Skittles evening Saturday 16th November £6 per person …...... …......

Rollestonbury If interested, please send a £5 deposit. …...... …......

Madeira I am/we are interested in the holiday. YES / NO

P.T.O.

Muddy Boot Award

If you would like to nominate anyone for this – please give details below.

Any general comments, ideas, suggestions on walks, social programme, the web-site or newsletter.