East Staffordshire Ramblers
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East Staffordshire Ramblers September 2015 Have you thought about how this wonderful group of about 250 members actually functions? How does it manage to provide so many varied walks each week, a series of social events over the year, a holiday programme both at home and abroad, a footpath maintenance programme, a system of communication to members by newsletter and website, and most importantly a general good atmosphere where all these things seem to be just the usual? The answer is, of course, volunteers, organised through a vibrant committee. This committee is a statutory requirement as part of the national Ramblers organisation and we have a current problem and YOU may be the answer. We must have a Group Secretary and Group Treasurer to be able to continue and at the AGM this November both these positions fall vacant. If the group is to progress then somebody has to step up and continue the great work done by those who got us this far. Could that be YOU? You know you would miss your walks and the good company they give you access to. So some serious thoughts are needed as to whether it's about time to take your turn to keep us all walking. There are lots of members of this group who have the organisational skill set and interpersonal skills that would keep East Staffordshire Ramblers on the right path for the next few years so step up now!. If you want to know more about what, when and how then any member of the current committee would be willing to discuss it with you. (Details are included within the AGM notice below) As I said in the last newsletter I am also stepping down at this AGM so this is my last effort. Thank you for all the support over the last 3 years and please be as generous to who ever volunteers to take over! (Mick Gould) Walks programme You should receive the Winter (October – March) walks programme with this letter. Programme Secretaries are: Weekend – Beryl 01283 534127, Wednesdays – Paul T. 0771 0237919, Fridays – Diane 01283 547450 The overall walks co-ordinator is Peter – 01283 713209, [email protected]. We have had difficulty filling the programme this time – thanks to all those members who have provided walks. You will find some weekends and Wednesdays have only one walk – I don't think we have any with none ! Next year we will run another map course and hopefully we will gain some new leaders. If you are interested and have a favourite walk you would like to offer next summer then please contact a member of the committee (details below) and they will help you – or at least give you the name of someone who can 'buddy up' with you ! On the Winter programme, we have some walks in different areas, they do not take longer to get to in many instances so give them a try and support these leaders. Also, Wendy is taking us to Tinkersley (because she liked the sound of it) on 8th November and Beryl to Hellbank Plantation on 14th November. Brian and Diane are offering the chance to see the autumn colours and as we approach Christmas, Jane is offering a 6 mile walk with the opportunity to visit Ashbourne afterwards (that place we always drive through and don't stop for a look around !). So enjoy and if you think you would like to try leading a walk, then please come forward. Don't forget that you can also access the walks programme to find walk details and start locations via the group website. Walk leaders can use this method to enter walk numbers and save phone calls. (Members password coffeestop) As winter approaches can we remind you if the weather is forecast to be bad, or there is a likely chance of flooding on the walk, please check with the leader that it is going ahead. What have we been up to? The Pie and Claret evening held at Len and Pauline's was a most enjoyable evening with a walk led by Brian, lovely food produced by a small team of cooks and very pleasant conversation in a lovely setting. A big thank you to all who contributed. The Picnic in the park was well-support by 31 people !! The weather stayed kind to us and a short walk to Scaddows Farm and returning by Carvers Rocks was followed by a lovely shared picnic at Foremark – if you haven't yet been on one then come along next year – you will have a good time !! High Peak weekend - Jane The High Peak weekend was again based in Glossop. As usual we had a wet showery day on the Saturday although I believe in Burton you were sun-bathing ! Someone was overheard to say 'There doesn't appear to be any paths !' Well done to Peter for leading us safely over the moors. On Sunday we walked – in sunshine – on Bleaklow to Alport Castles and back to the cars at Birchin Clough car park, to finish with a welcome drink at The Snake Inn before we returned home. The walk was eventful with several people gently sitting on their bottoms, although Martin excelled himself by 'headbutting a stream' not once but twice at the same place !! I am not sure what he told people for the next week as he sported a very impressive black eye !! Ribble Valley Whilst writing this, we are just waiting to go down to dinner on Sunday night – did I order roast beef or sweet and sour pork – it doesn't really matter as I don't have to cook it ! The hotel is very nice – most of us appear to have a large lounge area as well as a large bedroom – as Brian remarked you could easily get 4 in his room comfortably – I am not sure if he meant the room or the bed – either would work ! Thank you to Beryl for finding the place and for organising the walks. On Friday, we all met up for a a walk from Ribchester – luckily the minibus just fitted in a car parking space and only had to pay £1.90 for parking and not £9 ! On Saturday there was a choice of two walks – the Tolkien Trail from Hurst Green followed by an afternoon in Clitheroe, or a longer walk on Longridge Fell. On Sunday, we all went to Slaidburn for a short walk followed by a visit to Dunsop Bridge (a short riverside walk) and the Trough of Bowland or a longer walk to Stocks Reservoir. Thanks to Bob and Joyce for leading the longer walks – we were grateful they had recce-ed Saturday's walk as although shorter than planned we did not fancy walking through slurry ! On Sunday, we are hoping for good weather as on offer is the Downham Classic walk followed by sight-seeing in Whalley or a walk up Pendle Hill. I am sure those people on the minibus would join me in thanking John for driving. So what next? Sunday 27th September Coach trip to Malvern The coach will leave Shobnall Leisure Centre at 8.00 am, and will leave Malvern at 5.00 pm arriving back at about 7.00 pm. There will be 3 walks as usual ranging from a longer 12 mile walk to a much easier, short walk for those wanting more time in Malvern itself. Sunday November 15th East Staffordshire Ramblers AGM (with light refreshments) Tutbury Village Hall 2 – 4 pm. If you wish to be on the Committee, want to nominate a committee member, or raise an issue for the agenda please contact Jackie on 01283 530749 or [email protected], all items for the agenda should be notified in writing by Sunday 8th November, at the latest. Otherwise just come and enjoy an afternoon in good company. After the last group AGM, the committee and their contact details were as follows: Group Secretary* Mrs Jackie Thompson 01283 530749 Group Treasurer Mr Graham Goodall 01889 563474 Chair Vacancy Newsletter Mr Mick Gould 01283 703615 (These posts are all going to be vacant at the next AGM and volunteers for the first two are essential for the group to continue to be part of the Ramblers nationally.) *If you are interested in the position of Group Secretary, it is possible to come on as Minute Secretary, with the aim of taking over the other responsibilities as and when you are ready. Other posts at present are: Area Rep/Holidays Mrs Jane King 01283 543483 Vice Chair/Membership Mr Len Smith 01283 820673 Social Secretary Mrs Mary Jones 01283 567055 Social committee Mrs Jill Bates 01283 713586 Social committee Mrs Anne Scott 01283 814425 Website/Footpath Mr Peter Clark 01283 713209 Working Group Countryside/Access Mr David Hewett 01889 563474 Walks Programme Mr Peter Clark 01283 713209 co-ordinator Weekend Mrs Beryl Meadows 01283 534127 Wednesdays Mr Paul Thompson 0771 0237919 Member Mr Bill Miles 01283 531897 Friday 11th December Christmas Lunch – Ramblers Retreat, Alton An (optional) short 4.5 mile walk followed by Christmas Lunch at the Ramblers Retreat, Alton. A deposit of £5 per person is payable by 25th October, the remainder payable on the day. The menu is on the return form at the end of the newsletter, could you please let us have your choices when you send your deposit. Friday 18th December Christmas Dinner – Lakeside, Moira Following the popularity of last years evening meal, we are offering it again. A £10 per person deposit is required, with your choices, by 25th October.