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Join the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation and Ramblers Countrywide Holidays as we explore the rolling hills, rural idyll, wildlife and dramatic landscape of the beautiful Peak District National Park in the Derbyshire Dales for our “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday 2015.
Our Location – The Peak District National Park, Derbyshire
The rugged beauty of this area is overwhelming and makes it a wonderful place to walk; rolling hills, tranquil dales, gorges, magnificent rock formations, evidence of a history which changed the world and some beautiful towns of honey coloured stone. We can ascend the rocky precipice of High Tor on wooded paths above the Derwent Gorge, or wander through the picturesque towns of Bakewell and Ashford-in-the-Water. We can scale Monsal Head to take in the stunning panoramic views and encounter Britain’s industrial heritage directly from our hotel at Cromford, built by Sir Richard Arkwright, whose innovative water powered cotton mills kick started the industrial revolution. We can walk on part of the High Peak Trail, an old railway line which closed in 1967, or travel by steam train to Rowsley, before walking back through limestone country with impressive views over the dales. You might also find the time to visit Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Devonshire. The southern peak district is an ideal base for a holiday at these grades. We are surrounded by beautiful limestone crags, valleys, streams and rivers. All of the local high points can be reached easily within our Grade D so we can enjoy the panoramic views over fascinating countryside. This is land sculpted by nature and man throughout history.
Our Hotel
For the duration of the week, we will stay for five nights at the three-star Willersley Castle Hotel, which is located in the picturesque parkland of Cromford. Willersley Castle is a 200 year old and recently refurbished Grade II listed building commissioned by the industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright. It overlooks the River Derwent and stands in 60 acres of grounds just outside Cromford.
Cromford Mill is just a short walk away and the village of Matlock can be reached in a few minutes by car. The hotel has a leisure club which is open to all guests and includes an indoor heated swimming pool, miniature golf and other facilities. The hotel has 30 bedrooms in the castle and 14 bedrooms in the mews block. A lift in the castle serves both the first and second floor bedrooms.
The hotel is conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk of Cromford Railway Station.
Free parking for hotel guests Choice of twin-bed and single rooms Tea and coffee making facilities Hairdryer and ironing board Swimming pool and fitness club Restaurant and bar and lounge
Dining
Accommodation and meals are on a half board basis. Breakfast will be served as buffet style with a choice of cooked or continental breakfast, cereals, juices and hot beverages. Our evening meals will be three-course and will be taken in the hotel restaurant, where we will enjoy a hearty meal after a day of active walking and fresh air. Other refreshments, snacks and drinks can be purchased separately in the hotel bar and lounge area. Picnic lunches are not provided as part our package, but can be ordered. Alternatively we can decide whether it would be nicer to find a café or pub and stop to buy lunch at our own leisure.
Our Ramblers Countrywide Guide
All of our walks will be led by a trained guide from Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Our leader will ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable experience in the great outdoors. Highly experienced individuals, they are friendly and informative and will help us explore the secrets of hidden beauty spots, understand the nature and wildlife of the area and provide us with an altogether deeper appreciation of our countryside. For your extra peace of mind, all leaders have a current first aid certificate and follow an in-house or external, nationally recognised training scheme appropriate to the type of holiday they lead and are experienced in leading groups. For the fifth year in a row, our walking leader in 2015 will be Ms Elizabeth Savage (by mutual request) Elizabeth has led our group on previous walks around the UK and has a great understanding of our groups needs and vice versa.
Grade of Walks
We will enjoy three full days of walking and a day of easy walking with the option to opt out to explore the local area at our own leisure. We will do the walks together as a group under the leadership of Elizabeth and she will decide on the routes that are most suitable for our group. The walks are ‘Grade D’ and classed as easy to moderate. They will involve long days out. Most walks are around eight miles in distance and will possibly traverse some uneven terrain with some steep climbs and descents. Depending on the weather, the ground could be wet and slippery or dry and arid, so be prepared for anything. Our walks will all be on good paths and although there is no great altitude gain, be ready for some healthy and rigorous exercise and lots of lovely fresh air.
Walking and Diabetes
During our week in Derbyshire we will be accompanied by our trusted friend Angela Sealeaf who is the Lead Diabetes Nurse Specialist at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax. Angela has been part of the “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday since its inception in 2001, and so knows the needs and abilities of our group very well. Angela and I will work with Elizabeth to ensure that the chosen walks reflect the ability of the group. Angela will be present on all the walks to ensure that we are observing safe practice at all times, looking after our feet and managing our diabetes well during the activities.
Other Questions
Who will be there? The numbers and members of our party differ each year, depending on who books to come. Generally there are between fourteen to eighteen people, so it’s a fairly tight knit group. Some of the walkers in our group are regular attendees that come back year after year to explore a new region, to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Other people may be joining us for the first time and feel a little bit anxious about this. There is no need as our group is always full of warm, welcoming and friendly people that all have something in common. You will be chatting away and feel at home in no time at all.
Can I bring a friend or partner? Of course you can. Each year our group is made up of people attending on their own or with a partner friend, husband, wife or family member. However, as mentioned above, once you arrive you will find that you are in the company of friends for the duration of our stay. Rooms can be booked on a twin, single or double basis to suit your needs .
What sort of walking ability should I have? The walks will be quite a distance, normally between six to eight miles over varied terrain. It won’t be a walk in the park, but likewise it won’t be an arduous cross country trek. We can walk up hill and down dale, across open farmland and down long coastal paths, through covered woodland and windy village lanes, so prepare for a real mixture of scenery. We will be out of the hotel straight after breakfast and will return in time to shower and change for dinner and a relaxing evening in the hotel lounge. You should be used to long walks or more correctly “rambling” and be prepared for any weather. We always walk to the pace of the group and give encouragement and support to those whose legs might not carry them as quickly as they would like.
Will we walk every day? No, on the day we arrive, we will settle in, meet each other and enjoy an evening meal, ready to get a good night’s sleep ahead of our first day of walking. We will enjoy four full days of walking, a day of easy walking and also have some time-out to explore the local area at our own leisure and to give our legs a well earned rest. We have learned through past experience and by listening to our members that a day off in between walking is a most welcome distraction. It will also give you more time to explore the local area and visit the many sites of interest that will be on our doorstep.
Do we get breaks? Yes is the simple answer. We will stop for regular breaks during the walks in order to rest our legs, catch our breath and to take on water. We usually carry some of our own personal snacks too. We will stop for lunch at a pre- planned stop and the hotel will be happy to provide packed lunches if we ask them to, otherwise there are normally places to stop for a bite to eat along the way. If we keep to our schedule and don’t get sidetracked, we should even have time for a nice cup of tea and to explore the villages that we pass through or reach at the end of our walking destination.
Cost
We have worked closely with the team at Ramblers Countrywide to put together a fantastic package for you, which we hope you are pleased with. This year we have negotiated a wonderful rate, and, as always DRWF is able to subsidise the cost of attendance by 20% - 25% for Diabetes Wellness Network members as part of the charity’s annual educational event programme. If you are not a member, consider becoming one to take advantage of the substantial discount.
The full cost for the “Active with Diabetes Walking Holiday is £459 per person, with a choice of twin or single rooms. DRWF are pleased to announce that we can apply a full 20% subsidy for our wellness network members and also a further 5% early-bird discount for members that book a place by Monday, 2nd March. The two subsidies will make you an amazing 25% saving.
Here is a breakdown of the cost with the subsidies applied.
Full rate per person – £459 Rate per person with 20% deducted for DRWF network members – £367 Rate per person with the 20% and additional 5% deducted for network members - £344
These rates are fully inclusive and cover five nights hotel accommodation; full and continental breakfast buffets, three course evening meals, the guided walks, our Ramblers Countrywide leader, the support of Diabetes Specialist Nurse Angela Sealeaf and any coach transfers between the start and finishing points of the walks.
Insurance
DRWF are not liable for any injuries sustained as a consequence of partaking in any activities on the walking holiday. However we will take every precaution to prevent injuries arising and to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable week. A representative of DRWF will be on hand at all times as well as the Diabetes Nurse Specialist and the trained walking guide. We advise that you take out some personal cover from your own insurer or it can be provided by Ramblers Countrywide Holidays as part of your booking. DRWF does not endorse any particular insurance company, but we can provide you with details of a selection that offer specialised insurance for people with diabetes. Please contact me if you would like more information.
Further Information
If you have any questions at all about the “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday, please do not hesitate to contact me on 023 92 636133 or by E-mail at [email protected] and I will be happy to help. No question is too big or too small.
Alternatively, you can write to me at –
Mr. Lee Calladine, Event Coordinator, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Northney Marina Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 0NH
If you would like to read reports about previous “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holidays, please have a look at the events section on our website www.drwf.org.uk or take a look at my blog entries in the ‘Guest Blogger’ section at www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/blog . There is also a link to our Flickr gallery on our website’s homepage, where you can look at photographs from past walking holidays.
This is a great opportunity for you to meet other like-minded people, make new friends and enjoy an active and fun time with other people with diabetes.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope you decide to join us in the Peak District, Derbyshire in 2015 on this much loved and exciting event.
Best Wishes Lee Calladine
The Best of the Peak District Derbyshire 2015
Accommodation Requirements
Please complete this booking form. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Mobile Number
E-mail Address
Are you a vegetarian?
Do you have any other dietary needs?
Do you require a single or twin room? Are there any additional requirements that you would like us to know about?
Health Questionnaire
Please complete the following health questionnaire and return it to us with your other booking forms. Please be assured that any information you provide us with will be treated as completely confidential and will only be viewed by the attending diabetes health care professional. Your answers will enable us to gauge your level of fitness and allow us to adapt the walks to suit the needs of our group. It is important for your own enjoyment and in consideration for the rest of the group that you do not over-estimate your own physical ability.
Name
Age
Type of diabetes
Medication
GP name and address
Next of kin emergency contact details
Do you have any other medical conditions that we need to be aware of (you only need to list those that may affect your health during the holiday)
Are you physically active?
How do you rate your own fitness level?
Do you walk unaided?
Do you do any regular hiking / walking?
Are you able to walk up and down steep hills comfortably?
Are you able to walk long distances in the same day?
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
If you have any questions about the health questionnaire, the travel insurance or any aspect of the holiday itself, please do not hesitate to contact me on 023 92 636133 or [email protected] and I will be happy to help.
If possible, it would be incredibly helpful to us, if you could attach a spare copy of one of your prescriptions to this form. This will make it much easier for us obtain medication for you in case we need to deal with a chemist, GP or contact your own healthcare professional. I can return these to you at the end of the week or send them to confidential waste. No personal documents of this nature will be kept on file after the walking holiday. Thank you.
Payment Information
Please find attached, full instructions on how to book and pay for your place on the “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me 023 92 636133 or at [email protected]
Payment options include
• Full payment
• Deposit and balance – pay a deposit now and I will write to you prior to the walking holiday to let you know your balances is due
Payments can be made by cheque or credit or debit card.
Please note the following cancelation scale will apply to our individual and group booking. Holiday insurance can be purchased from Ramblers Countrywide or I can provide you with contact details of insurance companies that provide special cover for people with medical conditions.
Cancellation Period Charge More than 56 days Deposit Only Between 29 and 56 days 30% of holiday cost Between 28 and 15 days 45 % of holiday cost Between 14 and 0 days Full holiday cost
Book your place by Monday, 2 nd March 2015 and benefit from the full 20% network members discount and additional 5% early-bird discount!
Deposit Form
Dear Lee
Based on the DRWF network member’s package including the 20% discount and additional 5% ‘Early Bird’ discount, please find enclosed my / our deposit of £100 per person.
Please make cheques payable to DRWF and post to –
DRWF The Roundhouse Northney Marina Hayling Island Hampshire PO11 0NH
If you would like to pay by credit card, you can include your details below or contact me on my direct number 023 92 636133.
The 5% Early Bird discount applies to bookings received by Monday, 2nd March 2015
Name
Card Type
Card Number
Start Date (If Applicable) Issue Number (If Applicable) Expiry Date
Security Number
All credit and debit card details will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Once your payment has been processed by DRWF, your card details will be completely destroyed and sent for confidential waste. No card details will be held on file.
If you are paying by deposit, you may pay the balance of £244 per person at any time, however I will send a balance letter to remind you in April 2015.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number above or by E-mail at and I will be happy to help.
Full payment Form
Dear Lee
Based on the DRWF network member’s package including the 20% discount and additional 5% ‘Early Bird’ discount, please find enclosed my / our full payment of £344 per person.
Please make cheques payable to DRWF and post to –
DRWF The Roundhouse Northney Marina Hayling Island Hampshire PO11 0NH
Please make cheques payable to DRWF. If you would like to pay by credit card, you can include your details below or contact me on my direct number 023 92 636133.
The 5% Early Bird discount applies to bookings received by Monday, 2nd March 2015
Name
Card Type
Card Number
Start Date (If Applicable) Issue Number (If Applicable) Expiry Date
Security Number
All credit and debit card details will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Once your payment has been processed by DRWF, your card details will be completely destroyed and sent for confidential waste. No card details will be held on file.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number above or by E-mail at [email protected] and I will be happy to help.