South Cotswold Ramblers’ Group Newsletter - June 2014 Published each year in February, June and October. We look forward to hearing from you with stories, opinions, photos, poetry, art, funny tales, cartoons, appeals, you name it. This edition was edited by Sally Davis 01453 872729, email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REPORT e are nearly half way through 2014 and In fact every time you set foot on a footpath you can soon the nights will start drawing in, but involve yourself in our volunteer activities. As you Wwith our summer programme now in may be aware the PROW work of GCC has now place, providing a large number of very varied been contracted out to Amey. We are still waiting to walks, our largest total ever, we are ready for a few see how well this will work but one thing that is months of happy wandering in radiant sunshine. very obvious is that we will have a bigger part to Thanks to Mike and the walks collectors for putting play in monitoring the condition of our footpaths. the programme together and to all those who have So don't be afraid to carry a pair of secateurs out volunteered to lead. walking to cut back the odd bramble. If the obstruction looks too great you can report it to our By the time you read this we will have completed own footpath section who often carry out clearance our Lake District holiday with Scafell Pike and work or alternatively, and if it looks like a major Striding Edge ticked off of our list of things to do problem, register it on the PROW website. The new before we get too old. In September we have 23 contractors have agreed to check every footpath booked for Dunster. The hotel tells me that they still once every ten years so we can play an important have vacancies so if anybody else is interested part in checking our paths in the intervening please get in touch or if you want further periods. information I can give you some details of our proposed programme. One last reminder, just in case we do get some hot weather this summer, last year I posted some notes Does your interest in Ramblers exist only to on the Messages Page for hot weather conditions. provide you with regular walks or would you like to They can still be viewed if you scroll down the know more about the wide-ranging activities of our page. Always make sure you have plenty of water if organisation? Have a look at the Ramblers temperatures are rising, and make sure you drink it. Volunteer website. It is full of information and will Leaders, have plenty of drinks stops in hot weather, tell you all you need to know about the various every 20 minutes is not unreasonable, tell walkers campaigns, initiatives and activities with updates on that you are calling a drinks stop and make sure that latest news items and may even inspire you to take a stragglers have plenty of time to drink when they more active role yourselves. There are many ways catch up. in which you can get involved. Richard Davis, Chairman GROUP AGM BERNARD SMITH – SECRETARY Just a reminder that the Bernard has informed the Committee that he Group AGM will take wishes to stand down as Secretary at the next place on Saturday 15th AGM. He has been Secretary for some 12 years November at Rodborough and also involved himself with the footpath Tabernacle. Please make committee, being instrumental in the operation of every effort to attend this important constitutional our kissing gate scheme. He has indicated that he event. We have a surprise would like to continue as a committee member guest speaker this year where his vast experience will be much who you will not want to appreciated. miss. NEPAL I've walked to Everest base I'm just back from my fourth visit to camp, and Nepal in five years. ( There was a over the Cho diversion to Patagonia ). It's a La to Gokyo, fascinating place – the Maoist Annapurna insurgency, overthrow of the circuit ( now monarchy, and now a democratic wrecked with government. None of the parties in a new road ), the government can agree on Keith Manaslu anything, most are corrupt, and circuit (still nothing gets done. It's a start though! good, and becoming more I wander about with a popular), and with Nepalese guide, and we hire a porter. this year the Barun valley on the way to Makalu, and Lantang. The Barun valley is an interesting place, undeveloped, with very few visitors. Stayed in private houses . The weather patterns in spring this year were unusual. A lot of snow remaining from the winter, and still raining or snowing ( depending on the altitude ). We could not get over the Tutu pass – blocked with deep snow. The strange weather contributed to the serac collapse and the disastrous deaths of the climbing Sherpas on the Khumbu ice fall. If anyone would like any more information on this amazing area, ask Keith Going away with Ramblers' Holidays? We have recently received a sum of money for South Cotswold Group Funds from Ramblers Holidays where members taking a holiday with them have nominated South Cotswold Group. If you ever forget to tell them when booking, there is still time if you contact them before you go. By your doing so, they will donate £10, £20 or even £30 per person to our funds to be used to benefit walkers. For more info, click the link to Walking Partnership on our Messages page. Enid’s Barbados Holiday snorkel over a reef which was just a few yards from shore. In March, this year, I went on an HF holiday to Socially, the trip was very successful. There Barbados. Anyone expecting an active walking were 16 in our group and mixing was certainly aided holiday would have been disappointed, it’s too hot by our meeting up every evening for “ happy hour “ for that. We did go out each day to explore the where we could buy two rum and cokes for the price island, which is about the same size as the Isle of of one , that is $4. Wight. The walks were mostly around 3 – 5 miles, Barbados is more expensive that other islands punctuated by visits to the remains of the island’s but it is much safer and the locals are very sugar industry and old plantation houses many of welcoming. which were derelict or had been made into I returned feeling and looking very fit having restaurants. had a great Spring break. One day we wandered into a military area and were met by armed soldiers who were about to start their shooting practice. They escorted us back to the correct path before starting to shoot. This was probably exciting for them as they have never experienced active service. This holiday is called “ Taste of the Caribbean” and the food was excellent with meals taken both in the hotel and in local restaurants. There was great variety although flying fish featured on most menus. The hotel had a splendid private beach and good swimming. I particularly enjoyed being able to OS Mapping Errors - Your chance to help improve our maps! Ordnance Survey has embarked upon a pilot project with Gloucestershire Area Ramblers to report errors on OS maps. The thinking behind this initiative is that the best people to identify such errors are members of the regular walking public. The errors you are most likely to encounter are field boundaries and woods, marked on the map, that no longer exist but there may also be new buildings, woods, etc. You can report any errors to us via email to [email protected] and we will pass them on to OS. Please restrict your reports to errors within the Gloucestershire area. Note also that changes to rights of way need not be notified since OS obtains this information directly from local authorities. Bob Frewin Group Footpath Secretary LATE SPRING WALKING HOLIDAY AT LULWORTH COVE, DORSET Mon 11 - Fri 15 May 2015 - Leaders Mike and Heather Garner - 01453 873625 West Lulworth House, sea arch has been carved from the harder chalk rocks. recently completely The free Heritage Centre next to the public car park is refurbished, occupies a well worth a visit. stunning location, just a few minutes' walk from There will be a choice of three walks on the Tuesday, the sea at Lulworth Wednesday and Thursday. Heather and Mike will be Cove, on the Jurassic planning out walks for our group members for the first Coast. On HF’s website and last days, so you will be able to do five walks during it says that it is a our 4 night stay if you wish. popular option for groups. We know that only too well as the South Cotswold Group has been on the HF waiting list Walks could include for two years now. South Cots members voted it the most Studland, Cerne desirable HF house to visit when we did a poll amongst Abbas, the South everyone back in 2012. Purbeck Coast, Durdle Door, Corfe Castle and Swanage. Food consists of the usual excellent HF fare with extensive help yourself and/or cooked breakfast, choose your own picnic lunch and sociable evening meal. HF arrange social activities each evening but don’t worry, these are completely avoidable if it’s not your scene. Lulworth is 93 miles from Stroud. Members are advised to ensure that they have made their travel plans early.