News and information from the Isle of Wight Wishing our readers a Merry Issue 139 Area and Groups Christmas & Happy New Year Winter 2019 Ramblers Roadshow Coming to COWES Ramblers roadshows are training events which are held across Britain. An event will be held on Saturday 2nd May which will also be the start date of the Island Walking Festival. This is an opportunity for members to brush up their skills and to meet Ramblers staff. Northwood House is the exquisite venue for a day when members can mix and match training. There will be morning and afternoon sessions and a buffet lunch will be provided. Topics will include: • Walk leadership training • First aid for walkers • Navigational skills (using a smartphone) • Footpath law basics • Footpath law advanced Sessions can be booked online at www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer roadshows. The day is absolutely free for volunteers or those interested in volunteering with the Ramblers. Saturday 2nd May is the fi rst day of the Island Walking Festival, and on this occasion we are also inviting festival participants to this special event. Welcome... ...to walkTALK, the newsletter from LOVELY the Isle of Wight Ramblers. If youʻre SOCIAL new to walking, or if youʻve not seen walkTALK before, why not join us? LITTLECOTE EVENTS Benefi ts include: • 280 led walks on the Island each year; • a variety of social events; • walking holidays and day trips; • national Walk magazine and walkTALK; • Discounts from leading outdoor suppliers (eg Cotswold; Blacks) and Ramblers Worldwide Holidays; 23 IW Ramblers enjoyed a • support for an organisation weekend break to Berkshire for a 3-night stay at the Grade I campaigning for greater access to listed Tudor mansion Littlecote the countryside. House nr Hungerford, set in 113 Joining us couldnʻt be easier. Just go acres with the River Kennet to w w w.io w.ramble rs.com and click on running through. Luxury the membership link. awaited when we were upgraded to either historic following day. We took the Avon Welcome to our six new members who courtyard rooms or historic & Kennet canal tow path as far have joined since our last newsletter four suites in the old 14th Century as the Crofton Pumping Station months ago. manor house. where we saw the old steam The House is full of history and powered beam engines and mystery, from Henry VIII’s enjoyed coffee and cake. Then courtship with Jane Seymour, to up the hill to Wilton Windmill 501 before descending through the the Second World War, during Total membership for the Isle of Wight Ramblers woods of the Bedwyn Trail back Main Group 452; Wightsole 49 which the US 101st Airborne Division had their Headquarters to the canal. Some took the easy here. There is now a Museum in option and enjoyed their tea and the original house dedicated to cake on a horse drawn barge. its military history. We enjoyed Our fi nal walk took us from the an interesting history tour of its House through the grounds to the architectural treasures, notably Roman Villa with its superb the 110ft Long Gallery, the oak Orpheus mosaic fl oor. Then, over panelled Great Hall and the the bridge to the idyllic village of Cromwellian Chapel, probably Ramsbury where a pint of the the only complete example of local ale was promised at “The YOUR DATA its kind in England. Bell” but unfortunately, we As a member of Isle of Wight Ramblers arrived too early and they could you will always receive Walk magazine, only serve us soft drinks or coffee! Walktalk, our walks programme, and All the more reason to hurry AGM information. You must opt in to back to the hotel to watch the receive email information. rugby or enjoy the leisure facilities. Preferences can be changed at www.ramblers.org.com/my-account The meals at Littlecote were or telephone 020 7339 8595 excellent with a good variety and choice. We had reserved Walktalk is also published on line at seats in the theatre to enjoy 3 www.iowramblers.com. If you do not good shows ranging from wish to receive a paper version tell Michael Jackson to Shirley Bassey Patricia Macaulay-Fraser. Our guide, Lyn, took us on a music including a very good tour of the house and explained vocal harmony group The Four about the resident ghosts. Lyn D’s. This was a successful and lived in the village of Great enjoyable weekend which we Bedwyn and this was the will probably repeat sometime at starting point for a walk the another Warner’s historic Hotel. 2 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com Up-coming Ramblersʻ holidays SUMMER HOLIDAY 2020 “THE COUNTY HOTEL” KENDAL Monday 24th – Friday 28th August 2020 The 3* County Hotel enjoys a central location in Kendal, the gateway to the Lake District, and is the very fi rst of Daish’s new Town & Country Hotels. It has recently undergone an extensive four-month refurbishment programme and will offer a smaller and more boutique accommodation experience as it has only 40 bedrooms, a lounge, bar, bistro restaurant and coffee shop. Free Wi-fi . Two led walks or coach SORRY excursion included plus a free day. no singles left 4 Nights 5 days – Cost: £295 per person based on twin share half board and return coach travel from the Island. A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Where are we? Answer on page 8 Another Quiz and a Meal A Krazy Kwiz night will be held on Wednesday 4th March 2020, at IW Indoor Bowls Club, Brading Road, next to MacDonalds near Ryde, at 5.30 for 6pm. Many of you went to the successful event last September. Full details will be sent to you, just contact me on [email protected] A sheet will come fl ying through the ether to you. Vernon, Social secretary www.iowramblers.com walkTALK 3 Change of Area Chairman Patricia Macaulay-Fraser, David Howarth, Rod Senior and Pam Dana David Howarth has stood said that he is looking forward achievements of Isle of Wight down as Area Chair from to the challenges ahead. Ramblers over the last decade. October. We are fortunate to have a high David was presented with a level of volunteers and I would His successor, Rod Senior, has Ramblers Volunteer urge members to consider held a number of positions at Commendation at a recent taking on leadership roles Somerset as well as being Area Council meeting. He said which can be very rewarding.” Group Chair on the Island. Rod “I am proud of the AGM Outgoing Area Chairman, 2020 David Howarth, says a fond farewell We hope that you will come our achievements over the last • Work Party Leader to organise along to the AGM on 25 decade, and this would not have our monthly maintenance happened without the support of programme. January 2020. some 150 volunteers. This is about • Shows Organiser. This involves a third of our membership on the We try to make our Annual General organising setting up the Island. This includes path Meetings (AGMs) a social displays and ensuring that representatives, newsletter occasion, with homemade cooked volunteers are available. lunch, and plenty of opportunities distributors, walk leaders and the to chat to others. We also have like. • Historic Paths Project Leader. A volunteer is needed to people along to talk to us. This However, we do struggle to fi nd coordinate the activities of year we are pleased to welcome people who take on volunteer people researching lost ways. our MP Bob Seely. John Taylor leadership roles. I have found this from Natural England will update work to be very rewarding, and I • Planning Offi cer. A weekly list of everyone on the latest have made many new friends planning applications is developments with the Coast Path. across all walks of life. received. Comments are made And our enthusiastic trustee, about those applications We currently have volunteer Aynsley Jardin, is travelling to see affecting rights of way. us, and will talk about recruitment vacancies for: • Coordinator of our Path of volunteers. • Area Secretary to assist the Representatives. This is my eighth and fi nal year as Area Chair in organising your Area Chairman. I am proud of meetings and the AGM. So please do consider joining our team. You will be fully supported. 4 walkTALK www.iowramblers.com AGM 2020 AGENDA Annual General Meeting 9.30am for coffee and chat 10.00am Group Agenda • Approve Annual Report Saturday 25th • Approve accounts and balance sheet • Appoint office holders and committee members: • Group Chair January 2020 • Group Treasurer All members are invited to join us at • Group Secretary • Walks programme Arreton Community Centre. IW • Social secretary For SATNAV PO30 3AD • Holidays • Committee members • Representative for Area Council • Appoint external auditor • Discussion of motions or change to constitution Please send all nominations for • Any other business officer posts and any motions for 11.00am Area Agenda debate to David Howarth • Approve Annual Report by 11 January. • Approve accounts and balance sheet Motions will be discussed • Appoint office holders and committee members • Area Chair by the group and area • Area Treasurer committees prior to the meeting. • Area Footpath Secretary [email protected] • Area Secretary • Area Membership Officer • Area Countryside Officer • Members of Area Council • Appoint external auditor • Appoint two representatives for General Council, 4th / 5th April at Bristol • Discussion of motions and/or changes to constitution AGM Lunch 12.00pm Tea and Coffee Please complete the form opposite 12.15pm Bob Seely MP 12.30pm John Taylor, Natural England will discuss and post it with your cheque the future Island Coast Path alignment (payable to Isle of Wight Ramblers) to: 12.50pm Questions to our trustee, Aynsley Jardin Group Treasurer 1.00pm Lunch 2 Forest Road 2.15pm Short walk Winford Booking form for AGM lunch on 25 January 2020 PO36 0JY Name ...............................................................................................