DORSET FOOTNOTES Newsletter of the Dorset Area of the Ramblers Association ISSUE NO. 73 Spring 2016 WE NEED YOUR HELP - GET INVOLVED, GIVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS Those of you that have read the Dorset Area Annual Report 2014/2015 will know that the Area is financially sound, has a slowly decreasing membership and has a happy set of volunteers looking after the local engine room. There is, however, a downside, we do have several vacancies that need to be filled. After four years as Chairman, Keith Seymour has stood down and no one has volunteered to stand. Keith left us with an excellent legacy and Area Council recorded their thanks and appreciation to him with special reference to his leading role in setting up the 4050 Walkers Group and, with Jim Scott, redesigning the Website. A quick reference to the Who’s Who on page 7 will show you that we also have Area Council Vacancies for Vice Chairman, Publicity Officer, Countryside Secretary and three Individual Members, the latter being a great way to join in and learn ‘the ways’ of Area Council. The Area General Meeting was held on 21st November 2015 and the main speaker was Des Garrahan, Chair of The Board of Trustees. Unfortunately the turnout was very low, at 23 persons, a factor that no doubt contributed to the difficulty in filling Area Council Vacancies. There was an extended discussion as to the possible reasons for the very low turnout at the Area AGM as compared to the Group AGMs and possible ways to improve it. Approximately half those attending were from the ‘Hosting Group’. One outcome is this article explaining the problem and asking for suggestions. Area Council are also to consider different formats and timing including whether a full day (morning walk followed by AGM) on a Saturday is a disincentive. There was also short discussion as to whether the image of a “rambler” is an incentive or disincentive to join the Ramblers and whether the historic name is a net positive or negative for recruitment. If you have any suggestions, we would love to have them, please pass them on to Jim Scott, our Secretary, by phone or e-mail – see Page 7 for contact details. The Ramblers was founded by volunteers in 1935, and they remain the heart and soul of the organisation. People have widely differing motivations and reasons for volunteering and these need to be recognised. No one should ever give their time reluctantly, through a sense of obligation or guilt. Volunteering itself is a positive thing for society as well as: • empowering people and helping them to make their voices heard • broadening people’s knowledge, skills and experience • widening and strengthening social networks and increasing participation in civil society. The Ramblers broad-based supportive approach to volunteering is nicely encompassed in “The Ramblers: Our approach to volunteering” – simply type it into your search engine and it can easily be downloaded. The Ramblers also have a Volunteer Zone – a dedicated space for the volunteers who help support their work. Whether you lead walks, carry out campaigning work, maintain your local paths or help run a group, you’ll find plenty of resources and information available on the website. Doug Pigg WE DO NEED YOUR HELP - GET INVOLVED, FEEL GOOD AND KEEP WALKING! The Ramblings of Three Rusty Zips and Cathay An occasional series on the meanderings of three late middle-aged gentlemen and a papillon through Dorset and beyond. Having completed Book 3 of The Monarch’s Way the Three Rusty Zips decided on a more local walk for the winter of 2012/13 and we decided to walk The Wessex Ridgeway originally conceived by the late Priscilla Houstoun. During The Monarch’s Way walk we had devised a rating scheme called “The Boots” for the hostelries we stopped at. The scheme has a maximum of ‘5 boot’ that can be awarded with five criteria: i) Is it papillon friendly? ii) Is the ale of good quality? iii) Is the food good? iv) Is it friendly and welcoming? v) the overall ambience. The rating system commenced with The Wessex Ridgeway. The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 1 - 18/10/12 Marlborough to Devizes (16½ miles) We left Dorset at 08:15 and drove to Devizes where a taxi collected us for the onward journey to Marlborough where we feasted on a breakfast of coffee and flapjacks at a cosy little café in The High Street. Contrary to the forecast it was a lovely sunny morning as we left Marlborough on the old Bath road and over the downs to Avebury. Lunch at The Red Lion with gammon and Old Speckled Hen on draught. Fully replete we started on the remaining ten miles over stunning countryside with no settlements to be seen. Cloud took over from sun and just twenty minutes from Devizes the rain came down. We reached our car wet, tired but exhilarated with our efforts. The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 2 - 22/11/12 Devizes to West Lavington (10 miles) We left Dorset at 08:15 and drove to West Lavington where we caught the 09:47 Route 2 bus to Devizes. After several days of persistent rain resulting in severe flooding in parts of the West Country the outlook was unsettled as we left Devizes. We walked the canal path for a mile or so before starting the climb to the ridge where we were greeted with very strong winds. At coffee break Cathay put on her coat. A downhill walk to The Lamb at Urchfont; a lovely locals’ pub with good beer and inexpensive pub grub awarded 4 boot. The afternoon was extremely windy but the rain held off. We arrived back in Dorset very tired and muddy – especially Cathay. The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 3 - 13/12/12 West Lavington to Westbury (13 miles) Leaving Dorset at 08:00 we arrived in Westbury where we transferred to a taxi to West Lavington. A dry cold day with temperatures just below freezing all day. Vast sweeping views over rather desolate country all day. Lunch was taken at The Three Daggers in Erdington a nice comfy pub with their own beer brewed in their micro-brewery next door. We enjoyed lunch so much we awarded the pub 5 boot! The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 4 - 03/01/13 Westbury to Heytesbury (11½ miles) We drove and parked the car at Westbury. An overcast day but we were blessed and the promised rain kept off all day with just a few drops as we reached Heytesbury. From Westbury we climbed Beggars Knoll to re-join the Ridgeway. The wettest December for years (unknown to us then this was a precursor for each subsequent December being even wetter yet) made the paths very muddy and slippery. At Warminster we made a detour via Cop Heap in to Warminster town centre to The Mason’s Arms a delightful CAMRA town pub with beef and ale pie to die for and excellent real ales. Another 5 boot award pub! After lunch we reluctantly left the conviviality of the pub and walked up Imber Road to re-join the Ridgeway and after three steep climbs arrived in Heytesbury to find a taxi waiting to return us back to our car in Westbury The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 5 - 17/01/13 Heytesbury to Hindon (8 miles) We departed Dorset at 08:00 and drove to Hindon where we transferred to our pre-booked taxi to Heytesbury. Another very cold day and overcast, but although below freezing, due to the prolonged rain over the previous two months the first part of the walk was still flooded in places. However once on the ridgeway we enjoyed good brisk walking for the rest of the morning. A good lunch was had at The Angel in Hindon completing this short stage. 2 The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 6 - 31/01/13 Hindon to Ludwell (11 miles) Weather forecast was for rain all day as we drove away from Dorset to Ludwell to meet our taxi to Hindon. Rain, snow, and more rain over the last month had left the ground water-logged and most of the route was a quagmire making for extremely difficult walking. However we counted our good luck that the forecasters were wrong and the promised rain never materialised. We stopped for lunch at The Foresters in Donhead St Andrew for a BLT sandwich and chips and an unrecorded beer. Pleasant enough pub but only awarded 3 boot. The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 7 - 14/02/13 Ludwell to Shroton (13 miles) For this stage we were joined by Bob, a campanologist from Bere Regis, who eventually became an honorary “Rusty Zip” in 2015. We drove to Ludwell and started walking at 08:30. After several days of incessant rain it was nice to have sun on our backs but the ground was even more waterlogged than the previous stage. Both Bob and Tim slipped and fell arse over tit in the appalling mud and standing water. When not watching one’s feet the views were spectacular with Win Green being the highest point. We arrived at The Cricketers, Shroton just in time for food at 14:00 where we met spouse Diana and friend. Unfortunately the pub would not allow Cathay in so she had to wait in the car. An unwelcoming, unfriendly pub awarded 0 boot. After an unremarkable lunch we were driven back to the car at Ludwell. The Wessex Ridgeway – Stage 8 - 21/02/13 Shroton to Anstey (11½ miles) Another morning only walk. We drove to Iwerne Courtney (Shroton) and started walking at 08:30 with a good climb up Hambledon Hill.