1/2021 iowramblers.com talk Penny rolls in Walktalk meets super-fundraiser Karen Penny on her marathon coast path walk IN THIS ISSUE... + Finding our feet again + Sun sets on 2020 + Coast with the most + Lovin’ the Lake District + Crete 2021 + Walking trail news + News from our volunteers Welcomeand Happyfrom everyoneNew back! Year at 2021 WalkTalk LOCKDOWNII Finding our As the sun sets on 2020... feet again THE WORLD IS AT LAST IW Ramblers’ Chairman TURNING ITS BACK David Howarth reflects on a year of changing ON A TURBULENT AND priorities UNPREDICTABLE YEAR – THIS YEAR HAS been challenging for all of us. Whilst we have been determined to stay fit and healthy, chaos has reigned around us. A YEAR IN WHICH THE We have all had to adapt to a new world where some of the things we have always taken for granted have VERY IDEA THAT OUR been lost and there has been a need to adapt to the new technologies. ACTIVITIES COULD BE Early in the year, we were preparing the spring edition of WalkTalk and had a full walks programme listed to September. CURTAILED WAS We were ready to attend General Council in April, and looking forward to our Roadshow at Cowes which was to be the first event in the Walking Festival calendar. UNTHINKABLE... Work was in hand to produce the Walking Festival and Walk the Wight , and we had arranged a special gate opening for the 30th anniversary. None of us knew what was around the corner and But the Island – our Walks for everyone, sadly all of these events had to be cancelled. Throughout the year we have had to follow guidance Island of infinite from easy half-hour and new rules which have been adapted for our variety and interest strolls to strenuous activities. And just as we were reintroducing a limited walks programme, Lockdown Number 2 – will be waiting for all-day rambles... arrived. us once our freedoms Up hill, down dale, So, it has been a difficult and frustrating year. have been restored. Break out your boots... rucksack on... Nevertheless, there have been some positives – regardless of the Best get ready for deep breath... best foot forward... we have better communications, technology has weather... improved, and there has been much progress in bracing coastline, developing the new coast path. Fresh air and exercise, There has been a tremendous amount of interest in remote downland, walking this year – our website and social media have secluded woods, and a pleasant tired- and both been extremely busy. rolling green fields, ness after a day well walk! Unfortunately, without a walks programme this interest does not translate into a growing lush river valleys... spent... membership. Let’s just hope for a better 2021. * Walks and events featured in this edition of WalkTalk took place either pre-lockdown or when regulations had been relaxed to allow small groups to convene. Social I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in distancing was observed. Please note that covid-secure walks can restart from Wednesday 2 December – our walks are exempt from the ‘rule of six’ in all local restriction helping find our feet again. tiers. Please check iowramblers.com to find out which walks are taking place. Members organising walks independently must observe government regulations. It’s a vital position! ONLINE You love walking. You’re passionate about the outdoors. So could you be our next Area Secretary? AGM 2021 The Isle of Wight Ramblers is looking for What’s more, you’ll gain experience and AGENDA for Area and group AGMs a new Area Secretary to help with our skills which will really benefit you and can online, 23 Jan 2021 activities into 2021 and beyond. This is an be added to your CV. exciting time to become involved. 10 am Introduction by David Your role will involve writing, agreeing Howarth, Chairman The Ramblers helps everyone, and keeping records such as minutes, and It’s good to everywhere, to enjoy walking – and, liaising with Area Committee members as Group Agenda crucially, it protects the places we all well as Group Secretaries on the Island. 1. Approve Annual Report love to walk. Expert speakers at Meetings will need to be organised, 2. Approve accounts and balance talk By volunteering as Area Secretary you’ll venues booked and refreshments sheet be helping us achieve this. organised. You’ll need to be comfortable 3. Appoint office holders and December 2020 with emails and the internet. There is committee members: AGM 2020 If taking on a role like this is new to you, membership a two-way flow of information with a. Group Chair 458 you won’t be on your own. Training, Ramblers’ Central Office in London, such b. Group Treasurer total for the Main Group 406 Over forty members attended our AGM in January 2020, guidance and support will be readily as new policies or initiatives which you c. Group Secretary IW Ramblers Wightsole 52 enjoying stimulating and thought-provoking contributions available if you discover you need help or need to communicate to the rest of the d. Walks programme from each of our three distinguished guest speakers. advice. You will also have all the support Want to join us? Just go to Area Committee. e. Social secretary and encouragement you need from other f. Holidays www.iowramblers.com and >JOHN TAYLOR >BOB SEELY MP >AYNSLEY JARDIN members of the Area Committee. You will work with lots of different g. Committee members click on the membership link from Natural England said that he was a Ramblers Trustee, gave volunteers and members – you need to h. Representative for Area gave an update about concerned about the a motivational speech be able to work as a part of a team but Area Council Council the new English coast Island Plan which which explained the also be able to get on with things on your Area Chair David Howarth 07477 600337 i. Appoint external auditor path. The main part of indicated that 9000 current vision of our own. Acting Secretary David Howarth 07477 600337 4. Any other business Area Treasurer Carolyn Lymn 01983 565508 the report was due to be homes are proposed to charity and the various This role is a vital position but it can also Publicity, Social Media David Howarth 07477 600337 issued on 18th March be built over 15 years. ways of achieving the be a shared role – splitting the role into Area Agenda Newsletter Editor Stephen Williams 07967 272066 2020, with the Wootton Generally it was felt objectives. A new website Footpath Secretary Mike Slater 01983 752997 two or three parts: Minute Secretary, to Cowes section due that these homes are for is being planned, and 1. Approve Annual Report Membership Secretary Patricia Macaulay-Fraser 07894 466881 Volunteers Area Secretary and Assistant Area 2. Approve accounts and balance Committee members John Gurney-Champion 01983 522665 to be published in the mainland residents and various IT improvements, at the Secretary. sheet Pam Dana 01983 863189 future. IW Ramblers not needed for the stable along with marketing heart Chris Slann 07794 699558 is encouraging population of the Island. campaigns and of all 3. Appoint office holders and Frankie Goldspink 07794 69955 fundraising. More we do committee members: Group Committee everyone to make Bob also mentioned the a. Area Chair Chairman Vacant their representations new Environment Act and training for volunteers Fancy giving it a go? b. Area Treasurer Secretary Steve Gibson 07901555789 during the eight-week Agriculture Act which is also being made Membership Secretary Patricia 07894 466881 consultation period. might affect access rights. available. Email David Howarth, c. Area Footpath Secretary Walks Coordinator Steve Gibson 07901555789 our Area Chairman d. Area Secretary Treasurer Jackie H 01983 868517 [email protected] e. Area Membership Officer Newsletter distribution Tim H 01983 868517 f. Area Countryside Officer Committee member Roger 07740 541153 g. Members of Area Council John R 01983 508948 Carol H 01983 537445 h. Appoint external auditor Footpath Sub-Committee 4. Appoint two representatives for Area Secretary Mike Slater 01983 752997 General Council, NEC Birmingham 17 Planning John Hague 07779 208871 April 2021 Committee members Maureen Le Roi 01983 612666 5. Any other business Howard Duffus 07428 461619 Wight Sole Group Please note that owing to Chairman Gary 01983 867098 Deputy Chair Tracey 01983 867603 coronavirus restrictions, this is an Treasurer Dave 01983 297304 ONLINE Zoom meeting. Membership Suzanne 01983 297304 Publicity Alison 07792 913044 We encourage all members of Isle of Wight Ramblers to participate. Items for the next edition of WalkTalk Welcome back, Steve You will need a PC or laptop. WalkTalk is published in print and online three times a Our Newsletter Editor, Steve Williams, has now returned year, in April, July and December. Submissions to the next to the Island, having moved to Falmouth in 2016. Smartphones and tablets can also edition should be sent to David Howarth, by 7 March 2021. He offered to help us after retiring at the end of 2010 from be used. Email: [email protected] his job as Publications Manager at IOW Council, and the Tel: 01983 759823, 07477 600337 The Annual Report enclosed first Walktalk was created in September 2011. with this edition of WalkTalk has Area Chairman David Howarth said, “We have kept in details of how to attend, and all touch and enjoyed hearing about Steve’s life in Cornwall. the information needed for this It is excellent news that he has decided to return to the meeting. Print: St Mary’s Hospital Print Unit Island and take up the reins as Newsletter Editor”.