Walks report for 2008
Since our AGM last December our group has walked a total of 231 miles, allegedly. Oddly the same as last year. Coincidence? The programme was made up of 11 Monday evening walks, 24 Sunday walks and our annual midweek fish & chip walk. A total of 37 walks. Six more than last year. There's a slide show of photos taken during the year at the bottom of this page.
A common denominator this year was our weather. We didn’t get much of a Summer and two walks had to be modified due to inclemency. Roger stranded in the snow in Yorkshire and Karen sensibly curtailing our walk on Hadrian’s Wall. Other times we have been glad of gloves and Gortex.
Numbers attending walks was down this year compared to last year. No cause for alarm. It was simply that some of our regular core of walkers for various reasons at various times were unable to come out on walks as often as they would have liked.
Our Walking Weekend was centred on Buxton in the Peak District and enjoyed by those who did attend. I’m told the B&B was “interesting.” Consensus was that this location took too long to get to for a relatively short weekend consisting as it does of a Saturday walk and a short Sunday walk. Next year we hope to redress this issue with our choice of Ingleton.
Our group has a membership of over 100. Whilst we have always attracted people from other groups to come walking with us, only a very small percentage of our own membership ever come out walking. We know our group is not alone. This issue is common to most groups. Never the less we want to find a way of getting some feedback from our members to determine their preferences for walks, distance, time, days etc. and also any other things we could be doing to engage their active participation.
Memorable this year was: Harry, who formerly walked with us as a bump inside his mum is now old enough to walk himself. Bring a dish party chez Roger & Madeline, the Curry Train evening, our Picnic walk, the Art arun tha Toon walk when we took our lunch break in Fenwicks, Unscheduled swimming in the River Greta. Barry our High Plains Drifter and many more.....
Thank you to the Woodman on Gilesgate (NZ279 427) for hosting our walks planning meetings. The venue was nearly not available. The Woodman was suddenly and unexpectedly closed this year. Fortunately Paula took over and put the Pub back in business.
A big – thank you to our Leaders for their enthusiasm, their time and dedication ensuring our walking is and continues to be as good as it is – Roger, Tony, Paul, Rachel, Cliff, John, Brian, Gendi and Karen.
Wednesday walks report 2008
A Wednesday walks programme was instituted by the group from December 2007, initially on a monthly basis and fortnightly from September 2008, and they have all been in Co. Durham. Alternate walks are now morning walks followed by a pub lunch. These have attracted some people who have not walked with us before. Numbers on walks are limited (2-9) but the crack has been good! For the record, there have been 16 walks in the last year, a total of 112 miles and 80 participants (5 per walk).
Richard Fletcher
Walks Secretary
On another page we have a report of our 2007 season.
Slide show
