Report of the Group’s 40th AGM.
The business part of the AGM progressed smoothly, steered by the Chairman, Brian Jones. Reports were given by the Treasurer, John Westhead; Secretary, Joy Greenwood; Footpath Secretary, Gill Gale; and finally the Chairman himself. There was little comment from the 31 members present (fewer than 10% of our membership). Joy and Gill wished to step down from their roles, and committee members, Mike Shearing and Jennifer Kingsley, did not want to be re-elected. In the absence of any other nominations, Joy volunteered to be Footpath Secretary. This meant that after the Election of Officers, the Group was without a Secretary and three committee members.
Then we were very lucky to be given an excellent illustrated talk about the Arnside/Silverdale A.O.N.B., by its Manager, Lucy Barron. She gave an insight into the varied landscapes, flora and fauna to be found within it’s boundaries, and a résumé of the projects being carried out there by its many ‘partnerships’ to preserve and enhance the Area. In his vote of thanks Gordon Phillips mischievously suggested that as the AONB was being well managed, maybe people should be looking at focusing on A.O.M.U.s (Areas of Outstanding Manmade Ugliness) in future. He also made a plea for better public transport to the AONB.
The evening was rounded off with a ‘Jacobs Join’ buffet provided by the members present.
In the days since the AGM, the committee has had to evoke their ‘Plan B’ in which the jobs carried out by the previous secretary have been distributed between its members plus two group members, with Gill Gale acting as a ‘nominal’ secretary. Also two volunteers have come forward to serve on the committee; so as this News-sheet goes to press we have a vacancy one committee member and a Newsletter Editor (this is my last edition). Any offers??
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Our Walks Programme:
Again there an interesting and varied selection of rambles offered. We are also holding a walk and lunch on Saturday 13th February, based on Wray village.
There are two walks, promoted as part of National Ramblers’ Events – the Festival of Winter Walks at the beginning of January, and the 75th Ramblers’ Anniversary Baton Walk in the North West in April. The Lake District Area of the Ramblers is also running a series of Natural History Walks, starting in April and this year featuring the Geology of the Region. We hope you can take part in some of these events.
(Please note that the suggested contribution towards petrol has been increased to 7.5p per passenger per mile, at the level it was at before the recent dip in prices).
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From our last programme:
Recently we held a one day event for the leaders of our walks. This took the form of a workshop in the morning in which we outlined the work going into the preparation of a walks programme and that for the walk itself. During the discussions many useful suggestions were made. This was followed by a hotpot lunch and a walk up Clougha.
One outcome has been the recent introduction of a system used by the Penrith Group. Leaders had expressed concern for their party members and wished to have information in case of an unforeseen incident with a member of their party. So our Group is now able to supply the materials to produce a self-laminating identity card. This can include your name, the person to contact in an emergency and, if needed, any medical condition and what should be done if you fall ill. These will be available from leaders. The card should be filled in, sealed and kept in your daypack.
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Footpath problems:
This is a reminder – if you find anything on any of your walks which you feel could be improved, please let me (Joy Greenwood) know. It might be a broken stile, or one that is difficult to negotiate. The signpost where the path leaves the metalled road might be broken, missing or pointing in the wrong direction. A gate might be difficult, or impossible to open, or a path might be very overgrown.
Also if any of you would like, as do some members, to regularly walk and check paths near your home, or in a parish nearby, again please contact me. This footpath work is invaluable and is one of the important reasons that sets us apart from other walking groups!
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National coastal path:
As we go to press news has broken that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill has received the Royal Assent so in the future we will be asked to comment on proposals for the national coastal path. This is not likely to happen immediately, the plan is to start in Cumbria, but we are nearby.
The business part of the AGM progressed smoothly, steered by the Chairman, Brian Jones. Reports were given by the Treasurer, John Westhead; Secretary, Joy Greenwood; Footpath Secretary, Gill Gale; and finally the Chairman himself. There was little comment from the 31 members present (fewer than 10% of our membership). Joy and Gill wished to step down from their roles, and committee members, Mike Shearing and Jennifer Kingsley, did not want to be re-
The evening was rounded off with a ‘Jacobs Join’ buffet provided by the members present.
In the days since the AGM, the committee has had to evoke their ‘Plan B’ in which the jobs carried out by the previous secretary have been distributed between its members plus two group members, with Gill Gale acting as a ‘nominal’ secretary. Also two volunteers have come forward to serve on the committee; so as this News-
**************************************************************************************
Our Walks Programme:
Again there an interesting and varied selection of rambles offered. We are also holding a walk and lunch on Saturday 13th February, based on Wray village.
There are two walks, promoted as part of National Ramblers’ Events – the Festival of Winter Walks at the beginning of January, and the 75th Ramblers’ Anniversary Baton Walk in the North West in April. The Lake District Area of the Ramblers is also running a series of Natural History Walks, starting in April and this year featuring the Geology of the Region. We hope you can take part in some of these events.
(Please note that the suggested contribution towards petrol has been increased to 7.5p per passenger per mile, at the level it was at before the recent dip in prices).
**************************************************************************************
From our last programme:
Recently we held a one day event for the leaders of our walks. This took the form of a workshop in the morning in which we outlined the work going into the preparation of a walks programme and that for the walk itself. During the discussions many useful suggestions were made. This was followed by a hotpot lunch and a walk up Clougha.
One outcome has been the recent introduction of a system used by the Penrith Group. Leaders had expressed concern for their party members and wished to have information in case of an unforeseen incident with a member of their party. So our Group is now able to supply the materials to produce a self-
***************************************************************************************
Footpath problems:
This is a reminder – if you find anything on any of your walks which you feel could be improved, please let me (Joy Greenwood) know. It might be a broken stile, or one that is difficult to negotiate. The signpost where the path leaves the metalled road might be broken, missing or pointing in the wrong direction. A gate might be difficult, or impossible to open, or a path might be very overgrown.
Also if any of you would like, as do some members, to regularly walk and check paths near your home, or in a parish nearby, again please contact me. This footpath work is invaluable and is one of the important reasons that sets us apart from other walking groups!
***************************************************************************************
National coastal path:
As we go to press news has broken that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill has received the Royal Assent so in the future we will be asked to comment on proposals for the national coastal path. This is not likely to happen immediately, the plan is to start in Cumbria, but we are nearby.
This newsletter is edited by Joy Greenwood, and published by the Ramblers’ Association, Lancaster Group. Any comments can be e-mailed to lancramblers1@yahoo.co.uk