SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Area AGM
The Lancaster Group are hosting the Lake District Area AGM on 14 January 2012, details of which were in the previous Area News.
Walk and Lunch
Wednesday February 8th will see the return of the once popular Walk & Lunch. A train from Lancaster Station at about 0930 hours will arrive in Arnside around 10am, and the walk will start from that station a few minutes later. A circuit of approx. 5 miles has been planned to lead back to the village and ‘The Albion’ on The Promenade for lunch at 12.30.
The route will very much depend on the weather, but, if possible, it will take in Arnside Knott, so be prepared for ascent!
The extensive menu at The Albion includes a ‘full menu’ of starters, mains and puddings; platters and salads; or various Albion burgers; or, if the walk has not left you in need of that amount of sustenance, there is also a ‘Saver menu’ where ’quality is unchanged, just smaller portions’, or cold & hot sandwiches, or jacket potatoes.
If the above tempts you to emerge from a warm house into the cold, for a brisk walk and some socialising, please ring Joy Greenwood beforehand to obtain correct train times (the timetables for February are not available at time of going to press).
FOOTPATH SURVEYS
Observant readers of the walks programme may have noticed that in March and April the monthly footpath survey has replaced the usual midweek walk. We are hoping this might encourage more people to get involved in this important aspect of Ramblers' work.
Ramblers' concern with public access for walkers, is what distinguishes it from other walking groups; the vital work of keeping public footpaths open and accessible means we can all enjoy walking freely in town and countryside. This right can easily be taken for granted and lost if not safeguarded.
Our local area of responsibility is large and it takes in areas as diverse as Dent, Cockerham, Over Wyresdale, Sunderland Point, Leck and Silverdale. Areas are checked systematically and any problems with stiles, kissing gates, overgrown footpaths, access problems etc., are reported to the appropriate Local Authority for their attention. Armed with secateurs, some problems are dealt with on the spot!
Each footpath survey session covers a maximum of 4-5 miles and is an enjoyable full day with picnic lunch. We work in small groups and it is an opportunity to get to know our area much better and to improve map reading skills whilst at the same time carrying out an essential and much needed task.
If you can help please contact Joy Greenwood beforehand or just turn up on the day. Look forward to seeing you there!
FIRST AID TRAINING
A useful enjoyable morning was spent by a group of Ramblers' members on 15th October. Bowland Mountain Rescue Team were responsible for providing this interesting, informative, interactive session which was relevant to walkers. All participants agreed that they would be more confident in dealing with an untoward event /accident. The session also provided food for thought in terms of "contents of your rucksack" and this could be a topic for discussion at a later date. So watch this space!
SHORT WALKS
To encourage members and new members it is planned to introduce a monthly short walk on a Sunday. This will probably be a morning walk in the winter months and an afternoon walk in the summer months. This hopefully will take into account members who cannot commit to a full day, can only walk on a Sunday or simply prefer a shorter walk than is normally offered on the walks programme.
PROJECTS
Supported by Lancaster Group
Arnside/Silverdale “Tramper”: This equipment will allow disabled people to explore the AONB. It consists of a motorised vehicle and its support trailer which enables it to be transported to where it is needed.
Crosdale Bridge : We made a significant contribution to this new bridge over Crosdale Beck just north of Sedbergh and on the Dales Way. See Area newsletter for further details.
Pendle Witches: 2012 will be a big year for Pendle Witches – it is 400 years since the last execution at Lancaster Castle. A group has been formed to set up a number of projects including a walking route from Pendle to Lancaster. It is envisaged that our Group will be involved in some way, perhaps checking and validating parts of the route. Further details when known.
EXPENSES CLAIMS FORM
A new form has been devised for claiming expenses. This can be accessed from the Walks Programme page and clicking in the top left hand corner. Otherwise a copy can be obtained from the Treasurer.
PENNINE JOURNEY
It has been agreed in principle that this 247 mile circular route will be waymarked. One condition is that the route is monitored annually (in early Spring). It should be possible for Lancaster Group to help out by perhaps organising a walk on a local section of the route in Dentdale and Garsdale. If anyone is interested in organising such a walk please contact the Secretary at the e-mail address below to incorporate it in the walks programme. Further information on the Pennine Journey can be found at www.penninejourney.org.uk.
For further information on any of the above please contact the Secretrary at lancramblers1@yahoo.co.uk.
Area AGM
The Lancaster Group are hosting the Lake District Area AGM on 14 January 2012, details of which were in the previous Area News.
Walk and Lunch
Wednesday February 8th will see the return of the once popular Walk & Lunch. A train from Lancaster Station at about 0930 hours will arrive in Arnside around 10am, and the walk will start from that station a few minutes later. A circuit of approx. 5 miles has been planned to lead back to the village and ‘The Albion’ on The Promenade for lunch at 12.30.
The route will very much depend on the weather, but, if possible, it will take in Arnside Knott, so be prepared for ascent!
The extensive menu at The Albion includes a ‘full menu’ of starters, mains and puddings; platters and salads; or various Albion burgers; or, if the walk has not left you in need of that amount of sustenance, there is also a ‘Saver menu’ where ’quality is unchanged, just smaller portions’, or cold & hot sandwiches, or jacket potatoes.
If the above tempts you to emerge from a warm house into the cold, for a brisk walk and some socialising, please ring Joy Greenwood beforehand to obtain correct train times (the timetables for February are not available at time of going to press).
FOOTPATH SURVEYS
Observant readers of the walks programme may have noticed that in March and April the monthly footpath survey has replaced the usual midweek walk. We are hoping this might encourage more people to get involved in this important aspect of Ramblers' work.
Ramblers' concern with public access for walkers, is what distinguishes it from other walking groups; the vital work of keeping public footpaths open and accessible means we can all enjoy walking freely in town and countryside. This right can easily be taken for granted and lost if not safeguarded.
Our local area of responsibility is large and it takes in areas as diverse as Dent, Cockerham, Over Wyresdale, Sunderland Point, Leck and Silverdale. Areas are checked systematically and any problems with stiles, kissing gates, overgrown footpaths, access problems etc., are reported to the appropriate Local Authority for their attention. Armed with secateurs, some problems are dealt with on the spot!
Each footpath survey session covers a maximum of 4-
If you can help please contact Joy Greenwood beforehand or just turn up on the day. Look forward to seeing you there!
FIRST AID TRAINING
A useful enjoyable morning was spent by a group of Ramblers' members on 15th October. Bowland Mountain Rescue Team were responsible for providing this interesting, informative, interactive session which was relevant to walkers. All participants agreed that they would be more confident in dealing with an untoward event /accident. The session also provided food for thought in terms of "contents of your rucksack" and this could be a topic for discussion at a later date. So watch this space!
SHORT WALKS
To encourage members and new members it is planned to introduce a monthly short walk on a Sunday. This will probably be a morning walk in the winter months and an afternoon walk in the summer months. This hopefully will take into account members who cannot commit to a full day, can only walk on a Sunday or simply prefer a shorter walk than is normally offered on the walks programme.
PROJECTS
Supported by Lancaster Group
Arnside/Silverdale “Tramper”: This equipment will allow disabled people to explore the AONB. It consists of a motorised vehicle and its support trailer which enables it to be transported to where it is needed.
Crosdale Bridge : We made a significant contribution to this new bridge over Crosdale Beck just north of Sedbergh and on the Dales Way. See Area newsletter for further details.
Pendle Witches: 2012 will be a big year for Pendle Witches – it is 400 years since the last execution at Lancaster Castle. A group has been formed to set up a number of projects including a walking route from Pendle to Lancaster. It is envisaged that our Group will be involved in some way, perhaps checking and validating parts of the route. Further details when known.
EXPENSES CLAIMS FORM
A new form has been devised for claiming expenses. This can be accessed from the Walks Programme page and clicking in the top left hand corner. Otherwise a copy can be obtained from the Treasurer.
PENNINE JOURNEY
It has been agreed in principle that this 247 mile circular route will be waymarked. One condition is that the route is monitored annually (in early Spring). It should be possible for Lancaster Group to help out by perhaps organising a walk on a local section of the route in Dentdale and Garsdale. If anyone is interested in organising such a walk please contact the Secretary at the e-
For further information on any of the above please contact the Secretrary at lancramblers1@yahoo.co.uk.
