News August 2005 to November 2005

Jackie Gilday
Jackie died suddenly in early May. She was a tremendous servant to the Ramblers Association and many other organizations. She had been a committee member for a great number of years and was a master at explaining difficult concepts in a way we could all fathom! It is only recently that she relinquished her position as treasurer of the Mendip Group and previously she had held other positions, including that of secretary.

New Walks Programme Secretary:
This is Owen's 16th and last programme!! We're delighted that Rick Plant has offered to take over as Walks Programme Secretary. I am anticipating Rick's formal election at the AGM in October in asking regular leaders to "welcome" him by getting in lots of walks before the October 17th deadline!!

Disabled Rambling
The disabled ramblers will be out on Exmoor with their buggies on Wednesday August 24th and Thursday August 25th. One walk will be Porlock based, the other Minehead. Ring Janet on 01458-835238 for up to date information.

Paths Survey:
A considerable amount of work has been done over the last few years to improve Mendip footpaths but many paths remain blocked or difficult to negotiate. We don't have an overall view of the current situation and at a recent committee meeting we discussed the possibility of collecting data about our footpaths. The best way forward would seem to be to recruit one person per parish. So if you would be willing to survey the paths in YOUR local parish please contact Derek Baker on 01373-303077

Princes Road Carpark pickup:
Although it is only on a few occasions this past year that non-drivers arriving at this meeting place have waited in vain, it seems that we can no longer guarantee that a lift will be available. Maybe it is time for us to stop including PRCP times in the programme? Meanwhile could I please urge those coming from Wells in cars to go via PRCP, and those who might need a lift to get into the habit of ringing potential "lift-givers" beforehand.

Evening pub walks
Further walks will be found in this programme including as an experiment a mid-week one on Tuesday 16th August. If you enjoy a drink and some food with a bit of walking beforehand why not try one!

SWAG (Somerset Walking Activity Group)
For a programme of this group for walkers under 40, ring Eric M on 07834-378409.

Family Countryside Walkers
These short walks are now twice a month on a Sunday. Start times vary so ring Mary, for full programme details, on 01823-333369.

14th August: Quant Moors Nature Reserve, nr Wellington (GR 151169). Mary 01823-333369
29th August: Batcombe Village Hall, nr Bruton (GR 689391). Mary 01823-333369
18th September: Ebbor Gorge NT CP, nr Wells (GR521486).Mary 01823-333369
24th September: Travellers' Rest CP, nr Broomfield (GR 210334). Mary 01823-333369
15th October: Brent Knoll. Road by church, East Brent (GR 344519). Jackie 01278-785249
30th October: South cadbury CP (GR 632255). Peter & Marian 01373-474369
27th November: Nockett's Coppice CP, nr Longleat (GR 827423) Peter & Sue 01373-472753

Working Party:
The working party is now fixed permanently as the second TUESDAY of every month. However it the "solid core" of Bob, Colin M, Dave O, Owen and Rick are out almost EVERY Tuesday and anyone who wants to help on ANY Tuesday would be welcome to join them. Just ring Bob on 01749-346023.But please note that we are having a break in September!

Mendip Group Web Site
The web site has been up and running for over a year now. It is updated regularly and the starting page has recently been revamped. It contains copies of everything in this programme and a lot more besides! For example there are pictures (please be patient on the pages of photos if you don't have broadband!) from recent walks and work parties and a list of where to write to report footpath problems. Comments and contributions and/or information for inclusion would be most welcome.It is hoped to register a much simpler domain name shortly but the current address will remain active for an least another year. For those who have forgotten, it is (notice no www.): http://uk.geocities.com/ostar@btopenworld.com/HomepageMR.htm

Future Events August 2005 to November 2005

Channel to Channel:
Having completed the initial two stages on the last programme we continue our progress to Watchet with two further stages on on 7th August and 11th September. We will use a "car shuttle system" so it is important to contact Bob beforehand if you intend coming on any of the walks.

Welcome to Walking Week
This is the week when the Ramblers' Association focuses on member recruitment and RA groups make their scheduled walks open and accessible to the general public, with the aim of promoting walking and encouraging people to join. While this year Mendip Group's walks during the week 17th to 25th September haven't been submitted for this nationally advertised event (and our therefore not on the Ramblers Website list) we obviously welcome anyone who would like to join then.

Mendip Group AGM:
Our AGM will be held at 7.00 pm on Saturday 22nd October at the Poacher's Pocket, Chelynch with skittles afterwards. This is an excellent opportunity for all local RA members to "have their say", influence the group's activities for the coming year and elect a new committee. Is there anyone out there who might be willing to join the committee? While we are "over the moon " that Rick is standing to replace Owen as Walks Programme Secretary, we are still looking for someone to replace Rose as Treasurer. Also the long term vacany for Footpath Officer remains and the committee is looking at the possibility of dividing the work so that two or more members might be able to cover it between them.

Skittles Evening:
A skittles evening will be held at the the Poacher's Pocket, Chelynch at around 8.00 pm on Saturday 22nd October, after the AGM has finished. Total cost is £7 (includes buffet, hire of the hall and "sticker upper"). While it would be appreciated if you arrived early enough to attend the AGM which precedes it, please do not feel any pressure to do so!

Easter 2006: Bideford: March 24th to 26th
Norman isn't one to rest on his laurels! No sooner had we returned from this year's weekend in Paignton than he was thinking about 2006. He has now arranged for us to stay at the Royal Hotel in Bideford. This is a significantly better hotel than we have been accustomed to in previous years!! The cost per person for the TWO nights half board is £76. A small additional charge for transport is likely. Norman has already written to last year's participants and asked for £20 deposits by July 10th for those who wish to go. There are currently spaces available for others who would like to join us. These weekends are extremely popular so you should ring Norman sooner rather than later, on 01761-233629, if you want a place!

Mendip Group Summer Walking Festival: August Bank Holiday 2005: Batcombe
On the list of walks shown below you will find that we provide a choice of walks every day. They vary in distance and severity to cater for as wide a range of people as possible. Also there is a special Family Walk (with children welcome) of 3 miles on Monday. We welcome anyone to join any walk. There is no charge.
All walks (except Family Walk) start at 10.00 am from the Village Hall, Back Lane, Batcombe. (Grid reference 689391)

New Forest Weekend:
Owen and Paula are organising a self-booking weekend in the New Forest area from Saturday 1st October to Monday 3rd October. The included sheet gives most of the details but had to go to print before Owen had time to finalise Monday's walks at Linford Bottom. (His recent appendicitis meant a planned recce had to be abandoned!). The Saturday walk will be "on the way" near Tollard's Royal. On Sunday expect a "classic New Forest experience" around Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, and on Monday the plan is for two shorter consecutive walks in Linwood Bottom and a nearby area where the Avon Valley Path passes lakes.

January Meal:
As usual we are planning a meal for mid-January. Full details will be given in the next programme

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