Your LDWA needs you for the Hadrian 100

Friday 24^th May to Monday 27^th May

  Volunteers needed for Headquarters

As usual our volunteer weekend will involve  a subtle blend of walking, waitressing, Wetherspoon’s and of course a wall.  London Group will be helping out at headquarters and there will also be time for a Social Walk.

Headquarters where the event starts and finishes is at the Queen Elizabeth High School Hexham, less than a mile from the Railway Station.  It is about a 4 hour Railway journey from Kings Cross (via Newcastle).

Hexham is a market town in Northumberland with a very atmospheric ruined abbey just South of Hadrian’s Wall.  Border walls seem to be all the rage in 2019 so what better way to spend our free Saturday than to walk part of the wall and explore 1 or 2 of the Roman sites.  There will also be time for a short walk on Monday.

This will be a very tough 100 involving a challenging section of the Pennine Way.  Much of the terrain is inhospitable.  (Hadrian didn’t care too much for it either).  It is however stunningly beautiful.  We can expect walkers to be blistered, exhausted, deluded and in need of plenty of TLC.

We will need volunteers to help out before the start of the event from 7am to 10am on the Saturday mainly with making sandwiches and pouring tea.  We will be free the rest of the day for a Social Walk.

London Group will then be on duty from 10am Sunday morning to 10am Monday morning. This period will be split into 3 shifts so volunteers can catch some sleep. 

Our duties will involve greeting and supporting returners, helping serve food, clearing tables, emptying rubbish, monitoring loos and showers etc.  Our multi-skilled forces have faced many challenges in the past and I am sure our legendary grace and humour will be a great asset.  What better way to finish the 100 than to be meeted and greeted by our Luverley London Group.

Now the practical stuff. 

Accommodation

OPTION 1   The cheap option.

There will be a room set aside at headquarters for volunteers, which will be available from Friday 8pm until the finish of the 100.  You will need sleeping bags and mats. 

OPTION 2   The comfort option

Some hotels and B&Bs in Hexham.  However remember that those doing the 100 will also want accommodation on Friday and Sunday night but not Saturday night.  Maybe a chance to do a Time Share with one of the walkers.  If anyone is interested I will try and co-ordinate this.

If you want to arrive earlier or stay later there is a Youth Hostel at Once Brewed right next to the wall.

Transport

Cheap train tickets usually come available 3 months in advance.  I will provide information nearer the time.  If you are travelling by car and have places available that would be great.

Walks

There will be a chance for a Full Social Walk on Saturday and the beautiful Northumberland countryside will make a nice change from the Capital Ring.

Programme

Friday 24^th May

7pm                             London group meet up for meal in Hexham (tba)

Saturday 25^th May

7am to 10am               Help out at Headquarters      

10am                           Watch start of 100

10am onwards             SOCIAL WALK  Hadrian’s Wall

Saturday night will be free for sleeping

Sunday 26^th May                    Shift 1    10am to 6pm

Sunday/Monday                     Shift 2    6pm to 2am

Monday 27^th May                   Shift 3    2am to 10am

(There can be a little flexibility depending on how many of us there is)

Monday 27^th May

Short social walk (tba).

In spite of overnight duties on Sunday/Monday this should be a great weekend away in a very beautiful area with a chance to support our London group champions.

Can you resist the call?

Do fill in the enclosed application form/questionnaire ASAP and return to

susannewaldschmidt@live.co.uk

.