Hi All,

Well, that’s January out of the way so that means our annual challenge walk, the ‘South Pennine 24’ is just around the corner.

Preparations are going superbly with everything slotting into place. The good news is we have a full event!! The only thing out of our control is whether the ‘Weather Gods’ will be smiling down on us.

Volunteers on the day will be welcomed and I shall be sending a mail out in a couple of weeks reminding people of this.

I do have a request for home baking (Flapjack, scones etc) for the event…so, can all the budding Paul Hollywood’s or Mary Berry’s out there dig out their tins? I, myself have been known to dabble in a Victoria sponge  or two therefore I shall lead by example and risk another soggy bottom.

 In 2019, it’s the ‘Hadrian 100’ in Northumberland. At the recent committee meeting it was suggested that South Pennine could offer to man a check point on the above walk in 2019. To do this volunteers are needed. If you are interested in doing a shift on the check point please let Jane Guest know. If there are enough of us we will get in touch with the organisers.

Mailing list: It’s been noted that some folk are missing from the mailing list. If anyone knows anyone who has been having issues receiving monthly updates, can they forward their mail address to me?

Alternatively, it’s been suggested we use the group LDWA account for all E mails. This means mails go to all South Pennine members and associate members. The only downside to this is you will not be able to reply to ‘all’ or the originator.

For the March edition of ‘What’s new’  I may trial sending this out via the group mail via the LDWA website….your opinions either way will be appreciated.

Finally, time to open a can of worms.

South Pennine has come under some criticism regarding the pace of our social walks. This is now having a detrimental effect on attracting  folk from other groups attending our walks. I don’t want to enter into a whole debate of  ‘well if it’s too fast, tough’ but can I remind walk coordinators that if a social walk is advertised as ‘Moderate’ we keep the pace to a moderate pace..especially so if we have unfamiliar faces on a social walk. Obviously, common sense dictates that if three folk turn up on walks that know each other you govern the pace to suit yourself. But we want to encourage folk from other LDWA groups otherwise we risk ostracizing ourselves from other groups. South Pennine has one of the best walks programs in Strider…let’s make sure it’s open to all.

Now onto what’s coming up in February:-

Saturday, 4^th February…South Pennine 24 Marshalls walk. Chance for the volunteers to pre walk our challenge event. Moderate pace . May need a head torch for the final hour. Glenn and Val leading.

Thursday, 9^th February…Hoylandswaine. A walk on the other side of the Pennines. Brisk pace. Norman Johnson.

Thursday, 23^rd February…’ABC’. A walk starting from Heywood. Brisk pace. Norman Johnson.

Saturday, 25^th February….South Pennine 24…needs no introduction.

Challenge walks:-

Full details of the above events van be found on the LDWA website or in Strider.

Cheers and see you at the sailing clubJ

Glenn