Newsletter - February 2018


I'd like to begin this month's newsletter by thanking you for entrusting me with the Secretary's role for the next three years. I'll try to do my best. Thanks too, to my predecessor, Bea Therin, for doing a superb job and for delivering such a thorough handover.

This and future newsletters are intended keep you up to date with group activities, and, subject to there being enough content, will hopefully be sent monthly. So, without further ado ...

 


 

Committee Meeting on 3rd January 2018

 

The committee agreed that, whilst weekends away should be encouraged, better communication is required throughout the process. Any proposals must be put to the committee in the first instance so that the arrangements are discussed thoroughly and agreed.

The committee agreed that the group should only support a maximum of 3 events per year, including the PDA. Events should be those hosted by our neighbouring groups, where reciprocal arrangements can be sought.

The committee agreed that volunteers for the Wye Valley 50 checkpoint at St Briavels, will be reimbursed the cost of crossing the Severn Bridge.

The committee agreed that volunteers for the Cinque Ports 100 will be given £40 to cover their travel expenses.

 


 

Remembering Mark Rendall

 

Lesley would like to thank all those who contributed to Mark's obituary. Look out for it in the next edition of Strider.

The committee is proposing the following to commemorate our late chairman's life:

  • The installation of a kissing gate on the PDA route, preferably at a point where all participants will pass through it; and
  • Holding a commemorative walk at a favourite spot of Mark's, which his family and friends can participate in.

Your thoughts regarding a suitable location for the kissing gate and/or the walk would be greatly appreciated. Earlier today a small group of us walked a sizeable chunk of the Pewsey Downsaround route, visiting most of the locations that have been suggested thus far. Graham Instrell has kindly volunteered to be the 'supremo' (his words) in charge of turning our thoughts and ideas into something more tangible.

 


 

Cinque Ports 100

 

The deadline for entries has been extended a week, to 23rd April 2018. There are three 50-mile LDWA qualifying events remaining. The Fellsman is not an LDWA event but would also be considered as a qualifying event.

Lesley is still looking for volunteers to help manage the registration and baggage at the breakfast checkpoint on the Cinque Ports 100 over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Please get in touch with her at lesley.bellis842@btinternet.com if you can help in any way.

 


 

Pewsey Downsaround (PDA)

 

A meeting of the PDA committee took place on 22nd January 2018. The key points are as follows:

  • All walkers and runners will be starting together at 0800hrs.
  • CP3 will be relocating inside Avebury Sports & Social Club. Route descriptions will be updated to reflect this, and the change to the route which now follows the Avenue, and passes Silbury Hill and West Kennett Long Barrow.
  • CP4 will hopefully be moving a short distance onto hard standing at Draycott Farm.
  • Lesley will be finalising the list of volunteers.
  • Adrian Crocker will be contacting each of the checkpoint managers.
  • Checkpoint opening times are as follows:
Checkpoint Opening Time Closing Time
1 0900hrs 1300hrs
2 1030hrs 1330hrs
3 1100hrs 1600hrs
4 1100hrs 1745hrs

 


 

Website

 

Our group website - https://www.ldwa.org.uk/Wiltshire - has undergone a minor makeover. One new feature is the Members' Photo Galleries page, where group members are now invited to submit links to photograph galleries that they have published / shared on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, etc ..., by e-mailing them to WiltshireLDWA@outlook.com.

 


 

Cotswold Way

 

You will have already received an e-mail regarding plans to complete the Cotswold Way this year in sections. This is a series of 5 walks along the entire Cotswold Way, from north to south with minibus assist. Details of the first walk is as follows:

  • Sunday 4th March 2018 - Stage 1 - Chipping Campden to Cleeve Hill. 23.5 miles. 08.00 Park at Cleeve Hill CP for minibus transfer to the start of the walk at Chipping Campden. (Grid reference SO988271).

Other dates are as follows:

  • Sunday 29th April 2018 - Stage 2 - Cleeve Hill to Painswick 24.4 miles
  • Sunday 22nd July 2018 - Stage 3 - Painswick to Wotton-under-Edge 22.3 miles
  • Sunday 29th July 2018 - Stage 4 - Wotton-under-Edge to Cold Ashton 21.7 miles
  • Sunday 30th September 2018 - Stage 5 - Cold Ashton to Bath 10.2 miles (with ice cream / cake stop)

If you are interested in coming along, please email Beatrice_therin@hotmail.com by 4th February 2018 so that transport can be arranged.

 


 

Wiltshire LDWA Clothing

 

Andy will shortly be preparing another order for Wiltshire LDWA-branded clothing. Details will be available in due course.

 


 

Forthcoming Walks

 

Finally, here's a look ahead to all the group walks and challenge events that are taking place this month within a 50-mile radius of the geographical centre of Wiltshire.

 

Date

Name

Type

Mileage

Organiser

Sat 3rd Feb 2018

WF20: Symonds Yat

Group

c20ml.

Bristol & West

Sun 4th Feb 2018

Barge and Rail   EVENT CANCELLED

Group

18ml.

Wiltshire

Wed 7th Feb 2018

Winter Peregrination

Group 

c15ml.

Thames Valley

Sat 10th Feb 2018

No Boots Required Again

Group

15ml.

South Wales

Sun 11th Feb 2018

Serpents and Doves

Group

c20 or c15ml.

Thames Valley

Thu 15th Feb 2018

Wolfhall and all that

Group

16ml.

Wiltshire

Sun 18th Feb 2018

Battle Uphill

Group

20ml.

Wiltshire / Bristol & West

Sun 18th Feb 2018

Bohemian Rhapsody?

Group

18ml.

Dorset

Sun 25th Feb 2018

Goring East

Group

c20ml.

Thames Valley

Sun 25th Feb 2018

The New Forest Challenge

Challenge 

26 or 18ml.

Wessex

Tue 27th Feb 2018

Wye Forest: St Briavels

Group

c18ml.

Bristol & West

 


 

If you have any comments regarding the content and proposed frequency of this newsletter, or the website, please let me have them. That's all folks!

Warmest regards

Clive

Secretary of the Wiltshire LDWA
WiltshireLDWA@outlook.com