Newsletter - April 2020


Hi everyone. I hope the self-isolating isn't preventing you from walking in the great outdoors. It would appear it's one of the few pleasures left open to us at the present time. Normally I don't have a problem finding material for the newsletter, but this one has been the easiest yet, almost writing itself, for all the wrong reasons!

 


 

LDWA Statement on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

 

The LDWA has continued to monitor Her Majesty’s Government advice in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Following a change to the Government advice on 16th March 2020, the LDWA National Executive Committee has decided that all challenge events, social walks and other formal LDWA business organised by any of the local groups will be cancelled immediately. The ban will be reviewed by the National Executive Committee weekly or when Government advice alters and any subsequent amendments will be communicated.

The National Executive Committee understands that the decision taken to cancel all challenge events and social walks will be concerning to members. The safety of all our members, whether they are volunteer marshals or entrants, and the association’s ability to deliver a safe environment for all was the reason that the decision has been taken. The Government has advised that everyone should avoid non-essential travel and reduce contact with others in order to slow the spread of the virus. Walking socially would undermine the Government’s advice in relation to both non-essential travel and socialisation.

A decision as to what will happen to Y 100 Sir Fynwy in the future will take place in consultation with the National Executive Committee and the committees of all other planned 100 mile challenge walks. Now that the clause in Rule 7.1 has been invoked, entrants can expect to hear more once a wider consultation has taken place with other stakeholders.

A bulk email will be sent to all local group representatives within the next 48 hours outlining the actions that they must take with details of support that the National Executive Committee can offer during the period in question.

David Morgan
LDWA Chair

 


 

Wiltshire LDWA's Response

 

As a result the Wiltshire LDWA committee has decided, with regret, that all our events, social and challenge walks are cancelled until further notice. We will keep you updated, of course, with developments. Our apologies to all whose preparations were in vain.

In particular:

Pewsey Downsaround We will be arranging for full refunds to all entrants at our expense, administered by SiEntries. Please be patient, they’re very busy. DO NOT contact SiEntries themselves or your bank/credit card company for refunds as this will incur significant extra charges for us. You need do nothing. If you feel that your refund would be better in the hands of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, we would appreciate your making a donation after receiving your refund, referring to Wiltshire LDWA. We hope to see you next year.
The Capital Challenge You should receive refunds from the London LDWA according to their policy. We will arrange refunds of coach fares paid to our account. You need do nothing.
Clarendon Way A decision will be made at a later date.
Support for 120 Marathonman You will have seen that the LDWA NEC are awaiting information from the organisers. This was scheduled as an extra event on 27th May
HF Lake District break in October Currently there is no change to our plans. The event remains sold-out.
Proposed Wiltshire 50 No information at this time.

 

We will continue to plan walks provisionally for the next edition of Strider, which has a deadline of the end of May. Leaders are welcome to reschedule any cancelled walks. Bruce Barclay will be only too pleased to hear from you.

Lesley Bellis wishes to thank all the marshals who volunteered at the Y 100 Sir Fynwy checkpoint. Hopefully it might just be a postponement though we suspect it will be a total cancellation.

 


 

Wiltshire LDWA Treasurer's Statement

 

From Richard Hotchkiss:

"We have given a full refund to all PDA entrants and will soon be refunding coach fees for other cancelled walks. This, combined with the lack of the customary PDA profit, means that our finances will be less healthy than in 2019. However our balance is still adequate for the next major event which we are able to run.

PDA 2019 profit was £2,577.30. We were expecting a similar profit this year. However with the cancellation we lost £335.44 this year. £40 of this is the Avebury Hall deposit which we can use for a future booking. £295.44 was the event booking, administration and money handling fees charges by SiEntries (5%+VAT). They waived their usual 3%+VAT fees for refunds in return for us agreeing to use them for any similar events in the next 2 years. SiEntries have been very quick and efficient at this busy time. The coach company "Anything for hire" has also allowed us to use the non-refundable deposit for a future activity.

Finally the group has received messages of goodwill from Pewsey Scouts, Avebury Sports and Social Club, St Nicholas Church (Huish), St Mary's Church (Calstone Wellington) and a number of PDA entrants. Please note there will be no new subsidies (except for Lucy's Clarendon Way bus trip) until after the next PDA. This includes the AGM meal."

 


 

This e-mail has been sent to 500+ Primary and Associate group members. If you wish to opt out of receiving e-mails from us, you will need to change your e-mail preferences by logging onto the LDWA website.

That's it for another newsletter. All our newsletters are available via the Wiltshire LDWA website. If you have anything to contribute to future editions, please can you get it to me by the 20th of each month. I look forward to seeing you out on our group walks later in the year.

Warmest regards

Clive

Secretary of the Wiltshire LDWA
WiltshireLDWA@outlook.com