Hi everyone,
With the days already getting longer, and the first snowdrops out, Imbolc is very nearly upon us. Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and signifies the coming of spring and the renewal of life after the long winter months. For us that means it's time to turn our thoughts to putting on longer walks to make full use of the daylight hours. I had the privilege of leading the first group walk of the year. The photo below shows us all in Cirencester Park. The walk itself was lovely. However Lorraine took a tumble on the return leg and fractured her wrist. I'm pleased to say she's on the mend. Her physio says he was pleased how much the fracture had improved in such a short time. Lorraine says she's looking forward to rejoining the group walks again when she's fully recovered. Our best wishes go out to her. Thank you too, to those that took charge of the incident, and provided assistance to her. It also meant I had to complete and submit an accident form. Lorraine's was the first of three tumbles this year. The second, despite resulting in cuts and bruises, was no less worrying. The third, which occurred at the person's home recently, is more serious. On behalf of all of you, I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all those involved a full and speedy recovery.
In Case of Emergency (ICE)
In recent months you will all have been issued your new LDWA membership cards. On it is a space for you include details of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact. Please update it and bring it with you on walks.
ICE cards provide vital information - like emergency contacts, allergies, and medical conditions - to first responders quickly if you're unable to communicate, saving critical time and potentially lives, especially useful for outdoor activities, travel, or for those with health issues. It ensures loved ones are contacted and medical history is known, bypassing locked phones or technological issues.
New Walks
Our future walks programme is looking good, with 13 walks to look forward too already. Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic response and commitment. You will notice that there are couple of walks planned with the London and Wessex groups. I'm looking forward to them very much. The following table will continue to be published in each newsletter. Those in italics had question marks against their names on the original list.
Walk Leaders Still Needed
As always we continue to need more individuals to lead walks. If you walk with us on a regular basis then please offer to lead a walk. Now is also the time to start thinking about any 'specials' that you could organise next year. These include walks where there is a cost to running the walk (e.g. a minibus), which the group can fund some of the cost. Chatting to some of our members who are no longer up to the 15 to 20 miles that the rest of us aspire to, it occurred to me that we should offer to lead more figure of 8 walks.
Pewsey Downsaround (PDA) - Sunday 26th April 2026
Whilst we've had a great response from volunteers for the PDA, we've already had a couple of withdrawals. Janette and I will continue to seek volunteers between now and the event. There are a number of roles available. If you can't be available all day, don't worry. We'll gratefully accept whatever help you can provide. It's a popular event, and you will get to meet some lovely people. I particularly enjoy the camaraderie of working with others. Please contact us soon as possible if you can help.
Baking for the PDA
The PDA is still 3 months away but planning has already started. The event is famous for the quality of its food; all produced by Wiltshire LDWA members. As always we rely on volunteers to bake for the event. If anyone can contribute baked goods (cakes, flapjacks, scones, pizza or other sweet or savoury treats) could they let Janette know alexthecat48@icloud.com. Ideally they need to be brought to Pewsey Scout Hut in the morning of the event but if you contact Janette in advance she can usually arrange an alternative arrangement. We are happy to reimburse the cost of ingredients.
Committee Meeting held on 29th January 2026
The key points from our recent committee meeting are as follows:
- It was a wide-ranging meeting, covering the PDA, the Hunnypot 100, the closure of the Bristol & West group, Strider listings, Meetup, walks registers, publicity and this newsletter;
- The organisation of the PDA is currently the highest priority;
- Dave reminded us that we need to think up ideas for spending money for the benefit of our members;
- The next committee meeting will take place in March.
The minutes will be published on the Wiltshire LDWA website shortly.
Wessex LDWA Weekend Away
The Wessex group is organising a weekend away to Church Stretton in Shropshire. 30 places have been reserved, but so far only have 14 Wessex members interested. Are Wiltshire LDWA members interested in going? The details are as follows:
2nd to 5th October 2026. Staying at the HF Long Mynd hotel. This will be a 3 night stay (Friday to Monday) with half day walks on Friday and the Monday with whole day walks on the Saturday and Sunday, There will also be shorter options available for Saturday and Sunday walks. The cost is £360 per person which includes; 3 nights bed and breakfast, 3 course evening meal on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and a packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday. For more details, please contact Kathy Johnson at admin@eastleighmassagetherapy.co.uk
Forthcoming Walks
Finally, here's the usual look ahead to all the group walks and challenge events that are taking place within a 50-mile radius of Chippenham.
That's it for this newsletter. All our newsletters will be available via the Wiltshire LDWA website. If you have anything to contribute to future editions, please can you get it to me or Sue by the 20th of each month. I look forward to seeing you out on our group walks on the 15th and 19th February.
Warmest regards
Clive
Chair of the Wiltshire LDWA
wiltshire.chair@ldwa.org.uk
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