Newsletter - August 2019


Hopefully you should all have received the August 2019 edition of Strider this week ... and have noticed that the LDWA has a new logo. Personally I think it's awful. I much prefer the current logo, and even the two original options. What do you think? Does it matter? On a more positive note the LDWA website has had a makeover which I do like. Well done to those involved.

In this month's newsletter:

  • Walks Secretary - Vacant Position;
  • Mid-Wilts Way;
  • Wiltshire 50 Group Walk;
  • Red Rose 50 - 14th/15th September;
  • In Case of Emergency (ICE);
  • Recommended Reading: The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn; and
  • Forthcoming Walks

 


 

Walks Secretary - Vacant Position

At our AGM in December, Andy Todd will be stepping down after doing an outstanding job as Walks Secretary over the past four years. We are therefore looking for a group member to replace him. If anyone is interested in taking on this vital role for the next three years, please talk to a committee member.

 


 

Mid-Wilts Way

From Lesley Bellis:

"At our last AGM, John Walker suggested we organise a group walk along the Mid Wiltshire Way. It has proved to be so popular that John had to upgrade the minibus to a coach. 25 of us have so far been enjoying the delights of this trail.

We started with the first of the three sections on 9th June, meeting at Knap Hill car park bright and early to leave on a coach for Ham, where stunning views greeted us. As the mid-morning break approached the usual question was asked about where to stop, and as we were beside a lovely pub with a garden the sensible thing to do was to stop there. I had a quick word with the bar staff and although they were closed, not only did they allow us the use of the garden, they took orders for drinks. We could quite easily get used to coffee breaks like this! Even though the terrain was becoming more familiar to us, John managed to find new paths.

The second section took place on 7th July, this time meeting at Steeple Ashton to take a coach back to Knap Hill. Lunch was at the Black Horse in Devizes, however we had been warned that getting a coffee there would be difficult. Clare, Roger and I ran over the road to a garden centre and found a cafe serving not only excellent teas and coffees but home made ice cream! Unfortunately we made ourselves so comfortable, that when I glanced at my watch, we realised we had three minutes to get sorted and run back over the road to join the others. Thankfully John allowed us an extra 5 minutes.

We now we have the third and final section to look forward to on 28th July, this time meeting at Mere and boarding the coach to Steeple Ashton. If this section is as lovely as they other two, we will be in for a treat.

Our thanks and appreciation go to John for organising this excellent walk which has proved to be very popular. My question to the membership is who would like to organise one next year? If you have any suggestions about where and when, please talk to a committee member and we will include the details at the next AGM. We have the funds to subsidise coaches and they are proving a very favourable addition to our walks calendar."

 


 

Wiltshire 50 Group Walk

From Andy Todd:

"We are organising another 50-mile group walk on 12th/13th October 2019, starting in Devizes.

The walk is group walk, so follows normal group walk rules. The full distance is 50 miles, but there is an option of getting as far as the first hall before returning to the start (~23 miles). Lesley has offered to keep us all well fed.

Please contact me at andy@andytodd.org.uk if you are interested in taking part."

The Wiltshire LDWA Payment Site is now accessible via the Wiltshire LDWA web site.

 


 

Red Rose 50 - 14th/15th September

From Roger Jackson - East Lancshire Secretary / Red Rose 50 Coordinator

Red Rose 50

 

"With entries well down on previous years, due in part to a couple of popular local 50-mile challenge returning to the calendar, and one being held in Scotland over the same weekend, I am appealing for members of the Wiltshire group to consider entering our fabulous event.

We are well prepared for this year and have improved the night section to make it a little easier. Our event is a qualifier for the LDWA Hundred and it will certainly go ahead, however we are very keen to have enough entrants to make it an enjoyable experience for both competitors and marshals. In addition, we would like to keep open the possibility of running it again next year."

Click HERE for details of the event.

 


 

In Case of Emergency (ICE)

A reminder that emergency situations can develop anywhere and for anyone, so the simple act of carrying your emergency contact information in a convenient manner makes sense for everyone. Walkers are therefore encouraged to carry up to date ICE cards in an accessible place, e.g. a top rucksack pocket, so that if something should happen on a walk, the walk leader or emergency services know about any medical conditions and who to contact.

 

Recommended Reading: The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn

The Salt Path

Just days after the author learns that her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path.

Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, living wild, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.

The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.

It's a lovely story and a very enjoyable read from start to finish.

 

Forthcoming Walks

Finally, here's the usual 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
Sun 4th Aug 2019 More Wiltshire Downs ... and Ups Group 17ml. Dorset
Sun 4th Aug 2019 South of Kingsclere Group c20ml. Thames Valley
Sat 10th Aug 2019 In the Steps of The Wessex 100 the Final Group c18ml. Surrey
Sat 10th Aug 2019 Make Wine While the Sun Shines Group c20ml. Bristol & West
Sun 11th Aug 2019 A Refreshing Waddle? Group 18ml. Dorset
Sun 11th Aug 2019 Into the Wild Wood Group 22ml. Wessex
Sun 11th Aug 2019 Stone or Wood? Group 19ml. Wiltshire
Wed 14th Aug 2019 Cotswold Tracks - Evening Walk Group 6ml. Wiltshire
Wed 14th Aug 2019 Shipton Star Challenge  25, 21, 18, 15 or 12ml. (Non LDWA)
Thu 15th Aug 2019 Downsaround - Event Details Updated Group 15ml. Wiltshire
Sat 17th Aug 2019 Churchyards and Flowerpots Group c20ml. Surrey
Sun 18th Aug 2019 3 Parks Path Group 18ml. Wiltshire
Sat 24th Aug 2019 Everybody Makes It Through continued Group 20ml. South Wales
Sat 24th Aug 2019 Mango Pickle Down River Group c20ml. Bristol & West
Sun 25th Aug 2019 Forest Heath and River Group 21ml. Wessex
Sun 25th Aug 2019 Leland Trail - Leg 2 LINEAR WALK Group 17ml. Dorset

 

This e-mail has been sent to 480+ 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. The newsletter is also shared with the 7,000+ members of the LDWA Facebook group.

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 this month.

Warmest regards

Clive

Secretary of the Wiltshire LDWA
WiltshireLDWA@outlook.com