Newsletter - January 2022


 

Xmas Bells


Seasons' greetings from the committee of the Wiltshire LDWA

 

I don't know about you, but I've got that déjà vu feeling. It's great to be back. Your new Committee agreed that we needed to get a newsletter out to members as soon as possible setting our stall for the forthcoming year at least, so forgive me if feels as though it's been put together in a bit of a rush. It has! 

In this month's newsletter:

  • Introductions/updates from your new committee members;
  • Pewsey Downsaround (PDA); and
  • Forthcoming Walks

 


 

From Andy Todd, Chair:

 

For some reason I am now your chairman. This was certainly something I was not expecting a couple of weeks ago! The last couple of years have not been easy for all of us. However, certainly for me, walking with members of this group have been a vital part of coping. To those I thank you. The restrictions we have been under has meant that those walks have been organised outside the group, and I know others amongst you have done similar.

I hope that as we move forward you will all be prepared to organise those walks as part of Wilts LDWA. Walking with other people means many things, for me that includes walking routes you might not otherwise walk with company, that generally, makes those walks more enjoyable. I would certainly not be doing some of the walking I do now without the support of the Wilts group. It is with the support of others that we can all do more. So please offer the group a walk. This can be as simple as if you are planning to go walking listing it as a walk so others can join you. In the end we are a walking group, and we need to get back to what we are good at, walking.

I should also mention the Pewsey Downsround (PDA), and its importance to us. Because of the PDA people join us on social walks, and because of the funds it gives us we can do things that we could not otherwise do. Your help is needed, and by doing so we can do more.

Hope to see you soon in some random parking spot.


From Phil Heneghan, Treasurer:


Having been elected to serve as your Group treasurer at the AGM last Sunday, I would like to inform those not present of the current financial status of the Wilts. LDWA Group. Our present bank balance is £3,050, having started the year with a carried forward amount of £3,208. The principle item of expenditure in the year was the subsidy of £10 per head for the AGM lunch. Having been co-opted to the Committee in August, I have only the banking records for the period, but if anyone wishes for further information please ask and I will do my best to respond.

As most people know, the Group’s only income source is the Pewsey Downsaround, which did not take place in 2010 and 2021. Our surplus in 2019 was £2,577, so you can see how important it is to our financial survival. Your Committee has decided to that the PDA will take place in 2022 on 24th April, and we depend on each member of the Group for its success. I am sure we will get your support.

 

From Clive Frankham, Secretary:


Like Andy, returning as the group's Secretary came like a bolt out of the blue! Even before John Walker had finished asking me, I'd made my mind up that it was the right thing to do. Despite walking more than ever during/after the lockdowns, I always felt there was something missing from my walking calendar, i.e. our social walks. I spent the first lockdown walking to/from home, covering vast distances. Walking with the Ramblers filled the next few months and many weekends since. In my opinion they definitely got their act together quicker than the LDWA, e.g. allowing greater numbers to join walks, subject to the COVID-19 guidance at the time. Incidentally, the Ramblers membership has soared in the last year! By the time the second lockdown had started, I'd teamed up with Alison from the Bristol & West group. We walked together almost every weekend for 8 months, keeping to the area between Bath, Chippenham, Cirencester and Stroud. Whilst we kept within the spirit of the COVID-19 guidance, we used our own judgement, conscience, common sense and circumstances to plan our walks. I also completed three challenge events, i.e. the Cerne Giant, the Capital Challenge and the Shipton Star, as well as the recent Wiltshire LDWA group 50-mile walk. It was great to be back walking with the group ... despite Jenny Mills' blister!

As far as the future is concerned, you will once again receive a monthly newsletter ... whether you want it or not! One of the most important aspects of my role is to ensure the Committee communicates regularly with all of its members. The good news is that we appear to have around 100 new members on our distribution list, mainly associate members. The bad news is that we're a bit thin on the ground regarding group walks right now. So please support the group by offering to lead a walk or two. We need you!

 


 

 

Pewsey Downsaround (PDA)

 

Registration for this popular event has opened. For further information, please visit our Pewsey Downsaround 2022 - Information page.

 

 


 

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 2nd Jan 2022 A Figure of Eight Group  c13 or c19ml Thames Valley
Sun 2nd Jan 2022 A New Forest New Year Walk Group  15ml Wessex
Sun 9th Jan 2022 All Aboard Group  17ml Wessex
Sun 9th Jan 2022 Oh no! Not Bisley again!! Group 18ml Wiltshire
Sun 9th Jan 2022 North of the Ridgeway Group  c19ml Thames Valley
Sun 16th Jan 2022 A grim loop from Ewelme Group  c20ml Thames Valley
Sat 22nd Jan 2022 MBFYB Group  20ml London
Sat 22nd Jan 2022 Pop -up Stinchcombe Group  12ml Wiltshire
Sat 22nd Jan 2022 Pop-up Stinchcombe Group  12ml Bristol & West
Sun 30th Jan 2022 Calleva Atrebatum MMXXII AD Group  c20ml Thames Valley

 


 

This e-mail has been sent to 200+ Primary group members. Future newsletters will also go out to our Associate 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 this month.

Warmest regards

Clive

Secretary of the Wiltshire LDWA
wiltshire.secretary@ldwa.org.uk