Welcome to the July newsletter from the NEC. It’s quite hot...... But enjoy the sun and stay hydrated out there! We have quite a few bits of news this month, please do let Julian know at communications@ldwa.org.uk if you have any general feedback about this newsletter. We’re trying to keep it readable but informative.

IT UPDATE

During June there were changes to the email system for local group and national committee emails. The move from the old style server to Microsoft Office 365 was completed in early June. Thank you to all group representatives for their cooperation with the necessary changes. Hopefully most LDWA local groups are now using their direct mailbox, rather than redirecting their email. This has numerous benefits, not least replies will come from the ldwa.org.uk address. If anyone is still having problems with the new email system (or has not yet started using their new address), please contact emailsupport@ldwa.org.uk or phone our email provider, Fakenham Prepress Solutions on 01328 854479.

Work on the tender document for the new website is continuing (unfortunately held up by work on the email system and the IT element of the data protection documentation). We are now resuming work on the final tender document and hope to complete it very soon. We’ll provide regular updates on our progress, but if you have any questions on the IT project, please email Richard at it@ldwa.org.uk.

ESSEX & HERTS ARE 50!

It’s the Golden 50 challenge event being organised by Essex & Herts group on Saturday 26 July 2025. This is part of the walks programme celebrating this big milestone which is taking place in the group’s golden year, details at https://ldwa.org.uk/EssexAndHerts/M/1277/eh-50th-anniversary.html. Phoebe Smith, our President, will be taking part in the walk along with her friend Ellie, please feel free to say hello!

PODCAST

We’re planning to launch a podcast over the next few weeks, based around all aspects of long distance walking. To get us going, we’re going to start with some interviews with our members (whether they’ve volunteered at lots of events, run some big events, walked a lot of events or just helped the LDWA in other ways) and then we have episodes planned such as based around the history of the 100. Once we get going we’re looking to start to produce podcasts featuring some more famous walkers and adventurers, all aimed at getting the LDWA’s message out to potential new members. If you are interested in helping with this project, or being interviewed, please email Julian at communications@ldwa.org.uk. We need lots of help for this major ongoing project, so if you’re not sure if you can assist, please email anyway!

GROUPS NEWS

There is a local groups weekend organised for 8 to 10 November in Leamington Spa, which is where representatives from the local groups get together to discuss things which are going on locally and nationally. It also gives an opportunity to share experiences and hear more about what’s going on. If you have anything you want raised, let your local group representatives know. There have also been meetings via zoom for local group officers which take place every two to three months. The latest is on Tuesday 1 July to discuss things like the new email system, social walk guidance and data protection guidance.

PLANNING WORK WITHIN THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

One of the key pieces of feedback from the AGM was the need to look at our governance procedures and policies. Some of this relates to the internal review that took place, but also we know that we need to engage and communicate better such as when by-laws change. We have a working group looking at this in July and we will update members on progress later this year. There will also be a meeting to discuss the next LDWA business plan which will explain and focus our objectives for the next five years. We’re not going to be distracted from our main focus of getting out walking, but we want to ensure that everything is done as best as it can be. If anyone has any questions or suggestions of elements that they think should be considered in the next business plan, please email Madeleine at chair@ldwa.org.uk.

NORTH WALES WALKING

As a feature every couple of months, we’re looking at some of the paths from our LDPs database (as an LDWA member you have access to over 1,500 long distance paths with GPX and additional information, visit https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/search_by_path.php). Have a look at the Snowdonia Slate Trail as an example (https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Snowdonia+Slate+Trail) and for more inspiration have a look at the page written for LDWA members by our friends at Independent Hostels at https://independenthostels.co.uk/ldwanorthwales/.

DISCOUNTS

We are continuing to update the discounts page at https://ldwa.org.uk/discounts/discounts.php, but we have three new offers this month. Please do contact communications@ldwa.org.uk with any queries, suggestions or feedback about these discounts.

BRADT : The Bradt discount is now active again. Bradt Guides is the UK's leading independent travel publisher with guides to nearly 200 overseas destinations, a range of UK titles, including 20 regional 'Slow Travel' guides, and a travel writing list. Bradt Guides has kindly given LDWA members a special 20% discount on all purchases from their website, more information is available on the Discounts Page.

GRISPORT : Since 1977, Grisport has become Europe's leading shoe manufacturers. Their research and design department, part of a staff of over 2,000, bring high quality footwear at affordable prices and we were asked by a member to see if we could get a discount for all LDWA members. They have kindly offered a 15% discount, more information is available on the Discounts Page.

OUTDOOR INNS : We have partnered with Outdoor Inns previously and based on that feedback they have offered a special invitation to our members for a walking getaway at The Crossings Inn, CA6 6LG, located 6 miles north of the pretty market town of Brampton in North Cumbria. Nestled amidst peaceful countryside and close to a variety of scenic walking routes, The Crossings Inn is the perfect rest stop for walkers looking to explore the northern fells and surrounding landscapes. There are exclusive walking stay packages from September to November 2025 with 30% off for LDWA members. To take advantage of their exclusive group rates (for the Crossings location only), use the code LDWA30 at the https://outdoorinns.com/ website, with a complimentary drink for each walker on arrival. The text of this offer will be on the Discounts Page soon.

DON’T LOSE YOUR LDPs

We are reviewing the paths held on our Long Distance Path database. The first batch of older LDPs for which we no longer have adequate supporting ?materials for produced a very encouraging response from local groups, with declarations of interest in 15 out of 21 LDPs which would otherwise have been deleted. One has already been reinstated as an active ('available online') path. The second batch will be sent to local group representatives shortly: it is more geographically distributed than the first, and has fewer Anytime Challenges. The deadline for Local Groups to respond is 30th August. Any questions, please email Iain at ldp@ldwa.org.uk.

E2 FOOTPATH

A major addition to the UK part of European E-Path (E-Route) the E2 which creates an alternative starting point for the E2 at John o’Groats. The JoG-Traquair Section now connects the far north east of Scotland to the Scottish Borders, joining the existing E2 Stanraer-Borders route at Kirkhouse near Traquair on the Southern Upland Way. As a result of LDWA work which began in 1999, the four ‘arms’ of the E2 in the UK now make alternative routes between either Stranraer or John o’Groats and either Dover or Harwich. The JoG-Traquair Section makes use of a new Pentland Way E2 Link between the Water of Leith Walkway at Currie and the Pentland Way at Glencorse Reservoir. There’s more information at https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=E-Path+2+UK+Section+-+John+o%27Groats+to+Traquair.

Thanks again to everyone for their support, whether that’s volunteering at events, going out walking or just being a member!