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Chairman’s Comments.
Well fellow group members, the possibility of a spring/summer coming our way is starting to look more likely, although after the winter we’ve just had who knows what that might mean? We’ve certainly seen one of the severest winters for quite a while and for those who had complained about missing the opportunity to walk in the snow, I hope they have been well-satisfied this time.
Our winter programme has stood up well to the climatic conditions and we’ve managed to keep a walk going every Sunday throughout the season, even if we did have had to modify one or two for safety reasons. I’d like to thank our walk leaders for sticking to their guns and seeing us through the bleak periods with walks that were always going to be different in such extremes of weather.
However, now’s the time to look forward to warmer times, and more extensive walking options as the weather improves. We’ve done our best to cater for as many folks as we can over the coming months in terms of walk lengths and availability, partly in response to the survey results we gathered earlier, and also to build on what has gone on before. So take a good look at the programmes and see if we’ve come up with something that fits the bill, and if we haven’t then do let us know for next time.
Survey Updates.
While we’re on the subject of the survey, here is some feedback from the responses we received. I have to say straight way that only small numbers replied to our questionnaire, which was a shame and can tend to make any conclusions that we draw from the information somewhat skewed. To those of you who did get back to us, can I say thanks for your time and thoughts and I hope we have gone some way to taking on board what you’ve told us.
When asked to rate the walks programme over 75% gave it a rating between 8 and 10, (10 being the highest). When asked for favourite walks from the programme you identified predominantly longer walks that were some distance away, such as Edale, Brecon, Bleaklow and the Cotswolds. However there was also a good showing for leisurely walks to Grinshill, Banbury, Wolverley, Dudmaston and Cressbrook Dale among others. Against favourite locations we were told about Wales/Snowdonia, the Peak District, Shropshire and the Cotswolds with folks wanting to have walks undertaken in the Staffordshire Moorlands, the Lake District and Herefordshire. In terms of suggestions for social occasions you identified holidays, coach trips, the annual dinner and the theatre.
Generally we felt we could do something to address these items and also the comments about having some shorter walks, with later starts, closer to Walsall. We also noted the comments regarding walk- leading techniques (controlling the pace, allowing folks to catch up and stopping at points of interest). Hopefully we’ve gone some way towards responding to your observations and perhaps we’ll get back some more feedback as the new programmes are undertaken.
Walks Programmes.
You’ll immediately see that this is a plural for the coming summer period. When you receive this newsletter you’ll also receive the usual walks programme containing the next 6 months walks (Main, Leisurely and Super), and also a supplementary programme for Evening and Introductory Walks. The main programme will be familiar to all I’m sure, but the smaller supplementary one is designed to cover the series of Evening walks we’re hoping to undertake as long as the light permits and also what we are calling Introductory walks. These are aimed primarily at encouraging new walkers to join us, and we’ve aimed to make the distances walked longer as the programme proceeds. (This includes the Ramblers Get Walking Day event on 22nd May). This doesn’t mean that regular members aren’t welcome on these events, (far from it), because we want our members to enjoy these walks too and also to make any newcomers feel welcome. The Introductory walks will be linked to the Walsall Council Walks Festival, and we hope that the combined approach will attract many more people to walking and maybe gain us some members into the bargain. So if you have any friends/relations who are thinking about ‘dipping their toes’ into walking, then you could do worse than to bring them along to one of these events.
Star Walk Leader.
This ‘award’ goes to Richard Puzey, who has agreed to lead a walk from each category on both programmes, (Super, Main, Leisurely, Evening and Intro). Our appreciation for Richard’s efforts may well extent to a presentation of the group ‘Foot-Spa Award’ at the end of the season. (Tks Richard).
Ramblers 75th Anniversary.
Don’t forget (see symbol in the header), it 75 years this year since the Ramblers Association was founded and there are walks and publicity events being organised across the country. The South Staffs Area (of which Walsall is one of 15 groups), have decided to walk the Staffordshire Way on Saturday18th September, with each group doing part of the route nearest to it. For us in Walsall that means a 7.5 mile circular trip from Seisdon to Halfpenny Green and back so join us for that if you can.
New Walk Leaders.
As ever we’re always on the lookout for new walks leaders and we’ll give every help and encouragement to those who are prepared to have a go; this includes the map reading course we have planned for June and also provision of ‘starter walks' to get people off on the’ right foot’. (Remember now that the summer programme has started we’re looking for walks and leaders for next winter, so don’t be shy - we’ll be only too grateful to give you support).
Publicity Person
Unfortunately Pat Taylor has had to relinquish her role as Publicity Officer mid-term, due to ill health, and we all wish her a speedy recovery. However we are now without anyone in this position, so can I take this opportunity to ask anyone with a smallish amount of time to please come forward and help us out. We’re rapidly getting down to very small numbers of volunteers running the group and they can’t keep doing more between them. The Group’s future is highly dependant on its volunteers.
Web-Site Update.
Although it might not appear so, I’m doing my best to resolve the Web-site issues that we’ve had over the last 12 months and I hope I’m starting to make progress. I want the site to reflect what’s going on in the group, attract people to join us and be a helpful source of information for walk leaders. There’s a way to go on this, but I would ask that members look into the site regularly and if things aren’t improving then fire off an email to me from the site and I’ll use it to urge changes.
Parking (Walsall).
Safe Parking in the centre of Walsall without facing parking charges remains an issue, but one that we can hopefully overcome for the summer programme by using the Arboretum Extension car park when necessary. (See Main Programme). We’ll just have to keep trying for somewhere as suitable for the next winter programme.
Malvern Trip.
You’ll see this is mentioned on the programme for the 12th September. We’re booking a coach and plan to have two walks (Main and Leisure) happening once we get there. This is proving very popular and if you fancy going then I suggest you contact Anne Ball promptly and purchase a ticket to secure your place. (Deadline for ticket purchase is 31st March, 2010).
Have a great summer walking season. (Dick Turton).
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