News April 2003 to July 2003

Unfilled Committee posts:
We are still without a footpath officer and a social secretary, so if there is anyone reading this who might consider filling one of those posts we'd be very pleased to hear from you!

Footpath Research:Lost Paths
There is a move to reinstate the many thousands of miles of "lost" paths which do not appear on the definite maps. If you are interested in helping to conduct research of documents in public records offices we would be pleased to hear from you. Ramblers' Association will provide training and guidance.

SWAG (Somerset Walking Activity Group)
For a programme of this recently established group for walkers under 40, ring Joanne Eady on 01278-784258.

Walking with Families:
April's walk is listed on this programme. Further details, and the preliminary programme of these short monthly walks for families, are available from Mary Henry on 01823-333369.

Parrett Way:
In this programme we start to walk the Parrett Way. It will be split up into sections of around 8 or 9 miles and Marion will lead all the walks. Walks are LINEAR. Because public bus connections are usually inconvenient Marion intends hiring a minibus for most sections. Cars can be left at Marion's house in Street, from where the minibus will leave (at the time shown in the programme). IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU RING MARION TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WALKS TO RESERVE A PLACE ON THE MINIBUS. Cost will be about £6 per person per walk. (N.B.Those coming from the FROME area will probably have to organise their own drop off and pick up arrangements)

National Footpath Week:
As mentioned above we are without a footpath officer and so this year our walks during the week 21st to 27th June, when the Ramblers' Association have asked groups to focus on highlighting footpath problems, will be normal ones. To repeat the plea --is there anyone out there who might like to consider becoming our footpath officer?! (Plenty of advice, help and support available).

Friday evening pub walks
They're back! Summer is approaching and with the light evenings it's again time for that heady mix of beer, food and perambulation to appear on the programme. First pub walk is on June 20th. Currently they are every 3 weeks; with more leaders they could be more frequent!

Working Party:
As usual the main walking programme contains a monthly working party date. And of course you would be most welcome to join the "dynamic duo", Bob and Colin M, at any time -- they are doing some job or other virtually every week. If you would like to help please ring Bob on 01749-346023 or any committee member.

Woolacombe Weekend:
Many thanks to Norman for once again organising the pre-Easter w/e. It's popularity is such that despite increasing the number of places to 35, above what is really desirable for a manageable walking group, it was fully booked almost immediately. Bear that in mind next year if you were disappointed this year!

Somerset Area AGM:
Many thamks to Clevedon group for organising the AGM, and the preceding 4.5 mile walk. Mainly as a result of the recent questionnaire (from which well over 400 replies were received) two new committee members have been recruited; Lyndsey Proffitt will edit the newsletter and John Westcott becomes Countryside Offficer.Unfortunately the vitally important post of Footpath Officer remains unfilled, as does that of Access Officer.

Future Events April 2003 to July 2003

Disabled Rambling
This year there are two days of rambling on July 23rd and 24th. The venue is again the Quantocks. The first walk will start from Holford and the second will go to Selworthy Beacon from Selworthy.Full details from Janet on 01458-835238

Footpath training day:
Replies from the recent questionnaire indicated that a considerable number of members would like to know more about footpath matters. A FOOTPATH TRAINING DAY has therefore been organised on SATURDAY 3rd May. It will take place at Hatch Beauchamp Village hall between 10 am and 4.30 pm. Janet Davis is coming from Ramblers HQ to run the session. Participants will need to bring a picnic lunch and drink. If you intend to come please fill in the slip below and send it to Mary Henry at 22 Linden Grove, Taunton TA1 1EF

Mendip Group Summer Walking Festival: Binegar
Over the August 2003 Bank holiday weekend there will be a series of walks in the Binegar area. They will be the culmination of this year's Mendip Group project which aims to open up and clear many of the blocked paths in that area. The "Tuesday Group" identified a large number of problems during preliminary walks and, in collaboration with the Mendip Footpath Officers, our Footpath Work Party are currently focussing their efforts on sorting out these problems.

Somerset Area Walking Holiday: Pembrokeshire
A Somerset Area walking holiday, organised in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Hotels' Association , will take place from Saturday 4th October to Friday 11th October. There will be a choice of at least two walks each day, ranging from energetic to relatively easy. The holiday will cost £315. This is for seven days half board, plus packed lunchs and transport to and from walks. Please phone on Jim H 01823-442509 as soon as possible if you are interested and'or require further details. A £50 deposit will be required to secure a booking.

Dorset Weekend:
A change of plan! The area holiday is going to Pembroke so Owen and Paula have decided to organise a self-booking weekend near the Dorset coast from Saturday 27th September to Mondsay 29th September. Full details in the next programme. Saturday will be a 11 am start and involve a 7 mile walk along the Purbeck Way from Corfe to Swanage, with a return by bus. Saturday will involve an 8.5 mile coastal walk via Swyre Wood and Kimmeridge followed by a 5.5 mile inland circuit for those with remaining energy. Monday is also split into 2 walks, 7 miles with coastal path to St.Aldhelms Head, and an afternoon 6 mile inland circuit to Harman's Cross