Spiders,_Dead_Animals_and_Wedding_Receptions_–_the_role_of_a_volunteer_YHA_warden_
Now that summer approaches, we can all look forward to enjoying some of the walks listed in this programme. On the social side, the skittles evening at the Jack O’Newbury in February organised by Lynn Bennett was a great success (see report by Derek Smith) and I’m looking forward to the Summer BBQ at Hurst Cricket Club with the extras that Lynn has been able to add this year. If you have not been able join those going to the Isle of Wight, Lake District or St Bonnet in France this summer, there is the opportunity to apply for the autumn weekend near Lulworth Cove in Dorset and next spring we are hoping to arrange a weekend based in Rye, East Sussex. There is a flyer and application form for Dorset with this programme.
I’m pleased to report that we now have a new Footpaths Secretary. Ray Sharp has agreed to take over this role following Lynton Prior’s decision to stand down and my thanks go to Chris King who has held the reins in the meantime. Ensuring that the footpaths in our area are kept in a useable state is a very important part of the of the work done by the committee and I am very grateful that Ray has agreed to take this on, especially given his many years as an active member of the Loddon Valley Ramblers and the time he has spent as a Footpath Warden. Please see Ray's report in this issue and let him or one of his team know of any problems you encounter when walking on any of the footpaths in our area.
Also, John Kingdom has joined the committee as an ordinary member and having known John for many years, I look forward to his support and contribution towards the work of the committee. I would like to have one other committee member with no specific role, so if anyone else is interested in joining the committee, please contact me.
Two topics being considered by the committee are the length and pace of some of our Sunday short walks. I would be pleased to hear from any member of the Loddon Valley group who considers that some of these walks are too long and the pace is too fast.
We are still in discussion with the Wokingham Countryside Department on our offer to fund gates in our area that would open up a path for walking without stiles and I hope to give a more positive report in the next newsletter.
David Turner March 2008
Chairman
4th July 2008 Barbeque at Hurst Cricket Ground, with a walk beforehand at 7.30 pm and BBQ at 8.30. This is becoming an annual event, and is highly recommended. See the flyer with this newsletter, to be returned to Lynn Bennett. Book early to avoid disappointment!
24th Oct. 2008 An autumn break is being organised by Richard Kenton at Lulworth Cove, with accommodation on the Friday and Saturday nights. See flyer with this programme, and as always with our popular weekend breaks, early booking is advised.
East Berks are walking this long distance route from Inkpen Beacon to Emsworth on the south coast this summer, in seven friendly ten mile legs, normally on the first Wednesday of each month, commencing April 2nd. Details from Pera and Gordon Marrs, 01628 629155/07769 952 884 (marrs@waitrose.com)
The Supper and Skittles evening was held on a Friday night in February at the Jack O`Newbury in Binfield. We were provided with a complimentary drink on arrival which was a nice touch.
We were then split into two teams of fifteen players, captained by Mary Walker and Ray Sharp, with partners put on different sides just to add to the competitiveness of the event. Ray`s team won both matches, the first by a landslide and the second very narrowly. The prize for the highest individual aggregate score went to Jenny Smith. I did not personally witness this feat and still find it difficult to believe – but there we go.
In fact the four highest aggregate scores were all achieved by ladies, so it was a blessing that it was not men -v- ladies, else we chaps would never have heard the last of it.
In between matches we had a very welcome and plentiful chicken salad supper. Our thanks are due, as always, to Lynn Bennett for organising a splendid evening.
Derek Smith
Having just taken on the role of group footpath secretary I thought a few words on the subject might be appropriate. You will all know we have a fantastic network of walks that we can enjoy but have you ever wondered why we are so lucky? Well, it is no accident and is due for a large part to my dedicated predecessors and a host of footpath wardens. We try to keep your footpaths safe and enjoyable, but of course we are unable to monitor every path on a daily basis. You can help us here by reporting any problems that you encounter along the way. Please don't assume someone else will do it, which is something I have been guilty of in the past. If you do see a problem, let your local warden know about it. If you are able to include a photograph in an e-mail that would be great, but if that's not possible a simple phone call will be fine. You can find the footpath warden contact details at the back of this programme.
Still on the subject of footpaths, our wardens Barry Boddy of Hurst and Cyril Fuller of Wokingham Without areas have decided to stand down. The group has been fortunate to have had their services for many years. The committee and fellow walkers extend their thanks to both and wish them well. The group has also been fortunate in finding volunteers to cover the two areas. Mary Walker will be the warden for Hurst and John Ginty will be the warden for Wokingham Without. Many of you will know Mary and John as they are regular walks leaders.
If you have an interest in taking on one of these roles at some time, do have a word with me and I will be glad to slot you in on a future opportunity, or to pass on one of the districts that I am still minding.
Ray Sharp
Janet Readings, our former newsletter editor, has an interesting occupation, when she's not rambling; see her piece below:
Spiders, Dead Animals and Wedding Receptions – the role of a volunteer YHA warden
‘Janet, Janet help there’s a spider in the campers’ toilet’, was the cry one night just as most folks were thinking about retiring. Fortunately I was quite happy to move the poor creature outside.
‘Janet, Janet I’ve just found three dead animals’, was the greeting I received from a four year old as I knelt on the floor under the toilet trying to fix the seat.
I renewed my acquaintance with the YHA when a group of friends suggested hiring Dimmingsdale Youth Hostel in the Staffordshire Moorlands for Christmas. It was great fun. We had the run of the hostel and could come and go as we pleased. So basically we walked all day and then partied all night! We repeated the exercise once more at Dimmingsdale and then at a privately run hostel near Harrogate. So I started hostelling again and if I was visiting an area I stayed in a hostel. One time near Exmoor I met a volunteer warden and decided it was something I could do myself in my school holidays.
My first experience was at Telscombe in Sussex, near the South Downs Way. It was great fun and my friend and I met so many interesting people; many from Europe as it is so close to the ferry port at Newhaven. We met the 10 strong Dutch family who led hymn singing on Sunday morning before breakfast. There were the young Dutch bikers who spoke so many languages and translated for me into French when my poor attempts were met with blank stares. We were interested in their fantastic cooking skills; one night they cooked a large quiche from scratch in the hostel kitchen. Many evenings were spent chatting to guests about their activities over a glass or two of wine.
Last year I went to Clun in Shropshire to run a hostel which was a beautiful converted water mill. The clientele was slightly different because of its position. We had several groups of cyclists completing the ‘end to end’ cycle ride and others walking parts of Offa’s Dyke. There was a Duke of Edinburgh group staying before they started their expedition. Several young families stayed and one young couple came to recce the area before they hold their wedding reception there in 2008.
There are of course downsides to this job. My least favourite job is cleaning the toilets! I have to be in the hostel and available from 5pm one day to 10am the next and then the cleaning and paperwork has to be done. But most days there is time for a good walk in the middle of the day and the hostels are always in lovely positions so it’s nice to explore somewhere new.
I have often mused about the name ‘Youth’ Hostels because, sadly, there aren’t many youths to be seen, but there are lots of people enjoying themselves. Give it a try if you want a stay-over in a new area. You don’t have to be a member (although prices are slightly higher) and in some hostels you can ask for a private room and in others they serve lovely locally produced food. You might be surprised!
Janet Readings
Page last updated: 13/04/08