NEWSLETTER June 2016 Oadby Hillwalking Club ( OHWC COMMITTEE

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Alyson Miles
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1 NEWSLETTER June 2016 Oadby Hillwalking Club ( OHWC COMMITTEE Chairman: Roy Batchen Secretary/Newsletter: Fiona Clarkson Treasurer: Jenny Fox Walks Co-ordinator: Geoff Mattock Webmaster & Social: Alison Beckett Membership Secretary: Carol Hinks Next monthly walk Sunday 3rd July Church Stretton Coach departs: Oadby Central Car Park (adjacent to the Trinity Methodist Church) at 8.00am and will leave Stokenchurch at 5.30pm. Coach Route: M69, M6 M54, A5, A49 Church Stretton. Coach Parking and Pickup: Church Stretton nr Station. Bootstop: M54 Telford Services Walk Leaders: Long: Steve Sembay Medium: Alison Beckett, Jenny Fox & TBA Short: Carol Hinks Map: Explorer No 217 The Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge Routes: To Geoff Mattock, Phone , asap before 26 th June, please. or post to: 59 Kings Drive, LFE, Leicester LE3 3JE Walk Route Map Please go onto the News section of the Club website, a few days before the monthly walk, to see a map showing the walk routes. Hopefully this will speed up selecting your walk when signing up on the coach. Prospective walkers please contact Carol Hinks to book a seat on the bus: By to: c.hinks39@gmail.com. You will receive a reply confirming the availability or otherwise of a seat. Or by telephone on If you wish to be picked up, at other places than the Oadby Car Park, please mention where when booking and please be aware that very occasionally another Woods coach may go past before ours arrives. Members can book for the next month s walk on the return journey back to Oadby. You don t have to wait for the Club meeting or the Newsletter. Bus Fares preferably by cheque payable to Oadby Hillwalking Club or simply O.H.W.C. Page 1 of 6

2 Adult Members 12, Junior/Student Members 5, Guests/Visitors + 3. Cancellations - members and guests - Cancellations up to Tuesday Midnight before the Sunday walk - no penalty. Cancellations thereafter - full cost of the bus fare due. (AGM 2011). Please send fare due to the Treasurer, Jenny Fox, 126 Braunstone Close, Leicester, LE3 2GT Boot/Toilet Stop Members are urged to keep the time taken at the boot stop to a minimum. At the end of the walk members should change their footwear and place dirty boots and rucksacks in the luggage locker before getting onto the coach, thus avoiding any congestion and mud in the coach. Those getting off the coach at Fosse Park and the Ring Road, may alternatively, put your dirty kit into a Bin Liner and then take it onto the coach; thus negating having to search for your kit in the bus s Luggage Locker. Safety Form and Emergency Personal Details Please make sure that you are carrying your completed Club Safety Form in the top of your rucksack - it could help you in a difficult situation. N.B. Don t forget to keep the form up to date. The form is available on the Club Website ( Essential Wear - N.B. Jeans and, or trainers/sandals are NOT suitable Members and guests must be suitably equipped and as a minimum this must include: suitable walking boots waterproof coat and over-trousers warm clothing an appropriate rucksack. food and drink for the whole day a First Aid Kit is recommended Only Registered Assistance Dogs are allowed on club walks. Almoner s Report If you know of any member that is poorly or unable to walk for any reason, please let one of the committee know. Proposed Sunday Monthly Walks by coach: 2016/2017 Returns at 5pm during GMT and 5.30pm during BST. August 7 Bollington 5.30 pm September 4 Youlgreave 5.30 pm October 2 Peak Forest 5.30 pm November 6 Oakamoor 5.00 pm December 4 Baslow 5.00 pm 2017 January 8 Castleton 5.00 pm February 5 Stow 5.00 pm March 6 Buxton 5.00 pm April 2 North Leach 5.30 pm May 7 Mid-Month Walks: Page 2 of 6

3 Wednesday June 15 th Wharf Inn Welford 7pm. Walk of approx. 5 miles led by John Sutton. Sunday July 10 th Langton Brewery, based at Thorpe Langton, has offered members the chance to visit their beer festival with an opportunity to try different beers from Leics and South Wales breweries, the bar will sell other drinks such as wine and soft drinks. 12 noon - 5pm. Jenny Fox will lead a mid-month walk in the morning from to start and finish at Grange Farm, Thorpe Langton. Members can park at the brewery. Members can then visit the brewery and eat their packed lunch or homemade food will be on sale from Waterloo Cottages - burgers, sausages, and curries. To find out more about Langton Breweries go to Sunday August 21 st Mike & Carol s Tugby Walking Treasure Hunt & meal Interested in being a Walk Leader? Please speak to any Committee Member, who will gladly arrange this for you or better still come along to our Club Meetings, which are on the Wednesday after the Sunday walk now at the Wigston Conservative Club, at 7.30pm. Monthly Club Meetings Monthly club meetings are held on the Wednesday after the Sunday walk at the new venue Wigston Conservative Club, 38 Long Street, Wigston, Leicester, LE18 2AH at 7.30pm. All club members are welcome and we would like to see you. (You won t get given a job) Walk report Sunday 5th June Stokenchurch We alighted the coach to the sound of the roar of the nearby M40 in our ears and the sight of the morning mist beginning to clear from the top of the Chilterns. First onto part of the Ridgeway National Trail known as the Swan s way or alternatively the Icknield Way. Our route started towards the south east before looping back to the north to pass (under) the M40 again and finishing in the village of Stokenchurch, The countryside is low chalky hills covered alternately in mixed woodland or arable fields with crops of barley much in evidence, Tiny hamlets containing big houses are dotted about; the sort of idyllic English country scene so beloved of the people who watch Midsomer Murders. One could only wonder at what shenanigans the vicar was up to behind those ivy covered walls. The walk took us up and down the lanes, sometimes with some gratefully received shade as the sun burnt through the mists, sometimes across the fields with the green rolling vistas seemingly stuck in time, only the swirling red kites providing a sense of movement. Normally I drag myself round on the long walk but on this day I felt a slightly shorter walk was more appropriate due to the fact that I had done very little real exercise in weeks. So I joined up with Geoff, who had also absorbed Alison s small group, although Geoff s that which doesn t kill you makes you stronger attitude to the great outdoors doesn t necessarily mean you will have an Page 3 of 6

4 easier day out. Still, it was nice to have a new mix of people to chat to; some were new to me because they are literally on their first or second walk, and some were new to me because although they have been in the club for years, they generally sit in a different section of the coach and I am pretty much asleep when I clamber on to the coach first thing. You learn lots of interesting things ambling along and chatting; often that your holidays don t sound as exciting as other people s unfortunately. On this day however, I discovered someone whose parent s family history closely followed my own. Odd to find ourselves chatting about the Russian secret police in the middle of Buckinghamshire on a glorious summer s day. A lovely day s walk finished off with a nice pint. What more could you ask for. Steve Snowden Weekend Report On inspecting my road atlas, as I do prior to the 150 mile journey to Snowdonia. I m always relieved to see that one road (A5) will take us all the way to North Wales. Although this always conjures up a feeling of easy journey? The fact is that every year, the journey gets a little more difficult as the volume of traffic increases, roundabouts become ever more larger with access and exit roads, with often huge lorries blocking the road signs at the exit points. However, we always get there in the end. This year initially, there were only 4 members who made the journey. Two staying at a B&B (Brian Furnell & myself) and two campers (Don More & Geoff Mattock our leader). The big plus this year however, was the weather. Its not often Snowdonia will offer clear blue skies and warm sunshine, but this is what we had from arrival to departure. The days were crystal clear, with every mountain top on view against blue skies enhancing this stunningly beautiful area. As usual, our first day on arrival was taken up with unpacking, tent pitching and generally sorting ourselves out. In the evening, we walked to our usual hostelry for a few pints and a meal before looking forward to a good nights sleep. Early next day (Sat.) it was good to welcome Adam Wakley, who had set off from his home at a very early hour, to meet up with us at Capel Curig. Now we are 5. Geoff Mattock had arranged that today, we would climb a mountain called Cnight, that was some way away from base. Apparently it is known locally the Welsh Matterhorn. This is probably because of a rather steep scramble up near to the summit. Anyway, we were soon roaring along heading for Cnight. There were 5 beef-cakes in my Mondeo and 5 ruck-sacks in the boot with all this weight, the Mondeo seemed to have a mind of its own. Anyway everything was fine, and we soon reached an out of the way village called Moelwyns, where we began the trek to Cnight. The distant mountain came closer, and in time we were scrambling up. There were quite a number of other groups doing the same. Eventually we reached the top. Always a good feeling to take in the scenery when at the top, and this day was quite spectacular. We then spent hours walking and climbing in the area and generally wearing ourselves out. Later on we came upon the remains of a slate mine: A really awesome place set against the black material that lay piled everywhere. There were also wrecked buildings all around. These were Page 4 of 6

5 probably offices and also accommodation for the miners who would need to live there in this out of the way` place. Although now uninhabitable, it could be seen that these buildings had been constructed to a good standard, and it seemed a shame they had been deliberately made uninhabitable. Although on reflection, this was probably done to prevent undesirables moving into this hallowed ground. It was then back to base for our evening relaxation. On Sunday, the 5 of us met in Capel Curig, in the cafe attached to Joe Browns climbing equipment shop. Here we began our Sunday walk towards mountains not far away. We were on a well worn track, and made good progress, soon following an upward direction. After climbing around the area, it was good to stop for a rest and some food. On our decent, we had somehow lost the track and began to spread out whilst trying to find a way down. Below I watched as leader Mattock was making his way through a sort of jungle, when his right leg somehow disappeared into an unseen hole. He quickly retrieved his leg and marched off. Probably hoping no one had noticed. We finally reached the bottom and headed back to Capel Curig. It had indeed been a wonderful few days, and a real privilege to walk in the area. I look forward to next year. Roy Batchen Diary Dates: Thursday 8 th December The Taste Restaurant K Shoe Hut - Friday 8 th to Monday 10 th September nights) An organiser will be required. K Shoe Hut Friday 14th to Monday 17 th October The K-Shoe Hut, otherwise known as High House, at Seathwaite in Borrowdale - a superb location in the heart of the Lake District. It offers a high standard of Mountain Hut self-catering accommodation. The converted stone built house is set in its own grounds, with car access and parking. Two dormitories have a total of 25 bunk beds. The communal kitchen has a double oven with grill, electric hob with 4 rings, 8 gas ring units, 2 microwave ovens, water heater and refrigerator. Crockery & cutlery are provided. You will need to bring a sleeping bag & pillow, plus all food and drink. Costs are typically 10 per person, per night, charged on a break-even basis. Please reserve your place by sending a 15 deposit along with the booking form below, to Alison Beckett. For more information visit or contact Alison Beckett , Page 5 of 6

6 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oadby Hillwalking Club K-Shoe Booking Form Please return to: Alison Beckett, 5 Spinney View, Great Glen, Leicester, LE8 9EP Please reserve... places at K-Shoe. Name(s) I/we enclose 15 deposit per person, total... Cheques to be made payable to Oadby Hillwalking Club I/we will be staying FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY nights I/we need a lift / can offer a lift for... persons / will travel with: Signed... Date... Tel: Page 6 of 6

NEWSLETTER February 2018 Oadby Hillwalking Club OHWC COMMITTEE

NEWSLETTER February 2018 Oadby Hillwalking Club www.oadbyhwc.com OHWC COMMITTEE 2017-18 Chairman: Jenny Fox 0116-291 1491 Secretary/Newsletter: Fiona Clarkson 0116-2793372 Treasurer: Alison Beckett 07557