LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Members,
After a very wet and cold March, hopefully Winter is over. Perhaps we shall have more sunshine in April and May.
It was very good to see new leaders in the last programme, leading both long and short walks. I am sure Chris Bond would like to hear of anyone else who would be willing to lead a walk.
Some of you have already started the Jubilee Trail and enjoyed the lovely scenery in Dorset.
In October, Eastleigh Group will have its' 20th Birthday. A morning walk is planned, followed by lunch, with a talk to follow. Please keep Saturday October 25th free in your diary,
On a sad note, Brenda Parker well known in Hampshire for her work as Area Footpath Secretary, died suddenly in March. She will be missed by her fellow walkers in North Hampshire Downs Group and by the RA Area Footpath Committee.
Why not bring a friend out with you on your next walk!
Eve Peckham
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR JANUARY 2008
Dear Members,
A Happy and
peaceful New Year to you all. Good health and walking in 2008.
In October, Peter
Benham and John Cawley gave an interesting slide show, about their 930-mile
pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostela. The new technology is much better
than the old projector!
In November we had
our 19th Annual General Meeting. A walk in the morning was followed by
refreshments, which were provided by "The Soup Kitchen". There were
enough cooks but the broth was not spoilt! This was a new departure for the
group, but we shall repeat it next year. (I will remember to warm the
dishes!)
Chris Bond became
the new Rambles Secretary, with Gillian Porter becoming Membership
Secretary. Dave Jupp volunteered to be Social Secretary and Lynne
Shepherd stays on the Executive Committee as an "Ordinary Member".
Footpath problems
reported by Richard Kenchington have been mostly rectified.
So please
send plenty of walks to Chris, new members to Gillian, ideas for social
events to Dave and photos of broken
stiles and overgrown footpaths to Richard!
Later in November,
20 of us visited the Ordnance Survey. A very informative and enjoyable
morning was spent in discovering how maps were printed in the past and the
different processes through which maps go, before they are printed.
Lynne arranged this for us, we hope in the future to arrange another visit.
In December about
50 of us enjoyed a good Christmas lunch at the Mortimer Arms, Ower. Prior to
the walk, 10 members braved the atrocious weather to walk 6 miles with Dave
Bond.
Finally, in 2008 we
shall celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Eastleigh Ramblers Association. We
will keep you all informed of our plans for this event.
Eve
Peckham, Chairperson
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OCTOBER 2007
Dear Members,
Where did the Summer go!
September saw some good weather, with plenty of ripened blackberries to
refresh walkers.
On one of our Wednesday walks led
by Peter Radburn, we caught a train at Chandlers' Ford
Station for Romsey.
There were about 28 of us trying to buy a ticket from the conductor, who
gave up and said we must pay at Romsey, where we formed quite a queue. From
there we walked through Halterworth, Emer Bog and Knightwood to Chandlers'
Ford Station. Colin (Bate) using his new "Navigation Toy" said it was
exactly 6 miles. Well-done Peter!
Over the Summer
Val Ritchie and Dave Jupp have led walks on the "Kingsway". Many of us
enjoyed the circular walk from Portchester to Fort Nelson. It was a lovely
day; the walking was leisurely, undulating, with fine views from Portsdown
Hill.
On Saturday 3rd November at
Valley Park Community Centre Pilgrims Close Chandlers' Ford, the 19th Annual
general meeting of Eastleigh Ramblers will take place. There will be a walk
in the morning, with the meeting in the afternoon.
Dave
Jupp (Rambles Secretary), Lynne Shepherd (Membership), and Tracey
Kenchington (Publicity) are not standing. Lynne will stay on the committee
as an ordinary member.
Chris Bond is willing to stand as
Rambles Secretary, and Gillian Porter will take on Membership Secretary.
So we have vacancies for Publicity, Countryside and Social Secretary. Let
Pat Beazley know if you wish to volunteer!
I would like to thank, Dave,
Lynne and Tracey for the time they have devoted on your behalf, to the
running of Eastleigh R.A.
I hope to see you at the Annual
General Meeting.
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Members,
This
time last year I could eat alfresco in my garden, but this year because of
the rain this has not been possible. However, I am sure the weather has not
stopped our regular walkers from enjoying the delights of the countryside.
I
was heartened when 15 members turned up for my leisurely stroll along the
River Itchen, from Mansbridge to Cobden Bridge and return. It was a
lovely May morning; we saw a mother Mallard duck perched on a submerged log,
with her brood of ducklings next to her. They were so well camouflaged we
nearly missed them. Later when having a rest on a seat near Cobden
Bridge, we saw a pair of swans performing their courtship dance, a real
delight.
In the next programme as well as
contributing to the Wednesday walks, I have put on a short walk around
Eling. (Tuesday). The survey carried out earlier in the year by Tracey,
revealed there was an interest in walks of under 5 miles.
In
October you will have the opportunity to view a slide show of Peter Benham
and John Cawley's pilgrimage in Spain.
I
was pleased to hear that the weekend away next Spring Bank Holiday,
organised by Lynne and Dave Shepherd will go ahead as sufficient numbers
were interested.
If
you read your Area News, you will have noticed that volunteers will be
needed to assist at the General Council of the R.A.
to be held in Winchester 4th -6th April. I am going to assist on the
reception desk, but we need about 12 people, to allow for a rota.
Finally,
I would like to thank Carol Bradbeer for her support over the last 6 months
in helping me to get fit. Perhaps the weather will be better in July.
Eve Peckham
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - MARCH 2007
Dear Members,
Officially it is now Spring, I hope you all altered your clocks correctly.
Spring appeared early this year with many spring flowers blooming in February. There was some heavy rain at the beginning of March, but we were fortunate to have had some very fine days.
There were many good walks in the Spring Programme. I hope you enjoyed the bluebells at Mottisfont (Carol and Roni) and the first "Limestone Link"(Richard and Tracey)
Dave Jupp's reprise of "The Kingsway" will be different than last time, circular rather than linear.
If you happen to be among the walking wounded, you may have watched "Wainwright's Walks" on BBC 4, I found them very interesting and was reminded of the visit some of us made with Peter Benham to Hassness.
Many of the group enjoyed another Quiz Evening organised by Chris and Dave Bond. The questions do not get any easier but the Fish and Chips lived up to expectations. Thanks Chris and Dave for a fun evening.
Sadly, in March David Saunders died, quite a crowd attended his funeral at Eling Church. David was an affiliated member of Eastleigh Group, who had been on many of our long distance walks. Annie and John were pleased so many from Eastleigh were able to attend.
Have a good summer! Eve Peckham (Chairperson) 31 March 2007
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - DECEMBER 2006
Dear Members, - Happy and Peaceful New Year to you all.
I was sorry not to have been at the A.G.M. in November, but I was recovering
from a hip replacement. Many thanks for all the good wishes I received, I
hope to be out
walking with the Group as soon as I feel fit enough.
A new treasurer was elected at the A.G.M - Bob Battle, he takes over from Peter Radburn. I would like to thank Peter for standing in during the last 18 months. Peter has alsohelped collate a book of walks, "Eastleigh Walks", which can be obtained from Dave Jupp - £3 a copy.
2006 was another busy year for Eastleigh Ramblers.
It was sad, when at
the end of October Len Hold died; he was an inspiration to many of us,
leading walks for Waltham and Eastleigh groups, until the age of 85. His
funeral was well attended by many ramblers.
Dave Jupp led many
of you on the "Cranborne Chase Path”. There was also the successful "Parrett
Trail" holiday weekend, organised by Lynn and Dave Shepherd. The year
finished with our Annual Christmas Dinner at the Concorde Club, a very good
venue with plenty of room for everyone. Wilma worked very hard arranging
this for the Group. On display were the photos sent in for the competition
organised by Tracey, with prizes donated by Oswald Bailey and Walk the World
Ltd.
Good walking in 2007
Eve Peckham (Chairperson ) 27 December 2006
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - SEPTEMBER 2006
Dear Members,
We appear at the moment to be having an ' Indian Summer', ideal weather for walking.
In July some of us contributed to an 'American Supper Evening', organised by Chris Bond. We also had a slide show on Hampshire water/wind mills.
Later in August, about fifty us enjoyed walking the 'River Parrett Trail' in Somerset. Short walks were possible, allowing visits to a Craft Centre in Bower Hinton, the Willow & Wetland Centre in Stoke Gregory and a Sunday stroll around Bridgewater. The teashops were as popular as the pubs! Thanks once again to Lynne and Dave Shepherd, for a well-organised trip.
The final 'Cranborne Chase Path' finishes in October and has been well supported.
Similarly. Marcia's Alphabet walks appear to be nearing their end, with Xbury in October. I wonder what Z will be?
On a sad note, in August one of our members, Paul Deering, was tragically killed in a road accident. Many of us remember walking with Paul and Sylvia and we will miss him.
Wednesday walkers will perhaps remember Lilian Merryweather, who recently died at the age of 90.
The 18th Annual General Meeting of Eastleigh R.A, will take place on Wednesday November 8th, at St Boniface Church Hall, Hursley Road Chandlers Ford, 7.30 p.m. until 10.00 p.m.
We have vacancies for Treasurer, Countryside Secretary and the Committee. Please let Pat Beazley (Secretary) know if you are willing to volunteer for these positions and if you have any ideas for future events in 2007.
See you at the A.G.M!
Eve Peckham (Chairperson ) 23 September 2006
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - JUNE 2006
Dear Members,
After a cold spring, we so far have had quite a good summer, plenty of sunshine with very little rain. Ideal weather for walkers with spring flowers vying with the summer ones.
The "Cranborne Chase Path" is well booked, I am sorry to have missed walking this path.
Many of the group enjoyed the Easter Weekend walking on Guernsey with Richard and Tracey. We can look forward to the August Bank Holiday with Lynn and Dave, walking the
"River Parrett Trail" in Somerset.
On a sad note, Cyril Lusted died in April at the age of 85. Cyril was an affiliated member of Eastleigh. He led walks for Winchester R.A., but came on many of Eastleigh's Wednesday morning walks. Three R.A. groups were well represented at his funeral along with many of his former work colleagues.
At least three of our walk leaders have had to give up leading for health reasons, resulting in a few gaps in the programme, especially Wednesdays. So we do need some new people to come forward and lead walks. Dave Jupp will be very pleased to hear from potential leaders.
Have a good summer.
Eve Peckham (Chairperson) 26 June 2006
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - APRIL 2006
Dear Members,
This is one of the quieter periods of the year for the Eastleigh group. However, there have been plenty of walks in the programme for everyone.
March has been one of the coldest since 1987, with a low rainfall. The good news for gardeners is, that those nasty garden bugs will have been killed off by the cold; for walkers there was not quite so much mud as in previous years!
Our unofficial social secretaries, Chris and Colin Bond, organised a very enjoyable Quiz Evening in March. (The fish and chips were also up to standard!) Colin was a little disappointed by the attendance, but those present assured him that they would come again.
April will see the start of the first walk along "The Cranborne Chase Path", led by Val Ritchie and Dave Jupp. There is also "The Wysis Way" and the Easter visit to Guernsey, with Richard and Tracey.
Finally, the New Forest National Park Authority is now in control of the New Forest. South Downs still to come!
Have a good Summer,
Best wishes to you all,
Eve Peckham (Chairperson).
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR - JANUARY 2006
Dear Members - A very Happy and peaceful New Year to you all.
I had a Christmas card from Ruby Latter (a former membership secretary for the Group). Ruby now lives in Kent, is still walking and sent her best wishes to everyone.
We have had another successful year, the Three Castles Path and weekends away on the Isle of Wight and in Yorkshire.
The A.G.M this year was not so well attended, we think Monday was not a good night to choose. However, we elected a new Publicity Officer--Tracey Nicholls, who has already made many useful contacts. Although Jack Bentley resigned from the committee, he has volunteered to attend meetings in Eastleigh District concerning Countryside matters and will keep us informed of developments that affect walkers.
Similarly Chris Bond our unofficial Social Secretary already has plans for three events this year, the first will be in March.
We had a very successful Christmas lunch at the Concorde Club. There was plenty of room for everyone. I doubt the committee would have won "The X Factor" for their rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", but we tried and the other impromptu contributions added to the festivities.
Finally, a youthful looking Dave Jupp celebrated his 80th birthday, with a walk from Chilbolton. There was champagne and balloons!!
Dave collates the programme of walks for Eastleigh group, quite a few of which he leads. So all our younger members out there send in your walks to Dave NOW for the next programme.
Eve Peckham
Chair, Eastleigh Ramblers