Bradford CHA R A M B L I N G
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S O C I A L
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A Message From Your President
Reports
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Social Secretary
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CHA Book Club
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Saturday Secretary
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Keswick Weekend
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Bus Pass Changes
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Pennine Way 2011
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Sunday Rambles Sec.
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Letter from Kintyre
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Morecambe Bay Walk 5 Editors Message Garden Organic Trip Can You Lead a Walk Tenby Holiday
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Mr David Barker has informed the Committee that he is retiring from his role as accountant to Bradford CHA. Mr Barker and his wife Margaret have been active members of the club for many years. A floral arrangement was sent to Mr & Mrs Barker with our sincere thanks for all their support and good wishes for the future. Mr Ian Ainley was appointed accountant at the AGM on 21st April 2010. The Committee convey their gratitude to all those members who sent donations to the club. We have been overwhelmed at the response and thank each and everyone for their generosity. Many exciting walks are enticing us outdoors over the summer. We shall be visiting both the East Coast and the West Coast of Northern England. Come along and join us! Meryl Ward From the Membership Secretary Thanks and welcome to the new members who have joined us this year, and also thanks to existing members who have recently sent subscriptions in for the year 2010/2011. If you haven't already rejoined you‟ll find a reminder letter with this Newsletter and a self addressed envelope. Hope I hear from you soon. Jackie Hotchen
The Pennine Way and our club – a long relationship Most of the Pennine Way is in our club‟s stamping ground and as we approach the end of our Pennine Way project it is worth looking back at our relationship with Britain‟s first long distance footpath. The Pennine Way between Marsden to Hawes is easily accessible for day trips by public transport and even more of it is easily within range of our coach. Over the years we have done every section from Edale to Cross Fell in day trips. We do not visit the local sections between Marsden and Cowling so often these days as Metro fares and passes have made the coach uneconomic for these sections. We have walked the Yorkshire Dales and Teesdale sections dozens of times and the Derbyshire section fairly often. In June 1979, at the late Bernard Templeton‟s suggestion, we walked the 30 mile from Byrness to Kirk Yetholm in two days, resting overnight half way in Bivvy Bags! About 30 booked but a nasty cold doing the rounds knocked the numbers down to 20. I wonder how many would book for such an event Now?
In 1981 Dewsbury CHA were doing the Pennine Way in stages just like we have been doing now, but they could not get enough people for the last two weekends and they asked us to join them. So at May Day weekend we walked from Alston to Bellingham and at Spring Bank from Bellingham to Kirk Yetholm – a much tougher programme than our current one! In 2003 we used parts of the Pennine Way in Teesdale and from Greenhead to Woden Law on our way from Bradford to Edinburgh, our Centenary Walk (CW). Now in 2010 we have almost finished our Pennine Way project, just one weekend to go in the Cheviots. I would like to thank all the B walkers who have stoically done sections which for transport reasons just had to be A or A+ .
The Once Brewed sections were not such long mileages but involved over 2000 feet of ascent on each section. The Heart of the Cheviots and the Pennine Way Mayday Weekend 2011 Looking forward to the Cheviot section, there is good
The Pennine Way and our club continued:
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coach access to the route and everyone should be able to do the whole section as hard/medium B walks – about the same as the Once Brewed weekend. However, there are some „cheat shortcuts‟ which will give a continuous route in fabulous scenery. Anyone who wants some great Cheviot walking should come along even if they are not doing the Pennine Way. All in all we have had 19 good weekends at the northern end of the Pennine Way. In nearly every case some part of the Pennine Way was walked, in some cases the whole weekend was devoted to it. Here is the list. Alston:1981, 2002, 2010. Baldersdale: 1986, Bellingham: 1992, 2003. Bivi-bag: 1981. Byrness: 1981. Dufton: 1992, 2004. Greenhead: 1990. Once Brewed: 1998, 2008, 2010. Wooler: 1985, 1987, 1996, 2003, 2005. Ray Wilkes (2010)
Social Secretary’s Report Wednesday Evening Rambles I have planned for the next syllabus July-Dec 2010. 7th July Patrick‟s walk is a circular walk around Cottingley with meal at the Sun Hotel. Please look out for booking sheet on bus or ring Patrick as it‟s the first in the next syllabus and not much time to book. 4th August Parks and open spaces [inner city Bradford] to local pub for home made food. 1st Sept More views of Calderdale with food at The Jubilee Rooms the station real ale pub for Pie and Peas or veggie slice. 20th Oct This is just A Night Out with your C.H.A friends at The Ital Restaurant Pasta & Pizza night [other food available] not to be missed. Thanks to all summer evening walk leaders, they have all been well supported and enjoyable. That‟s it folks Bye Sheila.
CHA Book Club We now have a new meeting place, the Sir Titus Salt pub on Morley Street, a couple of minutes walk from the Alhambra. Because we have our own room it is much quieter than where we met before and has a good choice of food and drink if needed, so we are well satisfied. New members are always welcome to join us. Dates and books chosen for the coming months are: Thursday 17th June , Testimony by Anita Shreeve, chosen by Jean Blackburn Thursday 15th July, City Of Thieves by David Benioff, chosen by Malcolm Walters Thursday 26th August , Doors Open by Ian Rankin chosen by Stuart Blaylock Thursday 23rd September book to be chosen if you want to find out more please ring Jackie Walters 01274 824298
PAGE 3 Saturday Secretary’s Report As I am writing this for the newsletter we have just had the first warm spell of weather this year. It has been nice to get out without my coat on for a change. The numbers on the Saturday walks have reflected the better weather with many walks attracting numbers in the twenties. Summer is here so there is no excuse for not coming out for a walk; the garden will wait and the grandchildren will understand that granny and/or granddad need to get out into the fresh air and climb a few hills. I had to lead a walk for John Stewart recently as he is having problems with his ankles and feet. John has been a regular on the Saturday walks and an invaluable leader. He is a very pleasant person, and I hope I speak for all the Saturday people in wishing him a speedy recovery. I hope to see you back on the walks again soon John.
Don’t walk behind me I may not wish to lead Don’t walk in front of me I may not wish to follow But walk beside me And we shall be friends. On Saturday 7th August we have our annual Saturday Coach trip. This year we are going to Hawsker which is just south of Whitby. There will be a circular walk from Hawsker 8 miles going south to Robin Hood‟s Bay then up the coastal path before turning inland back to Hawsker. Mike Smith has also agreed to lead a C walk from Whitby down the coast to Hawsker. At Hawsker we will have High Tea supplied by the Hawsker WI. Or members can if they so choose spend a day in Whitby. Please send the booking form below to me as soon as possible as the caterers need the numbers a week in advance. The Coach fare is £10.50 The High Tea is £5.50 Total £16.00 Cheques made out to Bradford CHA Rambling & Social Club and sent to me Stuart Blaylock 32, Thorndene Way Tong Bradford, BD4 0SW Name/s…………………………………. Address………………………………… …………………………………. …………………………………. Tel No ……………………………………
Club Weekend in Keswick 15th 16th October 2010 Our next visit to the Lake District will soon be here. This will give us the opportunity to either enjoy the fells around Derwentwater or spend leisure time in the town with its many attractions. There are still seats available on the coach for those staying in the YHA or B & B. Keswick is always a busy place so make sure you get your seat booked in good time. The Youth Hostel bookings are needed as soon as possible so don‟t delay. See you on the coach. Best Wishes Frank.
Changes to the Metro Concessionary Travel Pass
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Today I went to get my concessionary rail ticket at Ilkley Station only to find the price of the ticket has increased from 35p to 50p. I don‟t remember seeing any notices at any of our ticket offices or ticket machines. All in all a very sneaky way of doing things. This increase started on the 23 May. This won‟t stop me getting the train, as an active pensioner I want to comply with Government advice and keep fit by walking. However an increase of 43% in one go is a hefty increase especially when they did it on the sly. There again there hasn‟t been an increase since 2005; but wait a moment my pension hasn‟t increased by 43% even over 5 years. Another shock I got was when I was told that as from the 6 April this year the Government has changed the age at which people become eligible for a concessionary travel pass. Not to worry I‟ve already got my pass so I am not affected! However my younger soon to be pensioner friends will not be so lucky. From 6 April 2010 people no longer receive a free bus pass when they reach their 60th birthday. Instead both men and women become eligible in line with the rise in the age at which women become eligible for a state pension. This is rising on a sliding scale, from 60 to 65, between 2010 and 2020. A way of the Government saving £1billion which will affect 720,000 people. This is another example of why we don‟t trust our politicians. This was also kept under wraps. No one wanted to disclose anything before an election, then suddenly all change! Maybe these changes will stop some people using the bus and train service. Unfit pensioners will cost the Government extra money in the long run as it will have an impact on NHS costs as we become less healthy! I hope this won‟t affect our Saturday walkers who may have to wait longer for their card and pay a little extra. 23 May 2010 Malcolm Walters Pennine Way Mayday 2011. The last three walks. As you may recall, we were unable to complete the Pennine Way project this year due to lack of accommodation at the Youth Hostel. So plans are being made to finish the walk over a three day period, commencing Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May in 2011. In order to maximise the daily walking times, it will be necessary to set off on the Friday evening. This will give us an early start on the Saturday morning. The walks will be of a similar grade to the Once Brewed weekend or the Knock Fell ascent from Dufton, and will take us into the magnificent scenery of the Cheviot Hills, the highest point of which is The Cheviot at 2676 ft. The 2011 booking costs for the Kirk Yetholm Youth Hostel are not yet available but because the YHA accommodation is limited we do need to know how many people wish to use the Hostel. It would also be helpful to know how many will be using B & B. The cost of the coach at the moment is around £38. The higher than usual coach cost is due to the total mileage and the extra night away. If you intend to go on this weekend would you please send me a £10 deposit, cheques payable to Bradford C.H.A., if a receipt is required please also include a S.A.E. Send: to Frank Starr, 23 Otley Road, Eldwick, Bradford, BD16 3EW. Tel: 01274 776706.
PAGE 5 From the Sunday Rambles Secretary Here we are again in high summer after what seems like a lovely spring; coach turnouts have certainly become much healthier. It helps to keep the fares down so thanks for your confidence in the programme and your offers to lead, and your attendance on walks, even some of the more obscure ones. I think we do need the occasional trip to places few people have heard of, or which are marginally too far away, just to keep up the variety of the weekly trips. We were let down once or twice by the weather and failure of flowers to abide by their flowering seasons, but now let‟s look forward to warm days and heather! Jackie Wilkes Sunday Walks Preview 11th July: we start with (unusually) a high summer trip to Derbyshire. It is not known to me how the vole got dead, or even whether we shall find out.
25th July: Wensleydale: also a very verdant venue at this time of year, and the lovely „Herriot‟ village of Askrigg a less-usual finishing place for us. 8th August: Hebden Bridge: No coach today following the annual Saturday coach ramble, but I hope lots of people will turn up for this public transport ramble which, as well as being a good walk, fills in a gap on the Pennine Way caused last year by catching a bus up the hill- you know who you are! 22nd August: The Moorcock or Sedbergh: Alan‟s Wild Boar Special goes UP the rocky side and DOWN the smooth side. B and C parties can finish in Sedbergh with book shops, tea shops, beer shops in profusion. 5th September: fringes of the Eden Valley: Getting towards Autumn now, so a good chance to make the most of the day with a slightly longer journey. The three walks offered are quite different so you can choose classic moorland, or with a touch of historic interest, or nice valley. Letter from Kintyre from a previous newsletter editor! Just a quick note to tell you how we are getting on. We have survived five weeks in a touring caravan due to a delay in our house sale. Though it was a very beautiful caravan site at Peninver Sands, overlooking Arran, we are pleased now to be at our new home (133 Ralston Road, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6LG should anyone wish to stay in contact). We are still very much in the unpacking phase, the new job is great and Ros has found a job to apply for, so fingers crossed. Cameron and Gemma have settled well into their new school and have made lots of new friends. We have done quite a bit of walking - the Kintyre Way and just visiting the many beautiful beaches in the area. The scenery, wildflowers and wildlife are outstanding and we frequently see deer in the field behind our house. Hope everyone is well and still enjoying the rambles. Russell, Ros, Cameron and Gemma. From the Editor I would like to thank Russell, Ros, Cameron, and Gemma on behalf of club members and the committee, for their combined efforts in producing the club newsletter over a number of years, and to wish them all good luck in their move to Scotland. Thanks also to Jackie for all her assistance.
TO: Jackie Wilkes, 29 Tower Rd, Shipley, BD18 4BP (or see me on the Sunday coach most weeks) NAME: ___________________
Phone_____________________
I enclose £12 for Morecambe Bay walk and coach fare deposit OR £10 for coach seat deposit only on July 18th. (please delete as necessary) NB approx £3 further to be collected on day for coach. (Cheques payable to Bradford CHA Rambling and Social Club please
From the Editor
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Each time my rucksack is packed, my flask filled, sandwiches made, and I set off for a day on the fells, I am starting out on a new adventure. When I try to explain why I like to roam about on the hills and moors, I speak of visits to a landscape immersed in romanticism; I tell of the sublime feeling when I stand on the lip of a high crag or deep inside the cathedral like chasm of Gordale scar. The exhilaration when I am searching for the “hard to find” rock carvings on Boulsworth Hill or the wistful anticipation of trying to locate a crashed aircraft in the hills. Since my retirement from work, each week I have made an effort to find time for a midweek walk, and very often I choose to set myself an objective to be achieved during the course of the walk. I have found this way of planning a day‟s walking will often provide me with a very rewarding walk. Many times my goal will be the site of a Second World War aircraft wreck such as the wreck of the Lancaster bomber on Tintwhistle Knarr in the Peak District. Because I had an incorrect grid reference for the location of this wreck, I made three visits to the area before I finally found it. When I came over a peat covered hillock and found it before me in a gully, I experienced a great feeling of satisfaction and a great sense of sadness for the seven airmen who lost their lives there. Boulsworth Hill is an area which I have often visited with the purpose of searching for prehistoric carvings hidden away in a cave formed by fallen rocks. The carvings, an Elk and a running Bison were discovered in the summer of 1920 by two teenage boys playing in the rocks on Boulsworth Moor. Local antiquarians are sceptical about the origins and age of these carvings, but I would very much like to find them, as up to the present time I have been unable to. Long before the “right to roam” legislation opened up the countryside, walking boundaries held an attraction for me. There is something outstanding for me following a watershed, and to walk the watershed which follows the tops of the Pennine Hills is exceptional. To walk the ridge from Hoof Stones Height, along Black Hameldon to Gorple Stones with the knowledge that the streams that course twenty feet to the east of you end up in the North Sea, and the streams flowing twenty feet to the west disgorge into the Irish Sea is special. For many walkers a visit to Top Withins or Wycoller makes a fascinating day out because of the apparent association with the Bronte sisters. I have long held an interest in visiting the setting of well known poems such as Ullswater or the village of Grantchester, accordingly a walk in the countryside around Mytholmroyd with its echoes of Ted Hughes provides me with an absorbing day out. I was particularly ensnared by a visit to Crimsworth Dean and Lumb Hole waterfall when I read the plaque which had been placed there by the Elmet Trust, a group which celebrates the life and work of the Poet Ted Hughes. The plaque tells the story of Hughe‟s poem “Six Young Men” and how he was moved to write it, when he found a photograph in his dead father‟s possessions, which shows a group of young men sitting in a country glade, all of them in obvious good humour. The poem describes in graphic detail how, within six months of the photo being taken all had met their death during World War One. When I first saw the plaque I was consumed with a curiosity about the men, which was only satisfied when I met with Donald Crossley, a boyhood friend of Hughes who kindly returned with me to the spot where it was taken, he showed me the original photograph and we talked about the poet and his work. I could write a great deal more about the reasons why I like walking, such as visits to caves and potholes, lead mines, old ruins like Staups mill in Jumble Hole Clough, but I will save these for another date. Mick Melvin (Editor)
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There are spaces available on the following trip. If you would like to come, please either fill in the booking form and return to me, or contact me on 01484 533626. Thanks, Jean (Moxon). 08.25 No. X6 bus from Bradford gets into Huddersfield for 09.00. COACH OUTING TO GARDEN ORGANIC, RYTON, Nr Coventry (formerly The Henry Doubleday Research Association – HDRA) Saturday, July 24th, 2010 Garden Organic, Ryton is an internationally famous tourist attraction hosting 10 acres of display gardens, managed entirely organically, including fruit/vegetables, composting, bee-keeping, Cooks garden, Vegetable Kingdom, also a Rose Garden, opened by HRH Price of Wales in 2008, Paradise Garden (a memorial to Geoff Hamilton) plus an award-winning organic shop and the world-renowned Heritage Seed Library, which preserves over 800 varieties of vegetable under threat of extinction. Refreshments. The café has received numerous food and drink awards. They recommend prior booking one of their packages, as the café gets extremely busy. The packages are: Daffodil menu (filled jacket potato with salad garnish), £5.95 per person. Rose menu (chef’s soup of the day with freshly baked bloomer followed by a cream scone,) £6.50 per person. Snowdrop menu (Garden Organic Ploughman’s), £6.95 per person Tulip menu (ass. sandwiches, scampi & tartare sauce, potato wedges with herb mayo & sweet chilli dip, sticky sausages) £9.95 pp Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic. A guided tour is also available, at £2.50 per person. Cost of trip is £15.00: Concessions £14.50 (coach & entry) If you require one of their package meals, please state which meal preferred and add to the cost of the trip. Please complete booking form below, and send with cheque for full amount, made payable to J. Moxon, to: Jean Moxon, 165 Broomfield Road, Marsh, Huddersfield HD1 4QH, telephone: 01484 533626, by JULY 6th at the latest. The coach will leave Huddersfield Bus Station at 09.00, leaving the Garden Organic at approx.17.00.
I would like to book ……. places on the GARDEN ORGANIC visit. Please enclose cheque for full amount. I would/would not like to book a package meal (please state which package) ………………… Name/s ………………………………………………………………………………..
Coach & entry
Address ……………………………………………………………………………….
Cost of meal
……………………………………………………………….. Tel. …………………..
Guided Tour?
Do you want to join a guided tour? YES/NO. If yes, please add £2.50.
Total
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CAN YOU LEAD A WALK IN THE NEXT SYLLABUS ? If so please use the form below (duplicate if necessary) and submit to the relevant Rambles Sec. Thank you to all our leaders who have led walks in the past and present syllabus.
Day
Date
Bus No. And Destination From:-
Dates to Avoid Train
Time
Coach
To:- Where to get off
Name of Walk
Map No
Walk Starts at
Time
Walk Finishes at Circular\Linear
Approx Miles Sundays ‟A‟ or „B‟
Climbing
Leaders Name
Address
Phone
Other Information
Day
Date
Bus No. And Destination From:-
Dates to Avoid Train
Time
Coach
To:- Where to get off
Name of Walk
Map No
Walk Starts at
Time
Walk Finishes at Circular\Linear
Approx Miles Sundays ‟A‟ or „B‟
Climbing
Leaders Name
Address
Phone
Other Information The new club syllabus will be circulated to members with this newsletter and it includes a number of interesting walks in our favourite walking areas. There is something for everyone in this coming season, floral walks, walks which include a coffee shop, strenuous walks to test the hardiest “A” walker, and nice gentle strolls by river sides through meadowland. There‟s just time to fit in the last two walks in the last syllabus, I have included a reminder below. Why not join Stuart for a public transport walk, or Ronnie, Jean and Andrew for a walk in the beautiful Lake District this July ?
Saturday 3rd July 2010
Sunday 4th July 2010
Train departs Int at 10.00 to Mytholmroyd
Coach departs 8.30 (1)
Weather Hill & Great Jumps
A: Tarn Crag: Ron Wade
Mytholmroyd to Hebden Bridge 8 Miles
Grasmere to New Dungeon Ghyll
Stuart Blaylock
Lakeland Viewpoints High or Low B: Jean Starkey C: Andrew Czenkusz Grasmere to Ambleside
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TENBY HOLIDAY 2011 Saturday 28th. May to Saturday 4th. June 2011 This is an 8 day 7 night holiday with half board en-suite accommodation based in one hotel on the outskirts of Tenby. Where will we stay? We will stay at the Park Hotel ( three stars) which has an outdoor swimming pool, is situated on an elevated position with stunning views over the bay towards Tenby, but is only a short stroll from the town. The hotel grounds and gardens are a feature of the hotel, with many interesting plants and trees. All the rooms are en-suite with the usual hospitality trays and TVs. It is a family run hotel, and prides itself on its food. To quote the original communication from their receptionist “the food here is superb,with excellent choice and plentiful”. Sadly there are only a few single rooms available, for which a small additional supplement is charged. We will be accommodated on a dinner/bed & breakfast basis, so you will only need to buy lunch. The hotel will do packed lunches at a cost, but the town is near enough for those who prefer to source their own. Further information on the hotel is available on the website at www.parkhoteltenby.com. How will we travel? Using our old friends JAK Travel, we will leave Bradford at 9-30AM on the Saturday morning, and drive down to Tenby. We will make a couple of stops on the way, and hopefully arrive at the hotel around 4-30PM, in plenty of time to freshen up before the evening meal. We will of course have the coach with us for the week to take us to and from the walks, and to visit local places of interest. Where will we walk? Tenby is situated on the Pembrokshire Coastal Path, one of the finest coastal paths in Britain, so parts of that are an obvious choice for the walks. However, there are many other wonderful walks available in the area, with some of the higher mountains just within reach. The best parts of the area will be covered during the week, with a full programme of A,B and C walks. There are many castles, gardens, beautiful beaches and interesting villages for the C party to visit. What will it cost? Because of the uncertain situation regarding VAT charges and fuel costs, the final cost could vary slightly. However, at this time the TOTAL cost of the holiday is as follows:Shared accommodation in a twin or double en-suite room £380, single en-suite room £435. We will once again split the payments to ease the burden, the final payment will vary depending on the costs at that time. We will require a non-refundable deposit of £25 when returning your completed booking form, to arrive by the end of June 2010. For those sharing a room, there will be three further payments of £100 each at the end of September, November and January, with a final payment of £55 (variable) at the end of March. For those in single rooms, after the initial £25 deposit we will need three payments of £100 at the end of September, November and January, with a final payment of £110 (variable) at the end of March. TENBY HOLIDAY 2011 BOOKING FORM Please reserve me the following:Double Room Twin Room Single Room
Address —————————————————— ————————————————————————————————————Special Requirements ————————————
Tel. No --------------------------- —————————————————————
Name of person booking -----------------------------
Sharing with -----------------------------------
I enclose £------------ as a non-refundable deposit, and will pay the balance in four payments at the end of September, November, January and March, as defined above. NOTE:- Travel Insurance is NOT included. Please ensure you are adequately covered. Please return completed form with deposits to:- Mike Smith, 4 Uplands Close, Queensbury, Bradford, BD13 1ET. Tel: 01274 880753
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