RAMBLERS BRADFORD EVENING WALKS GROUP NEWSLETTER No3 March 2013 Welcome to our third newsletter, which we hope will keep you up to date with all that’s going on and decisions taken at the last Steering Group meeting. 

WALKS IN THE DARK

Extremely well supported, despite so much mud! We’re averaging around 25 per walk. The first five walks for 2013-2014 are now sorted and will be in the new walks booklet due out very soon for members. Leaders and Walks are now needed for the rest of the programme, please. Thinking caps on for new walks ideas. Suggestions always welcome!


SPRING/SUMMER WALKS

The new 2013 programme is in circulation. Thanks to Sue and Bob for stepping in and taking over from Richard and Caroline to ensure its printing. Have You anywhere they could be displayed, or could You distribute them anywhere? Help with Bradford wide distribution is always needed.


SPONSORSHIP & FUND RAISING

Bob, of Tyre Power, has continued his sponsorship of our winter and summer programmes. Do remember Bob offers Free tyre repairs, and is very competitive. Please support him if you can, and give us a mention. Then he knows his ad is producing results. He will take a break from sponsoring the 2013-14 programmes, but it’s still well worth using him. For the last two programmes Ramblers Area Group has given funding, and money raised by the Evening Walks Group has also been used. Kevin has put in an unsuccessful request to First, and Pam is trying Community Chest for us. Fingers crossed! We do have an emergency reserve from our fund raising, and intend to build this up a bit more over the summer. At present we are without sponsors for the next Walks In The Dark and Spring/Summer Programmes. Can YOU help? Do you know anyone who might support us? If you have a name and contact details Malcolm Pitt has promised to follow up.


CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB!

HOT NEWS

Thanks to hard work from Kevin we now have our own website! It’s to be found at http://ramblersbradfordgroup.weebly.com/ or Google Ramblers Bradford Group. Although the site is still evolving it’s now live on the Internet. The more hits we get, the higher up the listings we should move. So please give us some help to make the top spot.

Paul has been busy putting all the Spring and Summer walks on the Ramblers National Walks Finder; easily found on the national Ramblers website.

The first 6 walks of the new programme are now on BBC Things To Do (Click on Activities tab then put Bradford in the Results near: box). The rest will be entered over the next few weeks.

Search Bradford Ramblers Association on Facebook and join the group of members set up there by Bev. All April walks have been put on there and there’s also a link to our new website.

Do YOU have anything you would like to see included on any of these? Do you have any PHOTOS taken on any of our walks that we might include?

N.B. Any web link to a Bradford Ramblers group, which includes “Meet up”, is nothing to do with our Official Ramblers Bradford Group nor is it part of the national Ramblers organization.


SOCIAL EVENTS / PUB FOOD

What do YOU want to see happening? Can YOU contribute in any way? Janet, Helen and Pam will be happy to have help organizing events and selling tickets.

The more people who get involved, the smaller the work load on individuals and the greater the benefit for everyone!! Don’t forget - join us for after walks drinks in local pubs! The pub is announced before or during each walk, and is usually chosen by the leader of the walk.

Any ideas at all talk to any of the named people or contact Muriel mob: 07981 106 470 or email: [email protected]

 


Remember YOU can help the Ramblers, a Charity relying on subscriptions and donations, to continue their good work by joining or by renewing your membership.

The Evening Walks Programmes are run by volunteers and aim to be self-sufficient. Could YOU play an active part within the Steering Group        (only 2 informal meetings per year), air your ideas or help in any other way?

Talk to Muriel, Dave, Sue, Bob, Janet, Bev or Kevin

 

 A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL LEADERS, ORGANISERS, FUND RAISERS, HELPERS,SPONSORS

AND WALKERS

FOR MAKING OUR PROGRAMMES SO SUCCESFUL

BRADFORD RAMBLERS EVENING WALKS GROUP NEWSLETTER No2 Feb 2012


Welcome to our second newsletter, which we hope will keep you up to date with all that’s going on and decisions taken at the last Steering Group meeting.

WALKS IN THE DARK

These have continued to attract excellent support, with numbers being greater than in 2010/2011. Fifty on one walk was excellent! One walk had to be cancelled unfortunately: due to very heavy rain, extremely high winds and flooding. Cancellation was at the last minute. Apologies go to the very few hardy souls who did brave the elements. Thanks for your understanding.

We’ve only cancelled one walk previously, when snow made travel impossible. If you wish me to send you a text IF such a situation arises, and if there’s time to warn people, please make sure that I’ve your contact details and I’ll do my best.

Thanks to all leaders and walkers for making this innovative project such a success.

Don’t forget Cheers To The Dark Thursday 22nd March at The Sportsman. Sandwiches and chips £3.50


SPRING/SUMMER WALKS

Again we’ve agreed that the first and last two or three walks should be slightly shorter and should only use easy walking surfaces if the walk will be completed in the dark. (Leaders please take note). This caters for those who do not enjoy walking in the dark, provides easier walking for newcomers and still gives a reasonable walk for those who have walked all winter.

We’re returning to The Causeway Foot for Cheers 2012. In response to walker’s comments Janet has negotiated food at £5 a head.

Our printers retired! Which left Richard and Caroline with the last minute task of finding somewhere else! Thanks to their time and effort our new Programmes are now available.

Have You anywhere they could be displayed or distributed to?


SPONSORSHIP & FUND RAISING

We’ve had continued support from Sarah of T Barrons and new support from Bob of Tyre Power, which has taken pressure off funding the programme. However printing costs have increased with the change of printers. For the Spring Summer programme, the local Ramblers Group is funding the price difference.

Sarah offers 10% removals discount on production of her advert or cards obtainable from me, whilst Bob offers Free tyre repairs. If you use Bob for replacement tyres, please mention us. Then he knows his ad is producing results.

We do have an emergency reserve now from our fund raising, and intend to keep fund raising to a minimum for the time being.


NATIONAL GET WALKING DAY

Sunday 26th May 2012

Two walks are being planned from Apperley Bridge. One in the morning of approx 3.5 miles and an afternoon one of approx 5 miles. Please give us your support. Details will be in the Rambler’s West Riding programme and as a flyer from the Evening Walks Group.


SOCIAL EVENTS / PUB FOOD

Do You Want To See These Continue?

Could You Do Your Bit To Help?

When people requested more food after walks / meals out at weekends etc, I said brilliant as long as someone else took it on board. Janet does a great job liaising with venues, but I’m finding I’m doing more and more, e.g Selling 2 or 3 lots of tickets at the same time as taking meal deposits and trying to organise the next walks programme.

So… I’ve decided I’ll happily produce any tickets people want, I’ll sell them for Cheers and perhaps one more event during a season. I’ll coordinate what’s going on - But that’s all. I’m going back to having time to relax in the pub after walks. I’ll still have plenty to do simply working on the next walks programme!

Leaders and Walkers Can You make things happen now and then? Talk together. 

Pubs will often provide food for free if they know a group is going in after a walk.

Might You have a friendly word with a pub of your choice and see what’s on offer?

Local chip shops need no advance planning other than warning people beforehand to bring money. If you want food, which is to be ordered beforehand, could You sell the tickets and deal with the pub?

Got a favorite place to eat out? How about organizing the date, deposits etc?

The more people who get involved, the smaller the work load on individuals and the greater the benefit for everyone!! Or simply join us for an after walk drink or two in local pubs!


DAYTIME / WEEKEND WALKS

We’re often asked if we’ll organize walks at weekends or during the day mid week. Good point! But, to do that, we need more leaders! We have a highly successful all year round programme of Evening Walks and appreciate our leaders (all volunteers) very much. We also realize the time that goes into planning and walking out a walk, and do not want to make even more demands. 

Ramblers Members can access a wide variety of such walks in the local area, the West Riding and across the country. Walks are also arranged by a number of other groups and by Countryside Services. So people are quite well catered for.

However, if any Member would like to lead a walk for the Bradford Group please give the following details to Muriel (Walks Secretary for Bradford Group) by the end of February and they will be included in the May to October West Riding Programme.

Date, Meeting Time, Walk Title, Length of Walk, Grading of Walk (L/M/S), Meeting Point,

Grid Reference, Name of Leader(s) and any Special Notes e.g. no dogs, food in the pub afterwards, money needed for car park charges.

Already, we have the possibility of two weekend day walks in The Dales for the Evening Walkers. Details later. These walks won’t be in the programme.

Note – New Leaders, Helpers and Ideas for New Walks are ALWAYS NEEDED for the Evening Walks Programmes too. Don’t be afraid to have a go. Advice/help is available if required.


Remember YOU can help the Ramblers, a Charity relying on subscriptions and donations, to continue their good work by joining or by renewing your membership.

The Evening Walks Programmes are run by volunteers and aim to be self-sufficient. Could YOU play an active part within the Steering Group        (only 2 meetings per year), or help in any other way?

Talk to Muriel, Dave, Sue, Bob, Richard, Caroline, Janet, Bev or Kevin.

BRADFORD RAMBLERS EVENING WALKS GROUP NEWSLETTER No1 Dec 2010

Welcome to our first newsletter, which we hope will keep you up to date with all that’s going on and decisions taken at the Steering Group’s meeting on November 18th.

WALKS IN THE DARK

Ramblers Head Office has complimented us on our imaginative and unusual programme. Our generic Risk Assessment sheet met with approval and we have their full backing and appreciation for what we are doing.

A word of warning passed on to us, “Ramblers Groups have reported 3 road traffic incidents within the last 5 weeks, two of which involved cars mounting the pavement or verge and colliding with walkers.”

Don’t be put off, but please do take our warnings, requests for single file on lanes etc seriousl y. We have the safety of everyone to consider. Someone doing their own thing can endanger others.


SPRING/SUMMER WALKS

We have agreed that the first and last two or three walks should revert to their original format: i.e. they should be of approximately one and a half hours in duration and should only use easy walking surfaces if completing the walk in the dark. (Leaders please take note).

This, we feel, is more considerate for those who do not enjoy walking in the dark, provides easier walking for newcomers and still gives a reasonable walk for those who have walked all winter.

We are looking forward to using The Sportsman for Cheers 2011 because of the favorable response by walkers to this venue in 2010. At the same time we will use The Causeway Foot earlier in the year for a longer walk followed by sandwiches and chips.

 Comments welcomed.


SPONSORSHIP & FUND RAISING

It was decided that the search for sponsors/advertisers should continue as it gave our programme more impact when supported by local/national companies. Also it did not put the onus on the same people to be constantly funding us.

However, we will continue with fund raising activities. Our intention is that all funds raised will only be used to benefit the Evening Walks group. Money will not be put into a general Ramblers fund where it could be used in ways not intended originally. We hope to build up an emergency reserve, which would cover the full production costs of one programme. This will give us a safety cushion in future.

Where popular fund raising activities continue, e.g. The Bonus Ball, we will look at taking less money for funds and putting more into the prize kitty.


GET WALKING DAY

Sunday 15th May 2011

Any member who would be willing to lead either a 2-3mile or a 4-5 mile walk as part of this Ramblers event, morning or afternoon, please see Muriel. Suggestions of meeting points with good access by public transport also welcome. (Saturday 14th May is an acceptable alternative).

WATCH OUT FOR

The Bonus Ball

Sue de Verteuil has volunteered to take this over from Brian and Elaine. See Dave Beetham if Sue isn’t walking. To recommence in the New Year.

Quizzes

A bit of fun for you to join in with on some of our evening events. Some of the pubs we visit after walks run their own, welcome participants and provide food too.

Raffles

Note NEW STAR PRIZE Meat voucher to the value of £10 from Booths Butchers (Bob)

Draws for prizes will take place mainly in the after walks pub e.g. Christmas Cheer, Cheers to the Dark.

Donations of further items for raffle and quiz prizes gratefully received by Bev.


DATES FOR THE DIARY

Dec 21st Join us for an extra walk if you’re not caught up in the pre Christmas rush. Meet 7.00pm outside Wyke Library for a Wander in The Woods.

Jan 2nd Our Festival of Winter Walks contribution from The Dog and Gun, Leeming, Oxenhope 1.00pm Followed by a meal for anyone interested.

Jan 6th Walks resume after the break. Food at the New Prospect afterwards.

Feb 23rd Bob’s Pies, peas & chips after the walk at The Albion. Tickets go on sale in the New Year.

March 23rd Cheers to The Dark! Summer’s on its way.


DAYTIME / WEEKEND WALKS

We are often asked if we will organize walks at weekends or during the day mid week. Good point! But, to do that, we need leaders! We have a highly successful all year round programme of Evening Walks and appreciate our leaders (all volunteers) very much. We also realize the time that goes into planning and walking out a walk, and do not want to make even more demands. 

We would point out that Ramblers Members can access a wide variety of such walks in the local area, the West Riding and across the country. Walks are also arranged by a number of other groups and by Countryside Services. So people are quite well catered for.

However, if any Member would like to lead a walk for the Bradford Group please give the following details to Muriel (Walks Secretary for Bradford Group) by the end of February and they will be included in the May to October West Riding Programme.

Date

Meeting Time

Walk Title

Length of Walk

Grading of Walk (L/M/S)

Meeting Point

Grid Reference

Name of Leader(s)

Special Notes e.g. no dogs, food in the pub afterwards, money needed for car park charges.

Note – New Leaders and Helpers always welcomed for the Evening Walks Programmes too.


ITEMS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS.

Anything you would like to see included in a future newsletter? Details to Muriel please.