Cambridge Rambling Club - Autumn 2006 Newsletter
Future Activities
29 September to 1 October 2006: Coach Weekend to the Esplanade Hotel, Scarborough
We have currently 15 places left at this 3 star hotel close to the Cleveland Way and the Yorkshire Moors. Coach leaves at 4:30 pm from the St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, returning late evening on the Sunday. Cost is £112 for the coach, 2 nights B&B plus dinner on Saturday - and of course all the walking!
We have to confirm final numbers to the hotel by the end of August, so if you are thinking of coming, please book with Chris Browne by the 25th August at the latest. We cannot guarantee accommodation after that date. May we also remind all those that have already booked that the balance of £82 should be sent to Chris immediately. Please let Jill Tuffnell know in advance the car registration of any vehicle to be left in the SJIC car park for that weekend.
20th December 2006: Wednesday ‘A’ walkers’ Christmas lunch.
Again this will be held at the ‘George and Dragon’, Elsworth. There will be a short walk in the morning followed by lunch at 1:00 pm. The cost is held at £16 for a 3-course meal plus coffee. Please give/send a deposit of £5 to John by 18th October 2006.
21st November 2006
The next Annual General Meeting will be held at the Friends Meeting Place, Jesus Lane. Please note in your diary. See note below.
14 January 2007: New Years lunch for Sunday walkers.
Tony is giving up after 13 years of organisationand is handing over to Miranda who will arrange the walk and John who will deal with the bookings, (01223 843717). It is hoped that the venue will again be the Duke of Wellington at Bourn but the walk will be new. Further details will follow.
30 March to 1 April 2007: Coach weekend, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
We already have 30 bookings for the weekend at Speech House Hotel, this beautifully situated Best Western hotel in the heart of the Forest of Dean. We have the whole of the hotel to ourselves: the weekend cost is £141 including dinner, bed and breakfast on both Friday and Saturday nights – a substantial. The website is www.thespeechhouse.co.uk .
The coach will leave the St Johns Innovation Centre at 1pm on the 30th March, returning late evening on the Sunday. Non returnable deposits of £30 to Chris Browne to guarantee your place – please make a note in your diary to forward the balance of £111 to Chris by 31st January 2007 at the latest.
For both the Scarborough and Forest of Dean weekends we still need a volunteer to lead ‘C’ walks: anyone willing and able to do so, please contact Chris as soon as possible.
4 to 18 July 2007: Proposed holiday in the Italian Dolomites.
Based in Feder, a village above Falcade in a 2-star hotel owned by delightful people, good food and spotless rooms. There are only 3 single rooms. There is a daily bus to and from Venice and the drive from UK takes two 10- hour days. Good paths, several from the hotel, the rest within 15-45 minutes drive. Walks through pine woods, open meadows and among rocks, all with spectacular flowers, heights vary from 500m to 1300m. Vivien would like to organise this holiday but needs a leader to assist. She knows walks and speaks Italian. If you are interested in leading or just joining the group please contact Vivien on 01223 246041 for more details and costing. It sounds very interesting!
Hostel Weekends
Unless otherwise stated, hostel weekend trips involve walks on Saturday and Sunday with overnight accommodation on the Friday and Saturday nights. Trips a long way from Cambridge are often for 3 nights or more. ‘A’ walks are guaranteed and involve around 6 hours walking. There will be ‘B’ walks if a leader volunteers We normally travel in cars, returning Sunday evening. All bookings to Jill Tuffnell with cheques payable to ‘E G Tuffnell’. Please book early as the full balance is due 2 months before the trip and it may be difficult to secure a place late on. Also offers of cars and requests from those seeking a lift. You are very welcome to book into a nearby B&B and join us for the walks.
Hastings, Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October 2006
Hastings is also on the YHA’s closure list – so this could be your last chance to visit! The hostel is close to coastal paths as well as near historic Rye and Winchelsea. Bed night charge is £13.95 per person per night. Please check with Jill on availability before sending a cheque as we are past the payment deadline.
Salisbury, Friday 10th to Sunday 12th November 2006
Salisbury is a beautiful city and we can walk straight from the hostel either north to ‘old Sarum’ or along the downs. Walks in Cranborne Chase are also possible. You can even avoid the M25 on a Friday/Sunday by travelling by train. B&B only – with pubs and restaurants close to this city centre hostel for an evening meal. The cost is £17.50 B&B per night. There are two twin rooms available – cost £39.50 a night – check with Jill on availability.
Sheringham Rent-a-hostel, Friday 26th to Sunday 28th January 2007
We have been very lucky to book Sheringham YH for the last weekend in January 2007. We have sole use of part of the hostel (the rest is closed for the winter) – and can take up to 40 people. There will be some staff on duty – including a licensed bar! The charge is again a very reasonable £20 per person for the weekend. ‘B’ and ‘C’ walk leaders wanted!
Back to an old favourite – the very nicely renovated former Co-op department store set in the heart of this lovely village. Walks include beautiful Lathkilldale, Monsal Head, Winster and the moors – all from the doorstep. And this hostel generally has excellent food!
Dogellau area, north Wales – Kings YH, Thursday 3rd to Monday 7th May 2007, (Bank Holiday)
It is some years since the Club stayed close to Cader Idris, Dolgellau and Barmouth – with options of high mountain walking or walks closer to the coast. We have booked 4 nights at Kings YH – with evening meal, as it is some distance from the nearest pub. The prices for next year have yet to be set – so please send deposits of £20 per head to Jill if you would like to reserve a place.
Again – a return to the marvellous north Pembrokeshire coast. We hope to walk most of the path from Poppit Sands round to Marloes in 5.5 days walking – with the help of a local mini-bus. Most nights we move on – so be prepared to carry a pack. However, some hostels now insist that we take full board, so we don’t have to carry a week’s provisions! We have booked 15 places in total. The total cost will be around £120 a head (prices for next year still to be confirmed). Please send a deposit of £20 to Jill to book your place.
Alstonefield, near Dovedale, Peak District, Firday 13th to Sunday 15th July 2007
Yes – you might think you’ve seen this trip before! But the YHA Central Office ‘lost’ our booking for 2006 and cancelled our visit – so they have guaranteed us sole use of this 20 bed newly refurbished hostel for July next year, keeping to 2006 prices. This is self catering, with pubs nearby. Cost just £20 per head for 2 nights.
News and Notices
Walter is moving away from Cambridge and will not be standing for re-election as President at the AGM on 21 November 2006. During his two years as President, Walter has taken firm grasp of the reins of office and leadership of the committee. We appreciate his contribution and wish him and Josie well in their new life in Saxmundham.
A nominee for President is therefore needed. Nominations in writing are invited from members of the club, which should reach the General Secretary, Gillian, by 1 November 2006.. The President’s duties are: to chair the AGM and three committee meetings annually, to edit the newsletter, to represent the Club and to be a voice and presence. George Brewster.
Club e-mail system: This system is proving to be a boon and we are using it more and more for urgent announcements and updates. Would members who would like to be in the system let Chris Browne have e-mail addresses or revisions at browneace@screaming.net. Any members wishing to bring items to the club’s attention please e-mail details to Chris.
For members who don’t know, Chris Browne is also a Ramblers Holiday leader, having led in Switzerland, Dubrovnik, Baltic States and Italy. If you have wondered about the suitability of these walks for you, have a word with Chris and he might be able to give you more information.
Collecting club subscriptions by standing order.
Since we reported on this item last time, arrangements have been finalised and the system looks set. Your committee hopes that most of you will agree to subscribe to this method of annual renewal. The attached form is for you to forward to your bank after completion. Please check your bank statement after 1st November 2006 to ensure the standing order has been put in place – if not, the club Treasurer will assume you have not paid your subscription.
Gillian would like to thank everyone who has returned a yellow slip with their details – many corrections to addresses have been made! She assumes that a nil return means no changes are necessary.
To all those Ramblers out there blazing the trails whether the Appalachian or the Coast to Coast we wish you success and satisfaction. Well done everyone!
TOG 24 60-litre rucksack £50 ono. Contact Pamela 01223 327930.
Lowe Alpine 35 litre rucksack used once - £20. Lady’s walking boots, Berghaus, Gore-Tex lined, size 7 - £35. Contact Margaret 01223 415580.
Lady’s walking boots, Meindl, Gore-Tex lined, size 7 - £30. Contact Audrey, 01223 292336.