Programme
Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events
April 2011
Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd April 2011
Alstonefield: Cycling in the Peak District
Overlooking Dovedale, this hostel is a comfortable base from which to explore the Manifold Valley and Beresford and Wolfscote Dales.
We intend to cycle on the nearby Tissington and High Peak Trails. These trails, along the routes of the former Ashbourne to Buxton and Cromford to Buxton railways, provide reasonably level cycle routes with excellent views out over the rolling limestone countryside. Cycle hire is available if you don’t want to bring your own.
From the A515 take the road signposted to Alstonefield. Go past Overdale B&B into Gypsy Lane and the hostel is on your left. Grid Reference: SK133556. Postcode: DE6 2FZ.
£30 deposit to book your bed (total cost will be about £60, including food and petrol contribution from Chelmsford)
Wednesday 6th April
Committee Meeting
Please come and join us filling the programme with exciting events for June & July.
Wednesday 13th April
Mysterious Greenland
John
A slideshow on Greenland, a magnificent and mysterious land which has hovered in the European imagination since the days of Pytheas. It was home for almost five centuries to a hardy Norse colony, the eventual disappearance of which is the last enduring mystery of the Middle Ages. Vast but with a population of less that 55,000, this land awaits its independence with trepidation but excitement. It is amongst the first regions of the planet to experience the effects of global warming, already apparent along its coastline, Stunning images, archaeology, natural history and tales of extremes of human experience.
Sunday 17th April
Billericay Walk
Carol
A two-part walk visiting Tye Common and Norsey Wood – different routes but a similar format to last year - choose to do the morning, or the afternoon loop, or both (each loop as about 4 miles).
Starts and ends on Billericay High Street. Meeting point is car park behind Santander (Abbey National) Building Society on Billericay High Street, 10am for the morning loop. Join the group for lunch at the Wetherspoons Blue Boar on Billericay High Street for approx. noon. The afternoon loop will depart from the Blue Boar between 1-1.30pm (please confirm if you're joining us for the afternoon so we can look out for you).
Wednesday 20th April
No Meeting
Many of us will either be packing or on our way to the Lakes.
Thursday 21st to Tuesday 26th April 2011
Easter in the Lake District
Five nights at the Langton Centre, Hartsop in Patterdale, at the foot of the Kirkstone Pass, near Brotherswater, 2 miles from Ullswater and in sight of Hellvelyn and the High Street range. An ideal location for some of the best walking in the Lake District.
The centre has five dormitories, central heating, showers, a common room with easy chairs, dining room and games room, a drying room and well equipped kitchen.
Some of us plan to stay in the Lake District for 2 extra nights (26th and 27th April) at Skiddaw House, and go directly to Dufton for the following weekend. Skiddaw House is a fantastic remote location, north of Keswick, just below Skiddaw. It's 3 miles walk from the road, so we'll have to carry some luggage and food in, but it's worth it for the opportunity to explore some of the less visted hills in the north of the Lake District. Bear in mind also that there is no mains electricity - lighting is by gas and battery, heating by log fire.
A deposit of £30 will book your place at Hartsop.
A further £28 needed to book a bed at Skiddaw House.
Wednesday 27th April
Pub Night: Shepherd & Dog
An entertaining evening at the Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill, Billericay, CM11 2YA. There will be eating from 7:30pm and a quiz starting at 8:30pm. There's some doubt whether we'll make it to the pub this evening, so please check with Cress before going.
Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May 2011
Dufton, North Pennines
Make the most of the extended bank holiday weekend with four nights at YHA Dufton, near Appleby in the North Pennines.
This hostel is in a large stone house which stands on the green in a quiet, pretty village on the Pennine Way, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cross Fell, the highest peak on the pennines is within walking distance as is the magnificent High Cup Nick. It’s perfectly situated for exploring the moorland of the North Pennines or the green valleys of the River Eden.
A deposit of £65 will book your place.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford
Please send any comments on these pages to Dave Plummer