Programme

Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events

March 2005

Wednesday 2^nd March

Pub Night - The Pig and Whistle - Chignal Smeally

Dave J

Come and join us for a drink and some jolly conversation at the Pig and Whistle, Chignall Smealy.

The Pig and Whistle is in Chignall Road (Chignall Smealy) 2 miles north of Chelmsford, at grid ref TL679112, see map .

Wednesday 9^th March

Trans Siberian Railway

John M

Another fascinating talk from our resident sage on the history, construction, and route of this famous old railway built 100 years ago by the Tsars to open up the Russian Far East. At over 9,000km long, it links Moscow to Vladivostock on the Pacific coast, passing through European Russia, crossing the Urals into the vastness of Siberia and Asiatic Russia.

Sunday 13^th March

Gosfield Walk

Jim

A 9¾ mile circular stroll starting at Gosfield and going out to Beazley End. We will pass Gosfield House, a Tudor house lying in the 50 acre Gosfield park. We may stop at the Cock Inn at Beazley End for a drink, but please bring sandwiches. Meet at playing fields car park at Gosfield at 10am.(Grid Ref 781296, see map).

Wednesday 16^th March

Committee Meeting

We will be trip planning for the Summer, organising Wednesday evening activities for May, and making final arrangements for the Easter trip. Everybody welcome!

Wednesday 23^rd March

Cinema Evening

Marion

If you're not on your way to the Lakes, why not spend an evening at the cinema. Please contact Marion the weekend before to see what's showing.

Thursday 24^th to Tuesday 29^th March

Easter in the Lake District

Dave P

We'll be staying at the Blencathra Centre near Threlkeld for five nights. We have booked the Lonscale Self-Catering Hostel which is in the grounds of the Blencathra Centre, run by the Field Studies Council in partnership with the Lake District National Park. The Centre is dramatically situated 300 metres up on Blencathra mountain with panoramic views of England's highest peaks. Lonscale Hostel is a very comfortable detached building and is centrally heated with 22 bunks in 10 rooms with wash basins, male and female washrooms, showers and toilets, a common room, drying room and kitchen with two electric cookers, fridge and freezer. Duvets & pillows are provided; you'll need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets and a pillow case. Blencathra and Skiddaw can be climbed from the hostel and further north are the lonely and unfrequented hills "Back o' Skidda". To the west is the Coledale Horseshoe and, to the south, St John's in the Vale and Thirlmere give western access to the Dodds Ridge and Helvellyn. The Salutation Inn in Threlkeld is 1½ miles from the hostel, and Keswick is about 3 miles away.

Please let me know as soon as possible which nights you want to stay; can you offer or do you need a lift, and would you like to cook an evening meal?

To avoid the worst of the traffic jams, a few of us will be leaving on the Wednesday evening and stopping at Sherwood Forest hostel on the way. Please let me know NOW if you are interested in this option so I can book some beds.

How to get there: Leave the M6 at Junction 40 (Penrith) and follow the A66 towards Keswick. About 3 miles before Keswick, take the first turn right to the village of Threlkeld, go through the village, pass the Horse & Farrier pub, turn sharp right onto Blease Road which climbs steeply for a mile to the Blencathra Centre (Grid ref: NY 302 254, see map). The drive doubles back below the main house, and Lonscale hostel is on the right after the reception/office building. After unloading, you'll need to go back to find the bottom car park, below the hostel.

Cost will be about £18 per night including meals, plus £28 to the petrol fund for those sharing lifts from Chelmsford. Deposit £30 please.

Wednesday 30^th March

Madeira Slide Show

Dave & Ali

Come and see some picture of our holiday last year exploring the mountains, levadas and coastline of this beautiful semi-tropical island. Lying 300 miles off the coast of Morocco, Madeira is an extraordinarily dramatic island of wild mountain scenery, precipitous valleys and sheer cliffs.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford

Next Month...

Please send any comments on these pages to Dave Plummer

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		Programme Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events March 2005

		Wednesday 2^nd March Pub Night - The Pig and Whistle - Chignal Smeally Dave J Come and join us for a drink and some jolly conversation at the Pig and Whistle, Chignall Smealy. The Pig and Whistle is in Chignall Road (Chignall Smealy) 2 miles north of Chelmsford, at grid ref TL679112, see map . Wednesday 9^th March Trans Siberian Railway John M Another fascinating talk from our resident sage on the history, construction, and route of this famous old railway built 100 years ago by the Tsars to open up the Russian Far East. At over 9,000km long, it links Moscow to Vladivostock on the Pacific coast, passing through European Russia, crossing the Urals into the vastness of Siberia and Asiatic Russia. Sunday 13^th March Gosfield Walk Jim A 9¾ mile circular stroll starting at Gosfield and going out to Beazley End. We will pass Gosfield House, a Tudor house lying in the 50 acre Gosfield park. We may stop at the Cock Inn at Beazley End for a drink, but please bring sandwiches. Meet at playing fields car park at Gosfield at 10am.(Grid Ref 781296, see map). Wednesday 16^th March Committee Meeting We will be trip planning for the Summer, organising Wednesday evening activities for May, and making final arrangements for the Easter trip. Everybody welcome! Wednesday 23^rd March Cinema Evening Marion If you're not on your way to the Lakes, why not spend an evening at the cinema. Please contact Marion the weekend before to see what's showing. Thursday 24^th to Tuesday 29^th March Easter in the Lake District Dave P We'll be staying at the Blencathra Centre near Threlkeld for five nights. We have booked the Lonscale Self-Catering Hostel which is in the grounds of the Blencathra Centre, run by the Field Studies Council in partnership with the Lake District National Park. The Centre is dramatically situated 300 metres up on Blencathra mountain with panoramic views of England's highest peaks. Lonscale Hostel is a very comfortable detached building and is centrally heated with 22 bunks in 10 rooms with wash basins, male and female washrooms, showers and toilets, a common room, drying room and kitchen with two electric cookers, fridge and freezer. Duvets & pillows are provided; you'll need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets and a pillow case. Blencathra and Skiddaw can be climbed from the hostel and further north are the lonely and unfrequented hills "Back o' Skidda". To the west is the Coledale Horseshoe and, to the south, St John's in the Vale and Thirlmere give western access to the Dodds Ridge and Helvellyn. The Salutation Inn in Threlkeld is 1½ miles from the hostel, and Keswick is about 3 miles away. Please let me know as soon as possible which nights you want to stay; can you offer or do you need a lift, and would you like to cook an evening meal? To avoid the worst of the traffic jams, a few of us will be leaving on the Wednesday evening and stopping at Sherwood Forest hostel on the way. Please let me know NOW if you are interested in this option so I can book some beds. How to get there: Leave the M6 at Junction 40 (Penrith) and follow the A66 towards Keswick. About 3 miles before Keswick, take the first turn right to the village of Threlkeld, go through the village, pass the Horse & Farrier pub, turn sharp right onto Blease Road which climbs steeply for a mile to the Blencathra Centre (Grid ref: NY 302 254, see map). The drive doubles back below the main house, and Lonscale hostel is on the right after the reception/office building. After unloading, you'll need to go back to find the bottom car park, below the hostel. Cost will be about £18 per night including meals, plus £28 to the petrol fund for those sharing lifts from Chelmsford. Deposit £30 please. Wednesday 30^th March Madeira Slide Show Dave & Ali Come and see some picture of our holiday last year exploring the mountains, levadas and coastline of this beautiful semi-tropical island. Lying 300 miles off the coast of Morocco, Madeira is an extraordinarily dramatic island of wild mountain scenery, precipitous valleys and sheer cliffs. Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford Next Month...
Please send any comments on these pages to Dave Plummer