Welcome to our newsletter for December 2024 .
This issue contains information on our Members' Day, a round-up from around the groups and footpath report from our footpath secretary.
For latests updates on Members Day see: Members Day 2025 news page.
Members' Day Details | General News (Walk Leading & Membership) | Group News | Footpath News | Earlier Newletters
For pre-May 23 newsletter click HERE. See separate archive HERE for earlier style newsletters.
Member’s Day
Return to top of page
ALL members are welcome to enjoy all of the activities of Member’s Day.
A chance to enjoy speakers, meet members from other groups, attend a workshop or walk.
Date: This will take place on February 2nd 2025
Location: Lancaster Way Community Centre, Buckshaw Village, Chorley PR7 7LJ
- 10am Walk or Workshop
- Walk:. 5 miles, leisurely
- Workshop: (under review)
- 1pm Buffet Lunch
- 1.45pm Area AGM
- 2.30 Mark Chung (Trustee)
- 2.45 Speaker (to be clarified)
- 3.45 Finish.
PLEASE NOTE We had intended to run a First Aid course but this has had to be changed.
PLEASE let us know your preferences between various apps or navigation course by please completing the form HERE
General News
Return to top of page
Membership
The Ramblers overall has increased membership by about 1.1% from Sep 23 to Sep 24 while Mid Lancs Area has increased by about 2.7% in that time Groups have largely maintained their walk programmes but there is a genuine need to develop new walk leaders.
Anyone interested in exploring that should contact either their group officers or any of the contacts on the Area website (www.lancashire-ramblers.org.uk)
May we remind members that all Ramblers walks are open to all members, and in particular the Area website lists all the walks from all groups in the Mid Lancs Area.
In the near future it may also list walks in adjacent Areas.
The Area has a “Council” consisting of group representatives and general members. Anyone interested in contributing the operation of the Area should contact anyone on the Area website contact.
Walk Leading
As you will see mentioned elsewhere, all the groups are in need of new walk leaders.
For various personal reasons, age, health etc, leaders eventually stop leading , so it is essential for new leaders to come on board.
In recent times, it is necessary for a new leader to do an online training course of about 90 minutes.
You can do this yourself at home.
But we have an opportunity to offer to tackle the course in a computer suite in the morning of Member's Day.
We would have a number of experienced leaders at hand to help and an opportunity to discuss more about leading.
There would be no commitment to start leading, you would be welcome just to see what's involved.
If this is of interest, please complete the form HERE
Group News
Return to top of page
Chorley
Continues to provide walks on Saturday’s, Sunday’s and Tuesday’s. Saturday walks are usually around the 9 to 10 mile distance and further away from our “home” ground.
Sunday and Tuesday walks are usually afternoon local walks of about 3 hours duration covering up to 6 miles.
The Coach Walks continue to be on the first Saturday in each month and are very popular. The Coast to Coast Path has been completed this year and we have now moved on to The North Wales Pilgrim’s Way.
Due to the short winter days, we have suspended this walk until the spring but will continue with the Coach Walks by starting the Gritstone Trail in the Peak District.
Dave Millington (Chair)
Fylde
Continues to provide mainly a regular well attended Wednesday and anticipates adding further walks in the near future. The group also runs a number of social activities, often open to other members.
Rob Radford (Chair)
Garstang
This group became inactive during covid. It is hoped that it may restart walks in the future when new officers or leaders become available. In the meantime, Garstang members can enjoy any of the walks from other groups.
If anyone is interested in restarting this group, contact someone from the Area website.
Preston
The Preston group has a wide variety of types and lengths of walks, to cater for as many walkers as possible. Walks on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month and recently started Friday afternoon walks, twice a month.
Sunday and early morning walks are run on an ad hoc basis. Lengths vary from 4 – 11 miles.
We are a friendly group and new walkers are very welcome. Come and try us out.
Barry Rutlidge (Chair)
Ribble
We have continued to provide a regular, leisurely or moderate, Thursday walk typically with 10-15 walkers. We are dependent upon a limited number of leaders and would welcome new leaders.
The membership has increased over the year by about 5.4% and we have an active Facebook page.
Eric Crichton (Acting Chair)
West Lancs
The group leads walks in West Lancashire and neighbouring districts on the first and last Sundays in the month and normally on a mid-month Wednesday. Walks are usually 5-6 miles, start at 1.00pm and are rated as leisurely or moderate. Every two months we offer a Tuesday 3 mile easy walk.
Our walks are listed on the Ramblers website and on our Facebook pages as well as on the Area website.
Geoff Wright (Group Secretary)
HOL (Hike on Lancashire)
The group has enjoyed another good year with varied walks being offered most Sundays and a few midweek walks during the summer months. There have been two weekends away - Glasgow and Llangollen.
The Group continues to aim its walks and social offer toward people of working age. The number of walkers we attract has been consistent over the year and membership of the group has seen an encouraging small increase in the year. During Jan/Feb 2025 we will again provide a series of short walks (branded "super six") aimed at attracting new members. We are also in the fortunate position of having quite a few members who are prepared to lead walks for the Group.
We hope to improve our offer of social events in the coming year having now co-opted a Social Secretary onto the Group Committee.
John Hutchinson (Chair).
LWW (Lancashire Weekend Walkers)
Outside pressures have limited the level of activity of this group.
Footpath News
Return to top of page
David Kelly has provided an update on the footpath issues around the Area mentioning:-
- Lea BW 52
- Burscough FP 134 & 135 - Boundary Lane (North
- FP claim Footpath From Banks Road To Station Road, North Meols
- Diversion of part of Barnacre FP 38 - at Clarkson’s farm, Barnacre
- Diversion of part of Barnacre FP 22
- Diversion of part of Aughton FP 18
- Diversion of part of Mawdesley FP 55
- Near Brinscall Hall – Wheelton FP 04
- Diversion of part of Little Hoole FP
For David's full report, click HERE
=========================================