Have a great day out, walk with the BBN

My humblist appologes for the format of the newsletter but untill i get this PDF thing sorted i can't do much about it.   

Steve C

BEDS, BUCKS, & NORTHANTS
GROUP
NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2008
And a little bit of October




CONTENT PAGE
The Holly Hobble results 3-8
The Chiltern Kanter 8
The legend of the one-eyed fish 9
BBN 25th Birthday Party 10
X-treme Everest Expedition 11
Where’s your T-shirt been 12
Heart of Scotland 100 (2010) 13
Mick Masucci 14
BBN social Walks calender 16
Minutes of last committee meeting 19


The Holy Hobble Saturday 05th & Sunday 06th July 2008

In some parts of the 3 counties that make up our group and other parts of the country people woke up to a torrential downpour on Saturday 05th July. Whether this put off some people from travelling to join us we will never know but at 10 am with a slight drizzle setting in 78 entrants set off on BBNs 25th Anniversary special The Holy Hobble. This was a repeat of our millennium event, a 61.6 mile trek from Great Linford Memorial Hall up to the 20th Century Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Central Milton Keynes, over to the 10th Century All Saints Church in Earls Barton and back again. At 1145 the only 2 runners who had opted for the later start left. There were 90 entrants in all, 10 non starters which made a total of 80 who set off on foot. There were 2 entrants on the day.

The weather forecast had been pretty horrendous for the Saturday but it turned out to be fine (thanks to some divine intervention no doubt) and the walkers were able to enjoy the pretty countryside in our area. Many had never walked in this region before and were struck by the delightful villages that the route went through and also the historical aspect with all the churches that were passed by and shown on the certificate.

Members of the group were setting off to their various checkpoints at regular intervals and luckily from that angle very little went wrong.

The first person home was Fabrice Leinster who arrived at 20 past midnight on Sunday morning having taken 12 hrs 35 minutes to cover the 61 miles. He was followed home some 2 hours later by BBNs' John Chesher in a time of 14hrs 35 minutes. A phenomenal effort for a first 60 mile event. Judging by the red coloured state of John's socks though it had been quite hard going...

The weather did turn unpleasant in the later hours of Sunday morning and over the next few hours 62 participants walked into the hall in various bedraggled states with the 64th and final finisher being Catharine Gregory from Bristol & West in 24hrs and 59 minutes. There were 16 retirements.

The main problems for the walkers were caused by overgrown field edges and hard ground particularly on the second half of the event.

Without a collective effort from members of the group this event would not have been possible. In particular I must thank the other committee members Dave & Lynn Yorston, Mike & Sandra Hyland and Gill Bunker for their efforts. Lynn & Sandra did a fantastic job with the food and other materiel for the checkpoints, with all entrants saying how varied and refreshing the food was at each one.

Thanks to the other group members for their stints at checkpoints which are shown below. For some of us it was their first time and I hope you enjoyed it.

CP1 Cosgrove Village Green: Nigel Schofield, Paul & Suzanne Flynn, Jan Williams
CP 2 Hartwell Community Centre: London Group
CP 3 Brafield on the Green; Peter Bearne, Chris Bent, Frances Craven, Jan Williams.
CP4 Earls Barton: Sandra Hyland, Ian & Pat Sage, Coral Yorston, Frank, Shirley & Andrew Row
CP 5 Yardley Hastings: John Nickerson, Therese Jamin, Adrian Godwin
CP6 Harrold Community Centre: Colin Scargill, John Ledger, Josephine Pettifer
CP 7 The Robin Hood PH Clifton Reynes: Steve Smith, Gill Howe, Andrew Gilberton.
CP 8 Sherington Sports Pavilion: Dave Yorston, Mike Hyland, Sue Leonard.
Great Linford Memorial Hall: Gill Bunker, Jackie Burnett, Sybil Davies, Judy Wheeldon,.Maria T, Derek Jacobs, Kathy LoRaso.
Route Checking in February: Dave Findel Hawkins, Merrian Lancaster and Jim Morrison.
If there is anyone I've missed from this list I do apologise. Some of the marshals did do more than one job I know. Nigel has written to Rob Myers the London Group Secretary thanking them for their help on this event. Without their efforts we would have been hard pressed.

I would like to single out 2 people who for me epitomise the attitude of the LDWA, Frances Craven whose leg was in plaster from an accident post The Yoredale 100 and yet still offered to help at a checkpoint. The 2nd is Judy Wheeldon who despite feeling particularly unwell refused to go home during the early hours of Sunday morning and stayed at Great Linford Hall greeting all of the finishers. She waited until virtually all of the walkers were back home before going to get medical treatment.

There have been some very complimentary remarks in emails to Mike Hyland who did an excellent job in handling the entries and some good comments on the LDWA forum. I've included some below.

Thanks once again for all of your efforts. As I mentioned in an email a couple of days after the event I hope our 2 founder members Chris Meredith MBE and Chris Goodman who passed away this year would have been proud of our work.

Norman Corrin

Compliments from the walkers

From John Chesher
I must thank you again for all yours and the committees efforts. It was a great event and I will never forget it.

From Nick Vanson
Just to say Many Thanks to you and the others for a thoroughly enjoyable event last weekend - organisation, checkpoints, food and even the weather were all spot on!

From Don Newman
Thanks for an enjoyable walk last weekend.
Definitely a game of two halves; the night section being particularly interesting.
I was suffering post-Samos (lots of beer, food & Ouzo) but was very pleased to get round with only very minor navigation issues. I hear that some people went really astray in the dark.

From Chris Lloyd
Thanks for the Holy Hobble last weekend. Very well organised, lots of food, lots of variety of food, and very cheerful and helpful people at all the checkpoints. A great event!

From Philippa Lloyd
I would just like to say many thanks to you and all the other organisers + marshals who made this such a memorable event ('enjoyable' is not a word I will use until my blisters subside!)
Wonderful support from all throughout, thorougly appreciated, although I might not have been capable of expressing this in the later stages as bug eyed exhaustion took its toll.

From Rupert Jarvis
Just a very short note (and by a horrid means - apologies, but I didn't have an address for a hand-written thank-you letter!) to thank you and the whole extended team for the most fantastic introduction to the esoteric but beguiling world of the LDWA at the weekend.

I felt indecently responsible for Rich's fitness given that he's having a crack at the Trailrunner canter over 60 miles of the South Downs in a couple of weeks time, and we unfortunately had to whimp out at the 36-mile point, but the event confirmed for me that what little talent I have in the physical line of things is resolutely in the endurance/ultra area, and I am thoroughly looking forward to using LDWA events as a staging post for events such as the Thames footpath 50 miler in the spring, with a view ultimately to setting my sights on the Grand Union Canal Race in 2010.

As a dodgy vicar-type with a military connection and an indecent amount of time spent organising training exercises, troop movements, or just church fetes, I'm accutely aware that events don't just happen, and I'm sure that the phenomenally smooth outward appearance of the Holy Hobble didn't reflect the colossal effort that you and all the volunteers had put in, both before and during the event. All I can hope to try to convey is my extreme gratitude for a rattlingly good day, and to ask you to convey my thanks to all those concerned who gave so much of their time and themselves.

I'm in the middle of moving from Hampshire to Oxfordshire, and it will be a priority to get in touch with the Thames Valley branch of the LDWA when we're safely in, and it wouldn't have happened without the whole Holy Hobble experience. Once again, thank you ever, ever so much, and very best possible wishes for the future.

From our very own Dee
To Norman and his brilliant team would organised and ran Holy Hobble may I say a huge, heart felt thank you. You all made a reality something I never dreamt possible, walking 61.6 miles in one go, and even enjoying it. Well I certainly enjoyed being waited on at feed stations like royalty, nothing was too much trouble for those in the kitchens,and the food was just great. Please could I have the recipe for the hot veggie casserole Lynn, it was made to die for! All the time keepers and everyone would dedicated so much time, both before and on the event, I may have been too knackered to show it on the day, but it so much appreciated.
Thank you very much
Dee x

Posted on the LDWA Forum
Author Ken Falconer
Yes, many thanks to the organisers for a very enjoyable walk. The food and support was excellent, the route description very precise and there was good walking weather (at least for those of us who got in fairly early on). My only criticism is that Beds, Bucks and Northants could do with a few more hills, but I suppose we can't expect even such experienced event organisers to redesign the geography of the area! I too saw the grass snake - a very fine one and the first that I have seen for some years.
No problems with sore feet but I did suffer from rather a lot of 'darts' from the wheat and long grass getting embedded in my socks and torturing my feet!

Author: Paul Sorensen
A beautiful walk, passing through some lovely villages on a stunning bright sunny day! How many saw the grass snake sunning itself by the path, plus I walked right by a badger, and was also lucky enough to see a large barn owl later in the walk too. The checkpoint staff were wonderful, all offering ample food and encouragement. My thanks to them all.
I too suffered from sore feet, mainly cause on the field edges on the approach to Harrold, but I thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Author: Mike Childs
I agree completely with Rebecca. My thanks to all those great people from BBN for putting on such a superb event. Rebecca, I saw a lot of very sore feet, and think it was due to the hard ground and the effects of rough field edges.

It is a bit of pity that the event did not have a few more entrants (I know the organisers hoped for, and could have taken more) but all of those who entered and did do the HOLY HOBBLE, had a rare chance to walk a wonderful 100K in a part of rural England that is often overlooked. And congratulations to the people I finished with (Dee and Gordon) for great first time attempt at the distance - Well done kids.

Author: Rebecca Lawrence
Many thanks to the BBN group and all their helpers for staging this fantastic event. Despite the weather reports we were very lucky and only had minor showers. We'd never walked in this area before and the event was a great introduction to the beautiful villages and scenery this area has to offer with the added historical interest (10th century churches etc)

Food and organisation were second to none and everyone was very cheerful which certainly kept my spirits up when the event became hobble by name - hobble by nature when my old enemy the blister returned with vengence making the last 10m rather an ordeal - still didn't distract from what was a fantastic event with many great moments.
BIG THANKS!!!!!!!!!!! .



Position Name Group Start Great Linford Memorial Hall CP 1 Cosgrove Village Green CP 2 Hartwell Community Centre CP 3 Brafield on the Green CP 4 All Saints Church Hall Earls Barton CP 5 Yardley Hastings Village Hall CP 6 Harrold Community Centre CP 7 The Robin Hood PH Clifton Reynes CP 8 Sherington Sports Pavilion Finish Great Linford Memorial Hall Total Time Taken Hrs Mins
Distance 0.0 9.9 16.6 24.5 29.7 35.2 42.3 48.7 53.4 61.6
1 Fabrice Leistner London 1145 1312 1417 1541 1641 1803 1935 2100 2207 0020 12.35
2 John Chesher BBN 1000 1212 1327 1505 1615 1739 1935 2108 2227 0035 14.35
3 Philip Musson 1000 1200 1325 1521 1646 1826 2008 2153 2329 0205 16.05
4 Geoff Holburt E.Lancs 1000 1200 1325 1521 1646 1826 2008 2153 2329 0205 16.05
5 Ken Falconer Bristol & West 1000 1207 1340 1539 1701 1837 2028 2207 2344 0211 16.11
6 Jonathan Venning 1145 1322 1445 1640 1759 1934 2121 2329 0119 0415 16.30
7 Paul Sorensen BBN 1000 1200 1337 1543 1710 1851 2101 2255 0047 0325 17.25
8 Robert Cameron-Wood 1015 1224 1440 1545 1703 1843 2042 2222 0047 0340 17.25
9 Nick Vanson T.Valley 1000 1215 1352 1545 1703 1849 2057 2301 0047 0340 17.40
10 Lindsey Stewart 1000 1200 1341 1540 1702 1843 2043 2222 0047 0340 17.40
11 Julie Ewers BBN 1000 1215 1352 1545 1703 1849 2057 2301 0047 0340 17.40
12 Peter J Smith LDWA 1000 1218 1352 1549 1724 1910 2121 2320 0119 0415 18.15
13 Peter Hamson Essex & Herts 1000 1224 1417 1608 1738 1921 2121 2320 0119 0415 18.15
14 Chris Boden BBN 1000 1218 1401 1615 1748 1934 2151 0004 0146 0430 18.30
15 Ben Mills Dorset 1000 1215 1403 1615 1748 1934 2151 0004 0146 0430 18.30
16 Jean Bowers Essex & Herts 1000 1220 1404 1615 1748 1934 2151 0001 0146 0430 18.30
17 Stan Dolan Essex & Herts 1000 1220 1404 1615 1748 1934 2151 0005 0213 0502 19.02
18 Julian Pursey Corn.& Dev. 1000 1230 1421 1645 1822 2013 2231 0105 0255 0550 19.50
19 Mick Dodge Essex & Herts 1000 1230 1422 1645 1822 2013 2331 0105 0255 0550 19.50
20 Brin Bunker BBN 1000 1230 1422 1645 1822 2013 2231 0105 0255 0550 19.50
21 Martin Burnell T.Valley 1000 1222 1418 1640 1818 2013 2231 0105 0255 0550 19.50
22 Jill Green Kent 1000 1223 1420 1638 1818 2012 2231 0127 0255 0550 19.50
23 Richard Arnold 1000 1232 1421 1638 1813 2011 2229 0041 0255 0550 19.50
24 Virginia Powell Essex & Herts 1000 1232 1422 1645 1822 2013 2231 0105 0259 0550 19.50
25 Imogen Pinckard 1000 1230 1421 1645 1822 2021 2252 0127 0322 0616 20.16
26 Ian Smith The Irregulars 1000 1233 1430 1653 1829 2021 2253 ? 0322 0616 20.16
27 Christine Stratton I.R 1000 1233 1430 1653 1829 2021 2253 ? 0322 0616 20.16
28 Ruth Griffiths 1000 1233 1428 1705 1853 2103 2336 0218 0404 0642 20.42
29 Terry Griffiths 1000 1233 1428 1705 1853 2103 2336 0218 0404 0642 20.42
30 Brian Harwood BBN 1000 1222 1412 1638 1822 2022 2255 0133 0332 0649 20.49
31 Tim Alcock Essex & Herts 1000 1236 1422 1656 1824 2014 2255 0133 0331 0649 20.49
32 Jim Cox Marches 1000 1230 1425 1645 1823 2022 2253 0127 0331 0649 20.49
33 Anthony Hammond Heart of England 1000 1233 1439 1708 1853 2051 2329 0217 0415 0740 21.40
34 Rebecca Lawrence Heart of England 1000 1233 1439 1708 1853 2051 2329 0217 0415 0740 21.40
35 Steve Jelfs Heart of England 1000 1237 1440 1711 1856 2106 0010 0259 0458 0750 21.50
36 Jeff Smith T.Valley 1000 1237 1440 1711 1857 2106 0016 0259 0458 0750 21.50
37 Don Newman Kent 1000 1238 1440 1702 1848 2049 2343 0235 0447 0750 21.50
38 Chris Lloyd T.Valley 1000 1237 1440 1711 1856 2106 0016 0259 0458 0750 21.50
39 Isobel Falconer 1000 1236 1451 1726 1914 2110 0016 0259 0458 0750 21.50
40 John McFarlane 1000 1233 1432 1709 1857 2059 0016 0259 0500 0750 21.50
41 David Laight Norfolk/Suffolk 1000 1230 1423 1651 1836 2034 2259 0127 0329 0758 21.58
42 Dave Kearns Staffordshire 1000 1230 1427 1653 1839 2038 2339 0223 0503 0800 22.00
43 Dee Brockway BBN 1000 1237 ? 1723 1926 2158 0105 0349 0545 0902 23.02
44 Mike Childs Dorset 1000 1237 1446 1723 1924 2158 0105 0349 0545 0902 23.02
45 Gordon Shaughnessy BBN 1000 1237 1446 1723 1924 2158 0105 0349 0545 0902 23.02
46 Robert Mills Bristol & West 1000 1235 1422 1656 1844 2048 0016 0332 0546 0904 23.04
47 Hilary Farren E.Lancs 1000 1243 1456 1737 1935 2148 0105 0353 0553 0917 23.17
48 Andrew Hayhurst E.Lancs 1000 1243 1456 1737 1935 2148 0105 0354 0553 0917 23.17
49 Frances Isaac BBN 1000 1243 1456 1737 1935 2148 0105 0354 0553 0917 23.17
50 Len Fallick Northumbria 1000 1247 1459 1737 1930 2149 0105 0357 0606 0940 23.40
51 Chris Dent London 1000 1243 1452 1737 1930 2149 0105 0357 0606 0940 23.40
52 Alex Pember Bristol & West 1000 1237 1451 1751 2002 2237 0205 0500 0658 1005 24.05
53 Ken Stocking West Yorkshire 1000 1230 1432 1707 1853 2059 0031 0402 0623 1014 24.14
54 Philippa Lloyd LDWA 1000 1253 1532 1837 2040 2301 0205 0453 0559 1016 24.16
55 Gerry Garland Thames Valley 1000 1313 1534 1835 2030 2301 0205 0453 0559 1016 24.16
56 Betty Sherry 1000 1313 1534 1835 2030 2301 0205 0453 0559 1016 24.16
57 Don Bolton London 1000 1237 1446 1712 1854 2055 2336 0241 0558 1020 24.20
58 Chris Ketteringham London 1000 1237 1447 1712 1854 2055 2336 0241 0558 1020 24.20
59 Jim Morrison BBN 1000 1309 1543 1837 2052 2305 0208 0501 0712 1021 24.21
60 Martin Lawson BBN 1000 1307 1534 1840 2052 2305 0208 0502 0712 1021 24.21
61 Jonathan Slade 1000 1232 1451 1751 2002 2237 0205 0501 0712 1021 24.21
62 Merrian Lancaster BBN 1000 1309 1543 1837 2052 2305 0208 0501 0722 1059 24.59
63 Dave Findel-Hawkins BBN 1000 1306 1543 1837 2052 2305 0208 0501 0722 1059 24.59
64 Catharine Gregory Bristol & West 1000 1236 1451 1756 2010 2304 0205 0502 0722 1059 24.59
65 Gordon Harker Kent 1000 1230 1430 1649 1822 2013 2329 0241 0513R
66 John Hadley 1000 1232 1421 1638 1813 2011 2229 0041 0328R
67 Steve Clark BBN 1000 1237 1446 1723 1924 2158 0105 0349R
68 John Darley Nidderdale 1000 1233 1428 1705 1853 2103 2336 0218R
69 Mark Wallace Northants Ramblers 1000 1232 1421 1638 1813 2011 2229 0041R
70 Roger Story 1000 123 1421 1645 1823 2021 2330R
71 John Whiteman Surrey 1000 1243 1501 1753 2002 2237 0230R
72 Janet Whiteman Surrey 1000 1243 1500 1753 2002 2237 0230R
73 Camilla Usher-Clark 1000 1238 1459 1808 2010 2305R
74 Rupert Javis British Army 1000 1230 1411 1636 1812 2033R
75 Richard Scott 1000 1230 1411 1636 1813 2033R
76 Gavin Browning Thames Valley 1000 1221 1403 1615 1748 1934R
77 Martin Cuell 1000 1238 1559 1808R
78 Clive Fraser W.York 1000 1243 1503 1754R
79 Allen Gibbs BBN 1000 1230 1424 1709R
80 Colleen Bower BBN 1000 1218 1411 1640R

R= Retired



Chiltern Kanter 2009

This is the last in our Triple Challenge series to celebrate 25 years of our group. Entry forms will be available from the 1st October 2008

If anyone is going to challenge events can they please let me know which ones they are going to and I will post some off to them. This will save on postage.

The routes will be the same as for 2007 taking in Dunstable Downs, The Tree Cathedral and Ivinghoe Youth Hostel except that they will be in reverse order. There will also be a new badge for the event.

As with all events many hands make light work. If you’ve not marshalled on an event before then why not try it it’s great fun being the other side of the desk. The only disadvantage is the amount of food you have to eat at checkpoints!

If anyone is interested in marshalling on the day (when I hope conditions will be a little drier than 2007!) then please contact me.


Norman Corrin


THE LEGEND OF THE ONE-EYED FISH”

We are at the final top of John and Judy’s first Lakeland walk over the August Bank Holiday. This is Bowscale Fell, a fine summit north of Blencathra, overlooking the River Caldew valley and the fells often referred as ‘Back O’Skiddaw’. It was very significant for Merrian Lancaster and Dave Findel-Hawkins as it was their 200th top in their quest to ascend all the 214 tops mentioned in the seven Wainwright guides. They expect to finish well this side of the new year and join two others(Judy Wheldon and Brian Graves, previous completers) who were walking over the weekend. Chatting at the summit, John Seed said it was a pity that we could not see Bowscale Tarn from the summit. I piped up with a comment that isn’t this the tarn with the one eyed fish! Suddenly we had a small group who set out to view the tarn.......Paul Flynn, Nigel Schofield, Dee Brockway, Therese Jamin, John Seed and myself. Well we did observe the tarn and discussions were held as to how we should report the size of this mystic fish. Not only that but the ridge we traversed back to Mungrisedale was quite delightful and finished with a very steep drop of about 100m. We met up with the main group and some of us then frequented the Mill Inn. A very apt choice of beer for some was “Olympic Gold” – the day that Team GB won their 19th gold medal in Beijing. DFH was thumbing through his Wainwright book for this area (The Northern Fells) and so I thought I ought to check on the legend of the one eyed fish. The books reads as follows:
“Once upon a time it was fashionable to include a visit to Bowscale Tarn in the itineraries of Ladies and Gentlemen making a Grand Tour of the Lakes. The tarn was famous for its two undying fish (an ancient tradition revived by Wordsworth), the setting was wild and romantic, and a good path led up to it.................. The walk is no longer popular. The story of the two immortal fish is almost forgotten, although if it is true, they must still be there. Fashions change. Bowscale is now considered remote, ‘inconvenient’, too far away from the greater attractions of Centreal Lakeland............ Yet the Victorian travellers were right – their sense of values was always sound. The setting is wild and romantic and very impressive.”
As they say a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing !!

BBN AGM Sunday 16th November 2008

The BBN AGM will be held this year at The Wharf Public House in Bugbrooke Northamptonshire. The day will consist of a short walk of between 8-10 miles visiting one of the kissing gates installed with financial assistance from us just outside Church Stowe. After the walk we will have a meal in the pub followed by the AGM.

The pub will not be able to supply me with a menu until mid October. I will then distribute this by email to those group members on my list. The pub will require your menu choices no later than a week before the AGM. For those of us not on email I would be grateful if you could phone me to let me know if you are coming and I will give you the options available on the menu. Alternatively let me know at The Steppingley Step which is a week before on the 9th November.


Norman Corrin

BBN 25TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2008 : 7.30PM
NEWTON LONGUEVILLE HALL, NEWTON LONGVILLE

November sees the climax of our 25th anniversary year with our Birthday Party being held at Newton Longueville Hall. What an evening we have planned for you!

We will begin with a buffet meal comprising:

Jacket Potatoes
Mixed Meat Platter
Fish Platter
Mixed Green Salad
Fresh Coleslaw
Curried Rice Salad
Italian Potato Salad
Crusty Bread and Butter

Gateau/Cheesecake with Cream

Tea and Coffee

The bar will be open throughout the evening


Following the meal our Chairman Nigel will say a few words of welcome and in celebration of the occasion.

Next, Tim Glenn, national committee member and founder of the Anytime Anywhere Walks – an LDWA legend – will entertain us with a light hearted talk. Nothing too serious.

Tim will be followed by our very own Charles Francis with a selection of humorous songs. The emphasis is on fun….. Those who have seen Charles perform before will know what an excellent and entertaining performance he puts on.

In between times there will be lots of surprises, and plenty of opportunity to mingle and chat to friends.

Although the Party will have a walking theme – it is walking of course that links us all – the evening has been deliberately planned to have a wider appeal - to be entertaining for walkers and non-walkers alike – and we do hope that lots of you will want to share the celebration with your family and friends. The idea is that we all have fun and enjoy ourselves.

Newton Longueville Hall is situated about a mile south of the A421 just south of Milton Keynes. It is a lovely modern hall with plenty of room, and round tables which will add to the conviviality of the evening.

Tickets cost £7.50 and are available from Gill Bunker (01908-321308) and John Nickerson (01234-365595)

Xtreme-Everest Expedition – No Ordinary Trek

Having attained my free bus pass and retired “to put my feet up” why did I promptly take up work again and go jetting off to “put my best foot forward”? I was off as a member of the Xtreme-Everest Research Expedition involving 200 trekkers and 20 climbers, having earlier in the year completed a mass of paperwork, a full day of medical testing in London and a training week-end in Snowdonia. The expedition was to enable intensive care doctors, who are also mountaineers, to research the effects of decreased oxygen levels in normal healthy adults in the hope of increasing knowledge and aiding treatment of intensive care patients, in whom low oxygen levels contribute to multiple major organ failure.

To monitor our physical condition and acclimatisation, each morning before breakfast and having starved for 3 hours, we spent 30 minutes filling in a symptoms diary of 50 questions and then took medical test recordings both before and after a timed exercise test. With early rising, increased altitude and gradually reduced oxygen levels, this became much more difficult, and required commitment as well as a sense of humour! At increasingly higher altitudes on our 4 acclimatisation/days we had blood tests, lung tests, eye tests and lengthy tests of our brain function. Physical tests included the gruelling and lengthy exercise bike tests which involved wearing a breathing mask and having a variety of gadgets and electrodes stuck to different parts of one’s anatomy, whilst simultaneously being linked up to computers for continuous recording and monitoring purposes.

What else to say? We were up at 4 or 5 a.m. most days with 6 a.m. as an occasional bonus, but this was rewarded by fantastically clear early morning mountain views. Trying to drink at least 4-5 litres of fluid a day and maintain a high carbohydrate diet was often difficult, whilst the Khumbu Quickstep (alias diarrhoea!) and/or vomiting added to the experience and challenge for some of us. At times we battled to keep awake in the evenings for excellent talks on altitude, history, geography and medicine (attendance not compulsory!) but did manage occasional parties and even salsa dancing lessons at over 14,000 feet.

We trekked for 6-10 hours most days, amidst incredible, ever-changing scenery and unusually were privileged to camp at Everest Base Camp for 3 nights, an absolutely unique experience – tents pitched precariously on erratic glacier debris, awakened nightly by the sound of avalanches or less pleasantly, the infamous Khumbu cough acquired by some. A full day of medical tests as before, but otherwise free to enjoy the wonderful scenery, admire the famous Khumbu icefall, see an occasional helicopter landing and hear daily news of summit attempts and weather delays by different groups, but importantly, especially regular updates on our own mountaineering doctors who summited at 6.30 a.m. on 27 May 2007.

So why did I do it and was it worth all the expense and effort? Absolutely!! The utter remoteness, trekking amongst the world’s highest mountains with fantastic scenery and the challenges of altitude, as well as the opportunity to contribute in a small way to medical research were all worthwhile. Our group of 16 trekkers, with an exceptional leader, were all very committed to each other and to the project, and had tremendous fun throughout – our experiences of the rich culture of Nepal and the generous hospitality of the Nepalese will be with us for ever. (And I did not even need my bus pass!!)



Where’s Your T-Shirt been?

The photograph below was taken of Cliff Garnham and myself at The 100km Death March (www.dodentocht.be) in Belgium in August. As you can see I’m wearing the group’s 25th Anniversary T Shirt.……




This did give me an idea for an occasional column in the newsletter (along with Words of Wisdom from our members which Steve Clark and Dee seem to have a monopoly on) of members sending in locations where they’ve been wearing a group item of clothing. This can be on a walk, in Tescos or Harrods or exotic venues like Wimbledon or Annapurna.

No particular prizes just an opportunity for you to display the group logo. So come get out and about and show us “Where’s your t-shirt been?”

Norman Corrin


Heart of Scotland 100 2010

For the first time in our association’s history the annual flagship event the LDWA 100 will be held in Scotland. The event will be called ‘The Heart of Scotland Hundred.’

This event will need a lot of support from the 42 groups that make up the LDWA. Due to the location this is not going to be an easy event for groups (particularly in the south) to get to.

I’ve been told by Paul Hatcher (ex Local Groups Secretary) who is responsible for organising the staffing for the event itself and the groups to man the checkpoints that if as a group we feel unable to support this event but individuals would like to help then please contact him. His email address is paul.mary@brampton4,force9.co.uk
If anyone who is not on email and wants his postal address then please contact me.

Paul will then put these individuals into groups to man checkpoints, car parking, registration and all the myriad tasks that require completing.

Speaking to Paul at the Yoredale 100 he mentioned that due to the travelling involved they would like to put on a series of social walks so that helpers can experience the beauty of the area whilst helping out on the event. In effect it will be a mini holiday.

Regarding checkpoints I believe that the plan is to have 16 checkpoints, 8 of which will be indoors and 8 will be outdoors. The sooner groups book up the better the choice of checkpoints.

I know this is nearly 2 years away but as I’m sure members of our group who were involved in The Chiltern Landmarks 100 will tell you it comes round very quickly!

Norman Corrin






BBN Committee 2008/2009

There are a couple of positions that have become vacant on the BBN committee.. If anyone is interested in standing for the committee and helping to run the group then please contact me either by email Norman.Corrin@btinternet.com or my home telephone number on 01908 608667 and I’ll be pleased to tell you what’s involved

Norman Corrin

Mick Masucci Update 27th September 2008

For some months now I’ve been intending to phone Gerry Meadows who is the sister of Mick Masucci and I finally got round to calling her towards the end of September.

For those new members in the group Mick is a BBN member who had travelled extensively throughout the world taking part in numerous International Marching League events in countries as far flung as Austria, Italy, New Zealand and Canada.

On Boxing Day 2006 whilst taking part on Adrian Moody’s Boxing Day Burn Up he suffered a near fatal heart attack where his brain was starved of oxygen for up to 3 minutes. With the aid of the nursing staff at Bedford General Hospital, The Headway Treatment Centre in Bedford and the care and affection of his family he made such a recovery to the extent that he was able to attend our 2007 AGM.

Mick is doing well and is in good health though he has put on some weight. However he has a problem with short term memory loss and is inclined to forget things. He still lives in his bungalow close to his sister Gerry and is fairly self sufficient. He can cook his own meals, showers, does his own laundry and does a lot of digging in his garden.
Each Sunday he goes to the local shop in Marston Moretaine, buys a paper and then goes to visit his sister where he has a meal. He occasionally goes for a walk round Marston Vale Millennium Country Park.

Gerry’s husband Mick had a major operation where one of his aortas blew in his heart but thankfully he has now recovered and is fit and well.

Mick still uses his PC and sends emails. He goes to The Headway Centre each Monday where he receives treatment and exercises to help him cope with his injuries.
He has progressed to the point where he has done away altogether with his carers. According to Gerry the carers were either late in turning up or sometimes did not turn up at all. When they did arrive they were not very helpful.

Mick still attends re-unions with his old Army colleagues (Mick was in The Artists Rifles forerunner to The SAS). On one occasion this did cause his sister Gerry a few hours of panic when he didn’t turn up at the bus stop when he was expected to. However he had booked a taxi with a friend and arrived home safely.

Unfortunately relations between Mick and his sister Emily are still strained as ever and he wants nothing to do with her. Emily found this extremely upsetting at first but since then has had to come terms with it.

He still gets on well with his niece Deborah (Gerry’s daughter) and her 2 daughters Sue and Carol. Deborah does keep a caring eye on her Uncle Mick to the extent of making sure that he is at the right bus stop whenever he plans to go to Bedford.

To sum up he is doing well and although he will never regain his independence to the extent that he had he is still in robust health and close to his family and friends who care about him.

If anyone wishes to visit Mick then please contact his sister Gerry beforehand as Mick is liable to forget. I have her address and telephone number if anyone requires it

Norman Corrin


BBN Social Walks Programme Dec 08 to April 09


Thurs 4th Dec9.30 start COMING AND GOING! Approx 15 milesStart at Brigstock Country park café. Car park small charge. A figure of 8 walk with lunch back at the café.Landranger 141 Explorer 224 SP 953 850Leader David Gledhill Tel 01572 747494
Sun 14th Dec THE HOLLY HOBBLE 15 milesStart at car park off Queens Ave, behind Boots Chemist, Coopers Yard, Newport Pagnell. Please bring wrapped gift value £1. Carol singing at churches en route. Mince pies and refreshments afterwards. Santa will be there for the 5th year in a row!Landranger 152 Explorer 207 SP 874 440Norman Corrin 01908 608667 mob on day 07980 378656
Thurs 18 Dec9.30 start THE REDBOURN ROMP 15 milesStart at car park on Redbourn Common, adj to cricket pavilion.Landranger 166 Explorer 182 TL 102 119Leader Gordon Shaughnessy Tel 01582 518791
Sun 4 Jan NEW YEAR WALK + MEAL Aprox 10 milesStart at The Queens Head PH, 9 High Street WING LU7 0NS. Please contact leader nearer the time for menu details.Landranger 165 Explorer 192 SP 882 226Leader Dave Yorston Tel 01494 868371
Thurs 8 Jan THE PARKS AND LAKES OF MILTON KEYNES 15 milesStart at Woughton Marina cp, Milton Keynes. Jnct of A421 and B4034. Street name Woodley Headland.Landranger 152 SP 871 373Leader Judy Wheeldon Tel 01908 678006 Mob on day 07761 257743
Sun 18 Jan A WALK IN ROCKINGHAM FOREST Aprox 18 milesStart at long stay free car park in Oundle, on A427, next to old drill hall.Landranger 141 TL 035 882Leader John Chesher Tel 01480 860539 Mob on day 07946 893412
Thurs 22 Jan THE 6 CHURCHES WALK 15 milesStart at Melchbourne Church. Please park considerately on nearby roads.Landranger 153 TL 029 654Leader John Nickerson Tel 01234 365595 Mob on day 07761 257743
Sun 25 Jan TWO MOORS AND A LITTLE MOOR Aprox 20 milesStart at The Compasses P.H. Greenfield. Park quietly behind the pub. Variation on last year’s walk passing several heritage sites and including ‘The Two Moors Heritage Trail.Explorer 193 TL 051 347Ldr Dave Sedgley Tel 01525 714961 Mob on day 07967 899661
Sun 1st Feb SET OFF FROM OFFLEY 18 milesStart in Salusbury Lane, Great Offley. 200m west of High Street.Landranger 166 Explorer 193 TL 143 267Leader Peter Simon Tel 01582 513827
Sun 8 Feb DEAD QUEEN WALK 15 milesStart at Longueville hall car park. This is the hall on north side of Newton Longueville near The Crooked Billet ph.Landranger 152 Explorer 192 SP 845 317Leader Sylvie Eames Tel 07895 028159 weekdays 5pm-8pm All day weekends and on the day.
Thurs 12 Feb THE OVER OR UNDER WALK 14 milesStart at Welton village, near Daventry. Park on road near school towards Ashby St Ledgers.Landranger 152 SP 582 662Leader Gill Howe Tel 01327 871451
Sat 21 feb CHILTERN KANTER MARSHALLS WALKContact Norman Corrin Tel 01908 608667 for details.
Sun 22 Feb LUTON CORDIALE Aprox 18 milesStart at car park adj to Bramingham PH, Barton Hills Estate ,LUTON. Please do not park in Sainsbury’s cp.Landranger 166 Explorer 193 TL 076257Leader Therese Jamin Tel 01582 571455 before 10pm please Mob on day 07779 227675
Thurs 26 Feb ALL AROUND CHEQUERS 14 milesStart at Whiteleaf Hill car park, 1 mile east of Princes Risborough.Landranger 165 SP 824 035Leaders Roger and Margaret Skerman Tel 01525 405540
Sun 1 March CHILTERN KANTER CHALLENGE WALKContact Norman Corrin Tel 01908 608667 for details.
Thurs 12 March RUTLAND COUNTY TOP 15 milesStart at MAIN church in Belton (in Rutland). Please park considerately on nearby roads.Landranger 141 SK 816 013Leader David Findel-Hawkins Tel 01908 642803
Sun 15 March WANDERING THE WHITTLEBURY WAY 20 milesStart from large layby on A413 (from A43) on left before entering village of Whittlesbury from the north. If full please park considerately in village.Landranger 152 SP 693 446Leader Frances Craven and Chris Bent Tel 07976 712769. Before 9pm. This is also mobile on the day
Thurs 26 March PILGIMS PROGRESS Part 1 15 milesStart at The Compass Public house, Greenfield (east of Flitwick). Please park quietly BEHIND ph in field.Landranger 153 Explorer 193 TL 051 347Leader Brian Graves Tel 01908 378981
Sun 29 Mar ANOTHER ANDREW’S AMBLE 22 milesStart at Brampton Valley Way Car Park, opp Windhover PH, just off A5199 north of Northampton.Landranger 152 Explorer 223 SP 738 652Leader Andrew Gilbertson Tel 07922 068591 (also on day)
Sun 5 April FLIGHTPATH TO FLAMSTEAD 16 milesStart at Katherine Drive shops, Dunstable. Bring picnic lunch. No dogs pleaseLandranger 166 Explorer 193 TL 035 227Leader Ian Sage Tel 01582 661256Or mobile (also on day) 07815 833295
Thurs 9 April “WOT, NO BEACON? STREWTH!” 15 milesStart at car park at Steps Hill, near Ivinghoe Beacon.Landranger 165 SP 963 160Leader Adrian Moody Tel 01296 395146
Sun 19 April GLOBE TROTTING 18 milesStart from picnic area car park, north of Wolverton Railway Station.Landranger 152 Explorer 207 SP 818 422Leader Gill Bunker Tel 01908 321308
Thurs 23 April HORSES FOR COURSES 14 milesStart at car park (large layby) OUTSIDE Wyevale Garden centre, opposite Harlestone Firs (Heath) on A428.Landranger 152 SP 711 636Leader Roger Story Tel 01604 751573
Sun 26 April HEATH AND HILLS REVISITED 19 milesJoint Walk with Essex and HertsStart outside Heath Sports Centre, off Baldock Road, Royston. Free car park, café and toilets.Varied countryside and fine views. Picnic lunch opp pub.Landranger 154 TL 348405Leader Phil Hastings Tel 01763 853744 before 9pm please Mob On day ONLY 07716 992847
Sat/Sun 2/3 May BBN WEEKEND BLANKENBERGE, BELGIUMA repeat of our 2008 trip to take part in this 2 day International Marching League Series in The Flanders area of Belgium. 6,15,24 and 42km available both days. 9,000 people walked in the 2008 event. Travel over in cars Fri 1st May, return Mon 4th May. Ferry Dover to Dunkerque aprox £40 per person. 3 nights accommodation, which includes walk entry fee approx £95-£100 per person.Contact Norman Corrin Tel 01908 608667 for more details.

All walks are circular and start at 9am unless specified. Thursday walks start at 9.30 and tend to be a bit shorter, aprox 15miles.


LONG DISTANCE WALKERS ASSOCIATION - BEDS BUCKS NORTHANTS GROUP
MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2008
AT 53 SHARPENHOE ROAD, BARTON LE CLAY

Present: Dee Brockway (Social Walks), Gill Bunker, Norman Corrin (Secretary), John Nickerson (Treasurer), Nigel Schofield (Chairman), Gordon Shaughnessy, Dave Yorston, Lynn Yorston
The meeting opened at 7.50 pm. Nigel welcomed everyone and thanked Dave and Lynn for hosting the meeting.

1. Apologies Steve Clark, Martin Lawson

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (9th May 2008) and Matters Arising
The Minutes were approved with no matters arising.

3. Officers’ Reports

(a) Chairman – Nigel Schofield
Nigel’s report was circulated:

Pride of place to all the finishers on the Yoredale 100, (commiserations to the retirees) and many thanks to the Marshals at Settle Checkpoint 3 – very busy wasn’t it at times! BBN supported London Group and a good time was had by all in sunny but very windy conditions.

I hope that you have made the most of the summer and enjoyed the Challenge Walks and Social Walks on offer from BBN and elsewhere in LDWA. We have a good programme running up to Christmas so please support Dee and the walk leaders – they do it for YOU. If you have not led a walk before please contact Dee who would be delighted to hear from you, and of course this does not preclude persons who have led before.

Congratulations to all those who completed the Holy Hobble and commiserations to the retirees and of course this Silver Jubilee event would not have taken place without the massive support from marshals, sweepers and the organising skills of Norman, the Hylands and the Yorstons – see Norman’s report. London Group very kindly ran Checkpoint 2 at Hartwell and a few of us will assist London Group as a thank you at the London Group Founders Challenge on 19 October. If you would like to help on the FC itself please contact me as I will be doing the Marshals’ walk on 27 September (Saturday) and meeting Fiona Cameron.

Thank you to Judy, John and other family members for the hospitality on 17 August BBN Birthday Walk. A good turn out, good food and super birthday cake. A special thank you to Betty Sherry for the loan of perhaps the largest gazebo in the UK?

And a very special THANK YOU to Judy and John for organising three cracking walks in the Lake District over the recent Bank Holiday weekend. For those of you who scrambled up Sharp Edge in very benign conditions, the accident one week later can only emphasise how ‘easy’ becomes ‘dangerous’.

I do hope that you will all make a date in your diary for our party on 29 November, further details in the next newsletter and please contact Gill Bunker or John Nickerson for tickets.

Please note that if you were unable to make the Wallington Wander on 13 July I will be leading exactly the same walk on 26 October for Essex and Herts ‘Blair - but which one?’ All BBNers are welcome, starts from Baldock Tesco supermarket car park (near the petrol station) at 09.00.

Administration

· I will attend the LDWA local groups meeting on 12 October and report back at the AGM. Very quiet on the
proposal for the Local Group reps to meet before the National Committee – so Adrian please do not hold
your breath on this one.
· Presented copies of the August Strider to Hitchin and Letchworth Libraries.


Walks (since the last BBN Committee meeting)
· 31 May to 7 June - Isle of Arran (not bad)
· 15 June – BBN 3rd and Final Barton Bash
· 21 June – BBN final recce Wallington Wander
· 13 July – BBN Leading the Wallington Wander
· 19 July – LONDON Rye to Hasting
· 17 August – BBN Birthday Tea
· August BH – John and Judy’s Lakes Walks
· 30 August to 13 September – Austria (very good)

Planned
· 21 September – BBN BBQ
· 27 September – LONDON Founders’ Marshals
· 19 October – Marshal at Founders
· 26 October – ESSEX and HERTS Leading ‘Blair – but which one?’
· 1 November – Steppingley Step Marshals
· 9 November – Steppingley Step gofer Chairman (tbc)
· 16 November – BBN AGM
· 29 November – BBN Birthday Party
· 6 December – LONDON Christmas Walk
· 14 December – BBN Holly Hobble
· 28 December – ESSEX and HERTS. Stansted Stagger No. 8

Happy walking and I hope to see you on BBN social walks and events if you can make them.

(b) Secretary – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report was circulated:

I’ve received and actioned the following:

A copy of the Voluntary & Community Action South Beds newsletter for June and August 2008.

A copy of the Perthshire, Angus and Dundee accommodation guide. This was supplied at the Yoredale 100 for the 2010 Scottish 100. To be discussed separately.

A copy of the following group newsletters:
June 2008 Essex Herts; June and September 2008 London; Summer 2008 Surrey; August 2008 Kent

Items of interest in these newsletters were as follows:

Essex & Herts: In appreciation of Essex & Herts marshals for their support and who use their own vehicles on group events they will be offered £10, and £40 for the national 100.
The Shotley 55 may be offered as a bi-annual longer event. Depending upon the turn out the group may alternate it with another Essex Herts event thereby enabling a 4 year cycle.

Thames Valley: Nothing so far as their next newsletter is due out in October.

London Group: June 2008. They’ve started a series of summer evening walks which have been very successful. Also introduced a members' notes section on their website. This sounds like our forum.
September 2008 A request for helpers for the Founders Challenge. Dee, Nigel and I are returning the favour that London did for us on The Holy Hobble.
London are manning the final checkpoint on the Wessex 100 at Upper Wield Village Hall 93 miles 0530 am Sunday until 0615 Monday am.

Surrey Group: Due to an oversight on my part I didn’t receive this until this weekend just gone and have distributed it recently. Various reports on social walks.

Kent Group: Various reports on Kent members’ participation in the Yoredale 100 from a walking side and marshalling side. Several reports on various social and challenge walks. Also details of a weeks walking trip to France for £130 which will be repeated next year. I’ve got the newsletter with me if anyone wants details.

Minutes from 2 meetings of the committee of the Greensand Ridge Walk. I've never attended any of these due to them being in work time.

I’ve notified the Thames Valley, Essex Herts and London Group secretaries about our 25th Anniversary party on November 29th and asked them to inform their members.

Several emails and letters from various holiday companies. These did not appear in June’s newsletter. When I receive these or brochures/leaflets they are time consuming to interpret and condense. However I do feel under an obligation to provide information about walking holidays to our members. Is it possible to provide a link on the website? However this means that our members without access to the internet won’t be able to get the details.

I've sent out 7 information packs (all by email since the last report ) to potential new BBN members who I've received notification of from the National Membership Secretary or members of the public who have enquired about us.

The only event notification I’ve received is for East Lancs Group Wycoller Hoof on the 28th September which is using a sports ident system for on line entries.

Brian Graves, Dave Findel-Hawkins, Merrian Lancaster, Norman Smith and I helped out at the British Centurions event on the 16th/17th August at Milton Keynes Athletics Club track at Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes.

I’ve received an email from Nicky Wood the Local Groups Rep asking for confirmation of Gill as our social walks inputter onto the LDWA website and that I’m quite happy to have my contact details shown for social walks on the website. I’ve confirmed this with Eva Bowes who is responsible for co-ordinating group social walk details onto the main database. We will show names for the contacts on the website but only publish telephone numbers in the newsletter.

Notification via Nigel of the latest edition Oct 2008 to March 2009 of What’s on in the Chilterns newsletter. I think the only event in the Chilterns is the Kanter coming up in March.

I received a batch of the new LDWA publicity cards from Catherine Gregory (who is on the national committee) at The Holy Hobble.

I’ve had confirmation from Martin Lawson that he will not be standing for re-election to the committee at the November AGM. On behalf of the group I’d like to thank Martin for his efforts in setting up the Thursday walks programme which is now a success for our retired members! That means that we have vacancies for 2 non post holder positions.

Dave Yorston asked about the Yoredale Hundred results, saying the results had been sent out by email, but so far he had not received a hard copy. John Nickerson said all entrants were going to get a DVD which was to be posted out with the results. There had been a delay with the DVD and this was holding up the sending out of the results.

Dee and Nigel referred to the payments made to marshals by Essex Herts. It was confirmed that Essex Herts made a contribution towards petrol costs for checkpointers. Dee said petrol was becoming more and more expensive and, depending on people’s personal circumstances, it may become harder for members to offer to help on events. Nigel proposed that in principle the committee would not be averse to a member claiming recompense for fuel used and if approached the Committee would be prepared to consider any such request. This was seconded by Dave Yorston and agreed unanimously by committee.

There was some discussion regarding surpluses following the Hundred each year; Nigel commented that since the Exmoor and the Chiltern Hundreds there was no indication what had happened to any surplus.

Regarding “What’s on in the Chilterns”, Nigel queried whether BBN walks in general could be submitted for inclusion, but Norman said he had been told that only walks which took place within the Chilterns would be included.

(c) Treasurer / Membership – John Nickerson
John Nickerson’s report (with a copy of the Income and Expenditure sheets referred to) was circulated:

The current account stood at £2400.26 on 30th September 07 when the accounts were audited for 2006/7. The savings account stood at £1989.93.

At 18th September 08 our accounts stand as follows:

Current account: Last statement date 14th Aug 08 Credit £2815.81
Activity since this date is as noted on the attached sheets (Income and Expenditure)
Balance on current account at 18 September 08 will be £2748.05

Savings account = £2051.21

Membership at 18 September 08 is 125 members + 3 life members + 15 new members since 1st October 07

Nigel asked how many members had not renewed and John said it was about 40.

Dave asked whether there had been any reduction in the cost of the June Newsletter. John said the costs had gone down, but there had been additional costs as the programme had not been included with the Newsletter and had to be posted out afterwards.

Nigel said there had still been some confusion as some members expecting a hard copy of the Newsletter/programme had not received one. This did cause problems when some group activity, such as the BBQ, was not included in Strider.

It was agreed that Nigel would prepare the labels for the next Newsletter from an up-to-date membership list to be provided by John. Nigel would then send half the labels to Lynn and Dave. When Steve forwarded the new Newsletter and programme to them, Nigel, Lynn and Dave would copy and then post out hard copies of the Newsletter/programme.

(d) Social Walks – Dee Brockway
Dee read her report:

Well, just two thirds through our 25th anniversary year and we have already enjoyed 35 social walks with good average attendances. Couple that with 2 very successful challenge walks, including our 62 mile Holy Hobble and with 15 social walks, The Steppingley Step, a BBQ, an exciting anniversary party and maybe even a visit from Santa still to come, it really promises to be a year for BBN to remember.

Since the last meeting members have experienced a proms show after their exertions, walked in very silly hats and many of us enjoyed an absolutely fantastic birthday tea in John’s garden. On top of all this, about 25 members made the long trek to Keswick. I can personally testify to John’s weekend of walks in The Lakes as being one of the best led, most memorable series of walks, with the most spectacular scenery ever. The fun and friendship we all enjoyed as we ate together on the Sunday night just epitomises the spirit of fun and friendship in our club.

Dianne Sutton and Phil Hastings have successfully led their first walks. Due probably to my inappropriate scheduling, clashes with other events and holidays, Phil’s walk was exceptionally good but not well attended. As it starts in Baldock, it has therefore been rescheduled next April as a joint walk with Essex and Herts.

The programme for Jan to April 2009 is now complete. Gill, with her usual efficiency, has already input it onto the national web site and, once I receive her reassurance that it contains no glaring mistakes I promise NOT to forget to also send it to Steve to be included with the newsletter this time.

With the committee’s approval, despite suggestions from Strider to input the programme ‘as we go along,’ I would like to continue to enter it on the web all in one go, obviously before the Strider deadline. This is because experience has shown that dates or details need, for various reasons, to sometimes be revised as I plan the programme and advertising an event early would restrict this flexibility. Thank you Gill for putting the information onto the national web site and we intend to continue NOT to print leader’s telephone numbers on the web. These will only appear in Strider and our own newsletter.

I would like to stand for re-election for this post at the AGM.

Dee added that following her walk from Barton, which used the village hall car park, various walkers made a donation and she had given the £20 donated to the Hall. She had received a receipt which she gave to John at the meeting.

It was confirmed that walks leaders must be LDWA members. Gordon said if a walk was led by a member belonging to another group he may not always know the address to send the insurance form to.

Dee said she had a couple of things she wanted to get the views of the committee about:

1. BBN member Paul Allison had phoned Dee to say he would like to put a walk on the programme, but when Dee received the full details it transpired that the walk Paul was organising was called the Farthingstone Challenge and there was an entry fee of £10. It was agreed that this was not a social walk and could not be included on the BBN programme. If the event is to be included in Strider Paul should make it clear that it is not a BBN event. Norman agreed to contact Paul to discuss the matter.

2. Gill Howe had contacted Dee to say that Northampton Ramblers were interested in doing a joint walk with BBN on 20th June 09 – walking the Knightley Way from Badby as a night walk and then walking back in daylight. It was agreed that there would be insurance issues with such a walk if it were led by a member of the Northampton Ramblers who was not a LDWA member and it was included on the BBN programme. It was agreed that Dee would go back to Gill and see if Gill would act as a joint leader. This would overcome the problem.

(e) Merchandising / Equipment - Dave Yorston
Dave read his report:

We sold some more Anniversary T Shirts at the 100, one medium and at the Holy Hobble 1 2XL, 2XL and 2 large making an income of £47.50. Only leaving us now with two large. Also other merchandise sold 2 Polo shirts, 1 BBN badge and 6 mugs making a total of £27.50. In total £75.00.

It was noted that there had been some complaints at the Holy Hobble where, because of the length of the event, different people had acted as timekeepers and their watches had kept slightly different times. This was mainly a problem for runners, but it was agreed that Dave would purchase a time elapse clock before the Steppingley Step.

(f) Website – Steve Clark
No report from Steve who was on holiday, but Gill said that she had heard that the BBN website was being held up as a good example of what a local group website should be like.

(g) Newsletter – Steve Clark.
No report from Steve who was on holiday. The distribution of the Newsletter had already been discussed following the Treasurer’s report.

There was some discussion concerning the timing of the Newsletter, particularly in view of the deadlines the Walks Secretary had to work to for inclusion of the BBN programme in Strider. Minutes of the AGM/committee meetings and the sending out of subscription renewal forms were other considerations. It was agreed that a move to synchronise the Newsletter with Strider and reduce the number of issues to 3 each year would be more convenient for the Walks Secretary and should also lead to a reduction in costs. It was agreed that, [subject to comment from Steve], there would be three issues of the Newsletter each year, to be sent out in February, June and October. The intention is that the Newsletter will coincide with the Strider deadline but will be published before Strider.

(h) Local Group Representative - Nigel Schofield
Nigel said he would be attending the next Local Group Reps meeting on 12th October. He had a couple of items to raise – meetings before the national committee meetings and expenses on Hundreds. Norman will send an email round asking for any other items to be notified to Nigel by 8th October.

(i) Other Committee Members
Lynn said that by the end of the meeting she would have one more claimant for the BBN triple challenge (Dee).

It was confirmed that Martin Lawson would not be standing for re-election at the AGM. Norman said that Kevin Lamming had indicated that he would be interested in standing for the committee.

Dave indicated he would not be standing for re-election. Lynn indicated she would be happy to take over equipment and merchandising. There was a vote of thanks to Dave for his work,

Gordon confirmed that he was sending out insurance forms to all walks leaders and taking them with him on walks he took part in.
A leaflet regarding public Rights of Way in Hertfordshire had been supplied by Adrian Moody and Nigel suggested a copy be sent to Steve for inclusion in the Newsletter. Norman to action.

4. Insurance Issues – Incident Reports
There were no incidents to report.

5. Group Activities

(a) & (b) Future Programme/Social Events
The new programme has been completed in readiness for inclusion in Strider and the BBN Newsletter, and had been discussed earlier in Dee’s Social Walks report.

Dave said the New Year’s Walk will start from the Queens Head PH in Wing. As usual, it will start from the pub car park at 9am, and will be approximately 10 miles, back to the pub by around 12 to 12.30 for food and real ale. Detals regarding the menu will follow nearer the time.

Blankenberge – Norman Corrin
Norman said:

There will be another trip to Blankenberge next year after the success of this year’s trip. It is on Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May which I believe is the Bank Holiday weekend.

Unfortunately this clashes with the Oxon 40 which is always a popular event so there might not be the same interest as there was for this year’s event. Also that date is outside the calendar dates for the December Strider (Jan to April) so it might not be accepted for publication.

Having spoken to a few people who did this year’s trip I know that they have plans for other events or other non walking activities. I’m still quite happy to go ahead with it though.

John would like to put on another weekend in the Lake District next year (August Bank Holiday 2009).

Frances Craven belongs to a group which takes over a Youth Hostel in Derbyshire for the weekend and wonders if BBN would be interested in doing something similar – possibly in October 2009. To be mentioned in the Newsletter to see what interest there would be.

Steve Clark had indicated that he would be interested in putting on a trip to Austria.

Nigel said that unfortunately there were insufficient numbers intending to come to the BBQ on the following Sunday for the pub to put on a BBQ – there would however be the regular pub food available at the end of the walk.

Norman would like to organise another quiz next year. He is also checking dates with Dee with a view to organising two social walks linking the seats on the Greensand Ridge.




(c) 25th Anniversary – 2008

The Holy Hobble 5/6 July 2008 – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:
This went very well on the day despite an ominous weather forecast.
Statistics are as follows:
Entrants 90 (2 on the day)
Non Starters 10
Starters 80
Retirees 16
Finishers 64

I’ve checked the accounts with John and have adjusted my original figure that I sent out to the other sub-committee members. I’d omitted figures for the Marshals walk but am still pleased to say that after all my forecasts we made a profit of £34.88. My original forecasting was due to basing everything on 200 entrants. When it became apparent that we would not meet that target so the cost of everything went down.

Lynn and Sandra played a blinder with the food, making savings without affecting the quality. All the entrants were very pleased with the food and the checkpoints and we’ve had some very complimentary remarks on the LDWA website and in emails to Mike thanking us for all our efforts.

It gave some of our group members (notably Dee and Gordon) the chance to complete their first 60 miler and also some of the other members their first experience of checkpointing on a major event.

Everyone seemed pleased with the certificate and badge. If anyone wants a badge there are a few left! However there will not be a 3rd one off Holy Hobble (well not in my lifetime anyway..)

But it has given me the idea that we should attempt to put on a longer event every 2 or 3 years or so which has made me think about joining up with Norfolk and Suffolk or Essex Herts to form a Triple series of events which is popular at present.

Options for this are as follows:
The Northampton Round (50 miles)
The Bernwood Jubilee Trail, (61 mile trail cutting across 27 parishes in the Aylesbury Vale linking Buckingham, Waddesdon and Thame).
A combination of The Aylesbury Ring, Greensand Ridge and Northampton Round as that would cover all 3 counties.
I did also pass onto Dave and Mike my thoughts about a walk linking the highest points in each of the 3 counties. But I think that did cover more than 60 miles!

Nigel thanked Norman on behalf of the rest of the committee for all his hard work that had made the event so successful.

Birthday Tea – John Nickerson
John said that birthday walk and tea had gone very well. It had been a lovely day and everyone had enjoyed it. He had received a lot of thank you cards and emails afterwards.

Anniversary Celebration – John Nickerson, Gill Bunker
Gill reported that planning for the Birthday Party was well under way and it should be a great evening. The caterer had agreed to add jacket potatoes to the cold buffet previously agreed. The bar will be open throughout the evening and we will be providing tea/coffee ourselves. The proposed format for the evening is the buffet, followed by a few words of welcome and in celebration of the occasion from Nigel, a lighthearted talk by Tim Glenn and then a selection of humorous songs from Charles Francis. Gerry Garland is setting up a big screen and there will be photos of the group “rolling round” during the evening. Although the party will have a walking theme – it has been deliberately planned to have a wider appeal – to be entertaining for walkers and non-walkers alike – and we hope that lots of members will want to share the celebration with family and friends. To date 41 people have indicated they would like a ticket.



Triple Challenge – Lynn Yorston
Lynn said about 45 walkers had already completed the challenge. It is possible that a further 100 could claim following the Steppingley Step. Lynn said she has to leave the Steppingley Step early for a Remembrance Day parade so will need a list of those who have pre-entered before the event to help her sort out who may be claiming on the day.

Anniversary T-shirts – Lynn Yorston
The anniversary T-shirts had already been discussed in the Merchandising Report

(d) 2008 Yoredale Hundred CP - Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

With the record number of entries for this event this was a very busy checkpoint. We were able to get into the hall at 1030 to prepare the food but not able to set the hall up until the checkpoint opened. This did place us under undue pressure and at times caused a bit of friction. We had our first entrant arrive at approx 1215, quarter of an hour after the checkpoint opened. At times we were beginning to run out of chairs, floor space and toilet paper but the rush eventually died and we were able to cope.

There were 20 BBN entrants (1 DFH on the Marshals Walk) on the event and 14 finished and 6 retired. Congratulations to those who completed and commiserations to those who didn’t and best of luck next time.
Steve Clark did his normal excellent job of photographing the event for Strider which prompted Chris Bent to ask (in jest) if there was anyone else apart from BBN on the 100?!

The BBN helpers were:
Nigel Schofield, Lynn Yorston, Sandra Hyland, Judy Wheeldon, Chris Bent, Matthew Bent, Frances Craven and Imogen Pinckard.
Imogen and Matthew in particular did an excellent job of recording people’s arrival times and this helped Paul Lawrence and myself to reconcile the numbers without too much difficulty.

(e) 2009 Wessex Hundred CP - Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

I’ve been in contact with Janet Chapman of Surrey Group and said that BBN will man CP 1 which is an open air checkpoint, the details of which are as follows:

Selbourne Recreation Ground, 7.6 miles, SU 744332, 1130 to 1530.

We will do this as a group on our own and are not combining with any one else. So with it’s location it will be very intense but over very quickly. We will need a lot of people to do this. I would estimate 20. I’ve already had offers of assistance from 9 definites or possibly 10 people. So we’re halfway there.

I’ve emailed Janet about if a tent is going to be put up and her reply is shown below.

It is not intended that a tent would be used, but in the event of inclement weather, it would be great if your group could bring one. There is a Pavilion near the spot that will be open for water and hopefully for trestle tables. The Pavilion has not currently been booked for the use of toilets etc., but this could change.

We’ll be serving digestives, custard creams, mini cakes and sweets along with blackcurrant, lemon and orange squash. So we might end up having to erect a tent!

I’ve written up an article for publication in the December newsletter

(f) 2010 Hundred
The 2010 Hundred is being held in Scotland – starting near Pitlochry. There will be 16 checkpoints and the organisers realise that this is a very long way for a lot of other groups to travel in order to help. Further information to follow.




6. BBN Events

(a) Steppingley Step 2008 – John Nickerson
John said he had 12 entries at present. The halls were all booked, but not all paid for yet. The routes have all been walked out. There was no change to the route this year at Warren Woods, where the new Center Parks was going to be built, but the route would have to be changed next year.

(b) Chiltern Kanter 2009 – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

I sent the details of this off to Fiona Cameron and it has already appeared on the LDWA website. In the last committee meeting minutes I’d confirmed the date of this as Sunday 8th March 2009. After speaking with Steve Smith who has told me this would clash with the Grizzly down in Devon and finding out that the date also clashes with the national AGM I would like to move this to Sunday 1st March 2009.

The routes will remain the same as for 2007 except they will be in reverse. I’ve sent the grid references over to Mike Hyland who has plotted them for me and they will be walked out over the 3 months up until Christmas 2008. With the routes being the same I do not anticipate there being any problems (famous last words!)

Entry forms will be going out from 1st October to all challenge events. The entry form will also mention that this is the last event in our Triple Challenge series and will conclude our 25th Anniversary celebrations.

I’m still trying to work out if it will be possible to use on line entry for this event.

Norman confirmed the date had been changed to 1st March 2009. The marshals’ walk will be held on Saturday 21st February. Dee needs to add this to the programme and Gill needs to add it to the national website for inclusion in Strider.

(c) Wendover Gap Replacement 2010 – Dave Yorston
Dave said all he could report at the moment was that the event would take place on the first Sunday in March 2010. He would like to start the new event in Great Missenden but was still trying to sort out parking (he was hoping to use the Chilterns Railway car park there). Another option was to get permission to use the school car park in Prestwood and use the village hall again. Even if the event starts from Prestwood, it will be a different route and will take the form of a series of loops from the start venue.

((d) On Line Entry for Events – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

This was something I mentioned in my last report.

I spoke to Dave Sedgley on the Birthday Tea walk and he put me in touch with a colleague of his, Adrian Moir, who runs a company called Fabian4 (www.fabian4.co.uk). They have provided online entry facilities for other events mainly orienteering ones. They are keen to get into LDWA events.

The system can be set up to take entries and payment online by credit or debit card, send out receipt of entries, despatch route descriptions and results thus avoiding paperwork. There is a minimum charge of £0.50p per transaction plus VAT. So for one family entry of 4 there would be one transaction fee to pay, for 2 individual entries there would be 2 transaction fees to pay. All details of entrants are kept on a database which I would have access to.

I’ve emailed him a copy of the Chiltern Kanter entry form and he has replied to me with his thoughts on the entry fee and suggested that I increase it if I wish to keep the same level of income taking into the transaction fee. I’ve increased the budget by £1 over the last 2 years and would not wish to increase it too much. I’ve got copies of correspondence between Adrian Moir and myself about charges for online and postal entries. We would have to provide our bank account details to Fabian4 and payments would be made 1 month in arrears.

Other events that have used online entry systems such as Sportident have been The 3 Rings of Shap in June and forthcoming in September The Wycoller Hoof by East Lancs.

Norman said he would not mind trying on-line entries for the Chiltern Kanter to see how the system worked, but the meeting took the line that “if it ain’t broke…..” and that the group should not follow this up. It was felt that it might make the accounting more complicated and possibly create more work for the Treasurer.

John said that he was getting more and more standard entry forms for the Steppingley Step. He does not get entry forms printed to take to events any more. It was confirmed that all BBN events accept standard entry forms.

Norman said he was about to send out Chiltern Kanter entry forms to events but would reconsider. It was commented how much had been spent on circulating entry forms prior to the Holy Hobble.

Dee said an event such as the Fairlands was a good one to put entry forms out at – she had spoken to several runners who knew nothing of the LDWA but were very interested when she told them of the Steppingley Step.

7. Group Finances/Donations/Equipment

BBN Seats Project: Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

As mentioned at the May committee meeting the last bench has been installed at Millbrook complete with plaque and this project is now complete. However.......I’ve not done the thank you letter for Brian Cowling yet nor have I written the article to go in Strider. Apologies, I’ll get these done as soon as possible.

I sent an email out to the group showing pictures of the benches at their locations. Would it be a good idea to put these in the newsletter?

We will be going through the 2nd gate at Church Stowe on the AGM walk which is in a very nice setting. I’m arranging with Dee dates to do 2 linear walks next year to visit all of the benches on the Greensand Ridge.

BBN Memorial Benches for Chris Goodman and Chris Meredith MBE

I’ve been given the contact details for the person who made the Greensand Ridge Way benches. He reckons about £100 for the bench plus any additional carvings which we might like to have on it. Estimated costs for this are shown below. I’ve left 2 messages with the gentleman who did these benches. He lives in Carlton Beds, but is not an easy man to contact.





I’ve also had details from Avril Stapleton of the company that Thames Valley used to install a memorial seat for Peter Saunders. This is J and J Learmonth in Scotland. This was considerably more expensive than the version mentioned above. I’ve attached a picture of the style of seat that TV used which is the Glen Isla.






There is a cheaper version called the Glen Esk which is shown below.



This seat is £225 and total comes to £666.46p.

There was some discussion regarding the memorial bench. Norman confirmed that the design of bench used for the Greensand Ridge could be modified to include a back (possible cost £35). It was agreed that a bench of this design would suit a rural location better than a “park bench” design. It was also agreed that before a final location of the bench is decided, we would see whether a bench could be put on Ivinghoe Beacon. Gill said she would contact the National Trust. Ideally we would like the bench to be in place before the Chiltern Kanter next year.

BBN Bench at the head of the Great Ouse – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

As mentioned in last May’s minutes the agency for the footpaths has stated that if we wish to put a bench on the bridleway we will have to find out who owns the land and then ask for their permission. We will also have to ensure that the footpath is not blocked by the bench.

I’ve spoken to Norman Smith who has found out that the landowner is the person who lives in Wappenham Lodge. Norman has approached the neighbour nearby and the owner of Wappenham Lodge is a little old lady who would not want any more walkers trampling round the edge of her farm looking for the top end of a ditch which is the source of the Great Ouse. Norman did not feel it appropriate to cold call an elderly lady living alone on a remote farm. 2 alternatives that he’s suggested are as follows:

· 70 yard west of the river source is a stile which could be reconstructed into a stile/seat or kissing gate configuration
· The Country Landowners Association could be invited to enter into a joint venture with BBN to place a seat at this significant location for which there’s adequate space, being that the field boundary fence is 6 yards north of the byway

Having spoken to Norman I would recommend the first alternative with a sign stating that the source of the Great Ouse is XX yards to the right. Something similar to that anyway!

Following Norman’s report, as the idea had originally been to erect a bench at the source of the Ouse and it appeared now that this was not possible, it was agreed that this project not be proceeded with.

BBN Banner – Norman Corrin
Norman’s report:

This came about as a result of the joint checkpoint with London Group on the Yoredale 100 when they put a banner outside the hall. Nigel’s given me details for a company that produces banners for groups and Lynn has also supplied me details for the company that John Sparshatt used for the Yoredale 100 banner.

I’ve attached a copy of the Thames Valley banner which Kathy LoRaso from London Group suggested was a good banner to use as a template. This shows everything, the national association details, links to our website and identifying ourselves as BBN. If we decide to go ahead with this it would be good to get it done in time for the Steppingley Step or alternatively by the Chiltern Kanter. With the amount of expenditure on group items this year I’m aware that it might be additional expenditure we could do without.

The swan would be replaced with the BBN logo. To paraphrase the famous TV snooker commentary for those of us reading this in black and white the background is yellow!



Costs are as follows:


Delivery time for both companies is 5-7 working days.


Following a discussion it was agreed that as Gerry Garland’s company produces banners (and he is doing a lot of work for BBN for the 25th Birthday Party) we would ask Gerry for a quote. It was agreed to have a burgundy background with yellow lettering. Norman will contact Gerry.

8. AOB

AGM Agenda This was approved with the addition of the 2010 Hundred


Nigel thanked Lynn and Dave for hosting the meeting.

The meeting closed at 10.41pm






NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON
SUNDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2008 AT
THE WHARF PUBLIC HOUSE, BUGBROOKE AT 2PM