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NEXT WALK (JUNE) ~ TBA

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CHAIRMAN’S LETTER (April)

Hi to All Our Anchor Members

Its Spring, a time when we who go walking should be looking forward to longer days and better weather. Its just over a year since we had to abandon our planned walks programme due to the covid pandemic. Our last walk was at Malham. We tried to start a car-based programme in September. Our first walk at Rivington attracted a good turn out of over 25 members but future walks were thwarted by more outbreaks of covid.

Since the turn of the year with the successful covid anti-virus vaccination programme things have started to recover. We seem now to be on a better path out of the pandemic. For this reason, and given the road map back to normality, we feel, moving forward cautiously, we can start a car walks programme.

The format is as we had planned in last September the details being as follows: –

  • We restart our 4-weekly programme on Sunday 2nd May 2021.
  • Walk Venue: – Tockholes. Meet at the Royal Arms Hotel, Tockholes post code BB3 0PA.

Meet by 9.45 p.m. latest.

NOTE: – For attendance and Track & Trace Reasons you MUST book on with

                Joan Heaton our booking secretary on 07815 441789

  • Travel to the walks will be by personal car transport observing fully the social distancing rules which will be normally two people in the car unless other passengers are part of a family “bubble”.
  • The walks will be within a 40 miles radius of Leigh.
  • This distance will have the effect of producing a variety of venues with circa 1 hour travelling time each way. Thus, the petrol cost etc per couple will be much lower than equivalent coach fare.
  • To simplify the walking options and given many of us have not walked seriously during lockdown we would run only two walks.
    • The C and D walks would be combined with suggested maximum distance of 8 miles with possible turn off for the “D” walkers to shorten the walk if necessary.
    • The A and B walks would be combined with suggested maximum distance of 10/12 miles.
    • Walks would start at circa 10.00 a.m. Please be at the venue by 9.45 a.m. latest.
    • To make sure no one is forgotten and for leaders to know who is in their party members will have to book on with the booking secretary Joan Heaton stating which walk they would want to walk on.
    • As to after walk relaxation we will try to finish at or close a suitable hostelry so people can have a drink etc. However, drivers should refrain from alcohol.
  • NOTE It is always the responsibility of everyone to observe social distancing. Note facemasks are not needed while social distancing outdoors. Those who want to wear masks can do so.
  • This walk proposal will be subject to change due to any government or local controls to curb further virus outbreaks.
  • At the first walk on the 2nd May we will issue a list of future car walk on a four weekly basis throughout the summer. We will review returning to coach-based walks ready for the winter.

Please pass this message on to other members and friends who are welcome to join us.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in May. Keep Safe.

 Ernie Rothwell – Chairman

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… and just to whet your appetite further, we are pleased to announce the date for our Patterdale Weekend … 5th to 8th November ..

See relevant page

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A note from our beloved Dorothy …

I would like to thank everyone in the club for their flowers, cards, messages and prayers … in Our Dorothysupport of me through my illness.

Although I had a blip, my treatment resumes in late January. I am coping well and isolating like the rest of us in these tough times!

What a wonderful group of people that make up Anchor Ramblers are. George and I have walked with the club since 1984, until Christmas 2019 when ill health forced us into retirement … what happy memories we both have during those times.

We wish you all well for future trips, that hopefully will resume in the not too distant future.

Once this dreadful pandemic is over, I hope to start seeing you again … and just maybe a trip out(?)!

With love from Dorothy 

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Covid19: what has changed from 12th April in England?

The Wainstones, North York Moors. Photo: Shutterstock

From 12th April, changes to the Covid regulations in England mean further relaxation of some rules around outdoor activity, travel and overnight stays away from home. Below is a summary of the main changes which affect climbers and hill walkers based on the information available at the time of writing. Government guidance may continue to evolve and we will update this article if needed as more information becomes available.

Individuals

  • All forms of outdoor sport and physical activity (including climbing and walking) have been allowed since 8th March and this continues to be the case.
  • Groups of up to 6 individuals from different households or an unlimited number of people from two households can meet outdoors.
  • No social mixing is allowed indoors, other than for specific listed exceptions.
  • Currently government advice is to “minimise the amount you travel wherever possible”. However, there is no legal limit on travel distance at this time.
  • There are still restrictions on sharing transport in England, but at the time of writing the government guidance has not been updated – click here for more details.

Clubs and organised groups

  • Organised sport and physical activity have been exempt from legal gathering limits outdoors since 29th March, providing the activity follows overarching Covid guidance from government and from the BMC.
  • This only applies to groups organised by a club, instructor or National Governing Body.
  • Group size can be as large as is operationally suitable outdoors and briefings can also take place in unlimited numbers outdoors.
  • There are no legal travel limits on organised sport and physical activity. 
  • Again, as with our advice for individuals, we encourage organised groups to act responsibly and keep group sizes to a minimum wherever possible, as well as minimising travel.
  • There are still restrictions on sharing transport in England, but at the time of writing the government guidance has not been updated – click here for more details.

Instructors

  • Mountain Training qualification courses have been able to run since 8th March, and instructed groups who are not part of a qualification course since the 29th March.
  • For any queries around Mountain Training and instructed courses, please contact info@mountain-training.org for more information.

Climbing walls

  • Indoor climbing walls are able to re-open from 12th April for individual exercise, in line with other indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools.

Overnight stays

  • Overnight stays are now allowed in self-contained accommodation (including campsites), only with your own household or support bubble.
  • Self-contained holiday accommodation can reopen as long as communal facilities aren’t shared with other households.

Cross border (within UK) travel

  • Travel from England to other UK countries no longer requires a ‘reasonable excuse’
  • At the time of writing:
    • Travel into or out of Wales from other UK countries is unrestricted
    • Non-essential travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK remains restricted
    • Travel into Northern Ireland from other UK countries currently requires a 10 day isolation period
    • These rules could change at short notice so make sure you check the rules in your destination country before starting a journey.

International Travel

  • International travel for holidays is not currently allowed. The earliest non-essential international travel could recommence in any form is 17th May.

Whilst the legal requirements are now more relaxed for our activities outdoors, it is worth re-emphasising the need to be responsible and respectful in the way you carry out your activities, not only from a Covid perspective, but also in terms of looking after the places we love and respecting the people who live there.

  • Wherever possible, try to avoid popular locations where increased numbers of visitors could result in parking problems and make social distancing difficult
  • Always have several backup options in mind in case your chosen venue is too busy
  • Public transport holds an increased risk of transmission so avoid this wherever possible at this stage.

SOURCE: BMC Newsletter 21.04.21 (Posted by Rob Dyer on 14/04/2021)

For Further information about the British Mountaineering Council, go to www.thebmc.co.uk

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For website additions or amendments ~

Contact Vinnie by

email: anchor.web@hotmail.com

or text: 0797-904-2058