Newsletter
September 2000
Club News and Views
Club 20th birthday
Many thanks to those who made suggestions concerning how the Club’s 20th birthday should be celebrated. At the June committee meeting, it was decided to mark the event by making the AGM weekend at Haworth over the early May bank holiday a time of special celebration. The event will run from the Thursday evening and, in addition to the AGM on the Saturday evening, there will be a special service on the Sunday and other celebrations.Introducing the Committee
The last of the new committee members elected at the AGM introduces herself.
Miriam Bird - Programme Secretary
I grew up in Farnham, Surrey and got actively involved in the Guiding movement. I later studied combined science (with PGCE) at Leicester. I taught in London for two years and then moved to a comprehensive school in Witney. I’ve been working there for eleven years now and am Deputy Head of Science. I was brought up as a Roman Catholic and became a Christian when I was 13. I belong to a very active evangelical community church - where something is always happening! I am doing a London Bible College course at the moment to develop my preaching skills. I love all sorts of outdoor activities - chiefly walking and scrambling but also rock climbing, cycling and camping. I enjoy reading and eating chocolate too. It’s great to get out and meet people, enjoy a good chat and appreciate the countryside. I joined CRC in 1993 and on my first event I got heat exhaustion on Cadair Idris - I will never forget it! I go on about 6 or 7 events a year, including the October and Scotland weeks. I have a small tally of Wainwrights and Munros and I adore the mountains and lots of rock scrambling.Congratulations
Congratulations to Mary Kahn and Mark Goodspeed who were married on 24 June.
Congratulations to Linda Way and Stewart Jolly who were married on 8 July.Support for YHA
Under ‘Any Other Business’ at the AGM, it was suggested that the Club should contribute to a hostel renovation appeal. The meeting did not favour this, but the Committee were asked to consider whether we should support YHA from club funds as we do the Mountain Rescue. This was discussed at the June committee meeting and it was felt that our limited funds were better used helping individuals to stay in hostels through the discretionary fund rather than making a donation. We already contribute about 3,000 bed nights to the YHA each year. However, it was pointed out that local day-walking groups could assist a hostel in their area in practical ways, eg by helping in the garden, as well as through donations.Christian Outdoor Networker
Earlier this year a new magazine was published under the above title in order to provide a link between various Christian groups interested in outdoor pursuits and their members. CRC, CRMC, Christian surfers and Mainstream were among those who contributed. If you would like to receive this twice-yearly magazine, which includes articles from a number of Christian outdoor organisations, you should send £2 (cheques payable to ODM Creative Communication) with your name and address to: M Bianchi, 8 Lindisfarne, Biddick, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 7JR.
Wiltshire Daywalking Group
CROWS (Christian Ramblers of Wilts) walk on the first Saturday of the month (second if a Bank Holiday). We started as a group who attended the Bristol walks before deciding to form our own group in Wiltshire. We retain a very good relationship and inter-mix with the Bristol Group, some members attend both walks, others choose the walk which suits their other commitments. We celebrated the completion of four years with our July walk. We have 52 names on our list and average 10 on a walk with numbers ranging from 5 to 20. Although much of Wiltshire is not always accessible due to the MOD using Salisbury Plain, we still manage a few walks in the area. The majority of our walks are in the North Wiltshire area which includes the Cotswolds, the Ridgeway and the Downs around Lambourn and Marlborough. In summer we go further afield - south to the Salisbury area and south west to the Mendips. The walks end in the traditional manner, either at a tea-shop or with tea and cakes in someone’s house before dispersing.
If you are in the area on the first Saturday of the month and fancy a walk, please email the CRC WebWeaver for more details as we are always glad to see new faces.Brian Clark
Prayer Diary
Here are some more suggestions to help you to pray for the Club on a regular basis. If you have any suggestions of topics for inclusion, please email the CRC WebWeaver.Week 1 - Give thanks for the pleasure of walking.
Week 2 - For God’s help to love those we do not like.
Week 3 - That we should model our lives on Jesus.
Week 4 - That those who lead services will be inspired by God.
Week 5 - For the blessing of God’s provision for us.
Week 6 - For those who have so little.
Week 7 - For this month’s committee meeting.
Week 8 - For the fireworks event - safety and fellowship.
Week 9 - For the North-East day-walking group.
Week 10 - For safety on events.Ann Arnold
Rights of Way
We all enjoy the countryside; historic villages, rolling farmland, beautiful mountains, ancient woodlands, sweeping river valleys and beautiful coastline. As we walk we unwind, relax and talk to friends old and new. What are we walking along? All land belongs to someone - whether it is city or moorland or whatever. It’s probably got other uses as well as being a path; there are more than 120,000 miles of public paths in England. Public rights of way are highways in law - they give a right of passage to travel across the land, but not to wander widely or use it for anything else. They are usually paths or tracks but may not be visible on the ground; that’s when a good map is needed! CRC mostly use footpaths; these are only to be used for walking. There are also bridleways; on these it is possible to ride or lead a horse or pedal cycle, but they have to give way to walkers! We sometimes come across byways; these are open to all traffic, so could be used by wheeled vehicles. County councils are required by law to maintain a map on which is recorded all public rights of way and to show the type of path. On public rights of way you can stop to admire the view, take a photo, rest or eat a picnic (please remove all your litter) and, if conditions allow, you could take a push chair or wheelchair. Dogs should be kept in close control. Highways, including footpaths, are the responsibility of the
County Council. They are meant to protect the public’s right of use, maintain the surface, prevent obstruction and ensure that landowners comply with the law, e.g. restoring the path after ploughing. They should keep the definitive map up-to-date, signpost paths off metalled roads and provide sufficient waymarks. Unfortunately few Councils have the resources to achieve this, but it does help them if you let them know where you encounter problems; alternatively, contact the Ramblers Association who will advise them. Landowners have to respect the public’s right of passage and do nothing to impede their progress. The top two spade depths of paths and roads are treated as being owned by the County Council so they can be maintained. Overhanging vegetation is the responsibility of the landowner.
Once a highway always a highway - Rights of Way don’t cease to exist if not used. Conversely, if a path has been used for 20 years, it is considered a Right of Way. Happy Rambling.Janice Brett
Orienteering
What is it? A navigational race. It’s up to individuals how competitive they make it. Competitors navigate around a course finding control points. Before starting competitors copy the control locations from a master map onto an “O” map, which they will have received from registration upon arrival. At timed intervals each competitor sets off with a map and control card, which needs to be punched at each control point as proof of arrival. Whoever locates all the controls in the fastest time is the winner. The benefits? It’s healthy, interesting, relatively cheap, fun, a challenge and takes place in lovely surroundings. It’s also a superb way to improve your navigational skills. Most of the skills involved are transferable to walking, especially mountain walking. In an average event the following skills may well be used: Orientating (setting) the map, moving on a bearing, distance judgement (usually by pacing), aiming off, using attack points, using handrail features (walls, streams, ridges), map to terrain visualisation, terrain to map visualisation, map memory, route choice, and when - like me - you get lost ... relocation skills. Usually events take place in woodlands, but they may also be in parkland or open fells.
Getting started: Attend an event and have a go! Orienteerers are very friendly and helpful. Try a ‘colour coded’ event where you can begin at an easy level and move up as you gain confidence. These events are open to anyone who turns up on the day. The colour system is roughly: White - very easy, up to 2km and on paths Yellow - quite easy, up to 3 km Orange - moderate, up to 4km Light green - moderate/technical, up to 4km
Green, Blue and Brown - technical/difficult or very difficult, from 5km up to 10km.
Unfortunately most events are on Sunday mornings, but many clubs are introducing Saturday events and some hold midweek evening events in the summer. To participate you will need a red biro to mark your map and, for the technical course, a compass. A clear plastic bag (rather than a map case) is also handy. Wear footwear and clothing suitable for walking, but not shorts. Maps are provided; they’re usually a 1:10,000 or 1:15,000 scale.
For more details of events/clubs in your area, contact the British Orienteering Federation at Dale Road North, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2HX 01629 734042.Ian Parfitt
What's Cooking?
Thai Grilled Chicken Serves 4
Ingredients
200g(7oz) block of creamed coconut 300ml (½pt) very hot water
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2-3 fresh green chillies, deseeded and chopped
1-2 level teaspoons ground ginger 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
Grated zest and juice of 1-2 limes 2 level tablespoons caster sugar
1 pack fresh coriander
4 boneless chicken breasts (skin on)
Thai fragrant rice
Method (Steps 1-3 can be done at home before the event)
1) Cut the coconut cream into large chunks and place in a bowl. Pour the water over the coconut and stir to dissolve. Place in a blender with all the other ingredients (except the chicken) reserving a little coriander for garnish.
2) Blend the mixture for a few seconds until well mixed and allow to cool slightly.
3) Make 3 diagonal cuts across the chicken breasts, arrange in a dish and pour over the coconut marinade. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins. [And carry it to the Youth Hostel]
4) Preheat the grill to a medium setting. Arrange the chicken, skin side down in a grill pan and spread over some of the marinade.
5) Grill for 10-15 minutes, turning and basing occasionally. Allow slightly longer to cook the skin side of the chicken.
6) While the chicken is cooking, heat the remaining marinade in a saucepan stirring occasionally and simmer gently for 2 mins. Do not boil as it may start to separate.
6) Serve with the Thai fragrant rice.Duncan Parsons
Hazel’s comment Don’t be thaied down to the following recipe exactly, why not use some alternative accompaniments; raw vegetables such as fresh sliced tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and mange tout. Have you ever fried a banana? This would go nicely as would fresh apricot or fried peach. Pork fillet could be used instead of chicken.
This recipe was cooked for the group at Pwll Deri Youth Hostel in 1997. If you have a recipe which could be used in a Youth Hostel, please share it with others by sending it to the CRC WebWeaver
Reflections of Life - LOST
There will be a highway there, called the ‘Road of Holiness’. No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it. They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy for ever, forever free from sorrow and grief. Isaiah 35:8&10How easy it is to get lost on a walk. We have a very clear map which we know exactly how to read, and a compass which we know how to use, but what a difference when we actually get out on the ground. The map shows one turn-off to the right, but we see two parallel tracks to the right. Which way? The map says follow the contour line, but the only paths visible go up or down. Which way? The directions say to cross the field to the stile opposite, but it is a very big field and the stile is part of the wall, so only noticeable when up close. Which way? In our walk of life, usually the way is clear, well sign-posted, wide paths, occasionally a main road. But there will inevitably be times when the path is obscure, vague, confusing, non-existent. Then we just have to take risks and retrace our steps before we waste too much time. We must consult the map again and take time to calmly recheck the lie of the land. When we find the Bible difficult to understand, a study guide can help, and God is only waiting for us to stop and ask Him so that He can show us the right way. When we admit to ourselves that we are wrong, and stop to listen to God and ask Him the way, He will honour our efforts to follow the right path and will always lead us back.
I will lead them back to the mountains and the streams of Israel and will feed them in pleasant pastures. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will find them a place to rest. I the Sovereign Lord, have spoken Ezekiel 34:13&15
Maureen Davis
Maureen’s reflections have been published in a book titled ‘Reflections of Life’ which is obtainable from Butterfly Press, 17 Hayes Close, New Marston, Oxford OX3 0DZ price £6.65 (inc P&P)
Countryside & Wildlife Notes
A big ‘thank you’ to all who took the trouble to communicate and wanted me to continue to do these notes. What I was really looking for was that you would let me know your opinions if you disagreed with me. There is still time to do so. Some years ago a group of Christians from Wirral formed A Rocha, an international conservation organisation working to show God’s love for all creation. The first project was established in SW Portugal and other projects are developing, with varying success, in Kenya, France, Lebanon and the UK. The latter is based in Southall and, like many urban sites which have been developed for wildlife will, before long, become a haven for many species in a built-up area. You can become a member of A Rocha for £15 a year and, in addition to a quarterly Newsletter, have the opportunity to attend members’ days, holidays and practical conservation days. Their address is 3 Hooper St, Cambridge, CB1 2NZ (01387 710286).Another urban wildlife site is Pennington Flash, on the west side of Greater Manchester, which was formed on land which has sunk as a result of deep mining. It is a mile long stretch of water which has become very rich in wildlife, particularly birds, and is now an oasis in that built-up area. Barn Elms, part of a former water-works in west London, has been developed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust as a wetland site near central London. There are many others and I would be interested to hear of any near you which you enjoy visiting.
September is the main migration period for birds when, after the breeding season, their populations are at their highest level. Some sightings can be very spectacular, for instance, flocks of wading birds that have recently arrived at estuaries. Such species of waders include dunlin, knot, sanderling, bar-tailed godwit, oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover, grey plover and curlew. Some of these species have come from arctic breeding grounds and have no fear of man, so you can walk right up to them. Massive flocks of these birds fly around, weaving about, almost like a cloud of smoke. Some will spend the winter on these estuaries, while others are passing through on their way to Africa.
At this time of year fungi become rather spectacular, although it is possible to find species throughout the year. You have to be a real enthusiast to be able to name the various species, but I think you can appreciate their beauty without being able to name each species. The same is true for other aspects of nature.
John Ashworth
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