Rob’s Ramble
Spring 2025
It’s a bit early to anticipate the arrival of Spring, but given the consistently wet and windy weather we’ve been subjected to this Winter, I think it should be time for some improvement. I am in West Wales at the moment (an area known for heavy rainfall). It has been cold here, but with spells of glorious sunshine. Snowdrops and daffodils are abundant along hedgerows and there is plenty of birdsong. Let’s hope that soon we can all be enjoying our share of blue skies and wildlife in beautiful Dorset.
Looking back to December, once again we had a really enjoyable Christmas Lunch at the Purbeck Golf Club, with yet another record attendance. Surely the new attendance records can’t continue forever! My thanks go to Jane Hamilton for organising the lunch and Ian Swanson for leading the appetite boosting pre-lunch walk in Studland – he even managed to arrange some dry weather.
We also had a successful “mince pie” walk, finishing off in Worth Matravers Village Hall for mince pies and sausage rolls. The warming mulled wine was a great success – we will need to up the quantity next year – and it put us in the mood for a tuneful Christmas sing song ably led by Gill and Steve Williams on their ukes.
As for the future, I am pleased to say that membership remains healthy, and we welcome those who have recently joined. I ask you to please read through our etiquette and other guidelines; it makes the task easier for our walk leaders.
We’ve held the AGM at All Saints Church Hall in Swanage for many years, but this year we are changing venue to get a bit more space. The new venue is the Mowlem in Swanage. The format will be the same as last year (Bring and Share Supper). The date is Tuesday April 29th, so please make a note in
your diary. At the AGM Pauline Williamson and Hilary Parascandolo will be stepping down from their committee positions. Eric Scargill and Barbara Pietrusiewicz have offered to take on the roles and their appointment will be put forward at the AGM.
I would also remind you that we are always looking for new walk leaders. If any new members are interested in doing this, please let a committee member know. Similarly we are looking for members who wish to join our friendly committee to help in the organisation of the group. If you are interested, please let me or any other committee member know.
Wet, windy, or sunshine and blue skies, the Spring is my favourite season and I will be enjoying whatever the Dorset countryside has to offer. I hope you too will be encouraged to join some of the walks, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Have a healthy and happy 2025 and do “keep walking and stay fit”.
Rob Lobley – chairman, Swanage Walking Group