MOURNE RAMBLERS NEWSLETTER
February 2016
A message from the Editor
Welcome to the latest edition of the Mourne Rambling Group newsletter. In this issue I hope you will find articles and items of interest to you including:
· NEW MEMBER UPDATE
· COTSWOLD DISCOUNT
· MOURNE SHUTTLE
· IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LEADERS
· WALKING ON THE DINGLE PENINSULA
· READY FOR THE HILLS? – CHECK WHAT’S IN YOUR ‘SACK!
· NAVIGATION TRAINING
· WALKING IN THE COMERAGHS
· NOTICEBOARD – TO FINISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
· AND FINALLY - AN IRISHMAN’S DIARY ABOUT BEING A MOUNTAIN GUIDE
· LIST OF PAID – UP MEMBERS 2016
· FLIER
Vincent Trainor, Editor
Welcome to the following new members
since the last newsletter (November 2015)
(up-to-date as at 22 February 2016)
Margaret Creighton, Iris Hanna, Pat Beck
Please note: Mourne Ramblers get a discount on car parking (£3 instead of £4 per car) when our walks start at Meelmore Lodge. Simply pay inside the café rather than at the
machine.
COTSWOLD DISCOUNT
Dear Member,
In recognition of your valued support, Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs (UFRC) has negotiated a special discount for you to use at Cotswold Outdoor Ltd.
We are delighted to offer you15%off*the full retail value of current season’s product ranges and is available for use both in our stores and online through our website.
Your unique code is:AF-UFRC-M1
How to use the code:
· In-store –please present this letter or a valid form of identification to obtain your discount.
· Online– register your address details atwww.cotswoldoutdoor.comor login. When ready to checkout, key in the code in the Promotional Code box (not case sensitive). All qualifying items will have the correct price structure applied to the order.
· Click & Collect– our Click and Collect services are available for use from most stores, except The North Face Store Leeds and our three Rock Bottom stores, see:www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/clickandcollectfor further information.
· Mail Order– please provide your address details to the sales staff quoting the Affiliation Code when ordering.
All orders placed using the mail order and online services for delivery within the UK will be subject to the promotional carriage charges that apply at point of order (FOC over £30.00) or incur our standard carriage charge of £4.95 any orders placed requiring urgent or overseas delivery will be subject to the relevant delivery charges that apply at point of order.
Best wishes,
Simon Reardon - Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs (UFRC)
The Partnership Team - Cotswold Outdoor
*Terms and conditions: not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts. Offer expires 31/12/16.
MOURNE SHUTTLE SERVICE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PROVIDER
Hiya. My name is Peter Magowan. I deliver the AIMSS, Activities In Mourne Shuttle Service and am based in Newcastle. I have worked as an outdoor instructor for 25 years at Ardnabannon and Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centres, for the SEELB. Following redundancy I set up the walker shuttle business, however, I find it difficult to promote the service among the hill walking community. My intention following the completion of works at Meelmore Lodge is to base service there. I will go from there to Carrick Little via Trassey, Donard, Bloody Bridge car parks and back again, then from Meelmore Lodge to car park at bottom of Lough Shannagh track (Bann’s Road).
I charge £5 per person for the longer trips and £4 per person for groups of 3 or more.
Could you please pass on to your walking group info about this service, as it will allow for better days out, less time wasted moving cars about, and lessen impact of vehicles on the mountain roads. I advise groups to contact me a few days in advance to book seats. My number is 07516412076.
For more info go to my webpage and click on shuttle service
www.mourneshuttle.co.uk
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LEADERS
· At our recent AGM the importance of having contact information for new walkers was stressed.
At the beginning of a walk the leader should ask any new walker for an emergency contact person’s name and contact number. This can simply be written on a piece of paper by the new walker and retained by the leader for the duration of the walk.
· Recently the number of people wishing to walk with a group has exceeded 15. When this happens a second leader must be appointed at the beginning of the walk.
Walking on the Dingle Peninsula, Kerry
Fri. 27 May to Mon. 30 May (Three days walking)
The Dingle Peninsula offers a wealth of walking opportunities be it in the Brandon Group of mountains, Central Dingle or the Slieve Mish Mountains. Andrew McKibbin is the organiser for the week-end and, in order to secure Bed and Breakfast bookings, he needs to know within the next two weeks (Monday 15 March at latest) the names and contact information for any members who intend to go on this trip in May.
Andrew will lead A / B group walks.
Contact details:
Andrew : Tel. 02890397745 or Mob. 07710437227
READY FOR THE HILLS? ..... check what’s in your ‘sack!
Imagine this. It is a glorious morning and you set off with a group of friends on a day’s hill walk. The craic is good, the scenery is even better, it’s great breathing in the fresh mountain air and the sun continues to smile upon you all. Life is great. Then, you slowly become aware of some subtle changes in the weather. Almost imperceptibly the cloud cover has thickened, the wind has picked up and the temperature has dropped. It’s hard to believe that in less than 15 minutes things could change so much. In fact, it is now quite cold and nippy. You notice your friends are donning their jackets and putting their chilling fingers into gloves to warm them up. You, too, put on your jacket and immediately feel the benefit ..... then, you realise you have forgotten to pack your gloves. Your hands get colder ..... simple tasks like zipping up your jacket are not so easy and, as little icy pains start to penetrate your fingers, you make a mental note to put gloves into your rucksack the next time you venture into the hills. Your numb hands are an unwelcome inconvenience this time – but, should the weather have been colder and more extreme having no gloves could have had serious consequences – perhaps even life threatening consequences.
This account is fictional – however, I am sure many of us have had a similar experience.
Other examples of ‘forgetfulness’ include not having a head torch, leaving your flask with its warming drink at home on the kitchen table or leaving your map in the car. Seemingly small things, but they are oh so important when the weather turns for the worse, the mist descends or day light runs out and you are still not off the hills.
So, please, check you really are ready for the hills.
Assuming it is a wet day and you are wearing hill walking boots and a waterproof top and bottom over your normal inner layers you should always carry the following in your rucksack:
Spare fleece, gloves/mitts, hat/cap, flask with a hot drink, water, food and snacks, first aid kit, personal information tag, whistle, map of the area, compass, head torch and spare batteries, bivi bag or bothy bag. When appropriate also carry sun screen and insect repellant.
Navigation Training
When: Saturday 21st May, 2016
Where: Meelmore Lodge Conference Room and the surrounding area
Cost: Free to paid-up members of Mourne Ramblers
Knowing how to competently use a map and compass is an important skill for anyone who walks in the mountains or other remote areas and can enhance the enjoyment and safety of a walk. Navigation on a lovely day with clear visibility can be simple but introduce low cloud and rain into a featureless terrain and the ability to navigate using a map and compass becomes essential.
A Navigation Training Day has been organised for the 21st May at Meelmore Lodge. While the subjects covered will be tailored to reflect the skills and capabilities of the participants, we are particularly keen to encourage beginners and improvers to take part.
The day will be centred on Meelmore Lodge. During the morning, theory will be covered in the conference room and after lunch we will move to the mountain area close to Meelmore Lodge to apply the knowledge in practical exercises.
Topics to be covered will include:
· Different types of maps
· Interpretation of maps - signs and symbols, contours
· The grid system and references
· Route planning and finding
· Use of compass
· Taking bearings
· Setting the map
· Timing and pacing
Maps and compasses will be provided to any participant who does not have their own.
If you are interested in taking part please contact Joe McKnight:
Email:
Telephone: 07725 849536
Please indicate your level of proficiency in using a compass and map e.g. complete novice, some experience etc.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Walking in the Comeragh Mountains
Fri. 26 August to Mon. 29 August (Three days walking)
This is advance notice of a walking trip to be held over the August bank holiday weekend later this year.
The Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford are home to some of the most spectacular examples of post-glacial landscaping in Ireland. They are adjacent to Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, the Galtee Mountains, and the Knockmealdown Mountains, which form a border between counties Tipperary and Waterford. The weekend will explore the Comeragh Mountains, but forays into the Galtees and/or Knockmealdowns may be possible depending on time constraints and weather conditions.
Peter McGowan is the organiser for the week-end and will be leading walks that are designed for C group members, but any member is welcome to come along.
More details will be forwarded to members closer to the time, but Peter should be grateful if anyone interested in going on the trip would contact him to enable him to estimate numbers for accommodation purposes.
Contact details:
Tel. 02892677430 Mob. 07771641961 Email
NOTICEBOARD
· Thank you very much again to Robert Roulston for the excellent job he did in producing the annual programme of walks.
· Sincere thanks to Harry Goodman for organising the annual Slideshow on 21 February. Sincere thanks to members who showed slides.
· The Annual Club Picnic will take place again this year at Meelmore Lodge on Sunday 5 June. The event will be organised by Carmel Quinn and Toni Taylor as it has been for the last many years. (Thank you very much, Carmel and Toni). It is intended to be an outdoor event and hopefully the weather will be favourable. However, in the event of a wet day, the owners of Meelmore Lodge will provide a room where we can get shelter.
While the Picnic is still a few months away, it is a date for your diary. We look forward to a good turnout as a show of our appreciation to Carmel and Toni for their efforts. The craic is usually very good as well. Further details will be given nearer to the date.
· As of today, we are still unsure whether the Mourne Rambler Bus will run as it has done in previous years. With the cutbacks in services, it would be no surprise to discover it may not run this year. This would have implications for our walks on 29 May, 26 June and 17 July. As soon as we hear news of what is happening, we will let you know.
· We have included an up-to-date list of members who have paid for 2016. There has been a very good uptake and thank you all for making the Treasurer’s job fairly straightforward. The list is also a good way of reminding members that they have paid.
· The Committee has produced a flier to be placed in various outlets. The aim is to promote the group and hopefully to increase membership. A copy of the flier is provided on page 8 for your information.
· The next issue of the club Newsletter will be in July 2016.
AND FINALLY:
AN IRISHMAN’S DIARY ABOUT BEING A MOUNTAIN GUIDE
Janet Muller thought some of the Mourne Ramblers might enjoy this article if they haven’t already seen it. There are no copyright issues as the author is happy for this article to be seen by our members.
Just click on the link below and it should open.
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/peak-experience-an-irishman-s-diary-about-being-a-mountain-guide-1.2509961
MEMBERS 2016
The list below contains the names of all members who have paid for 2016 (up to and including 22 February 2016). Please check to see that your name is on the list. If your name is not on the list, please forward your subscription to the Treasurer, Vincent Trainor, 34 Grahamville Estate, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4DD. If your name ought to be on the list and has been omitted, please accept our apologies. Please contact the Treasurer on 078 3512 8564 for clarification.
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Acheson, / George / Hoeritzauer, / Marie / O’Donnell, / NoleenBeck, / Patricia / Hughes, / Teresa / Oldfield, / David
Browne, / Gary / Hughes, / Thomas / Osborne, / Robert
Browne, / Geraldine / Hulme, / Joan / O'Shea, / Johanna
Caldwell, / Darren / Keating, / Marion / Overend, / Martin
Calvert, / Joan / Keenan, / Eileen / Parkinson, / Alan
Carragher, / Anna / Keown, / Ann / Patterson, / Wendy
Carragher, / Fionnuala / Knox, / Victor / Patton , / Norman
Cauley, / Irene / Loughran, / Margaret / Pridgen, / Maggie
Connolly, / Patricia / MacDermott, / Dermot / Proctor, / Ian
Connolly, / Raymond / Mackey, / Francis / Quiery, / Pamela
Coyle, / Loretto / Magowan, / Reg / Quinn, / Carmel
Creighton, / Margaret / Magowan, / Rodney / Reid, / David
Cummings, / Thomas / Magowan, / Terry / Reid, / Ken
Curlett, / Thomas / Marshall, / Robert / Rima, / Bert
Curry, / Alex / McAllister, / Catherine / Roulston, / Robert
Dean, / Liam / McCavera, / Dora / Russell, / Trevor
Doran, / Marie / McCavery, / David / Savage, / Maura
Drinkell, / Denis / McComish, / Domnall / Scott, / Barry
Dunlop, / Stephen / McCreery, / Gordon / Shields, / Jonathan
Dunlop, / Wilma / McDowell, / Yvonne / Sloan, / Elizabeth
Farrington, / Gerry / McEnroe, / Yvonne / Smyth, / Hazel
Fawcett, / Laura / McGinley, / Mark / Smyth, / Raymond
Gilmore, / Seamus / McGivern, / John / Sochor, / Cecilia
Goodman, / Harry / McGowan, / Peter / Spratt, / Diane
Gray, / Raymond / McKenna, / Vincent / Stuart, / Ian
Greaney, / Ellen / McKibbin, / Andrew / Taylor, / John
Green, / Doreen / McKnight, / Joseph / Taylor, / Toni
Green, / Wilfred / McManus, / Owen / Templeton, / Helen
Gribbin, / Reynold / McParland, / Alice / Thompson, / Kingsley
Gunn, / Philip / McSherry, / Nicola / Trainor, / Vincent J
Hamilton, / Joan / Moore, / Anne / Tumilty, / Patrick
Hanna, / Iris / Moore, / Bernie / Tweed, / John
Hanna, / Maire / Muller, / Janet / Wales, / Jackie
Hanratty, / Patrick / Murphy, / Shelagh
Henderson, / Helen / Newell, / Sarah
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 2016