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March 2009

Spring programme published

Spring is here! After all the snow in February I'm sure lots of you are looking forward to warmer weather, daffodils, bluebells and some walking that involves less mud! Our new Spring walks and socials programme includes a range of walks from leisurely grade C rambles to demanding grade A hikes, and also a range of socials, so enjoy!

Many thanks to Glyn and Sabine, our Walks Secretaries, and to Paul our Social Secretary for their excellent work on compiling the programme. Thanks also to all the members who have contributed by putting walks and social events on the programme so willingly. Every programme we're seeing new names on there, so well done for taking the time to plan an event for the first time and also to all the members who continue to lead events so tirelessly.

New format for programme

You may have noticed that we have changed the format of the programme we email to SURG members from Word to PDF. The PDF version is much smaller, which will make the programme more accessible to members who don't have fast internet connections.

You will need to have Adobe Reader software to read the PDF version of the programme. If you don't already have Adobe Reader on your computer you can download and install it for free from www.adobe.com, just look for links to the Adobe Reader software.

If you would like to edit your copy of the programme, you can download the Word version from the members' page. If you don't have Microsoft Word on your computer, you can use www.openoffice.org to view and edit Word documents.

Members' area password

The password for the members' page has changed. If you're a SURG member, you'll find the current password on the front page of the Spring programme and also in the email version of the March newsletter.

In the members' area of the website you can download the Word version of the programme, and other documents. You can also access the members' message board and find the SURG group discount code for Cotswolds Outdoor which will get you a discretionary discount of up to 15% instead of the normal 10%.

South Downs Campaign latest

SURG is supporting the South Downs Campaign for a National Park. Since February they have been asking supporters to send campaigning postcards to Defra, and so far over 16,000 cards have been sent. To publicize the campaign, they are organising a handover of a giant postcard outside Defra on Wednesday 18th March at 12.30pm. South Down's supporter Bill Bryson will be there to hand over the postcard and the SDC are asking supporters to come along to show support for the campaign. If you are able to attend, please contact Chris Todd.

Muddy boots!

There's bound to be mud around for some time yet, so please when you're on a walk and you stop at a pub, adhere to your walk leader's advice about whether or not to remove your boots. If you're asked to take boots off then please do so, or take some plastic bags with you to put over your boots if you don't want the hassle of taking them off. Most members like to stop at a pub for a comfort break, rest and maybe a drink and/or meal, so please show respect so that we can continue to visit pubs en-route on our walks.

Articles wanted for South East Walker

The Ramblers' South East Walker magazine is looking for articles for the summer edition of their Future Focus section, which covers news from 20s and 30s Ramblers' groups in the South East. If you'd like to write something about a SURG event, whether it's about a walk, a social, a weekend away or any other SURG news you think other groups will find interesting, please send it to Leanne, SURG Chair, by 22nd March. The text can be in an email or in a Word document along with one or two photos from the event. Thanks in advance for some interesting articles!

Surrey Area Website

Surrey Area of the Ramblers' Association is currently setting up a website. The aim is to create something similar to the Hampshire Ramblers' website, which could provide information for new walkers looking for a local group as well as helping existing Ramblers' members to find out more about other groups in Surrey, and catch up on walking related news.

The area committee are looking for helpers to create and run the site. If you have any website experience and have some time to help, please contact Leanne, SURG Chair, to find out more.