News, May 2008

Summer walks & socials programme

Well, it's already that time when we ask people to come forward to lead walks for the next programme. So get the maps out and get inspired for summer!

With rising fuel costs, why not put a walk on that is local to you? With such a large group there are bound to be others who are appreciative of a walk in your area too. Or if you'd like to organise a walk in another county, you could organise it as a joint walk with another group. The Summer programme runs from the 9th June until the 7th September and, as always, any walks for those dates are welcome.

If you've never lead a walk or social before and don't know how to go about it, you can look at our guidelines for leading a walk or organising a social, or contact Chris Turner (Walks Secretary) or Fi Turner (Social Secretary).

Any whether you're a new leader or an old hand, everyone is welcome to come along to the Planning evening on Thursday 15th May. This evening is especially useful if you need a map or an idea for a walk as we will have the SURG map library and a selection of walks guides there.

Please use the Walks and socials submission form for sending details of your walk or social, as it helps us to assemble the programme. And please submit your form by the end of Sunday 18th May to give us time to compile the programme for sending out at the beginning of June.

SURG 10th anniversary walk

2008 marks the group's 10th birthday, and as our celebrations we will be re-walking SURG's very first walk in the heart of Surrey, passing through Gomshall, Little London and Albury Heath. The walk will be led by Kevin Harding, one of the founder members of SURG, who also led the 5th Anniversary Walk.

As it's such a special occassion we are only having this walk on that day. But there's no need to worry that there may be too many people on the walk, as we'll have backmarkers and the pace will be leisurely.

There will be a selection of cakes on the walk and some members have already volunteered to make homemade cakes. If you'd like to make a cake for the walk, please contact Leanne (Chair) and you'll be re-imbursed for the cost of the ingredients. The more cakes the better! There is also the option to go for a few drinks afterwards at The Compass Inn in Gomshall, full details are on the programme.

We look forward to seeing many of you out there to celebrate our anniversary. And fingers crossed for good weather!

Pub night for all

The next pub night is to be held on Saturday 10th May in Guildford. Everyone is welcome, members and non-members alike.

Details are on the programme, but note that the evening will now be hosted by Chris Bradley (Recruitment Officer) and Anna Elliott (Membership Secretary). If you haven't met them and don't know who to look out for, have a look at the Contact us pages - their mugshots are up there!

Swanage weekend away report

Despite rather dismal weather, SURG's Easter weekend away in Swanage was a success. I was amongst the six members camping at the Tom's Field campsite in Langton Matravers a few miles from Swanage. It was very cold, and I was rather envious of the other six members in their cosy B&Bs in Swanage!

Orson lead two great walks, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Saturday was very windy but the rain held off for the most part. Starting at Swanage Pier we walked west along the beautiful coastal path, then headed inland to Worth Matravers for an unusual pub visit where we sat at outside tables made of slabs of stone. We finished off the walk with the wonderful view of Corfe Castle getting closer and closer, ending at a pub next to the castle.

On Sunday it was pouring with rain. Those staying in Swanage were not put off and walked northwards past Old Harry rocks to Studland for another fine pub stop. As they headed west along the Northern Purbeck Ridge the sun did come out finally, but not until they'd been hailed on! The six campers decided to get the bus to Corfe for a steam train ride followed by a shorter walk from Studland back to Swanage. We all met up in the evening at the Red Lion in Swanage for eating, drinking and socialising.

Thanks to Orson for organising the walks for a great weekend - everyone had a good time and drove back home on Monday to be greeted by snow in Surrey!

We'll be putting photos of the weekend in the photo gallery soon. Some photos of April's Wiltshire weekend away are already up, and a report will follow in the June newsletter. Don't forget that anyone can send in photos of SURG events for the gallery -- find out how on our photo gallery page.

By Leanne Russell (Chair)

More weekends away

Camping Weekend in West Sussex
If you're keen on camping, whether serious or "novelty" camping, then put the 18th - 20th July in your diary for what promises to be a great weekend. Full details are in the programme, and you can contact Chris Turner (Walks Secretary) to make a booking.

Cotswolds Weekend
Orson will be leading a weekend near Stow-on-the-Wold this Autumn, so look out for it in the next programme. It's a beautiful area, and a big plus is that you can choose the type of accomodation that you prefer.

Planning for 2009
It may seem a long way off, but it's not too early to start organising as bookings for accommodation need to be made well in advance -- especially for bank holiday weekends. There is a trip being planned for the early May bank holiday weekend, but there are many more weekends to fill!

If you'd like to organise a trip for next year please contact Fi Turner (Social Secretary). There are different types of weekends away you could organise, and you could always co-organise with someone. Advice and help is available, so do please think about it.

Paul’s Pick of the Pubs: The Volunteer

Nestling in a picturesque valley just off the Horsham Road is the Volunteer, a Hall & Woodhouse pub serving their well known ales such as Badger Best, Tanglefoot and Fursty Ferret. The food served is of a very high standard and there are plenty of seats outside for passing the lazy summer evenings (if we get any this year) by with a quiet pint.

Narrow lanes, paths and bridleways lead away from the Volunteer in to some of Surrey's best stomping grounds, with Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill not far away. There are also plenty of other good pubs nearby, including the Hatch less than a mile away on Abinger Common, The Stephan Langton in Friday Street and of course the Royal Oak and the superb Kings Head at Holmbury St Mary. With Gomshall station just over a mile away, you could spend the whole day walking from pub to pub!

There are often walks on our programme in this area, including Lethal Leith Hill on 10th May, and Lakes, Rivers and a Waterfall on 18th May.

The Volunteer, Water Lane, Sutton Abinger, Surrey RH5 6PR. Tel: 01306 730798