Shap Walking Weekend

Those members that attended the weekend at Shap enjoyed a truly splendid time! Three days walking in beautiful countryside. The weather turned out to be kind; not too hot and not too wet. We welcomed a visitor from Australia - Wendy Blencowe - who took the prize for the furthest distance travelled.

On Saturday we followed a similar route to that taken on a previous visit, visiting the Shap Wells Hotel, which some believe to be the model for Callows, the house where Dr Thornton was held captive. We also saw the railway embankment where the train had come to rest, and then followed the cutting which had been blocked by the snow. To cap it all we even saw a steam train, possibly the Duchess of Sutherland, passing over Shap Summit during the morning.

Sunday was less Savillian, in that we visited Keld Chapel, walked up over the concrete road built by the water company, had lunch by the river Lowther, then walked on to Rossgill and finally to Shap Abbey, where we found a farewell message left by Wendy who had to leave us earlier in the day.

For those who didn't have to rush home, the weekend was stretched to include Monday. For this we drove to Ullswater and took the steamer across the lake and walked back along the opposite shore. The walk was a little more strenuous than advertised, but everyone agreed that it was most enjoyable.

In conclusion, the weekend was deemed to be a great success and thanks must go to the organisers of the weekend, Phil and June.

Dartmoor Weekend

The Society last visited Dartmoor during the 2005 Gathering at Exeter over five years ago, so for many it was a long overdue return to a popular location. But we were also delighted to welcome some attending their first Society event, including Peter and Marja van Zoonen from Holland and Nicola Ridge from Plymouth. Over 30 members met up on Friday evening at the Plume of Feathers in Princetown. We found that this venue was also the headquarters for a much larger group attending the 12th Annual Dartmoor Discovery weekend, which was the cover name for some really serious walkers who were embarking upon a 32 mile Ultra Marathon the following day.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and cars started to arrive at the pub car park shortly after 9.30 am where some quick logistic arrangements were made. Our walk, led by Clive Gee, was to be from Dousland to Princetown along the track bed of the former railway line from Yelverton, re-tracing the journey taken by Dan Sturt in Saucers over the Moor. Thus we would end up with cars at both ends of the route, so part of Clive's superb organization throughout, was to ensure that the Dousland drivers could get back there afterwards.

The walk itself was fascinating. First, we passed the site of Burrator and Sheepstor Halt with Burrator reservoir below. Then on across the Yelverton to Princetown road to remote Ingra Tor Halt, once famous as the only location on the British railway system to display an official notice warning passengers to beware of snakes! Next, Swell Tor where some spare parts for London bridge can still be found in the old quarry; they were cut and dressed but never shipped. A long curve around King Tor brought us to the site of a platform bearing the same name. This was the last intermediate stopping place on the line and its principal claim to fame is that stone for Nelson's Column, extracted from the nearby Foggintor quarry was shipped from here. And so on to Princetown where, at nearly 1400 feet above sea level, the station was the highest point on the former Great Western Railway system.

After well-earned refreshment, we drove from Princetown to Hexworthy passing the front gate of Prince Hall (a.k.a. King's Holt) en route. Our evening get-together was at The Forest Inn where many of the group were staying. This was Saville's inspiration for The White Lion, but although we were not its only customers that evening, there was no sign of an unprepossessing little fisherman in a round tweed hat!

Sunday was more cloudy as we met up at the Two Bridges car park for a shorter out-and-back walk to Wistman's Wood. Once again, we could admire Saville's sense of place from his description of it in Where's my Girl:

'The stunted oaks were not only growing out of the clitter of loose rocks but their branches sprawled out across the boulders, and rocks and trees alike were covered with a thick grey moss.'

Saying 'goodbye' is always the saddest part of any walking weekend, so as the sun was shining by this time and Dartmoor was looking its best, some of us prolonged the inevitable by meeting up at the remote Warren House Inn for lunchtime refreshment. Then, many faced a long drive home - and the prospect of an early start for work the following morning.

2010 Annual Gathering - Suffolk Coast

About 75 members made the journey to England's most easterly town for our Annual Gathering at The Hotel Victoria, Lowestoft. It was way back in 1997 that the Society held one of its first gatherings at nearby Southwold and happily, the general consensus was that this repeat visit was long overdue.

Everything came together. The weather was perfect, the Suffolk coast at daffodil time was looking its best, our spacious function suite was superbly appointed, and the lucky ones amongst us enjoyed rooms with a sea view. All this together with good service and an interesting and varied programme, combined to provide what many felt was one of our best gatherings ever.

On Friday afternoon we met up outside The Jolly Sailor pub at Orford, a.k.a. The Harbour Lights in Sea Witch Comes Home for a walk led by Patrick Tubby to see many of the locations featured in the book. This included Orford Castle and a short talk on its history by John Pentney.

Friday evenings are one of the best times at all our gatherings: an informal get-together of old friends and some first-timers too, who meet up to collect their welcome packs and chat over a glass or two, or perhaps browse around the book fair and other merchandise on display, before settling down to enjoy a buffet supper. Two themed presentations afterwards, Saville's Anglia and Essex Girl's Surprise, completed the evening and what for many had been a very full day.

Punctually at 0915 on Saturday, our coaches arrived for a tour to Blythburgh, Walberswick and Southwold, arranged by Ray Ham-Longman. One highlight was Blythburgh church. After a fascinating talk on its history by a local man, we were invited to climb the very high tower. Not all accepted and small wonder, as it involved long ladders without guard rails. But the breathtaking view over Tinkers' Marshes to the sea was worth it and made it easy to visualize what the area must have looked like during the floods of 1953.

After our specially-booked al-fresco lunch at The Bell Inn in Walberswick, we had the option of crossing the Blyth by ferry and walking back to Southwold or returning there by coach. Three hours of free time to explore this charming town followed and for most, it included a pilgrimage to the end of the pier to admire the Society's plaque recording Saville's writing of Sea Witch Comes Home.

As always, the annual Gala Dinner, or fabulous feast as it is sometimes called, followed on Saturday evening, when our after-dinner speaker was Alex Saville. Her theme was 'Marrying the Son' and she gave us a rare and privileged glimpse of her life with our late President and her memories of his father, whose life and work is our raison d'etre. Ten-year-old Victoria Hall presented a floral bouquet to her afterwards as a 'thank you' from the Society. The evening ended with the results of the Short Story Competition and presentations to two of the prize winners, together with the release for sale of the 2009 Short Story Booklet.

At the AGM on Sunday morning, members voted for Rye as the venue for our 2011 Gathering and also recommended that Shropshire and Yorkshire should be considered for 2012 and 2013 respectively. After coffee and biscuits it was then time for the saddest part of all our gatherings - saying goodbye until we meet again.

Rye Bonfire Weekend

A good turnout of 46 members registered for this popular event, including six very welcome newcomers who had signed up for the first time, among them Virginia Bunker - who works in Kuwait and is our only member there.

On Friday evening we met up for an informal Bonfire Supper at The Hope Anchor Hotel. This is arguably the epicentre of Lone Pine Rye as Priors Holt is for Shropshire, for it stands upon the geographical site of the fictional Dolphin, which was architecturally modelled upon the much older Mermaid Hotel a short distance away. We were given exclusive use of the restaurant, which was ideal as those who had to travel a considerable distance could eat when they arrived, and the evening was enlivened by a not-too-serious pictorial quiz entitled 'Where was Penny?'

Saturday started at Rye's Heritage Centre with a showing of the audio-visual presentation featuring the town model. Most of us had seen it before, but it is a fascinating experience and well worth repeating. The day continued with 'Penny and Peter's Walk,' a tour of the town that incorporated the roundabout route taken by the girls that was so well described in Rye Royal. Our walk was even more leisurely with time to complete a treasure hunt, and a stop for coffee before climbing the church tower.

The afternoon had been set aside as free time. Some drove to Dungeness and some to Stone-in-Oxney. Others visited Rye's Book Fair that, coincidentally, was being held that day - and a few even managed to augment their collection of Saville titles. Then it was back to the town centre for the big event of the evening: procession, chairing-down, bonfire and fireworks. No words to describe it can better Saville's vivid description in Rye Royal, which although written over 40 years ago still remains remarkably accurate today.

We never found that coffee bar below a bookshop, where a pretty redhead and her boyfriend were selling bangers, but many did manage to crowd into a room above a coffee bar afterwards to enjoy mulled wine and nibbles. Not a bad substitute.

'Slinky's Walk' had been planned for Sunday - a trek from Rye to Winchelsea across the marshes on the north side of the military road - but an earlier reconnaissance found it very muddy after a week of heavy rain. So we switched to the Morton's walk out to Camber Castle, continuing on to Winchelsea from there. Just past the Strand Gate we paused at The Lookout. The earliest date spotted among years of graffiti scratched into its woodwork was 1953; despite an exhaustive search, we never did find J + P 1945!

Meeting up for lunch at The New Inn was alas, where things went pear-shaped! Unfortunately, it had changed hands only a few days previously and this had evidently created continuity problems resulting in slow service. So sadly, the last item on the programme had to be abandoned - a themed after-lunch stroll entitled 'The Smallest Town in England.' Many found Chelsea Cottage with its blue plaque though and some ventured to the site of The Old Mill before returning home.

Bog Centre Board Presentation

We are delighted to report that the new and long-awaited display board featuring Malcolm Saville was presented to the Bog Centre, Shropshire, on 14th October 2009. It is a quality product, designed by Julie Makin around one of John Allsup's fascinating maps entitled 'Malcolm Saville's Shropshire - Land of Adventures.'

On a perfect Autumn afternoon below the Stiperstones and attended by Society members Lorna and Ian Dormer, Margaret and Bill Purvis, and Adrian Pearce, the Bog Centre's Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jacki Peacock accepted the board from Chairman Frank Shepperd