The Monthly Newsletter of Chelmsford YHA Local Group - November 1997
On Friday afternoon we set out on the long, long road to Dartmoor. It wouldn't have seemed so long if Clive and Gary hadn't spent the journey talking about grizzly methods of dying and train wrecks. However, we arrived at Dartington Hostel late in the evening to find Dave and Alison comfortably settled in front of a roaring fire chatting to the warden. Tom's car arrived shortly after us (having broken most of the speed restrictions on the way down) and we were complete - nine of us, released from the smog of Essex and eager for the clean air of Devon.
The next morning, though, as I led my intrepid little band away from the car park at Sheep Tor, I felt worried. These were all hardened walkers, weather beaten and rugged, accustomed to 20 mile hikes across mountain ranges. How would they adapt to rooting around under rocks for letterboxes? My concern deepened as we lost our way - 500m from the car park. However, we took a few compass bearings, reset out course, and soon there was a wild cry of triumph - Clive had found our first letterbox! It was an old plastic pill box tucked under a stone, with a visitors book and a rubber stamp inside. Dave was incredibly organised (when is he not?) and had brought the CYHA stamp and ink pad. We clustered round and solemnly stamped our little books. Tom & Steve hung around at a distance, obviously trying to pretend they weren't with us.
Having found the first, the fever was upon us. Alison found the second, simply by walking up to a mound where a few of us had gathered, and plucking the box from under our feet (and doing a little dance as she did so). After that there was no stopping us.
By the end of the day we had 11 stamps and had done a gorgeous walk across the moors in blazing sunshine. We ate Lorna's spag bol with a feeling of accomplishment. But the best was yet to come.
Next day, Dave took us to Widecombe. His fried Nick-from-work had said that the Tors above Widecombe were so stuffed with letterboxes that you couldn't move without falling over them.
We made an unpromising start, but then Clive found the first letterbox of the day and we were off. We worked hard all morning and had picked up another 3 stamps by lunch time, which we spent in time honoured fashion on top of a windy rock in a howling fog; but after lunch we went up to the Tors and found letterbox after letterbox. Clive, of course, found the first of the afternoon, but Steve found the next - his first - which broke him of his world weary attitude. After that he hunted as eagerly as the rest of us. Even Gary tracked down two, but it was Clive who found the most. As he himself said, his devious mind probably made him a natural for hunting in dark and sinister places.
We finished the weekend with 28 stamps in our books and a cream tea in Widecombe.
Any takers for a trip next year?
Alison reviewed the most popular events of the year including Constable country and Lavenham walks, the Easter in the Lakes, and the London Event where our club T-shirts were envied by other YHA groups! Some club members have moved away, to Tanzania, Malawi and the USA! There have been two weddings, 3 births, and, tragically, a death (Rachel, in a car accident).
Lorna gets masses of information as group Secretary and will try to publish it in the newsletter.
A score of inquiries have been received, about half of which have come to a club event and/or paid a sub. The number of members is around 70 but still only about 30-odd take part on trips and Wednesdays.
The Treasurer, Dave, presented the accounts which showed the planned loss for the year. The New Year trip made a loss (not enough people) and Easter a big surplus (32 on the trip). Without the profit on trips the years loss would have been about £200 (or nearly 50p per quarter on subs). Dave proposed to leave the subs rate at £10 to again reduce the uncommitted fund (which now stands at £736). Alison announced that, according to our constitution, she can't be Chair any more because she's done her 3-year stint. Lorna proposed Trudi, who indicated her willingness as long as she doesn't have to do anything and was duly elected (usual voting-by-apathy procedure). Helen stunned us all by announcing that she has a new job and is therefore resigning. Outrage! (However, she's moving to the Cotswolds so we'll pester her there). To our relief Alison said she is willing to do the newsletter. Alison suggested Steve for member without-portfolio. After he'd got over the shock he agreed. The rest of the committee, Lorna, Dave P, Dave J, and Trevor were also re-elected (i.e. no dissent).
The Statistics: A person who has been on all 14 trips this year would have been away for 43 nights and travelled 5,450 miles for £13.60 a day (full board). A person who had been on all the trips in the last 7 years would have been away for 294 nights and travelled 45,000 miles, or nearly twice round the world for £13.05 a day inclusive! Dave estimates that in the 7 years he's been Treasurer we have, between us, consumed 2,500 sausages.
Alison reminded everyone that all members are welcome at committee meetings, and ideas for programme activities are always wanted.