Ramblers
So far many Ramblers groups have picked up their baton and organised over 160 walks!
Half way through our 75th Anniversary year and the response to Baton Walk celebrations has been fantastic. So far many groups have picked up their baton and organised over 160 walks and other events. There have been many innovative ideas.
Cornwall Area launched the Baton Walk on New Year’s Eve. Many walkers turned out to “Toast the Ramblers Anniversary Year”. Other groups in the South West struggled through snow and ice to carry the Baton onwards.
In February, Birmingham City launched the West Midlands celebrations and in March, Wales continued the theme with great enthusiasm hiring a drummer for their launch in Cardiff. They were joined by the Minority Ethnic Women’s Network who brought their own special version of a baton in the form of an Indian dancing stick. Many groups in Wales participated offering a variety of scenic walks.
April saw groups in the North West continue the Baton Walk. On 24th April, walkers from the Manchester Area celebrated with a walk to the top of Kinder Scout on the anniversary of the 1932 mass trespass. Scotland entered into the spirit of celebration in May offering many more exciting walks. For example Dumfries and District took their baton to the summit of Queensberry.
In June, Tom Franklin joined local groups in north east Lancashire to walk to the top of Pendle Hill. Many Ramblers have paid homage to campaigners who inspired Ramblers by retracing their predecessor’s steps. Other groups have organised exhibitions showing the History of Ramblers and what they stand for today. These included Manchester, Isle of Wight, Bicester and Kidlington, Tavistock and Winchcombe
The Wiltshire Area combined their celebrations with British Waterways when they completed a relay race from Reading to Bristol along the 200 year old Kennet and Avon Canal over a week. They carried a baton specially decorated with canal art and containing historic documents from both Ramblers and Kennet and Avon Canal.
Photographs of all these events can be found on Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/46727478@N07/) and our Gallery. They are good so pass them around our members.
In July, ramblers across Yorkshire and Humberside will take up the baton to continue the celebrations. Let’s make the second half of the year even more exciting. Where will your Ramblers group be taking the Baton? Please let us know by email to: 75anniversary@ramblers.org.uk
Just a reminder of the places the baton will pass through:-
Yorkshire & Humberside - July
East Midlands - August
East - September
London - October
South East - November/December
