Housman Hundred – LDWA entries now open

We mentioned the Housman Hundred (28-30 May 2011) in our post of 16th August and would just remind LDWA* members that entries (£50) are now open.

Entries for non-members will open on January 1st and will cost £65.

Visit the Housman Hundred website for entry details and other useful information.

'Finally reach summit (High Vinnalls) with derelict fire tower.'
(From the Housman Hundred Leg One route description.)

Entrants will hopefully experience a warmer day when they visit the fire tower. The views are great. This was a freezing cold November day with the sun struggling to break through. It never did, and despite the climb it was a hat and gloves sort of day.

*LDWA – Long Distance Walkers Association (furthering the interests of those who enjoy long distance walking.)

Wistanstow 2010 Memories

Early morning registration

A busy hall before the start

Outside the hall waiting for the briefing

[Pic: Jane Clarke]

Sharron Richardson (First lady to finish)

receives her walk certificate from Phil Clarke
[Pic: Jane Clarke]

Heading towards SC4 (The 2009 day was warm!)

We'd be pleased to hear your walk stories or see any photographs taken during the day.

2010 Wistanstow Challenge Walk Finishers List

2010 Finishers List (PDF)

2010 Finishers List (Word)

Andy Davies, first man home
(About to start the climb towards Blakeridge Wood)

A Roll of Honour for help and assistance

Our happy band of volunteers, and the fire fighters at Clun and Bishop's Castle for their support and assistance.

Britpart Ltd., Craven Arms
Beyond Extreme, Church Stretton
Woods Brewery, Wistanstow
Wenlock Water, Wolverton
Newington Garage, Craven Arms
Walls Butchers, Craven Arms

The Finishers List will appear this evening.

A self clip point on the Wistanstow Challenge Walk

The Story of the Clock

Whilst we know many of you aren’t too particular about the time, there are those that like to keep an eye on the clock, especially if they have done the event before.

We therefore aim to give everyone a time, to do with as they please. Unfortunately, this year we were defeated by the Village Hall clock. The final check point in the hall used this normally reliable clock, not realising that it was five minutes fast! Those interested can deduct five minutes from their times – sorry.

Each year there seems to be some anomaly that hasn’t occurred before, that we then have to factor into next years planning. This list grows ever longer but hard work though it is; we all derive great pleasure from seeing you complete your own challenges, whether it is completion, or reaching one of the check points.

PS. The Finishers List is nearing completion

Have you lost?

Items missing their owners:

• Map case
• Walking pole
• Drinks bottle

Email: wistanstowwalk@yahoo.co.uk

Congratulations and thanks

Many thanks to all those who took part and to our small band of volunteers who made the day possible.

Expect news and a very short lost property list later. The Finishers List will appear once we have fully recovered!

Well done - see you all next year.

Weather Update

The rain of Friday and overnight is due to clear during the early morning, leaving sunny spells with possible occasional showers, some heavy. Any showers should die out during the afternoon.

Afternoon temperature around 20C (68F).

(Forecast courtesy of BBC Weather)

Good luck to everyone, hope you have an enjoyable day

How about volunteering?

Is injury preventing you from taking part? Or perhaps you feel you'd like to contribute a little of your time to help two worthwhile causes and have a glimpse from the other side of the event? The walk and money raised wouldn't be possible without generous people volunteering a few hours of their time.

Either make yourself known to those at Registration on Saturday morning (Wistanstow Village Hall 0715 - 0815), or contact Phil Clarke on 01694 781405 tonight (between 6pm & 8pm please) and I’m sure you can be found a small task to suit your availability.

(Pic: Shropshire Star: Wednesday, September 1st, 2010)

Route checked and entries pass 100

The route has been walked recently and is in good order. It will be checked again later this week.

A reminder to entrants that we do provide a detailed route description and a colour outline map of the route. In the event of rain, a good map case may prove useful.

Entries now top 100 (Limit 150) – we look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

26-mile challenge for charity

The headline from the 'South Shropshire Journal' newspaper dated Friday, July 30

L-R: Firefighter Jason Norgrove, Tom Perkins, and Phil Clarke study the route
(Pic: South Shropshire Journal)

The photograph and story was so good, they included it twice in the same issue! The walk even got a smaller (non-photographic) mention under the headline, 'Walk date'.

Housman Hundred

If our little walk isn’t long enough for you, then give some thought to exploring this part of the world on the LDWA* 100 mile walk for 2011 – The Housman Hundred (28-30 May).

Starting just outside Ludlow (Shropshire), the route explores the Welsh Marches area and is named after A. E. Housman (1859-1936); best known locally for a cycle of poems called, A Shropshire Lad (published 1896). His phrase; ‘blue remembered hills’, is often quoted when describing the South Shropshire hills.

For more details:

Housman Hundred Website

*LDWA – Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA Website)

Wistanstow Challenge Walk entries arrive

The postman is being kept reasonably busy delivering entries to the current Wistanstow Challenge Walk HQ (Phil’s house), for the 2010 event on Sat 11 Sept.

Early entry saves you money and ensures a quick turnaround at registration, allowing you more time to have a light breakfast, organise your gear (discover what you’ve forgot) and perhaps have a chat with your fellow entrants. It does of course make our life a bit easier having so many confirmed entries.

Despite three successful years behind us, it’s satisfying to know that people still want to enjoy a day out in the beautiful countryside and for some a challenge into the bargain. We thank you, as do our beneficiaries.

Rules and Entry Form

Just to confirm that there is now a 'Rules & Entry Form' page (see above).

We've disappeared - apparently!

For all those LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) members who have noticed that the event doesn’t appear in the latest edition of Strider (LDWA Magazine) – you have noticed, haven’t you?! Our details obviously went ‘walkabout’ somewhere between the organisation and the printers.

Not to worry, rest assured the Wistanstow Walk will take place for the fourth time on Saturday 11th September, 2010.

We would be delighted if you could help spread the word and enter the date in your diary and anyone else’s you happen to find.

Wistanstow Walk 2010

Get your new diary and make a note:

Saturday 11th September, 2010

(Entry details will appear in due course)

Blog Developments

As mentioned previously, developments are in progress with the blog and I hope you like the new look. There are still some improvements to make but hopefully the end result will mean quicker access to the information most frequently requested.