May 2020 Update

Let's go for a walk someone said!


What started as a casual remark, has led to AK walking from the New Forest to Coniston and now from John 0’Groats to Lands End! HOW can they possibly do that while in lockdown I hear you cry ………….. virtually of course! Where there’s a will there’s a way – especially where AK members are concerned.

So how did it all start? As mentioned in last months update, our fellow Rotarians who live in the New Forest were yearning to be back in the Lake District so a virtual walk was suggested, and so it began. The route was planned from the New Forest to include Salisbury, Swindon, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Kidderminster, Telford, Warrington Lancaster and finally the Lakes.  The distance covered each day is the sum of everyone’s mileage. (In this context walking is a generic term and includes other activities such as golf and cycling etc).

This proved to be a lot of fun with everyone contributing, bringing back memories of places they had previously visited with suggestions that we meet friends (virtually) in Shrewsbury, have a coffee or beer at a recommended pub, visit the pier at Southport or reminisce about shopping in various towns en route.

Having completed the walk and arriving in Coniston quite quickly it was decided that we would set off again, perhaps with a longer challenge. So where to next was the rallying call??

And so walk 2 began - from John O’Groats to Lands End!

Our first port of call was the Castle of Mey, and then south towards Inverness, the Caledonian Canal, the complete West Highland Way (which is a long distance footpath in its own right) not forgetting virtual stops at local distilleries and stops to admire the views from the tops of various hills, with local history being related about the different locations.

Then heading east, we walked along the towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal from Glasgow towards Falkirk and Edinburgh. From there, south to the Scottish Borders, along the Pennine Way, the Yorkshire Moors and the Northern Derbyshire Peak District, with so many helpful comments from members regarding points of interest or more importantly good eateries!

Our next port of call was Staffordshire where we learned about the potteries and then on to the Shropshire hills, with a walk over the Long Mynd, before heading towards Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and the Forest of Dean.  After crossing the Severn Estuary we joined the coastal walk to Blue Anchor and that’s where we found ourselves at the end of May!

Our virtual walk is seen as having several benefits, helping to keep everyone in touch, ensuring some daily exercise, mentally stimulating and giving a different perspective on the world around us. Some members, who are in self-isolation, are participating by walking around their gardens and joining in with the banter. Watch out Capt. Tom!

However, our virtual walk would not be so interesting and informative without the skills of our Whatsapp walking administrator Colin Thomson, who daily updates our route with pictures and information of the places we have passed through or visited. Thank you so much Colin.

June will see us head for Exmoor and Dartmoor and finally south through Cornwall – more of our trekking next month!

So, as lockdown eases we continue to meet monthly via zoom and to plan ahead as much as possble in the hope that we will be able to meet again physically soon. We have made the decision to postpone our Presidents Handover until a time when we can enjoy the camaraderie is justly deserves.  Needless to say, once we get the go ahead AK will be organising commmunity and international events once again with its usual enthusiasm and vigour! In the meantime keep safe and sane!

'What We Do' Main Pages:

This years Silver Sunday get together and Afternoon Tea

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From Titanic to Orrest Head

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Ambleside Primary School's DDay Commemorative Display

DDay Commemorations, Langdale Gala and AK starts its 22nd Year!

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A sunny day, daffodils in bloom and AK members have a 'Spring' in their step with lots to look forward to!

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Wet weather never deters AK and its supporters!

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2024 Winners Freshers 
The BEST cafe in town!

Another successful quiz raising £640 for Charity!

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AK member Alec Burford clocked up his 100th parkrun Marshalling duty today! And he's 90 years young!

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Sir Ben Helfgott MBE, a young holocaust survivor and one of the Windermere Boys was the inspiration behind the Lakes School
Strength & Fitness Gym. Our club is honoured to have played a part in helping to establish the facility.

Local History, School Initiatives and our Quiz Fundraiser

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Harry stars in the Finals!

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Pink5K cheque presentation to Richard Cogger, Area Fundraiser for St Mary’s Hospice. We were delighted that representatives Daryl Hardy & Chris Moore of our main sponsor The Inn Collection were also present.

Over £6000 donated to good causes!

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Get your tickets early to avoid disappointment!

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A new President, AG Linda and a Dame Grand and that's just in July!

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Over £285,000 raised to date and more added to the coffers at the Big Easy Quiz!

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Silver Sunday

Another very enjoyable Silver Sunday Afternoon Tea for elder folk in our community who would otherwise be alone on a Sunday Afternoon

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Christmas Get Togethers

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Another happy Pink5k Walk & Afternoon Tea this year in aid of Bowel Cancer UK

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Environmental Awareness

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An astonishing amount raised in just 4 weeks!

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Good things happen when you have fun £645 raised for P.I.E.S

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A glorious evening for learning more about Galava Roman Fort

Enjoying fun & friendship in glorious weather

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A great afternoon walk followed by delicious scones and a cuppa all in aid of St Mary's Hospice

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Martin Clark takes a very early dip to raise more donations for our Pink 5K Appeal for St Mary's Hospice!

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Presentation to Becky Brown Area Fundraiser for St Mary's Hospice

From Pink 5K celebration to Crocus planting & Poppy Remembrance

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More Zoom, a 1374 Mile Walk & a virtual Pint at Lands End!

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Let's go for a walk someone said!

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Poppies to parkruns a busy month with lots of community involvement

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Latest update & information from this local Charity

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An Unforgettable Month

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Happy activities as the club meets in person again!

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A Month of Storms, Fraud, Bridge and Caring for others

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Over £2400 raised for Alzheimer's Research UK at this years DUCK RACE!

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An amazing afternoon of Pink Fun raising vital funds for Target Ovarian Cancer

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Community Visits and Events

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69 large poppies, inscribed with the name of a local man who gave his life in WW1 have been erected on lamp -posts around the town.

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