newsletter - open country...travel time: 1 hour saturday 21st december feline groovy purr-fect times...

It’s been an exciting summer, with notable highs including cycling right across Wales, potholing deep inside the Dales and watching the UCI Road World Championships. But don’t be down-hearted; the colder months have a charm of their own, with much fun to be had. Join us for winter wildfowl, leaping salmon and apple-bobbing. You’ll love it!

They say that time flies like an arrow but fruit flies like a banana. Amazingly, 2020 is our 30

th anniversary! We’re planning a

few celebrations of this historic milestone - let us know if you have any good ideas!

Thanks to Bob Curry, who steps down as Chair of Open Country at our AGM in December. He has spearheaded many of the positive things that have happened over the last two years and we thank him for his tireless contribution to our work.

Hello to Ian...

It costs over £250,000 each year to keep Open Country operating, and we only receive a relatively small amount of funding from local authority budgets, meaning we have to raise a significant amount every year just to keep going. To help with this, we are delighted to welcome Ian Savage, who recently joined us as our Fundraising Officer, 3 days per week. Ian is well known to Open Country, having been a Tandem Club volunteer at York for the last two seasons. Ian would love to hear from anyone with any fundraising ideas, or contacts with any companies or organisations that might be willing to support us. Ian can be reached on 01423 507227 or [email protected]

NEWSLETTER October to December 2019

Open Country is a charitable organisation

(1107331) which enables anyone with a

disability to access the countryside, through

the provision of outdoor activities and

information.

mailto:[email protected]

Fundraising news

Ian is looking to form a volunteer fundraising committee who are willing to give a few hours each month to set up fundraising events and other initiatives. If you would be interested in getting involved, please get in touch.

Thanks to Betty’s in York, who have already raised a five-figure sum – well done! Huge thanks are due to Betty’s colleague Zoe from the York Tandem Club, who nominated us and has organised many of the events. We would also be really keen to speak with anyone who works at any other Betty’s outlet, who might be willing to nominate us in future years!

...Farewell to Chris!

We’re sad to say that Chris Hunter will be leaving in November as he’s moving to Liverpool, where his wife Rebecca has a new job. Thanks for all your hard work and marvellous contribution to Open Country, Chris; we’ll miss you and wish you both the very best for the future.

Relief Road Relief

It’s really good news for those opposed to the ‘Harrogate Relief Road’, as NYCC have stated that the road proposal will not be taken further at this time. Great result! Thanks to everyone who sent their comments in to the public consultation.

Volunteer News

We are having a Disability Awareness, Safeguarding & Sighted Guide Training session on Monday 25

th November,

from 6pm-9pm at Community House. Wine and cheese will be served! Please contact us to book a place.

We recently recognised two long-standing volunteers who have helped us for over 20 years. The first ‘Bousfield Award’, in memory of Roy Bousfield, our first volunteer, goes to Sally Weatherill and Alex Harrison. Thanks for your long service! The award will be given to all 20-year-vols.

This year we are celebrating Christmas Italian-style! Our volunteer get-together will be at Lucia, 3, Ripon Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SX, on Tuesday 10

th

December at 7pm. We need to pre-order (£17.50 for a starter and main course), so let us know if you would like to join us by 1

st December and

we’ll send you a menu. Buon Natale!

Trustees, Neil Lancaster and Bob Curry step down in October and December respectively. We thank them for their hard work. We are looking to recruit to the Board of Trustees - especially people versed in marketing, health & safety and strategic planning Contact Bob Curry if interested - [email protected]

Good Access Scheme

Now is your chance to suggest the best countryside access for all scheme in Yorkshire this year. It could be a new access path or cycle trail, audio tour, publication or inclusive access project. Previously winners have included the RSPB Fairburn Ings, Otley Town Council and the Lower Ure Conservation Trust. Our Advisory Group will consider all your recommendations at their November meeting and the winner will receive a trophy in December.

Advisory Group

Our next meeting is Tuesday 5th

November, 6.30 – 8.30 pm. Our Special Items are ‘2019 Good Access Scheme – help us decide the winner’ and ‘Our 30

th

Anniversary in 2020 – ideas please’.

Wild about Wakefield News

We are grateful to the late Roy Bousfield and his family for leaving us a generous legacy for our Wild about Wakefield project. It gives the project some much-needed security as we try and ensure long-term funding from the likes of the National Lottery Community Fund. For more Wakefield news, see the dedicated page on our website.

Questions, questions...

A questionnaire is also included in this mailing. Please return it if you can - it helps us to provide you with the service you want.

Guidelines for carers

We have reviewed our guidelines that are aimed at aiding paid carers and residential homes to help people to get

the most from our activities, especially on weekends. You should receive a copy with this newsletter. Why not pin it to your fridge for easy reference?

Brrrr! - It’s chilly!

Don’t be put off by the fact the cold weather is here. Open Country tries to go out whatever the weather, so please remember to bring the following:

woolly hat, gloves and scarf,

warm clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers,

a spare jumper or fleece, just in case,

a rucksack to leave your hands free, with a bin liner to keep the contents dry,

lots of food to keep you warm & a hot drink in an unbreakable flask

...and don’t forget to have a good

nourishing breakfast, before you

come out!

We have loads of outdoor gear we can lend you – just ask! Don’t forget, we will always try to offer you a service through the winter, even if it is a museum or art gallery trip, unless snow and ice make conditions unsafe to travel in.

TRAILBLAZERS AND

CONSERVATION GROUP

We work from 10am until around 5pm on Tuesdays (Trailblazers) and Fridays (Conservation). Both groups meet at Community House and we drop people home afterwards. The jobs may be dirty, but they are suitable for most capabilities. Tools, training and transport are provided. New members are charged £30 per day. The programmes are issued separately.

WEEKDAY WALKING OPPORTUNITIES

For anyone who wants regular walking opportunities, don’t forget our weekday walking groups. We charge £35 per day for this service, invoiced every two months, and people are paying for it out of their personalised budgets. Why not try our day services with a difference?

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Our Wednesday group combines shorter walks

of up to 5 miles with nature study.

THURSDAY WALKERS

The group covers about 7 miles each day and is a great way to improve your health and fitness.

WILD THINGS

Have fun exploring the natural world - you never know when nature calls!

Saturday 5th

October

SPROTBROUGH

FALLS

Technically a weir on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, we’ll also go bird watching at nearby Sprotbrough Flash, then warm up in Cusworth Hall Museum.

Admission: FREE Trip: £12

Travel time: 1 hour

Saturday 2nd

November

RSPB OLD MOOR

Visit this Dearne Valley nature reserve to spot the returning winter ducks, swans and geese.

Admission: £5, (RSPB FREE)

Trip: £12 Travel time: 1¼ hours

Saturday 14th

December

STAG DO

Watch the Studley Royal deer herd munching their winter feed, then tuck into a carvery yourself at The George, in Wormald Green.

Cost: £10.95 (meal only) Trip: £10

Travel time: ½ hour

Waterfall

Challenge

WEEKEND WALKERS

Walks range between 6 and 8 miles. Members have learning disabilities and mental health issues. For comfort and safety, all walkers must be properly equipped with a waterproof jacket and trousers (no jeans), walking boots (not wellies or trainers) and a good supply of food and drink. Scarves, hats and gloves are recommended in cold weather. We may be able to lend you some equipment.

Sunday 13th

October

MAY THE WILBERFORCE

BE WITH YOU VI

Our walk from Wheldrake to York will complete the 60-mile Wilberforce Way, celebrating the famous abolitionist.

Trip: £10 Travel time: 1 hour

Sunday 20th

October

COMBINED FORCES

Explore Catrigg Force and Stainforth Force near Settle, keeping an eye out for leaping salmon too.


Sunday 3rd

November

BRAMLEY FALLS

6 mile walk on the edge of Leeds, taking in Rodley Nature Reserve and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.


Sunday 17th

November

HARDRAW FORCE

4½ miles around Hawes, visiting the highest waterfall in England.

Admission: £2.50 Trip: £12

Travel time: 1¾ hours

Sunday 8th

December

WHAT THE

DICKENS?

Walk to Grassington Dickensian Festival via the Hebden waterfalls.


Dates for your diary:

Friday 6th

to Sunday 8th

March 2020

WINTER WALKING WEEKEND:

LAKE DISTRICT

A return to the Hope Memorial Camp. The cost is £80 which includes all food, transport and accommodation.

TANDEMONIUM!

Our five tandem clubs, based in Harrogate, Ripon, Wakefield, Wetherby and York, are open to anyone who wants to have a go. Our 2019 season will finish on 24

th October, just before

the clocks go back.

Our ‘End of Tandem Season’ meal is on Tuesday 12

th November 2019 at the

Mercure Hotel, Leeds Road, Wetherby, LS22 5HE. £14 covers a main course, tea and cake and a glass of prosecco or orange juice. Ring us to book your place – final numbers needed by 31

st October.

OUTINGS

Open to anyone with a physical disability or sensory impairment, there are two outings each month to a wide range of wheelchair accessible locations. The fully accessible bus picks people up from home and drops them off afterwards.

Sunday 6th

October

APPLE-Y EVER AFTER

Hard core fun celebrating Apple Week at Beningbrough Hall.


Travel time: 1 hour

Saturday 12th

October

BARGING ABOUT

Narrowboating on the Calder and Hebble Navigation with the Safe Anchor Trust.

Cos: £6 Trip: £12 Travel time: 1¼ hrs

Sunday 10th

November

GALLOWS HILL &

STEPHEN SMITHS

A 2 mile walk around this flat riverside park before warming up in the garden centre with summat for everyone.

Trip: £10 Travel time: ½ hour

Saturday 7th

December

CONCERT AT THE COVE

Come and be entertained by the Skipton Brass Band in the awe-inspiring setting of Malham Cove. You can buy mulled wine and mince pies too!


Travel time: 1½ hours

Sunday 15th

December

LOTHERTON’S

CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

Festive fun and frolics at this country house near Leeds.

Admission: £8 Trip: £10

Travel time: 1 hour

Saturday 21st

December

FELINE GROOVY

Purr-fect times on the York Cat Trail as we try and find all the cats adorning this historic city. We can visit the Yorkshire Museum afterwards to warm up.

Admission: Museum £8, FREE to

carers and the visually impaired


Sunday 22nd

December

SPA HUMBAG!

Enjoy a stroll around the Spa Gardens in Ripon before tucking into a Christmas meal at the Sun Parlour Café.

Cost: Two courses - £13.75, three

courses - £17.25


ADVENTURE CLUB

Although this outdoor pursuits group can be a little more strenuous than some, we do try and keep it fully inclusive wherever possible.

Sunday 27th

October

INCLUSIVE CYCLING

We’ll try some adapted bikes at the Brownlee Circuit, Leeds, with free cycle training from a British Cycling professional. Followed by a 9-hole game of ‘footgolf’ with our Wakefield chums.

Cost: £5 Trip: £10 Travel time: 1 hr

Saturday 30th

November

HARTLEPOOL

TREASURE TRAIL

We’ll explore the historic headland on a

2 mile, spy mission-themed treasure trail.

Trip: £12 Travel time: 1½ hours

Sunday 8th

December

BOWLED OVER

Ten-pin bowling at Shipley, and then a visit to Bracken Hall Countryside Centre in the afternoon.

Admission: £6 (Two games)


Fridays 11th

October, 8th

November

and 6th

December

GOING SWIMMINGLY

Come for an evening swim with Sally and crew at Ripon Spa Baths. Optional fish and chip stop beforehand.

Admission: £3.60, Carers FREE


CARE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

To qualify for the group, you must be living at home with UNPAID family members.

Monday 21st

October

PRIORY ENGAGEMENT

A pumpkin-themed visit to the autumnal gardens of Nostell Priory near Wakefield.


Travel time: 1¼ hours

Monday 18th

November

SELBY ABBEY

Take morning tea in the medieval cathedral before exploring Selby Park.


Travel time: 1¼ hours

Monday 16th

December

GORGE YOUR SELF!

Enjoy a festive meal at the café at How Stean Gorge, ‘Yorkshire’s Little Switzerland’.

Cost: Variable Trip: £10

Travel time: 1 hour

EASY GOING WALKING GROUP

Shorter walks, suitable for more casual walkers and wheelchair users.

Saturday 19th

October

A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Scale the Coldstones Cut (it’s just about wheelchair accessible but strong pushers needed!) then warm up in the Nidderdale Museum (stair lift only).


Travel time: ¾ hour

Saturday 26th

October

ROUNDHAY PARK

A 2 mile walk around the lake of one of the biggest parks in Europe.


Travel time: 1 hour

Saturday 9th

November

SOMETHING FISHY

Walk the Hull Fish Trail, then visit the home of William Wilberforce.


Travel time: 2 hours

Sat 16th

November

AYSGARTH FALLS

Help round off our Waterfall Challenge at these famous, three-stage falls.


Travel time: 1½ hours

Sunday 1st

December

SKIPTON

Walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath to Aireville Park.


Travel time: 1 hour

C

This newsletter is posted courtesy of:

To book a place, telephone Open Country

(01423) 507227. Please do let us know if

you’ve booked and then cannot come to a

Countryside Activity, so we can give

someone else your place.

Late cancellation or non-attendance on

activities is time-consuming, costly and

above all prevents other members from

enjoying the countryside. Please only book

on to the activities if you really want to

come out with us. If you must cancel, do

so as early as possible, so that we can give

someone else your place. Cancellation

less than 48 hours in advance may result in

you being liable for any costs - you have

been warned!

Our address is:

Open Country, Community House

46 East Parade, Harrogate,

North Yorkshire, HG1 5LT.

Tel: 01423 507227

Mob: 07875 288 605

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.opencountry.org.uk

Our confidential trustees’ email address is

[email protected]

Like us on Facebook, or

follow us on Twitter or

Instagram

Please email [email protected] if you would prefer to receive our

newsletter electronically or if you want to be taken off our mailing list.

http://www.opencountry.org.uk

newsletter - open country...travel time: 1 hour saturday 21st december feline groovy purr-fect times...

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