Sherburn Boghoppers  

Message from John Penrose  22 August 2021

Dear Boghopper

Thank you everyone for your responses to our survey regarding an autumn programme.  The committee have been informed of the results and having taken account of the views obtained from members and the committee we have decided on the following approach for the remainder of 2021 which we hope will be agreeable to most of our members and strike a satisfactory balance between some of the contrasting views that we obtained.

 Sunday 5^th September-  local walks using cars

**Note here is then a 4 week break to synchronise with the Christmas meal**

Sunday 3^rd October-        Coach to Masham

Sunday 24^th October-      Coach to Grassington     

Sunday 14^th November- Coach to Helmsley

Sunday 5^th December-    Coach, Christmas Meal at the Lion Inn
                                             This will include a single grade walk or coach trip to Whitby

The Christmas meal will cost £23 per adult, £19 per child.  (An increase of £1 on 2019)

Coach travel: we have decided a small rise in the coach fare which will now be £12 with the usual extra £2 for non members.   Even with this increase in the fares we are likely to run the trips at a loss since we are planning at first to book coaches that will be a bit larger that our anticipated requirements so that we offer ‘single seat occupancy’ in the front 6 or so rows for any members that might feel more comfortable sitting more spaced out.  We are going to ask coach travellers to wear a mask while moving about the coach but once seated a mask will be optional. 

Some members expressed the view that only those double vaccinated should be permitted on the coach, however, we decided not to be in a situation where we were checking vaccine passports.  Instead, we trust that most members would have been double vaccinated.  Should anyone not vaccinated travel on the coach we would expect that they would have had a lateral flow test within the 24 hours before they travel.  In fact, we would encourage everyone to take the added precaution of taking a lateral flow test shortly before travelling on the coach.

 We are aware that we are taking a risk with this programme that may prove unsustainable financially.  We will be relying heavily on the support of our members to make a success of it. 

What we need from our members:-

  1)     We need offers of A, and B walk leaders for each of the walks in October and November

  2)     We will need members to book (either by email or ringing/texting Jean Mooney directly, 01977 683749 or mobile 07967 640383, at least a week (preferably 2 weeks before each walk)

  3)     Bookings for the Christmas Meal on 5^th December secured with a deposit of £12 (which will pay for the coach fare) plus menu choices.  These will be collected on the coach on the trips on the 3^rd October and 24^th October (Please post to Barbara Beeton if you are not able to go on either of these walks).  I have included the Lion Inn menu below and you can reply with your menu choices if you wish.

We will need walk leader offers and bookings for the 3^rd October as soon as possible so that we can be sure that it will be viable and confirm our coach booking with confidence.

Finally looking ahead to 2022, please note that we have had to change the dates of the Lakes Weekend at the Patterdale Hotel to 24^th to 26^th June.

Best wishes, John, Chairman              john.penrose@blueyonder.co.uk