HISTORY
Arnside Ramblers History
The idea of forming a walking group started with Miriam and David Leitch, Cecil Parr and Harry Massey. They met every Tuesday, with the walk plan scribbled on the back of an envelope.
The first formal walk was on 26th March 1980, the route being from Arnside to Arnside Tower, Far Arnside and return along the cliff path.
Initially the walks were flexible and not decided in advance. At first, they were published monthly in the Broadsheet. Later they were produced quarterly and from 1991 annually.
From 1991 Mavis Hobson found leaders and organised walks programmes. In the early days there were about a dozen leaders, each leading 3-5 walks annually.
In 1999 Donald Dakeyne was responsible for altering the constitution to that of today, with Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and section leaders, Scramblers, Ramblers, and Amblers.
The Scramblers section started in 1986, the aim being to provide more challenging walks on the higher fells. The Amblers evolved from ‘Shorter walks on Tuesdays’. Marion Clegg planned the Strollers walks [officially recognised in 1997] for those who did not want to walk far but benefit from the friendship of a group.
Members have enjoyed holidays, both in this country and abroad. The Annual Christmas lunches are very popular, and the Linear walk is an opportunity to venture a bit further afield.
The A.G.M. must be one of the most well attended of any Group in the area.
Arnside Ramblers offers an opportunity to discover new walks in this beautiful area and to make new friendships.
Information about the early days of the Ramblers has been taken from the booklet ‘A Brief History of the First Twenty Five Years ‘compiled by the late Rob Spedding with the help of many other early members
