History

Our group started in 1979 and currently has about 290 members. The first committee meeting was held on 30th November 1979 and the Chairman was David Thornewell ( who is still a member).

Our current chaiman, Dave Wetton, joined the committee in April 1989 as Treasurer.

Membership grew slowly and at one point there was a suggestion that the group might be disbanded as numbers were not increasing at the rate at which it had been hoped they would. Member statistics were 49 for 1985 but by 1986 they had fallen to 37. However, this must have been a "blip" since, by 1987, figures had climbed to 55 and on reaching 1989 they stood at 76.

In 1986 walks were held on the first Sunday of each month with additional rambles organised for the Spring and Summer months.

Our AGMs in the last three years were conducted "between courses" at the Christmas meals held at The Spitfire at Kings Hill but in earlier days things were different. A village hall would have been booked - together with a guest speaker - and light refreshments would have been provided. In 1987 and 1989 10 members attended of whom 5 were committee members. In 1988, however, 18 turned up including those 5 committee members. ( I wonder if the refreshments on offer were particularly good that year?)

( With thanks to Barbara Stead for her research into this subect)