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September 2009

SURG Autumn programme now out

Yes, it's autumn already! We hope you've all had lovely summers and that the new Walks and Socials Programme will keep you going as the days get shorter. Thank you to all who have contributed walks and socials for the programme. We know that it takes time and effort to plan and lead a walk, so please know that your efforts are appreciated by everyone. If you'd like to lead a walk in the future but feel you need some pointers, then put the Walk Leader Training Day in your diary now. This will be an informative and fun event led by Glyn Jarvis.

SURG awards

The efforts of all walk leaders, social event organisers and committee members are greatly appreciated, and we hold an annual 'Contributor's Evening' to say thank you to everyone for their valued contributions to SURG. But there are a few people who have really stood out this year and at the recent SURG BBQ we gave out a few awards in recognition of extra special effort made by members over the past year:

Best Walk Leader: Holly Matthews
Holly has led a number of good and varied walks over the past year, attended all the walks planning evenings and been proactive in encouraging other members to lead walks.

Best New Walk Leader: Andrea Caulfield Smith
Andrea only started leading walks in May this year and has already led over half a dozen, including some mid-week evening walks which have been very popular.

Best Committee Member: Chris Bradley
Chris has been on the SURG committee for two years as our Recruitment Officer, a new role introduced in 2007. Many new members will know Chris as he is the first point of contact for prospective members. Chris has done an outstanding job on the committee in addition to leading many walks as well.

Come and join the new Committee

In October this year the new committee will be elected at our AGM. Thank you to all those who have already put their names forward to be nominated for next year's committee. We are however still looking for a few more people to join the committee. If you think you might like to do committee work, please contact Leanne, the current SURG Chair, by the 25th September. It doesn't matter how long you've been in the group and it's a great way to meet people and be more involved in your group.

Have you signed up for Gift Aid yet?

If you've not yet done so, please take a moment to sign up for Gift Aid on your Ramblers' membership. Once you sign up the Ramblers will receive Gift Aid for up to six years of your past membership fees at no extra cost to you, which will help the Ramblers during these hard financial times. If you're not sure what it all entails, then check out the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Ramblers' website.

Summer BBQ report

Thank you to Neil Bird for organising the event this year. The weather was again unkind to us, but spirits weren't dampened, the BBQs blazed away under the gazebo and the party continued on in to the early hours. Thank you to all the many helpers who helped to make this event a success. Maybe next year there'll be sunshine and the now twice postponed spacehopper olympics will finally take place!

SURG in South East Walker magazine

Thanks to Paul, our Social Secretary, for writing an article for the latest edition of the South East Walker about our recent trip to Wales. If you look at the picture next to the article and don't see anyone familiar that's because the wrong picture was placed there. The picture we sent in seems to have gone amiss and in its place is another group on the summit of another mountain somewhere! We've put the proper picture of our group on the summit of Pumlumon in Wales in our photo gallery for you to see. I wonder if the other group is wondering where their article has gone to?