PRESENT : Ken Beetham, Derek Seddon, Pat Holt, Dave Dillon, Virginia Castick, Tony Gask, Clare Bass, Joanne Castick, Joan Green, Bob Haynes, Phil Ramsbottom, David Green, Sylvia Haynes, Liverpool Jones, Dave Shotton, Chris Thickett, Eric Hallam, Iain McCallum, Mark Garrod, Neville McMillan, Dave Wylie, Michelle Harvie, Sheenagh Hendrie, Mike Peters, Len Stubbs, Rick Kruze, Brian Taylor, Pete Walker, Ruth Ashton, Margaret Baldock, Richard Walker, Lester Payne, Roger Dyke, Jim Gregson, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Hyde Jones, Christine Jones, Lorna Marsland, Al Metelko, Keith Williams, John Dwyer, Rich Johnson, Julie Johnson, Neil Whittaker-Axon.

Quite a few people turned out for this one, so I must be in the running for the BEST ATTENDED meet if the WORST LED title eludes me!

The weather was dull but rain held off all day despite a certain dampness in the air. A number of us set off from Len's at 9.25 as ordered by HE WHO MUST BE OBEYED and we followed a well-known route towards Lamaload Reservoir via the Gritstone Trail, up Shining Tor and onto The Cat and Fiddle for a very welcome pre Christmas drink.

Various people joined in and opted out during the course of the day, which made keeping track of the numbers an interesting challenge. We only lost one person to my knowledge but as he's very definitely over twenty-one, no one concerned themselves too much by his disappearance from the general throng.

The highlight of the day was a little incident at the picnic stop where we ate a hurried lunch avoiding the wind. I happened to mention as I placed my stainless steel thermos on the table that a friend of mine had likened it to a phallus. It was an ill-conceived comment as I was surrounded by men who took this as an invitation to line theirs up alongside. The table was soon resplendent in flasks all slightly different but with a common theme, their proud owners commenting on personal idiosyncrasies whilst casting surreptitious glances to either side. Boys will be boys! It provided a very amusing distraction on a chilly day, particularly Tony Gask's offering - I can say no more!!

Back at Len's it was standing room only when the afternoon shift arrived i.e. those who hadn't managed to get out of bed early enough to do any of the walking or any of the drinking. They flooded in by the thousand or so it seemed and the catering squad did a fantastic job of feeding them all.

Thanks to everyone for turning out on a potentially inclement day, and to Len for sharing his home with us yet again. See you next year .

*** Volunteer Wanted ***

The Kettleshulme meet will likely as not need a leader for the fuller walk which I have previously organised. I have not taken the huff but currently have recurring problems with the left tootsies. There is no way I can guarantee Olympic qualification but may be able to lead a minor circuit leisurely no doubt to the joy of others? All I ask is that any member taking the job remembers that most of the people who turn up don't want to be gutted and like a pub stop at some time during the day, also coffee late morning requires a location not in a swamp.

To satisfy me of your humanities, map reading capability and bull fighting potential - phone me. In the meantime the walk starts from Len Stubbs Kettleshulme bungalow, namely 1 Paddock Close, off Paddock Lane opposite the Bull in Kettleshulme village at 9-30. Early morning tea etc. will be available from around 8-30 am.

Park with care etc. Usual rules apply.