Reunion for ramblers after 45 years
RAMBERS reunited for a weekend walk to mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of their group.
Hinckley Ramblers’ inaugurual outing around Burbage took place on a rainy day in April 1972 but organisers decided to hold an anniversary re-run in July and were rewarded with blue sky and sunshine.
Almost 50 walkers, including six who took part in the first walk nearly half a century ago, met at The Red Lion to begin a circular route before a celebratory buffet back at the pub.
Five of the orginal line-up striding out on the five-mile ramble were in their 80s, with another half dozen former members, some in their 90s, joining them for the party in the pub garden afterwards.
Rambler Tony Smith, who helped to co-ordinate the event, said: “One thing that was not recreated thankfully was the weather.
“The inaugural walk was very wet and original members remembered vividly going home soaked to the skin.
“All were very happy to be meeting up after all these years with old acquaintances.”
One had travelled from Lincolnshire and two from north Yorkshire.
Some had been alerted by articles in The Hinckley Times which featured copies of a photograph taken by the newspaper on the day of the inaugural walk.
One of those pictured, schoolboy Alan Taylor, joined the anniversary walk along with his father, founding member Derek Taylor, who pulled on the same pair of boots - described as being devoid of tread but still with sturdy uppers after nearly half a century of wear.
Ramblers Wendy and Trevor Martin set up a rolling slide show of around 200 photos taken at club meets and events over the years.
The group walks at least three times a week and organises social activities through the year.
Full information can be found online and new members are always welcome.