SHEFFIELD VISUALLY IMPAIRED WALKING GROUP

David and Paul would like to thank all those members who came on the Tuesday walk on the 5th March. It was a fantastic turnout, there were 19 in total which is one of the highest we have had.

There were eight VI's so we had enough guides. It was especially nice to see Mary and Ken.

It was a nice day, the weather was kind, and although we had to change the walk due to the heavy rain we had just a few days before, it was a first Tuesday walk around Graves Park, Summerhouse and Cobnar Woods.

We are holding a training session, date not known yet, for any new guides wishing to come along. This is also open to any guides who have received training in the past but would like a refresher.

This is a great opportunity as Alison Anthony who works as a Re-hab officer at Howden House is extremely qualified to give this training. Please put your name down with Sue - it would be good to see our new guides there.
Email: susanmaryhill56@icloud.com

A month-long celebration of Sheffield as "The Outdoor City" featuring sporting events, community gatherings, guided walks, outdoor markets, film festivals, and more!
Check out this webpage for more information.

A warm welcome to James Percival, who volunteered through Voluntary Action Sheffield to take over our web site from Chris Whittakker.
Chris set up the web site some 15 years ago and has kept it running for us for all this time.
We are very grateful to you Chris - now you can relax and still enjoy coming out walking with us.

Congratulations to Mike Jackson who has received an MBE in the new year's honours list for services to the community.

Mike said one of his greatest privileges was joining the SVIWG soon after the group started, leading a Bi-monthly walk taking VI's to places we never dreamed of and indeed VI's who had been long time ramblers and lost their sight later in life they never thought it would be possible again.

The memorable ones like Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and leading a party up Snowdon. Mike was a warden on Kinder and we always knew we were in safe hands.

Well-deserved Mike on behalf of the SVIWG.

This magazine has printed a short article about SVIWG - you can find it in the January edition on page 6.

Thank you to all the members who have supported the Tuesday walks offered in 2023. It means a lot to us to have your support, and makes it all worthwhile. Plans for 2024 are already in progress, and we are hoping to branch out again as we did in 2023. This means journeys will be longer than others but we feel it will be worthwhile.

Thank you again

THE CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST has a number of circular walking routes available on their website. The walks are under the heading 'Off the water'.

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE - Guides and VIP's alike, who went on our six day holiday in Anglesey. You were Marvellous. We had six lovely HOT days away with great companions. A special thanks must go to the five lovely people, our friends from Wales, Margaret, Peter, Helen, Steff and Angie who joined us and led us on different days, giving us six different and interesting walks, we shall all remember.

To Phil, our skilful Coach driver and friend, thank you for looking after us all so well, and getting us safely back each day. I'm looking forward to finding out what Margaret Patrick is planning for us next year in Northumberland. Thank you all for your support over the last 12 years of my arranging the groups walking holiday. My records show that the first time we met and were led by Margaret Norwood was on Tuesday 6th September in 2011. She led us on a 7 mile circular walk, from our Hotel in Betws-y-Coed.

Congratulations to Robert Nolan who is now on the board of Trustees at SRSB.
It is always good to have someone who represents the charities to which they serve and with Robert's dual sensory impairment he will be a good ambassador.

The Government gives sighted guidance in England the go ahead. For more information visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/government-gives-sighted-guiding-in-england-the-go-ahead/