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NB: IN THE INTEREST OF YOUR OWN SAFETY, TAKE STOCK OF YOUR EQUIPMENT MUST HAVE: - Walking Boots-Raincoat and Leggings - Adequate clothing (layers are the best option) - Hat-Gloves - Packed lunch and at least 1 litre water (The Leader can refuse to allow you on the walk if you do not have the basics) SHOULD HAVE: - Torch- Extra Batteries- Whistle - Bivvy Bag- Basic First Aid (at least plasters and bandages) COULD HAVE: - 1:25000 Mourne Country Map (For the Mournes) or Sheet No. 36 OSI 1:50000 (for the Cooley's) - Compass GOOD IDEAS: - Carry some emergency rations - Have a change of clothes in the car
Websites: www.weebinnians.com, www.ufrc-online.co.uk/ Email: weebinnians@eircom.net Weather Forecast BBC Weather , RTE Weather, Other: Walks Programme
Sunday 22^nd May 2011 – Round Mountain, Cooleys Meet at Bridge Street Car Park, Newry at 10.00 OR Lumpers Pub (J101 108) at 10.45am Please Note: We ask you to pool cars as this is a small car park.
The Leaders who will be leading this walk are: Grade A: Mick O’Driscoll, Micheal Elmore. Grade B: Angela Sloane, Paul Fegan, Geraldine Craig, Peadar McDonald Grade C: Veronica McCann, Kathy Dawson and David Sloan Après Walk: Lumper’s Pub
Annual Hillwalking Festival Website gone live: Yes it is 3 months to our Annual Hillwalking Festival and we have the festival Brochure out and the Website Launched. If you go to our website, you will see a new addition to the homepage. When you click on the Star, it will bring up the Festival Website which should answer all your festival queries. So when you finish reading this newsletter, click on the star (pictured right). Our Festival Brochure, is out NOW. Contact Des McConville on the next walk, if you wish to take some of our Brochure to other Festivals
Leaders required for the Mourne International Walking Festival: The Wee Binnian Walkers have been leading this festival for years. We need leaders for two walks on Sat and two on Sunday.  Both days have a Hike (our Grade A/B) and a Ramble (our grade B/C).  We require commitments now and ask you to lead on one or both days if you can.  Our own walk on Sunday 26^th June so make sure you are not leading for us before you commit for the Sunday walk in this festival. Email Grainne O'Donnell at walking_gardener@hotmail.com
Leave No Trace – the principles of outdoor ethics. Leave no Trace In our last newsletter we introduced ‘Leave No Trace – Principles of outdoor ethics’. The guidelines apply to all our activities in the outdoors, not just on Binnian walks. Today we give you the first of seven principles – ‘Plan Ahead and Prepare’. Please discuss these issues with fellow walkers. Before you go check, where possible, if access is allowed in the area you want to visit. Respect any signs, regulations and policies for the area. Where possible travel by public transport and share cars. Ensure you have the skills and equipment needed for the activity – remember emergencies can arise. Check the weather forecast, be prepared for changing conditions For environmental, safety and social reasons keep group numbers small. Split large parties into smaller groups, i.e. less than 10, preferably 4 – 6!
Casual Walker Administration: The committee would welcome offers of assistance from club members to help our Membership Secretary (Nuala Mulligan) with administration of Casual Walkers at the start of club walks.  The job takes about 30 minutes and if you offer to assist you will be put on a roster to assist once or twice per year, when you would have to be at the car park, early on the day.  There are no other duties involved.  Please email weebinnians@eircom.net Subject: Casual Walkers
Discounts available with your UFRC Affiliation Card: If you are shopping for hillwalking clothing and equipment be sure to ask the retailer for Wee Binnian / UFRC discount.  This will often result in savings of 10% or greater."
Other News:
UFRC News: Basic and Advance Navigation Training being offered.
The UFRC are organising two Navigation course through Tullymore Mountain Centre on Saturday 24^th September 2011. The first one is a Basic Navigation Course for those who wish to start learning. The course includes, Understanding the map, Measuring distance on a map, Principles of pacing and timing, Understanding the compass and basic principles of taking a bearing. This course includes classroom and outdoor sessions. The second is for those who want to further their skills. It is an Advance Course. The course includes: Re-cap on the map in detail, Detail contour interpretation, Linear features, Planning a navigation leg, taking an accurate bearing. It also includes classroom and outdoor sessions. Click Here for the full information The course was costing £50.00 but NOW £40.00. Click Here for application form
The Attached  form and below message are taken from UFRC web site,  http://www.ufrc-online.co.uk/ . Update on Inquiries into access problems on the North Coast at Ballintoy Moyle District Council had asked the Inspector to confirm a Public Path Creation Order for assured access between Ballintoy Harbour and Whitepark Bay. Article 12 of the 1983 Access to the Countryside (NI) Order requires the Council to be satisfied of the need for a public path, the effect of such path on landowners and whether a path can be created by local agreement. As this path has been used by walkers for many years, with no formal indication that its use was only by permission, the Inspector’s view was that a public right of way may already have been established by this use, creation of a new path thus being unnecessary. The Order was therefore not confirmed. The Inspector recommended that Moyle DC should consider gathering evidence of path use, with a view to formal assertion as a Public Right of Way. Thus the decision as to the way ahead now rests again with the Council. The Federation awaits developments ,with interest. Meanwhile, barriers remain in place, perhaps as a stark reminder of Northern Ireland’s complex legislation and walkers still have no legal right of access to this beautiful area. “Moyle District Council is currently investigating whether or not the section of the Causeway Coast Way from Ballintoy Harbour leading to Whitepark Bay is a Public Right of Way for the purposes of the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983.Important If you have knowledge of this path please download PDF file and send to Moyle District Council at Address on the form opposite”. Completing these notices of evidence really have  worked in the past and a similar exercise encouraged Moyle council into action some time ago when access to this path was very nearly lost for good.  We have won battles this year over access and public rights of way yet this iconic walk continues to pose an issue.   Everyone thought it would have been resolved this year in the enquiry particularly, when the visiting inspector ruled in favour of walkers in the Newry PRO issue.  However the Inspector failed to give a definitive direction on this one allowing for continuing blockage of this part of the trail! IF THIS ACCESS IS LOST IT WILL NEVER BE REPLACED: The Wee Binnians were on the right of way in 2010 and it would be a shame if we lose this. It will alter this walk completely so click here for the form
Translink 2011 Mourne Rambler Timetabe realease: Translink, with support from the Rural Transport Fund scheme, have released the dates for their 2011 Rambler Services. These bus services operate along the scenic North Coast and through the rugged terrain of the Mourne and Sperrin Mountains. Translink’s Summer Bus Rambler Day Ticket allows walkers to explore the Mourne’s most spectacular scenic areas with unlimited travel on Ulsterbus, Goldline and Metro services Monday – Sunday after 9.15am. At just £8.00 for an adult and £4.00 for a child. Mourne Rambler (Service No 405) – Operates 2 May 2011 – 31 August 2011, Tuesday to Sunday. For more information on each of these services Download the Mourne Rambler Service Leaflets.
Events:
The Cooley Hill Trek & Barbecue 1 Date: 29^th May. Information: Starting from the Lumpers, Ravensdale. There are two walks. The Fast Walk Group starting time is 10.00 and the Second Walk is at 12.00. Cost: Tickets €15 For more information Contact: Deborah at 087 7631412 (From NI 00353 87 7631412) Proceeds: Development Perspectives is a development non government organization (www.developmentperspectives.ie) based in Barlow House, Narrow West Street, Drogheda. Development Perspectives is a company limited by guarantee with no share capital (number 466659) and has charitable status (CHY 18555).
The Cooley Hill Trek & Barbecue 2 Date: 19^th June. Information: Starting from the Lumpers, Ravensdale. There are two walks. The Fast and Moderate Walks Group starting time is 11.00 and the Easy Walk is at 12.00. Registration at 10.30am. Donation: Tickets €20 Contact: Mary McDonald at 087 2708847 (From NI 00353 87 2708847) Peadar McDonald 087 2536086 (From NI 00353 87 2536086) Pre Registration at Outdoor Xchange, Longwalk, Dundalk. Tel 0421 9320789 (From NI 00353 42 9320789). Proceeds: The Children’s Medocal & Research Foundation Crumlin Hospital.
	The Way: Here is a film that might interest those who are thinking of walking the Camino De Santiago. It is on in Cinemas near you. The Way is a 2010 American drama film. It is a collaboration between Martin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, to honour the Camino De Satiago and promote pilgrimage. Not wanting to appeal to one demographic, Emilio Estevez called the film "pro people, pro life — not anti — anything. It is on in The Moviehouse, Dublin Road, Belfast. Click Here for Info, Is also on in the Irish Film Institute. Temple Bar, Dublin. If you know a cinema near the Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda area that this movie is showing, email me at weebinnians@eircom.net
Walking Festivals:
Sperrintrek 2011: Spring Hill Walking Festival: Date: Sat 28^th – Sun 29^th May. Information: Sperrintrek is a series of three walking weekends in the Sperrins Mountains, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There will be two walks during each weekend, with walkers having the opportunity to choose either a Grade A or Grade B walk on the Saturday. Website:www.cookstown.gov.uk. Email: tic@cookstown.gov.uk Tel: (028) 8676 9949, Alt: (028) 8676 7994 – Administration.
Glen of Aherlow Walking Festival: Date: Sat 4^th June. Information: The annual walking festival will feature 10 graded walks on the Galtees and Slievenamuck hills encompassing the National Loop Walks in the Glen of Aherlow. Saturday and Sunday offer 4 graded, guided walks ranging from the very experienced hill walker with challenging peak walks on the Galtees to the more low level walks on the Loops across Slievenamuck. Email: info@aherlow.com Telephone: +353 (0)62 56331.
The Mourne International Walking Festival: Date: Fri 24^th – Sun 26^th June. Information: The Festival is the ideal time to come and discover the delights of the area, sample some of the excellent local cuisine and accommodation, enjoy traditional music and most importantly participate in some wonderful walking. Telephone: +44 (0) 28 417 52256. Email: info@mournewalking.co.uk. Website: http://www.mournewalking.co.uk/
Boyne Valley Walking Festival 2011: Date: Friday 3rd June at 7.30pm 2kms 2hours (approx). Starting Point .The Tholsel (Tourist Office) Pre booking essential: €5.00 Other Information: A highly entertaining guided walk that ,visits many of Drogheda's Historic Streets. .The route follows, St Laurence’s Gate, one of the finest examples of a barbican gate in Europe, the Old Town Walls at Featherbed Lane, St Peter's Churchyard,Magdalene Tower and much more.. Hear about the many famous people who played a part in the town's rich heritage .The People you will... (read more)
For more event details click on our Website – The Events Calendar
Our Next walk: Sunday 12^th June 2011 – Butter Mountain – Meet at Bridge Street Car Park, Newry at 10.00am OR Spelga Car Park (J268 273) at 10.45am The Leaders who will be leading the next walk are: Grade A: Sean Nickells, Ted Stewart. Grade B: Thomas McKenna, Nuala Shaw, Frances Wilson, Stephen McKenna Grade C: Eoghan Bailey, Anita MacNabb and Frank McCrory. Après Walk: Betty Doran
Safety reminder at the beginning of the new walking season It is an issue of personal and group risk management that each walker is properly kitted out for the hills. At the top of this newsletter we have listed the equipment you need to keep yourself safe on the hills so please take a minute to refresh your memory and check your kit against these lists. It is essential that you have everything in the MUST HAVE category and you should be aiming to have everything we recommend as soon as you can. A walker not properly equipped is a liability to the group and compromises group safety Walks leaders who carry the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the group on the hills are justified in refusing to allow any such walker to join a walk. If you recommend joining the club to a friend please draw their attention to this regulation.
Other Information: Did you miss the last Newsletter?. Click here for the last Newsletter Safety Gear List: We ask members, particularly new members or people who are thinking of joining us, to read this information. Click Here Weather Forecast BBC Weather , RTE Weather, Other: Walks Programme. Our Websites: www.weebinnians.com, Our Email address: weebinnians@eircom.net
Contacting Our Club Secretary: Secretary Eoghan Bailey - ROI 00353 (0)86 843 4440 or Assistant Secretary Nuala Mulligan.- 0044(0) 759 239 3801. (You may wish to take note of these numbers for future reference and we ask members to store these numbers into your mobile and store them as “Wee Binnians”) Newsletter compiled by David Sloan
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Last Update: 18/05/11