On her Just Giving page Sylvia reports:

I did it and it was brilliant! The sun shone and all my family came to watch. A big thank you to my tandem partner and other staff at Netheravon.

And she raised over £7,000 in donations.

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers hand out specially chosen and printed WBN books in their communities to share their love of reading.

Each year 20,000 volunteers are chosen to hand out 20 copies of their favourite book from a given list (see above) to members of their community who don’t regularly read. By enlisting thousands of passionate book lovers around the country World Book Night reaches out to the millions of people in the UK who have yet to fall in love with reading in the hope that we can start them on their reading journey. In addition World Book Night distributes half a million books directly to the hardest to reach potential readers in prisons, care homes, hospitals, sheltered, supported and social housing, the homeless and through partner charities working throughout the UK. World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: it’s about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways, through the sharing of stories.

Two club members, Jennifer Lauté and Carol Forse, were successful in their bid to be volunteers and have secured 20 copies each of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and Casino Royale for distribution to the service users of our four charities.

To find out more about World Book Night click here.

Sylvia preparing for her skydive

Club member Sylvia Stops can always be relied on to initiate or join in club fundraising events wholeheartedly – even modelling corsets for a charity calendar in her mid-eighties.  This time she is not raising money for a Soroptimist charity but we think her latest escapade deserves an honourable mention on our website.

On 6th April Sylvia plans to jump out of an aeroplane in tandem with an experienced skydiver to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.  She says “I’m getting a bit ancient now and I could not join in the charity walk Women Walking Winchester.  I think jumping out of an aeroplane will be easier!”

On her Just Giving page Sylvia says:

I shall be 89 when I jump from the aeroplane in aid of Parkinsons UK.   My doctor and hip surgeon have declared me fit.  I will face another medical on the day but fully intend to make the jump for this very worthy cause.   I have been a supporter of the Parkinson’s Society for many years and now have too many friends with the condition.  Unlike the Queen, three years her junior, Sylvia will not be using a stunt-double for the jump.

Sylvia told the Hampshire Chronicle that she is glad to be getting more support than if she had arranged a coffee morning, but admits that when it comes to the task itself, the full scale of the challenge may not have sunk in yet.  “I’m sure I shall be absolutely terrified on the day!” she said.

Sylvia hopes to raise £4,000 and has already received £2,820 in donations. To support Sylvia, go to her Just Giving page by clicking here.

They battled through blizzards, torrential rain and deep mud but the walkers now have the satisfaction of knowing that they have raised the magnificent sum of £3,481 for four Winchester charities who help the homeless and vulnerably housed.  Much of this amount will also attract Gift Aid so the total will be in excess of £4,000.

Blog of The Walk

Day 8: Ampfield, returning to Sparsholt

From President Gill Steel:

What a formidable group we are, we are!  After 8 days of hard walking we have between us circumnavigated the boundary of Winchester District and learnt how cold and miserable as well as delightful and fun it can be to be on the road. However, we all had homes to go to and baths to soak in.

Now that we have completed our marathon it is with great pride and thanks that I say to all who have walk and all who have supported the team around the route, my heartfelt thanks. My admiration goes to Jo for her sterling effort of walking the whole distance which is a huge achievement as well as the hard work put in beforehand over many weeks by Jo and Myra in sorting out the route and for Pam Grosvenor’s help with the same.

I know that many of you have helped in other ways than walking such as providing transport and refreshments.  Some of you have press-ganged all sorts of friends, neighbours and relatives into parting with their money – which was the whole point of our effort.

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Back where we started – where have the last eight days gone?  See if you can spot the slide where the walkers are looking for a “comfort stop”.

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

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Day 7: Horton Heath/Durley to Ampfield

These photos will not win any sympathy sponsorship – the walkers look as if they are having too much fun!  However, Jo mentioned that they were in a queue in a Ladies, not a field this time, and someone donated £5 when she heard what was happening.

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

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Day 6: Boarhunt to Horton Heath/Durley

From Pam Grosvenor, SI Gosport & Fareham:

Having had two days walking with Winchester club members I’d like to congratulate the club on a very successful project. It really ticks all the boxes – it’s for a really worthwhile cause, and it has involved a lot of club members who have displayed their manifold skills in organising the event, publicising it, getting sponsors, dropping the walkers off or picking them up  and recording the results on film or website. Best of all it was fun to do. We had wonderful views of the Hampshire countryside,  especially in the snow on Tuesday.  We saw the emerging spring flowers  and listened to the birdsong as we walked through the woods. Often potential members tell us they want to do something  hands on. Well this was feet first rather than hands on and all the better for that. As an added bonus I’m sure the walkers are all  fitter that they were!

I feel very privileged to have taken part in such a worthwhile venture. Thanks to President Gill and all the Winchester members for including me in those sections of the walk which are in the Gosport/ Fareham district.

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From Gill Steel, walking on sunshine:

Well I drew the lucky straw – what a lovely day for a 7 mile walk led expertly by the trio of Pam Grosvenor (Gosport & Fareham Club); Myra and Jo with Kim and I tagging along for the ride. What a difference a day makes. Gone on this walk was winter and nearly so nearly here was spring – there were lovely crocuses and daffodils, the ground was mostly dry, the sun shone and the animals were frisky – as you can see!

We made good time and arrived at Durley Church by 2pm and that was with a stop at a lovely watering hole – The Cricketers at Curdridge – highly recommended – I shall certainly go back for a meal!

What this walk has shown me is that walking with friends is not only a pleasure but is good for the soul. We learn more about each other and our lives and have a jolly good laugh as well. We were definitely walking on the sunny side of the street to-day.

Our thanks to John and Glenn for acting as chauffeurs!

Good luck to Jo, Myra and Sonia for tomorrow.

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It’s all smiles and shades as the sun shines on Jo, Kim, Gill, Pam and Myra at the start of Day 6.

But, no time for sun-bathing – it’s off on the trail again …

… until we reached the end of the road.

Only two more days!

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Day 5: Denmead to Boarhunt

Some interesting facts:

On this day last year the temperature was 18ºC!  One of our walkers is over 80.

From Carol Forse:

What a mixture of weather. Snow, howling winds, ice, blue sky and sunshine.  It was great to have Pam from SI Gosport and Fareham joining Jo, Myra and me today and thank goodness she did as I had to pull up 3 miles before the end due to a blister.  Oh, the joys of being diabetic. I am so sorry everyone.  I am very disappointed at not being able to walk on Thursday but I will try my hardest to do Friday . Rumour has it that there will be home-made, sugar- and fat-free cakes ( ho ho ) at the end of the walk . On behalf of all the remaining walkers, please, please be generous with sponsorship.

Anmore looks more like Aviemore!

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

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Day 4: Bramdean Common to Denmead via the Bat and Ball at Hambledon

Jo, Carol, Sonia and John picked up the (bitterly cold) baton today.  Gina should have been with them but she has hurt herself skiing.

From Carol Forse:

Thank goodness we are Soroptimists; nothing will stop us when we are on a mission, not even a blizzard! Things can only get better someone said today.  I think we also said that on Day 1.  Our thanks go out to whoever invented thermal underwear!   Why did I have The Bee Gee’s “Staying Alive” in my head?  It certainly helped walking to that beat. Once again though, our thoughts go out to the homeless . How do they stay alive in these conditions?   Still time to sponsor us; we have forms available.

The pictures tell the story!

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

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Day 3: Brown Candover to Bramdean Common

From Gill Steel:

Day three saw five resolute walkers striding out across the rolling downs between Brown Candover and Bramdean – Jo & husband Glenn, Gill & husband John and John Elder, Anna’s husband.

It’s surprising how interested in the weather you become when walking 11.9 miles across country. To-day was dry with a cold wind at times. The sky looked threatening for tomorrow but it simply glowered to-day.

We made good time setting off at 9.20am and arriving at Bramdean at the top of a hill (how cruel) at 2.30pm. There were times when I thought I might not quite make it to the end but as the song goes ‘You,ll never walk alone’ and to-day I was very glad of that!

Thank you one and all for walking to remind us all how lucky we are to have homes to return to, friends who support us and families who care how we get on. Keep the sponsorship pouring in for Emmaus, Trinity Centre, Winchester Churches Night Shelter and Stonham who manages the local domestic violence Refuge to remind those they help that they will never walk alone as long as these charities operate.

From a tired and aching Gill with love and thanks to fellow walkers and Arlene Fisher and Barbara & Martin Tomsett our drivers.

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From Beatriz Sampson:

You are all truly very inspiring in your energy and perseverance. I am unable to participate in the walk but will do my best to get some sponsorship. Good luck

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Day 2: Norton Manor to Brown Candover

Jo, Ann, Ivor and Benji, setting out on their second day of beating the bounds, are joined by Liz and Soroptimister, John.  Is Ivor looking for sponsorship from M & S?

From Jo Gilbertson:

The mist persisted all day and reduced our views of the Hampshire countryside but at least there was no rain and Benji was a happier dog. However at the lunch stop he did try to get in the car!

We were not looking forward to walking on the busier roads but drivers were very considerate and did slow down.

No, Ivor did not walk with plastic bags on his feet. At the end of the walk he had used them to cover his wet muddy boots for his lift in the “rescue” car.

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From Liz Batten:

As a very unfit ‘fairweather stroller’ rather than serious walker it was very kind of the Saturday trekkers to accommodate me joining them at lunchtime for what I am sure was the easiest and most pleasant bit of the walk. I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise, the chat, the company and the beautiful scenery along the way. Benji the dog seemed to enjoy it too although he was witnessed creeping into Margaret’s car when she arrived to drop me off, hoping he might get a sneaky snooze in! The weather was kind to us, although the clouds threatened, it did not actually rain until I was on my way home in the car. In fact the sun came out briefly as we reached Brown Candover to mark our reaching the finish line and to enable a spring-like photo of the group to be taken by Glenn.

Thanks to Jo, Ann, John, Ivor and Benji for your company and to Margaret for being Chauffeuse-in- Chief.

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Day 1: Sparsholt to Norton Manor

From Gill Steel at the start of the day:

Well to-day is the day! It is of course raining but then I guess that was inevitable. Thank you to all who are taking part or helping in any way with the walk – it has been a huge amount of preparation and it will be hard work so to celebrate the end of the walk why not join us for afternoon tea at Rose Cottage on Friday 15 March 2013 – probably from 3pm onwards. Sylvia Stops will be here to welcome you to my home and if you want to bring some goodies that would be lovely – please liaise with Sylvia.

Thank you again and do keep collecting some sponsorship money!!

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From Jan Harding:

I am so sorry that my current physical disabilities make it impossible for me to join you this week of walking!  I have decided to use my immediate community as a source of donations, using the beautifully produced folded card, and I am inviting them to tea on the last day of the walk.

Good luck and safe walking!

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Slideshow – Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud or Things Can Only Get Better

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

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From Gill at the end of the day:

Here is my take on 10.5 gruelling miles in the pouring rain!

Time flies when you are enjoying yourself so I can only assume that mud agrees with me because our 10 mile hike from Sparsholt over to Wonston flew by in 4 hours of lively chat with seven intrepid walkers plus Benjy the dog.

The Mayor & Mayoress of Winchester kindly set us off at 10 am from Rose Cottage where we left behind a fantastic send off party which included members & representatives from Emmaus, Winchester Churches Night Shelter and Stonham.

The walk is through pretty countryside but it was kept hidden behind a layer of cloud so we made a colourful band against the gloomy backdrop.

My thanks to my fellow walkers today who kept me going – Jo, Carol, Julie, Ann & her friends Ivor & Benjy, my friend Barbara & husband John who kept popping up along the route to offer support, provide transport & walk some of the way. Thank you too to Arlene for acting as the other transporter.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow. I am resting my knees listening to ‘We all live in a yellow submarine’ that might have been useful to-day!

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… and from Carol Forse:

Great bonding day today, we were able to talk nonstop, no interruptions from husbands, phones or computers. The mud and rain went unnoticed but by the end of the walk we were all relishing hot water on our poor bodies and feeling grateful that we are not homeless.

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… and from Ann Topp, speaking also on behalf of Benji:

Gill has summed up the first day very well.  Yes,despite the rain and the particularly muddy and squelchy  conditions, the good-humoured company of the other walkers helped the time  to pass very quickly.  Benji,the Jack  Russell, usually a very enthusiastic walker but not liking the rain, took a lot of persuading at times to continue, but non-the-less did, accelerating  considerably towards the close…and,as some speculated, spent most  of the rest of the day curled up asleep.  Surprisingly, he was raring to go out again when “Walk” was mentioned that evening.

Thank you to all who shared the walk with this first day and gratitude for the careful planning that helped it to be enjoyable despite the conditions!

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… and from Myra Clare, announcing the death of Honorary Founder Member Vee Coleman-Rowthorne:

I am sure you will all be sorry to learn that Vee died peacefully yesterday, 8th March at 9.50am – the very moment when our walkers were leaving Sparsholt.  I am sure she was there waving them off.  Vee would have been 100 in a month’s time.

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From Friday 8th March – Friday March 15th 2013

Map of the Walk

Please help us celebrate International Women’s Day by sponsoring our team to walk the boundary of Winchester District.  Setting out from its’ western-most point at Sparsholt, the 82 mile route extends east to the Meon Valley, then to Fareham in the south before
heading north-west and back to Sparsholt. Over the week, our team of sponsored walkers will follow as close to the boundary as they can – mud and flood permitting!

Click here to download the sponsorship form.

Patrons

Dame Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire
Cllr Frank Pearson, The Mayor of Winchester
George Hollingbery MP
Steve Brine MP
Sarah Lloyd, Chair of Winchester Churches Night Shelter
Alison Thompson, Chair of Emmaus
David Walton, Chair of Trinity Centre
Carol Harrowell – Stonham-Home Group, Head of Client Services for Hampshire

Four local charities supporting the homeless and vulnerably housed will benefit from your sponsorship:

• Winchester Women’s Refuge and Outreach Service (www.homegroup.org.uk)
• Trinity Winchester (www.trinitywinchester.org.uk)
• Winchester Churches Nightshelter (www.wcns.org.uk)
• Emmaus Hampshire (www.emmaus.org.uk/hampshire)

Before our February business meeting, Vanessa Ellis (a local Senior Section Girl Guide) gave a presentation about her visit to the Gambia as part of the Girl Guiding UK GOLD programme. Vanessa told us a little bit about herself and about the history of the Girl Guide Association of the Gambia, which was established in 1923 and where there are about 12,000 members.  Most of the leaders there are school teachers and the guides meet during school time.

Vanessa, along with the five other Guide Leaders who went with her, was involved in the first year of a five-year project to increase employability and empowerment.  Prior to her visit she had to attend an International Opportunities Weekend, attend several briefing weekends and also raise £2,500.  The trip lasted for three weeks from 17^th October to 7^th November.  During that time her team worked with 30 girls over three days helping to improve their self-esteem and their self confidence in terms of employability and leadership.  They also went into schools in three different locations to talk about Guiding and encourage the girls to think about ‘a Guide is …’  The team also worked with 50 leaders over two days, developing their leadership roles and skills, helping them with planning methods and badge syllabuses and offering them peer support and motivation. Vanessa told us how working with 20 young leaders over 2 days was probably their biggest challenge because they didn’t really have any real structure or direction. They encouraged them to think about ‘a young leader is …’ and helped them to develop a new direction with progression to becoming Rangers.

During her time in the Gambia Vanessa also had the opportunity to visit the Medical Centre that is receiving financial support through SIGBI’s 3E Project.

It wasn’t all work, and Vanessa told us a little about how she and the others spent their leisure time, which included visiting the beach, monkeys, local markets and enjoying Tobaski, a family celebration.

Vanessa expressed her gratitude for the money that SI Winchester had given towards the project – 50 brownies in the Gambia are thrilled because they now have uniforms!

When asked what the biggest thing that she felt she had got out of her trip to the Gambia, Vanessa  said that it was realising how lucky she is and to appreciate everything. She also said that it was good to really feel a part of the wider Girl Guide movement.

Contributed by Pat Abbott

Our speaker, Clare Mulley, author of The Spy Who Loved

In our 50^th year we were pleased to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester, Councillor and Mrs Frank Pearson, and many other guests at our Annual Function, a celebration lunch at the Holiday Inn, Winchester.  Our guest speaker was Clare Mulley, author of The Spy Who Loved.  Clare captivated and delighted her audience as she spoke of her dogged detective work piecing together the life of 2nd World War British Secret Agent Krystyne Starbek –  one of the many who sacrificed themselves for Britain’s Special Operatives Executive.  Krystyne, also known as Christine Granville, was awarded the George Cross and an OBE  for her heroism.  After the war she led a quiet life but by a hideous irony was killed by a stalker in 1952.

To top off an excellent event, local bookseller P & G Wells provided copies of Clare’s book for sale which she kindly signed. This raised an appreciable sum for local charities providing help and assistance to the homeless and vulnerably housed.

Slideshow of members and guests

To pause on a slide just “mouse” hover over it.

Two police officers from the Hampshire Tactical Firearms Unit arrived in their armed response vehicle at the Holiday Inn, Morn Hill to be welcomed by President Gill Steel at our February Supper Evening .

Members and their “Soroptimisters” (more in attendance than is usual at our meetings!) had a unique opportunity to view the vehicle and were most impressed by the diversity of equipment carried on board .This ranged from a life saving defibrillator, to a stinger, battering rams and weapons to respond to any emergency situation .

PC Matt Bragg and PC Leanne Cole then described the extensive training undertaken to become a firearms police officer and the need to maintain a high level of fitness to respond at speed to any given incident. This was evident when members were given the opportunity to feel the weight these officers jackets ,weighing between two and three stone! A sobering thought.

After a question and answers end to the evening President Gill thanked PC Bragg and PC Cole for a memorable, interesting and insightful evening .