SVIWG NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025 

www.sviwg.co.uk

CHAIR; Sue Hill; Susanmaryhill56@icloud.com mobile;07970311329 
 
Walk coordinator; EILEEN INGHAM; 07952241775; 01142814414  

From time to time we take photos to update our web site and also SRSB's web site.  If anyone does not wish to appear on group photos please make it clear at the beginning of the walk.  

Whilst every effort is taken by walk leaders members attending do so at their own risk.  All members are required to wear good walking boots and bring their own rucksack food and drink as well as waterproofs.   

Please note there are no pet dogs allowed on our walks only Guide Dogs 

Please keep sending any photos to James Percival to keep our web site updated email address at the end of this newsletter.   
CONTENTS;  Walks, Committee vacancy, Our History, A special Thank you to walk leaders, guides and committee members, training videos.

Thursday 23rd January.  Meet Queens Head pub Pond Hill 9.15 to travel to Fairhomes 9.30 by mini bus.  Route; To be decided on the day, Distance; approx 7 -8 miles, Terrain; Some climbs, some good paths with rough terrain moderate walking, Leader's Peak Park Rangers (07502547221 any walk enquiries).
Please contact Martin by Friday 17th January making sure we have enough guides for VI's also to let him know where you will be meeting the group to make sure enough guides at the start of the walk 07747443812 mrmartinwing@gmail.com  

Sunday 26th January.  Meet Sheffield Interchange (main foyer) 9.15 to catch the 9.35 no 65 bus to Fox House where walk starts 10.00.  Route; exploring the Longshore estate either circular or figure of 8, Distance; 5-6 miles, Terrain; mainly good paths.  Leader; Judy Gathercole 07468776290 for any walk enquiries. 
Please contact Martin if joining this  walk by Wednesday 22nd January 

Tuesday 4th February.  Meet Poundland High Street 9.45 to catch the 10.12 no 1 bus to Wortley Road, High Green where the walk starts and finishes start at 10.55.  Route; Westwood, Thorncliffe Wood, Parkin Wood, Fields and Country Tracks around High Green, Distance; 5 miles, Terrain; Country tracks and fields a couple of stiles mild ascents, may be muddy at this time of year. Leader; David Cadet (07554143262 for any walk enquiries).  
Please contact Martin if joining this walk by Friday 31st January for him to make sure enough guides at the start of the walk 

COMMITTEE VACANCIES...
We have two vacancies on our committee one being as treasurer the other a committee member.  Please contact Sue Hill Susanmaryhill56@icloud.com mobile;07970311329 

As we enter our 25 years of walking with the SVIWG and members getting older it is important to keep our unique group going.  We have another group with Rotherham Sight and Sound a subsidiary of SRSB which meets on the first Thursday each month to walk in Rotherham.  Also a walking group for the Vision Impaired started in Inverness in 2022.  As far as I know there are no other groups of this kind specifically tailored around blind people.  We need new faces on the committee to give fresh ideas and to keep our group going.  Please have a think about it and give Sue a call   Thank You..

OUR HISTORY...

As we enter our 25th year of the SVIWG many new members often ask how this unique group started.  It started very small in the year 2000 when Ted Ellerton a seasoned Rambler a very hard core walker was driving home one Saturday night looking forward to his Sunday Ramble with the Ramblers.  Upon waking Sunday morning Ted was completely blind due to a detached retina.  Ted only had one good eye not sure but I think his other retina had detached some years back.  The hospital could not attach it again so he was left to pick up the pieces.  Ted lived alone.  Eventually he was put in touch with Jill Thompson a Rehabilitation Officer at Howden House.  She asked Ted what he would like to do and he said he would still like to Ramble.

Jill took Ted to a meeting with the Ramblers and asked if anyone would help Ted and be a guide when out walking.  Jack Burling, Peter and Brenda Sunderland said they would and along with Jill and another VI set off on their first walk.  It rained all day very muddy what a start but it did not put them off as they were used to it being keen Ramblers.

Through word and mouth other Guides appeared and the group was advertised through various means and quickly it started to grow.  Betsy joined soon after and as she was also a keen Rambler and felt she could no longer go with the Ramblers she was delighted and made it her mission to make it successful.

We only had the second Wednesday walk then and Jill used to send out the information of where the walk would be going all in print and Braille as not many people had email addresses then let alone computers where VI's could listen as the screen was read out to them.  Later a fourth Sunday walk was started and the Thursday bi- monthly walk with the Rangers.  This meant a newsletter had to be produced which Betsy set to taking it on to a CD when finished for SRSB to produce and send out to all members.  Betsy and husband Colin then for those who wanted produced the newsletter on cassette tape at home with Colin patiently reading out for us.

Technology took over and most members receive the newsletter by email.  

I think this group would not have happened if Ted had not been known by the Ramblers I know they have been approached by a VI who is younger and wants to walk with people near her own age and they pointed her in our direction.  She has been but she is very fit and it was not what she wanted.

Ted died some years ago and Jill took early retirement and now lives in Scotland but still in contact.

It is a tribute to Ted and Jill that our group is still going.  Thank you both I am sure from all our VI's.   

WALK LEADERS; GUIDES; AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS;...

Just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation to all our walk leaders and guides for all the Guided walks this year. I haven't been on as many as I would have liked as we seem to have had a few holidays and many DBUK commitments this year but as always, the walks and the company have been great. I also appreciate that the SVIWG only works as well as it does because of our volunteers on the committee so on behalf of all the VIPs would also like to thank you for all the hard work behind the scenes.  Thanks so much everyone hope you have a really happy Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. Looking forward to all our walks in 2025.  Very best wishes.    Robert.  

TRAINING VIDEOS...
So how to guide a blind person
https://youtu.be/-jqepQ8yASM 
https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/information-and-advice/sighted-guiding-instructional-videos/ 
    
Please send any photos to James Percival email to;-   sviwg_webmaster@proton.me 
 who will put them on our web site 

Please send articles for Newsletter to Gail Fagan 0114 2667764 email gail.fagan@guidemail.co.uk