SVIWG NEWSLETTER JUNE 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 website and also SRSB's website.  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  

CONTENTS; Walks/walking in Rotherham, AGM and Election of Committee, Coach Ramble, Update on Uriah Rennie, Training videos, Contact for web site and sending items for newsletter.  

WALKS 

Any walk enquiries please only contact the walk leaders for that particular walk.

Tuesday 3rd June.  see previous newsletter for details.

Wednesday 11th June.  Meet Sheffield Train Station 9.40 to catch the 10.01 train to Elsecar arriving 10.19, Barnsley train arrives at Elsecar 10.09. Route; From Elsecar we walk along the Timberland trail towards Tankersley. Through fields and woodland. Pick up the Trans Pennine Trail back to Harley. Walk through the village to coach road and head towards Wentworth. Head back to Elsecar park then back up the hill to the station. Distance; 7 miles. Terrain; Good paths lovely walk. Leader; Matt Gulty 07738005412 for any walk enquiries. 
Car drivers can park at Elsecar train station for free. 
Please contact Martin if joining this walk by Friday 6th June so we know we have enough guides to cover this walk also letting him know where you will meet the group so we have enough guides at Sheffield Train station for VI's 07747443812 mrmartinwing@gmail.com 

Thursday 19th June.  Meet Poundland High Street 9.15 to catch the 9.42 no 98 (crossing the dual carriageway AG123) to the 98 Totley bus terminus arrives 10.10. Route; Circular walk from Totley Brook Road, Totley Moor, towards Holmesfield, returning via Gillfield Woods Penny lane back to the start. Distance; approx 7 miles. Terrain; This is a Ranger style walk with a couple of challenging climbs with a few stiles. Leader; Joe Fagan who will meet the group at the 98 bus terminus Totley Brook Road 07791634319 for any walk enquiries
Car Drivers park 304 Totley Brook Road S17 3QY. 
Please contact Martin by Friday 13 June so he knows he has enough guides also letting him know where you intend to start the walk. 

Sunday 22nd June.  Meet Sheffield Interchange (main foyer) 9.20 to catch the 9.51 no 272 bus to Fox House where the walk will start  10.20.  Route; Long Shore, White Edge Moor, Grouse Inn, back to Long Shore. approx 4 miles. Terrain; Woodland paths moorland.  Leader; Nigel Robb 07538460680 for all walk enquiries. Return buses 14.38, 15.46, 16.35. Please contact Martin if joining this walk by Wednesday 18th June so he knows enough guides for this walk also where you will join the group to make sure enough guides at the start 

Tuesday 1st July.  Meet Poundland High Street 9.35 to catch the 10am no 86 bus to the Angel PH Grenoside, where walk starts 10.30 Circular walk.  Route; Wheata Wood and Wharncliffe Chase. Distance; 5 miles. Terrain; Easy walking through wooded areas and good paths. Leader; David Cadet 07554143262 davidcadet81@gmail.com for all walk enquiries. 
It is important to contact Martin by Friday 27th June letting him know where you will meet the group to make sure enough guides  

WALKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIP'S IN ROTHERHAM

The first Thursday each month there is a walk supported by the Rotherham Ramblers usually around 3 miles finishing at the lovely Winthrop Gardens Wickersley at their cafe for lunch.  A minibus leaves SRSB Mappin Street 9.30 and Rotherham Sight and Sound 10am to take members to the start of the walk.  For further information contact SRSB 0114 2722757 to book your place or further enquiries. 

AGM

Wednesday 25th June.  AGM and buffet at SRSB Mappin Street 6 for 6.30pm.  
All are welcome to help us celebrate 25 years as Sheffield's Visually Impaired Walking Group.  Bring your own drinks and if you have a nice raffle prize that you would like to donate.  We would like to see as many of you as possible please let me know if you are coming no later than the 11th June.  hilarymyers16@gmail.com phone 0114 2306604 

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

At present the committee is; 
Officers; Chair; Sue Hill.  Vice Chair; Martin Wing.  Treasurer; Stan Wainwright.  Secretary; Pauline Bullivant.
Committee; Eileen Ingham; Walk Coordinator.  Newsletter Editor; Gail Fagan.  Hilary Myers; Committee member.  
Co opted members; Judith Morton and Meg Patrick.
Stan is stepping down as Treasurer and Andy Abbey will take over as Treasurer.  Pauline is also stepping down as Secretary so if anyone in our group would like to take over this role please contact Sue Hill.  Darren Johnson will be on the committee as a co opted member and David Guille as full member his role being Health and Safety.

Eileen is also willing to stand down as walk Coordinator if anyone would like to take over from Eileen, this role involves arranging with David the dates for his Tuesday walks (usually the first Tuesday in each month).  Contacting walk leaders in our group or outside our group to see if they would be willing to lead a walk for the Wednesday and Sunday walks.  As walk coordinator you do not have to know about walks this is down to the walk leaders. Please contact Eileen if interested for further information. 
Also if any members would like to be nominated for any of the above roles please contact Sue details at the top of this newsletter.  It would be good to see other new faces on our Committee. 

COACH RAMBLE. 

Wednesday 9th July.  Sandra Brumby will lead the walk around Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, Newstead Abbey is the former home of Lord Byron there is a five mile walk through the estate and two conservation villages.  The walk is classed as easy there is a lunch stop at Papplewick Church where there is seating.  In the past Sandra has led a group around this walk and also walked regularly with friends.  If people do not want to do the walk the Abbey is in beautiful grounds with gardens, there are also lakes and cascades and the flowers will be in full bloom, cafe and toilet facilities.  Dogs can be off the lead for part of the walk.  Unfortunately the Abbey is not open on weekdays.  Please let Hilary or Eileen know if you are interested in this outing.  £5 payable in advance to Eileen.  hilarymyers16@gmail.com  Thank you.  

UPDATE ON URIAH RENNIE

Many of you will remember Uriah as his role in Sheffield City Trust bequeathed to SVIWG £16,000 over four years. This occurred by his friendship with David Cadet. Last year he suffered a rare spine condition and is now in a wheelchair. He is having to learn to walk again. Also with his friendship with Darrell Lomas we have managed to gift him two Rubber Plants as a sign of our concern for him. He would like to thank SVIWG for their good wishes and David Cadet will keep us up to date with his progress. On behalf of the SVIWG I would like to send Uriah our very best wishes for a speedy recovery which I know he will succeed.

Latest update on Uriah...He has now been commissioned as Chancellor at the Hallam University see link below also interview with Uriah his very positive attitude is inspiring.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20x07ql1n7o 

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 website 

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