What we’re about
This is a friendly group for people who enjoy going on short walks (3-8 miles) in Telford and surrounding areas of Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Telford is surrounded by countryside and has lots of green space, so nature and industrial heritage are quite accessible. If you want to meet people and engage in a healthy pastime, why not join us for a walk?
We charge an initial joining subscription of £2.00 and then renewable every January to cover the Meet Up administration costs and we are a not for profit organisation,
Annual Subscription to be paid by Bank Transfer
Nationwide Sort Code 07 44 56
Account No. 38078457
Account Name Diane Riley
If paying from a Nationwide account, please message either Tony or Diane when you do so, as Nationwide only quote the payee's account no. and not their surname.
The same applies if you have only used a first name or pseudonym on the Meetup app so that we can allocate the bank account name to your quoted details on the meetup app.
RULES
We are a friendly group who rarely experience problems, but some rules are important so that the walks are enjoyable and safe for everyone. Walkers are also reminded that they assume their own risks and responsibilities when participating.
1. Booking
The walk leader will decide how many members can go on a walk, The number will reflect the number of stiles, the difficulty and the number that the leader is comfortable with.
When that number is reached, any further walkers will be put on a waiting list and will hopefully get on the attending list as members drop out. With this in mind, would members only book on walks if they fully intend to participate.
2. Changing your mind and cancellations
Walks can be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. You should check the page for the walk on the morning before setting out.
If you have RSVP'd yes to a walk but you find you are unable to attend, then please let us know by changing your RSVP, or leaving a message on the page for the walk. If this happens within 2 hours of the start of a walk, please text or call the walk leader (see below).
3. Lateness and getting there
Directions to the start point will be posted on the site, together with a link to a map. Postcodes can cover a wide area in semi-rural locations, so you should not totally rely on satnavs.
If you are going to be late please ring or text the walk leader to let them know. The number will be posted on the page for the walk. The number for the group organiser (Tony) is 07711 950964
4. Footwear and clothing
You should check the page for the walk for any special advice about footwear and clothing. Most of our walks are short and on proper paths, but some walks may be very muddy. If there is nothing to the contrary on the walk page, you should be ok wearing walking boots, strong trainers or other good footwear. Flip-flops and high heels are examples of footwear which are unsuitable. It is your own responsibility to ensure you are adequately clothed (and have brought waterproofs if it is a rainy day or rain is forecast). Anyone deemed to be wearing inadequate clothing or footwear may be excluded from the walk at the discretion of the walk leader.
5. Dogs
You may bring well-behaved dogs to the walk, but they must be accompanied by a responsible adult and kept on a lead at all times.
6. Age range / children
Children may attend the walk, provided they are at least 10 years old. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 18+). There is no upper age limit on our walks.
7. Medical and fitness
It is your responsibility to decide whether or not you are fit enough to attend the walks; you should read the page for the walk, which should give you an indication of the difficulty and length. In the very unlikely event that someone is obviously incapable of completing the walk, then they may be excluded at the discretion of the leader.
If you become unwell or have an accident during a walk, please notify the leader immediately. Leaders are not medically trained, do not have first aid kits, but they will carry a mobile phone.
8. Photography
Photographers are welcome on our walks. However, you should obtain permission if you photograph other members of the group or their guests (and if that person is a child, you must also obtain the permission of their accompanying adult).
9. Alcohol and drugs
You are not permitted to attend our walks if you are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Anyone who appears to be impaired by alcohol or drugs may be removed from the walk at the discretion of the walk leader.
10. Leaving the walk early
It is acceptable to leave a walk earlier than the agreed end point, however you must ensure you notify the walk leader.
11. Following the leader
Participants should follow the route set by the leader.
12. Racism and Sexism Discrimination
We are a multicultural group open to members of all races, genders, sexes and personal beliefs.
Members must not discriminate or make comments that can be construed as offensive by other members. If this should occur and a complaint is made to the group leadership, the offending member may or will be asked to leave the group.
13. Miscellaneous
Anyone who refuses to comply with the reasonable requests of the leader, disrupts the walk, or whose behaviour is grossly offensive or dangerous to others may be removed from the walk at the discretion of the walk leader.
After receiving several comments from members concerning people asking for lifts; would all walkers please refrain from either personally asking or phoning other members for lifts to walks. If you should require a lift, would you please post a request on the meet up message board for that walk. This will then ensure that no member feels obliged or embarrassed into giving someone a lift.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Beddgelert, river and mountain walk.Beddgelert, Caernarfon
Distance: 7.5 miles
Terrain: Hills and river valley.
Walking along side the river on a rocky path, with hand holds secured into the rock at one point, this walk has a bit of everything. The Welsh highland railway with steam locomotives follows along part of the river walk and adds some interest. Gelert's grave is on the route (An interesting tale of the brave dog).
Walking uphill from the river along the line of the old disused cable car system from the Sygun copper mine.
The views from the top are second to none in the whole National park. the sea can be seen in the distance over the tops of the surrounding hills.
Return is down to the Lake (Llyn Dinas) and past the copper mine with its guided tours along the Afon Glaslyn to the start. There is, among the pubs and cafes, an ice cream parlour that is well worth a visit.
Can be muddy after rain.
Walking poles are recommended.
Dogs must be on a short lead at all times.
Walking at a gentle pace to suit the terrain with ample stops.
The Legend of Gelert the Dog
by B Johnson
One of the best known, and loved, folk-tales in Wales is the story of a faithful hound.
The story goes that in the thirteenth-century, Prince Llywelyn the Great had a palace at Beddgelert in Caernarvonshire, and as the Prince was a keen hunter, he spent much of his time in the surrounding countryside. He had many hunting dogs, but one day when he summoned them as usual with his horn, his favourite dog Gelert didn’t appear, so regretfully Llywelyn had to go hunting without him.
When Llywelyn returned from the hunt, he was greeted by Gelert who came bounding towards him …his jaws dripping with blood.
The Prince was appalled, and a horrible thought came into his mind …was the blood on the dog’s muzzle that of his one-year old son. His worst fears were realised when he saw in the child’s nursery, an upturned cradle, and walls spattered with blood! He searched for the child but there was no sign of him. Llywelyn was convinced that his favourite hound had killed his son.
Mad with grief he took his sword and plunged it into Gelert’s heart.
As the dog howled in his death agony, Llywelyn heard a child’s cry coming from underneath the upturned cradle. It was his son, unharmed!
Beside the child was an enormous wolf, dead, killed by the brave Gelert.Llywelyn was struck with remorse and carried the body of his faithful dog outside the castle walls, and buried him where everyone could see the grave of this brave animal, and hear the story of his valiant fight with the wolf.
To this day, a cairn of stones marks the place, and the name Beddgelert means in Welsh ‘The grave of Gelert’. Every year thousands of people visit the grave of this brave dog; slight problem however, is that the cairn of stones is actually less than 200 years old!
Nevertheless this story has great appeal.
Sygun copper Mine
500 million years ago
Copper rich Ordovician rocks are formed
2100BCE to 750BCE
Bronze age in UK mining begins as surface excavations
Roman times
Tunnels were dug to get to the mineral viens deeper in the mountain. After the Romans left mining continued on a small scale until the Industrial Revolution started
1700 to 1900
During the Industrial Revolution tunnels were drilled lower down the mountain to reach the copper rich veins deep in the mountains core.
mid 1800s
Electricity increased the demand for copper wires so they needed to import cheaper copper from abroad and Snowdonia mines couldn't compete
1898
Flotation Process was developed at Sygun which meant they could get more Copper out of the ore.
1903
The mine closed - unfortunately there wasn't enough copper to make it worth keeping open.
the 1900s
after the mine was abandoned Stalactites and Stalagmites were formed as water trickled through the old tunnels
1986
Sygun Copper Mine was renovated and opened it's doors as an educational tourist attraction.
