This user-led group offers VIPs the opportunity to go walking regularly, assisted by trained volunteer guides. They are one of the sports and leisure groups that are supported by SRSB.
They recently had a group walking holiday in Whitby.
Sunday 10th September
The coach which was hired for the duration of the holiday delivered us to the Saxonville Hotel adjacent to the Whitby FC Football Ground at approximately 1pm.
The majority of the party decided to walk along the seashore to Sandsend, then back via the cliff path. Four of the party attended a modern brass band concert which they thoroughly enjoyed while a few members decided to go under their own steam for a short walk.
All of the party congregated back at the hotel at 4pm ready to be issued with their room keys. Each evening meal was served at 7pm with a choice of three items for each course. Breakfast would be served at 7:45am with various foods to choose from.
There was a bar but no entertainment provided, so a few individuals participated in a short walk after dinner and located a few public houses to visit.
Monday 11th September
All those participating on the walk were to congregate in the foyer ready to leave at 9:45am. Beforehand Mary and Janet kindly volunteered to walk into Whitby to collect sandwiches for the majority of folks who required something for lunch.
The party travelled via coach to Saltburn where we were met by a couple of local ramblers who were to lead the walk. The distance was 7.5 miles walking along the sands via Marske-by-the-Sea through to Redcar.
The weather was fine but blustery, plus we encountered a couple of heavy showers.
On arrival we visited the Lifeboat Museum which most of the congregation found interesting. Sadly the trip up the vertical pier had to be postponed as it was closed. We therefore clambered back onto the coach bound for the hotel.
Tuesday 12th September
We boarded the coach travelling to Grosmont where the steam train was due to depart for Pickering. Some of us enthusiasts stood alongside the locomotive to see, hear and smell its departure.
Paula from the local Ramblers Association lead the walk taking the path from Grosmont to Goathland through a wooded valley and up a steady incline to Goathland station where we stopped for lunch. Some of the party dropped out at this point but others continued through an old miners' track onto the Yorkshire Moors then along to the pickup point where the coach was waiting.
On arrival back at the hotel, Paul and I had a walk into Whitby calling at the Railway Station to enquire about times and prices to ride on the steam train.
Wednesday 13th September
This was planned as a free day where anyone could do what they wished. The weather overnight had been atrocious and it was still very windy as we sat down for breakfast.
The lady from the local Ramblers Association contacted Chris and terminated the scheduled walk along the cliff tops. However Chris decided to go ahead and organise a walk for those interested.
The party of 11 set off from the hotel to the abbey incorporating the 199 steps. George and Andrew joined us previously having been dropped off via the coach.
We initially had a look inside the church before setting off along the Clifton Way through Saltwick Bay. We then walked alongside the foghorn which warns ships how close they are to land then stopped for lunch at the lighthouse.
David found a walking boot but no one in our party claimed it.
We walked back to the abbey mainly via road where we descended the 199 steps once more. At the bottom we decided to call and enjoy a well-earned drink before browsing the shops then strolling back to the hotel.
The group had a great time and all arrived safely back in Sheffield already talking about the next trip!
If you are visually impaired and would like more information on joining this group, please visit the SVIWG website.
Thanks for this Ken, looks like you had a good trip.
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