SUMMER SEASON NEWSLETTER
2011
-Barmy Army Ashes Walk
Following the winter Ashes Series down under was an experience of a life time for many, but for Robin Moore it was largely a case of braving the elements in the company of snakes, spiders and relentless traffic. Despite blistered feet and the dangers of the road he managed to walk almost a thousand miles in support of the Barmy Army Charities.
Known by many as an endurance walker who has completed over 24,000 miles during challenge events, Robin’s role was largely to raise awareness and media support throughout the campaign which saw the Barmy Army England Cricket fans raise over £22,000 for Prostate Cancer. Charity cricket games, the sale of merchandise and a day in pink at the test match were all part of the Barmy Army fundraising which also contributed massively to the Mcgrath Foundation: a charity founded in honour of Australian Cricketer Glen McGrath’s late wife Jayne. ‘As a founding member of the Barmy Army from the 1995 tour, it was a great honour to do this walk and to spread the word that English fans were not just here to seek Ashes Glory. I guess it was a fairytale end to years of suffering and I felt great relief for both retaining the Ashes and finishing a difficult challenge that at times questioned my sanity! Without the Barmy Army, the atmosphere at the cricket venues and dedication to supporting charities could not have culminated in the way that it did at Sydney where over half the ground was occupied by the ‘Poms’. The Barmy Army was instrumental to all the positive elements of the tour and we should be proud of their effort in raising thousands of pounds in aid of charity.’
Extracts for newspapers about the tour and letters from the charities will be published as an archive section later this year. Well done to Rick Sindorff from
His blog also provides a brief overview of other Barmy Army Walks. Spreading the word in Africa, supporting the
For information about the Barmy Army visit:
www.barmyarmy.com
New Publications
The story about Robin Moore’s adventures in
The Australian story (£5) and the Gwennap Pilgrimage Guide (£2) are now on sale at local post offices, inns and Pilgrimage Centres in Cornwall. For Postage and Package enquiries contact: robin-moore@hotmail.co.uk
Pilgrimage Season
Robin’s fundraising year usually runs from Spring to the end of Summer when he endeavours to support local charities. As well as raising notable awareness and encouraging others to take up challenge events, he tries to raise four-figure amounts for at least 3 Cancer Charities per year. As a result of much effort in the last few years he has developed Pilgrimage Walks throughout
The Oundle Pilgrimage was established last summer by Robin and his associates (a band of very merry men and women) as a means of raising money for Sue Ryder Care at Thorpe Hall, Peterborough. We are now planning for the anniversary event which will ensure the Pilgrimage remains established as a village tradition.
The Oundle Pilgrimage
On the 13th/14th August, the market town of Oundle celebrated its first anniversary of ‘Robin Moore’s Oundle Pilgrimage’, founded in honour of Sue Ryder Care. This year the route has been extended to accommodate cyclists and there is a Junior Pilgrimage Trail too.
Our objectives were to raise funds for Sue Ryder Care at Thorpe Hall, Peterborough.
Create a festive weekend which will bring the community together and help support the charity.
Encourage all groups to enjoy the countryside and respect our village culture which is largely derived through our churches and inns.
The Rose and Crown in Oundle (Pilgrim HQ) promoted the event with live music, beer festival with concessions and a free buffet lunch for pilgrims/locals who all supported the charity. The brewery also donated part of their profit to the charity. Huge buckets were filled with money and Sue Ryder have already collected full jars from each of the pilgrim inns. It was also Shawn and Kim's first anniversary at the pub which under their steady management has become a hub of entertainment and social meeting place. The Pilgrimage team and Sue Ryder are deeply greatful for all the hard work the popular publicans have put in to make this a successful event.
We collected over £1,000 during the weekend, but will need to wait for individual sponsored efforts to reveal the total amount which will be presented to Julie Laithwaite, Thorpe Hall fundraising executive. The presentation will take place at 8pm on 4th October at The Rose & Crown who will be promoting a Pilgrims menu/ meal deals.
This year we have established route marking (scallop shells) of our 5-mile junior route along the Nene Valley and our cycle route (red/yellow markers) which largely follows Roman Roads consistant with the Pilgrimage (see attachment under this newsletter).
THE EVENT
The Pilgrimage Weekend always starts at St. Peter’s Church, and this year participants were able to have a breakfast at the Rose & Crown from 8am (a few yards from the church). On leaving the inn, pilgrims proceed to Ashton Green/Chequered Skipper and from here take on the first large section which is about 6 miles.
The entire journey takes in large sections of the Nene Valley, Estate Woodlands, historic sites and buildings; it visits numerous inns and churches on a circular course of the region, where there are camp sites/facilities and entertainment at several locations, culminating with the weekend beer festival at the Rose and Crown where all pilgrims enjoyed ale at £2 per pint! All accommodation is listed in our Pilgrim Guide, and there was a temporary campsite for out-of-town ramblers at Oundle Rugby Club; The Shuckburgh at Southwick also allows camping for pilgrims. Some pilgrims camped along the way and finished at chosen points where they could be picked up. Most thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be back next year. The event is good for 'challenge walkers' wishing to test their endurance; or even those looking for a bit of pre-season rugby training - many of whom cycled the entire course in a day. But it is also an excellent outing for family groups; we do not expect people to do the whole walk - rather we prefer they enjoy the experience by choosing a section that appeals to them most. Also participants can take as long as they need to do the walk: visitors for example may spend several weekends to complete their pilgrimage.
Those wishing to take up the challenge of the Oundle Pilgrimage can do so any time they want by purchasing a passport from Trek-kits for £5. The passport enables you to pick up stamps along the way which will contribute towards a certificate: the fee is donated to Sue Ryder. There is also a booklet/guide available about the pilgrimage and we sell maps of the region too.
For more info contact Claire on 01832 272050 or Visit:
'LOOK OUT FOR THIS ONE -ITS GOING TO BE A BIGGIE'
(Including local Gwennap Pilgrimage Community Event on August Bank Holiday Monday).
At the end of August, Robin Moore will dedicate a month to raising funds/awareness for St Julia's Hospice. The first part of his campaign will include a community pilgrimage walk in the Gwennap Region, commencing at the Fox and Hounds on August Bank Holiday Monday. The greater Pilgrimage from
After the Bank Holiday, Robin will set off on a coast-to-coast walk of the west country taking in Exmoor, Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and the full Pilgrimage of
POSSIBLE ITINERARY
(Look for updates in this section)
From 1st September
MINEHEAD
PORLOCK
LYNBRIDGE
ILFRACOMBE
2 days on Dartmoor
BUCKFASTLEIGH
CALSTOCK
LAUNCESTON
ALTARNUN
CAMELFORD/PORT ISAAC
PADSTOW
LANIVET/LANLIVERRY
PENTEWAN
CARHARRACK
HAYLE
See Diary for Synopsis of walk.
On completion of his journey, The Fox and Hounds will host an End of Season Harvest Supper (late September) to conclude our fundraising. We will hold a presentation night one week later at the pub.
A Pilgrim's package (£5), includes a passport, guide of the Gwennap Route, St Piran's Scallop Shell and sponsor forms for participants to collect funds for the charity. These can be obtained from The Fox & Hounds, Comford; guides may also be purchased from St Day Post Office and Gwennap Pit. On completion, each particpant with a full set of stamps on their passport will receive a certificate of achievement from the Fox & Hounds Comford. This will be presented on receipt of each sponsorship due to the charity. The proceeds from this effort will be donated to St Julia’s Hospice which will probably be used to fund work on the new build. A brief overview of the walk can be downloaded from the attachment column of this newsletter, though it is advisable to obtain the full guide with passport when registering at the Fox & Hounds.
There will be a Pig Roast at the Fox & Hounds and discount beer for participants; also at the pub we are planning to have Car Boot Sale in the morning at 8am followed by Morris Dancers. After lunch, Robin will conduct a Booksigning for those interested in learning about his travels and charity expeditions; late afternoon/early evening we will host 2 local bands.
We hope to wind the day down with a folk music evening accompanied by cheese & wine (optional).
Robin's walking guides and Pilgrimage History will be on sale at the Fox & Hounds and he will be signing books after the walk has finished; some of these booklets will be published online in the Autumn. The process of fundraising is presently underway and Mrs Ann Newman has made cards to sell at £1 each to help Robin raise money for St Julia’s Hospice.
Visit the Fox and Hounds, Comford for more information or follow the updates on this website:
Tel: 07706197209
The Fox & Hounds is open all day serving food between Noon and 9pm.
Tel: 01209 820251
Email: foxhoufoxy@aol.com
WE KEEP CHARITY JARS AND SPONSOR FORMS FOR ALL ROBIN'S EVENTS.
THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS WEBSITE AND TAKING AN INTEREST IN ALL ROBIN'S EFFORTS
Attachments:
