The University of Nottingham Hillwalking and Rambling Society
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There are usually five or six walks offered each Sunday, ranging from leisurely strolls to the longer, more mountainous walks. The weekends away offer two full days of slightly longer walks, and often include the option of scrambles on more challenging terrain. Every walk is led by internally trained leaders, and is provided with maps, compasses and other safety equipment.
There is also a healthy programme of socials for members to come along to. Held every Wednesday in various locations around Nottingham, the traditional pub meets are supplemented with annual events such as the cake and ale night, the Christmas and Progressive meals, bowling, ice skating and themed nights.
The society prides itself on its accessibility to all with no previous experience of specialist equipment over suitable walking shoes, a waterproof and a rucksack for lunch. This, and a consistently high standard of safety, communication and organisation, has consistently won Ramsoc the prestigious Gold STARS Award from the University of Nottingham Students Union.
History
The earliest information about Ramsoc dates back to the late 1960s. At this point it was already very well established, running about ten Sunday rambles (some with two or more coaches each), one weekend away (called the Annual Dinner Meet), the Ramsoc Marathon and socials such as the progressive meal.Little is known about the club before this, but it is likely that it had existed for some time to build up this member base. For example, the club had existed long enough for the 1973 edition of the Ramsoc Songbook to contain one hundred songs; the songs themselves already being an established Ramsoc tradition.
In the late 1970s there was a trip once a fortnight, bringing the number of annual Sunday rambles to twelve. There were also now four weekends away during the year, plus the Ramsoc Marathon.
In the late 1980s Ramsoc birthed a whole new society, the 'Munro Pineapple Society', formed to predominantly organise trips to Scotland during the winter. Ramsoc could not support this type of trip having an already full calendar of rambles and an ethos of walking for all abilities.
The annual Ramsoc calendar now consists of sixteen Sunday rambles (usually with just one coach), six weekends away (including the Annual Dinner Meet), a Night Hike, the Ramsoc Marathon, seven days of leader training and nearly thirty social events (still including the progressive meal).
The Ramsoc Committees
Our oldest records show that the committees of the late 1960s consisted of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Member and Map Librarian. If the Vice-President was female the position was called Lady Vice-President!
The Committee Member organised socials and admin (before these positions were created) along with publicity and general helping out, in 1973 the Committee member became Publicity Officer. 1973 also saw the march of equality, which meant a position of Lady Vice-President was out-dated and the prefix was dropped.
The Secretary position became Rambling Secretary when the Admin Secretary position was created (1974) to free up the Secretary from booking buses and hostels so that they could concentrate on planning walks - and the committee expanded to seven people.
At some point in the late 70s/early 80s the Social Secretary position was created, it seems to have disappeared and returned at least once in the meantime but eventually brought the committee to eight.
As the club began to carry safety equipment in the late 70s Map Librarian became Equipment Officer; and in 1989, as health and safety arose, Safety and Equipment Officer. In 1997 this had become such a large role that it split into Equipment Officer and a new role of Safety Officer, which freed up other members of the club to absorb the Publicity Officer role.
In 2003 with the rising role of web communication, increasing competition for SU resources and the necessity for outside sponsorship, Publicity Officer was resurrected as an additional position bringing the committee to nine people.
The Honorary Vice-President has always existed and is an accolade given to people who have served Ramsoc above and beyond the call of duty.
| Year | President | Vice-President / Lady Vice-President | Ramble Sec. / Secretary | Treasurer | Safety Officer | Social Sec. | Equipment Officer / Map Librarian | Admin Secretary | Publicity Officer / Committee Member | Honorary Vice-President |
| 2006/7 | Helen Tattam | Rob Woodman | Will Grainger | Tim Knight | Kelly Reddington | Cathy Corden, Toby O'Hanlon | Chris Herbert | Claire Eustace | Mike Wood | David Roberts |
| 2005/6 | Richard Muscat | David Balfour | David Roberts | Will Payling | Helen Tattam | Anna Wiles / Lucie Svandelikova | Rob Woodman | Lucy Gratwick | Francis Mooney | Steve Chadbund |
| 2004/5 | Jamie Buxton | Mark Maunsell | David Roberts | Stephanie Chong | Nikki Spencer | Sarah Atkins | Mark Chadwick | Rachael Visick | Laura Bamford | - |
| 2003/4 | Matt Cowan | Jamie Buxton | Gareth Moore | Laura Gee | Richard Muscat | Richard Catton | David Balfour | Katie Hamer | Tim Newbold | Dale Rodgers, James Theobald |
| 2002/3 | Gary Mirams | Steve Woolley | Matt Cowan | Liz Martin | Genna Campbell | Phil Earl | Dan Forth | Caroline Thurston | - | George Broderick |
| 2001/2 | Rowena Clifton | Liz Renshaw | Helen Sinclair | David Roberts | Gary Mirams | Clive Harrison | Jill Bates | Jo Batty | - | - |
| 2000/1 | Andries Bentley | James Burke | Chris Hicks | Chris Plumb | Rowena Clifton | Kate Dobbin | Amy Williamson | Liz Renshaw | - | - |
| 1999/0 | Ros Wood | Stella Gordon | Jon Earl | James Burke | Adam Eckersley | Jo Buckingham | Charlie Crockford | Carl Davis | - | - |
| 1998/9 | Lucy Davidson | Beccy Moor | James Theobald | Tom Finley | Jill Bishop | Ed McGough | Emma George | Muly Tham | - | - |
| 1997/8 | Karen Linfield | Robert Pryer | Rob Jessop | Lucy Davidson | Colin Taylor | Fiona Turner | Beccy Moor | Sarah Davies | - | - |
| 1996/7 | Ashley Hunter | Ian Brown | Steve Backhouse | Robert Pryer | - | Clare Spriggings | Rory Donnelly | Ben Ashton | Rob Smith | - |
| 1995/6 | Twiggy Marsden | Phil Bamber | Steve Sims | Ian Brown | - | Ben Olney | Caroline Short | Kathryn Wilkinson | Rob Smith | - |
| 1994/5 | Richard Hobbs | Christian Hampshire | Chris Wardle | Liz Wren | - | Sarah Goldsmith | Alexia Flowerday | Anna Watson | Jason Webb | - |
| 1993/4 | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1992/3 | Rupert Weare | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1991/2 | Andy Sheppard | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1990/1 | Sue Dyson | Nick White | Chris Smartt | Dave Sorenson | - | - | Melinda Walker | Andy Sheppard | Simon Waddicor | - |
| 1989/0 | Lorna Horsley | Andy Relf | Simon Waddicor | Alison Dymond | - | - | Chris Smartt | Rupert Weare | Sue Dyson | - |
| 1988/9 | Justin Henly | Phil Williams | Dan Cadman | Andy Relf | - | - | Malcolm Lockie,Chris Smartt | Jessica Stock | Lorna Horsley | ? |
| 1987/8 | Mark Jelpke | Graham Illing | Robin Hanley | Colin Jones | - | ? | Janet Gillard | Emma Bliss | Jenny Haworth | ? |
| 1986/7 | Jim Dickson | Anne Young | Robin Hanley | Mark Jelpke | - | ? | Emma Whitlock | Emma Bliss | Alison Goode | ? |
| 1985/6 | David Holmes | Phil Leicester | Graham Stevens | Jim Dickinson | - | Mary Anne Timms | Neil Tiffin | ? | Mike Ford | ? |
| 1984/5 | Janet Murray | Jan King | Steve Williams | Mark Wood | - | ? | David Holmes | Robin Hanley | Phil Jones | ? |
| 1983/4 | Keith Craig | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | Robin Hanley | ? | ? | ? |
| 1982/3 | Ian Triccas | Liz Strange | Will Harper | Keith Craig | - | ? | Jackie Garnham | Nicky Newlove | Fiona Walter | ? |
| 1981/2 | Stewart Newlove | Mary Preston | Ian Triccas | Graham Molyneaux | - | ? | Will Harper | Christine Reed | Chris Dent | ? |
| 1980/1 | Lynne ? | Dot Mattinson | Stewart Newlove | ? | - | ? | John Smart | ? | ? | ? |
| 1979/0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1978/9 | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1977/8 | Anne Farley | Ian Dickinson | Steve Wingrove | Russell Ward | - | - | John Walker | Helen Perks | Mike De La Haye | - |
| 1976/7 | Paul Niblock | Margaret Gordon | Nigel Kinge | Ian Dickinson | - | - | Chris Dent | Margaret Atkin | Brian Jarvis | Peter Ansell, Ray Dawson |
| 1975/6 | Andy Harris | Jane Horsley | - | Tim Shaw | - | - | Jeff Baker | Denise Cook | Paul Niblock | Sue Harper, Dave Joynes, Ruth White |
| 1974/5 | Sue Harper | Phil Sidwell | Andy Harris | Mick Smith | - | - | Trev Watts | Ruth White | Chris Hall | Colin Hughes |
| 1973/4 | Colin Hughes | Sue Harper | Ruth White | Ray Dawson | - | - | Meg van der Boon | - | Anne Farley | Philip Miller (posthumous) |
| 1972/3 | Colin Hughes | Sue Maude | Sue Harper | Tony Meachin | - | - | Sheila Alderson | - | Chris Wardale | - |
| 1971/2 | Brian Hughes | Jenny Temple | Colin Hughes | Sue Maude | - | - | Di Haswell | - | Mary Fowler | Susan Andrew, Richard Combs |
| 1970/1 | Richard Combs | Lisa Elliott | George Broderick | Jenny Temple | - | - | Colin Hughes | - | Brian Fitzsimmons | Dick Tucker |
| 1969/0 | Dick Tucker | Anne Gray | Richard Combs | Lisa Elliott | - | - | Trevor Parry | - | Susan Andrew | Bryan Starkey, Mark Collier |
| 1968/9 | Bryan Starkey | Hilary Kitcat | Mark Collier | Dick Tucker | - | - | Richard Sumner | - | Jane Civil | - |
| 1967/8 | Paul Styles | Ann Bourne | Bryan Starkey | Ian Appleton | - | - | Brian Hughes | - | Nan Brindley | Ray Rumbelow, John Pinkney |
| 1966/7 | John Pinkney | Nan Brindley | Pete Fagg | Les Medcalf | - | - | Phil Vowles | - | Sheila Field, Paul Styles | Ray Rumbelow |
Funding
The cost of Ramsoc events is largely shared between its participants. However, Ramsoc has other sources of income to keep the costs of trips down. A grant from the Students Union is combined with an annual membership fee to buy maps and essential safety equipment, whilst also subsidising the cost of transport.
In the last five years, the increasing price of transport has necessitated additional income. Ramsoc entered into a sponsorship agreement with the professional services firm Deloitte in early 2005 to help ease the financial burden on the club. A limited amount of income is also generated through advertising on the club's website and from social events and competitions. Ramsoc members also receive a discount at Cotswolds Outdoor Equipment and Clothing store.
Special Events
Dark Peak Marathon
Ramsoc traditionally runs an élite event every year to push even its hardest of hardcore. Returning this year is the Dark Peak Marathon (DPM). The DPM is a 24 or 37 mile walk around the Peak District beginning at Ladybower Reservoir (at 7:00am) and ends at either Fairholmes (24 mile version) or Hathersage by 10:00pm (37 mile version). It is organised and marshalled by Ramsoc personnel.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks (Y3P) is Ramsoc's other elite event (run last year) and takes a circular route across country linking the summits of these great mountains, based around Horton In Ribblesdale. Three of the finest mountains in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are used:
- Pen-y-ghent (lovely celtic name, 694m)
- Ingleborough (the best - TRAIL magazine likens it to a giant Aero bar, 723m)
- Whernside (736m - a great big ridge and the 'highest' point in Yorkshire)
The route is a challenging 23.5 miles (37.5km), includes 1586m of ascent and will take all day so a good level of fitness is required.
Progressive Meal
The Progressive Meal is Ramsoc's signature social event, combining walking, food and fun in roughly equal measures. The premise behind it is that you move between accommodation around the university (Campus, Lenton, Beeston, Dunkirk and Wollaton) stopping off at a different house for one of four courses and travelling between them with a different person each time, switching after the meal to a predetermined plan. Generally this is run early on in the year and gives the new members a chance to meet people thoughout the society, see houses for prospective house hunting and have a great evening out with usually turns into a night out at the Ark (the Student Bar). Running an event like this is a nightmare of organisation, with upwards of 30 people taking part and each needing an individual itinerary and to be in the right place at the right time to meet the right people. Careful planning though has made this a staple of the Ramsoc calender.Ramsoc Awards
Red Socks
The red socks are presented at the AGM to the member who has walked the furthest distance on Ramsoc events throughout the year. The award is run and presented by the Ramble sec.The total distance walked is calculated by adding the lengths of all the walks that member has signed up for. This generally encompasses all of the Sunday walks, weekends away and the night hike. A list is compiled of the top ten places, the reading of which is always eagerly anticipated by all.
A second pair of red socks is presented to the highest placed new member. This takes account of the fact that members who joined the society at the beginning of the academic year will not have been able to accrue the miles from the walks that were run after the AGM but before the new academic year began.
To win either prize is one of the highest accolades the society can give as it requires extreme levels of fitness and commitment. Interestingly the winner is usually not from the committee, despite each committee member generally attending all the trips. This is generally put down to the committee having to lead walks and ensuring that every walk, no matter how short, has a leader. Thus they do not always get the choice that other members enjoy.
Honorary Vice-President
This award is presented at the AGM by the outgoing committee to anybody that has provided substantial contribution to the club. The recipient does not necessarily have to be a current member, indeed the recipient does not necessarily have to have ever been a member at all, but has to have supported the club in some way beyond the normal call of duty.The Betty Flowers Award
This long standing award is presented at the AGM by the previous years' treasurer. It is always awarded to the outgoing treasurer, and the prize is always an inflatable rubber ring autographed by the societies' previous treasurers. The rubber ring symbolises success in 'keeping the society afloat' throughout the year.External links
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