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What is the significance of this event? It acknowledges the first ascent made by Alfred Wainwright back on Saturday 7th June, 1930. Read on to find out more and to access various links to photographs and related links to the day: Photo albums from the day: | .jpg "The OFC party stand in front of") At Plumgarths .jpg "Peter stands in front of Rosie (G.Richardson)") Gradually arriving at Scotts of Plumgarth's, the OFC party spent a few minutes in conversation and admired the fine 1946 Leyland Tiger which had been chartered for the special day from Cumbria Classic Coaches. Our driver for the day was Allison Morris who did a fine job engaging the 'crash' box all the way to Windermere and who deserves our thanks. It must be noted that several members had travelled from far afield for the day with journey's starting from as far afield as Hay-on-Wye, Lincoln, Staffordshire and thankfully for some, rather nearer to the venue.
Orrest Head at 80 - The Video
Produced by Peter Burgess
As part of the day, souvenir hessian bags were provided containing a bottle of Wainwright Ale provided by Daniel Thwaites of Blackburn, an OFC Badge, a smoker's pipe, a map guide and a souvenir booklet to celebrate the day. View the fantastic summit photograph and interactive version produced by James Bell of the 30 members of the OFC party gathered on the summit of Orrest Head.  James Bell's Panorama .jpg "Bus Ride to Paradise - G.Richardson") The bus left on time driving through Staveley on the way. Although taking the by-pass on return, it was felt that the drive through Staveley fully recreated the route that AW would have experienced before the days of the village's by-pass. Allison, our driver, did a stalwart job negotiating the inclines all the way to Windermere using a gearbox designed before the days of syncro-mesh.
.jpg "Novus Homo - Mike Gittens") On arrival in Windermere, parking outside St.Mary's church, the party alighted and after a short pause beside the footpath indicator, the 25 or so involved in the walking, ascended the hill above the station. For one man, Mike Gittens, this was not only his first visit to Lakeland but like AW, was also the first fell he'd ascended. It will be interesting to gain his reflections at a later date. For everyone else, this may not have been a new experience, but the jovial company and wealth of knowledge made the conversation not only enlightening but a real joy on this glorious day.
.jpg "Alfred Paterson contemplates taking up smoking again!") Golden Virginia.... MMmm! It felt appropriate to reflect on AW and pause for a moment as a group. Peter Burgess therefore took time to make some salutary comments about access to the fells, Alfred Wainwright and Betty as well as mark 2 minutes silence (not only for the memory of AW) but also to acknowledge the sad events in west Cumbria earlier in the week. .jpg "Outdoor writers: Mark Richards & Paddy Dillon") Outdoor Writers Mini Guild  All too soon we were back at Plumgarths where the proprietors, Jane and Ean Scott had arranged the most fantastic afternoon tea. Everyone sat in comfort eating warm scones (nearly as good as 'Erk Cottage'!) with the most fantastic pots of tea, cakes and sandwiches. It was a joyous ending to a fantastic day.
.jpg "John AW Paterson contemplates tea!") In closing, I would like to recognise all those who joined in with the day's celebrations (a list of all those participators is found below). Without the support of those who joined in the event it would not have been possible and would no doubt have jeopardised any potential, future events. Knowing that the support is out there, will no doubt lead to many more similar days in the future. Thanks for making it an extra special day.
Ad altiora! The rest of this article continues with a video provided by Gary Richardson as well as a batch of comments and observations regarding the day. If you would like to contribute anything to expand on this page then please get in touch. Orrest Head Summit Speech
filmed by Gary Richardson in HD Souvenir booklet, pipe and badge: If anyone is particularly interested, I have a couple available which I will post out. I would rather they went to an interested party rather than get thrown away or wasted. I will mail them out for £5 asap. Those involved on the day (in no particulare order):
John Paterson, Neil McMechan, Peter Thompson, Mike Gittons, Steve Terrey, James Hall, Ann Hiley, Roger Hiley, Jo Hall, Simon Howard, Beth Howard, Peter Burgess, Neil Haslewood, Mary Singleton, Tracy Ward, Brian Burgess, Barbara Burgess, Geoff MacKenzie, Richard Ratcliffe, Helen Richards, Mark Richards , Gary Richardson, Sheena Richardson, Paddy Dillon , Dave Brown, Edith Brown, Paul Burgess, Matthew Wylie, Margaret Burgess, Barbara ?, Terry ?
Canine companions: Amber, Jodie, Harry, Bethan, Tim, Polly and Lucy .
Please inform me if names are missing or any other errors. I wasn't aware of the exact date of AW's first ever visit to Orrest Head (80 years ago), but I did know that it was sometime around this time of the year. So I payed my own personal tribute to the 'Master Fellwanderer' by ascending Orrest Head on Thursday morning Shane Wilkinson
A perfect day which I, and I am sure everyone else on the trip, enjoyed enormously. Jo Hall
Wow what a wonderful day we've had, we would like to say a huge thank you to Peter for organising everything, the walk, the bus ride, the oodie bags and the afternoon, everything was just brilliant! It was
great to meet up with some old friends from the OFC plus a new faces to! Would just like to say once more a huge thank you to Peter for organising such a wonderful day, and also to everyone one that was on the bus/walk, to echo Simon's words we haven't enjoyed a day out like that so much so ages. Garry Sheena and Tim dog Richardson
Peter called for a two minute silence at the top of Orrest Head for quiet reflection for the recent sad events in Cumbria and it was hard not to shed a tear. Mary Singleton
What a great day out! Richard Ratcliffe
A wonderful day what has to be one of the best OFC days out to date! It was great to meet up with so many old friends in the OFC as well as meeting new faces. The us ride was a trip back in time, very nostalgic. It was a grand walk in lovely sunshine, great to meet Dave and Edith on the top and many thanks for your five photos of the day Dave. Also Gary, a great video of Peter's excellent speech.
Thanks to Peter for incorporating two minutes silence and time for us to reflect about the tragic week in Cumbria that unfolded Wednesday. The finale of our very special day out was the scrumptious tea provided for us all at Plumgarths. Thanks to all our fellow walkers, excellent company very much appreciated by both of us. Ann & Roger Hiley
It was truly wonderful for me to see old friends after so many years, and what better a location than this in honour of AW?..........no wonder he continued his trips into the Lakes after such an experience!
Geoff Mackenzie
 A great and memorable day out. As usual Peter's imagination knows no bounds with even a commemorative bus ticket and a Wainwright pipe to remind us of the day. I am slightly worried at how many memories the pipe evoked. If I start smoking again I will know who to blame! I was surprised at how nostalgic the bus trip was. I had forgotten that distinctive smell old buses and trains had - mostly cigarette smoke I suppose. But how do they keep the smell these days when smoking on the bus is banned? Do they have a special atomiser which they squirt in the bus each morning or does the smell literally linger from all those years ago? Incidentally, the bus was a Leyland Tiger from 1946 - the year of my birth - it is a moot point as to which of us is in better condition! ;~) It did struggle a bit up quite gentle hills - a bit like me on a bad day. Nice to meet so many old OFC friends and to put a face to a few new names as well. Thanks for a magnificent day out, Peter. John Paterson
.jpg "Sheena, Simon, Mary and Beth enjoy afternoon tea") One of the best days I have had for ages in the Lakes with excellent company. We started at Plumgarths just outside Kendal where we met a vintage bus (a 1946 Leyland Tiger) which took us to Windermere. We climbed the minor summit of Orrest Head but for fantastic Lakeland views and it was obvious why this walk spawned AW's love for the Lakes. We then caught the bus back to Plumgarths for some wonderful tea and cakes. A big thanks to everyone for a great day but especially to Peter for the organisation and from that respect the day couldn't have run better. Also, a superb speech on the summit including a very thoughtful 2 mins silence for the West Cumbrian community. Simon Howard (and Beth)
Looks excellent - although I do find the 'Wainwright Worship' a bit strange myself! He'd have hated it, and it pretty much is at odds with his own fellwalking philosophy... therein lies the paradox Michael Sayles
I have looked at most of the photographs and everybody seemd to have had a good day. I was really sorry that I couldn't make it. Lorraine Barks
It looks like you all had a great day! A pleasant walk and a yummy tea! Linda Charnley
.jpg "Jane and Ean Scott of Plumgarths") With thanks to Daniel Thwaites' Marketing Manager, Lee Williams; Ean and Jane Scott for providing the excellent afternoon tea at Plumgarths and of course to Will Hamer and our driver Allison Morris from Cumbria Classic Coaches. |
.jpg "The OFC party stand in front of")
.jpg "Peter stands in front of Rosie (G.Richardson)")
.jpg "Bus Ride to Paradise - G.Richardson")
.jpg "Novus Homo - Mike Gittens")
.jpg "Alfred Paterson contemplates taking up smoking again!")
.jpg "Outdoor writers: Mark Richards & Paddy Dillon")
.jpg "John AW Paterson contemplates tea!")
.jpg "Sheena, Simon, Mary and Beth enjoy afternoon tea")
.jpg "Jane and Ean Scott of Plumgarths")
