Its earliest escapades were recorded in the 1890’s when Congregational Church minister Rev. T.A. Leonard (1864 - 1948) got legs swinging from Colne in Lancashire. He felt that the hard working mill folk deserved something more uplifting than the annual ‘Wakes Week’ trip to Blackpool. So, he headed off to the Lake District with the ‘Young Men’s Guild’. Singing as they marched, Sunday service in the open air was often roused with the pounding of Dungeon Ghyll waterfall.
A daring step was taken when it was decided to invite women along. Previously considered too great a responsibility, it was suggested they turn their skirts up six inches and wear woollen knickers! (Páramo’s ‘practical features’ could well have come in handy in those far off days!)
In 1897, Leonard started the Co-operative Holidays Association (CHA), soon followed by the Holiday Fellowship and finally the Youth Hostels Association from its origins in Germany. This resulted in the formation of rambling clubs all over the country, such as ours in 1911.
Coventry Club’s old programmes show that lengthy walks of eighteen miles were nothing out of the ordinary, with starting points reached by tram, bus or train. Walks often included ‘Summer picnics’ or ‘high teas’. Teapots at village cafes and farms were always at the ready with sandwich stacked plates and double decker sponges waiting to be toppled.
On very wet rambles some took to padding their trousers with straw to keep a dry seat, while others sat down for tea in shorts and vests! One ‘steaming’ day near Chesterton, ramblers were caught dashing into Lighthorn Church to remove soggy trousers, rather surprising a christening party! Where was Páramo in those days of need?
Fast forward a decade or two to our present CHA (cheerful, healthy, active) club of 250 members. The staying power has undoubtedly been due to an army of dedicated organisers, leaders and followers. Now a flotilla of brightly adorned ramblers, many sporting Páramo, are seen striding across the wide open spaces.
Saturday half day walkers travel by local bus to the countryside, while ‘Sunset Strolls’ on Summer evenings conveniently end at a country pub. YHA weekends are slotted into the programme as well as holidays at home and abroad.
Supporting charities is very much part of the package with over £13,000 donated over the past few years, mainly towards the local hospice. An extensive programme of celebration is planned for next year’s anniversary, with the hope of striding towards many more cheerful, healthy and active years beyond.
Has your walking group got a story to tell? Write to marketing@paramo.co.uk and tell us about your escapades.
Our question whether Coventry CHA Rambling Club was the country’s oldest generated a flurry of correspondence. Read more here
