Purbeck Odyssey 2016

The new base at Harmans Cross Village Hall was very successful.   Having indoor facilities meant that we weren’t subject to the vagaries of the weather and walkers were able to register indoors and then enjoy the plentiful  cakes and tea on offer,  either outside overlooking the well kept playing field or under cover of the marquee generously donated for the occasion by Camelot Marquees, when they had finished their chosen walks.   

The Village Hall is a stones throw from the Swanage Steam Railway station where the Whale walkers arrived back having walked 7 miles to Swanage or from where the Dolphin walkers departed before walking 12 miles from Swanage back to Harmans Cross via St Aldhlems Head.   This meant the whole day was punctuated with the nostalgic sound of steam trains passing back and forth.

Our fastest Marathon Challenge runner was Tony Longstaff who finished the 26 mile route in well under 8 hours despite losing his way a couple of times.  Tony declared the event “Fabulous, very enjoyable if mildly hilly” and himself “Totally exhausted”.  2 other walkers new to the event who also completed the Marathon, Caroline McCulloch and Anne Trotman said “We loved it.  The route was amazing”.  Our thanks go to Andy Pedrick of Jurassic Jaunts who updates and checks the routes up until they go to print a few days before the walk. 

Our thanks go to all the walkers (and their dogs) who came and Walked to Save Lives and have raised over £5500.00 to date.

The Raffle which was held during the event raised £196 and we are very grateful to the following companies and attractions/museums who donated the prizes:

Burghaus, who donated the 1st Prize of a pair of walking boots won by Peter Hardy pictured below with daughter Jelly. 

Altberg

Southampton Boatshow 

Sea City Museum 

Abbotsbury Childrens’ Farm 

Farmer Palmers Farm Park 

Southampton O2 Guildhall 

The Outdoor Guide 

The Fleet Air Arm Museum 

Monkey World 

Manor Farm & Country Park, Southampton 

Singha Beer

 

We would also like to thank our corporate sponsors who make this event possible:

Utility Warehouse who sponsor the hire of Harmans Cross Village Hall and Car Park 

Camelot Marquees, Cooler Water,  Marquis Motor Homes,  The Co-operative Store Nursling, Sainsburys Lordshill,  Swanage Steam Railway.

And last but not least, thank you to our volunteers:  Andy and Shirley Pedrick, Steve and Fiona Wilcock, Maggie Webb, Gerald Butler, Ian Potter and Gordon Lacey.

For more photos of our generous walkers go to our Gallery