Celebrate a Spooky, Sober Halloween
14 people attending
2 places left
UPDATE - So the menu is almost set, costume ideas are taking shape and I'm looking at a couple different walk options! The current walk is the 17+km walk linked below but if the weather turns (which right now it looks like rain all weekend...) I'm looking at perhaps a slightly shorter route. There is a fire pit so if the weather does hold we might have an early "Bonfire Night"!!
More info will be in the telegram group and the pre-event email early next week. I'm looking forward to a fun, sober weekend with everyone!
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Enjoy an alcohol-free Halloween weekend in the Shropshire Hills village of Much Wenlock, believed to be an original sub-Roman British Christian settlement that "survived" the Anglo-Saxon invasion (but not the Viking sacking in 876).
The village is also known as the birthplace of the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850, which morphed into the Shropshire Games in 1861, and the National Olympian Games in 1866. William Penny Brookes is considered the founding father of the modern Olympic Games and the 2012 London Games mascot was named Wenlock, to honour Brookes' role in the history of the Games.
This will be a dry event and we would ask you respect that and do not bring any alcohol to the hostel. Low- and no-alcohol drinks, such as zero alcohol beers or gin-style drinks can be brought along and alternative tipples will be provided throughout the weekend. Please do not bring anything stronger.
Saturday there will be a 17km hike that will take in Wenlock Church, Wenlock Priory, Benthall Hall and the scenic Ironbridge Gorge. The hike will be across hiking and footpaths, but plan accordingly for possible cold and maybe even some snow! The hike is anticipated to take 5 to 5 1/2 hours, plus time for lunch, crossing the Iron Bridge and exploring the small village. The famous Iron Bridge, built in 1779, is the world's first cast iron bridge and was built at an estimated cost of £3,250 (£426,353 in 2023).
After dinner Saturday night there may be a Halloween-themed movie. Will it be "Clue", "Hocus Pocus", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Corpse Bride", "Young Frankenstein" or the classic "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"??!!
This would be an excellent "first event" as it will be a smaller group of attendees, providing the chance to get to know everyone.
Should you have any questions about the event please email me on chris.keivit@outdoorlads.com.
Please note that beds are provided with only a bottom sheet and a pillow. You will need to bring your own bedding / duvet / sleeping bag and many prefer to bring their own pillow, too.
Dogs: Well behaved dogs are able to join us at no extra cost, but we are limited to four dogs overall. Please e-mail support@outdoorlads.com to book a space for your dog.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
Photos are provided by www.unsplash.com and used with permission
What to bring
You will need to bring bedding from home!
Should you need any of the items below, remember that ODL members get a discount at Cotswold Outdoors, Berghaus and Snow + Rock
Boots: As it is heading into winter in the Lake District, full hiking boots are a better option than mid-ankle hiking shoes. Waterproof and breathable are the best options.
Socks: Merino wool socks provide the best moisture-wicking but almost any decent walking sock from an outdoor shop or even good quality cotton or wool socks will provide a number of affordable "quick-dry" options.
Walking Trousers: There are several styles of affordable walking trousers. It is always worth trying them on to make sure they fit your comfortably, a webbing style belt is often useful, as well as zippable pockets and should be water-repellent.
Waterproof Trousers: As above, many outdoor shops all stock an excellent selection of waterproof trousers. It is recommended that you have a pair just in case the weather turns.
Base Layer: A breathable base layer should be chosen in order to let sweat escape from the body. This could be a cheaper sports top or you could go top of the range with a merino top, as cotton t-shirts can become damp and uncomfortable as our bodies heat up when hiking.
Other Layers: On top of your base layer, you can have a variety of options such as a micro fleece, a fleece jacket or a rugby/sports top can sometimes be good. Having one or two additional layers gives you flexibility when the weather is changeable – the more layers, the more flexible you can be in adapting to the weather.
Waterproof Jacket: Good waterproof jackets can range from £30 to over £300! At a minimum, the jacket should have fully taped seams, an adjustable hem, elastic cuffs and at least 1 inside pocket.
Hat: A good hat (that covers your ears) like a wool beany provides warmth and wicking properties.
Gloves: As it will be winter, a good pair of (preferably) water- and wind-proof gloves is an essential piece of kit.
Rucksack: For day walks a 20-30 litre capacity rucksack should be sufficient for carrying the essentials. Ideally it should have padded waist straps, several outside pockets and a rain cover.
Map & Compass: If you want to learn to be a leader or you just like to know where you are, then you can bring a map that covers the area - Ordnance Survey Explorer 242 is the best for the area. It is best to bring your map either in a map case or purchase maps which are waterproof.
Food & drink
Friday night will be the usual ODL buffet; please bring something that can be shared easily. Home-prepared dishes gain those incredibly valuable (but seemingly meaningless ...) ODL points and something Halloween-themed gets bonus points!!!
Saturday breakfast might be my "ODL famous" chocolate brioche eggy bread and "all the trimmings"!
Saturday lunch will need to be brought along from the hostel, or a quick stop at the local Nisa or Spar can be planned. There are very few shopping options in Much Wenlock and no shops along the route. Depending on timing, there is a Co-op in Ironbridge.
Saturday dinner will be a Halloween-themed 3 course meal; feel free to get into costume for dinner!!
Sunday breakfast will be quick and easy as we will need to be out of The Granary by 10.00.
Tea & coffee is included throughout the weekend.
Other drinks: as this is a sober weekend, please do not bring alcohol; however low- and alcohol-free drinks are welcomed.