Sheffield DA News and Updates
Hi all and welcome to this Autumn edition of In The Field.
I hope this email finds you well and you are coping with the evolving Coronavirus situation. Inevitably it's been tough and we've all needed to make adjustments; for Sheffield DA it caused us to lose so much of the first half of the season. That said, I am proud that we were able to resume camping again from 1st August with the covid-secure procedures in-place and for that I would like to thank your committee and the stewards, without whom we would not have been able to restart in August.
Since the restart I am delighted to say that attendances have been very strong indeed at Sheffield DA meets and THS; onsite the campers have adapted extremely well to the new procedures and for this I would like to extend my thanks to you all for accepting individual responsibility for your own compliance. The guidelines are available to read on our website, click here.
This newsletter looks forward into the Autumn: it's been a 'Super September' so far with excellent meets at Tansley, Shepley and Monyash so, if Coronavirus virus restrictions continue to allow, we can look forward to a strong conclusion to 2020. We have had to make some adjustments to the plans: we have decided that the photographic competition and the FOL will take a different form this year in order to remain compliant with virus restrictions (details below).
A couple of requests from me:
Please use the website to book your sites in advance because it allows us to gauge numbers and also gives us the ability to let you know if anything changes, such as local lockdown measures. Click here for site details and to book.
If you wish to continue to receive these In The Field newsletters plus any other information from Sheffield DA throughout the year, please register on our website, www.sheffieldda.co.uk; this allows us to store your details securely, construct newsletters and also add member-only content. We can ensure we are compliant with all data protection regulations and you have the ability to control your own details. It's quick and easy, simply click here.
Cancellations
Please note that, reluctantly, we have taken the decision to cancel the following events:
Sherwood Forest Holiday Park (2nd - 4th October)
Bonfire and fireworks display
Christmas Party
Annual Dinner Dance
Although we have had to cancel the bonfire and firework display, Torksey (30th October - 1st November) does remain on the schedule as a regular meet and our final meet of the year.
Coronavirus
As you will no doubt be aware, there have been conditions applied to the resumption of camping. For the most part these are an enhancement to our normal routines, however there is one important distinction that we must keep in our minds, which his this: each booking is individual, we are running a camp site and not a social gathering, hence you will see that we have been obliged to cancel DA get-togethers such as coffee mornings, marquee and village hall socials. This also extends to our own individual actions, which must remain compliant with Government guidelines at all times. In England, this is now a maximum of 6 people meeting socially, indoors or outdoors. I must request on behalf of Sheffield DA that you help us to remain compliant with Coronavirus restrictions and observe these rules at all times whilst onsite.
NHS Test & Trace App
The NHS Covid-19 Test & Trace app has been launched and it is mandatory for DAs to display the event QR code for scanning upon arrival. As ever, Sheffield DA encourages all measures for the continuation of safe camping and supports all measures that help with the fight against Coronavirus so in addition to the existing Test and Trace sheet, we will be registering all our meets with the scheme and a QR code will be displayed by stewards for scanning on arrival. To be clear, whilst we encourage campers to support this initiative it is NOT mandatory for attendance at our meets. Some campers might not have compatible smartphones, the mobile phone signal might not allow connection to NHS server, some people might choose not to install the app on their phone; these things are your own business, however we will play our part as a DA to facilitate use of the app. For more details and how to download, click here (opens NHS app website).
Autumn with Sheffield DA
Turning to more positive matters, we still have a fantastic Autumn of camping ahead of us. 'Super September' has lived up to its billing so far with Tansley, Shepley and Monyash enjoying fine weather, so hopefully that will continue through to the weekend.
Thorpe, 25th - 27th September: Hollington End Farm is an excellent site for access to the beautiful White Peak, sitting conveniently between Tissington Village and Dovedale, both of which can easily be reached on foot. A short drive away is the picturesque Staffordshire Peak village of Ilam, alternatively the popular market town of Ashbourne is a few miles down the A515. For details and to book Thorpe, click here.
Sherwood Forest, 2nd - 4th October: Following ongoing discussions with Sherwood Holiday Park we were unable to obtain a firm commitment from the landowner so, regrettably, the Committee has had to take a positive decision to cancel this meet.
Blyth Cricket Club, 9th - 11th October: Blyth village dates back to the Domesday book and enjoys a rich history as former host to a significant Benedictine monastery, believed to date back to 1088. Stewards are still required for this meet, if you wish to volunteer please contact me. Click here to book Blyth.
Ashford-in-the-Water, 16th - 18th October: Ashford in the Water is a wonderful village simply to stroll around and absorb. Bakewell is a short drive away and further afield the more energetic can strike out on foot to Monsal Head via the Monsal Trail, route of the former Midland Railway and exciting for youngsters who can walk the famous Headstone Tunnel and over the spectacular Viaduct. Ashford in the Water is a wonderful location in isolation but is an excellent base to explore many Peak District attractions. Ashford is also the normal venue for our annual photography competition, however it's clear that we cannot gather in the normal way, so see below for details of Sheffield DAs Photographic Competition 2020. To book Ashford-in-the-Water, click here.
Ashover Showground, 23rd - 25th October: Ashover is a popular Sheffield DA venue and was cancelled earlier in the years, so Rob has managed to reschedule the meet. Ashover is a picturesque village just just 4 miles to the south of Chesterfield and a popular destination for circular walks and enjoying a couple of fine pubs. To the east, for the more energetic, lies Ashover Rock ('The Fabrick'), a gritstone boulder offering a fine 4-county viewpoint towards Chesterfield, Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall. For more details and to book Ashover, click here.
Torksey Scout Camp, 27th - 29th October: Although we are unable to go-ahead with the bonfire and fireworks this year, the meet is still planned to go-ahead as a regular weekend meet. Torksey Lock is a popular spot for walking, wildlife or leisure boating. The Fossdyke Canal Trail is a recreational route running alongside the Roman canal between Saxilby and Lincoln and extends beyond to Torksey Lock. The ancient city of Lincoln enjoys many attractions and Gainsborough is a short drive to the north. Stewards are still required for this meet, if you wish to volunteer please contact me.
Feast of Lanterns 2020
The FOL was planned for Blyth meet October 9th – 11th. Unfortunately we do not feel it appropriate in the current Coronavirus restrictions to encourage any social mingling, so the 2020 Blatherwick Cup will be a unique event.
The revised theme for 2020 is "The Blatherwick Cup through the ages" and members will be invited to submit photographs of their own (or their favourite) FOL entries since the start of the Blatherwick Cup in 1934. All entries will be posted on Sheffield DA's website and members will be invited to vote for their favourite entries, via an online voting form. Winners will be announced at a 'virtual' prize-giving ceremony. The date is to be confirmed but now's a good time to start rooting through those photo archives. Look out for further details and dates.
Photography Competition
Sheffield DAs photography competition 2020 will also be hosted online, so remember to gather your entries. Photographs don’t have to be from this year because, let's face it, much of this year all we saw was the inside of our houses, but now we are at least able to get out and about, so keep your camera handy for that killer shot!
Further details will follow, so get your thinking caps on.
The categories are: isolation, camping, turquoise, doors, rivers, clouds. CCJ and CCY are open subject, unlimited entries.
That’s all for now, you’re all up-to-date but more than ever it is worth keeping across SDA website and social media for the latest status and information.
Don't forget to register on www.sheffieldda.co.uk to receive newsletters and member content. Use the sign-in option or click the 'register' button at the top of the home page.
Hope to see you all soon
Iain Bonfield
Chairman, Sheffield DA.