& District Ramblers Newsletter New rambling programme has a lot more variety

THE CLOCKS have changed, the Spring Equinox has passed and gradually the days are longer sometimes, but not always blessed with warm sunshine! Accordingly our Rambling programme is packed with new ideas and destinations!

We recently surveyed our membership to gain feedback as to how we were servicing their needs. Amongst the many constructive suggestions we curiously had some call for walks that were both shorter and for others longer!

Going back pre-Covid our weekend walks have been exclusively all day affairs, at least 10 miles and sometimes considerably more. However it was clear that many members, who for various reasons could only walk at weekends, favoured a morning walk as opposed to something more demanding. As a result from the launch of our new programme from 1st July morning walks of around 6 miles will take place fortnightly.

At the opposite end of the spectrum several of our Saturday all day walkers have expressed a desire for a few challenging walks over and above the norm, 12 to 15 miles!

Likewise when the new programme kicks in we have set aside several dates where a longer distance hike in the order of up to 20 miles will be offered. For the avoidance of doubt these are suitably for strong walkers who have an appetite not merely for the distance but also for some challenging ascents in the likes of the Derbyshire Peak District.

Help your favourite charity Leicestershire residents encouraged to nominate a charity to receive share of £1million

What these new initiatives share along with our returning mid summer Wednesday evening walks and occasional Friday “car free” walks is something for everyone! Last years innovation was our launch of Tuesday and Thursday 4 mile walks and 2023 we are attempting to add yet more variety to what must surely be the most packed programme throughout the Ramblers activities nationally.

Although these additions are responding to requests from our members our approach is as always to give members of the public access to up to three walks before any commitment to membership needs to be considered. So with these longer, sunnier days now here why not check out our programme and give us a try.

You can obtain more details from any of these sources

Our website: www.ramblersleicester.org.uk

Via Facebook: www.facebook. com/LeicesterandDistrictRamblers

Via Email: publicity@ramblersleicester.org.uk

Dave Wheeler Publicity Secretary

Beware your dog’s tracker app

A NUMBER of apps which offer to keep an eye on your pet are also recording the login details and locations of YOU.

Such is the finding of a recent study. It seems that many tech companies which offer smart collars, GPS trackers, and wearable cameras for pets, may also be creating cyber security risks for their owners. A recent study at Newcastle University and Royal Holloway, University of London, evaluated 40 such apps. It discovered that a good number of them were recording the login details and location of the owners without encryption. In addition, all but four of the apps included some sort of tracking software, which was gathering information on the owner, without their consent.

As one doctoral student at Newcastle University’s school of computing explained, “Pet tech brings with it new security, privacy and safety risks to the pet owners.

“We would urge anyone using these apps to take the time to ensure they are using a unique password, check the settings and ensure that they consider how much data they are sharing or willing to share.”

RESIDENTS in Leicestershire can nominate a good cause to receive £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than £1million gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland.

Since the awards began, people in Leicestershire have submitted over 19,600 nominations and 26 Leicestershire based charities have benefited from valuable donations.

While the pandemic and the current economic climate has had an adverse effect on cash donations, the amount of people choosing to volunteer their time for a good cause is rising1. From today, Leicestershire residents can give a minute to nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com.

The Movement for Goods Awards has gifted over £4million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started.

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. 150 winning charities will be announced from 1 June, with a further 150 revealed in September. Further gifts will be awarded throughout the year.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, says: “We are immensely proud to be supporting many hundreds of charities through our Movement for Good Awards for the fifth year running. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference so we’re asking that people give a minute of their time to nominate a cause they care about to receive an award. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes. With financial strain continuing to impact many households the Movement for Good Awards represents a great way for people to continue to support causes close to their hearts, without worrying about an additional cost. Any charity can win no matter how large or small and even with just one nomination. So find a minute, jump online and nominate – because that small amount of time is invaluable for charities.”

Benefact Group has donated almost £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK2. The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025. Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group. Visit www.movementforgood.com to nominate a charity now.

Spot the difference!

Spot the difference!

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?