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In 1972, Post Office Telephones Technical Officers Bill Webb and Norman Hart decided to
start training for walking the Pennine Way. A trial walk was duly arranged along the
southern part of the Way, from Crowden Youth Hostel to Castleton in a day.
Unfortunately Bill himself was unable to make it on the day, but his son was there and
the walking party was transported in Bill's Ford Zephyr, by his wife. The other walkers
on that memorable foggy late summer day were Norman Hart, Dennis Green & Roland Carr.
The walk actually started from the Snake Pass road and navigation skills were required
as no visual references could be seen on Kinder Scout. However the sound of Kinder Downfall
confirmed accuracy and after wandering in the peat bog for a while (In fact it was nine hours in thick fog and semi impassable peat.
Its a wonder that wasn't the first and last. - (Noted Dennis Green 22/1/18)) they all arrived at
Edale, continuing over Hollins Cross to Castleton. The next day a short walk to Winnats
Pass & the Speedwell Cavern was followed by the return to Luton.
After this successful first outing, another trip was arranged for October 1972, this time
well off the Pennine Way, to the Brecon Beacons. The party this time was Norman, Dennis
and his Father, Roland and his friend Dan O'Grady. Again a successful weekend was enjoyed
and the October period was adopted for the future with a Spring walk also arranged for May
or early June. The name adopted for the group was really a jocular reminder of the
original purpose, and indeed several members have completed the whole of the Pennine Way,
even in the reverse to the accepted south to north direction !
From the original members at Luton and other local telephone exchanges, the group has grown
over the years to include friends from other non-PO/BT backgrounds. Some members have
now sadly passed away, others no longer work for BT or have retired. People have left the
scene for a while, often to reappear to join in walks years later! The group has never
become a formal club or organisation, just relying on friendly contact between the
participants and meeting occasionally for a drink to chat about future plans. The 25th
anniversary Autumn walk was a return to Brecon Youth Hostel and the Beacons, some of the
founder members were there !
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In Memorial
It is with sad regret that we have to note the passing of the chief founding member of the P.W.T.C. Norman Hart.
Norman had been on many walks since the groups beginnings, achieving the purpose of the group, walking the Pennine Way ( though he walked it from North to South ). He also walked the coast to coast path ( from East to West ) this was Norman. He often attended pre walk meetings to discuss the next area to visit or arrangements for an upcoming walk.
He will be greatly missed by one and all.
Norman Hart
29th November 1932 – 28th April 2014
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