First published in Country Walking magazine, November 2024 (download PDF)
As Britain's biggest and longest lasting national club for LGBTQ outdoor activities, how different are we to all those other walking groups? Well, the Gay Outdoor Club has had fifty years of being `the same, but different` - and its now welcoming newbies more than ever before.
I was one once a newbie,, that expectational experience waiting for the `off` in a deserted Sunday car park at Upton-on-Severn were those woolly hatted people really gay? How did I know?
The fact is it doesn't really matter one way or the other. Made so welcome, I found the unique “mobile Cocktail Party” was soon in progress. And, five years later, nothing changes – a minor diversion was needed with the mighty Severn once again in flood mode. Just as well there was no need to dress up smart
In 2024 this is one Party actually going places – and how! 1800 members and 500 events annually, all delivered by volunteer leaders in specialist or regional groups. Quite an achievement considering the ground covered from a darker 1950`s, era through groundbreaking freedoms after 1967 – and those students who decided on a walk in 1974.. Whether ABBA`s Eurovision song contest win that year (remember Waterloo?) was their motivating factor is not recorded -
Yet I'm asked `why bother when other walking groups exist? I tell them we now have a choice, and make jolly sure we have a good laugh too. What better way to meet new friends, than on a walk? And its not just limited to muddy boot days – there's National Trust properties, History trips, cycling abroad and Film nights too.
Meeting like-minded people, disproportionality affected by ever-closing pubs needs a relaxed environment, not a need to explanation of one's personal circumstances for the umpteenth time. For me retirement to a new town was my trigger into membership. For others it's change of outlook, bereavement, moving house, a health `wake up call `. Of course it might simply the lure of an OS map taking you places you always wanted to see but somehow never quite managed.
Being alone isn't good for anyone's spirits, and neither is too much screentime. Despite Equal marriage, the reality is that many in our community do not have offspring to see at weekends, or may even be estranged from family. So how does it all fit together? It's been said that LGBT people need three items. First, a sword to fend off troublemakers, then a shield protecting the less able, and finally the drum, celebrating who we are. With pub and tea shop endings regularly feature of so many events, we love socialising, weekends away and an `80`s Disco at the Annual Outdoor Gathering.
These are wonderful sell-out walk festivals. Two, three or more days with hundreds of members getting booted-up after breakfast, meeting old friends, swopping stories planning the future. University Campuses at Swansea, Lancaster, Telford and even the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh have all hosted hundreds of us for what have been wonderful Summers.
Whilst you might spot a rainbow flag on some of our hikes, swords and Shields have been replaced with Walking apps, Rucksack rain protectors and exhortations to carry more fluids in August than you'd ever imagine. Indeed one member staged a bottled water and ice cream station en route past his Cotswolds house in last Summer's 31C.
IIt's not always sunny though. Co-ordinating the specialist group History & culture, I kept the troops going around a Worcester Civil War Heritage romp. From Charles II`s last stand at the Commandery, via medieval New Street, popping into that huge Cathedral for King John's Tomb – few noticing we'd actually started that December day in minus 12C!
A further bonus was being given the mentoring, and finding the attraction of confidence to actually leading, with old hands able to guide newbies who want to run an event. There's a and a team spirit tackling diverted footpaths, oddly shaped stiles and those with transport issues. It's a club after all, and everyone's encouraged to join in.
So how did I find my first leader experience? My genteel History walk around Pershore's Georgian heart and lofty Tibberton woods required a nifty detour. Slithery mud paths angled toward a River in full spate?. Not likely. Especially when corralling over thirty talkative members from eith counties.
We had the company of an architect specialising in ecclesiastic and other historic buildings, making sense of the almost perfect Georgian Bridge Street. This route led (which WAS Toyah Wilcox`s house?) to Civil War battle scars and surviving WWII anti-tank pillars on the town's 15th cent. Avon Bridge. Also a Royal Horticultural Society member with us hosted our coffee stop at the ever-open Alpine Garden, RHS College Pershore – a a member's own interests spilling out for everyone's benefit.
Yes, some come just for the company, others are very new to walking...but for many it's a major hobby. On paper `just another walk` coalesces into something else. An endorphin-inducing favourite, Bredon Hill is well-known to readers passing by on that gateway, the M5. And it's doable, even if parking on a Sunday at Eckington means competing with Anglers.
Yes, there's lofty sights, but below your boots– that's where the real view lies, Iron age history hidden by Jurassic limestone. At the top, Parsons Folly and Kemerton fort hide a gruesome 1930`s archaeological find - mutilated 2000 year-old skeletons, by the dozen. Anyone for a helmet-torch hike on All Souls night? Some relished the north-face ascent , other's ever curious, asked “if they're the Malvern hills, can you see your house? I always say yes – at 299 m.,it's probably true. Everyone loves a view as much as our founding fathers did in 1974.
As a student myself back then, It's great looking back – our website this year hosts evocative old magazines and reports, pre internet. those founding members, students in London had their vision – Snowdonia. Starting small, they walked from the Soho pub across London to Primrose Hill, not knowing what a journey they'd be initiating. I'm one of many who recall a far more hostile environment, those struggles, isolation and understand their need `to find your feet` `. It`s true for many readers who instinctively understand the myriad reasons why countryside peace, fresh air and good company can be so exhilarating.
With free trial membership , there's never been a better time to join GOC. And, this year, if you do see us, maybe signs of a flag and a photo shoot somewhere in progress, say `hi! We'd love to find out where you've been n walking and swop some routes!
