The Mega Manx Pub Crawl

A walk to visit every pub on The Island

To raise awareness of, and funds for

The Islands homeless, and their charities.

Friday 26th - Monday 29th December 2008.

If you see Bethany on her walk, please give generously.

Approximate Timetable

 

	Friday 26th December Peel, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Crosby, Castletown, Foxdale, Santon, Douglas, Onchan		Saturday 27th December Ramsey, Glen Mona, Laxey,  Creg ny Baa, Onchan, Douglas, Onchan
	Sunday 28th December Ramsey, Sulby, Ballalugh, Kirk Michael, Peel, Glen Helen, Greeba, Crosby, Union Mills,		Monday 29th December Douglas

 

Bethany’s Xmas Walk for the Homeless

My next challenge is to walk round every Public House on the Isle of Man, in approximately four days, collecting money in each for the homeless shelters in Douglas.  What makes this a monumental challenge will be the weather, as I start on Boxing Day 2008 and hope to finish at the Manx Arms, Onchan by 10pm on Monday 29^th December 2008 .  It is approximately 85 miles.  The weather is likely to be cold, wet and windy – wonderful!  If the weather is extreme, as in snowy, foggy or icy, the walk will be postponed for a day.  I do not wish to put myself, or my support crew, in danger.

Ernie is my main support with his car.  I will be taking water, energy drinks, food, hot tea and even a small amount of rum with me to keep me warm!  The foot box will come in useful too.  I am very grateful to Ernie and to his colleagues and our bellringing friends, who have offered support over the four days.

To donate money please e-mail me at bethanyclague@hotmail.com, putting “Xmas Walk” in the title and I will tell you where to send a cheque to.  There is a collection tin in most pubs and I will come round with a bucket to collect during the walk

 

 

 

Boxing Day Timetable: The South and the East. Public House Arrival Time Comments Peel Leave at 9am   Waterfall Hotel 9.30am Will be shut Chequers 12.40pm Port Erin 12.30pm Haven Hotel 12.50pm   Station Hotel 1pm   Falcon’s Nest 1.10pm   Bay Hotel 1.20pm Leave PE 1.30pm Station, Pt St Mary 1.50pm Will be shut Albert Hotel 2.10pm Port St Mary 2pm Bay View Hotel 2.20pm   Shore Hotel, Gansey 2.40pm   Colby Glen Hotel 3.15pm Along B33 Union Hotel, Castletown 4.20pm Castlletown 4.10pm George hotel 4.35pm   Gluepot 4.50pm   Ship Inn 5.05pm   Viking 5.20pm   Sidings 5.30pm Leave Ctown 5.40pm Whitestone Inn 6pm Ballasalla Baltic Inn, Foxdale 7.45pm Via Ballamodha Straight HopGarden, Santon 9pm Via Braaid Horse + Plough 10pm South Douglas Heron, Anagh Coar 10.40pm   Pinewood, Pulrose 11pm   Quarter Bridge Hotel 11.15pm Open or shut? Walk back to Onchan Midnight Bed 1am-9am

Saturday 27th December Walk – The East Coast Public house Arrival time Comments Ramsey Start at 12 noon   Britannia Pub 12.10pm   Swan hotel 12.20pm   Central Hotel 12.30pm   Bar Logo 12.45pm   The Plough Hotel 1pm   Trafalgar Hotel 1.10pm   Stanley Hotel 1.20pm   Mitre Hotel 1.30pm   Ellan Vannin 1.40pm   Royal George Hotel 1.50pm Leave at 2pm Glen Mona Hotel 3pm Along Coast Road Laxey arrive 4.15pm Minorca Hill Shore hotel 4.25pm   Mines Tavern 4.55pm Captain’s Hill Bridge Inn 5.10pm   Queen’s Hotel 5.25pm   New Inn 5.35pm Leave Laxey 5.45pm Creg Ny Baa 6.30pm Upper Rencell + Anxfell Liverpool Arms 7.40pm Back on myself Manx Arms 8.20pm   Archibald Knox 8.35pm   Cat with No Tail 9pm   Manor Hotel, Willaston 9.45pm   Woodbourne Hotel 10.30pm Upper Douglas Rosemount 10.45pm Upper Douglas Bowling Green 11pm Upper Douglas Walk back to Onchan Midnight Bed 1am-8am

Sunday 28th December Timetable: North and West Public house Arrival Time Comments Ramsey Leave at 11.30am   Ginger Hall Hotel 12.15am   Sulby Glen Hotel 12.40am   Raven, Ballaugh 1.30pm   Mitre, kirk Michael 2.30pm   Glen Helen Hotel 3.45pm Cronk-y-Voddy road Highwayman, Peel 4.45pm Poortown Road Marina Hotel 5.20pm Arrive Peel 5.15pm Peveril Hotel 5.40pm   Creek inn 6pm   Central 6.15pm   Whitehouse 6.30pm   Royal hotel 6.50pm Leave Peel 7pm Tynwald Hill Inn 7.45pm Peel to Douglas Road Hawthorn Inn, Greeba 8.15pm   Crosby hotel 9pm   Railway, Union Mills 10pm   Walk back to Onchan Midnight Bed 1am to 10am.

Monday 29th December – Douglas walk. Public house Arrival Time Comments Start from home 1pm   Sir Norman’s 1.45pm   Sam Webbs 2pm   Brendan O’Donnells 2.15pm   Quids Inn 2.30pm   Jaks Pub 2.45pm   Amber Lounge 3pm Bucket only, no tin. Strand 58 3.15pm   Fiesta Havana 3.30pm No tin Victoria Tavern 3.45pm   Macbeth’s 4pm   C’est La Vie 4.15pm   Prospect hotel 4.30pm   Bar George 4.45pm   Rover’s Return 5pm   Cornerhouse 5.15pm   Old market Inn 5.30pm   Albert hotel 5.45pm   Clarendon 6pm   Saddle Inn 6.15pm No tin The British 6.30pm   The Bridge 6.45pm No tin Clinch’s 7pm   Railway Hotel 7.15pm   Trafalgar 7.30pm No tin Queen’s Hotel 8.15pm   Terminus Tavern 8.30pm   Finish at Manx Arms 9pm Celebrate!!

Graih   Our History   Graih (a Manx word meaning love and charity) is a Manx-registered Christian charity. We have been a charity since January 2008. The roots of our work are closely tied to Broadway Baptist Church and stretch back many years to when a daytime drop-in for men with alcohol addictions was operated out of The Alpha Centre, next to the church building.   In a small self-contained set of rooms this drop-in was run by a small number of men from the church. In the winter of 2005/06 it was decided that something more was needed for these men, many of whom were homeless as well as addicted to substances. The drop-in was extended to open overnight and for three months over the coldest part of winter men would come in and sleep. There were no beds, both the guys and the volunteers slept on the sofas or the floor. It was run entirely by volunteers.   Although numbers were small it was a success for the winter. It was then closed and the daytime work continued. At the start of the winter of 2006/07 church decided that it wanted to open the drop-in overnight again. This winter it was far busier and stayed open for longer, closing overnight in April 2007. The room was full, people were sleeping everywhere and it was obvious that something more permanent was needed.   The work was still entirely voluntary but throughout 2007 the search for dedicated premises started and the daytime work of the drop-in was extended to cover most of the week. At the end of the year we were offered a house by a local property developer and moved in in January 2008. This allowed far more space and luxuries such as beds! The formation of the charity at the same time allowed us to become separate from the church (although we remain closely linked to it) and gather funds specifically for the homeless. One member of staff is now employed, although the majority of the work remains dependent on volunteers, from time spent in the house with the guys to food and clothing provision.   What we do   We have contact with the destitute homeless and those in insecure and unsuitable accommodation. The majority of the people we see through or doors are male (provision for females remains unfortunately limited) and struggle with substance abuse of some kind.   We believe that these men need more than mere material provision, as important as that is. While we do provide a place to come for food and company during the day and a bed overnight we try to provide an environment of love where relationships will be formed and the men will be supported and helped. They do not fit into existing care structures and if approached organisationally will often walk away. They need to be surrounded by people who will love, support and befriend them. For the most part they feel rejected by society – a perception that only long-term, loving work can change.   We operate a Christian household in central Douglas (supported by people of all faiths and none!) where the guys can come in and receive material, emotional and spiritual provision. We are very low key and non-institutional and focus on building up a relationship with the guys. We do not operate programs. Numbers fluctuate between one or two and twelve to thirteen in the house, with a maximum of six staying overnight. We have links with services such as the Alcohol Advisory Service, Community Nursing, Dentistry and a Christian addiction agency called Stauros who run an off-island rehab centre. We receive referrals from the police, Social Services and the DHSS.   Although we deal with far smaller numbers than any sort of homeless work in much of the UK we believe that this gives us the greater opportunity to build a relationship with the guys that gives us the credibility to challenge and have a positive impact on their lives. As Christians we believe that this an expression of God's love for us and the guys. The house is where most volunteers will spend their time. Our volunteers are drawn from both Christian and non-Christian backgrounds and we make no demands on the faith of people in the house, volunteers or guys. We are always keen to stress, however, that we are a Christian charity.   Outside of the house those who are more involved full-time will visit the guys in prison or hospital, arrange appointments and transport with other services, help move people into accommodation and visit guys in the community. As with any and all relationships many things are thrown up and if there is a need we would always seek to help out.   One of the most positive aspect of our work has been contact with a handful of Christian households on the island. These are families who have opened up their homes to one or two men off the street and have taken them in as part of the family. In such an atmosphere amazing work has been done as the families have practised sacrificial love and accepted the men in.   Where we are going   Our work and life in the house is constantly changing in both numbers and who we see in. As we continue to settle into the house we are seeking to develop stronger links within the community to begin to offer some sort of work to the guys. We are also seeking to develop a rural premises of some kind for those who need time away from their usual environment. Our work with women is also very limited and could be an area we seek to develop.   The nature of the relationships we have means that there are constant challenges to what we do, how we do it and the links we have in the wider community. We try to remain flexible to new ideas and seek out the best way to move forward. There's always more to do and more to think about!   How you can help   There are many ways people can get involved. Undoubtedly our greatest need is for volunteers to spend time in the house, serving and befriending the guys. No matter how little or much people can do we are always grateful for any time given, be that once every three months or five times a week. We are open over lunches and nights and would start new volunteers off on lunches before progressing to nights if they so wish.   Alternatively if people have any sort of speciality or ideas they believe might help us we are more than interested in discussing any possibilities and opportunities with them. We also have a generous rota of people who provide food for the household and donate clothing and bedding.   Please contact one of the people below if you are interested in getting involved in any way, making a donation of something or want to know more.   Our opening hours   Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1000 - 1400 All other days apart from Thursday: 1230 - 1400 Thursday is a work day.   Open every night 2100 - 0730 the following morning. Entry between 2100 - 2200 only.     Kemmyrk   This is a shelter for homeless men aged 25 years or less.  It is situated in Kingswood Grove and can sleep up to 8 men.  Admission is 9-10pm and the men are given dinner, a bed and breakfast in the morning.  There are shower facilities and clean clothes etc if needed.  The aim is to help these young men regain their confidence and start them on the road to accommodation and employment.   Bethany's Report   The Mega Pub Crawl 2008 Where did the idea come from? I began to get itchy feet nearly six months after the double Parish Walk. I thought to myself I would like to walk a long way to raise money for charity again. The idea of doing a Winter Parish Walk was tempting but I wanted to do something slightly different. I wanted to walk round places like churches and that is when the idea of walking round pubs and collecting in them emerged. As far as I know, nobody has ever walked round all the pubs in the Isle of Man. My feet started to itch a lot – this was an opportunity I could not resist. It was nearly Christmas and I could start on Boxing Day – a bank holiday, and my friend Ernie would be off work to help support. The Preparation. I cut out the list of pubs in the telephone book and worked my way through them. The route was the hardest part to organise. Over a week it got bigger and bigger as I realised there were more and more pubs, many not listed in the telephone book, and I knew my two-day pub crawl was turning into something much bigger. 91 pubs later I had a route over 4 days. The only consolation was that Jurby and Andreas pubs had closed, reducing the distance by 8 miles. If I collected in each pub for 10 minutes, that meant it would take me 910 minutes, or 15 hours, just to collect the money. This was going to be a long walk! The Route There were four days of walking: Boxing Day was 46 miles starting at Peel at 9am, over the Sloc to Port Erin for 12noon and then making my way round the South of the island, walking the Ballamodha Straight, until I finished with the last pub at 'Quarterbridge', to arrive home in Onchan by 10pm. This was the longest, most tiring day. Saturday 27th December was 26 miles along the East Coast, starting in Ramsey at 12 noon. As the pubs were quiet, Ernie and I decided to go back to Ramsey a week later in the evening to collect more money. I walked through Laxey, Onchan and Upper Douglas to the 'Bowling Green Pub', before arriving home at 10pm. Sunday 28th December was 33 miles and I left Ramsey at 12 noon to head to Peel along the main road. After Peel it was straight along the main road to the 'Railway Inn' in Union Mills, before arriving home at 10pm. Monday 29th December was 5 miles through Douglas, starting at 'Sir Norman's' at 2pm to walk collect in the last 28 pubs, finishing at the 'Terminus Tavern' at 6pm for a celebratory drink. The total route was 110 miles collecting in 91 pubs in 37 hours. What was the weather like? The weather would be the greatest challenge, however after the Parish Walk I was ready for anything. Amazingly not a single raindrop fell on me! However it was cold and the wind was bitter and strong. From Dalby to the top of the Sloc it was freezing and the wind blew cold and strong. A cup of hot tea at the Round Table did the job. The coldest part was leaving the 'Creg' at 6pm on Saturday. It was 0 degrees and I had 6 layers of clothes on my upper body and 2 pairs of trousers on. By the time I reached the lower 'Liverpool Arms' I was sweating! What was the worst part of the walk? Walking in the dark from 4pm to 10 pm for 3 consecutive days was unpleasant. It was very dark on most of the roads. Ernie drove 100 metres behind me along busy roads like the Ballamodha Straight to protect me and also to light the way. He had his flashing yellow light warning cars we were there. I was wearing high-viz clothing and 2 LED headtorches; a red one on the back of my head and a white one on the front. I had a flashing red light on my high-viz belt. I discovered a cheap B+Q LED headtorch, in addition to the other white headtorch on the front of my head, worked very well in allowing me to see where I was going on the Sunday night. What was the best part of the walk? The welcome we received in all the pubs. Lots of people were expecting us and I was applauded and cheered. People shook my hand and were very generous in their donations. Several pubs provided Ernie and I with cups of tea and even free pints. The 'Creg' very generously gave us a huge bowl of hot chips which was wonderful. Sometimes it was difficult to leave a nice warm fire and friendly customers to go back out in the dark and cold. How much did you raise? It took me ten hours to count all the coins. I raised £2400 and split the money between three charities in the end. (I did not expect to raise so much money!) I gave the homeless shelter Graih £1000, Kemmyrck at 'Kingswood House' £550 and the Star Club in Douglas for people with mental health problems I gave £850. All three charities I have been involved with, either as a volunteer or a member. Who would I like to thank? I must thank Ernie, who supported me in his car over the first three days. He is a wonderful friend and very unselfish. Also, thanks to David who walked round the Douglas pubs with me on the Monday. Thanks to Erika and Alvin who met me in the 'Creg'. They supported me on the Parish Walk. Thanks to Penny and Marion for their help and support. Many thanks too to Manx Radio and IOM Newspapers for all the publicity they gave me along the way. Also thanks go to Energy FM and Three FM for their publicity. I must thank all the publicans for allowing me to collect in their public houses and the generosity and support of the Manx people, again! It was a wonderful few days and a lot of money was raised for three very worthwhile charities. Bethany Clague 2nd February 2009

If you see Bethany on her walk, please give generously.