John Shorter - Mountains & Us - ZOOM

In a week when the work of Rotary Clubs was recognised in the House of Commons for their role in Polio eradication locally John Shorter,72, and his wife and Maureen,71, Of Penrith Rotary Club showed that age is no object to taking part in Rotary outdoor walking activities.  

John explained how he got a love of walking in the Alps and the Lake District Fells when as a young man he was bored working for a book publishing firm and decided instead to run away to sea. Each Wednesday, whilst training as a Radio Officer at Wray Castle, these would be sailors were dropped off 10 miles from Wray Castle and had to find their own way back, across the fells using a badly photocopied map. He explained that now he and Maureen set off, fully equipped, for winter walks on the fells. They prefer the scenery in winter when the fells are quiet and peaceful and the views are magnificent. John stressed the need of having the correct equipment as you can never tell when the weather will suddenly change.

John also organises fell walks each week with a group of three friends the total ages of which never fall below 230. He and Maureen also enjoy drinking Fizz, and eating hot pasties, on the fells on Christmas day.