This year the AGM will be hosted by Doncaster Group and will be held on Saturday January 26th 2008 at 2pm at Tickhill Methodist Church, Northgate, Tickhill, Doncaster DN11 9HZ.
The speakers will be Julia Guest, Senior Rights of Way Officer for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, and John Whiteman, from the Ramblers’ London Office. Most existing officers are willing to stand for re-election, though Terry Howard has come to the end of his 3-year term as Chair and so we will be electing his successor. Nominations are welcome for all posts - please speak to Terry Howard on 0114 266 5438. Volunteers are also welcome!
There will be a walk in the area led by Peter Haines. It will start from the Church at 10.30, and will return in good time for the AGM.
Tickhill is at the junction of the A631 and the A60. The Methodist Church is set back on the A60 just north of the village centre, after the Buttercross going north. By bus, there are buses from Doncaster Interchange to Tickhill.
Walk your favourite path, cross your favourite moor, climb your favourite hill, enjoy your favourite view and be inspired. But also, be very thankful for all of this.
It is all too easy to believe that all of what we enjoy while out walking is simply ‘there’ - and naïve to believe that it always has been and always will be. Virtually everywhere we choose to place our feet when out walking has been campaigned for or worked for. Our organisation is about people, it is about protecting our rights and the things we enjoy about walking. It therefore works for all walkers. To do so is our legitimate charitable objective.I am immensely thankful for the work and campaigning done by our predecessors and current ’workers’, and am also proud to be associated with them. It is good at times to escape from the pressures of modern life and enjoy the feeling of freedom one can get on a walk, but we remain a working or campaigning organisation. It is in our Groups where most of this excellent work is done.
Over this last year our Groups have provided an even wider choice of walks for members and non-members, from short walks to the more traditional longer walks. Several Groups work with visually impaired walkers and their local Health Walks projects. Walking with wheelchairs is now starting to appear in walks programmes. I feel that this Area is now moving into a new era, and is one of the leading Areas nationwide to welcome these new challenges.
We had a very successful conference on the ‘Walking Out’ project at the new Moorland Discovery Centre at Longshaw. Sheffield has been chosen to run the national ‘Get Walking Keep Walking’ project which will help people to do more regular local walking to improve their health and well-being. There can be no doubt about the success of the 20s-30s Groups in helping to change the image of what can appear to be an ageing organisation. We welcome more such groups.
This year will see finished Rights of Way Improvement Plans in all our Groups’ areas. It is appreciated that there is some reticence from some Groups with their Plans, but they remain the blueprint or working document for the future of our public rights of way system. It will be incumbent on us all to make sure that these plans are put into action by our Local Authorities. It will mean campaigning and political pressure, but that’s what we are about.
As this is my last year as your Chair (recent years have seen Chairs do no more than 3 years each) I would like to thank every single Group Officer, Area Officer and member for their co-operation in making this Area one of the more pro-active Ramblers’ Areas in Great Britain, and one to be proud of. Thanks.
Terry Howard, Chair.
During the year the Area distributed 71% of the annual entitlement of £12,000 received from Central Office to the 10 Groups in the Area, leaving a surplus of £3,500. The Area received a legacy from the will of GHB Ward of £35,901.
Funds were provided from the Miss Ivy Cowen (deceased) legacy to Groups (£345) and to the Moors of the Future project (£1,000). Funds were provided from the Mr Herbert Proctor (deceased) legacy to Groups (£665).
We spent £391 on footpaths, £198 on countryside protection and £2,010 on promoting walking, supporting the Ramblers’ charitable objectives.
As the new Area Treasurer, I am introducing the funding of Groups via annual budget estimates instead of the current 'amount per member' basis. This will mean that Groups, based on their current budget estimates, will be asking Area for approximately £9,950 in total for the coming year.
We will be contributing £6,000 from our own funds towards our budget of £12,900, in line with the Rambler's reserves policy. We will therefore be asking Head Office for £6,900 compared to £12,000 this year.
Our thanks are due to our independent examiner, Mr Eric Copley.
In my report last year, I said that the RA at national level had taken a case to the House of Lords and we awaited the result. The 5 Law Lords voted unanimously to allow the RA's appeal, thus overturning judgements in the lower courts concerning the correct interpretation of section 31 of the Highways Act 1980. This is a massive victory for the RA. The outcome means that landowners cannot thwart a claim for a public right of way by keeping their intention not to dedicate private. It must be made overtly to the public using the path, which is what everyone believed the interpretation to be for the last 50 years.
Since October 2007, National Parks have the power to impose a Traffic Regulation Order on any path in their territory. The powers are aimed at unsurfaced routes that are facing serious damage by off-road vehicles. There are estimated to be over 350 routes within the Peak Park that have or may have vehicular rights, many of them in outstanding areas such as Edale (Chapel Gate) and Bretton Clough. This Area is assisting National Park staff to identify vulnerable routes and are co-operating with our colleagues in Derbyshire and Manchester Areas to lobby Peak Park Board members to use the new powers resolutely.
John Harker, Area Footpaths Secretary
What a year it has been. The reappearance of foot and mouth sent a shiver of fear through not just farming communities but all of us who love our biggest national natural resource - the countryside. Add to this the first recorded cases of blue tongue in
The Government’s outright attack on our right to oppose plans which we feel will affect our countryside are condemned by all. The plans to replace this right with what amounts to a chat with the developers are a poor replacement, compared with our right to stand and say to the powers-that-be what we think.
The area has had another batch of wind-farm applications - some granted, some pending. But the wind of change is at last blowing in another direction as the Government comes to terms with the low effect this form of power is having.
The Tintwhistle By-pass public enquiry is at present in recess, due to the Department of Transport getting just about all its facts wrong. You couldn’t make it up, or has someone at last been found to be doing just that?
Allen Pestell, Area Countryside Officer
During the financial year membership in the Area has increased slightly, 2942 as against 2912 (+1%), whilst nationally there has been a decline of 1.3%.
There is quite a variation between different groups in the Area with Barnsley, Doncaster, and Dearne Valley stable, whilst Sheffield, Rotherham Metro, and Bolsover have declined.
Chesterfield, Chesterfield Young Ramblers, and Sheffield Walking Group (20’s and 30’s) have increased their membership by more than 3%. This is particularly notable with the younger groups up 23% (in numbers, 5 )and 13% (26) respectively. Since the year end the Sheffield 40’s group has been established.
Those groups without their own web sites (Barnsley, Bolsover, and Rotherham Metro) are missing out on the possibilities of attracting new members relatively easily. All Groups except Sheffield Walking Group put their walks programme on the national web site ‘Walksfinder’. This is an excellent way of attracting people to try out walks and it increases the value of being part of a national organisation. Quite a few members walk with more than one group to get full value from their membership, to see new areas, and meet new people.
Next year will see the introduction of a new membership system which should enable more of the information provided on joining being made available to groups e.g. phone numbers, email addresses etc.
Basil Merry, Acting Membership Secretary
Group websites and Area information can be found at http://www.syned-ramblers.org.uk/ , and the national Walksfinder database at http://www.ramblers.co.uk/walksfinder Do have a look at them!
I fully endorse the comments made by Basil Merry (above) about the importance of Group websites and ‘Walksfinder’. I would strongly encourage all groups to have their own website, and to put their walks programmes on the national ‘Walksfinder’ database.
I am very happy to help Groups to make more use of websites or Walksfinder.
Paul Clarke Area IT Officer - paul@upperdenby.org.uk
We have regular walks each weekend on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Mileage is usually around 10 although some of the Sunday walks are longer and more demanding. Average numbers for walks on both days is around 15-20 people. We also have a very popular evening walk each week during the summer of around 5/6 miles. Thus we hope to cater for all abilities.
We have also tried something new this year - short walks of around 2/3 miles around local beauty spots on a weekday for people with disabilities who have scooters or wheelchairs. These have met with limited success and may not be repeated next year. Sometimes only Ramblers have turned up for these walks despite them being advertised in the programme and the local newspapers.
Both the Saturday and Sunday groups have had weekends away in Morecambe (walks in the Lake District), Suffolk, Ironbridge and Whitby. I'd like to thank all the people who take the time and trouble to arrange these weekends. We have also had day trips to Chester and Leyburn for walks further afield.
This year we have written to the local Council regarding the dire state of our local footpaths. As ever, due to lack of funds and staff very little is being done to clear the vegetation which is making some of the paths inaccessible. However we continue to have a dialogue with them. Various members of the group are also on local committees such as the Area Forum and footpath groups.
We have had little success in encouraging new members, although a lot of programmes have been posted out in response to telephone enquiries. Programmes have also been distributed through the libraries and resource centres. Plus all walks are advertised weekly in the local newspapers.
The Group would like to thank all the walk leaders who continue to arrange such a good programme on a weekly basis through the whole year.
Carol Wood, Secretary
It is with great sadness we have to report the death of two members and friends, Bill Hadley and John Severn. Bill was a member from the Group’s formation and John a more recent member. Both will be sadly missed.
Although we are a small group we continue to be very successful in forwarding the aims of the Association and continue to maintain a steady membership and attract new members. To this end we have completed two leaflet drops in Bolsover and continue to have reports of our walks included in our local press.
Our varied walks programme caters for walkers of all abilities. Bolsover Group has always been proud of its reputation of being a friendly and welcoming group and our current members work hard to maintain this. Further information regarding our group activities can be obtained at http://www.syned-ramblers.org.uk/
We continue to be in regular contact with the rights of way officer at Derbyshire County Council and were pleased recently to see an article in the local press reminding farmers and landowners of their responsibilities to reinstate footpaths. We also attend our local access meeting at Bolsover District Council regularly.
During the summer we had a Garden Party and a Pirate Barbecue, both very enjoyable events. And at the time of writing we looked forward to our Halloween Ghost walk and International fancy dress party.
Finally as Chair I would like to thank the members of our committee whose commitment and enthusiasm has made this a very successful and enjoyable year.
Arthur Soar, Chair
Chesterfield's programme is as full as ever : about 14 types of walk on offer in Winter, 20 in Summer. Over 100 people are out on four separate rambles each Wednesday: short bus, long bus, short car, long car. Wednesday is consistently a more popular day for rambling than either Saturday or Sunday.
Bus rambles allow greater flexibility - the chance to do arcs and linears - but some leaders are starting off after 9.30 am , to allow senior citizens to use their cards.
Matlock is in a sorry state after the arrival of the new Sainsburys. The old bus station and the new relief-road haven't yet settled down. Also, extensive pipe-laying delays vehicle movement prior to ramble starts. Some Chesterfield members have reported very high parking charges, even on Sundays.
The new Themed Walks were not helped by poor weather and nervous potential participants. Yet Chelmorton's past has been discovered ; the alleys and passageways of Matlock have been traced ; transport routes in Whaley Bridge have been unearthed ; Hardwick Hall and its environs have been sketched ; and Ashover's indutrial past is now being spread abroad. Themed walks will doubtless be tried again in the summer of 2008.
Nobody is impressed by recent “traffic calming “in the Peak. Vehicles don't look very subdued. And dirt-track motorbikes and 4W-drive off-roaders are still a problem.
We are fortunate to have an (unpaid !!!! ) slot in The Derbyshire Times every Thursday, and to have Basil Merry's new branch website.
Godfrey Holmes, Publicity Secretary
2007 has gone very well for the Chesterfield Young Ramblers. The Group has increased in size from 17 to 29 members and on average 70 % attend regularly the walks, socials and weekend programs.
Weekends away have been very popular this year taking us to new places to walk including conquering Snowden, paddling and walking down the Wye and walking in every weather element thrown at us in the Lakelands.
It is encouraging that some new members from last year are now becoming walks leaders. We now have a waiting list of people wanting to lead walks.
At our recent AGM we had an open and honest debate about the group’s progress and future. Overall people were pleased with the activities and the communication side of the group. However, we felt we needed to return to our own local community and promote the physical and mental health benefits of walking. This has resulted in two new positions being created. We now have two footpaths officers and a membership and publicity secretary.
2008’s theme will be training and membership growth. We are doing well at membership retention by ensuring participation for everyone and not just the committee. However, we recognise that growth is also important in spreading the Ramblers message, which will be an important theme of 2008.
Rachel Burnett, Secretary
This year the Group has been in existence for 14 years and is still going strong, with a membership of 147. We are still finding it difficult to get volunteers to step forward and take key positions on the Committee.
Nevertheless various events are still taking place. In the summer we had a stand at Thrybergh Country Park to promote walking. In August there was a trip to Robin Hood’s Bay when three walks were organised over three days, and in September a coach trip to Whitby. Thank you to the people who arranged them and made them a success. It is not easy to do, and takes time and enthusiasm.
We still don’t know what 2008 will hold for the Group. We hope that it will flourish and grow, and may there be plenty of walking to keep our paths open.
Barrie Tucker, Acting Chairman
The draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan was produced by DMBC in the late summer. The draft was put out for consultation and the Group responded. The final version is due in November and it is hoped that it will then be implemented. The crucial issue is whether the Council will provide additional funding to finance the improvements. After spending £50,000 in a successful trial to resolve the long-term footpath surface problems in the Fishlake area, DMBC have committed a further £400,000 to be spent in the area over the next five years.
The Group’s website came on-line this year and is often the first port of call for potential new members. If you haven’t seen it, check out http://www.doncasterramblers.org/ where you’ll see our walks programme, a photo gallery and answers to questions often asked by potential new members. The website is intended to give a flavour of the Group, with photos showing walks in sun and rain, as well as some social activities.
The Group had a stand at the Doncaster Country Fair in August. Committee members manned the stand and were pleased with the steady interest all day.
The Danum Trail, a 70 mile circular walk around Doncaster, was established in 1995. However, it is felt that there is scope for a replacement, more in tune with today’s thoughts about access to public transport, etc. Accordingly a 31 mile walk, from Rossington to Woodlands, the end-points of the bus corridor currently being built and taking in as much high land as possible and linking with the Trans Pennine Trail, is in the early stage of being developed.
David Gadd, Secretary
Once again the Group has undertaken a successful programme of walks. The introduction of a number of shorter easier paced walks has been well received and these will continue to feature in the coming year. Particular thanks in this respect must go to Group members Tom and Rita Doncaster for leading leisurely half day walks every other Wednesday.
While membership has remained static at around 300 the Group has continued to play an active role on the rights of way scene through our Footpaths Committee and participation in the work of the Local Access Forum. Members helped to lead some of the walks in the Rotherham Walking Festival in July. We also had a stand at the Rotherham Show in September. The combination of good weather, large crowds and an eye catching photo competition made it one of our best yet in terms of interest generated.
The forthcoming AGM in November will again see changes. Socials Co-ordinator, Jim Tompkin, is standing down from Committee. Jim has been a stalwart within the Group for many years playing a major role, including time as Footpaths Officer. Fortunately he is staying on the Footpath Committee. The AGM will also see a new Chairman and Secretary elected. Hopefully more members can be encouraged to become involved.
Steve Hughes, Chairman
What a great Group Sheffield is. The committee members are second to none, and a privilege to work with. But the other volunteers who lead our walks are also second to none, carrying out an ever-inclusive walks programme for members and non-members alike. Their contribution is much appreciated.
Many of us know that walking is more than just packing a few sandwiches in a bag and having a good ramble. It is about health, socialising, education, challenge, spiritual uplift and creativity. So what has the Group done this year?
An ever-inclusive walks programme for all people. Worked with and supported the visually impaired walking group. Introduced more short urban walks. The increasingly popular ‘Walking Out ‘ project in co-operation with the City’s Health Walks project. Been chosen to host the ‘Get Walking Keep Walking’ project to help people in the City improve their health and well-being. Responded to public rights of way issues. Helped increase the number of new public rights of way. Responded to open access matters and promoted access with appropriate activities. Provided the longest-running and most varied slide lecture programme in the City. Provided members with newsletters to keep them up-to-date. Participated with various non-Ramblers’ groups to promote walking - e.g. Sheffield’s Strategic Walking Forum, Local Access Forums, Council Officers’ Working Groups, etc., etc. Continued to campaign for and promote public transport. Established working links with the Sheffield Walking Group for 20s-30s and together worked towards other RA Groups in Sheffield. The list can continue.
As yet I haven’t mentioned the passing of Bob McHale. This is because he was a supporter and worker for everything above, and because without his support much of the above may not have taken place. Thank you Bob. You are missed.
In Sheffield we now have more walking opportunities than ever before, and we should celebrate the fact. However, the work goes on…. Thank you everybody.
Terry Howard, Group Chair
This past year has continued to see a lot of activity within SWG, with plenty of walks, socials and weekends away providing ample events for our members to attend. The group has clocked approximately 15,800 miles between us over the past year, a lot of miles considering the wet summer and the Sheffield floods!
The walks ranged from our more gentle summer evening walks to our first ‘challenge’ walks, the Limestone Way and Yorkshire Three Peaks.
This year has seen a continued increase in membership, still growing following our formal 5th birthday celebrations in July. A new ‘walks-database’ has been produced to aid the organising and the selection of walks. The website has been modified and updated thanks to our dedicated IT boffin, with plenty of photographs. We have continued to support our walk leaders by ‘in-house’ and formal navigation training, the ‘shadowing’ of leaders and even a first aid course.
With the aid of the Area we have produced a new promotional leaflet for potential new members. The first leaflets were issued at the very wet Cliffhanger event, a joint Rambler’s stand with the Sheffield Group. As our propotion increases we now have a committee role of Publicity Officer to put more energy and resources into this.
This year has also seen the creation of a new 40s Group, spawned by one of our members, with support from SWG, Sheffield Group and the Area. This new group is beginning to flourish and attract new members into walking that may not otherwise have joined. We wish them every success and hope they continue to expand the Area in a new direction.
Much of this year has been focused on developing the SWG and ensuring its future. However, we have still been involved with local footpath problems and concerns and dealing with issues as they arise.
We thank the Area for all their support over the past year. We look forward to another successful year and working with other Groups in the Area to promote and develop the Ramblers’ Association aims.
Published by South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Area of the Ramblers’ Association. Registered charity 1093577.
Website: http://www.syned-ramblers.org.uk or http://www.ramblers-syned.org.uk
For membership information, changes of address etc., please contact the Membership Department, Ramblers' Association, 2nd Floor Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. Tel 0207 339 8500 http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ No separate address lists are maintained for Area News.
Editor Neill Schofield neill.schofield@googlemail.com