News desk
Opinions, where expressed, are
those of the Webmaster or of other identified individuals,
and not of the Scarborough group of the Ramblers' Association
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Walk Leadership Course A Walk Leadership course is being arranged by Sara Murray from central office on Saturday22nd August at Wrelton Village Hall. Our rambles organiser, Anne Thornton tells me that we desperately need some new walk leaders, so this will be a great chance to help the group. More details will be available nearer the date, but if you are interested, please contact Anne (anne.kathryn@tiscali.co.uk ). The ramblers use Eventbrite to make bookings - and once the event is 'live' to book Anne will send you a direct link. In the meantime, you can see how the listings look by going to the site here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ramblers-3448430213 |
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Don’t Lose Your Way You may have seen articles in the press or received an email from Ramblers’ Central Office about the new campaign. We’re joining the search for lost paths. An estimated 10,000 miles of paths across England and Wales could soon be lost forever, unless we come together to save them. The Ramblers’ new campaign ‘Don’t Lose Your Way’ is seeking to map these lost paths before it’s too late, with the support of volunteer members. Our paths are one of our most precious assets and are often taken for granted. They allow everyone to enjoy the countryside, both on our doorstep and across Britain’s iconic landscapes. Our path network tells the stories of our history and our heritage and connects us to the landscape. But many paths are not recorded on the definitive map of rights of way, and if they’re not found and added by the cut-off date of 2026 when the final map must be completed, they could be lost forever. To meet the deadline, thousands of people need to help. That’s why Scarborough and District Group is joining the search for all lost paths across England and Wales. The Ramblers has launched an exciting new tool that splits the country into 150,000 1km squares and makes it easy to compare current and historic maps side by side. You can start using it now. Simply click on https://dontloseyourway.ramblers.org.uk/ to get started. You’ll probably be aware that, in our group, Gary Malcolm is taking a special interest in the subject. Gary has attended a course on how to go about claiming lost rights of way, and has been furnished with a copy of the text book, accepted as being the authoritive work on the subject. Please contact him ( garymalcolm@garymalcolm.plus.com ) if you’re interested in helping or would like more information.
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Evening Meals
Out 2020 programme. All members are welcome to join in these very pleasant social evenings. The provisional list of dates has been drawn up by Margie Atkinson, who has also volunteered to organise the meal out on the 30th April. Dave Grimwood will be organising the 19th March meal and volunteers are required for the remaining dates. Booking details will be added for each event nearer the dates
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East Yorkshire and Derwent Ramblers' Area Camp. Northumberland. Friday 12th June to Monday
15th June. Wayne and Donna Dosdale are organising the area camp again this year and have sent out the following preliminary details: The area camp for 2020 will be held, as usual, on the second weekend in June (Friday 12th - Monday 15th). The venue will be NORTHUMBERLAND.We are in touch with a campsite, which has excellent facilities and electric hook ups. We also will be pleased to welcome B&B/holiday home/day visitors. There will be NO DOGS allowed on the camp. Prior to scheduling site visits and pre-walks, we would be grateful to receive non-committing expressions of interest by email to dosdale99@hotmail.com as soon as possible please. |
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Winter Carvery Walk, Hayburn Wyke Inn, Sunday 16th
February. As there is no ramble in our group programme for Sunday 16th February, we've added a walk of about five and a half miles starting from the Hayburn Wyke Inn at 10am. I hope walkers will then enjoy a carvery meal at the pub, which is booked for one o'clock. The cost is £7.95, which you pay in exchange for a carvery ticket at the bar. I need to let them know numbers, so please let me know if you're coming ( philip.trafford@talktalk.net ). If you want to come for the meal only, that's fine. Just arrive at the pub between 12.30 and 1.00pm. I look forward to lots of members joining us to welcome the approach of spring. When you turn up for the walk, please park in the north-west corner of the car park.
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Area AGM 2020 The East Yorkshire and Derwent Area 2020 AGM will be held at 2pm at Welburn (near Castle Howard) village hall. There will be a 5 mile pre-meeting walk starting from the village hall at 11am. To save costs, the Area Report is not being printed and posted to all members this year. It is available to download, so that all members can read it before the AGM. Just click on the link to the area website at the foot of our home page. You'll notice that you are able to receive a printed copy of the annual report if you want. Cathryn Ferris, Gary Malcolm and Phil Trafford have arranged to travel there together for the walk and meeting, so there is a space available in the car. Contact Phil philip.trafford@talktalk.net First come, first served. |
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Group AGM 2019 The group's AGM was held on Thursday evening (21st November) at Scarborough Cricket Club. The 16 members and 2 guests attending were certainly not disappointed by the informative and entertaining presentation from Richard Baines, who showed us some super pictures of birds, insects, flowers and reptiles that were taken in the North York Moors National Park both on land and at sea. The minutes (click to view) of the business part of the evening are in the resources section of the website. After reading them, you'll be aware that the group does need more volunteers to help us carry on into the future. We currently are minus a secretary, a webmaster to take over from Harry and a group member to represent us on Area Council. Several of our stalwarts on the committee are advancing in years, so we could do with some new blood to be ready to step into their shoes. Welcome to Angela who has volunteered to be on the new committee for 2019-20. Not everyone has the time to hold an office or serve on the committee, but there are several ways members can help without that level of commitment. The most obvious is by volunteering to lead a walk when Anne sends out her appeal for walks for the March to September 2020 programme. Volunteers are always welcome to swell the ranks of our National Park coastal area maintenance team. By registering with Les as a volunteer, you are not committed to coming every month. The dates of our tasks are published on the website in the walks/events programme, so you can join in whenever you're free in what always proves to be an enjoyable and rewarding day. Our Area Council meets quarterly and, as mentioned above, we don't have a representative to attend on our behalf, and haven't for many years, although myself and other committee members have occasionally gone along. It occurs to me that perhaps, rather than one member go to every meeting, perhaps the job could be shared amongst four volunteers, so that each person only attended one meeting in the year. If anyone is interested in helping in this way, please get in touch with me (philip.trafford@talktalk.net) . One of the secretary's roles is to receive a quarterly list from central office of any new members, send them a welcoming email together with our group programme and make them welcome and introduce them to others when they join their first walk. Would a regular walker be willing to take on this aspect of the job? Finally, I'd be happy to try and take on the webmaster's role if someone would take over from me as chairman. Phil Trafford |
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Group AGM. 21st November at Scarborough Cricket Club.
This will be fascinating for all of us who love, and regularly walk in, the National Park. Friends and members of other groups will be welcome to attend the talk at the Scarborough Cricket Club, which will take place after the AGM business has been completed, usually about 8.30pm. Richard is an experienced ornithologist/ecologist who has been studying and working as a Wildlife Guide and in Nature Conservation for over 30 years. From recording UK migrant birds as a volunteer for Flamborough Bird Observatory to monitoring Siberian migrants in China; he has become highly experienced in bird identification and ecology. He was born in North Yorkshire and lived here for most of his life. He has worked extensively with the North York Moors National Park (NYMNP) including a project in 2014 surveying a large area of open moorland for breeding waders. In 2015 he was instrumental in setting up the North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project, a volunteer led initiative to survey and create new habitat for this declining bird. His time in East Yorkshire working for East Riding of Yorkshire Council as a Countryside Officer created a wonderful opportunity to get to know fantastic areas such as the Yorkshire Wolds. After moving into private work in 2003 he started working with many farmers on Environmental Stewardship Schemes in this area. His professional work for local consultancy Wold Ecology has often included sensitive species surveys requiring UK government approved protected species licences for a wide range of birds such as Barn Owl, Little Ringed Plover, Black-throated Diver, Golden Eagle, Greenshank and Merlin. He has worked in many diverse landscapes, from the north of England to Caithness and on the Outer Hebrides. His overseas work included a project conducting ornithological surveys at Fedorovo camp approx 50km east of Apatity on the Kola peninsula in Russia. He has travelled extensively especially in Asia, recently spending 3 months birding in Thailand. He returned from Gujarat in December 2015 with a great passion for Indian birds and of course the food! He recently started studying part time for an MSc in Environmental Conservation. Richard is very keen on always increasing his knowledge on the ecology of birds and other wildlife. His greatest asset is his knowledge and enthusiasm, he loves passing on his experience of wildlife to a wide range of ages and abilities. *Biography and photograph courtesy of Yorkshire Coast Nature. - 2 October 19 |
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The guest speaker at this year's AGM - 7.30pm on November 22 at Scarborough Cricket Club, North Marine Road, will be Pc Graham Bilton, who is responsible for policing offences against wild life locally. Scarborough group chairman Phil Trafford said: "I recently attended a talk by him and can tell you that he’s passionate about his work and gives a highly informative and entertaining presentation. He’ll be giving up his own time to come and talk to us, so please try and attend, what I know will be, an excellent talk." - 4 June 18
Before coming to Scarborough in 2010, for 20 years Phil had been an active member of the Ramblers in Bolton, where he met Trish.
He and Trish, who gave up her post of Rambles Organiser of Scarborough group to help look after Phil when he became seriously ill in June 2017, led walks for Scarborough group for some years.
Phil was Lancashire through and through, as anyone would realise immediately he spoke.
He always had a smile and was always game for a laugh, which made him a very special walking companion.
He and Trish took part in the annual area summer camp several times in their caravan and also caravanned a lot in the Lakes, which was his favourite place to walk.
Besides walking Phil had also dived in warmer foreign seas and was a keen cyclist, often cycling up the discontinued Scarborough to Whitby railway line from his home in Cloughton.
When Phil’s illness proved to be life limiting, he and Trish decided to tie the knot and the couple were married in October 2017, Phil declaring it to be the happiest day of his life.
We extend our condolences to Trish and their relatives, in particular Phil’s twin brother Peter .We will all miss you, Phil, and you will live on in our hearts and minds. - Gary Malcolm. - 6.3.18 The stepping stone crossing across the River Seven at Hartoft has been restored, Phil Trafford and Bob Clutson discovered. - 25 November 2017
The group secretary, Gary Malcolm, is seeking members' thoughts about future AGMs on behalf of the committee. He writes: The attendance at tonight’s (November 23) AGM was low and in view of the effort and expense involved in hiring a hall , laying on refreshments and arranging a speaker/entertainer, we thought we would consult our membership on the following: a) The venue of tonight’s AGM was Ayton Village Hall. This is obviously not as central as the Quaker meeting hall. Was the location a factor in why you may not have come to the agm tonight? b) Was there any other reason why you did not attend the AGM tonight ? c) It has been suggested that the AGM be tagged on to a shorter Sunday walk next year and it could be held either in the open air if the weather is kind, or in say the back room of a pub .Alternatively if we had a room to ourselves at a local restaurant, the AGM could be combined with a Christmas meal. This would be more informal than our present format but it may result in a larger attendance and it would certainly reduce the expense and effort of hiring a hall and a speaker, Have you any comments? Obviously the committee are working on behalf of all members but at the same time the committee need the support of the members so we would be grateful if anyone who did not attend the meeting tonight responds to this email using the Yahoo groups email facility or if you would prefer to respond privately , please reply to me Gary at garymalcolm@btinternet.com. - 24 November 17
They write: It'll cost you nothing, take only a very few minutes, and, if enough of you give us those few minutes, it will help to keep your Moorsbus network running next year from May to September (and maybe even for the year after that). Aviva, the insurance company, are prepared to donate between £5,000 and £10,000 from their Community Fund to organisations such as the Moorsbus if enough people vote for them. This is where you come in. If you have a look at their site, here, and follow their voting instructions, you'll be given 10 votes. Put the word "Moorsbus" in the search box on the Aviva Community Fund site. Please use all your votes for Moorsbus. Can you ask your friends to help as well, please, and spread the word through your contacts? Please help us with this great opportunity to keep the Moorsbus network rolling. Voting closes on Tuesday November 21. Harry adds: Unfortunately, it's no longer possible to work out a timetable of Moorsbus services that will allow you to park your car, walk a leg of the Cleveland Way, return to your car, and get home every night, as Maureen and I did a few years ago. Cuts in finances have meant that the service has been cut back severely, but it still provides a terrific facility, and deserves all the support we can give it. - 10 November 2017
Gary Malcolm writes: Trish Mumford has arranged a first aid course for Saturday 4th November from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Ayton Village Hall (free parking) and she has asked Phil Trafford and me to manage the course.
The course is free to members and provides training in certain aspects of first aid. The trainer, Don Buxton, will also make a point of offering advice on managing incidents in remote locations which will be of particular interest to us as ramblers.
Don has a special interest in the great outdoors as he was a Peak District National Park ranger from 1973 to 2009, and has had significant ambulance service and mountain rescue experience in dealing with emergency incidents in remote rural locations.
In particular, the following topics will be covered:
How to recognise a suspected heart attack
How, when and why to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
How to perform hands-only chest compressions (CPR)
How, when and why to place an unconscious breathing person into the recovery position
How to recognise and deal with a choking situation
How to deal with life-threatening or serious bleeding
We recommend attendance to everyone and particularly leaders.
Refreshments will be served during the morning.
Please email me on garymalcolm@btinternet.com or telephone me on 01723 863094 to book your place on the course or have a word with me or Phil on the Sunday walks.
Could you be our next rambles organiser? Trish Mumford is resigning as rambles organiser at the AGM at the end of November, for family reasons. The job involves coordinating, on a six-monthly cycle, leaders' offers to arrange walks, allotting suitable dates, then liaising with the Area Rambles Coordinator. Anyone who is interested should contact the group chairman, Phil Trafford, or any committee member. Phil said: "I’m sure you’ll all join me in thanking Trish for the excellent job she has done as our rambles organiser. She has not only coordinated a great programme of walks on Sundays, Summer evenings and some Wednesdays, but has overseen the alteration of the programme from an annual one to a six monthly one, organised a navigation course, and recently a course for possible new leaders. Her swan song, as she is now resigning for personal reasons, is the upcoming first-aid course. Wolds Walking And Outdoor Festival The 2017 Yorkshire Wolds Walking And Outdoor Festival on 9-17 September has a busy programme. On Sunday 10 Ramblers are leading a walk from North Grimston (9 miles, Beverley group). Intriguing walks, with which Ramblers are associated, themed on the Pilgrimage of Grace leave Millington on Sunday 10 (8.5 miles) and Sancton on Tuesday 12 (9 miles), for both of which booking is required. There's a 5-mile Ramblers walk from Huggate on Sunday 17. Other events may well be of appeal - to download a copy of the programme, click this link. - 10.7.17 Fine words Judy reported that her family sponsored a commemorative gate in the North York Moors National Park, in memory of her friend and walking companion, Maddie, who died this year. (Judy heard about the scheme at the group annual meeting in November.) She won a camping stove, vacuum bottle and meal set worth £158. - 26 May 17 Richard Bedford writes: There are currently six of us, travelling by car, leaving on the 13th September and using the Channel Tunnel. We shall have 3 nts at a hotel just south of Calais, before moving on to a village near the town of Laon, in the Somme department, some 140 miles south east of Calais. We have a mixture of walks and visits to places of interest planned, some of which will take place on the way back to Calais, as we are having our 7th night back at our first hotel. have now booked the hotel accommodation and the average cost per person over the 6 day stay is around 86 euros half-board per day. The last night will work out about the same. If anybody else is interested in this trip, it would be best for them to contact me asap, as our second hotel has only nine rooms and there is the question of transport. Last year, a group of us enjoyed a very pleasant stay in Northern France-this is simply to ask if there is any interest in a follow-on trip this year. I have been looking at various possibilities with Gary, whose assistance in preparing last year's visit was much appreciated. Background: Travel by car to N. France in one day via the Channel Tunnel for a 2 base stay - first, at the coast south of Calais, scope for coastal walks and sites of historic interest, particularly WW2. Then to Laon, mediaeval town in the Somme and around 140mls from Calais, easily accessed via the A26 motorway. Channel Tunnel fares are shared between driver and passengers, as the cost is for the vehicle, not the individual passengers. Contact: 01723 586434 or by email, richardbbedford@hotmail.com - 9 March 17 Gary Malcolm reports Burnby Hall Saturday 28 th January 2017Attending from Scarborough group: Phil (chairman), Gary (treasurer), Gill. Everyone has this idea that agms are dull affairs. Well, whilst not in the category of thrill of the century, Phil and I both agreed that the area agm was worth attending. The main thing is that whilst most of us in Scarborough Ramblers just walk within our own group, going to the area agm reminds you that there are other groups not so far away with their own unique personnel and ways of going about things. In other words, it can be a valuable learning experience. So what happened? Well, Phil and I got to Burnby Hall car park about 10.10am. There was a woman in the car next to ours putting her boots on and being a naturally friendly and welcoming member of the Ramblers, I said ‘Hi’ to her and gave her one of my Frankenstein smiles, then suddenly realised I was talking to Ramblers royalty,
After the walk and a quick lunch and a bit of networking the agm commenced, chaired by Roy Hunt, area chairman. Present was a full time support worker just appointed by Ramblers with the main aim of supporting failing groups in the north of England. (not that we were failing, we were later assured!) There followed the usual agm business, the chairman’s and treasurer’s reports, the election of officers ( largely the same as last year), etc. We voted ( and agreed ) on a motion to put to the annual ramblers conference in Southampton in April that we do not agree with Cycling UK’s bid to open up most footpaths to cyclists (could get a bit crowded ). We voted 2 delegates to the national conference and one visitor who does not have voting rights. .After a break, with more networking (it's just like work!), Kate Ashbrook gave a talk on what Ramblers central office is up to . In brief: 1.We have further funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery for a walking festival in 2018. Groups should give thought as to how they might contribute to the festival. 2. There are 27000 volunteers of one sort or another in Ramblers ( out of a total membership of 100,000 approx) 3. There are inaugural days for new chairpersons/secretaries. 4. If you want to become a trustee of the national organisation, put your name forward. There are hustings and elections at the national agm. 5. There is an all day (9.30am to 4pm) Ramblers' roadshow at Leeds Beckett University on Saturday 18 th March 2017 to which any rambler can go (you need to book a place online from the Ramblers website) This will cover core topics of interest to members such as rights of way, how to lead a walk, first aid, etc.6.There is an all day course in Darlington on Saturday 4 th March 2017 on Rights of Way ( booking required) This is designed to improve members’ ability to make definitive map modification order applications to ensure that routes that would be extinguished in 2026 are saved from the cut-off date.7. Ramblers are heavily involved with the Walking for Health scheme. Two thirds of adults in this country do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on physical activity and walking can help to change this. 8. The most popular leisure activity of ramblers apart from walking is gardening. The meeting closed at 4pm. East Yorkshire and Derwent Ramblers Report from Scarborough group secretary Gary Malcolm. I went with Dave (Grimwood ) on a very foggy night across the Wolds. We almost turned back the visibility was so bad but we suddenly emerged from the gloom at Driffield and decided to continue the last five miles or so. The area council consists of elected officers and representatives from Ramblers groups and affiliated groups in the area who choose to turn up. There were about 12 of us sat around a big table with Roy Hunt at the front as the area chairman ( Roy came to our own agm a few weeks ago and is also a national trustee of Ramblers) The minutes are available elsewhere so I am only going to summarise the points I noted or found interesting;
Ramblers walks. Whether it will re-open to the public is questionable. The matter has been taken up with Castle Howard estate who have said the main car park next to the house is available but this is too far from footpaths we generally use.
The meeting closed at about 9.40pm
He writes: "It will be on open access land in and around Fridaythorpe and Thixendale. The YWT map is still in draft, as locations are not yet finalised. Their application must be submitted by the year end. "If approved, the project work will commence in April 2017 and YWT are keen to promote the dew ponds as part of themed local walks, hopefully with a couple during the summer. (Dew ponds are shallow depressions created to provide water for livestock. Despite their name, almost all of the water comes from rainfall. Above is an overgrown one near Gritts Farm, off the Fridaythorpe-Thixendale Road - clearly not the one in mind, as this is not on access land.) Tony needs replies no later than December 8. The form can be downoaded here. - 2 December 16
 Walk leaders' forumA get-together to encourage walkers interested in leading walks, and to support existing leaders, will be held at the Friends' Meeting House, Quaker Close, Scarborough YO12 5QZ, on Saturday 26 November, from 10am to noon. The first session will brief would-be leaders, and provide answers to any queries. Following this, there will be a discussion of Central Office guidance, and leaders will be invited to put forward ideas and suggestions based on their experience. For further information, call 07801 843890. - 30 October 16
Margaret Ingham of Snainton, a member of Ramblers since 1948, has died. She was best known in recent years for leading fortnightly Thursday walks that ended with lunch at a pub. Margaret, who was 84, said with pride that she had never been lost, because, she claimed, on the rare occasions when she was unsure of her precise whereabouts, she was always able to get back on track without her temporary uncertainty becoming apparent. Her natural talent for finding her way was particularly noteworthy because of the antiquity of her maps, although she often expressed an intention to replace them. One regular member of her parties assisted by inquiring in advance where she intended to walk, then photocopying his own maps for her use. Margaret began leading regularly in the early 1950s, and from then remained quite determinedly the leader of any walks on her programme, until ill-health made it too difficult for her to cover her customary distances. In later years, she was invariably accompanied by at least one of her dogs, Bracken and Poppy. She led in the UK and in several European countries for the Holiday Fellowship, and also organised private walking holidays for her friends. Margaret was for years a volunteer warden for the North York Moors National Park, regularly covering up to 14 miles a day on solo patrols of moorland. Only a few years ago, when meeting a park officer in Rosedale, she was told she had an open invitation to return. Those who attended her midweek walks were always invited to her home for a memorable Christmas party. In 2014, she asked me to show her the sights of Tripsdale, and she happily waded across the ford and trampled through the bracken, as she, for once, consented to be led.
Pictured at the Shipstone are (from left) Anne Thornton, Margaret, Elizabeth Prest, and Margaret's son Paul. I felt it a privilege to know such a capable, feisty and kind-hearted lady, who introduced me to many of my favourite spots, A funeral service will be held at Octon Crematorium on Monday June 20. - 9 June 2016
Hard times ahead for walkers on Cinder Track? Plans are afoot to change the surface of the Cinder Track - the 21-mile route of the former railway line between Scarborough and Whitby - to safeguard the track, and to increase its attractiveness to cyclists. But there are fears that walkers could face a hard time. Almost 80% said the surface needed improvement. However, our group committee is concerned that the planned improvements will make the surface less attractive and comfortable for walkers. The above page also has a link to this survey form, which will allow members (albeit rather late in the day) to make any views known. - 5 June 16 Members' Day Gary Malcolm reports from the event at York University This was an experiment by Ramblers to provide some education and knowledge to the rank and file members. Ramblers had hired halls and accommodation at the university anyway for the annual council meeting (ie agm) on April 2, so they thought: ‘Why not tack onto the formal meeting something for all members?’ I was intrigued by some of the speakers so signed up and duly turned up at the venue at 9am and immediately saw an old pal from Norwich Ramblers and then saw that Michael Woodhouse from our group had also arrived. After a coffee and chat we were formally welcomed to the meeting by the Ramblers chairman and also the Chief Executive (I can’t remember what they said so it was probably not very memorable) and then watched a fairly cheesy and amateurish film about the Ramblers. Between 10am and noon we all had two workshops. The first I attended was called Making a Difference for Walkers and was led by two Ramblers staff. We were asked to discuss in small groups what we felt were the main achievements of the Ramblers and also what we felt were the greatest challenges facing the organisation in the future. The main achievements were almost universally agreed as achieving access to the countryside and assisting to keep footpaths open. Challenges for the future were diverse and included hard-up councils with no money to maintain footpaths, attracting younger members and the name ‘Ramblers’ which brings to mind in the eyes of many a bunch of old folk dressed in woolly bobble hats and red socks walking aimlessly around the countryside. The second workshop I attended was Basic First Aid For Walkers led by a trainer from the British Red Cross. We took it in turns to play patients and first aiders and the main points I took onboard were as follows: 1 If someone has an accident on a walk, reassure them and then find out if anyone in the party has medical training. If not, find out exactly where the problem lies, keep the patient warm and if necessary offer food and drink. 2 If problem appears to need medical attention (eg broken bone) telephone emergency services for ambulance or go for help if no telephone signal. 3 If someone is bleeding, apply a tourniquet and pressure to try to stem the flow of blood. If no bandage available, improvise by using an item of clothing. 4 Elevate the body part if applicable, eg if leg is bleeding, get patient to raise leg so blood runs away from injury towards heart. 5 If patient stops breathing, do something Doing nothing will almost certainly result in patient’s death or permanent brain damage. Chances are slim that any action by you will save patient’s life but it is worth a go, even if you break several ribs of the patient. Apply 30 chest compressions and then follow this with 2 mouth to mouth breaths and repeat until earlier of patient starting breathing or emergency services arriving. After fun of the first aid session, we had a good quality hot lunch courtesy of the Ramblers and were then able to visit various hubs, ie exhibitors’ stands and the good thing about this was the goodies handed out to us gratis, including boot wax, fabric proofers, energy bars, etc. There was also the chance to meet Alan Hinkes ( mountaineer). The afternoon session saw the main speaker in action, Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park. Andy came across as a really pleasant, somewhat unassuming guy with a rather difficult job, but nevertheless a job that he loves. He discussed the Sirius Minerals potash mine planning application which was approved by the Planning Committee. There was then a question and answer session hosted by Kate Ashbrook, President of the Ramblers, with Andy Wilson, Alan Hinkes, and representatives from British Red Cross, Cotswold Outdoor and Memory Map. Cotswold Outdoor recommend the use of 2 sticks to prolong one’s walking life as, he said, the use of 2 sticks reduces the pressure on joints by some 40% compared to no sticks. (Allan in our club, I see where you are coming from now!).* The day finished with a choice of walks led by members of York ramblers , including Nigel and Eric who some of us know from our walks and the area camp respectively. I chose a walk around the campus which is impressive and worth a visit if you are in the area. Overall, an interesting day, perhaps more suitable for the newish Rambler but still useful and a chance to meet fellow walkers from all over the UK. *For expert, balanced advice on the use of walking poles, see this link. - Harry Shortened walks/guidance to leaders
I have received a couple of queries from leaders who are considering offering shorter options to their Sunday walks and thought I would try to clarify the situation (after discussion with our chairman).
Personally I feel that a choice of walks is good as it encourages walkers who might otherwise not attend. However there could be problems if some sections of the walk are not officially led.
The RA national web site has a wealth of information about led walks, the leader's role, safety and insurance issues and I have attached 3 documents; Walk Leader, Walk leader's check list and Civil Liability Insurance. These and other documents can be downloaded directly from the web site www.Ramblers.org.uk/volunteer zone.
To quote the insurance document section 3.3.2: "The Walk Leader is the person most exposed to any risk of a claim being made and has a duty of care for all walkers regardless of whether they are members or not."
I interpret this to mean that a leader should lead the walk from start to finish and it is not good practice to suggest that some walkers find their own way back to the start from a point along the main route.
It may seem that a duty of care has been exercised if walkers are given simple directions to walk along a short stretch of road, but in 2012 there were two fatalities on Ramblers led walks due to Road Traffic Accidents.
I therefore suggest that shorter options can only be offered under the following situations;
1. The route is a genuine figure-of-8, when the whole group return to the start after the shorter option then the longer walkers continue along a second loop, or
2. A group member, preferably one of our experienced leaders, agrees to lead the shortened walk after it has split from the main party.
The group chairman, Phil Trafford, is inviting members to help plot paths that should be recorded as rights of way in the Scarborough urban area. He writes: First of all a bit of history about public rights of way: Up until 1949, the public had to go through the courts to prove that a path was a right of way. But that changed with the passing of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which made it necessary for surveying authorities (now county councils and unitary authorities) to draw up and maintain a "definitive map and statement" of the rights of way in their area . A definitive map is a legal document which must be produced and kept up to date by every county council or unitary authority in England and Wales (except the inner London boroughs).
It should show every
right of way in an authority's area and the nature
of the rights over the paths shown i.e. whether
there's a right of way on foot, on horseback or in a
vehicle. This definitive map is used to mark rights
of way onto the ordnance survey maps, with which all
ramblers are familiar. Under the 1949 Act some urbanised areas could apply to be excluded and Scarborough was duly deemed an “excluded area”.
Although there are many paths, which are freely used
and have become regarded as rights of way by the
locals, these paths do not have any legal status and
do not appear on Ordnance Survey maps, so their
existence is only known if one has the necessary
local knowledge. Authorities are being encouraged to add rights of way to the definitive map as quickly as possible in excluded urban areas and that 100% accuracy is not as important as establishing that the right of way exists and is included on the definitive map, so that it is not lost in 2026, after which no old rights of way not already included can be added. The production of a definitive map for central Scarborough is the responsibility of NYCC, so your committee has been writing to NYCC access officers and to our County Councillor to seek assurances that this process will go ahead and be completed before 2026. Councillor David Jeffels, who is currently chairman of NYCC has replied as follows:
"I have spoken to to
the PROW department and the Scarborough Definitive
Map is certainly on their radar, and they hope to
make progress on it in the coming financial year.
"As I'm you will
appreciate there are considerable pressures on such
departments as PROW and Countryside Services due to
budget cuts, staff cuts etc but the expertise is
certainly there in the department to achieve your
group's aspirations.
"I am sure the PROW
staff would greatly appreciate any input the
Scarborough Ramblers can make, especially as there
are some 10km of PROW in North Yorkshire so they are
under pressure from a number of other areas in the
county which has put pressure on their workload. So, we need volunteers to mark paths in Scarborough that are currently used as rights of way and always have been. For instance the path up to the Castle from just opposite the East Pier. Some routes, like this one are simple and can easily be marked on the map, but others will need to be walked and then marked on the map, whilst they are fresh in the mind. A GPS track would be helpful in these cases.
It will be quite a task to draw up maps covering the
whole of central Scarborough, but I think a
worthwhile one. There are many ways members could
help. They could volunteer to cover a small section
of the town and get on with the job on their own or
we could cover an area together during an afternoon
or morning. If you’re interested in helping, please
let me know (Philip.trafford@talktalk.net).
We can then arrange a meeting to discuss how to
proceed and, hopefully, come up with a plan of
action.
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Danger stretch of Wolds
Way diverted The dangerous stretch of roadside walking where the northbound Yorkshire Wolds Way joins Filey Road, Muston, has been diverted along the edge of a field.
The Way has now become the first national trail to
be completely free of stiles. - 29 November 2015 About a dozen off-road motorcyclists and a quadbike rider caused problems for members of a Scarborough group Sunday walk. Led by Ray Johnson, 19 walkers were on a public footpath on the west side of the River Dove, near Gale End Bridge (SE 683 924) Hutton le Hole, on October 18 when the bikers appeared. The path is no more than about 3ft wide, so the group had to move briskly aside for the illegal bikers. One of the party said later: "A member of the public walking his dog tried to converse with the quadbike driver, which was stationary when I passed, but got a load of verbal abuse. "The motor cyclists did not slow down much when they passed us and indeed one of them, either accidentally or on purpose, almost slid into me, even though I had stepped some four feet off the path to let them go by." As well as endangering legal users of the footpath, motorbikes tear up the path surface, creating a quagmire in bad weather. In addition to reporting riders for prosecution, the police can now seize the machines and scrap them for repeated offences. The riders were reported to National Park volunteers at Hutton le Hole, who were also given the registration number - F155 NWZ - of the quad bike. The motorcycles appeared to be machines intended exclusively for offroad use, as no numberplates were seen. - 19 October 2015. *
Click for an audio file of a follow-up to an incident on the
Wolds on 19 July 2015. (Details on Problems
page.)
Members have been invited to take part in a 10km (6 mile) sponsored
walk in the grounds of Temple Newsam, near Leeds, on August 1,
Marie Curie, the charity that provides care and support during terminal illness, is holding a Walk to Remember event during the evening. Thos provides an opportunity to walk in memory of a loved one, while raising money for the support of others. More details about the event can be found at https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events/walking/charity-walks/yorkshire?IYASearch=Yes - 20.7.15 |
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Eyeing France Update 2: Richard would like to hear, by phone or email, from anyone interested, so that he can arrange a meeting. Please call 01723 586434 (best time is about 7.30pm) or email him at rbsiaairfhichead@benledi.plus.com - 25 June 15 Update: Several people have expressed interest in Richard Bedford's proposed French trip. He plans to hold a meeting in July, with a view to arranging the event at Easter 2016. Richard would particularly like to hear from car drivers. - 8 June 15
Richard Bedford is seeking
support for a walking trip in France He writes: "I had the chance to do some exploration and was rather taken with the range of coastal walks available in what is a quite delightful corner of northern France which travellers from England often simply pass through. "!I could envisage straightaway the potential for a very pleasant stay there, combining walking with a couple of trips to neighbouring towns. "This part of France,
like the rest of the country, is rich in history and although just
across the Channel, is nonetheless different in style and atmosphere. Richard can be emailed. 31.5.15
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Frances, who was chairman in the early 1990s, was last seen on a group walk in June last year, when Anne Thornton led a party from Rosedale Abbey. For several years in recent times she was a familiar face on shorter independent walks led by Margaret Ingham, and with the U3A, and she had been hoping to start tackling longer distances again. Frances, whose husband pre-deceased her, leaves two sons. She was a retired physiotherapist. A funeral service will be held at 11.30am on Monday at St Joseph's Church, Newby. - 14 April 15
The results can be recorded instantly, making them immediately available to other members and highways authorities, by using a smartphone app. Alternatively, a survey card can be printed for completion, then the results will be uploaded to the Ramblers website. Two representatives from our area have been chosen to attend a detailed briefing in Birmingham. For more information, follow this link. •This
national campaign complements our group's
Path Patrols initiative, which was launched early last year, following
the model adopted by groups throughout the country. Although it
was intended that any surveys should be archived for future reference on
the website, none has yet been received. -
31 March 15
*Update: The land owner did not make any appeal under a point of law before the deadline, and the bridleway order is now in force. - 30.4.15 A lane leading from the A1070 Filey Road near Folkton has finally been confirmed as a public right of way. Although the lane had been used by walkers and horse-riders for years, the landowner blocked it and claimed that it was private. After much wrangling and a public inquiry, a planning inspector made an interim decision a year ago to establish a bridleway 3.5 metres (11ft 6ins) wide, but he invited new objections. Finally, he has confirmed the order. (Links to the full order and map are at the bottom of this report.) On February 19, a "Private land. No public right of way" sign had disappeared from the access gate next to the road, but the gate was still electrically-operated, and walkers have to climb it.
The extraordinarily tangled history of this issue can be found here and here. True to form, the Planning Inspectorate caused puzzlement when people who tried to read the inspector's decision were initially linked instead to a six-page account of a bridleway dispute near Harrogate. It should be born in mind that this was a modification to the definitive map, rather than a creation order. This means that the track was always a right of way. Members and others who used the track during the period that the landowner purported to close it were therefore entitled to do so. So is this the end of the story? The landowner could, in fact, still make a challenge in the High Court, on the basis that the procedure had not followed the law, but that does not alter the point made above. The status of the track at present is that it is, and always has been, a right of way. Two recognised authorities whom I consulted emailed me: 1 Unlike say diversion orders an order under the Wildlife & Countryside Act creates nothing new. But it does confirm that a right of way exists (and, normally, has existed for at least 20 years or had been dedicated at some moment). So until and unless it is set aside (or just possibly when/if an appeal is launched) the right of way can be used by the public. - CB
2 The 2012 Order states that it will
take effect "on the date it is
confirmed", which is the date of the
inspector's final decision - 12 Feb
2015.
This is however
subject to the right of an aggrieved
party to make an application to the high
court, and this has to be "within 42
days from the date of publication of the
notice under paragraph 11" [of Sch 15
WCA 1981]. Notice in para 11 includes
the newspaper advert, site notices and
individual notices to affected persons.
The best bet is
to find the newspaper advert and count
42 days from the date of publication.
Then, the order really will be final. -
PB
Download order decision and map. - 19 February 15 Midweek strollsAnother series of shorter walks is being offered this year, with nine shorter walks - six on Thursdays and three on Wednesdays. David and Pam
Grimwood, and Les and Margaret Atkinson are organising the walks -
details of each walk appear on the
Events page. - 14 Feb15 A basic navigation course will be held at St Hilda's Church, Ravenscar, on Saturday April 25 from 10am-4pm. Instruction from Les Atkinson will be followed by an outdoor practical supervised by other committee members. Bring your own packed lunch, but tea and coffee will be provided, All are welcome, but book in advance by emailing Les at lesatkinson70@googlemail.com. For more
information, see the
event info page. - 14 Feb
15
A plan to allow off-road motorcylists freedom to
resume wrecking a historic path is being promoted by North Yorkshire County
Council. Sarah Blakemore, the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Access Officer, said at the time: “The surface of the lane and the historic stone trods are now in a very fragile condition and more likely to suffer serious damage by the motorcyclists who regularly use it.” And Doug Huzzard, Highway Asset Manager for North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Unfortunately we have no option but to close the lane as a result of this inconsiderate and illegal activity by a few thoughtless drivers, whose ‘enjoyment’ of this historic route amounts to little short of vandalism....
All traffic was banned temporarily from the lane for 18 months, while work was carried out to restore it. Vegetation was cut back and the path surfaced in 2013. This work was completed by NYMNP, funded by public money from Yorkshire Forward. The parish council also contributed £700. Then in June last year, the county council's Local Access Forum was told that the council was seeking a permanent ban on vehicles using the route, which includes 300 yards of public footpath net to Iburndale Beck/Little Beck. In the event, however, the council officers want to allow the bikers back. Ramblers know that while 4*4 vehicles can cause spectacular damage, off-road bikers are equally troublesome, as their narrower tyres dig deep ruts, which are worsened as other riders see these as a challenge and steer into them. Many drive at excessive speed. If there are no objections, the bikers are likely to get clearance to resume ripping up the lane and endangering and inconveniencing walkers within six months. Even if opposition is voiced, leading council members can give final approval, as there is no provision for appeals, further hearings or independent review of traffic management orders. Although signs at each end of Seggimire Lane suggest that the track is currently open only to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, the county council regards it as part of the "road network". This would mean that any type of motorised vehicle can currently use the track, and the proposed regulation would, in fact, be a restriction. The council's map of the footpath at the southern end of the lane (identical to the line shown on the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map) does not correspond with the route on the ground, which crosses, then recrosses, Little Beck/Iburndale Beck. As the map is not accurate, it could be argued that the council has not complied with the Traffic Orders (Procedure) Regulation. (See note in italics below.)
To form an appreciation of the reasoning behind the proposal, I emailed the council's Whitby office, asking where I could find supporting documents explaining the background to the proposal, the authority's assessment of the impact of the proposal on the fabric of the lane, maintenance consequences and the provision of additional maintenance to preserve the amenity for pedestrians. To date, I have received only an automatic acknowledgement. I re-walked the lane on February 20, and an online album of its condition, using my own photographs and ones taken by Bob Clutson about a week earlier can be viewed here. The county council's formal notice, map and questionnaire, which objectors can complete and return, can be downloaded here. *Dealing with this issue and many others is always hindered by the reluctance of the county council to supply information, or even to acknowledge requests for information, and by the council's policy of ignoring the law to suit its convenience. In particular, it flouts its obligation to make available a copy of the Definitive Map and the List of Streets for public inspection in each district. - HLTW 28 January 2015. Updated 20 February 2015. Updated 27 February 2015
A working party has suggested ways to improve the way
Ramblers’ groups and areas serve members, and are governed.
Under the proposals, groups would
decide where their areas of interest lay.
One group might want to concentrate on rights-of-way
maintenance, or organising walks and social events, or monitoring the
condition of rights-of-way. Another group might combine several of these
activities. Members would be free to join more than one group, to
satisfy all of their interests, or to remain unattached within the area. To oversee the new arrangement, area organisation would also be
changed. Instead of the present area
council with 14 different officers
(excluding the auditor, president and
vice-presidents) plus
group delegates, there
would be a leader (who would report to the national chief executive) and
treasurer, and two coordinators, one to check that members can find
appropriate groups, and one to support group officers and volunteers. This team would appoint other volunteers as necessary,
to co-ordinate groups’ walking programmes, rights-of-way work, and other
matters. The leader would check that
the existing groups’ spread of activities enabled all of the Ramblers’
aims to be fulfilled in the area.
If, for instance, the condition of footpaths
was not being monitored efficiently, the leader could work out a remedy
with existing groups, or consider setting up a new group. Every year, the groups would report to the leader,
demonstrating how well they had fulfilled their purposes.
Further teams
of
regional volunteers would also check how well the areas were functioning
and offer support, and
would also report to the national chief executive. The working party that has put forward the ideas will
report to the Ramblers’ Board of Trustees, which will make proposals to
the General Council next year. Building skills
Mr Matt Parsons, the External Affairs Manager of
York Potash, (pictured with Bob Clutson) said they aimed to become one
of the world's top five potash firms, and that the mine could have a
100-year life-span. The footpaths secretary,
Les Atkinson, reported that the annual budget for the North York Moors
National Park had been cut from £8m to £5.3m, with a consequent
reduction in manpower. He said the group's footpaths maintenance
work in the national park could release the authority's personnel for
other tasks, and he was seeking more engagements.
Full report. The Derbyshire Peak District will be the venue for the East Yorkshire and Derwent RA area camp from Friday June 12 to Monday June 15, 2015. We will be based at Greenacres Campsite, Nether Booth, Edale, S33 7ZH. As this year, tent campers, caravans, motorhomes, B&Bers and day visitors will all be welcome. Edale Youth Hostel is also nearby. Greenacres is set in a very scenic spot, adjacent to Kinder Scout. We are planning 10-mile led walks on Saturday and Sunday, and early-bird and final-day shorter walks for Friday and Monday. Details of possible shorter walks will be available, for those who prefer, on Saturday and Sunday. Current nightly fees at the site are £5 per adult plus £2 per car for campers or motorhomes (minimum £10 a night total), and caravanners pay £14 a night per van, plus £4 for electricity and £2 for an awning. Space for caravans is limited, so booking with the site (01433 670375 Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm) is advised. There is no need for tent campers to book with the site, as we will deal with these arrangements. The organisers are Harry Whitehouse and Phil Trafford - to register your interest, please contact Harry on 01723 375770 or email him. - 8 November 2014.
York Potash is seeking planning permission for the mine, which it says will create 1,000 direct jobs, and pour millions of pounds into the local economy. The firm aims to exploit the thickest and highest grade known potash ore reserve in the world, producing material for agricultural fertiliser. Output from the mine, to be sunk near Whitby, is now planned to be transported by underground conveyor to Teesside, where it will be loaded onto ships. Our guest at the annual meeting, Mr Matt Parsons (above), will talk about the implications for rights of way in the area, and will then take questions. Mr Parsons was recruited by York Potash two years ago from Scarborough Borough Council, where he was Employment and Skills Manager. The meeting, at the Friends' Meeting House, Quaker Close, Scarborough, starts at 7.30pm. - 10 October 2014 The chairman of Ramblers' East Yorkshire and Derwent Area, Dany Wlodarczyk, has resigned after a complaint about the content of the latest Area News.The area walks programme compiler, Roy Hunt, circulated an email expressing surprise that "so much of Area News had been hijacked by an anti-fracking group." Dany became chairman while editor of the newsletter. She appealed for a volunteer to take over Area News, but no one came forward, so she continued with both jobs. On the front page of the current Area News, Dany said Ramblers would need to keep a close eye on any local applications for oil and gas exploration.  She
mentioned concerns about possible risks from fracking,
quoted Ramblers' national policy, acknowledged that
there would be a range of views on the issue, and
invited comments.On an inside page, there is a half-page article by a member of Hull and Holderness Group, Louise Castro, who has been taking part in an anti-fracking protest camp - despite the fact that the firm investigating the site say there are no plans for fracking there. . Louise contrasts her opinion of the appearance of Pipers Lane, Marton, before and after exploration for oil and gas began there. She concludes: "The environmental impact on the nature and wildlife of the above-ground activity alone is too high a price to pay for man's greed and dash for gas." On page 4, there is a further article by two anti-fracking members. Dany announced that she was resigning because, she believed, she had made an error of judgment, and had lost the confidence of some area committee members, and a group committee. Area News is archived on this site's Resources page. - 3 October 2014
Keeping in touch Adam will develop the role himself, but his suggested brief is to help ensure that newcomers on walks are looked after; that telephone numbers and email addresses are collected from them for follow-ups; that people who suddenly “disappear” are contacted to see if there are problems that can be resolved; to ensure that membership details are brought to the attention of those who have attended two or three walks; and that people who inquire about attending, but never do, are followed-up; etc. Adam attends most walks, but when he is absent, walk leaders are being asked to make a point of collecting names, phone numbers and email addresses, from newcomers. - 15 June 14 A wide range of terrain and topics were covered when Scarborough's MP, Mr Robert Goodwill, joined us for Sunday's walk from Hackness. Led by Bob Clutson, the party's ten-mile route from Hackness took us via Silpho and Surgate Brow, where brilliant clear sky presented a 22-mile view to Flamborough Head. Many of the walkers discussed current countryside issues with Mr Goodwill, who was accompanied by his wife, Maureen. Although she was brought up in the Hackness area, much of Sunday's route was new to Mrs Goodwill. The couple told us how much they had enjoyed the outing. A senior policy officer from the ramblers' national HQ, Mr Eugene Suggett, also attended, and spoke to Mr Goodwill about footpath issues concerning the proposed high-speed rail line, HS2. Our chairman, Phil Trafford, said: "It's very valuable to have an MP who has such a keen interest in countryside affairs. "We gained a extra insight into the work and responsibilities of our local MP, and we are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Goodwill for taking such an interest in our activities." Mr Goodwill said later that he was pleased to hear that such a good relationship existed locally between landowners and ramblers. "I was, however, concerned to hear that some rights of way are being churned up to the point of being impassable because of the activities of 4x4 drivers. I look forward to working with ramblers both as a local MP and in my capacity as a Transport Minister," he said. Eugene Hackett's blog on national RA website.- 14.4.14, updated 25.4.14 and 29.4.14 Richard Bedford's latest rambling getaway is planned for Shropshire in October. The four-night outing (Sunday 26th-Wednesday 29th inclusive) would be based in Ironbridge, regarded as the heart of the Industrial Revoluton. Day 1.
Explore the town, visiting Telford's bridge and visit Blists Hill, the
reconstructed living Victorian town.
Rambles organiser Tricia Mumford is seeking leaders for the annual programme of summer evening short walks. The programme will run on Tuesday evenings from 27th May to 5th August (11 evenings in all) starting at 7pm and aiming to finish about 9pm (9.30 at the latest) so should be around 4-5 miles. They should also be within easy reach of Scarborough. Volunteers should email Tricia giving preferred dates, starting point (preferably with grid reference) approximate distance and whether dogs are allowed.
Tricia needs entries as soon
as possible, and by 30 April at the latest
F*** by F*** louts abuse ramblers
One of the vehicles was a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. The track has been churned up by 4*4s to the point at which it is dangerous for responsible users of the countryside. Bob Clutson and others have reported the damaged tracks to the North York Moors NPA and the Ramblers' Association. Ladies were among the walkers who heard the abuse from the 4*4 crews, whose language, said one witness, was "more than blue". It is not suggested that individuals on the photographs were responsible for the abuse.
- 6.4.14, updated 8.4.14
Scarborough RA members were walking the track recently, when they discovered that smart new gates had been fitted at either end of the disputed section. This runs from, SE 984980 to 983983, close to Island Farm. As an ORPA, the exact status of Wash Beck Road is undefined. All that can be said with certainty is that there is a legal right to walk on it - 10.3.14
Pictures by Bob Clutson
In November, a public inquiry was held into the plan, which was opposed by the owner of the adjacent land. The inspector who ran the inquiry has issued an interim confirmation of the order, but has proposed narrowing the planned bridleway from 6.1m (19ft 10in) to 3.5m (11ft 4in). He asks for comments or objections about the change of width. As his interim order considers factors that were not raised at the inquiry, he also invites arguments and objections about these issues. It has been suggested by one commentator that if any fresh issues are raised, this could lead to the appeal process being re-opened, even possibly leading to a further public inquiry. The track forms part of the old Fordon road from Folkton. Although the modern line continues as a public footpath past Fordon Wold Farm, historically there was a route that went further west, past the former Flixton Quarry to join the road that runs west of Danebury Manor. Expert rights of way commentator Chris Beney said that as the inspector had given no reason for proposing a width of 3.5m, this was open to challenge. "Is he thinking of the judge who said a path should be wide enough for 'two persons to pass without quarrelling' and then extending it to horses?" he asked. "Alan Kind in 'Notes…on the widths of public rights of way rev 16 Jan 2012' says a horse can easily be 4ft rider's toe to rider's toe, and that is consistent with the statutory 5ft bridle gate gap. So anything less than 10ft could easily lead to 'quarrelling'. 10ft is just over 3 metres and on the face of it not inconsistent with the proposed 3.5 metres but allows only a tiny amount of sway and allows for stumble not at all. "Neither does it consider walkers on the bridleway, especially with young children. If the children are young they all need to stay together and a five foot gap between a big nervous horse and a fence can be pretty scary. And if fenced there is very likely undergrowth or nettles beside the fence," said Mr Benoy. He
pointed out that The Rights of Way review Committee planning guidance
note 6, says:
Where ways are not enclosed, footpaths should be of a
minimum width of 2 metres and bridleways and byways 3.5 metres. If
the way is to be enclosed by fencing, hedging or buildings then
footpaths should be of a minimum width of 4 metres and bridleways and
byways 6 metres. "The logic of that is not stated but one may suppose that in the unfenced case one can be assumed to be able to step well outside the legal width for safety reasons. "Perhaps that is where the inspector got his 3.5 metres from. "But who is to say whether a way will not be enclosed at some time by fences or hedges? It would be unusual indeed if that could be said with certainty. "Alan
Kind quotes a case in his paper and I myself have seen cross-field paths
enclosed. So the (fenced) figure of six metres would apply on the basis
that this is a reasonable figure where there are not any reasons to
believe otherwise. "On top of this the fact of 20ft being in the award must reasonably be supposed to have been considered reasonable at the time even if it did not have validity in law," said Mr Beney. *Mr Beney's commentary is reproduced from the Ramblers-FP message board.
Notification letter
Formal notice
The
interim order
Order map -
21 February 14, revised 24 February 14.
The area camping
weekend, from Friday June 6 to Monday June 9, will be held at Usha Gap
campsite (NGR SD 902 979).
This site (ushagap.co.uk)
is in a beautiful location beside the River Swale, half a mile by
footpath or road from Thwaite and Muker.
It has toilets,
showers and a clothes dryer.
Scarborough members
Harry Whitehouse and Phil Trafford are the joint organisers. They will
be organising full day walks on Saturday and Sunday, and shorter ones on
Friday afternoon and Monday morning for early birds/late stayers.
The Farmer's Arms pub
in Muker is walker-friendly, there is a shop and tea-room in Muker, and
the megalopolis of Hawes is a short drive away.
The campsite also
accepts caravans and motorhomes (but there are no electric hook-ups).
Camping costs £6
per adult, plus £2 per car, per night. Caravans cost £15, and
motorhomes £13.
Bookings at the site
are not necessary, but I do need to know if you will be attending, as I
have agreed to liaise with the site.
If anyone would prefer
to use bed-and-breakfast, and join the group for walks and socialising,
the Kearon Country Hotel in Thwaite (keartoncountryhotel.co.uk,
01748 886277), or in Muker the shop (01748 886409), Swale Farm
(01748 886479) or Chapel House (01748 886822) may oblige.
You are, of course,
welcome to attend for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days. If you are interested, or if you know of anyone who might be, please email or phone (07535 892131) Harry, to be added to the circulation list. - 20.1.14 |
It is with sadness that we report that Phil Hamilton of Scarborough group died on 11 February 2018, aged 71 . 
Supporters of the 
Kate Ashbrook, legendary footpath campaigner (some of you may remember the battle with Nicholas van Hoogstraten some years ago who decided ramblers were not going to pass on a footpath going through his land and blocked the paths with razor wire and discarded refrigerators….yes, that was Kate’s fight), ex-President of the Ramblers and now trustee (see her photograph with Tony Corrigan, area webmaster of Pocklington Group) and guest speaker at the agm. She was putting on her boots because agms in this area at least are generally preceded by short walks.
Tony Corrigan of Pocklington group is seeking responses to a questionnaire from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, about the proposed restoration of a dew pond on the wolds.
The public were invited to make their views known in a survey that ended in February, and based on that, the charity Sustrans (best known for its work in promoting cycling routes) put forward a plan, in cooperation with Scarborough Borough Council, the North York Moors NPA and the Groundwork charity.
References are made in the draft report to "sealing" the surface, and photographs of tracks in other areas show a smooth, apparently hard topcoat.
Left is a section of map as it is now, showing part
of the Mere and Oliver’s Mount Area. Underneath is
the same map, to which, from memory, I’ve added
green lines where I think there should be rights of
way. Obviously, there are many more than those
marked, which can only be drawn by actually
surveying them.
The
diversion is shown as a hatched line on this extract from the NYCC
official notice, from B to C. (The old route is shown as a solid line.)
A
former Scarborough group chairman, Frances Snee, died in hospital on Sunday.
As
the track has been classified as a bridleway, it must be accessible to
mounted riders, who must be able to open any gate. A stile would
not be permitted.
Only two years ago, there were newspaper headlines after the North York
Moors National Park issued a press release headlined
“Lanes such as this...are particularly vulnerable to
damage from off-road vehicles as a result of the prolonged rainfall of
the past few months. It is highly irresponsible of drivers to use
the lanes in these conditions.”
However,
at 1:10000 scale, the online map shows the "road network" identifier to
be following the actual line on the ground, whereas the footpath
continues to be depicted on the near side of the beck. 
The
firm planning a £1 billion potash mine near Whitby has already spent
£100m on the project, and expects to receive no income for at least four
years, our annual meeting heard last night.
York
Potash is currently awaiting decisions on its applications for planning
permission.
The
External Affairs Manager of the firm planning a £1 billion potash mine
will be the guest speaker at our annual meeting on Thursday November 27.
Scarborough
Ramblers were subjected to foul language from people accompanying a pair
of 4*4 vehicles stuck in mud on a "green" lane over Three Howes, near
Harwood Dale on Sunday.
On
Monday, the NYMNPA assigned a ranger to investigate the damage, and also
referred it to North Yorkshire County Council, which has responsibility
for the lanes. (These appear on Ordnance Survey maps as "other
routes with public access" (ORPAs). In most cases, the actual
public rights have not been defined, and the only definite right of way
is on foot. However, they generally also appear on the county's
List of Streets, which means that the county council is responsible for
maintaining them. - Pictures by Bob Clutson.
A
section of Washbeck Road - an old track that runs from the A171 to Brown
Rigg Road in Staintondale - is now open to walkers, despite strenuous
opposition from the landowner.
The
bid to establish a right of way along the route of an old road has taken
a new twist.