Hi All
I thought it might be of interest if I circulated brief details of some opportunities to get more involved with the Ramblers' work as 'Guardians of our footpaths', together with a few other bits of information that you might wish to know about.
Apologies if you have heard about some of this before, and are already involved, but hopefully it is useful to bring it all together in this way.
I thought it might be of interest if I circulated brief details of some opportunities to get more involved with the Ramblers' work as 'Guardians of our footpaths', together with a few other bits of information that you might wish to know about.
Apologies if you have heard about some of this before, and are already involved, but hopefully it is useful to bring it all together in this way.
Getting involved
- 'The Big Pathwatch' campaign is now underway and runs until 31 December 2015. This is an ambitious and vital campaign to survey every Right of Way in England and Wales, and it needs all the support it can get. You can register on the website - Join the Big Pathwatch now - and take part either by using the website or by using the link shown to download a mobile app to a smartphone/tablet and do it all electronically. Please do as much as you are able, either on your own or with friends. Every little bit helps!
- the Sussex Coastal Path - Natural England plans to start work on our section of the English Coastal Path in 2016 and it will help greatly if Sussex walkers get involved. A meeting will take place at The Bridge Inn in Shoreham-by-Sea at 11.30am on Thursday 20th August. After introductions and a bite to eat (own cost), Ramblers Central Office people will provide the briefing before visiting a local coastal area to help illustrate the challenges that will have to be overcome. Travel expenses can be claimed. Please let me know by 13th August if you would like to come along to the briefing, with no obligation to take it further. Just email me at: area@bahr.org.uk. I will then let you have further details and reserve your place.
- East Sussex Footpaths Secretary - Malcolm McDonnell is standing down from this role in January 2016 and his successor is already being sought. Malcolm became East Sussex Footpaths Secretary15 years ago with no knowledge of footpaths and just a desire to re-open a closed footpath in Wythyham, which he achieved. In this role, he has become a knowledgeable and much respected Ramblers volunteer, with a practical approach to footpath issues. A brief role description is attached. If you feel this might be for you, please drop Malcolm an email at: eastfootpath@sussex-ramblers.org.uk. Alternatively, if you know someone else who might be interested, please ask them to get in touch with Malcolm. The next six months will provide a useful opportunity to work with Malcolm before stepping fully into the role, which he describes as challenging, enjoyable and rewarding.
- Local Footpath Secretaries - Malcolm McDonnell and Graham Elvey (West Sussex Footpaths Secretary - westfootpath@sussex-ramblers.org.uk) are always keen to hear from people interested in learning more about the Local Footpath Secretary role and current vacancies (a few are within striking distance of Brighton e.g. Firle, Burgess Hill and Cowfold). Please contact Malcolm and/or Graham directly if you are interested.
Other stuff
- Brighton and Hove Ramblers now has a MeetUp Group to help recruit and retain members. The early signs are encouraging, with good turn-outs at Wednesday evening walks in particular. To sign up and take advantage of this initiative please go to: http://www.meetup.com/BAHR-30s-50s-Walking-Group/.
- the Sussex Border Path - Sussex Ramblers is now managing the signage and the website for this path. The signage is now complete and the website redeveloped. To take a look go to: the website. A 5-6 mile circular walk to celebrate the work completed is starting at Hassocks station at 2.00pm on Saturday 19th September. Come along if you can!
- the Eastbourne and Wealden Coast & Country Walking Festival takes place from 26 September until 4 October. Stuart Ellis, one of our leaders, is leading a walk for the festival on Saturday 3 October. Information about the Festival can be found here. If you would like to support Stuart on his walk, please click through to his walk 'Hidden in Plain Sight'. Please note that you must pre-book a place and this can be done online.
- the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm project is now underway and will involve digging a substantial trench to house cables running from Brooklands (Lancing) to Bolney, where they will feed into the National Grid. Although still early days, walk leaders especially should keep an eye on the Rampion website at this address which provides some information about the necessary footpath closures. Dates will not be available until shortly before path closures, but the Rampion Project Team can be contacted by calling 01273 694 876 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by email at rampion@eon.com to seek more information. I'm told that a dedicated Rights of Way freephone number will be available on the website in due course.
That's it for now.
Best regards,
