Chairman's Ramblings

CHAIRMAN’S RAMBLINGS SUMMER 2019

After a mild winter with little snow, and so far a very dry spring with varied temperatures, it was lovely at Easter - soon it will be summer. Last year, sumer was like being in the Mediterranean and we will be very lucky for it to be anything like as good this year. But you never know; I am sure there will be plenty of fine walking weather. Lots of plants are growing now; when my brother was walking, his walks had a running commentary about all the flora and fauna and geology we went past. Unfortunately I am not as good as he was with identifying plants. Some things that grow in the summer are lovely such as the orchids that bloom near Aycliffe nature park; other things are not so nice. If you go on one of my brother’s old walks near Windlestone Hall you will find lots of giant hogweed; whatever you do don’t touch it or you will come out in a rash or worse.

I myself am beginning to notice an age related change in me. I no longer like going on walks that include climbing steep hills despite the lovely views from the top, but now I am starting to find these walks a bit too much of a slog. I have never liked walking in the rain though my brother used to say that you need to experience the countryside in all conditions.

We have recently had the walking weekend in Ilkley which is a lovely spot and the hotel was great apart from the bar prices, and we enjoyed some lovely walks. I am including a special thanks to Marg West for organising this weekend; she is now stepping down from this duty and the search is on for a volunteer to replace her.

Anyway, keep on walking and enjoying the countryside.

Dave Hardaker, Chair

Editor’s note: If you want more information about giant hogweed and its effects, there is plenty on the internet, for example at:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-giant-hogweed-warning-uk-6039614 and https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=458

FOOTPATH SECRETARY’S REPORT ENDING MAY 2019

Another programme comes to fruition and another to look forward to, Spring well underway and Summer months to look forward to with some new walks,several of which are in our area meaning not too far to travel.

Still I have noticed whilst out walking how walkers still can be irresponsible for their actions. Recently out on a recce I came across three consecutive gates that had not been secured; chain with hook and eye available to secure but NO ‘its not my job to do’ seems the reaction. Do these people leave their house doors unsecured? I think not. Taking responsibility is all part of the country code we must stick to. Another point is we still see litter at sides of paths; again, another irresponsible act by certain individuals thinking all is bio-degradable but even if it is it all takes time and remains unsightly.

Three notable points from past walks I’ve heard about. Firstly the one led by Marg from Edmundbyers where at the start the weather was fine but later turned to a white out showing how the weather can change so quickly and that we should be well equipped for such eventualities.

Secondly, the last section of Bob’s grand Teesdale Way walks was most memorable in that from the earlier sections of rural areas this one showed the industrial side of Teesside which is little known due to the route taken, but I think was an eye opener to all present.

Thirdly my walk from Worton to Addlebrough was notable not only by those who ventured to the summit on such a cold windy day but on our return to the The Victoria Arms where Ralph had a pet lamb running around the bar, not the most common of sights but much to the delight of the ladies present.

The weekend away to Ilkley due to its variety was I think enjoyed by all but at the end of day two due to the quick exodus I heard no overall comments which I would have liked to put to and heard from those present. Day one was a walk over the moor that surprised us all to see the drastic result of the recent fire that had devastated the undergrowth. It’s hard to think of the plant life and wild birds that suffer when such happens. It was notable for the vast changes in the weather experienced showing that british weather can come up with such a wide variety covering all seasons in one day. Day two in Grassington gave us a walk led by Bob under blue skies and white clouds, a total contrast to that previous. Great landscapes and areas were on offer for which we should thank him and may I say that without him and Marg, who organised the hotel, these weekends away would not be possible.

Referring back to Ilkley it was when we were doing the walk recce back at Easter time, when on the moor we came across a clear liquor bottle lying in the heather so it can be seen how totally irresponsible some walkers can be and no wonder occurrences like fires occur. What was someone drinking liquor whilst out walking one asks.

To finish, it was 1935 that The Ramblers Association was founded after the National Council of Rambler’s Federation agreed to change its name, that was needed. In 1958 footpaths on OS maps appeared thanks to Ramblers lobbying, and where would we be if we didn’t have those FP routes.

As mentioned above without our hard working walks leaders and organisers we would not have such a varied choice of walks from which to attend so my many thanks goes out to those people.

David Reed 30^th May 2019

TWO ITEMS FROM THE RAMBLERS WEBSITE:

People’s Postcode Lottery

This week, the Ramblers is proud to be the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Charity of the Week and we would like to say a huge thank you to players for their support. Together, we have helped everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protected the places we all love to walk. Some of the ways that this has made a difference includes:

• In 2018 we trained 700 volunteers, so they are skilled in maintaining and protecting our path network.

• We have an enhanced walking environment. In 2018, one of our path maintenance groups logged over 2000 hours of volunteering!

• More residents are now connected to their local green spaces. As part of our Festival of Winter Walks in 2018, 165,000 people got involved in the campaign.

• Many of our members have gained physical and mental health benefits of walking with us and have become less isolated from connecting with others.

• As part of our Don’t Lose Your Way project, hundreds of people have become inspired to take action in the search for lost rights of way, to expand where we can walk.

• We’ve attracted new walkers to our group led walks. In 2018, we ran 78,000 Ramblers Walking for Health walks with 60,000 people.

To celebrate, we have launched a competition for players of People’s Postcode Lottery to win a one-year Ramblers membership. If you’re a player or know someone who is and who is also a keen rambler, get them to enter our competition by Sunday 23 June.

Our CEO Vanessa Griffiths said, “We are hugely grateful for the continued support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery which will directly and indirectly enable us to continue our transformative journey and enable us to support more people to become happier and healthier because they ramble.”

Ramblers App

I wanted to let you know about an exciting new benefit for your members which was mentioned in the April volunteer update.

We’ve been busy working on the Ramblers App for all our members. The App is now available and includes:

• A searchable library of thousands of led-walks across Great Britain

• A digital version of your membership card

• Access to the latest members’ offers

• Interesting features and articles

• A new and improved walk register

• Ability to submit photos to help promote your walks

A feature about the App will be included in the Summer issue of Walk magazine sent out in late May.

We hope the Ramblers App will enable more members to take advantage of the amazing group walks available, discover the breath-taking landscapes on our doorsteps, and help grow our membership.

REMINDER

Several outdoor shops offer Ramblers members a discount on purchases, typically 20% at Cotswold Outdoor stores, and 15% at both Millets and Trespass.