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The Footpath Working Party is now run as an HRC enterprise thanks to Bill Walshaw's efforts. He took up the reins after the South Staffordshire group, we previously worked with, disbanded. He now arranges our work, transport, tools and materials and liaises with the council and with farmers, picks up and drives the van, completes all the paperwork and leads the group during the Monday labours.
During the autumn of 2006 stiles and steps were installed at Longnor, Reapsmoor, Froghall and Madeley.
In 2007 the team installed 56 complete stiles, 24 replacement stile treads, 4 sleeper bridges and finger posts.
The team has recommenced work for 2008 despite the rather poor ground conditions due to the recent heavy rains. We continue to work in the West of the county mainly in the Betley, Eccleshall, Madeley, Maer, Standon, Swynnerton, and Tittensor areas.The team consists of HRC members with two experienced volunteers from the Stafford area. The group size, on each working, day varies between 4 and 8 depending on team members' commitments and work requirements.
HRC members who have taken part so far are:Bill Walshaw, John Butler, Mike Everill,
Brian Joynson, Phil Hughes, Ken Elkin,
John Critchlow, Barrie Tunnicliffe and Bill Webb.The two RA members from the disbanded South Staffs group are:
John Rhodes and Dave Cashmore.Additional volunteers are always welcome and every effort will be made to find them suitable work. However, it must be stressed that some tasks are physically demanding but the humour, knowledge and experience of the team has always managed to overcome any problem.
Thanks to all above for their labours during 2007 and their continuing efforts in 2008.
We are seeing an improvement in the condition of the footpath network.
If you are aware of any footpath which requires attention please do report the matter either to the local authority (e.g. Staffs CC) or to Bill, preferably giving a grid reference.
Contact Bill Walshaw through the club email.
Come and join in - it's all very friendly
A few of the stiles constructed Before
Working Party
Before
After
After
All worth it
Photographs of members during the Chairman's Ramble on 4 February 2007 using some of the bridges built by the HRC Working Party
Bill Walshaw and Ken Elkin showing Bill Finney their handywork.
Marion Walshaw leading Val Hiles over the mud
Kate Cooper and Margaret Finney on another marvel of construction.
In many areas of England and Wales and on most land in Scotland you can now enjoy wider opportunities for access, where you don't have to keep to a particular route but can walk at will through a wider area of open space. When on this designated access land you can use any path, or wander off the path if the terrain is suitable. The arrangements for wider access in Britain are in the process of changing as new rules are introduced creating better protection for access rights and more opportunities for hikers. Different arrangements from England and Wales apply in Scotland, where there will be a new statutory right of access to most land.
Access land in England and Wales
New rights of access for walkers are currently being introduced to all mountain (over 600m), moor, heath, down and registered common land in England and Wales under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, (CRoW).
The exact areas of land covered by the new rights are shown on official maps issued by the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. In England, the new rights are being introduced region by region as the maps are published: the first regions, the south and lower northwest, opened on 19 September 2004 and all regions in England should be open by November 2005. In Wales they will be introduced for the whole country in May 2005.
On new access land, landowners can restrict or prevent access for up to 28 days a year without special permission, and can apply for additional restrictions for purposes such as land management, conservation and fire prevention. The new rights do not replace existing rights of access. For example, where a public right of way crosses access land that has been closed under the 28-day rule, walkers will still be able to use the right of way.
Most access land - including all but the smallest parcels of land open under the new rights, as well as land open under previous rights, arrangements and policies - is shown on Ordnance Survey maps as these are updated. Details of restrictions are given at information points on the ground, or available from local authorities and information centres. The official "conclusive" maps of new access land, together with much other useful information, can be viewed on the Countryside Agency's website.
As each area is approved the Secretary of State issues a commencement order stating when the new access will commence. These access areas will be shown on the Ordnance Survey maps, and are now available for the Peak District and some adjacent areas.
The above is a very brief summary of this important new development for walkers. No doubt members will be able to exercise their new 'right to roam' on future walks. Do please ensure that you have the correct information before exercising your right and observe and respect any signs and information provided in the local area of your walk.
The Blue Book
The club has bought the book: Rights Of Way - A Guide to Law and Practice - Fourth Edition by John Riddall and John Trevelyn and published by the Ramblers' Association and Open Spaces Society. This is the definitive guide to rights-of-way law in England and Wales. Ashley Steadman holds the copy and will attempt to find the answer to any query you may have on the subject.
Council Obligation
The Local Councils now have an obligation to produce and implement a Rights of Way Improvement Plan and the first Joint Local Access Forum for interested parties met in December 2007. Ashley Steadman attended as an observer on behalf of the HRC and the minutes of the meeting can be viewed or downloaded. Ashley is now a committee member on the forum and anyone interested can apply or just look at the latest news at the Staffs County Council website
The next meeting of the Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton Joint Local Access Forum will be held on Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 11.00 a.m. AGM and 2.00 p.m. Business Meeting at The John O'Leary Centre, Marquis Drive, Hednesford, Staffs. WS12 4PW. Members of the public are invited to attend.
