THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019! The Sheffield Rambler

A New Path Warden System Restarting the scheme The three Sheffield Ramblers Groups are wanting to restart a Path Warden System that the Sheffield Public Rights of Way (PROW) Unit had to abandon a few years ago because of staffing and funding issues. We believe that we can update how it is to be carried out and we will work with Sheffield PROW Unit to find the best way to identify, record and report footpath problems so that they can be resolved before matters deteriorate. We want to spread the work across as many people as possible. Ideally we would have 20+ wardens, so that it only takes 2-3 mornings or afternoons a year to do the surveying. So far we have identified 8 or 9 people in the Sheffield 40s group who are interested. People often team up to do this sort of work, making it a nice social experience, as well as helping to keep our path networks open.

Making contact It is still early days so initially we want to find out how many members would like to be involved. That involvement can be as little or as much as you want - just a few neighbourhood paths or a wider area, whatever suits you. If you are interested and would like to register that interest please contact Terry Howard via email ([email protected]) simply stating your name and which area of Shef- field you would like to Warden (a few paths or a wider area). Once we have finalised details with Sheffield PROW Unit we will come back to you. Many thanks in anticipation.

Terry Howard and Jeremy Kenyon

Example of PROW improvement FOOTPATH OBSTRUCTION AT BRADFIELD - (SK3225.9248 on Explorer 278 - John Hawker De- cember 2018)

Before After

and THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

Sheffield Walking Festival 2019

Bookings are now open for the 2019 Sheffield Walking Festival on Eventbrite via the Outdoor City and Heritage Open Days websites. This year we have 39 walks for all tastes and abilities, about half of which qualify as Heritage Open Days walks.

After the droughts of last year, water is this year’s main theme, with walks covering all 13 accessible reservoirs in the newly created Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership, including stages of a new 60-mile path called the Sheffield Lakeland Way. For full information and booking visit www.theoutdoorcity.co.uk/sheffwalkfest. If you click on List and A-Z, this is the easiest way to view and book the walks on Eventbrite. Walks on more than one day just have a more detailed link, which then gives you the choice of days. You can also see and book the walks in date order at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sheffield-walking-festival-17267555661

If a walk becomes over subscribed you will receive an auto response email saying you have been put on a waiting list. Should a place subsequently become available due to cancellations you will receive another email giving you 48 hours to make a booking. It is, therefore, very important and helpful to others for you to cancel your booking on Eventbrite or inform me ([email protected]) if you are not able to attend a walk that you have booked. Leaflets should be available from about the beginning of August from the Central Reference Library and branch libraries.

Robert Haslam THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

Date for your Diary

Clarion Call Gig

We are also using Eventbrite for booking tickets to the Clarion Call Gig to be held at the Shakespeares Ale and Cider House on Gibraltar Street. The gig is on October 25th and booking is now LIVE. You can use the link below to get to it. Tickets are £5 each.

Please publicise the event and do invite friends and fellow ramblers. It should be a great night out with songs inspired by GHB Ward and Alfred Wainwright.

Your event URL is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clarion-call-singers-gig-tickets-61378559925

Please ask anyone who doesn't want to make an online booking to get in touch with me at either "[email protected]" or tel: 0784-253-0128. I will make the booking for them.

Malcolm Dixon Secretary THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

From Russia with Thanks Some of you may have been out on a couple of walks in June when we had a visitor from Russia join us. Her name was Dilara, but she introduced herself as Di. She was on holiday in the UK and wanted to go walking in the so she had contacted the Ramblers Central Office who forwarded her enquiry to Malcolm, as secretary of our group. That’s how she came to be with us. She has now sent a picture of one of the walks and a Thank You letter; I’m sure she’d like you all to share them:

Hello Malcolm,

It's Dilara (Di), that skinny Russian girl who went on the Rivelin walk led by John back in June (see photo). I'm back home now, and just wanted to thank you for such a warm welcome and all the amazing views of the Peak District. I really en- joyed walking and talking with Sheffield Ramblers.

As promised, I've aached some photos of that Rivelin walk and also one led by Andrew from Cuhroat to Hathersage. Please pass on my thanks to Andrew, Ka- tya and everyone else who gave me lots of advice about walking in the Peak Dis- trict - I did part of the Monsal Trail from Bakewell on my own, like they recom- mended, and the view from Monsal Head was just beauful.

Once again, thank you for welcoming me to your walks.

Warm regards from Ufa, Russia Dilara THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

AGM 2019 Monday November 11th

LOCATION: Quaker Meeng Rooms in St James Street TIME: 19:30 (refreshments available from 19:00)Speaker

Speaker

This year we are hoping to have a speaker from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. The speaker will be giv- ing a presentation detailing how the company supports the Ramblers nationally and locally through the Walking Partnership. This exciting initiative, supported by RWH Travel, aims to provide direct financial support to the grassroots of the walking community in the UK through local walking groups. Donations are made when members take one of their holiday packages and nominate our Group to receive a pay- ment. Positions vacant

We shall, as ususal, be electing a new Executive Committee and all positions will be up for election. Al- though some members are happy to stay on, others have indicated they wish to step down. Additionally, some positions are currently vacant and we need members to come forward to fill them.

Chairperson: to chair meetings and to help give some direction to the future activities of the Group.

Minutes Secretary: Angela Coles has indicated she wishes to step down.

Footpath Officer: to keep an eye on proposed diversions and other issues (possibly jointly with the other Sheffield Ramblers Groups).

Publicity Secretary: An interest in and ability to use the various social media tools now available would be a distinct advantage for this post. We need someone to tell people why Sheffield Ramblers are more than just another walking group; to let them know that we work and campaign to improve things for walkers everywhere, for example by repairing stiles & paths; to encourage people of all abilities to get out in the local countryside and enjoy the fresh air, exercise and social interaction that comes with joining us on one of our many led walks.

If you are interested in any of these posts, and would like to consider putting your name forward, please get in touch with any member of the present committee for more information or join us at the AGM in November.

Malcolm Dixon Secretary THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

Another Vacancy: FIXIT Co-ordinator Before I give you a Job Description for this post, a History of Fixit would be interesting, so here is the story of Fixit from its beginnings by the present co-ordinator, Jan Randall. BEGINNINGS Fixit started in February 2013 in Coombes Wood. I was intending to lead a walk which passed through the woods but I had been contacted by Terry a few days before to say that a huge tree had fallen across the path and may be dangerous. Barry suggested going out with his chain saw to make it safe and, during the demolition, we decided that a regular work party would be a good idea.

JOBS Since then we have done a variety of jobs in order to improve footpaths and Rights of Way in the Sheffield area: We have done cutbacks which reclaim paths made impassable by brambles, seedlings and bracken. We have widened, leveled and made paths more user friendly by adding steps where necessary. We have made plank bridges to enable walkers to cross brooks safely, adding non-slip surfaces and handrails. We have improved stiles, replacing rotten timber and realigning stonework. While working on the Bradfield Heritage Trail, we exposed an ancient path (possibly an old coffin route), made safe dry stone walling and added handrails to stiles, making them usable for less agile walkers. THE TEAM There were between 6 and 14 volunteers on each job, working on the first Monday of each month.

I have very much enjoyed my time as co-ordinator but, after six years, the time has certainly come for me to pass the reins to someone else. I’m sure my successor will find the work as satisfying as I have found it to be. He or she might, of course, wish to make some changes, for example to the day that the work is carried out or to the regularity with which jobs are done and I’m sure this can be arranged by liaising with group members and Sheffield Council’s Rights of Way department. I will be very happy to discuss the job with anyone who wishes to take over from me. Jan Randall THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

JOB DESCRIPTION: Here’s what you will be required to do • Identify where work is needed by noting problems when out walking and asking other people to report problems to you. • If the job comes through the council, liaise with the Rights of Way department to view, assess and plan the job and specify the materials needed. The group often work in conjunction with the council rangers who meet us at the site, with a vehicle bringing the timber needed and any specialised tools required. If the rangers are not needed, the Rights of Way representative meets us the site to discuss any unfin- ished aspects of the job and then leaves us to it. • Put an entry of the blog on The Ramblers website about a week before each job, specifying the meeting place and safe parking areas, along with a description of the job and the tools needed • Take photos of each job before and after and design them into info boards for exhi- bitions used to publicise the work taken on by The Fixit Group • Occasionally ask local firms to sponsor the work of the group by donating timber/ non slip metal strips for plank bridges or stiles. • Let the group know if the session was cancelled due to bad weather or was happen- ing on another day because there was a clash with a bank holiday, and arrange lifts for workers without their own transport • Buy tools when needed, together with members of the group, after obtaining ap- proval from the Ramblers Committee.

To JAN (and not fogeting the rest of the Fiit team!) Thank you Fo all yor had wok. Yo’ve doe a wodeful job And even remained god-natued and smiling throghot. Fro the Comitee and all those Rambles who have benefited fo the jobs yo’ve doe THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS SPRING 2019!

First aid training - please note places are still available on this new course

Booking for the Ramblers new first aid training course is now open with over 120 courses taking place between July and September, at a wide variety of locations across Great Britain.

The course covers first aid essentials (such as CPR), as well as the incidents you are most likely to face on a group walk – whether cuts and grazes, broken bones or something more serious. It is a practical session, with time to ask questions and practice your skills. The training is free, thanks to support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Places are limited, so please go to our First Aid webpages to book your place. Sheffield will have two sessions (09:00 and 13:00) both taking place at the Quakers Meeting House in St James Street on Saturday September 14th.

For more information, contact Vicky, George, James & Becky (the Ramblers’ delivery team) via [email protected]. THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

Transport News 1. Services between Bradfield and From the first weekend in September this service will be operated by Powells Co. instead of TM Travel .

2. A new service for the summer There is a new daily service, which started on July 21st and will continue until August 31st, linking Chesterfield, Edale, Fairholmes, Hope & Castleton: H1 and H2. This might not be par- ticularly useful for getting to Fairholmes but it does provide more frequent for returning from Fairholmes to Bamford, Edale and Hope. Below is a copy of the timetable. If this is not clear enough, please look at the original on: http://www.derbysbus.info/times/tt_A_Z.htm Please note Because this is designated a special tourist service, you cannot travel for free with your Bus THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

Transport Survey

Our secretary, Malcolm Dixon, has received the commuictaion below from Clive Betts MP, Independent Chair of the South Yorkshire Bus Review. Some of you may be interested in completing the survey with your views, or you may even wish to contact the secretariat team to disucss the transport situation in South Yorkshire, following the invitation in the email. A dnagerous invitation really; they may well get more discussion than they bargained for!

From: SY Bus Review Date: 25 July 2019 at 15:12:40 +01:00 Subject: Invitation to submit written evidence for the South Yorkshire Bus Review

Dear colleagues, I am writing to let you know that today, me and my panel of commissioners are publishing an invitation for organisations to submit written evidence to the review of bus services across South Yorkshire. Further details can be found on the Sheffield City Region website. However, my secretariat team would also be more than happy to discuss this invitation in more detail over the summer – either by phone or in person. A strong, comprehensive evidence base is a fundamental part of the review which is consid- ering a wide range of social and economic issues relating to the bus transport system in South Yorkshire. This invitation for written evidence gives organisations their chance to provide expert views to me and my panel about the current bus system in South Yorkshire, but also what improvements could be made. An online survey will still be available for members of the public and community groups to complete. For ease of reference, the closing date for written submissions is Friday 6th September 2019 and we will use these to inform oral evidence sessions that we will hold after the summer. If you wish to respond to the invitation, submissions do not need to follow a set format but should provide responses to some or all of the key lines of enquiry that are set out on the website. Many thanks for your continued support for the review,

Clive Betts MP Independent Chair of the South Yorkshire Bus Review THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS JULY 2019

And now for a History Lesson

Rambling by Public Transport in Sheffield: a look back in time by John Brightmore, Public Transport Representative

At the Ramblers Sheffield Group AGM last November we were given a slide show, with accompanying songs, which showed pictures of the great Sheffield Rambler G.H.B. Ward and the Clarion Ramblers. This got me thinking about how they would have travelled to their walks in those days. Certainly they would have used public transport.

Many of us will have fond memories of travelling on the smart blue and cream buses and operated by Sheffield Corpo- ration Transport and Sheffield Joint Omnibus Committee right up until their merger into the South Yorkshire PTE in 1974.

In the 1930s bus services to places like Dore, Lodge Moor and Bradfield departed from termini at , Fulwood Road and and connected with the trams. Excel- lent comprehensive Timetable Books were produced with gave full details of all the bus, tram and train services operated from Sheffield. A glance through the 1936 timetable shows that Walk- ing Tour tickets were available to Ashopton, Woodhead and Flouch returning from Ashopten, Bamford, Hathersage and Hope at around 2d. There were Combined Road and Rail tickets going out by bus and returning by train from stations in the Hope Valley. A Burbage Moor circular ticket was also avail- able to go by bus to Fox House and return by bus from Ringin- THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS SPRING 2019!

In the 1950s duplicate buses were run on all the popular routes into the Peak District to places like Bakewell, Castleton, Brad- field, and there were extra short-run journeys to places like Hathersage and Fox House; buses would be queued up there waiting to being people back into Sheffield on a summer Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. Another popular spot was Wyming Brook, just beyond Lodge Moor, where buses queued along the lane. The farm nearby used to serve pots of tea and jugs of hot water so people would have something to drink with the sandwiches they had brought from home. Excursions were also run by train to the Hope Valley and other areas. The Sheffield tram system, already a fine one, was extended in the 1930s but in 1951 the Transport committee decided to re- place the trams with buses, a decision which many people still think was a grave mistake. The first route to go was Malin Bridge to Fulwood in 1952, followed by Ecclesall to Middlewood in 1954 with the last tram running from Beauchief to Tinsley on October 8th, 1960. The new trams that had been built in Wakefield between 1950 and 52 saw less than 10 years in service.

For the technically minded only! Many of the Sheffield trams were built by the Corporation in their Queens’s Road workshops, with others being built by Cravens of , who also built bus bodies for Sheffield and train car- riages, right up until the early 1960s. However, between the 1930s and 1970s most of the buses in Sheffield wee supplied by Leyland, although during and just after the war, Guy, Daimler and Crossley supplied many of our buses, with further Daimlers pur- chase in the 1960s and 70s. THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS SPRING 2019!

The pre-war AEC buses mostly had pre-selector gears, however, most of the pre-war Leylands had the Torque Converter Auto- matic Transmission System, which Leyland offered as an alter- native to a conventional gearbox. These were also known as “gearless buses”. These buses were very smooth and comfortable to ride on but were not without their problems as the paraffin lubricating fluid that worked the transmission, and was carried in a header tank under the downstairs front window, sometimes used to overheat in very hot weather, causing the bus to lose power on very steep hills. Sheffield received some of the very last gearless buses to be produced between 1940 and 1942 and the last one was with- drawn form service in 1957. Some of the pre-war AEC buses lasted longer, with a few surviving into the 1960s. After the war, both companies produced new models. AEC produced the Regent 111 and Regent v and Leyland the PD2 and PD3. Some of the AEC Rent 111s delivered in 1954/55 had a really loud exhaust noise and they could be heard coming for several streets away. The Leyland PD2 was renowned for its exceptional hill-climbing performance. All these models were bought in great numbers for fleet and tram replacement until the 1960s.

Transport Museums Several Sheffield trams, including the last 0ne, N0. 510, are pre- served at Crick Tram Museum in .Three Sheffield Leyland double Deckers, dating from the 1950s, are preserved in the south Yorkshire Transport Museum and can be ridden on when they have Museum Open days. They can also be seen around Sheffield when they are hired out to Wedding Parties. THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS SPRING 2019!

Further reading If anyone is interested in finding out more about this topic, there is an excellent book by Philip Battersby, published in 2002 by Venture Publications of Glossop:

Sheffield Transport (Super Prestige)

On page 47 of that book there are two pictures of the last bus to leave Derwent Village for Sehffield in 1943 before the village was submerged to make the Ladybower Reservoir. The pictures show all the construction work going on around the bus and I like to imagine that G.H.B. Ward and his companions would have regu- larly witnessed all this from their walks along Derwent Edge.

Who can remember travelling on the 39 and 48 services over the Snake and Woodhead passes towards Manchester, a journey which included a 20 minute refreshment stop at either the Snake Inn or Dog and Partridge, where you could grab a cup of tea. Or a pint of beer, if you were lucky!

CLOSING REMARKS: A REQUEST

I would like to bring this edition of the Newsletter to a close with a plea on behalf of those members of the Ramblers who are not online. We do not these days send out hard copies of the Newsletter as this proved very expensive when we did it in the past. We are aware, however, that not all of our members have an email account nor, indeed, access to a computer . If you know of anyone that this applies to and think they would appreciate having a copy of the Newsletter, it would be wonderful if you could print out a copy to give them so that they can keep up with the latest Sheffield Ramblers’ news.

Many, many thanks

Linda Cooley, editor