Shrewsbury Ramblers

Newsletter July 2019 – October 2019

www.shrewsburyramblers.org.uk

The Ramblers Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales Company registration number: 4458492 Registered Charity in England and Wales number 1093577 Registered office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TW

ChairChair: and Webmaster: DATESNevilleJohn Newnham FOR Hubbard YOUR DIARY (01743 352658)353858) Vice Chair: AudreyGraham Menhinick Baker (01743 247404244922 ) Secretary: SueKath Turner Bristow ((0174301743 243754)270525) Treasurer: Mick Gadd (01743 249975) Membership Secretary: Rebecca Barker (01743 242865) Publicity Secretary: Amanda Hartley-Newton (01743 709507) ProgrammeWebmaster: Secretary: DiNeville Higgs Hubbard (01743 271138352658)) Programme Secretary:Email: [email protected] Higgs (01743 271138) Self-Funded Activities:Email: [email protected] Greeve (01743 240686) FootpathSelf-Funded Secretary: Activities: NeilPeter Mosley Greeve (01743 271531)240686)

P3Footpath Group: Secretary: Peter Knight (01743 246609) AreaP3 Group: Representative PhilPeter Barnes Knight (01939(01743 809037246609)) Committee: KathAudrey Bristow Menhinick (01743 270525)247404)

Ramblers Website Addresses:

Ramblerswww.shrewsburyramblers.org.uk Website Addresses: www.shrewsburyramblers.org.ukwww.syr.org.uk (Shropshire Young Ramblers) www.syr.org.ukwww.ramblers.org.uk (Shropshire Young Ramblers) www.ramblers.org.uk Shropshire Young Ramblers email: [email protected] ShropshireRail Rambles Young Website Ramblers: www.railrambles.org email: [email protected] - Leaflets available from RailShrewsbury Rambles railway Website station: www.railrambles.org and Tourist Information - Leaflets available from Shrewsbury railway station and Tourist Information

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sat 17th August – Coach trip to Aberdovey. See Page 4

Tues 10th September – Coach trip to Longnor In Peak District. See Page 9

Sat 14th Sept – Route Planning and Navigation Workshop. See page 6

Sat 21-28th Sept – Shropshire Way Festival week.

Fri 22nd Nov – Shrewsbury Ramblers AGM

Autumn Curry and Quiz Night – date to be confirmed

Offers of walks for the Nov 2019 – Feb 2020 programme should be sent to the appropriate co-ordinator by Friday 20th September 2019

DOWNTON GORGE VISIT: April 2019

Description: Downton Gorge lies on a stretch of the River Teme within Herefordshire where its northern boundary borders Shropshire. The site is a registered park and garden which once belonged to Richard Payne Knight, former owner of the Downton castle estate and who was one of the leading advocates of the Picturesque movement.

The Gorge, which is closed to the public: • is one of the few remaining relict fragments of the ancient Royal Chase of Bringewood which covered a large area in this part of the Welsh Borders during medieval times. • was formed by glacial action and the river Teme cutting through a ridge of limestones, siltstones and sandstones to the north east of the ancient Wigmore Lake. • is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its woodland and associated wildlife. • is a National Nature Reserve. • is noted for its geology which includes a number of important geological sites, some of which have yielded fossil remains of rare primitive fish. • is a Special Area of Conservation for its woodland. • river Teme is designated an SSSI in its own right. • contains a wide variety of trees, including sessile oak, lime, ash and wych elm and many plants which are indicators of a very old woodland such as Tooth Wort, Herb Paris, Bluebell etc. • ravine also provides a humid microclimate which benefits a variety of ferns, lichens and fungi.

Each year during April and May, Natural England staff lead a limited number of guided walks along the Gorge and this year fifteen Shrewsbury Ramblers were privileged to be expertly led on an excellent walk by Simon Cooter, Natural England Senior Reserve Manager for the site. Subject to demand and Natural England approval this brilliant and informative four mile walk could be repeated and the suggested date Tuesday 21st April 2020 for which an early booking is recommended. To register your interest please email [email protected] or m: 07484 113724 Numbers are limited by Natural England to fifteen attendees and initially preference will be given to those ramblers not making the 2019 list.

Cordially, John Law

COACH TRIP TO ABERDOVEY

Date: Saturday 17 August 2019

Depart: 8.15 am from Abbey Foregate Car Park, Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury Car parking charge payable (Optional pick-up at Old Railway Station-Welshpool)

Return: From Aberdovey at 5.30 pm

Leader: Phil Barnes (01939 809037) Mobile: (07484 113724)

Cost: £10.00

The Walk: a linear route starting from the village of Bryncrug, just north of Tywyn, joining the coast and following a mainly low-level route to Aberdovey. A fairly short descent from Bryncrug.Views out to sea and inland towards Snowdonia. On completion of the walk it will be possible to spend time in Aberdovey.

On previous Saturday trips it has been possible to accommodate a few non-walkers who this year can spend a day in Aberdovey. The trip is also open to non-members, new to the group and subject to availability

Walk Distance: 8. miles Grade: Easy +

To book your place(s) on the coach please complete the slip below and send it with your cheque to Peter Greeve, 1 High Ridge Way, Shrewsbury, SY3 6DJ In the event of any changes please contact Peter Greeve: 01743 240686 Email: [email protected]

Please make cheques payable to: Ramblers Association SS6 (If booking more than one trip at the same time please make out a single cheque)

COACH TRIP TO ABERDOVEY

Name(s): ......

Address: ......

Telephone Number: ......

Number of Seats: ...... at £10 per seat TOTAL: £………………………… 4

MAY AWAY WEEK 2019 – AMBLESIDE

Wow – what a week that was! The weather was perfect and although the lack of rain reduced the grandeur of the waterfall the lakes and fells showed themselves at their best in the sunshine. Ambleside was bustling but not so busy that we couldn’t get tables at restaurants or onto buses, and whose prettiness was enhanced by the many colourful rhododendrons in garden and parks.

We were sorry that four people were unable to join us due to injury, so 18 Shrewsbury Ramblers gathered in central Ambleside on Monday 20th May. Most of us headed up Loughrigg Fell in the morning quickly getting views of several lakes, tarns and fells and developing our scrambling skills. The other four members of the group walked around Rydal Water and met us at Rydal Hall for the first of many afternoon teas.

For the next three days, three walks were offered with Reg, Ruth and Steve leading walks with different levels of interest and difficulty, but all meeting for tea at the end of the afternoon to talk about the day. The group meal on Thursday evening and the walk to Orrest Head on Friday morning completed a very sociable and satisfying end to a great week of walking in countryside very different from our usual stomping ground.

Very many thanks to Ruth and Reg Wilford and Steve Bristow for their excellent planning and leadership of a programme which enabled all of us to enjoy the very best of the Lake District.

Shrewsbury Ramblers Workshop Route Planning and Navigation Workshop.

Plan, Execute and Navigate walks with increased confidence using a smartphone or device app. To assist Shrewsbury Ramblers are holding an informal Workshop consisting of:

Session 1: Route Planning, Navigation: • computer based and smartphone / device applications.

Session 2: Viewranger Practical: • Viewranger and Dropbox apps, mapping purchase(s). • Plan and navigate a short Meole Brace route. • New users to Viewranger - a personal email address, password needed. • OS map purchase requires Google Play / iTunes gift card. • Mentors available to advise.

Leaders / Mentors: John Law, Ron Atha, Doug Davies. Venue: The Trinity Centre, Church Road, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury. SY3 9HF. Date/ Time: Saturday 14th September 2019 - Time: 09.00 hours to 16.00 hours. Trinity Centre kitchen facilities: tea, coffee provided, bring a packed lunch / snacks.

• NB. This Workshop is FREE to members of Shrewsbury Ramblers who will have priority. • The event will be offered to other Shropshire Rambling Groups, if necessary, to gain sufficient support. • Maximum number of attendees is 15. • Non-members fee: £5.00

Further Workshop details available from: John Law. m: 07484 113724. e: [email protected]

Applications to:

Name(s): ...... Tel No: ......

LOST RIGHTS OF WAY – Neil Mosley

Many of us will have seen an article published by the Ramblers Association (RA) entitled “Don’t Lose Your Way”. This is an important initiative which is looking for volunteers to assist in trying to ensure that ROW are not lost forever simply because they are not recorded on the definitive map – the official record of public ROW in an area.

The background to this situation is as follows: As a result of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, on 1st January 2026 the law will change and ROW that existed in 1949 but are not recorded on a local authority Definitive Map & Statement of Public Rights of Way will be extinguished and lost forever.

The RA has noted there are well over 140,000 miles of public paths which criss- cross England and Wales, and has suggested that 10,000 miles of paths are at risk of being lost. This network has evolved over centuries linking villages, hamlets roads and towns. Generations before us used these ROW to travel between settlements, to the church, the market, the pub and into the fields etc. The network reflects the changing pattern of human interaction with the landscape.

In many areas of the country the Ramblers are working alongside volunteers from the British Horses Association and the Open Spaces Society to “restore the record” – in other words to identify and research lost way routes and submit applications to the local authority to update and correct the definitive map records. Such submissions are called “Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO)” applications. Provided a DMMO application is submitted before 1st January 2026 then the ROW in question cannot be automatically extinguished, it has to be considered by the local authority. So it

7 will become increasingly important to submit as many well substantiated DMMO applications as possible, as we approach the 2026 deadline.

We have been in contact with Shropshire Area Ramblers and Shropshire Council and it is apparent that the Council has drawn up a list of about 700 issues which they plan to deal with by means of a “super order” application. It was also noted that Ramblers will be appointing a Project Officer shortly to oversee what happens in Areas, with back-up support in the form of training, and also importantly funding. We will be finding out from the Council if there is anything that Shrewsbury Ramblers can contribute to support the efforts locally, or right across the county. Meanwhile we could play a useful role in identifying problem cases when we are out and about in the remoter parts of the county which may only be obvious on the ground. We are still not clear what is happening at the Shropshire Area level of Ramblers, or what assistance the Council may require. However, anyone who is interested and concerned about Lost Ways, and is willing to spend some time on this initiative, should contact Neil Mosley and Nev Hubbard.

SHROPSHIRE WAY MAIN ROUTE COMPLETION – Audrey Menhinick

Join us for our Celebration of the Main Route completion on September 28th with a toast and a cream tea at the Trinity Centre Meole Brace. High profile guests will be Kate Ashbrook, Ramblers Chairman, and John Gillham, Cicerone Guide Book author. There will be a preview of the book which has now reached the final stage plus displays and short talks.

Leading up to this there will be a Festival of Shropshire Way walks starting on Saturday 21st September. More details will be posted on our website https://shropshireway.org.uk/ and look out for our next Newsletter.

Shrewsbury Parish Paths Partnership team - Peter Knight.

Over the 4 month period covering the last programme Shrewsbury P3 team have been out 11 times and spent 408 volunteer hours clearing and improving footpaths mainly in the Craven Arms / Wenlock Edge areas. The many Tuesday walkers may appreciate that we have installed only 1 stile but 10 metal gates which must be much easier to cope with. Whilst working at the Acton Scott Museum we had to be overseen by an archaeologist to make sure we did not dig up any valuable Roman remains whilst installing 4 kissing gates. I was tempted to put a bit of old plate with the words ‘Dishwasher Safe’ in the hole but I resisted the urge. 8

A lot of time has been spent on Wenlock Edge where, in various places we have installed a total of 67 steps up some steeper parts of walks, one which needed the use of a rope to safely traverse. There are now 16 volunteers in the P3 team and, except for the day in March when we got snowed off, we all enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a footpath improved whatever the weather. So I hope that walk leaders will take advantage of the improved footpaths around the Wenlock Edge and plan some walks accordingly. COACH TRIP TO LONGNOR IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

Date: Tuesday 10 September 2019

Depart: 8.15 am from outside Cineworld travelling to Longnor (Please leave cars on bottom car park behind Harvester)

Return: from Longnor at 4.30 pm

Leader: Doug Davies 01785840107 / 07730697670

Cost: £11.00

The Walk: A circular route; from Longnor, a small market town featured in the final series of Peak Practice in the Derbyshire Peak District.

Leaving Longnor along the Manifold Way then to the Dove Valley at Hollinsclough. We will ascend Chrome Hill by open moorland paths before the final ascent over the Dragons Back (another name for Chrome Hill). There is an option to follow a lower footpath. We will all then continue via Glutton Bridge along quiet roads, farm tracks and meadow paths back to Longnor.

Walk Distance: 8.0 miles Total Ascent 1350 feet Grade: Moderate + There are cafes and pubs in Longnor. The walk is well within the capabilities of members familiar with walking in the Cardington Hills area.

To book your place(s) please complete the slip below and send it with your cheque for £11.00 per person to Peter Greeve, 1 High Ridge Way, Shrewsbury, SY3 6DJ In the event of any changes/enquiries regards booking please contact Peter Greeve: 01743 240686 or Mick Gadd 01743 249975 Please make cheques payable to: Ramblers Association SS6

COACH TRIP TO LONGNOR, PEAK DISTRICT

Name(s): ......

Address: ......

Telephone Number: ......

Number of Seats: ...... at £11 per seat TOTAL: £ ...... RAMBLERS APP – Di Higgs

Many of you will have seen the email from Ramblers about their new app. With this you can:

• Discover thousands of Ramblers groups’ walks anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. • Read features, gear reviews, campaign updates and guest blogs by people who are passionate about walking. • Receive exclusive member offers to your mobile, including 15% discount on all your walking gear at Cotswold Outdoors and Snow & Rock, 25% of all Cicerone walking books and lots more throughout the year. • A digital membership card. • A register for walk leaders to use to record This app is free for all Ramblers members. Once you have downloaded the app sign up with your email, surname and membership number. These should be exactly the same details as are on ‘My account’ on the Ramblers website. You will then be asked to create a password. Let me know what you think of this new app from Ramblers – it could make another article for the next newsletter.

QUIZ AND CURRY NIGHT We are hoping to organise a “Quiz and Curry Night” sometime in the autumn but have not yet confirmed a date. Watch out for further details in an email.

RAMBLERS FIRST AID There was a great response from TRAINING members to the offer of First Aid training from Ramblers Head Office. We are waiting for them to come up with dates.

NEW CO-ORDINATORS Many thanks to Michael Lillistone and Anne Nairn who have taken over as co- ordinators for Sunday and Tuesday walks respectively. Please support them and supply them with a good range of walks for the next programme.

NEW NATIONAL WALK GRADING SYSTEM

Ramblers Central Office has introduced a new national walk grading system. At the moment out walks are still using the old system but we will probably move to the new system in the near future.

➢ Easy Access - walks for everyone, including people with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs, using easy access paths. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Assistance may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections, please contact the group running the walk for details.

➢ Easy - walks for anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or is seriously unfit. Suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.

➢ Leisurely - walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include unsurfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.

➢ Moderate - walks for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.

➢ Strenuous - walks for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. May include hills and rough country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. People in doubt about their fitness should contact the organiser or leader in advance.

➢ Technical - walks for experienced and very fit walkers with additional technical skills. May require scrambling and use of ice axes or crampons. You must contact the organiser or leader in advance for further details.

MEMORIAL FOR JOHN NENHAM

After an excellent and fitting send off to John at his funeral we have been discussing a memorial to him. He specifically said “No bench” so the committee is looking at commemorating a walk to John and to provide an information board in his memory on walk no. 1 in the “20 Walks” book which he was instrumental in bringing to publication. Nev’s son-in-law is working on a design for a roundel which will badge the walk and we will show you this in the next newsletter. If anyone else has any other ideas please let the committee know.