Stile June 2020
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Stile Journal of the Ramblers Hertfordshire and North Middlesex Area Issue 57 June 2020 Cozens Grove, East Herts, taken by Sarah Lea. For Sarah’s thoughts during the lockdown, see page 19. Editor: Justin Lumley 46 Hilltop House, 117 Hornsey Lane, London N6 5NW 020 7561 1976 (home) 07773 103 839 (mobile) [email protected] www.ramblers.org.uk/hertfordshire-north-middlesex Stile June 2020 In this issue Editorial 3 From the Co-Chairs 4 Herts CC rebuilds footbridge in Croxley Green 5 Local Ramblers call for a Strategic Walking Network in Barnet 6 Don’t Lose Your Way—we’ve done it! 8 Training for new and existing walk leaders 8 We could all be (social media) ‘heroes’ 10 Meet the Footpath Secretaries: Chris Beney 11 Greenways—where are they going? 12 Before... and after 15 Stiles and gates 16 Definitive Map update 18 Thoughts from Broxbourne 19 Spring in Herts and North Middlesex 22 Walks to enjoy: Ashridge Estate 24 Surface, ‘spits’ and toilets, or: Who owns the public paths? 27 Information: Area, Groups, footpath problems 30 About Stile Stile is the journal of the Hertfordshire and North Middlesex Area of the Ramblers. Articles printed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Area or the Ramblers. Moving home? Please do not write to the Editor. Just inform Central Office via https://www.ramblers.org.uk using the link in the Members Area, or write to: Ramblers, 2nd Floor Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW Say which Group you wish to belong to—you’ll receive the right Group/Area news. The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. 2 Stile June 2020 Editorial Starting—and staying— receiving material positive containing them. For this Area, the new decade began on To go on taking a positive note: in January Patricia Segui ads would have and Rebecca Dawson were elected Co- meant cutting our Chairs. They’re working closely circulation by together and sharing duties as they see around half. Your fit. It’s always good news when Editorial Team younger members step into key thought it was positions. We wish them (and the new more important for Stile to reach the joint arrangement) all success. widest possible readership. Thank you, Harold ‘Even the blossoms shed tears’ Earlier this year Harold Stokes gave up So wrote the Chinese poet Du Fu (712- his remaining duties on the Editorial 770). But as the blossoms began to Team to take life more easily. We are appear this Spring, I didn’t shed a tear deeply grateful to Harold for helping to as the Coronavirus lockdown tightened establish the present system of its grip. Working from home meant I commissioning articles and planning could walk the Parkland Walk for the content, and for much hard work with regulation hour every day in daylight. printing and distribution over several Like Sarah Lea (see page 19) I’ve felt years. more grateful than ever for all that the Why Stile looks different northern boroughs of London and the As soon as the impact of the Covid-19 county of Hertfordshire have to offer. outbreak became clear, it was agreed I hope you’ve felt the same way. I Stile should be produced as normal, as hope, too, that like me you haven’t been far as circumstances allowed. I’ve completely housebound; and perhaps tweaked the design (originally geared (unlike me) you’ve been able to do to A4), making more use of shading, something for the less fortunate. which I hope will make each page a Stay positive; the countryside won’t go little easier on the eye. away. We’ll walk again—and together! There are no paid adverts because only Justin Lumley some members have given consent to As a member of Herts and N Middlesex Area Ramblers, you will always receive Walk magazine and Stile (which includes AGM information in the December issue). You must opt in to receive email information. Preferences can be changed at www.ramblers.org.uk/my-account Stile is also available in PDF form on our website at www.ramblers.org.uk/ hertfordshire-north-middlesex If you do not wish to receive a printed version please contact the Area Membership Secretary at [email protected] 3 Stile June 2020 From the Co-Chairs Welcome to the Summer! Patricia Segui (right in photo) & Rebecca Dawson It seems as if the year 2020 forgot to send its memo in January, informing us that this year was not going to go ahead as planned. But, despite the unusual circumstances, we are delighted to be your new Area co-Chairs and hope that we will meet you all soon. We know that life has been turned upside down due to Covid-19 and the members. subsequent restrictions on every aspect Video conferencing software like of our lives. Zoom and Skype has enabled groups to It was disappointing, though host virtual social chats, after-work necessary, for group walks to be drinks, online quizzes, and committee cancelled, but it has been uplifting to meetings. These ‘virtual’ get-togethers see so many people—Ramblers are proving popular in keeping members and the public—still members connected, and are of great managing to enjoy a walk in these comfort to those people who unprecedented times. The weather has particularly enjoy the social aspect of been generous so far and we hope that group walking. you were able to enjoy some time Groups are also keeping their outside in the spring sunshine. members informed, and offering While the influx of walkers to rural inspiration for things to do during areas has caused some conflict, in lockdown via email and social media. general it is encouraging to see many Facebook is a brilliant place to share people getting outside and exploring photos of solo walks, favourite routes, their local area on foot. Perhaps we will and help others find places to walk. find new converts to walking, who will We encourage you to look for your join us as Ramblers members and local group on Facebook, and try out a supporters in the future. video social to stay in touch until we Many thanks to all of our volunteers can all meet again. who have continued their home-based It may be some time before we can get tasks during lockdown. back to group walking, but we hope to Some of our Groups are also using see you all in the not too distant future. innovative ways to keep in touch with STILE wants to hear from you! We are keen to improve Stile by giving all members a voice. Would you like to share a favourite walk, an event, opinions, photos, your footpath work, a book or website, or simply a letter that might be of interest to members? Contact the Editor (see front cover). 4 Stile June 2020 Area news Herts CC rebuilds footbridge in Croxley Green Colin Knight A wide, well-used footbridge which spans the River Gade on Croxley Common Moor (see right) at the north entrance had been gradually deteriorating over the years, to the extent that gaps were appearing between the timber decking and the from the photograph below. brick abutments were deforming under The span is constructed of steel joists the effect of buddleia growing out of the with most of the upper parts of timber. joints. The County Council is to be So Herts CC decided there was no commended for its timely intervention alternative but to rebuild it. in responding to what would have been During a surprisingly short Traffic a very serious situation if the structure Regulation Order closure period at the had been closed for safety reasons for end of last year, the structure was any period of time, and for the removed and the brickwork rebuilt efficiency of carrying out the work. This almost down to water level. They have is always a very busy path as it is the made a splendid job of it, as can be seen The recently rebuilt footbridge carrying bridleway 17 over the Gade 5 Stile June 2020 only access to the moor on its north years ago, but only as far as the kissing side. gate at the end of the bridge. Across the Rather strangely, FP17 was upgraded moor itself it remains a footpath. from footpath to bridleway status a few Local Ramblers call for a developments, Barnet plans to create a Strategic Walking ‘Barnet Loop’, making use of the Silk Network for Barnet Stream and the River Brent to complete Libby Martin the linkage in the west of the Borough. In response to Barnet’s Local Plan We are calling on Barnet to add the consultation, Barnet Ramblers are Pymmes Brook Trail and routes from calling on the Council to define a Burnt Oak through Copthall to Finchley Strategic Walking Network. Walking is to make a Strategic Walking Network central to the transport plans of the across the whole Borough. This should future. This should include not just be well linked to public transport and walking to public transport to commute provide easy access to parks and open to work or get to school, but spaces, as well as town centres and recreational walking in our extensive major residential areas. Good access to green spaces. We are lucky in Barnet to these green spaces contributes to the have a good network of footpaths in health and wellbeing of residents by rural areas, and some long distance attracting more of us to get out and routes including the Capital Ring, enjoy them.