Area News South and North-East Derbyshire Area

Winter 2009/10

Annual Report and AGM

Annual General Meeting This year the AGM will be hosted by Barnsley and Penistone Group and will be held on Saturday January 30th 2010 at 2pm at the Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre, Snydale Road, Cudworth, Barnsley, S72 8LH. Cudworth is on the A628 between Barnsley and Pontefract. Going north from Barnsley, Snydale Road is at the far end of Cudworth village on the right hand side. There will be two speakers, Pete Wall from the Old Moor Nature Reserve, and Andrew Bibby, our link person on the national Board of Trustees. Most existing officers are willing to stand for re-election, but Basil Merry plans to step down as Membership Secretary, and Paul Clarke as IT Officer. Anyone who would like to get an insight into the work of the Area through these jobs or in any other way should contact our Chair, Lee Farmery at [email protected] or ring him on 07789 077575. We will also be electing the Area’s delegates to the national General Council. This is an important part of how the Ramblers works as a democratic organisation. We will vote on new Standing Orders recommended by the Area Council. Anyone wanting a copy should contact Cath MacKay, on 0114 232 3494. There will be a walk of about 2 1/2 hours in the morning, including time to look round the ruins of Monk Bretton Priory. It will be led by Anne Parton, and will start from the Sports Centre at 10.30. It will return to the centre in time to eat lunch before the AGM. Chair’s Report, by Lee Farmery Over the past year I’ve been busy finding my feet within the Area Council and gaining an understanding how things works by attending various group meetings and AGMs and talking to individuals. Obviously it has been a year of turmoil for the Ramblers with a lot of dissatisfaction among members, so there has been a lot to listen to! The Ramblers Trustees have been working hard to put things right and to ensure better communications. Andrew Bibby, one of the Trustees, has been in close contact with the Area and provided opportunities for me to pass on your concerns to the Board of Trustees, where they have been considered and acted upon. At a recent meeting we were pleased to welcome Andrew, who emphasised that the Ramblers is grass routes upwards, not the other way around. It is you who has a say in how the Ramblers is run. The suggestion of a lack of democracy within the Ramblers is entirely unfounded - all it takes is for an understanding of how it works (it is all available on the website) and to get involved. At the last General Council Neill Schofield and I represented the SYNED Area to steer the national Ramblers and voted to give the Trustees some direction. The Area (which has a majority of Group representatives) decided beforehand which way we would vote on particular issues. If you want to have your say make sure you attend your Group’s or the Area AGM. The Ramblers is improving and hopes to keep the finances stabilised over the coming year. (Other charities have also had difficult years). We still see a strong membership within our Area. This is aided by all of the Groups making valuable contributions by their activities, as well as the expanding younger generation of groups: Chesterfield Young Ramblers Group and Sheffield 20s and 30s and the Sheffield 40s. 2010 will see the Ramblers hit 75 years. The Area will focus on co-ordinating events to mark the event and continuing to improve communications between groups. It is an opportunity to create a more positive attitude about who we are and what we can achieve, and put the problems of the last year behind us. A smile can work wonders. If you would like to know more about getting involved in the Area please contact us at [email protected] Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 30th September 2009 I am pleased to report the accounts of the SYNED Area for the year ending 30th September 2009. During the year the Area received £6,625 from Central Office and distributed £10,657 to 8 of the 10 Groups in the Area, using £4,032 of our reserves. Funds of £304 to the Ward Walk, £4,282 for the Fox House leaflets and £5,588 to the Holmesfield Ward Walk were provided from the GHB Ward legacy. £490 was provided to the Sheffield Group for their Walking out leaflets from the Miss Ivy Cowen legacy. We spent £48 on footpaths and £13 on Access and £10,724 on Promoting Walking supporting the Ramblers charitable objectives. The Groups have asked the Area for a total of £5,684 for the coming year in line with the Ramblers budget reduction guidelines. We will be contributing £2,134 from our own funds towards our budget of £7,134 in line with the Ramblers Reserve policy, and will therefore be asking HO for £5,000. Our thanks are due to our independent examiner, Mr Eric Copley. Gavin Johns, Area Treasurer Report from the Area Access Officer We can now confirm that the Eastern Moors Estate within the Peak District National Park will be under a partnership management of the National Trust and the RSPB. The moors involved are Birchen Edge, Leash Fen, Ramsley Moor, Big Moor and Totley Moor. The lease is for 15 years starting 1st April 2010. The partnership will seek to engage all stakeholders in the future management of the Estate. As regular users of these moors the Ramblers will be seeking to be represented in any consultation and as major stakeholders it is essential that this consultation is made available to us. This area is adjacent to both Chesterfield and Sheffield groups, but is also very important to all groups in the area. Under the CROW Act 2000 a review of maps pertaining to access land has to be carried out by 2014. This task is being undertaken by Natural , and the Ramblers central office is liaising closely with them to make sure only additions are made to the access land and not any reductions in access area. We have in the last few years, since the introduction of the CROW Act, made sure the annual group programmes have included walks on new access land. It is essential that these walks continue in the coming years, to show that the access to these moors is being used by the Ramblers and that we need them. We are continuing to press the Peak District National Park to put pressure on the landowner and tenant farmer to give better access to Rod Moor. This access has been an ongoing problem and negotiations are very slow. So if you or your group have the opportunity to walk on this moor please do so. Rod Moor is west of Stannington near Load Brook and High Riggs Road. Grid ref. SK 268 882. Les Seaman, Area Access Officer Footpaths In Doncaster, I offered assistance to Auckley Parish Council. They had claimed a footpath to be added to the Definitive Map. Although Doncaster Council (DMBC) made the Order, they adopted a neutral stance at the subsequent public inquiry. I offered the Parish Council advice and agreed to be their advocate in presenting the case in favour of confirmation. I am pleased to report that the inspector has confirmed the Order, and the footpath has been safeguarded in perpetuity. In a similar case in Thorne where the public inquiry will be held next year, I am also representing the claimant for a footpath where DMBC are remaining neutral. In Rotherham, I support a very active Group Footpath Committee. The local authority now ask us to proof-read all draft Public Path & Definitive Map Orders in view of the large number of errors appearing in Orders which rendered them difficult or impossible to confirm. We have also caused the authority to adopt new procedures in relation to consultations on proposed gating orders. The Area continues to participate in the joint RA Footpath Committee for Derbyshire. This year has seen slow progress by the County Council & National Park in identifying 8 priority routes where off-road vehicle use means remedial measures are needed. Management Plans for each route have been drawn up & await funds for implementation. John Harker, Footpaths Secretary (Note: this report is additional to the reports included in the printed copies of Area News.) Report from the Membership Secretary This financial year has seen a small increase in overall membership in the Area from 2990 to 3016. Overall membership includes an increasing number of members from the 3 ‘younger age range groups’ where membership has increased from 346 to 404. Other groups have seen small reductions in numbers with Rotherham and Barnsley and Penistone bucking the trend. All groups increasing their membership are to be congratulated, as this has been achieved against a backdrop of a second year of major problems with the Head Office membership system. Whilst improvements of late and a reduction in administration backlogs have been noted a full resolution is some way off. A question mark must remain over the accuracy and completeness of the membership figures until this is achieved. Some improvements could be made by the groups themselves as there are still some in the Area without a web site or an email contact address. The latter would bring closer the direct transmission of membership reports with cost and time savings. This is my final report as Area Membership Secretary as I will be taking on a new role with my own group. I wish my successor well. Basil Merry, Membership Secretary Publicity and Projects Publicity is one of those things that generally Groups do better themselves, often with much success. In the past there were issues such as the access campaign, which was of interest to the whole Area, and the Area responded. Now, with local access forums, issues have become more local, needing a local response. Certainly the best way to promote the Ramblers is to have a good walking programme which addresses the needs of all walkers, and to be seen to be working with other organisations so that we are recognised as the organisation for all walkers. The press and local radio are always interested in what we are doing, so we must make sure that they are aware. Again this is best done locally. This year has seen the conclusion of one of the biggest initiatives undertaken in our Area. We were left a £37,000 legacy from the estate of GHB Ward, a founding father of the Ramblers who died in 1957. When this legacy was received we wanted to use it in a way that would further the pioneering work of GHB, would inspire people and would continue his love of the countryside into the future. In this we have been very successful. We contributed to the Ward walk around Holmesfield (where he lived), Totley, Longshaw and Big Moor. We produced a pack of ‘Explore and Discover’ guides round Fox House which have been widely distributed in schools, information centres and via Walk magazine. The biggest project, though, was the mini-moorland at the Longshaw Moorland Discovery Centre, which recreates features often found in moorland. The Centre is accessible for wheelchair users. So now all people, particularly the young, can have a moorland experience and be inspired to do and learn more. It is now known as Ward’s Croft. The launch was covered in the press. We are not quite finished yet, as we will be contributing to another related project which will collect the memories of moorland campaigners and update some of the Clarion Ramblers handbooks onto a pod scroll (I-Pod recorder). All of the initiatives were done in partnership with other organisations. Terry Howard, Area Publicity and Projects Officer IT Officer Paul Clarke, our IT officer, has had family problems for the latter part of the year, and there is therefore no report from him. He wishes to stand down at the AGM. We thank him for his work and send our best wishes. The Area website continues at www.syned-ramblers.org.uk We are looking for a new person to maintain the site and provide IT advice. Barnsley and Penistone Group We continue to have weekly walks on both Saturdays and Sundays with an average attendance of between 20 - 25. Some walks attract as many as 30 walkers and we have gradually been increasing our regular attendance on walks. Most of our walks are around 10 miles but some are a bit longer and more strenuous, thus we are hoping to cater for all levels of ability. Our colourful walks programme, which is distributed right across the town through libraries, resource centres and in public buildings, is proving successful. Between both walking groups we have had several weekends away walking in other areas of the country. We have also had several very enjoyable bus trips further afield. Our Christmas walk with hot sausage rolls and Father Christmas hats is always another added attraction. We also have several social occasions where non- walking partners can meet everyone. These are always successful. Our thanks go to all the people who take the time and effort to arrange these events, it is very much appreciated. We still have an ongoing dialogue with our local Council about the state of paths but as ever finance is an ongoing problem. Some work has been done but there is still a great deal to do. Several of our members sit on local and area committees relating to pathways and the environment. The group would again like to thank all the walk leaders who continue to arrange an interesting and enjoyable mix of walks on a weekly basis throughout the year and to those who design and put the programme together. Carol Wood, Secretary Bolsover Group During this year the group reached the milestone of its 20th birthday, with a walk and a social to celebrate. It was good to see founder members enjoying themselves alongside the current members. Our membership during the year has been about 60, but it remains a problem to get an accurate figure from Central Office. During the current climate it is difficult to recruit new members with all the other activities available. Our Sunday walks remain popular, but our Get Walking Day and our two Wednesday evening walks were not well supported. We also contributed walks to the Peak Historic Border County Walking Day which were well attended. On the publicity front we continue to put our programme on the web site, and we attended the Bolsover Gala and Freedom 09 activities. We continue to attend Derbyshire Footpath Committee and Bolsover Access meetings, though it has not been possible to attend every meeting. We completed about 30 surveys of Bolsover rights of way on behalf of Derbyshire Countryside Services. Socials again played an important part in our year doing such things as Ten Pin bowling, a Hollywood Movies Fancy Dress and a Hawaiian night. Our Social Secretary continues to come up with enjoyable and somewhat outrageous ideas, long may she continue. Arthur Soar - Chairman Chesterfield and North-East Derbyshire Group This has been another year of solid achievement by the group. We offer walks for all ages from families upwards, from 4 miles to 34 miles, most days of the week, and evenings in summer, by car, by bus, by train (sometimes even tram!), walks with the visually impaired, themed walks, walking anywhere accessible from our base area. In total we stage over 350 walks a year. Our membership has stabilised at approximately 650 although we have reason to believe it is actually greater than the membership system currently reports. What is particularly pleasing is the high degree of member participation not only in walks, but at committee meetings, and in leading walks with over a 100 walk leaders in the year’s programme. This participation extends to practical footpath work with regular footpath working parties, and making the major contribution to the local (now 10 day) walking festival. A regular yearly collection for a relevant charity this year raised over £250 for the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation. We have a functional web site which produces many enquiries from potential new members, and our use of the national ‘walks finder’ means we attract members and guests from far and wide. We have regular walkers from Derby, Nottinghamshire, and the High Peak. Our email Newsletter is now established with over 200 members contactable on a distribution list. This has enabled the quick notification of necessary walk changes, and extra walks have been successfully added to the programme at short notice. As stated at outset all in all a solid performance. However, we are not complacent and there is much more to be done. We need to strengthen our ‘core’ support into the many supporting activities to the walking programme, and that’s our challenge for the future. Basil Merry Chesterfield Young Ramblers The group has grown steadily over the year. This has been helped with a revamped poster campaign, new website and using social websites such as Facebook. Evening walks have attracted a few new members who have not had the confidence to undertake the long walks initially. We have also had a few themed walks. These have had a mixed response, mainly depending on the theme! Training has mainly focused on transferring skills especially in navigation and walk leadership. We have had fewer weekends away this year, organising more social events instead. Social events appear to attract and retain just as many members as walking. Next year we will increase the number of weekends away to include, especially, longer and more challenging walks. Several members now have a thirst for this after an excellent weekend undertaking the Langdale Pikes. Rachel Burnett, Chair Dearne Valley Group This has been an interesting and challenging year for Dearne Valley in which the committee members have successfully carried the group through in the absence of a Chair, Secretary or Footpaths Officer. Credit for this goes to everyone involved.

The Group ran a programme of varied walks throughout the year, albeit a somewhat depleted one compared to previous years. This was due to the loss of some of our more senior and very experienced walk leaders. Sadly, increasing age and infirmity are taking their inevitable toll. However, on a brighter note, the group had successful Youth Hostel Walking Weekends at Osmotherley, Sheringham and and two coach trips, to ,and to Ilkley with Rotherham Metro Group. Our walkers enjoyed a wonderful day’s exercise and fresh air. Throughout the year, we have been trying really hard to whip up some enthusiasm amongst our membership to get more involved and to lead walks, including sending out a mailshot to everyone. We also held an open night to encourage new members, which was widely published in the local press. Fortunately, in the summer, Paul Smeaton agreed to take on the position of Chair. We are delighted to have him back at the helm. We were sad to lose Barrie Tucker who announced at the AGM that he was standing down from the Committee. Barrie has served Dearne Valley Group for many years but now has other calls on his time, coinciding with a deterioration in his health. On a very positive note, we were pleased to welcome at the AGM a number of new committee members who have filled some of the vacant posts. We are thrilled that two of our members successfully walked from Lands End to John O’Groats in August and September. What a magnificent achievement! Sue Haywood, Secretary Doncaster Group This has been a most successful year for the Group in many ways. In the past year we have had over 100 walks on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and 17 shorter walks on Wednesday evenings. In response to the many requests for short walks on Sundays we have started a winter series of such walks. In May and June we held the Heron Way Festival. Local MP Caroline Flint cut the cake and led the first walk from Rossington to Wadworth, where we had a buffet lunch. Over 50 people did that 5 mile walk. In the following weeks we had a series of five walks for people who wanted to walk the Heron way in short stages and two walks for those who completed the 30 mile walk in two stages. Also of note this year was the production of a leaflet containing information on many of the walking groups in the Doncaster area. Other events to raise the profile of the Group and encourage new members have been held. We had stands at Campsall and at the Doncaster Country Fair. Also, fund-raising events were held to raise money for the Tickhill Road Hospital, where one of our members was sent after a stroke, towards a second hoist for the ward. Two coach trips were organised during the summer programme. In April we went to Barnard Castle, with long and short walks. In June the coach trip was to Settle, where the walks were preceded by a train trip crossing the dramatic Ribblehead viaduct. Membership numbers this past year have been almost static, with 345 members last year and 343 this year. However, this year’s figure includes 42 new members, which is very heart-warming. Peter Haines has continued to be involved in rights of way work, attending the Rights of Way Forum and the Local Access Forum as well as making frequent visits to the Rights of Way Department. Peter is standing down this year, after 22 years involvement in Rights of Way work. People in the Doncaster and Notts area owe Peter a great debt of gratitude. David Gadd

Rotherham Metro Group A busy year for the Group began with our hosting of the Area AGM, with 40 people on the walk and 70 people at the meeting. Many thanks to all those members who helped make it a great success. The Group has run a comprehensive walks programme on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Many thanks to Tom and Rita Doncaster for their short walks every other Wednesday. We also had a successful youth hostel weekend to Dufton, and a coach ramble jointly with Dearne Valley to Ilkley. We plan to repeat these in 2010. We have supported the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at Brinsworth School, and led walks for the Rotherham Walking Festival. Membership has risen from 285 to nearly 300 - 299 to be exact. This is very pleasing as it bucks the national trend. The Footpaths Committee chaired by Ken Whetter has continued its sterling work to keep open the footpaths of Rotherham for all to walk. We are looking forward to the opening of footpaths and bridleways on the Waverley site, which will significantly extend the footpath network in Rotherham. No doubt the next year will be even busier, particularly with the 75th anniversary. I look forward to the continued support of the Committee, and I thank them all for investing so much of their time to the Ramblers cause during 2009. Lastly I regret the sad passing of Harry Rogers, the first Chairman of the Group. Without Harry’s hard work and dedication we would not have the Group we have today. We shall all miss Harry, who was a true gentleman. Ivor Wilson, Chair Sheffield 40s Walking Group “How many walkers can we get into a phone box?” “How many songs can you think of with the word ‘bridge’ in it?” These are just typical ‘ramblins on’ when the 40s group is out walking! You have probably guessed from the opening lines that we are a sociable bunch who enjoy the great outdoors but also thrive on humour and light heartedness! The 40s group, set up only 2 years ago, have had a super year with a great variety of walks ranging from introductory Saturday afternoon walks of approx 5 miles, routine 10 mile moderate walks to the strenuous 20 mile (take your headtorch) toughies! We have offered walks on Saturday and Sunday every week over the last year and during July and August organised evening short walks. A new look committee took the reins in September and our mission this year is to get lots of members out walking and talking but whilst enjoying the countryside, keeping an eye on conservation issues and reporting back any concerns to the right people. Our social secretaries work hard at promoting walking through weekend away meets and monthly meetings at various venues such as hostelries! Of course behind any good organisation there are the fantastic backroom guys who look after the website, finances and membership issues. The Group prides itself on being a paper free group so our website is our shop window and is updated regularly. September and October have been a brilliant sunny months so take a look at our gallery page on the website for glorious autumn shots and smiling walkers. Keep on rambling and maybe we’ll see you on the hills. Carol Wilkie– Chair Sheffield 20s and 30s Walking Group The Sheffield 20s and 30s Walking Group has recently had its 8th AGM. Many members of the existing committee have been ushered in for another term, with the only changes being to the Secretary and one of the two Social Secretaries. The AGM marked the end of another good year for the group. Membership has remained steady at just short of three hundred, as far as we can tell. We have continued to offer two or three walks every weekend, with midweek evening walks during the summer months. We have also run monthly weekends away to, amongst other places, Glenridding, , Dolgoch and Alston. A group of us also successfully completed the Lyke Wake Walk in June, whilst other members of the group did a slightly more manageable two-day hike between Buxton and Bakewell, via Youlgrave. Our seventh birthday was marked by our annual Summer Ball, which was attended by more than seventy, well-turned-out members of the group. This was the highlight of a busy social calendar, which also included a Christmas bash, theatre trips, sporting events, cultural tours and the ever popular pub visits. One of the best innovations of the past year has been our New Members’ Evenings, devised by our excellent Publicity Officer, Jon. These have acted as a great, informal introduction to the group. The evenings, and proceeding introductory walks, have encouraged people who might have been too nervous to just turn up on a Sunday morning, to come along and meet other new members and ask questions to some longer-standing members of the group. Over the coming year the Committee hopes to find out a little more about our members and what motivates them to be part of the Group. As part of this we will be gauging their opinion on how important the work of the Ramblers is to them and whether there is any appetite to get more involved in practical improvements or campaigns. Ben Arnold, Chair Sheffield Group Some members may be forgiven for believing that the Ramblers are having a difficult time. Yes, it has been a financially difficult year for the Ramblers nationally, but locally here in Sheffield we continue to do very well. Our Group Committee continues to attract new and very positive members who make excellent contributions. All the group officers do a fantastic job both in upholding the traditional work and in carrying out new initiatives. So what does the Group provide? - a developing walks programme meeting the needs of all walkers; - a developing ‘Walking Out’ programme of short walks for new and existing walkers; - support for the Get Walking Keep Walking initiative for those wanting a healthier lifestyle; - involvement in Sheffield’s Walking Forum to promote walking; - work with Sheffield’s Public Rights of Way Unit, the Local Access Forum and various other bodies to promote walking and the responsible use of the countryside; - public slide lectures on various interests related to walking - a website and newsletter to keep members up to date - continued involvement on footpath, access and transport matters.

Everyone involved in the work of the Group, including committee members and walks leaders, deserve our thanks. The Group is not one that just follows – it leads. There has been growing interest in city walking, with more and more people wanting to explore the city - not at the cost of more traditional walking, but to complement it. Those who have been on these walks find that there is much to enjoy in our urban countryside, with its many green open spaces and surprising gennels. It can be quieter and less crowded than some countryside. Because of this interest we have been asked by the City Council and NHS to audit all urban paths in ten city areas, so that they can go on ‘utility maps’, which will help people to walk to work, walk to the shops, or just explore their area. For this the Group will be paid. An excellent year with much good work done, with more to follow. An excellent team of people carrying out the work, yet always looking out for positive members to join the committee, who can continue to inspire. Well done and thanks. Terry Howard, Chair

Published by South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Area of the Ramblers’ Association. Registered charity 1093577. For membership information, changes of address etc., please contact the Membership Department, the Ramblers, 2nd Floor Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. Tel 0207 339 8500 www.ramblers.org.uk No separate address lists are maintained for Area News. Editor: Neill Schofield 175 Shirecliffe Road, Sheffield S5 8XA Tel. 0114 272 4499 [email protected] www.syned-ramblers.org.uk