The Dales Way Association. PO Box 1065, Bradford, BD1 9JY. [email protected] www.dalesway.org.uk Newsletter Number 40 Autumn 2011 Editorial It has always been one of the aims of the Dales Way Association to eliminate road-walking as far as possible from the route of the Dales Way. One short section of minor, but busy road has exercised our minds for many years, the stretch from Sprint Bridge to Hall Lane, which leads into Burneside. The obvious solution would be a footpath over the wall on the south side of the road and parallel to it. In 2006 an attempt was made to create such a footpath, but nothing came of it. In 2010 Cumbria County Council started another initiative, but again, fifteen months later, no progress had been made. In August of this year the Association requested the help of Chris Holland, South Lakeland District Councillor. He responded within 48 hours and progress since then has been rapid. The land is owned by the Cropper Estate (Croppers also own the paper mill in Burneside). Chris has already had a meeting with Mr Cropper, who is sympathetic to our request, but he has not yet spoken to the tenant farmer at Burneside Hall, whose agreement would also be necessary. Chris and committee member Donald Holland have walked the proposed path in order to assess the cost of the gates and stiles required. The Dales Way Association has agreed to contribute to these costs and we thank Chris for his help and enthusiasm in moving to solve a 40 year old problem. Chris Holland, District Councillor South Lakeland has been asked to bring the dangerous traffic situation on Sprint Bridge Road, back into focus. Dales Way Association AGM 2012 In October 2012 the AGM will be held in Ilkley where the excellent train and bus services will make it easier for members and guests to attend. A buffet lunch will be available from 12 noon and the meeting will start at 1pm. We hope that some of our accommodation providers will attend who will be warmly welcomed. More details will be published in the 2012 Autumn Newsletter. Minutes of the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Dales Way Association Held on 21st May 2011 at Linton Village Hall, Linton in Craven at 2.00pm Present; Colin Speakman (Chair), Alex McManus (Footpath Officer), Don Holliday, (Cumbria Representative), Tony Grogan (Committee member). Chris Grogan (Saltaire), Alan Sutcliffe (Ilkley), Michael O’Donnell (Leeds), Richard and Margaret Addyman (Leominster). Apologies; Frank Sanderson (President), Douglas Cossar (Vice Chairman and Handbook Editor), Carol Crossland (Treasurer and Membership Secretary), Chris Musson (Webmaster), Nikki Trask (Accommodation Provider Representative). Minutes of the last AGM 22nd May 2010 at Linton in Craven. These were proposed and seconded as a correct record. Introduction Colin opened the meeting, apologising for the lack of numbers which now appear to be the general trend for the AGM. He thought that the past year had been good, with high levels of energy and enthusiasm from the committee. He gave a special thanks to Carol for her work in controlling the transfer of the standing orders to the new subscriptions, also to Alex on a balanced readable Newsletter. Chris was also congratulated on his initiative with the prospect of moving the web page forward to independence. Highlights of the year were, the opening of the new Harrogate Link route to Ilkley last July. The walk was organised by The Ramblers and had over 40 walkers traversing the route in glorious weather. It was enjoyed by everyone who participated and was well reported, giving valuable publicity all round. On May 2nd this year we had an organised walk to appraise the watershed Alternative Route from Cam Houses to Newby Head and the Upper Dentdale High Level alternative around Wold Fell and Great Knoutberry Fell. The walk was attended by 6 walkers but did not detract from the enjoyment on a brilliant sunny day, albeit with a keen wind. A 10 minute slide show was shown prior to the start of the meeting to acquaint those present of the route, and illustrate what a splendid alternative it could be in appropriate weather. Membership and income for the year were noted and considered acceptable. Treasurer & Membership Secretary’s Report Accounts to 31 March 2011 The Accounts show a small surplus of £287, in comparison to the £873 shortfall in 2010. Subscriptions receipts have increased, due to some extent to the increase in the membership fee. The amount received in donations is again pleasing at £935 for the year. Newsletter costs have been reduced which reflects the revised efficient format of the publication, the content of which is informative and relevant. Postage remains the highest expenditure and it is increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising costs. It is generally felt that due to proposed funding cuts, we may be asked to contribute further to the National Parks in order to maintain signage etc; our current financial position means that we would be able to support this within reason. Membership Update 43 new members joined in the year to 31 March 2011. Membership currently stands at 425, following the usual audit, and removing any members who have not paid within the three months grace. My main focus over the last year has been to manage the transition of the increased subscription fee for our members. Membership renewal reminders letters incorporated the new subscription level and cheques received as a result have reflected the new level. For members who pay by bankers order (217 in total) the transition has been more difficult as new standing orders were needed for the new amount, which entailed increased administration. However the results have been good with 77% of payments made coming through at the correct level or above. As with any change there are anomalies, and I will continue to focus on this area during the coming year in order to bring payments up to the correct level. Carol Crossland. Treasurer & Membership Secretary. Web Masters report Following on from the last committee meeting, I have had a few words with a friend of mine who runs a media company, and he has agreed to look after the web site for us. This means that we will be in total control and have a method to alter this ourselves. Each committee member will have a password and access to their relevant part of the Web Site. This being the case, because the website has been transferred across no updates can be done to it at the moment, with the exception of the ‘News’. Due to the Web Site being copied across there are no Stats this time, hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. I think this is a step forward in the right direction. Members should continue to send any information to me. Chris Musson. Webmaster. Footpath Officers Report Following on from the last AGM 1. Cleabarrow. The permissive path over the wall, alongside the B5284 re-opened, apart from the last 10 metres, which now enters the road on hard standing before proceeding up the lane. 2. Little Town Forest Plantation. The trees have been cut down and dragged away and replanting work has been completed. The intention is to create a broadleaved woodland typical of the area – with Ash and Oak as the dominant species plus a variety of shrubby types – Birch, Blackthorn, Rowan etc. 3. YDNPA. The proposed footbridge over Crosdale Beck, near the Lune Viaduct is still on course to be constructed later this year. The Dales Way Association has offered an appropriate donation. 4. The meeting with CCC Countryside Access Team and Burneside Parish Council representatives to discuss Sprint Bridge Road took place. This is still ongoing but the prospect of a footpath off the Sprint Bridge Road is very remote. In General Very few complaints had been received as a result of the improved waymarking now in place. Due to the proposed spending cuts the DWA may need to become more involved in the maintenance of the paths and be asked to provide financial support to the National Parks for waymarking, broken stiles etc. The LDNPA has requested a contribution to the cost of a finger post at the BOAT junction at Cleabarrow. £150 had been agreed, when it has been erected. Reorganisation of the various authorities Internal movements of personnel are obviously taking place, suffice to say, we still have an individual we can call on to resolve any problems over the whole footpath. LDNP and CCC areas I think the Association needs to be aware as to how fortunate we are to have a committee member who can and does, report and help to resolve problems, west of the M6. Donald Holliday whom I have worked with for several years now, is our Cumbria Footpath representative. Newsletter The Spring Newsletter was produced, printed and sent out in April 2011 on schedule. 16 sides including cover and photographs at a reduced cost. Next issue No 40 Autumn 2011 will be despatched in early October 2011. Contributions to the Newsletter are always welcome. Despite the increasing costs of postage I think that 2 issues per year should be continued. Alex McManus. Footpaths and News Editor. Handbook It was agreed that the Handbook was an excellent production and should continue in its present form. Some anomalies in the accommodation section of the handbook had to be rectified with amendments posted in the Newsletter. A separate sheet was inserted into all remaining Handbooks before despatch to intending members. Some form of check in this section needs to be in place for the next Handbook.