A Good Summer for Walks, Path Work and Shows
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THE WEST RIDING No 159 | Oct 2019 Journal of the West Riding Area of the Ramblers’ Association COVER PHOTO: High above Holmfirth, looking towards the Peak District (Caroline Spalding) A good summer for walks, path work and shows We’ve all enjoyed a wonderful summer, with a good balance of sun and showers and plenty of walks across the Area. As usual, several of our Ramblers Groups have attended shows – the Otley Show in May attended by Take a Hike and Lower Wharfedale members, as well as the Keighley show held in September. The Honley Show was unfortunately called off due to torrential downpours, but we will be back next year! Many groups have been conducting path maintenance projects; several in collaboration with affiliate groups such as the Kirklees Countryside Volunteers and Burley Walkers are Welcome. We also held the Brainstorming Session in July which was a good success and with hopes that positive results will follow. In this issue we want to celebrate the fantastic work that our path maintenance groups do and particularly the hard work of our footpath officers. Lower Wharfedale Ramblers have recently replaced a broken stile with a self- Caroline Spalding closing gate at Leathley Lane, near Pool-in-Wharfedale and installed 2 new signs (Picture thanks to Richard Brook) www.facebook.com/RamblersYorkshire www.ramblersyorkshire.org [email protected] Rambler 159.indd 1 25/09/2019 09:39 New kissing gates in Burley-in- Wharfedale How partnership with affiliate groups does work Lower Wharfedale Ramblers this summer have worked in partnership with the local Walkers are Welcome group to install two new kissing gates and complete resurfacing work between Burley and Menston. A feature appeared in the Wharfedale Observer in July bringing some welcome publicity. The Lower Wharfedale Ramblers have also previously worked with Walkers are Welcome to replace a stile in Stead to create another stile-free route between Ben Rhydding and Burley, improving accessibility in this popular walking area. The recent work was in preparation for the diversion of a path to avoid a dangerous railway level crossing near Holme Grove. The diversion instead passes under a railway cattle arch and the new gates replace an old stile. Richard Brook coordinates the Lower Wharfedale path maintenance team and with more work to be done in the area, hopefully the partnership with Burley Walkers are Welcome will continue to thrive. The Lower Wharfedale Group have three days’ work from Gate to replace stile giving level access to footpath near North Yorkshire County Council to replace stiles and signposts, Ben Rhydding (Richard Brook) in addition to general pruning to clear a pathway. These are currently being scheduled, hoping to take place mid-October. The kissing gate on a new line of footpath near Burley in Wharefdale – Antonia, Richard & Tom from LWR and a volunteer from Burley Walkers are Welcome (Richard Brook) The West Riding Rambler No 159 | October 2019 Rambler 159.indd 2 25/09/2019 09:39 Clearing pathways in Kirklees, thanks to another local partnership Huddersfield Ramblers on site in Outlane (Oliver Taylor) Nineteen volunteers effected an amazing transformation of Council’s Rights of Way unit was disbanded a few years ago, the footpath Huddersfield/422/110 near to Outlane, Huddersfield authority’s Streetscene team has taken on much of the work, in August. The working party was a collaboration between the and luckily, it’s not uncommon for minor footpath problems Huddersfield Ramblers and Kirklees Countryside Volunteers which are reported to be resolved promptly. The Council (KCV), who have worked together on numerous projects in provide equipment and materials for the Ramblers/KCV’s bigger recent years to maintain and improve the pathways of Kirklees. footpath projects, such as step-building and stile-replacement. Oliver Taylor, of Huddersfield Ramblers, told me the stone steps Oliver says “probably 90% of those in attendance on our they uncovered had not seen the light of day for about twenty joint work parties with KCV are member of the Huddersfield years, a fact confirmed by a local dog-walker who was pleased to Ramblers. It has been really pleasing and positive to see how be able to use the restored path across Longwood Brook. many Ramblers have responded to these events.” This year the joint working parties have cleared part of the Path maintenance days are publicised well in advance, Kirklees Way close to Emley Moor, building a new set of steps as appearing on the Huddersfield Ramblers printed and online well as completing path clearance in the Colne Valley between programmes, as well as on the group’s Facebook page. Slaithwaite and Marsden. Caroline Spalding (my thanks to Oliver Taylor) Kirklees Council have been asked to carry out a safety inspection of the newly restored path in Outlane and add way- markers. On the day the group displayed a Ramblers banner to inform all passers-by that these activities are a key part of what the Ramblers do and why being a member contributes to the preservation of our precious rights of way. Oliver, who fulfils most of the duties of a Footpath Officer for the Huddersfield area, started the partnership with Kirklees Countryside Volunteers about six years ago. The group had been struggling to attract people to their footpath workdays, so Oliver suggested a joint working party with the Huddersfield Ramblers and with over twenty Ramblers contributing to the first event, the partnership has continued. With an extensive knowledge of footpaths in Kirklees, Oliver is well-placed to identify paths in need of attention. Whilst the Revealed after many years under cover (Oliver Taylor) The West Riding Rambler No 159 | October 2019 Rambler 159.indd 3 25/09/2019 09:39 Brainstorming – An update A productive morning in Ilkley, even working with schools to Centre, Leeds, LS1 3DL (ten minutes’ provide resources in support of Duke of walk from railway station, or nearby was held at the end Edinburgh activities. parking in Park Square North) at 7pm. of July in Ilkley, with about 35 members All groups are encouraged to send representing most a representative to take part and of the local groups contribute to the debate. meeting to discuss the first steps of the West It’s in the Riding Area’s plan to early stages, attract new members to the Ramblers but at least Association. the ball is We talked about why we are members and what the Ramblers means to us, rolling! hoping to determine some USPs to be used in any marketing strategies. (Photos thanks to Diane Simcoe) Whilst we couldn’t all agree on what differentiates us from other walking groups; many positive ideas for attracting First aid training – new members were surfaced. We would like to do more in support of our path maintenance activities, as new dates added this is something that sets us apart Some readers may be aware that the from “regular” walking groups. It was Ramblers have been providing free first suggested we invite affiliate groups to aid training sessions for all members our path maintenance days or offering and volunteers. Travel expenses are also our support to Local Authorities to reimbursed. conduct the work they perhaps lack resources to complete. “The new course has been specially designed to cover the essentials, as well As well as a suggestion to promote a “Get as the scenarios you are most likely to you home guarantee” for newcomers face on a group walk. You will cover key (as do Otley Cycling Club) we could skills including how to assess and treat also potentially place a focus on using an unresponsive casualty and perform We placed the ideas into five categories: the less-traversed pathways for our led CPR – with topics including bone and partnership with affiliate groups at walks. Therefore, whilst another group muscle injuries, heart attacks, and a local level, partnership with Local may stick to the well-known routes and emergencies resulting from weather Authorities, use of online advertising, pathways, we could offer newcomers the extremes. partnership with local businesses and experience of “exploring the paths you “out of the box ideas” and general didn’t know existed.” This too would The course lasts three and a half hours suggestions for improvement. chime well with the Ramblers’ objective and will be delivered by an expert St of preserving and protecting all our John Ambulance trainer. It is a practical It seems logical to begin with simple- pathways; as we all know that paths can course, with time to practice your new to-implement initiatives, such as easily disappear if they aren’t used. skills and ask questions.” leaving walks programmes in pubs/cafes that groups tend to visit after a walk, There is a lot of work to do and I hope More details can be found online, more presence in tourist information that the enthusiasm that was clear at including how to book your place: centres and better use of Facebook and the event will galvanise members to https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer- meetup.com. In addition, longer-term implement some of the great ideas. zone/support-and-development/first- proposals were suggested such as the aid/first-aid-training.aspx How we conduct the next stages of this creation of a West Riding Ramblers big project will be discussed at the next Walking Festival, creating a partnership The next event locally will take place in Area Council meeting, to be held on st with the University of the Third Age Leeds on November 1 at 9.30am. Thursday 24 October at the St George’s The West Riding Rambler No 159 | October 2019 Rambler 159.indd 4 25/09/2019 09:39 The Ramblers Mobile have or soon will have a QR Code, like the What else will the app do? one below.