OFFICER's REPORTS Items 5-14 5. HON. CHAIRMAN's REPORT
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OFFICER’S REPORTS Items 5-14 5. HON. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT This coming year is my 5th and last as Area Chair. I will be pleased to discuss the role with anyone who is interested in taking over. The sudden and unexpected pandemic this year has caused a major upheaval in Ramblers activities across the country. All group walks were cancelled during the lockdown period, starting on 24th March. However, group walks were allowed to recommence in August, being categorised as 'outdoor physical activity events'. These were exempted from the latest restrictions, as Ramblers met the necessary protocols, and put extra measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. These included completing a written risk assessment for each walk, keeping an attendance record and registering walk leaders on the Ramblers’ Assemble database. I am very pleased to report that that we have had a very positive response from our Groups, all of whom (bar one) have now managed to restart small group walks. Our Area Council work has been continuing in the virtual world, allowing us to function and progress necessary work, which would otherwise not be possible. We have also found a new Area Secretary designate, who is already very actively engaging in area council work. On a positive note, for the post pandemic world, many more people have now started walking and we have plans in hand to fast track recruitment activities for new members, when conditions permit. Ramblers central office are progressing the Don’t Lose Your Way Campaign with the appointment of regional co-ordinators. We expect to have a co-ordinator soon and our Area Council is planning to set up a sub-committee to promote this work. For the time being, Area Council work will continue in the virtual mode, but I look forward to the time when we can all meet again in person. With many thanks to all our volunteers for your continuing enthusiasm and dedication, I wish you all happy walking and fellowship. Professor Andrew Chadwick 1 6. HON. VICE CHAIRMAN’S/DARTMOOR WAY REPORT ‘THE DARTMOOR WAY WALKING ROUTE’ THE NEW LONG DISTANCE FOOTPATH AROUND DARTMOOR HAS RECENTLY BEEN LAUNCHED Following on from the creation of the Dartmoor Way cycling route back in 2013, the steering group behind the project are pleased to report that the new Dartmoor Way walking route, that circles the Moor with a total distance of 108 miles, was launched in September 2020. This new, long distance trail is a joint Ramblers and Dartmoor National Park Authority collaboration with additional funding coming from Ramblers Groups and others including Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust see our funders on the web site http://www.dartmoorway.co.uk/ww/about.php This trail circles Dartmoor, complementing the cycle route, travelling along quiet footpaths and bridleways and little used byways linking many of the towns and villages on the edge of the Moor. Differing in nature to ‘The Two Moors Way’ which crosses Dartmoor in a North to South direction and traverses quite a sizable amount of open moorland, the Dartmoor way explores in depth, the beautiful and diverse ’in country’ that abuts the higher ground between the open moor and Devon farmland. This part of Dartmoor is often overlooked in favour of the high moor or the coastal areas. This shouldn’t be the case as there are wonderful wooded valleys to explore with sparkling streams that tumble off the moor. Follow deep drove roads and bridleways that have been used for generations by farmers, travellers and local residents journeying between settlements. Discover charming villages and moorland towns that have welcoming hospitality to savour and enjoy. The Dartmoor Way will be the route that will enable this wonderful Dartmoor resource to be fully explored. This route will be suitable for walking at most times of the year, with the freshness and vivid colours of Spring, the glories of high Summer, the wonderful colours of Autumn and the stark beauty of Winter, all being exciting seasons to walk the route. There will be a High Moor Walking Link crossing the moor from Tavistock through to Buckfast enabling two smaller circles of either the North or Southern Moors. The route will link up with the Two Moors Way where the paths cross at Ivybridge and Drewsteignton with all the possibilities of a variety of walking route combinations. The option has been created to do a split Dartmoor Way traverse, walking some of it and cycling the rest of it! As this new route will be passing through many of Dartmoor’s towns, villages and hamlets, it will bring increased benefits and present many opportunities for sustainable tourism for the accommodation providers, pubs, cafes and other attraction’s that are on, or close to the route. Going forward, work has now commenced in adding a business section to the website which will give users information on accommodation providers, food and drink outlets, walking holiday companies and others. In addition, a section will be added to the site dedicated to providing comprehensive information on where the route can be accessed for limited mobility users. During last year, we put in a bid for funding as part of the ‘This Girl Can’ project run by Sport England. This encourages women of all ages who maybe lack confidence, to get involved with outdoor activities. Sections of the Dartmoor Way will be used to instruct them in countryside skills, basic navigation and map reading. The aim is that they should then feel confident enough to explore countryside themselves using these new skills. 2 After a delay because of Covid restrictions, we were informed that we had been awarded the grant at the very end of last year. We are planning on starting this project during May Covid restrictions allowing, see poster below. The website address is www.dartmoorway.co.uk 3 George CoLes 4 7. HON. SECRETARY’S REPORT Although I stepped down from the formal position of Area Secretary at the 2020 AGM, I have continued to carry out many of the functions so as to keep running the administration of Area. Fortunately, we found a prospective replacement, and during the last few months Tom Chinn has been rapidly and progressively picking up more and more of the role, with the aim of being elected to the position at this AGM. It seems strange to recollect that the 2020 AGM in Tiverton was the last opportunity that members of Area Council had to meet face-to-face. The March Area Council meeting was cancelled at short notice due to the rapid advance of the Covid-19 pandemic. The July and November Area Council meetings were held via “Zoom” video conferencing, and both attracted higher attendances (in excess of 20) than we typically see at our conventional meetings. The 2021 AGM will also be held via Zoom. Although virtual meetings have their limitations, not least for those members who do not have the necessary equipment, necessity has driven the adoption of this technology, which will prove to be useful even once face-to-face meetings are again permitted. This is particularly the case for an Area such as Devon which covers a large geographic area. We also introduced an Area online discussion forum on “groups.io”, to provide an opportunity for debate outside of our more formal channels of communication. Although one might have thought that the pandemic would have resulted in a quiet period for Area, this has not been the case. Resumption of group walks was subject to new procedures, and clarification of the need and application of these gave rise to considerable correspondence with Central Office. Most groups have now adapted to our new requirements for risk assessments and pre- booking of walks for limited numbers of participants. Towards the end of the financial year the Tiverton group committee indicated that in their opinion the group was no longer viable. An Area sub-committee has been established to determine the best way forward for the group and its members. In recognition of the changed situation, it was decided to issue the Highlights Report (a simplified annual report) in a newsletter format this year. I am very grateful to the assistance given by Mike Long in designing the Report, as well as to everyone for their input. Recruitment of Area Council members continues to require our attention. Tom Chinn carried out a detailed piece of research with group representatives regarding their recruitment issues. We have formed an Area Recruitment Working Party, which has initiated a number of actions. However, this is a topic which requires both urgent and continuing attention. The best advertisement must surely be that Area Council is carrying out work that is not just essential and worthy, but is also interesting and delivering valuable outcomes for our members and the wider walking public. David HinchLiffe 5 8. HON. TREASURER’S REPORT Devon Area Ramblers – Treasurers report for the year ended September 30th 2020 Income and expenditure – Devon Area had budgeted to spend £2,530 during the twelve months under review. This was to be funded partly from reserves brought forward from the prior year, but also from the budget allocation of £1,872 from Ramblers Central Office. Lockdown and social distancing meant that planned activities were severely curtailed and as a result expenditure during the year totalled the much lower figure of £1,717. Reserves at year-end stood at £2,139 in the bank account, up by £155 on last year. Ramblers policy is that no more than one-year’s expenditure should be held in reserve, and plans are in place to bring cash reserves back into line in the current year.