North Bucks rRIPPLE (ramblers Repairing & Improving Public Paths for Leisure & Exercise) Activity Report 26 November 2017 – 25 February 2018 Copies of before & after photos of all work are available on request. Man hours include some travel time. DaG = Donate a Gate. CAMS is a reference used by BCC for work requests. All work is requested and authorised by Alastair McVail, BCC North Bucks PRoW Officer, or Jon Clark, BCC Strategic Access Officer. OPAG = Oving Paths Action Group. PG = Pedestrian Gate (e.g. Marlow); KG = Kissing Gate (e.g. Woodstock).

28/11/17 Hardwick CAMS 85967 at SP801200. Tel call from John Russell to say he’d pay for four sleepers over the ditch and maybe a DaG or two in the New Year upon his return from New Zealand at end Feb.

29/11/17 Buckland. Jerry carried out recce of three CAMS received recently. 2.0 man hours. 24 miles. £6.72 reimbursed.

1/12/17 To CRFC to pick up gates, posts and stones. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

5/12/17 To Impact Signs to pick up OFWG plaque. 1.0 man hour. 15 miles.

6/12/17 North Marston – Matthew’s Way. Met with Alastair McVail and tenant farmer, Roger Simms. Carried out a recce of the area – see map below. Agreed to install sixth gate of six for Roger at the stile at 10S on map. This will be a steel kissing gate similar to one immediately across the road. Cattle have escaped past this stile in the past.

6/12/17 North Marston. At SP775210 (1G on map) Converted stile to gap. At SP775211 (3S on map) added a hand post to a stile. At SP774216 (west side of 7G on map) at an information board for Matthew’s Way commenced installation of wood gate for existing small enclosure around the board. 30 miles. (J4P)

13/12/17 North Marston DaG. CAMS 86076 at SP780219. Considerable assistance provided by tenant farmer, Roger Simms, who rooted out a small tree and levelled the ground prior to our endeavours. Replaced stile with Woodstock kissing gate. Re-attached way marker post with a plethora of way marker discs on it to a stout fencing corner post with 150 mm nails. 3 x 5 = 15 man hours. Cold and very wet under foot. 30 miles (D3P)

15/12/17 Ivinghoe. Received CAMS 86069 at SP979147 National Trust Ringshall Coppice to remove wooden kissing gate and install 1.0 m Marlow gate.

19/12/17 To CRFC to take arisings from North Marston to chain saw into firewood. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles

19/12/17 To CRFC to take pick up Large Woodstock RADAR KG and Marlow PG for Aston Abbotts. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles 20/12/17 Aston Abbotts AAB/2/1 CAMS 85781 at SP836202. Dismantled 2-step, 4-rail stile. Installed Marlow gate retaining one high post and installing one new 1.8 m x 100 x 100 Redwood UC4 post tamped in with stones. Installed strainer for this post. Reattached 2 strands of barbed wire and sheep proof fencing. Attached Ramblers Decal. 2 x 6 = 12 man hours. DK

20/12/17 Aston Abbotts AAB/2/1 DaG CAMS 86028 at SP835202. DaG from Norduck House. Dismantled 2-step, 4-rail, no hand post stile. Installed Large Woodstock RADAR kissing gate retaining and making use of one upright “sleeper” gate post for adjacent 7-bar steel field gate. Reused 1.8 m x 100 x 80 fence post coach bolted to gate “H” frame. Reattached 4 rails, 2 strands of barbed wire and sheep proof fencing. 2 x 6 = 12 man hours. BJ. 33 miles (K4P)

21/12/17 To CRFC to take arisings from Aston Abbotts to chain saw into firewood. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles

22/12/17 Ivinghoe – see 15/12/17. Tel con with Christine Hardy at the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate Office. She explained the Marlow gate to replace a dilapidated timber kissing gate that no longer closes properly was an offer from Jon Clark of BCC. Said we’d email her details of our DaG scheme but she is under the impression from Jon that someone has donated the gate.

1/1/18 Oving New Year’s Day walk with the OFWG followed by lunch at The Black Boy, Oving and tea with members of OPAG. A thoroughly enjoyable day out. 24 members of OFWG met up for the inaugural visit to their DaG in memory of their former member Peter Hoade.

2/1/18 North Marston DaG NMA/17/1 CAMS 83811 at SP760217. Commenced the replacement of timber kissing gate with Woodstock metal kissing gate c/w DaG plaque paid for by Tracy Gray. Cold and wet weather brought proceedings to a halt after old gate dismantled, two main holes dug, concrete removed from around large gate post that was retained to attach the “H” frame; “H” frame trench started. 3 x 4 = 12 man hours. AndrewBD. B3P. 23 miles.

9/1/18 North Marston CAMS 83811 at SP760217. Completed the replacement of timber kissing gate with Woodstock metal kissing gate. 2 x 4 = 8 man hours. BD. D2P. 23 miles.

12/1/18 Hardwick HAR/1/1 CAMS 85967 & 85969 at SP801200. Purchased four sleepers as requested by and on behalf of the Scotshill Trust through tenant John Russell from 3 Counties Timber & Building Supplies Ltd., Aylesbury for £91.10. 1.0 man hour. 22 miles.

13/1/18 Attended Aylesbury Ramblers’ Winter Meal at the Bell in Winslow. 5 team members and four partners attended. An excellent evening.

14/1/18 Hardwick HAR/1/1 CAMS 85967 & 85969 at SP801200. Delivered the four sleepers to site. To CRFC to collect gate and post. 2.0 man hours. 33 miles.

16/1/18 Hardwick HAR/1/1 CAMS 85967 & 85969 at SP801200. Tel conversation with Alastair, who had come across the sleepers on site yesterday, to say that any bridge needs to be installed by the county’s team as we aren’t trained competent bridge builders. As the existing collapsed sleeper bridge is in a dangerous condition, it was mutually agreed that we would lay the new ones in such a manner that the county’s team, or us after suitable training, would readily be able to re-lay them per the county’s specification. This would entail a plate at each end fixed with 50 mm scaffold poles hammered in through pre-drilled holes.

16/1/18 Received request from Aylesbury Rambler Joe Fontura for a DaG application form following a discussion at the Winter Meal on 13/1/18.

17/1/18 Hardwick DaG HAR/1/1 CAMS 85967 at SP801200 South side of stream/bridge. Dismantled dilapidated one-step sheep-netted stile. Retained both upright posts and provided them with strainers. Installed Marlow gate c/w two Redwood UC4 15 yr posts c/w Postsaver sleeves parallel and in-field of fence line. Fitted Ramblers square decal. DaG through the Scotshill Trust – contact Jeremy Burton. Took out two old and rotted railway sleepers and replaced these with four 2.4 m x 250 x 150 green treated sleepers to form a 1.0 m wide bridge. Laid directly on the ground (on stones) knowingly not fully compliant with BCC recommended best practice as discussed with Alastair. His team will come and relay them on plates at a later stage. Existing hand rail beside bridge retained. Danger of rotten bridge eliminated. 3 x 7 = 21 man-hours. AndrewBJ. 28 miles.

17/1/18 Hardwick DaG HAR/1/1 CAMS 85969 at SP801200 North side of stream/bridge. Dismantled two- step, four rail, two-post stile. Retained one upright post and reused second upright post c/w waymarkers. Installed Marlow gate c/w two Redwood UC4 15 yr posts c/w Postsaver sleeves. 2 x 7 = 14 man hours. DK. Dag through the Scotshill Trust.

17/1/18 Whitchurch WHI/2/1 at SP801199. Noted stile that could be converted to a gate.

Contacted Ginny Stollery who owns field to the east. She said she would talk to the landowner on the west side.

18/1/18 Met with Jon Clark in Haddenham. Updated Jon on our capabilities and showed him the Land Rover Discovery, the trailer, the Postsaver sleeves, the wide range of power and hand tools we use and our toolworkshop. Jon agreed that a token payment per session could be provided by BCC to cover the cost of tools such as our two stroke jack hammer that cost over £200, tools for the jack hammer that were over £70, some running expenses associated with the Land Rover (mileage is already just about covered by The Ramblers at 28p/mile), work party subsistence and perhaps a summer BBQ and a winter meal.

18/1/18 Whitchurch WHI/26/27/28/1. Received two CAMS 86221/2 at SP795209 for two Marlow gates, one on the OAR, which will be a DaG from Aylesbury Ramblers c/w their 50th Anniversary plaque.

18/1/18 Westcott WES/11/1. Received CAMS 86261 at SP718173 on A41 and CAMS 86263 at SP718175 on north side of hedge. These are DaG BOGOFs for Peter Cripps.

23/1/18 Watermead. At SP819154 Job for Parish Council. Provided swing gate access to land beside entrance to controversial crematorium. Made to measure gate, at 1940, procured from Briants of Risborough. BDK 3 x 5 = 15 man-hours.

25/1/18 To CRFC to collect two gates and two posts. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

25/1/18 Second DaG cheque received from Aylesbiury Ramble Joe Fontura.

26/1/18 BCC PRoW Liaison meeting. Unfortunately neither Bill nor Jerry were able to attend. Report submitted.

26/1/18 To CRFC to take delivery of two big bags of stones. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

29/1/18 To CRFC to collect buckets of stones. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

29/1/18 Ickford. Peter Jordain responded to say new parish clerk is trying to progress stile-gate opposite Rising Sun.

7/2/18 Whitchurch DaG CAMS 86221 Junction of WHI/27/1, 28/1 & 26/2 at SP795209 on Outer Aylesbury Ring (OAR). DaG by Aylesbury Ramblers for their 50th Anniversary. NB rRIPPLE’s 100th gate. Dismantled 2-step, 4-rail stile and installed Marlow gate c/w two 1.8m x 100 x 100 Redwood UC4 posts c/w Postsaver sleeves tamped in with stones. Made good rails to either side without disturbing adjacent fence and gate posts. Refitted farmer’s “Dogs on Leads” signage. Fitted way markers. 2 x 6 = 12 man hours. B & Peter Smith – his first outing. 25 miles. (Black Boy, Oving).

7/2/18 Whitchurch Junction of WHI/27/1, 28/1 & 26/2 CAMS 86222 at SP795209. Dismantled 2-step, 3-rail stile and installed Marlow gate c/w two 1.8m x 100 x 100 Redwood UC4 posts c/w Postsaver sleeves tamped in with stones. Made good rails to either side without disturbing existing fence posts. Refitted farmer’s “Dogs on Leads” signage. Fitted way markers and Improved by The Ramblers decal. 2 x 6 = 12 man hours. DK. 25 miles. (Black Boy, Oving).

9/2/18 Barclays Bank, Bicester. Bill & Jerry visited Barclays to set up a business account into which BCC can pay a work-day grant of around £50 to cover expenses not recoverable from The Ramblers. BCC want to do that to retain our services, it not being seen as an hourly rate payment. Our average work-day man hours are 18 (3x6) with the maximum having been around 35 (5x7).

12/2/18 To CRFC to collect Marlow gate, four posts and reload with stones. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

11, 12 & 13/2/18 Westcott. Tried and failed to make contact with Peter Cripps wrt installing one of the four gates agreed on his land.

13/2/18 Press Release. Kate Ashbrook issued press release re 100th gate installation.

13/2/18 Westcott DaG WES/12/1 CAMS 85965 at SP718171. Dismantled 4-rail, 2-step stile. Removed two posts and installed Marlow gate c/w washer, two 1.8 m Redwood posts c/w Postsaver sleeves, tamped in with stones. Fitted way markers and Improved by The Ramblers decal. Made good sheep wire fencing to both sides and fitted new 2.4 m long rail to SW side of gate as requested by Peter Cripps, landowner. 3 x 5 = 15 man hours. BDAndrew. 22 miles.

14/2/18 Westcott WES/12/1 at SP719171 emailed parish clerk Alan Lambourne re obstruction, length of wire, across path. Asked him if he was aware. He said no.

21/1/2/18 Alastair met with Lynne Pelling, tenant, and discussed the installation of a total of three gates: This one plus two further down WES/13/2 leading onto Lower Green.

14/2/18 Mix 96 Radio. Bill interviewed re 100th gate. 12 second clip hourly with news summary on 14/2/18 at 09.00, 10.00 an 11.00.

14/2/18 Westcott. Visited Mr & Mrs Peter Cripps and had a cup of tea and a chat about the four gates he is paying for on a BOGOF deal.

16/2/18 CRFC. To CRFC to pick up 2 gates and stones and to take delivery of ten gates from BCC - a mixture of Marlows and Woodstocks including some 1.2 m Marlows. 1.0 man hours. 10 miles.

17/2/18 Ivinghoe. IVI/17/1 CAMS 86069 at SP979147. Recce by Jerry to National Trust Ringshall Coppice where job is to remove wooden kissing gate and install 1.0 m Marlow gate. 2.0 man hours. 45 miles @ 28 p/mile = £12.60.

18/2/18 Aston Abbotts AAB/2/1 CAMS 85781 at SP836202. Fitted DaG plaque to RADAR gate installed on 20/12/18. Met with Christian Nagale. 1.0 man hour. 18/2/18 Aston Abbotts AAB/2/1 at SP832199. Recce of stile and redundant gate at bottom of his field. He wants it sorted. He will discuss with Mel and let us know what they want doing.

19/2/18 Westcott WES/12/2 at SP719171. Tel con with tenant horse owner re fence across path where an old stile used to be. Lynne Pelling said field owned by BCC/AVDC and has no objection to Marlow gate being installed. Reported this to Alastair and Alan Lambourne, clerk.

20/2/18 Westcott. Tel con with Ralph Cox wrt conversion of stiles to kissing gates at SP727179 and SP720168. Emailed Alastair about this. When we met on site on 21/2/18 he said he’d been in contact with Ralph Cox and was pursuing the matter.

21/2/18 Westcott DaG WES/11/1 CAMS 85963 at SP718173 on south side of thick hedge. Dismantled 4- rail, 2-step stile leaving two posts in situ. Installed Marlow gate between those posts, c/w washer, c/w two Redwood UC4 15 yr 1.8 m x 100 x100 posts c/w Postsaver sleeves tamped in with stones. Fitted way marker and Improved by The Ramblers Decal. 2 x 5 = 10 man hours. BP.

21/2/18 Westcott DaG WES/11/1 CAMS 86261 at SP718173 on north side of thick hedge. Dismantled 4- rail, 2-step stile leaving two posts in situ. Installed Marlow gate between those posts, c/w washer, c/w two Redwood UC4 15 yr 1.8 m x 100 x100 posts c/w Postsaver sleeves tamped in with stones. Fitted way marker and Improved by The Ramblers Decal. 2 x 5 = 10 man hours. DK. 20 miles.

21/2/18 Westcott. Met with and agreed with Peter Cripps inscription on his one plaque for his four BOGOF Marlow gates – Donated by Peter Cripps.

21/2/18 Westcott – appreciative email from Jon Clark.

23/2/18 Westcott. Received 3No CAMS for Marlow gates to replace stiles following up from Alastair’s meeting with Lynne Pelling om 21/2/18. CAMS 86426 at SP191170 and CAMS 86427/8 both at SP720170.

23/2/18 CRFC. To CRFC to collect two gates, two posts and buckets of stones. 1.0 man hour. 10 miles.

NB rRIPPLE Summary:

NB rRIPPLE on site man hours – includes a S2Gap / S/KG Dog S2PG S2KG WayMk proportion of travel time and no administration Bridge repair Latch Post time which is considerable! DaG DaG 224 for period 30 Jan 2015 – 6 Aug 2015 2G 11 9 3 0 1 0 2 66.5 for period 13 Aug 2015 – 17 Nov 2015 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 72 for period 18 Nov 2015 – 16 Jan 2016 1B 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 74 for period 17 Jan 2016 – 15 Mar 2016 1G 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 120.25 for period 16 Mar 2016 – 11 Jun 2016 0 0 0 7 0 1 0 1 133 for period 12 Jun 2016 – 14 Aug 2016 1G 0 0 6 1 1 1 0 142 for period 15 Aug 2016 – 21 Sept 2016 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 104 for period 22 Sept 2016 – 13 Nov 2016 0 1KG 0 1 1 0 3 3 94 for period 14 Nov 2016 – 31 Dec 2016 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 271 for period 1 Jan 2017 – 31 Mar 2017 0 0 0 5 3 1 5 0 216 for period 1 Apr 2017 – 31 May 2017 0 0 1 7 0 0 5 0 185 for period 1 Jun 2017 – 27 Aug 2017 1 0 0 2 5* 0 4 0 193.5 for period 28 Aug 2017 – 25 Nov 2017 1B + 1G 0 0 8 3 0 1 0 187 for period 26 Nov 2017 – 25 Feb 2018 1B + 1G 0 0 2 6 0 3 Totals 3B + 5G 12 15 55 21 4 26 7 *Includes for two Bristol Combination Gates. S2PG etc = Stile converted to Pedestrian Gate

Total number of gates installed = 104 of which 47 have been DaGs.

Signed: Bill Piers North Bucks rRIPPLE Co-ordinator and Donate a Gate Scheme Organiser [email protected] Mobile 07799 110128

For work in progress see our web page www.Bucks-wmiddx-ramblers.org.uk/donate-a-gate

th th 6/12/17 N. Marston at 6/12/17 N. Marston 6 and 13 Dec N. 13/12/17 N. Marston SP775210 far stile at SP775211 added Marston at at SP780219. OFWG converted to gap a hand post to a stile SP774216 installed DaG for Peter Hoade wood gate (94)

20/12/17 Aston 20/12/17 Aston 2nd & 9th /1/18 North 17/1/18 Hardwick Abbotts at SP836202 Abbotts DaG at Marston DaG at Bridge prior to (95) SP835202 (96) SP760217 (97) replacement

17/1/18 Hardwick 17/1/18 Hardwick at 23/1/18 Watermead 17/1/18 Hardwick at During and after with SP801200 (99) at SP819154. SP801200 (98) Oscar (Palin) Paying job for Parish Council

7/2/18 DaG 7/2/18 Whitchurch at Whitchurch at SP795209 (101) North Bucks rRIPPLE’s 100th gate SP795209 (100) First work party for installation – a DaG from Aylesbury Peter Smith on right Ramblers. L-R Derek Holland, Bill Piers, Keith Wheeler-Cherry and Jon Clark, BCC Strategic Access Officer

13/2/18 DaG 21/2/18 DaG 21/2/18 DaG Westcott at Westcott at Westcott at SP718171 (102). SP718173 (103) SP718173 (104) (south side of hedge) (north side of hedge)