FREE BOOK OFFER Free copy of “Stepping Out From Leeds and ” (2011) by Keith Wadd and published by Ramblers' Association,West Riding Area is available if you send a stamped addressed envelope (£1.22) to John Lieberg, 11 Woodroyd Avenue, Honley, Holmfirth, Huddersfield HD9 6LG. “Stepping Out From Leeds and Bradford” includes 20 walks of around 11 miles in length. The book begins with linear walks from central Leeds (Woodhouse Moor) to Harewood, and central Bradford () to Cross Flatts, then circular walks taking in Stainburn and Lower , Otley and The Chevin, the Washburn Valley, High Moor and Nessfield, St Ives and , and the Wolf Stones, Sutton-in- and Newsholme Dean, Kildwick and Skipton Moor, Cononley and Lothersdale, Ripley and Swarcliffe, Dacre Banks and Brimham Rocks, Studley Park and Markenfield Hall, Mytholmroyd and Churn Milk Joan, Midgehole and Jumble Hole, Marsden and West Nab, Holmfirth and Ramsden Clough, Denby Dale and Cannon Hall, Penistone and Hartcliff Hill. All the walks include some rarely visited West Riding “gems” and follow paths we need to keep well used. The book is available for free because it is no longer selling, and it makes much more sense to distribute it to members than have it gathering dust before it is eventually pulped. Keith Wadd

NOTICE OF WEST RIDING AREA AGM The Annual General Meeting of the West Riding Area of the Ramblers' Association will be held at the Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road. at 2 p.m. on Saturday 27th January 2018. All members of West Riding Area (that includes all members of Groups, and unattached members) are eligible and welcome to attend and vote. AGENDA Apologies, minutes of last meeting, matters arising, correspondence and announcements, speaker's address, annual report and accounts, motions (28 days' notice to Area Secretary required), election of officers, any other business.

The Clarke Foley Centre is conveniently situated in the middle of Ilkley, and there are frequent trains to Ilkley from Leeds and Bradford. The AGM is followed by a “Faith Tea” (please bring some snacks to share around; tea and coffee provided).

Morning Walk Before the AGM: starting from the Clarke Foley Centre LS29 9DZ 0 at 10 a.m. on Saturday 27th January 2018 there will be a 6.5 mile walk taking in Middleton Moor, further details phone 07981 261 667. Let's hope the weather is drier than last year!

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE Please, EVERYONE (who has email), complete this questionnaire. If the questionnaire has a high completion rate, it will: *Provide accurate information on the age distribution of each Group and the Area as a whole (there are already powerful clues suggesting that the average age is high); *Provide some answers to why membership has steadily declined over the last dozen years; *Enable membership trends in the next few years to be forecast with some confidence; *Help Area and Groups to decide on appropriate programmes and activities to stem and reverse the continuing decline in membership numbers.

The most important question is your age. It is appreciated that some members might have a sensitivity to divulging it, but the response to the questionnaire is by email and although there is a remote chance of an email address being linked with a person's name, it is most unlikely. In any case, we guarantee confidentiality.

THE QUESTIONS 1. What is your age? Please assign it to one of the following categories: 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 34-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90-94 95-99 100+

2. Male or Female ….... (n.b. We need this because there is a gender factor in expectation of life)

3. Ramblers' Group …...... (so that each Group can be given details of its age distribution)

4. Approximately how long have you been a member of the Ramblers? …....

5. Do you intend to remain a member of the Ramblers for the foreseeable future? Yes/No …..

Please email your answers (“Questionnaire” as Subject) to Keith Wadd at [email protected] and Mike Church at [email protected] ( to both of us so that we can easily check the figures).

All you need to do is email e.g.: 55-59 F Sometown Group 21 years Yes

If there are two members in the same household, they can either use the same email or send separate ones. Many thanks for doing it.

Postal Responses: members who would like to answer the questionnaire by post, please send your answers to Keith Wadd, 25 Rossett Beck, Harrogate HG2 9NT

WEST RIDING AREA ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT As an Area we have had a good year with some ups and downs.

On the Upside All Groups are now entering their walks on the national website and we can now produce a feed to our website and produce the programme of walks directly from the national website. I would like to thank Peter Sweeney and Stephen Noble for the work they have done and continue to do on this.

Stephen Noble has taken over from Dave Pannell as webmaster, and has also taken over as our Area Publicity & Publications Officer.

Our Footpath Committee continues to be a good forum for Group Footpath Secretaries to meet and discuss common problems and formulate Area policy regarding footpath work. It is good to hear that many councils within our area are looking for volunteers to work on footpath maintenance, something that was not common in the past.

Our small but efficient Countryside Committee under Mike Willison has been this year working on the Local Plans and HS2, whilst also looking at planning applications.

The Social & Rambles Committee under Diane Davies produced an excellent programme of walks, coach rambles, and walking holidays. Thank you Diane and your team.

Publicity & Publications Committee now has a new Chairman, Stephen Noble. They have met twice this year. Unfortunately we only attended one show this year (Honley) due to age and mobility. The Group attended the Keighley Show. We need some younger members to come forward to help with shows; it's a good day out and an opportunity to spread the word about the Ramblers and what we stand for and do.

On the Downside Our major problem this year as in previous years is loss of members. Over the year 315 new members joined us, 40 lapsed members rejoined but 421 members left us, reducing our membership by 66 giving a membership as at 30th September of 3,111. This is a national problem and the Board of Trustees is working to understand why members join and why members leave us.

Martin Bennett who stood down as Chairman of the Footpath committee and we are awaiting someone to take the Chair. As I write now, we still have a vacancy.

Keith Wadd who stood down after many years as editor of the West Riding Rambler, his last edition, the 150th coming out in July.

I am pleased to announce that following my plea for help in the 151st edition four members have volunteered to form an editorial team under Colin Speakman.

Th Lost Paths project is still on hold awaiting guidance and funding from Central Office.

As I said last year, there are still two major challenges we face, cuts to Council funding particularly the Rights of Way departments and the relaxing of planning regulations. We need as an Area to work closely with our Rights of Way departments so that we can help them to keep the footpath network clear.

Finally, I would like to thank all the Area officers, Group officers and Chairs of our sub-committees for all of the support they have given me over this year. I would also like to thank our team of Group and Area walk leaders without whom we wouldn't have such an excellent and comprehensive walks programme. Mike Church, Area Chairman

SECRETARY'S REPORT West Riding Area coordinates all of our activities (both Group and Area activities) so that we all work together for the Ramblers' Association as effectively as our resources permit. Throughout the territory of West Riding Area we are monitoring paths and attempting to deal with the many problems that arise, attempting to protect from major threats the countryside we walk in, and seeking to to make the right to roam work more effectively. Our sub-committees (see separate reports) enable issues to be considered in detail and action to be coordinated, and they bring together representatives from Groups and other RA members who have a particular interest in the committee's area of work. The West Riding Rambler is the journal for our area with news and features of interest to all our members. We also publish the Area Walks Programme with around 660 walks per year, mainly throughout our territory, but with some walks further afield, which provides a rich offering to our members and the wider public.

The Area Council of West Riding Area has had four general meetings, and an extra one to deal specifically with motions to be discussed at General Council in April. The meetings take place in Leeds and are attended by the Area's officers, the chair and secretary of the sub-committees, representatives elected by the AGM, and a representative of each of the Groups in West Riding Area. Each Group is entitled to send a representative, and he/she has the opportunity to report on the Group's activities and to raise matters of concern. The attendance of Group representatives is much valued and enables Groups to raise issues that have significance for Ramblers throughout the Area. The meeting considers reports from the Treasurer and Membership Secretary, discusses the latest minutes of each of its four sub-committees, and makes decisions on important issues and matters referred to it.

As this report starts at the end of 2016 it should be noted that most of the Groups hold their AGM's in November. This provides the active members and volunteers with a useful opportunity to discuss the previous year's activities, and new plans. As Groups were set up on a voluntary basis the committees looking after them will encourage new officers to join and provide them with direction. Along with the organisational structures created over the years another item, namely the West Riding Rambler journal, has been in place for the Area's membership. The journal has highlighted the environmental and related issues of our time, such as Fracking etc.. Reading interesting and thought-provoking articles about the Big Pathwatch Report and the desirability of a “true right to roam” impress upon the reader the intellectual challenges that are also faced by our membership. These challenges are nowhere better explained than in the ramblers' “vision” including a “true right to roam”. Wadd clearly and bravely puts the case against it and concludes by saying “Perhaps we should democratically reconsider it.” Unfortunately, as Keith Wadd has stepped down from the editorial role after many years of service, there is no guarantee the West Riding Rambler will be produced again. This would be a significant loss for the Area, the membership and the wider walking community.

For many years, the working party from Lower Wharfedale has been repairing stiles, erecting gates, path clearing and carrying out other practical activities in North Yorkshire within parishes in the Group's area. As their Footpath Officer (Richard Smith) explained - in August 2016, North Yorkshire Local Access Forum agreed that a “model”way of working be trialled with our Ramblers Group. Under this working model, a local Field Officer identifies repair work needing attention and our Group undertakes the work independently after the landowner's agreement has been obtained. The Lower Wharfedale Group is excited to be trialling this project with North Yorkshire. Area discussions about the membership crisis in most of the local Groups continue. The Area coach rambles to different and varying countryside areas continue to flourish with pick-ups in Leeds and Bradford. Diane Davies is the Chair and oversees the sterling work of the Social & Rambles Committee. Substantial progress has been made by the Wakefield & District Group on the development of the Wakefield Way. The revised route has been finalised and is in the process of being signposted and waymarked. Soon it will be added to the OS maps as a long-distance route. The official launch is planned for Easter 2018. Mike Willison of the Countryside Committee reported on the problems which had beset the restored 400ha St Aidan's opencast site a few miles south east of Leeds near Woodlesford. Finally the issues had been resolved.

Our bedfellows in the Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes alliance have continued to campaign that locally public enquiries have to be contested wherever vehicular rights are claimed on green lanes. Highway Authorities have to be persuaded to impose Traffic Regulation Orders on the vulnerable ruined tracks they administer. Nationally, Parliament must be persuaded that non-essential motor vehicles have no place deep in the countryside away from the tarmac, and that green lanes should be classified as Restricted Byways. Carl Richman

COUNTRYSIDE SUB-COMMITTEE During the past year the Area Countryside committee has held four meetings. Once again HS2 has been a standing agenda item. In July the route from Birmingham to Leeds was finally confirmed including the east of Sheffield option. There was some relief for the village of Crofton with the removal of the rolling stock depot following much opposition. HS2 now propose to site this depot at Stourton in east Leeds. In 2018 we will be looking closely at the draft Environmental Statement which HS2 will be issuing for consultation as a prelude to depositing a hybrid Bill in Parliament during 2019.

In Wakefield there are too many housing sites ongoing or proposed within the District to mention individually, but figures quoted suggest 9,000 properties are currently within the planning system and have potential to be built in the next five years. A recent report stated that 117 sites had been identified for housing, meaning 22,678 new homes could be built by 2026. Of these, 3,800 are planned for Castleford, 3,500 for Pontefract, and 4,800 for Outwood. Many of these houses are being built on what previously were fields used for agriculture. Currently, house building in Wakefield is expected to be at a rate of 50% more per annum when compared to the Government's recent consultation document “Planning for the right homes in the right places”, part of the Housing White Paper published in February 2017 setting out new methods for calculating housing needs.

Work is currently in progress on a £2.9m (Department for Transport funded) cycle/walk way connecting Wakefield and Castleford. Part of the Wakefield Way will follow this new route.

There were no proposed wind turbines over the last 12 months. Two hydroelectric power plants have been built during the last 12 months - one on the River Calder at Kirkthorpe, and another on the at Ferrybridge. They will generate electricity for the next 100 years. However, given changes in Government policy, it's very likely that they will be the last schemes constructed. A fish passage has been provided for migratory fish to safely navigate the weirs.

There has been no progress during the year with the proposed drift mine south east of the village of Crofton and north east of Wintersett.

Kirklees still has no Core Strategy, although it was finally submitted in April for public examination of its soundness by independent planning inspectors. The original plan, which included a large housing development at Farnley Tyas, was eventually withdrawn. Following a very large number of objections, the Farnley Tyas proposal was no longer included in the re-drafted plan. However, 2000 homes are planned on land near Bradley Golf Course.

At White Lee, Batley, 2000 homes have been proposed on protected green space. More than 3000 people signed a petition against this development. A housing development at Shaw Cross near Dewsbury and two developments at Mirfield have been proposed.

There have been no further developments on the proposal announced last year cutting through North Kirklees to link Junction 25 of the M62 with the Horbury junction of the M1.

It was noted that the Housing Minister has dropped his objection to the Bradford Local Plan.

In Leeds, the long-awaited transfer of the freehold of the St Aidan's site from Harworth Estates to Leeds Council (the St Aidan's Trust) was finally completed in December 2016, with the RSPB Volunteer Centre re-opening just before Easter. This was indeed welcome news (see West Riding Rambler No. 150).

Although the Leeds Core Strategy, with its much debated and crticised 70,000 housing target, was adopted in 2014, there is currently no complementary Site Allocation Plan. As a result, large volume house builders have gained planning approvals on appeal on sites at Kippax, Bramhope and Collingham because the Council does not have a 5-year housing supply. On this basis an application was made for 770 houses at Dunningley Lane on the former Tingley Station site adjacent to the M62. This application is currently the subject of an appeal.

Leeds City Council announced early in 2017 it was undertaking a selective review of the Core Strategy focussing on a revision of the original requirement for 70,000 houses. In May, it submitted the Site Allocations Plan (SAT) - based on the original figure of 70,000 - for public examination of its soundness by independent planning inspectors. Hearings on various aspects of the SAT were timetabled to begin in October. However, in mid-September the government issued without warning a a consultation paper “Planning for the right homes in the right places”, which, while not setting targets, gives each local authority a starting point. The figure for Leeds is 42,000. This consultation prompted the Council to ask the inspectors to pause the hearings relating to housing numbers while some modifications are made to the SAP. At the time of writing the hearings are expected to re- commence in the summer of 2018.

Phase 1 of the solar farm at West Ardsley is now operative - powering the Coca Cola bottling plant, and sited behind a small woodland area and away from the Leeds Country Way. From the M1 northbound it looks like a large lake.

The government funding, ring-fenced for the New Generation Transport scheme, will now be used on other transport projects.

It was noted that 20 barn conversions had been approved in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The policy had changed to include conversions of road side barns.

Once again, my thanks go to all Committee members for their contributions to this important area of the R.A.'s work, and to Carl Richman for taking the minutes and attending to the administration.

The work of Countryside officers is key in delivering the RA's second charitable object - the protection and enhancement for the benefit of the public of the beauty of the countryside. If anyone is interested in this important area of work, please do contact me at [email protected]

Mike Willison Chair

FOOTPATHS SUB-COMMITTEE Dave, with photo 2017 saw a number of changes to the Footpath Committee's membership after some years of no change. The committee lost the invaluable services of Martin Bennett as Chair. Although warned well in advance in January, we have still not been able to find a permanent Chair, although a number of members have stepped in to chair meetings. It has been difficult to fulfill the Chair's role as general ambassador, visitor to the more far-flung parts of the Area, member of the Area Council and so on without a permanent figure. The committee thanks Martin for his notable services and wishes him well for his move to Derbyshire in early 2018.

During the year Peter Wells has joined the committee as the representative for Nidderdale, and Horace Price stood in for long-standing Wakefield representative Mike O'Donnell while he was recovering from illness.

Writing this report in November 2017 I am reading the Central Office draft document on Shared-Use of footpaths with cyclists on which we have been asked to comment before it becomes policy. I am struck that a prominent item in the November minutes was cycling and rights of way. It led to a motion that was passed at the West Riding Area AGM and went on to become a successful motion passed by Ramblers' General Council in April 2017. This means of course that it is part of Ramblers' policy. The wording of the successful motion is “This General Council whilst acknowledging that cycling is a popular and healthy pursuit, views with great concern the suggestions being made by organisations representing and campaigning on behalf of cyclists that cycling be allowed as a legal right on footpaths or that footpaths be upgraded in some manner to allow such use. Council urges that the Board of Trustees uses all possible endeavours to oppose proposals for cycling to be allowed as a matter of course on footpaths in . The pleasure, benefit, and quiet enjoyment of walking a footpath will be damaged by the speed of cycles and by their sudden appearance. In opposing such use Council acknowledges that there are some paths presently recorded on the Definitive Map as footpaths, but there is evidence to support claims that bridleway rights exist on those paths. Ramblers will support the proper identification of such so-called higher rights.” The topic of cycling has popped up at Footpath Committee on various occasions during the year, leading to discussions which often lacked focus in the absence until October of a document from Central Office outlining the issues. There remain concerns about the compatibility of cyclists and walkers on ways which have not been designed and constructed as proper shared ways.

The other major recurrent topic of discussion has been the problem of the 2026 deadline on registering unclaimed rights of way. A number of members have attended the training courses which are outstandingly presented by the British Horse Society team, but the effect of these courses is often to make the huge task of getting claims in before 2026 by digging out evidence from archival sources look even more unsurmountable. Members were impressed by Richard Smith's work on submitting a claim for one path in Lower Wharfedale, but noted the amount of archival research involved and the high standard which the submission document had to reach. The complex relationship between the Street Register and the Definitive Map was explored in Leeds, where it was established that a good number of alleys and ginnels which are not on the Definitive Map are nevertheless adopted highways, and therefore safe from the 2026 deadline. However, that still leaves many whose position remains unclear.

Officers have reported regularly on cutbacks affecting their authority's highways rights of way team. Kirklees has effectively done away with the team as a unit. Fears were expressed about the ability of North Yorkshire CC to cover its vast network satisfactorily. In the event, a grading system for path problems has been introduced and it remains to be seen whether in practice some paths will never get high up enough in the ratings to receive attention,and, in consequence, decay. Authority economies can be accompanied by the wider use of Ramblers members as volunteers in undertaking practical maintenance work on paths. However, authorities differ widely in how welcoming they are to volunteers. Kirklees, Calderdale, and NYCC seem to be more willing than other authorities.

Martin Bennett joined a Ramblers' national group looking at the further development of the Pathwatch system used in the widely promoted campaign in 2016. Although the smart-phone tool for reporting problems has been tweaked so that it is easy to use, there is not much evidence that members of the Ramblers are using it widely to report of difficulties they encounter. Footpath officers on the whole prefer to use their established means of dealing with their local rights of way section.

Group officers continue to deal with a steady flow of diversions and occasionally extinguishment orders. In the urban areas these are often the product of planning applications. In Leeds and Kirklees there have been a number of locally organised resistance groups to large-scale housing developments often on open fields sites. The Parlington area in Leeds and Chidswell area in North Kirklees are good examples. This type of work involves the local authority officers so that it is likely that they have less time to deal with growing backlogs of Definitive Map Modification Order cases. Major road schemes such as the proposed East Leeds Orbital Road and the recently completed Wakefield Eastern Relief Road have to be carefully watched. Detailed work on the more distant HS2 rail line is commencing, and the effects on the path network will involve much detailed rerouting and creation of ways under and over the line.

Some committee members are also involved in their Local Access Forums. It is pleasing to note that they continue to be reasonably supported by the authorities. Rights of Way Improvement Plans are now up for revision in some cases. Whether the level of resources is available to keep the rights of way network in a state of reasonable repair remains doubtful. All officers are reporting on the growing incidence of ruinous stiles, overgrown vegetation and so on. Much of this work should be undertaken by landowners, but the lack of local authority enforcement officers means that it is not spotted and acted upon. Group Footpath Officers depend increasingly upon the wider membership to let them know about paths which have become difficult or impossible to use. Please take the time to take a photo of a bad stile or a ploughed out path and send it to your Group officer and/or the local authority Rights of Way team. Please also carry secateurs to deal with some of the more recent vegetation growth. Lee Davidson, Minutes Secretary

PUBLICITY & PUBLICATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE Publicity is important. Good in-house publicity keeps members properly informed which is part of what they pay their subs for. Good external publicity tells the general public and the whole walking community what we have to offer and some of our achievements.

The re-vamped Area website is a considerable success. Many thanks to Steve Noble for this. The Footpaths Committee is to be asked to consider having a Footpaths Section on it. This will give valuable electronic publicity to the important work we do in protecting the rights of way network.

The hard copy West Riding Area Walks Programme continues to be popular with members and also provides wider publicity. It is attractively produced, and a valuable and much appreciated source of information. Steve Noble took responsibility for this too, and many thanks to him.

In January 2017 I gave notice that I would stand down as co-editor of the West Riding Rambler after the July edition. I joined Douglas Cossar and John Lieberg on the editorial board in 2000, and became co-editor with Dave Pannell for the March 2006 edition (No.107). Dave has done a brilliant job looking after the West Riding Ramblers' design and appearance, and I have been responsible for the editorial side. I think we have produced a good quality journal. It's important for our West Riding Area members and the the local walking community that the West Riding Rambler continues as a flourishing journal, and it is terrific news that its immediate future in the capable hands of Colin Speakman is now assured . Looking back, co-editing the West Riding Rambler has been both a pleasure and a challenge, the latter because editorial content doesn't just come in - some does and I've always been very grateful for it, but much of has to be found, or made, or commissioned (arms twisted); there are meetings to be attended because they might produce some interesting news, photographs have to be taken or commissioned and so on. So I end with an appeal to both members and Group committees: tell the West Riding Rambler about your local news and items of interest, and your ideas on contemporary issues affecting walkers and Ramblers' policy.

Some external publicity has been achieved, in particularly in connection with the Wakefield Way (see Wakefield Group report) and the unveiling of the Right to Roam plaque at Stalling Busk in Wensleydale. Once again an appeal: if you have something that might make a good “story”, there's nothing lost in getting in touch with the local press/media to see if they might be interested. You don't have to write it up - they'll do that.

We had a stall at Honley Show this year and Keighley Group had a stall at Keighley Show. However, there is some doubt whether we can do shows next year - unless we can get a lot of new offers to help.

Membership trends have featured strongly in the committee's deliberations, and a detailed paper which I drafted was discussed at the March committee meeting and forwarded for consideration at Area Council. Membership numbers in West Riding Area (that's the combined figure of all the Groups plus those not attached to Groups) have steadily dropped from 4673 in September 2005 to 3118 in August 2017. There is some dispute as to whether the pre-2012 figures can be directly compared with the post-2012 figures but they all show an incessant steady decline in overall numbers. A major element in the situation is probably an ageing membership, and not enough new members.. So that we can obtain further information on the age distribution of our membership, please every member who has email complete the short membership questionnaire - it will only take five minutes or so. Though the reduction in numbers is not yet having serious consequences, if it continues there will be a smaller pool of walks leaders and Area/Group offices not filled. There are already a few indications that this is starting to happen. I think it is fair comment to say that, in order to get many more new members and keep them, we have to be thinking seriously about doing our activities differently. This is already beginning in some Groups.

It is very good news, however, that Steve Noble has now become Chair of the Publicity & Publications Sub-Committee and its Publicity Officer, posts that have been vacant for several years. Thanks to everyone who has helped with the Area's publicity during 2016-17. Keith Wadd, Convenor and committee member

SOCIAL & RAMBLES SUB-COMMITTEE As November 2016 was ending, sad news came that Helen Beaven had died after a long battle with myeloma. Helen will be remembered by many of the West Riding members for her hard work and dedication. For many years years Helen along with the late George Garrard ran the coach rambles. Previously, Helen had been secretary for the Area Exec Committee (now Area Council) and at the time of her death was still Secretary for the Social & Rambles committee. A large number of West Riding members and all the S&R committee attended her funeral.

In July a Memorial Walk from Pateley Bridge was held in memory of Helen Beaven. Helen was born in Pateley Bridge and it was one of her favourite places to walk. 40 walkers joined in the three walks on offer.

In February we were pleased to welcome Kevin Nelson to the S&R committee. Kevin has taken over responsibility for arranging the West Riding Sunday walks and leaders. The summer walks initially started with low numbers but have increased over the year with two walks respectively attracting 21 and 22 walkers. Kevin has submitted a wide and varied programme of walks for the winter season. Many thanks to Kevin for his hard work in achieving this.

Our thanks also go to Margaret Read for officially taking on the role of secretary. During Helen's illness Matgaret took the minutes in her absence.

The Social and Rambles Committee would still like additional members to join them. Any member who is interested, please contact Diane Davies on 07944809119 or email [email protected] for further information. We currently meet around three times a year in various locations.

Monthly coach rambles still remain popular. Numbers have remained fairly steady over the past year. However we would still like to increase the numbers to enable us to reduce the cost of the coach fare. Members from all Groups are welcome. If you would like to join the coach rambles please contact Val Bamforth (01274 591678) or Hilary Bulmer (01924 863860). The coach always picks up at Leeds City Centre, Thornbury (between Leeds and Bradford), Bradford near the Interchange opposite Jacobs Well car park. Other pick-ups can be arranged depending upon coach route. Walks of 3-4 miles C (easy at a leisurely pace); 6-7 miles B (moderate pace); 9-11 miles A (moderate); 10+ miles for the A+ walk, followed by a good meal at reasonable prices and a friendly social atmosphere. Contrary to an age-old myth there are still places available. You will be made most welcome.

Over the past months the coach rambles have taken us to North and East Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire. Days of good walking, fabulous scenery, the occasional downpour and some very muddy fields. Many thanks to the leaders for their interesting and varied walks. As always our thanks go to Hilary Bulmer and Val Bamforth for their hard work organising the coach rambles.

34 members joined the 2016 Christmas Coach Ramble with walks in the Cracoe, Threshfield, Buckden and Kettlewell area. 13 more members joined us later at the Gamekeepers Inn at Long Ashes, Threshfield. The new function suite looked very impressive with oak beams, log fire and Christmas decorations. Good service and an excellent meal which was enjoyed by all.

48 members joined the 8 day holiday to Ireland in April. The hotel in Westport was a good location for the varied walks and fantastic scenery. The weather was exceptionally good for Ireland, hot and sunny each day. Thanks go to all the walks leaders, especially as Ireland isn't noted for its footpath network! A long weekend to Patterdale in the Lake District was enjoyed by 35 members. The Patterdale Hotel as always, offered good accommodation and excellent food. The weather was rather wet and windy but it did not stop any of the walks going ahead. Again thanks to the walks leaders for the variety of walks on offer each day. Many thanks as always to Hilary Bulmer for arranging these excellent holidays.

Thanks and appreciation go to all members of the Committee for their continued work and support. Diane Davies, Chairman

GROUP REPORTS BRADFORD GROUP (Dave possible photo) As with other groups we are particularly concerned with the walks programme and path problems. Chris Moore has worked for many years as Footpath Secretary and dealt successfully with numerous cases. One notable case this year needing special mention is the completion of the handrail at Little Egypt, Thornton, used by numerous walkers and local residents.

The Group's walks programme continued quite successfully. We're still constantly reviewing our walks, the meeting points and venues. New builds, cycle lanes, closure of pubs etc. continue to affect us and are part of our forward planning. The Walks In The Dark programme 2016-17 still remained popular despite typical winter weather and the cancellation due to high winds of a walk through woods. Pleasingly, average numbers were up to 20 compared with the 15 in the previous year (but 22 in 2009/10, and 26 in 2010/11). Christmas Fare at Station Cafe, following a pre-Christmas walk, proved popular and was well-attended. Excellent food and company put everyone in the Christmas spirit. After a short Cheers To The Dark walk, The Royal at Low Moor made us very welcome. Support was good from walkers.

During the Spring and Summer Walks Programme 2017, new people joined us and were welcomed by the regulars. Our average per walk showed a slight but welcome increase from 25 in 2016 to 27 in 2017 (45 in 2009, 44 in 2010). As usual, there were new walks, old walks and get-togethers in the pub every week. The season ended at the Sportsman for the customary well-supported Cheers, with 22 people eating in the pub afterwards. The weather throughout the summer was very kind. We rarely got wet, even though it often rained earlier in the day. The “Get Walking Day” did not happen again this year and so far there's nothing on the website regarding any special events in 2018.

Walks In The Dark 2017-18 is now well under way. Walks numbers so far average 16 which is a drop on this time last year, and this will most likely drop further when the bad weather hits! Christmas Cheer at the Station Cafe is always popular and we shall be returning there in December. For Cheers In the Dark we're going to The Royal again.

Problems with the Group's website have settled down. It's up to date with all walks up to the end of the Summer 2017 programme, and photos up to date to the start of the winter walks. If you haven't tried the website yet, give it a go at www.ramblersbradfordgroup.weebly.con The site is fully accessible from both the national and West Riding Area (www.ramblersyorkshire.org) sites.

Thanks to all concerned in any way whatsoever, for making our Evening Walks 2016-17 such a success, the leaders, the back markers, the sponsors, events organisers, the proof readers, anyone I've forgotten and All The Walkers. Thanks too to Les and Brenda for continuing the task of distributing the twice-yearly Walks Programme and the West Riding Rambler. Unless someone comes forward to take over the latter from Keith Wadd, we have seen the last of it unfortunately. Thankfully Stephen Noble has taken over from Owen Wells and is making a great job of the 6 monthly Walks Programme.

As you will note, numbers are up for summer and down for winter, which is a concern. We continue to lose people who once were regulars who have moved on to other interests or longer walks, have moved out of the area or have had health issues. Our programme is still well supported in comparison with many others, but it does seem the uncertain trend is continuing. Malcolm Pitt, Secretary Muriel O'Flaherty, Walks Secretary

Malcolm Pitt is stepping down after 17 years as Secretary. Our many thanks to him for all of his valuable work

CALDERDALE GROUP (Dave - photo) Over all we have had a successful year, we have had good publicity via local leaflets, the website, and the local newspaper, the Halifax Courier. In fact one of our members, Caroline Spalding has a weekly column on walking which is very interesting.

Numbers attending our walks have been very good; in fact on some walks too good (if we can say that!) in relation to managing a larger group of mixed walking abilities. We participated in the South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival in September which I believe was very successful and hope it continues. Our Walks Compiler Ginny Feeney has managed to find new walks leaders which has enabled the Group to offer a walk nearly every weekend.

I am sorry to report that our Secretary David Austin has resigned due to personal reasons. He will be missed as he has contributed a great deal to the Group. I would like to thank him on behalf of the Committee and wish him all the very best for the future.

At our AGM it was as you were, except we are pleased to have a new Secretary Janet Hartley and a Website Manager Susan Holmes which is very welcome.

Whilst handing out the “Oscars” I would like to thank Mick Chatham and John Fox our officers who deal with footpath problems. Also all walk leaders - without whom there would be no walks.

I would also like to highlight the the work of CROWS (Community Rights of Way Service) for which many of our members volunteer to help in maintaining rights of way which Calderdale Council cannot do due to budget restraints.

Copley Bridge which links Copley village with North Dean Woods was washed away in the devastating floods of 2015 was recently re-opened. Local children from Copley Primary School were asked to name the bridge and they chose Wilson Bridge after Graham Wilson who lived in the Toll House adjacent to the bridge for many years until his recent death. At the re-opening, Graham's grandchildren and family were first over the bridge followed by the Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Ferman Ali and other dignitaries.

In conclusion, I look forward to an exciting year in which good walks can be enjoyed. Judy Gannon, Chair

CRAVEN GROUP The Group has again had a full, active and successful year. This winter's programme of walks will be the biggest ever mounted by the Craven Group, with a 50% increase in the number of published walks. This is entirely due to the inclusion of shorter, more easy-paced walks. It will be interesting to see if this arrests and hopefully reverses, the continuing gradual decline in the Group's membership. A total of 498 people attended our walks during the year, averaging 21 per walk, thus maintaining the numbers achieved in recent years.

We continued to give particular emphasis to good publicity during the year. The Group has its own website, and we are indebted to Linda Copeman who ran and maintained the website on our behalf. During the year, we became active in social media when Kelly Smith set up a Facebook page for the Group. Continuing her good work on the publicity front, Pam Daniels has ensured that the local press, The Dalesman, and all the TICs in our area were supplied with our walks programme. The Craven Herald continued to publish our press releases, the latest one publicising our expanded walks programme for the winter.

The Group has again had an active year on the social scene, with coach rambles to High Cup Nick in May and the Hole of Horcum in September. We had a very successful walking weekend based in Windermere in July, and a walk and lunch in October. In 2018 we have already arranged coach rambles to Swaledale and to Dovedale in the Peak District, and will again visit Windermere for our walking weekend in July. We plan to repeat the successful walk and annual meal combination in October of next year.

A large part of the Group's territory lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and so we benefit from the Park's broadly excellent record (despite budget cuts) of footpath and rights of way maintenance. Spencer Watson, our Footpaths Officer responsible for the Park, has established a good relationship with the appropriate National Park officers.

Outside the YDNP, North Yorkshire County Council have completed a staff review following budget cuts and are now slowly working towards a work plan with regard to footpaths and rights of way. The approach seems to be (although not yet finally agreed) that each path will be assigned a priority level as follows: a) National and Regional Trails; b) other main routes; c) routes near or important to towns and villages and d) the rest - mainly paths that appear to be little used. Our indefatigable Footpaths Officer for the Group's territory outside the YDNP, David Gibson, continued his excellent work in a challenging environment.

The Group's thanks go to all walks leaders (especially those who volunteered to lead a walk for the first time in the winter programme), officers and committee members for their hard work over the past year. The efforts of Andrew Gold (treasurer) who also organised the coach rambles and other social events were also much appreciated by the Group.

A special mention should be made of our Chair, Henry Mason, who retired at the AGM after ten years in the post. Henry has devoted much time and energy to the Craven Group over the years, and he has been responsible in a large measure for the Group's current vitality and success. John Daniels has taken over as Chair; we wish him well.

Jeff Halden, Secretary

CLIVE BELL We are sorry to hear of the death of Clive Bell who was the hard-working and much appreciated Footpath Officer for Craven Group between 1997 and 2005.

HARROGATE GROUP Footpath Matters Public footpaths are a valuable part of England's national heritage and the Ramblers Association does an important job in helping to protect them. The benefits of walking for health are now widely acknowledged and it is important that in both town and countryside we have traffic-free paths that are a pleasure to use.

The Harrogate group of the Ramblers' Association checks all proposed footpath diversions and planning applications involving public footpaths. It also brings pressure on the local authority to deal with damaged stiles and footbridges, and paths obstructed by vegetation. It has sought to protect the interests of walkers at a number of locations where issues have occurred. These include Folly Hall near Thornthwaite, land acquired by the Summerstone Estate in Upper Nidderdale, Ashville College, John O'Gaunt's Castle, Glasshouses Mill and several others. The Group has continued to bring pressure for the replacement of a bridge destroyed by floods at Spofforth. It has examined and commented on proposed large-scale housing developments at Flaxby and Green Hammerton.

In addition, it is monitoring the proposals for a re-alignment of the A59 at Kex Gill and its impact on local rights of way, and is represented on the Nidd Gorge Advisory Partnership.

We work with the NYCC local liaison committee to help improve our footpath network despite budget constraints.

The group has a good programme of walks with at least one walk every week. Not only are the walks very enjoyable in themselves, they also enable the condition of local paths to be monitored and sparsely used paths to be trodden.

Group Walks In addition to regular Saturday walks and some shorter walks, we have run five coach walks over the summer months. These are to more distant destinations like the Lake District, the Howgills, Peak District and East Coast. Attendance has been down again this year with about 23 per coach and a loss of £298. This was largely due to poor attendance on the May walk of only 16. This was partly publicity for the coach walks being sent out near the May walk date. We will look into either altering the date of the first coach or even hiring a smaller vehicle at reduced cost if necessary. We ran six coach walks in the previous year and had hoped that five would be more sustainable.

There is a small group of about 20 walkers who lead all the walks and this has led to a small number of gaps in the weekly programme.

Social A successful summer evening meal was held at the Guy Fawkes Arms at Scotton and a Christmas lunch at Ascot House. The Christmas lunch is to be held again at Ascot House - on 10th December

Membership This is down to 270 from 276 last year (and 299 and 313 in the previous years). Other groups are also facing reduced membership.

Group Accounts The unaudited accounts show a balance of £1099. Richard Hersey, Chair

HUDDERSFIELD GROUP (Dave - photo) Another successful and busy year for Huddersfield Group across its full range of activities.

Central to everything is our programme of led walks, of which no fewer than 110 took place from last year to this, breaking our own record of 100 the year before. We continue to draw excellent attendances across all our grades of walk, from the monthly A+grade (a longer more challenging day for hardy types) to our very popular summer Tuesday evening walks.

A new categoory of A-minus walks has been running monthly on Saturdays over the summer, and this too is growing in popularity. Co-ordinated by Christine Lister, they are aimed at those who want a good day's walk of 10 miles or so in some of our most beautiful areas but who prefer a more relaxed pace than our A and A+walks. These walks will take a break over the winter and return in spring.

One of the reasons for the success of our walks programme is that it attracts Ramblers members from other areas who in turn have offered to lead walks close to where they live. If you live outside (or within!) Huddersfield but want a good walk at a decent pace, do join us. You will be made most welcome.

This year, the Group has enjoyed four holidays. Most recently, we spent a week in Eastbourne on the South Downs (unfortunately peering at them through mist and murk most of the time); in July, we had a long hot weekend at beautiful Church Stretton in Shropshire. In May, over 30 members flew to Sicily for a wonderful week exploring Mount Etna and district and based in stunning Taomina. In February we had a long weekend in Whitby blessed by lovely weather (we had fancy-dress on a nautical theme for the final night; the Sunday night regulars in the Granby pub were forced to admit that they had never seen anything like it - some even joined in).

These and other events – like our excellent Christmas dinner – do not just happen. They are the result of meticulous planning, co-ordination and effort by our social committee: Pauline Wilson, Lynne Broadbent, Janet Whitaker, Jenni Feather and Dot Woodcock. An especially big thank you is due to Janet who stepped down as our general Social Secretary after the Whitby trip. Janet has been the lynchpin of some of our most memorable occasions and holidays over the last five years. We wish Pauline Wilson, her successor, all the best as she takes over the role.

Footpath preservation remains an important part of what we do. This year (in conjunction with the Kirklees Countryside Volunteers) we have taken on three total clearances of paths in the local area that were formerly impossible to walk (at Hullock Bank, Jackson Bridge; Lascelles Hall; Lowerhouses near Newsome). This is immensely satisfying work and all events have been very well attended. More of these days are scheduled - but walkers are also reminded to carry secateurs with them and make their own small-scale improvements when out and about.

On footpath matters, we remain generally pleased with the committed attitude of Kirklees Council, whose Strretscene team have continued to act proactively and responsively on rights of way issues despite the financial contraints they are under. Members should not feel put off from reporting problems out of the belief that the Council will do nothing - there is every chance that they will take action. As ever, some long-standing problems remain, as intractable as ever, and it is here where we would like to seek a firmer line from the Council.

Our plan to form a small sub-committee to take on footpaths work has progressed somewhat slowly but we are fully committed to getting this going properly in 2018. This will be a great addition to our work and will spread the workload around.

Finally, nine members of the Group volunteered for first-aid training for the outdoors on a bespoke course arranged for us in September. Regular walkers with the Group are advised to find out who these people are - not so much to receive first-aid but more so they can make any last requests, should the worst happen. Oliver Taylor

KEIGHLEY GROUP The Keighley group have had another good year in 2017. With plenty of walks provided by our valued walk leaders, our active members have had lots of lovely days out to enjoy. We have also introduced nid week walks to our programme, mainly for those who can't make it on a Sunday, which has been appreciated by those attending. All ramblers need to do to find out where and when we are setting off is to look up the Area programme or go to our webpage www.ramblers.org/keighley For despite the severe cutbacks in the Bradford Rights of Way budget over recent years, there are still hundreds of miles of excellent walking available locally which we are always exploring. I would therefore like to thank all our walks leaders for their efforts over the last year. By taking the trouble to organise walks of such variety they are not only providing so many happy hours rambling around our lovely countryside, they are helping to keep interest in Keighley Ramblers alive. So thank you very much Pauline, Russell, Gillian, Paul, Michael, Rosemary Jeff, Sue, Ken, Bridget, Dorothy, and Tony.

We held our AGM on November 6th where Jeff Maud, our long serving Chairman retired. He has been such a stalwart that we shall all miss him at our meetings. Fortunately, Sue Hesse volunteered to take his place, and with her experience should continue to keep the committee together for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the Secretary and Walks Organiser, Alex Gardner, gave twelve months notice of his intention to stand down at the 2018 AGM from all active positions in the Group. These positions are critical to the future of the Group and he asked all members to seriously consider taking up either position in order to keep the Group going. A failure to fill these positions could mean the end of the Keighley Group. The Treasurer explained the accounts and pointed out that at the moment there do not seem to be any problems financing our local efforts to promote the Ramblers, and the Membership Secretary's report informed us that this year we gained 18 new members which he thought was pretty good in the present climate. Unfortunately 14 other members either resigned or lapsed their membership to leave us with an end of year membership of 125. A discussion took place about developing our email communications within the Group, especially as Ramblers Central Office plan to cascade discussion documents via emails through all levels of the organisation down to individual members. At the moment we only have email addresses for 50% of the membership, so if there are members who would like to receive these discussion documents whom I have not been able to contact so far, please email me at [email protected]

Finally, I would like to thank Tony White for volunteering to organise such lovely meals out, complete with a keenly contested quiz afterwards. In an age when volunteering to take on responsibility seems to be less and less popular, it's nice to see Tony and indeed our other volunteers step forward and get on with it. Long may it continue. Alex Gardner, Secretary

LEEDS GROUP The Leeds Group committee has met four times in the year, with considerable activity between meetings. There has been a regular and varied walks programme and committee members have been in frequent and positive contact with Public Rghts of Way officers from Leeds City Council. Work carried out by committee members has kept the group solvent and efficiently run.

Leeds Group walks are published in the West Riding Area Walks Programme which is also on the West Riding and Leeds Group websites. There have been planned walks near to home in the Leeds area and also further afield. The walks have varied in length between five and ten miles at both a leisurely and faster pace. These are popular days out and are appreciated by our members discovering new locations led by our experienced leaders.

Committee members have attended various other meetings including the Local Access forum and extensive dialogue exists with PROW officers. Footpath and countryside matters, as always, have been important areas for focus throughout the year and can be protracted and time-consuming. Contact with Council officials takes place on a regular basis.

There are committee vacancies for chair and publicity. This is an opportunity for one of our Leeds Group members to extend the work and successes of the Leeds Group. Committee meetings are held in the centre of Leeds with dates of meetings on the Group website. Members are warmly encouraged to come and observe proceedings with an option to seek nomination to the committee during the year.

Leeds Group helped to assist with a national Ramblers Roadshow training day which was held at the Rose Bowl, Leeds. The programmed walks would appear to be well attended and on a good day there can be well over twenty people attending. Current membership at the end of September 2017 was 541.

Both Lee Davidson and Mike Willison had secured maps of the HS2 route and of the parts of the footpath network affected and looked at them to see the effects on the network and to think of the best solutions. As well as the HS2 issue Lee Davidson (footpath officer) has been involved in other issues. The vast majority of proposed changes to the network have been uncontroversial but not all. There was even a welcome extinguishment when a stretch of footpath running several gardens and under houses in Rothwell was at last eradicated. It should have been dealt with years ago but a developer hadn't actually got on with doing the extinguishment which he promised the new house owners. On the other side of the coin, a Ramblers' colleague found that one of Douglas Cossar's walks (see Ramblers' Leeds – Volume Two West of Leeds) which was quite walkable a decade ago was now full of problems because paths had been cropped without restoration.

We have a valuable footpath network, but it needs to be watched carefully, especially as funds for maintenance are hit by cuts. Often the existence of paths is not clear because signs which should mark them are missing or damaged. For the past two years the Leeds Group has made substantial donations to improve signage, but there is a long way to go. Carl Richman, Secretary

LOWER WHARFEDALE GROUP The Lower Wharfedale Group had another successful walking year and our membership numbers hase increased again. The four mid-week walks that we deliver each week are very well attended. I estimate that we get between 70 and 90 members out each week which is an increase on the previous year.

We have had four coach rambles this year where we offered three or four walks and a meal afterwards. They were extremely popular and more walks have already been planned for next year.

On the social front, there have already been numerous occasions where we have walked further away and gone out for a meal afterwards, and other occasions when we have just gone out for a meal.

Our Group Holiday this year was to Austria during the summer for some alpine walking.

This year our Footpath Officer Richard Smith has responded to over 20 footpath related issues and has made many visits to the sites of the reported problems. Claiming unrecorded paths will become an increasingly important issue as we move towards 2026. Lower Wharfedale Group working parties have been involved in at least 15 different projects this year, contributing a total of 230 person hours, and there are significant projects planned for the future.

Our A+ walking group continues to meet at the Old Bridge, Ilkley at 9.00 a.m. every Tuesday. Walks are between 12 and 15 miles. Our A walking group continues to meet at the Old Bridge, Ilkley at 9.30 a.m. every Tuesday Walks are between 10 and 12 miles. Our B walking group now usually meets at the start of the walk every Thursday. Walks are between 8 and 10 miles. Our C walking group now usually meets at the start of the walk every Tuesday. Walks are between 6 and 8 miles. Full details of all of our walks can always be found on our website at www.lowerwharfedaleramblers.co.uk Tim Moon, Secretary

NORTH KIRKLEES GROUP Our programme of walks for the autumn/winter and spring/summer again had a good variety of walks and we welcomed some new leaders. I would like to thank Norma for the work she has done.

Membership numbers have again declined, by 3.9% over the year, down on both Area and national figures.

We have a good relationship with Kirklees PROW unit, and are working to form a footpath maintenance team within our Group area.

Keith Looker has continued with his Footpath work and looking at potential planning applications. We have worked with and supported the Chidswell Action Group in fighting a large proposed housing development in their area.

Our social event this year was a Treasure Hunt from the Black Bull at Birstall and based around Oakwell Hall. The evening was enjoyed by all, and the rain started after we got back. Mike Church Chairman

RIPON GROUP (Dave photo) Ripon Group is a small group compared to other groups in this Area. It has kept a steady membership (currently 88) but the number of walkers has been gradually diminishing: a common problem in most groups.

The committee began the year by discussing ideas on what we could do differently to enhance the experience of current members and attract new members. A number of initiatives were agreed including the introduction of short evening walks during the summer months which gave the opportunity for the members to have supper together afterwards at a pub. These walks attracted a wide range of our members.

In addition we re-structured our walks programme to provide different levels of walks including the introduction of a small number of walks over 10 miles. In the new winter programme we are featuring some walks between 4 and 5 miles with the option of lunch afterwards. Our walks committee is keen to get feedback from the members about our programme and to gather ideas for the future.

A coach ramble was organised in the early autumn to Hornsea and several members would like to have at least one of these each year.

Our Footpath Officer has been busy throughout the year and heads up the small “Lost Ways” sub- committee, which is concentrating on researching the public rights of way around Ripon city.

New software was installed on our website this year so it is now better integrated with the Ramblers site, and has better security and support.

Our Group is fortunate in being positioned at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, and during the past year we have many enjoyable walks in these areas as can be seen from the photograph selected from the albums on our website. We are approaching 2018 with a great deal of enthusiasm and a lot of ideas. Claire Reid, Secretary

TAKEAHIKE GROUP It's been another successful year for TakeAHike with a continuous and varied programme of weekend walks, midweek walks, evening walks and socials throughout. A number of events took place specifically to celebrate the Group's fifteenth anniversary. These included a very sunny walk from Pateley Bridge with special guest The Walking Englishman (aka Mike Brockhurst); a glorious walk up Simon's Seat (the location of one of the Group's first walks); and a very lively ceilidh, as well as the annual summer and winter 'bashes'. All the anniversary events were well attended. It has been lovely to see the return of some previously active members, along with a continuous stream of new faces.

TakeAHike members organised several weekends away and other events in 2017. Locations for weekends included Malham, The Lakes, Snowdonia and Whitby. Accommodation has been a mixture of hostels bunk barns, B&Bs and campsites. Places for next year's trips are already filling up, which is a great sign. Theatre outings, meals, beer festivals and concerts have also featured, often combined with a walk to make a full day of it. Footpath survey work has also been undertaken, and the Group now has its own line of branded clothing.

The walks and events have provided great opportunities to meet people, build friendships and share ideas for future activities, which all helps the Group to continue to thrive. The success of TakeAHike, like any other Ramblers' Group is heavily dependent on the volunteers who arrange walks and events for the benefit of others, and we should like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved, no matter how big or small the part they had to play. Susan Wilkinson, Secretary

WAKEFIELD & DISTRICT GROUP Overall, our membership has increased by two over the last year bringing our numbers to 170 compared to 168 at this time last year.. This at least arrests the steady decline in membership evident over the last few years.

The average number of people attending the weekly walks is 10. Bearing in mind that we have had some poor turnouts due to bad weather some walks have been very well attended. More people are attending the shorter walks (4 to 6 miles). Our latest programme of walks runs until the end of April 2018 and we expect to offer a full summer programme.

The committee discussed the issue of dogs on walks following K.Wadd's article in WRR. The committee felt that we should take a stronger line on dogs and an instruction to phone the walk leader for permission and for the dog to be kept on a short lead has been put in the winter walks leaflet.

Regarding footpaths, there is a lot of building going on in the Wakefield area, putting pressure on the footpath network but most changes have been minor and we have not objected. One where we have objected, however, is with a diversion of a path off Wrenthorpe by-pass where the developers wanted to put the revised route on to pavements as a link to a further footpath. ROW also objected but the plan has gone ahead. It raises the important issue that we need to be aware of these changes in good time and ensure that a separate free-standing footpath is planned. With so much residential development planned walkers do not want to stride along endless pavements to link up with the local path network.

There is some good news with re-routed paths at Castleford making for more scenic routes and we have work in progress on the joint walking and cycling path along the canal from Whitwood to Castleford which should open in 2018. The question of multi-functional use is something which can be an issue in Wakefield where cycling is actively encouraged and where the Council manage many of the country parks which link to the footpath network. It is difficult to convince casual cyclists that they should stick to the official cycle routes.

On the countryside front we now have the names of the people in charge of HS2 in our area. We also have a list of footpaths affected by HS2 and will be looking at the proposals for these with interest. The latest road to open in the Wakefield district is the Eastern Relief road. We consider this to be ugly with a minimum of landscaping. We are writing to the Highways Dept regarding the lack of pedestrian crossings near bus stops on the road.

The preparation for the launch of the Wakefield Way on March 30th 2018 (Good Friday) at Anglers' Country Park are proceeding well. We have received a grant from Wakefield Health Improvement to help us with the printing of leaflets. We have pinned down the artwork for the leaflets and the maps and text are undergoing final checking in preparation for printng. Once everything has been checked, we will forward the leaflets electronically to Wakefield PROW team to send to Ordnance Survey as we would like the Wakefield Way put on to the OS electronic maps ready for the launch. We expect to have the leaflets printed next February in time for the launch. The waymarking is progressing well and we have had input from the waymarking teams on areas where the text/map needs to be revised in order to make the route clearer.. We have invited our local MPs and councillors as well as other interested parties to the launch and we have had a good response to this. The Mayor of Wakefield has kindly agreed to perform the launch. We welcome anyone who would like to attend the launch but would point out that car parking is limited and car sharing will be a good option where possible. We will be installing an information board at Anglers Country Park, giving general information on the Wakefield Way with an input from the Health Improvement team at Wakefield. We are finalising the design for this.

Treasurer's Report We finished the last financial year with a surplus of £135.78. Derek Lowery, Secretary

WETHERBY GROUP The Group completed a programme of 13 summer Sunday walks and 8 evening walks, all enjoyed by core members and many visiting walkers. We also have full programme of winter walks on alternate Sundays from November till the end of April 2018. However, we have a problem finding walk leaders illustrated by the fact that one leader led five walks over the summer period. Other regular leaders are having difficulty in finding time to reccy walks, and are also admitting to the onset of physical frailties. We also have a problem with finding new members to serve on the committee, the current committee have been in situ for many years and feel the need to stand down. So unfortunately that is how the situation stands at the present time. Thanks to Steve Wood for his valuable work as Footpath Officer. John Reeman, Chairman