North Wales Rambler Snowdonia Slate Trail HE grand opening of the mile Snowdonia Slate TTrail, which included a celebration of years of the Snowdonia Society, took place at Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda on Friday th November . Both the big a ernoon event and evening concert were well attended and included a powerpoint presentation by Denis McAteer our President of Ramblers Welsh Council. e Snowdonia Slate Trail starts at Porth Penrhyn near Bangor, passing through the villages of Llanllechid, Bethesda, Llanberis, Waunfawr, Nantlle, Rhyd Ddu, Bed- dgelert, Croesor, Ffestiniog, Penmachno, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed and back to Bethesda. It also connects a number of social enterprises and community run facili- ties such as Antur Waunfawr, the Coed y Brenin Café in Bethesda run for and by disadvantaged people and the com- munity Pengwern Inn in Llan Ffestiniog. In addition, for those who enjoy the Little Trains of Wales, the Trail passes Penrhyn and Padarn Railways, Snowdon Mountain Railway, as well as the Welsh Highland and the Ffestiniog Railways. All information and mapping is available by accessing the dedicated webpage: www.snowdoniaslatetrail.org is long distance path, along with the Pilgrim Way, Coastal and Four Valleys paths is now a grand opportunity to explore the vast industrial heritage of the slate villages of Snowdonia. e opening event was the culmination of months of hard work by volunteers, organisations and con- tractors who have now created this unique path. is has included a range of other exciting projects involving schools and communities. e rich heritage created during these projects is now a wonderful legacy for visitors and local people to enjoy and appreciate. is will convey to visitors what it was like to live in the slate quarrying communities. Over a year ago Tîm Taclo Llwybrau, Caernarfon & Dwyfor, and Meirionydd Ramblers Group of volunteers, in conjunction with Gwynedd County Council wardens, car- ried out a survey of the footpaths and rights of way used by the Snowdonia Slate Trail. is provided solid information from which to cost the project. is was crucial in winning the Heritage Lottery funding along with many other busi- ness contributions. e Ramblers volunteers have since completed over three hundred hours of way marking the trail, by installing posts and slate trail roundels. Vegetation clearance was also carried as necessary. We all need to encourage Communities to recognise the importance of our public rights of way footpaths for boost- ing health, wellbeing, leisure activity and the local economy. continued on page
Annual Report of Ramblers North Wales Area December 2017 www.ramblersnorthwales.org.uk Area Secretary’s Report
HIS annual report is on another busy Motion was --- a presentation by Van Griffiths, the new Tyear for Ramblers Cymru in North “North Wales Area notes that CTC Chief Exec of Ramblers GB, who used to Wales. anks to all of you who have (now rebranded as Cycling UK) has work for the National Trust in Wales. taken part in our activities, and work joined forces with British Cycling, Open ere was an interesting conversation on our charitable objectives; to promote MTB, and Welsh Cycling to launch their between Jane Davidson, one of our Vice walking, look aer and enhance out path campaign “Trails for Wales”. Presidents, and Rhodri Morgan, former network, protect the countryside, and to is campaign includes asking for First Minister of Welsh Government, improve access. tracks on access land to be open to which included many reminiscences of I would like to thank Gerald Moss cyclists. ey are also asking for a Scot- walks, particularly on the local Pembro- for his continuing work and assistance in tish model of open access, including keshire Coast path. the organisation and distribution of the all PRoW (including Public Footpaths) At the elections, the following from Area newsletters and walks programmes, being open to cyclists. erefore North North Wales were appointed - Joanna Slattery’s most able chairing Wales Area requests that Ramblers President: Denis McAteer, Vice-Presi- of the meetings and her work behind Cymru commences discussions with dents: Ron Williams, WCEC Members: the scenes, and Pete Bland’s continued members on short-term, responsible Stan Winstanley, Simon Longman and editorship of the Newsletter. sharing of suitable paths and tracks, and Max Grant. If you wish to raise any subsequently detailed discussions with matter with WCEC, please talk to one of AREA AGM CTC on our proposals for a real right these. to roam, so that we can work together Our Area AGM was again held at to get legislation in Wales for superior AREA COUNCIL Craig y Don Community Centre with a access for all users of our wonderful good turn out of members. We were countryside.” Area Council consists of Area officers delighted to welcome as a guest speakers, ere were many speakers on the and representatives from all Groups and the new Chief Executive of Ramblers motion, and one amendment suggested County Committees. ere are three GB, Vanessa Griffiths who is a resident of by Dave Melling, which was the addition meetings per year which are held at the Llandudno. of words in italic bold above. ese were Tyn-y-Coed Hotel in Capel Curig. So ere were no changes to our Area accepted by the proposer. that best practice can be disseminated, officers, but I regret to say that we do e motion was overwhelmingly Groups and County Committees are still have vacancies in the Area for passed with against. invited to give a report on recent hap- Countryside Secretary, and Publicity & e amended motion went forward penings to the meeting. Please could Promoting Walking Secretary, so if you to Welsh Council where it was passed. you encourage your Group and County are interested in either of these posts then Due to the WG consultation on another Committee to attend. please contact me for further informa- green paper on outdoor access (see At this year’s meeting the possibility tion. p.), this motion has been overtaken by of an Area Walking Festival was raised ere were three motions debated events. Ramblers Cymru decided that and debated. e Groups in the Area this year, two which were passed. ese shared use of public footpaths should have agreed to hold this from th July to were --- only be looked at on a path by path basis. th August . Motion was --- “is meeting believes the produc- WELSH COUNCIL 2017 THANKS tion of a bilingual business-style card with phone and web details for Ramblers is year’s Welsh Council was held at I would like to finish this report by again Cymru would be a very useful addition the National Trust’s Learning Centre at thanking you all for supporting Ramblers to our publicity. It could also advertise Stackpoles in Pembrokeshire in early Cymru in North Wales. All of you help and have a link for Let’s Walk Cymru. It April. We were blessed with glorious by being a member and paying your would be less prone to going out of date, weather, and those who went on the membership subscription. It allows us to small to carry, and easy for public places guided walks saw stunning scenery and continue with our charitable aims, be that to stock.” wildlife. protecting paths, protecting our country- is was debated with points made Before dinner on the Saturday we side, improving access, and promoting such as – were entertained by an address from walking. • ese cards could be le in public the Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire It would be good if you could all places such as libraries and possibly National Park, Tegwyn Jones, who was encourage some of your walking friends doctors’ surgeries. very complimentary about the local work to be members. Even if they do not walk • Post card sized cards had been suc- of Ramblers Cymru. with us, or volunteer with us, they will cessfully used by Caernarfon and All the business was carried out on be supporting our work, much of which Dwyfor Group. the Sunday, and included the annual is reported in the other reports in this e motion was overwhelmingly passed report presented jointly by Angela Charl- newsletter. with against. is went forward to ton (Director Ramblers Cymru) and Welsh Council where it was passed, and Chris Hodgson (Chair of Welsh Council), Max Grant is now being implemented. the financial report by our Treasurer, and Area Secretary
Area Footpath Secretary’s Report HE late Countryside Council for easy to use”. However, aer rain it quickly Path and a new initiative the Snowdonia TWales once set a target that all the becomes almost impossible to walk. Even Slate Trail project in which TTL have footpaths in Wales should be “open and a minor straightforward diversion will been heavily involved. Smaller schemes easy to use” by the year . is target not solve this particular problem. have also from improving circular walks was not achieved but there has been is is the last year of the funding and waymarking. substantial improvement both before and by Welsh Government of each council’s During the year the Pont Dolybont aer the target date. e fact is that this Rights of Way Improvement Plan at Dinas Mawddwy was replaced and target of perfection is unlikely to ever (ROWIP). Each County Council had to is now part of an “Access for All” route be reached. Footpaths cross agricultural provide a ROWIP to receive this fund- around the village. e Slate Ways project land, moors, mountains and woodlands. ing. Although the funding has stopped has also been completed. is links ey are therefore subject to issues the Councils still have to produce a the Slate Heritage villages of Northern which are out of the control of even the ROWIP for the next ten years. Whether Snowdonia and was officially opened on occupiers. ese include storm and flood the Councils will have central funding th November. damage. Furniture and signposts are in future now appears to be unlikely. e ways in which problems are subject to wear and tear. ere are also ey are though required to carry out tackled and solved by the North Wales problems with drainage which can vary a Consultation Exercise. Members are Councils vary considerably. It is notice- drastically during the year. urged to take part if they become aware able that maintaining the budget and staff is was brought to our attention of a consultation in their area. through the recent cuts has not necessar- when a Footpath Secretary was consulted e excellent work by our footpath ily worsened the delivery of the Councils. on possible diversion. e County Coun- teams continues. ese consist of highly One that has maintained its budget cil had received many complaints about organised groups such as Tîm Taclo and staff has actually seen its delivery mud and flooding on this path which is Llwybrau (TTL) in Gwynedd, the Silver deteriorate. an old link and goes alongside a stream. Slashers on Ynys Môn and the less I wish to thank all our volunteers for e source of the stream is a spring /well formal groups operating in the other another successful year. alongside and near the start of the path. areas. e work carried out also involves Ron Williams For most of the year the path is “open and large projects such as the All Wales Coast Area Footpath Secretary
Welsh Government Consultations Capel Curig to ONSULTATIONS are a bit like buses. sparse. is means that getting to and from Llyn Crafnant You wait for ages for one to come doctors’ and other appointments can be C Bridleway No , Capel Curig, starts at along and then three arrive at the same difficult. e consultation addresses these the T-junction on the A (SH) time. issues. is closes on January th . and runs through the hills to Blaen y During the Summer we had the Welsh Details can be found here:: Nant near Crafnant (SH). When Government’s Access Consultation. Now https://tinyurl.com/yqacx some motor cyclists were spotted using we have two more of interest to Ramblers. e other one affectsRegistration of Town the route in late their use of the e first one is on theConcessionary and Village Green Spaces. e law is less bridleway was challenged, but they said Travel Scheme. is provides free travel to restrictive than in England the consultation that it was a vehicular route and had been over s at all times on most bus services is concerned with the regulations and closes assured of that by Conwy Council. and some train services. In North Wales on February nd . It turned out that the route of the this includes the Conwy Valley Line and a Details can be found here: bridleway was also recorded on the coun- section of the Cambrian Coast Line. Other https://tinyurl.com/ycdcnmd cil’s “list of streets” (maintainable high- lines include the Heart of Wales and the Ron Williams ways) as well as on the Definitive Map of Valley Lines around Cardiff. e last two public rights of way. A lengthy argument are though subject to restrictions. On the between Ramblers and Conwy CBC then Heart of Wales line Welsh holders can ensued as to the effect of the Natural travel to any station in Wales from Shrews- Snowdonia Slate Trail Environment and Rural Communities bury. is means Welsh pass holders cannot continued from page Act . We said that where a route is travel to Church Stretton and Craven Arms We also need to recognise the fantas- recorded on both the Definitive Map and for free. English pass holders are restricted tic work groups like Tîm Taclo Llwybrau on the List of Streets, the effect of s. is to the stations in England. e restriction do to help make this happen. In many to extinguish any vehicular rights which on the Valleys Lines are that travel has to be areas there is a thriving community spirit might have existed. off peak. and what we do is appreciated by the We can report, albeit a bit late, that In England the bus pass can only be majority. e volunteers are encouraged Conwy took legal advice and have now used off peak. is leads to some ridiculous by having received letters of appreciation agreed that any public vehicular rights situations. e buses in the morning just from both local community councils and on the route between Capel Curig and before are empty and those immedi- local residents. Good will always win. Crafnant have now been extinguished. ately aerwards can be crowded. Most rural Graham L Fitch. If you want any more information bus services in Wales use the school buses. FP. Sec. Arfon / Dwfor. Tîm Taclo about this, contact Max Grant or Pete e services between the school times are Llwybrau Bland.
Access Secretary’s Report Welsh Government Public Rights of Way and Access strategy Level Crossing Closures Consultation on and implementation. e remit is very Network Rail are busy with an action Outdoor Access wide, and some of the issues actioned plan to close many level crossings which last year are set out below. e current allow Public Rights of Way to cross HIS was probably the most impor- membership includes the following from railways, in many parts of the country. If Ttant action which Ramblers Cymru North Wales, so please contact any of you hear of any possible closures, please was involved in this year. It certainly them if you wish to discuss any of these let us know. featured strongly with our volunteers issues – Ron Williams, Pete Bland, Gerald who work on paths and open access. Moss, Martin Hughes, Stan Winstanley Local Access Forums (LAFs) Welsh Government (WG) finally and Max Grant. A list of Ramblers Cymru members who followed up on their green paper con- sit on their LAF has now been collated. It sultation in and on Improving Working with Communities is pleasing to see that we now have a total Opportunities to Access the Outdoors for In order for Ramblers Cymru volunteers of members on all of the seven LAFs in Responsible Recreation, with a further to work more closely with Community North Wales. consultation issued in June . is was and Town Councils on their rights of way With the recruitment of a Walking entitled Taking Forward Wales’ Sustain- networks, a toolkit is being set up on the Spaces Officer to our staff in Cardiff, we able Management of Natural Resources, website. is is now in dra, and the final are now able to get down to the business which was in parts, ranging from version will be available soon. e toolkit of draing briefing notes on current Forestry, Designated Landscapes, and contains items such as an introduction issues, to circulate to members. With Access to Outdoors, through to Marine letter to Community/Town Councils, an debate opening up due to the WG consul- and Fisheries, Water, Waste Agriculture introduction letter to the Local Authority, tation, it is important that our members and Wildlife. is was described by WG a Powerpoint Presentation for Com- are aware of the Ramblers Cymru posi- as a white paper, but the proposals in munity Council, Paths for People leaflet, tion on any contentious matters. the Access to Outdoors section, varied and Frequently Asked Questions. Pilots from fairly detailed to very woolly, so in are being run to find out how best to use Lost Ways – Restoring the Record effect it was a further green paper. this toolkit. is concerns researching public rights Many of the proposals were very of way which are not currently on the welcome, and were in line with our Area Lack of online mapping from Natural definitive map, and will be lost in response to the consultation, such Resources Wales (NRW) if not claimed, although this part of the as digital mapping for the definite map, We continue to push NRW to publish CROW Act may be repealed as extending CROW access land to coast, maps online which are now overdue by suggested in the latest green paper con- cliff, rivers and inland waters, a statutory nearly two years. ese maps will show sultation. However even if the cut off date code for responsible outdoor recreation exclusions to open access land, and is repealed, we still need to encourage (based on the Scottish model), and to decent maps of permissive access on our volunteers to research these lost ways review regulations for Local Access Glastir land, as well as showing which to improve the network for walkers. Any Forums. public paths are under Glastir and there- members who would be interested in However some proposals were not so fore subject to cross compliance i.e. farm- researching old records such as old maps, welcome, such as the proposal to make all ers who do not maintain their PRoW can tithe records, enclosure awards etc should public footpaths shared use with cyclists have their Glastir payments reduced. contact Ron Williams, our Area Footpath and horse riders. Secretary. A special meeting of Area Council Rights of Way Improvement Plans was called to discuss the consultation, ROWIPs are coming to the end of their Path maintenance groups and make a response on behalf of North initial year period, and NRW has We have many such groups in North Wales Area. is was finally draed to issued guidelines on how they can be Wales, and they need our support and meet the deadline of th September reviewed by the local Authority, and what encouragement. ROWAG is looking at , by using a dra response from action should then be taken. User Groups ways to enhance this work. If any mem- Ramblers Cymru. are encouraged to participate in this bers fancy a bit of work in good company, We now await the outcome of the review, so Ramblers Cymru volunteers please contact their local footpath consultation from WG, which has are being encouraged to get involved. secretary, whose details are in the walks stated that of the over , responses booklet. received, , were about outdoor Rewilding access. ey have promised to summarise A dra policy statement for Ramblers Snowdonia National Park the responses, and publish a timetable in Cymru was draed by a Task and Finish the new year. Group as our Director had been quizzed (SNP) on our position on rewilding. is Rights of Way & Access Group e following matters have been dis- has now been agreed by ROWAG and cussed at Snowdonia LAFs. (ROWAG) WCEC, and will be put to Welsh Council e new pillar marking the Snow- next year for ratification. Ramblers Cymru (RC) has a group of don Ranger Path has finally been erected volunteers and staff which leads on – this is where the Snowdon Ranger Path
leaves the Llanberis Path. offroaders. ere were discussions on maps being draed for “roads”. Examples Organised & charitable events in whether SNPA policy of working with were given of the UCRs becoming m SNP, mainly on Snowdon – a dra of the off roaders to try to stop illegal use is wide due to use by xs due to the poor revised and updated guidance had been agreeable. ere was some dissent, and drainage. commented on by the SNPA committee, suggestion made that unsuitable legal e last meetings of the existing with a few amendments. ese had been routes in the Park should have TROs to year terms were in March, with new agreed with representatives from the stop motorised use. members attending in June. ere are farming unions. A final version was put now volunteers of Ramblers Cymru sit- to the LAFs for their input, and a number New Gwynedd CC ROWIP – Wynn ting on both Snowdonia LAFs. of comments made from members Williams set up a sub committee for the present. Most problems seem to be with ROWIP review, and volunteers from the Miles without Stiles – extracts from smaller groups, as the larger events and LAFs were recruited. e new ROWIP the Lake District scheme had been organisations now consult with the SNPA will be joint between GCC and SNPA. circulated, and it was discussed whether well beforehand. is guidance is now on e programme is that the dra ROWIP SNPA should have a similar scheme. e the SNP website. will be issued by the end of , with the LAF supported the principle of working final document out by December . towards this. In the Lakes there are e issue of offroading, both legal and A joint consultation meeting was held in routes with grades – routes for all, for illegal was on many agendas. A repre- August with reps from the LAFs many, or for some – each with different sentative from North Wales Police was – SNLAF, SSLAF, & Arfon and Dwyfor maximum gradients, surfacing, or low present at one meeting, and discussed LAF. steps. It was suggested by members that issues about illegal offroading. ere was ere had not been any consultation there should be a national grading system a wide ranging discussion on matters with Conwy CBC on their review of their so that less able people know where they such as problems around Penmachno and ROWIP. can go, and that routes should be circular. Blaenau Ffestiniog; use of legal routes To assist in the reviews, Peter Ruther- e Donate a Gate scheme was raised between Capel Curig, Dolwyddelan and ford reported that all surveys carried out as this could help make routes stile free. Penmachno; possibility of Traffic Regula- by the Park wardens had all been handed is is successfully in place on the Isle of tion Orders (TROs) on some routes ; use over to GCC and CCBC to assist with Wight where it was originated by Ram- of mini mokes on the route below Conwy their ROWIP reviews. blers volunteers, and the North Yorks Mountain; police advised reporting inci- Moors NP and Lake District NP. Kissing dents of illegal offroading by phoning Snowdon Ranger Path – Ramblers gates can be donated in memory of loved and getting incident report numbers. Cymru Caernarfon & Dwyfor Group ones (with a plaque) to replace stiles. A presentation by Green Lanes had written to SNPA about the terrible Should SNPA set up a similar scheme? Association (GLAS) – an off roader’s state of this path, following wash outs It was agreed to ask for a presentation group – was given about their repair aer the storms. Costs may be k to similar to the one given by Kevin Slattery work being carried out by their volun- k and start of repair works has been to the Conwy East and Denbighshire teers on the Capel Curig to Dolwyddelan programmed. e improvements to the LAF. UCR (Unclassified County Road), due Snowdon Ranger car park were com- to damage by offroaders. Included was pleted this year. Snowdonia Partnership Plan – follow- tree clearing aer storms, placing of ing consultations and public meeting locally donated hardcore in potholes, Potted history of Unclassified Roads on th July, it was announced that the and introducing a voluntary one way in Gwynedd. David Coleman (former updated plan will be going to SNPA for system for xs (agreed between LARA, Gwynedd PRoW manager) gave a short approval and hopefully be published by SNPA & CCBC) by erecting signs. is history of roads in Gwynedd from the end of . was followed by another discussion on Roman roads to today. is included illegal offroading in the Park in hotspots useful points such as when all land was e construction of a new bridge in such as Wnion, other places in the common, there were no walls or fences Cwm Idwal on the path upto the Devil’s Carneddau, Cnicht, and Pont Scethin. (shepherds were used) and all could walk Kitchen was queried (known locally as SNPA are looking into a TRO near Pont anywhere; to parishes looking aer routes the granny stopper). is had not been Scethin. Reporting of incidents needs to with very few bridges; to turnpikes in brought to the LAF’s notice, and was be promoted, and it was agreed to write th & th centuries. en came rail- controversial. Should these planning to the Police Commissioner. A response ways, and turnpikes were de-turnpiked as applications be brought to the LAF for was received from Sgt Rob Taylor that their use became less. “Main road” net- their advice? Discussions followed on police have not received enough reports work was then set up with A & B and the whether a sub group could be set up to organise a “hit”, although a number rest unclassified. Between and to respond, or system of emailing LAF of section notices have been issued to a man with a red flag walked in front of members when a suspect planning appli- illegal trail riders. All advised to report non horse driven carriages to keep to cation is made. incidents to police, quoting registration below mph, increased to mph in . numbers if possible. As all routes were just graded stone, there Max Grant Subsequently a visit was arranged were then problems with dust, so started Area Access Secretary by GLAS to see work carried out by sealing with tar and chips – surface their volunteers on the Capel Curig to dressing. In A & B roads moved to Dolwyddelan UCR, due to damage by RDCs to be managed, with handover
Membership report Treasurer’s Group Membership of North Wales Area as at 30 September 2017 Report 2017 Group Life Single Joint Reduced Joint Total Payment Income Reduced Pending
Clwydian 9 66 59 33 16 183 2 UR income for the year was Conwy Valley 10 132 80 49 20 291 11 O,. made up from Central Ynys Mon 4 65 35 21 10 135 2 office grants of , advertising sales of Wrexham 5 35 33 15 24 112 2 , publication sales of . (Ron’s Bangor/Bethesda 3 31 15 11 15 75 2 book produced on behalf of the area) and Meirionnydd 3 53 23 25 16 120 1 a donation. Berwyn 5 29 10 13 8 65 1 Vale of Clwyd 2 57 36 30 22 147 - Expenditure Deeside - 32 49 23 17 121 3 Our total expenditure for the year was Caernarfon/Dwyfor 2 50 40 24 20 136 - ,., the bulk of which, was, as Eryri 20.30 ------usual, spent on the production and deliv- 96 1 20 10 6 - 37 2 ery of the Combined Walks Programme 98 (unattached) - - 2 - 2 - and newsletter. For the two editions’ this 99 (Affiliated Clubs) - 8 - - - 8 - year the cost was just over , slightly more than last year. (the cost of the CWP Area Total 44 578 392 250 168 1432 26 comes to approximately . each) The numbers listed above are for Active Members. Group funding was including Payment Pending Members are shown in the last column a grant of to CA/DW group. Meet- ings, travelling and admin costs came to VERALL the National RA Member- in their geographical locality; they can . is figure includes the cost of first ship at October st was , join any group in North Wales Area (i.e. O aid training and navigation training car- as compared with , for October any of those listed above). In my opinion, ried out in / but paid for this year. st and with , for October st the structure of Group is out of kilter . So there has been a . reduction with the general ethos of the RA and I Summary over the last twelve months compared hope that General Council will give it Financially the area is in a healthy posi- with the . reduction in North Wales some serious attention. tion. We ended the year with a balance of Area membership. e reason for this Printed reports of changes in . having started with a balance of pretty marginal reduction in member- membership are presently sent every ,.. is means we spent around ship is again mainly accounted for by month to Group Membership Secretaries more than our income but still the reduction in members enjoying the who require printed lists. Otherwise the leaves the area with a healthy balance concessionary rates (single: -; joint: -) changes in membership in electronic going into next year. e cost of the e concessionary rates are by and form are sent every week now to those first aid and navigation training () large being phased out nationally, so the Membership Secretaries whose e-mail makes up the bulk of this overspend. reduction in North Wales generally refers addresses are registered with Central Finally, once again, a big thank you to to ramblers who have been members for Office. Only two Group Membership all the group treasurers for their help and a considerable number of years and who Secretaries are still getting the printed cooperation in getting the various returns no longer choose to, or are not able to lists from me. e .pdf files sent elec- completed and sent to me on time, it manage the walks. tronically duplicate the information on makes my life a bit easier. ere has been quite a lot of interest the printed sheets, while the .csv files also Jeff Nagle expressed recently with regard to group sent electronically list the current total Area Treasurer . is is an administrative group set membership for each group. up by London and refers to members London are now sending the group who have chosen not to opt into one lists monthly to each group secretary reg- of the North Wales Area Groups. ey istered and the full list is only being sent the RA and should be encouraged. We all receive the Walks Program, but do to the area membership secretary. Also have had Community Councils as mem- not receive any Group Newsletter. e London are also sending Group Labels bers of Group in the past: working odd thing is we also have a Group Lists along with the Group Membership with these Councils is very much in the which was originally set up to cater for Lists. interests of the RA. members who live some distance from e Affiliated Clubs are still missing If anyone have any queries or requests any of the Groups, and this was our way from the statistics supplied by London (I regarding membership please let me of dealing with that problem. By contrast have included them in the above Tables) know or, if you wish, you can contact the the Group members now mainly have so the figures quoted there differ a bit Membership Services team directly on the option of attending local group activi- from the London figures (I get Lw lists , or by e-mail to: ties, but have chosen not to be involved. separately, along with the full member- [email protected] Group members have to inform ship lists so we are up-to-date with the London themselves if they want to join a Affiliated Clubs membership). I feel the Neville Fernley group: ey don't have to join the group Affiliated Clubs are an important part of Membership Secretary
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Area Structure for FP etc work Chair’s bits here has sometimes been confusion Following local government reorgani- and bobs Tabout as to the way in which rights of sation in we now have more local way and countrside work is organised in councils but the principle is the same. In HE next General Council, Ramblers North Wales Area. We are talking here of Flintshire and Denbighshire where mul- UK annual conference, is in Bangor. the interaction between Ramblers and the tiple Groups boundaries overlap those of T On April th and th we want to say local council on diversions, path crea- local councils we have county commit- "croeso" and give delegates from around tion, extinguishment, planning issues, tees which meet as needed and which the UK a big Welsh welcome. If you are long-standing obstructions and other take decisions as to action required in able to help on either day we will need legal issues: not practical maintenance particular cases. Where a Group territory volunteers to provide support and infor- such as clearance and installing new stiles is the same to that of the local authority mation so please get in touch. and gates, which is different. (Wrexham, Ynys Môn) that Group’s Llongyfarchiadau /Congratulations to In many parts of the country each volunteers carry out the “legal” function, the Silver Slashers for winning the Team Group is in practice more or less autono- although technically it can still be viewed of the Year award from Scottish Power/ mous as to the way in which these “legal” as a sub-committee of Area Council. In Trinity Mirror—a couple of photos from matters are dealt with, but it oen means Gwynedd the split between Meirionnydd the award ceremony are on this page. A multiple Groups dealing with one author- Group and Caernarfon & Dwyfor mir- very well deserved recognition for hours ity. Going back to the formation of North rors traditional boundaries used by the of work put in improving the Ynys Môn Wales Area, John Robinson pressed to council itself. footpaths. have a more logical approach by setting ese arrangements are now (post e Caernarfon bypass campaign up county committees to deal with the ) enshrined in the Area constitution. won the team Campaign of the Year then Clwyd and Gwynedd, so that Ram- PB Award from Cycling UK. Caernafon and blers presented one face to each council. Dwyfor Group have put a lot of work into campaigning with others for safer crossing points so a big congratulations. An excellent example of where working with other groups and individuals can build a really strong campaign on a local issue. I would also like to say a huge thank you on behalf of members across North Wales to everyone who leads a walk or walks for their group. My group Conwy Valley are currently missing Doreen who leads many walks for us and we all wish her a very speedy recovery from her hip op'. (No I don't mean the dance.) We try to keep our Area Council interesting and friendly and welcome new faces as delegates or visitors. We finish promptly followed with soup Silver Slashers—Champion Team of the Year Award. (photos: YM Group) and sandwiches. Next year we will also have an option of an aernoon walk for anyone who wants to take the opportu- nity to explore the Capel Curig area. By the time this goes to print I should be past the half way point on my walk around the Ynys Mon coast path. As well as having great walking on every stretch we were lucky enough to spot a large pod of dolphins off the north coast. If you like to keep up to date with things like current Ramblers campaigns the new Area website has links to the Ramblers UK CEO's (Van/ Vanessa's) newsletter update and a link to the min- utes of our North Wales Area Council meetings. Joanna Slattery Area Chair
Book Review New website Take a look at the new Ramblers North Wales Area website. It has the same address as before: www.ramblersnorthwales.org.uk/ The new website is hosted by Ramblers webs and the walks automatically update, so any new walks or cancellations that groups put onto the national Walkfinder system will also show on our website. We are still adding to the site and comments are welcomed. We do plan to have a Welsh WASG Carreg Gwalch have sent version as well but we are just vol- Gthree books which may appeal to unteers so we need a volunteer(s) readers doing their Xmas shopping. ey to translate. Please get in touch if are all under a tenner, so you won’t break you can help. Alternatively we will the bank. have to wait for Ramblers Cymru e one which immediately caught to help us with this. Diolch am eich my eye is Rhinogydd: Ancient Routes amynedd chi. and Old Roads, by Jean Napier, also the cheapest of the three at .. reminded that there are places on access is isn’t a walking guide but rather a land which can’t actually be reached on celebration of a fascinating area of Wales. the ground. I know Ron Williams gets Wanted Jean is a professional photographer and annoyed about this too. ese issues don’t Volunteers, to take over the vacant there are some cracking good shots detract from the excellent walking which rôles of Publicity Officer and included, for instance of Bryn Cader is available to everyone and which you Countryside Officerfor North Wales Faner on pp./ and of the Mawddach can do with the help of this book. Ramblers. estuary on p.. ere are plenty more Each walk gives an estimated timing Publicity can be whatever the and the quality of reproduction is good. as well as distance, grid ref and the map volunteer wants to make of it, but Jean gives plenty of food for thought which you wil need. e simplified maps it would include getting press for those interested in the history of the showing the location and route of each coverage of our activities and Rhinogydd and she writes in an informa- walk are very clear, but you will need an campaigning successes. tive but easy to read style which doesn’t OS map and the usual navigation aids. The countryside brief would include become heavy. Reference sources are give e text is large enough to be read easily keeping an eye on large scale at the back for those who want to dig and the book is well worth its price. development proposals which could deeper. Finally, we have Simply Strolling by adversely affect the north Wales In summary I think this is a great countryside, and making suitable little book and a considerable bargain. representations to councils etc. Get a copy before they sell out! In both cases there would be e second offering isWalking the support and ideas available from Llŷn Hills by Des Marshall at . is other officers and from Cardiff office. is a walking guide and is of a size which If you are interested in either, please should fit your map pocket. It includes contact Max Grant walks west of the A and south of Caernarfon. I’m impressed that Mynydd Enlli on Bardsey Island is included but you will need to use a boat as well as your Gill Meyer at , which has the sub-title feet for that one. Easy flat walks in North Wales and boasts On pp.- the author includes a “no bogs, stiles, steep climbs or scram- complete list of Llŷn hills, tops really, bles”. “strolls” are listed, each one with the height and grid reference. He clearly marked as to its suitability for use notes where the summit is not accessible, by wheelchair users, with a buggy or with e.g. “on access land but no public path or a dog. e text and simplified maps are access to it”, “no public path or access”, similar to those in the Llŷn book: clear, “…inpenetrable undergrowth”, etc. is is but I might still take an OS map if only thorough and I counted such annota- for the detail. e availablility of public tions which is useful info to have before transport is noted. Recommended. setting out, but it is a bit depressing to be Pete Bland
Have a Cuppa on Paul North Wales n the Ramblers were approached and asked to provide Iand locate a memorial seat to Paul Zachary. Paul had Ramblers Walking recently retired and together with his wife Pat had started walk- ing the Coast Path. Unfortunatel Paul passed away in November . e request was that it be placed somewhere on Ynys Festival Môn. A collection had been made at his funeral to pay for it. Initally we had difficulty finding a location on the Island. July 28th to August 5th 2018 We came across the problems of finding a suitable location inclusive and design acceptable to the County Council. Several sug- gestions were made and they were either too expensive or the Area walking day with a range of walks all location was not suitable. from Llanfairfechan on Saturday July 28th Aer several blind alleys John Stubbs of Ynys Môn came across a dilapidated bench overlooking Traeth Lligwy near Followed by eight days of walks from Moelfre. He contacted the Council’s Coastal Path team who different Groups of their own choice. agreed to the location. ey also agreed to help us erect it. Almost as soon as it was erected a walker came along and sat on it. anks to John Stubbs for his invaluable support in Groups: please put the dates on you diary/calendar/ bringing this project to a successful conclusion. phone and start thinking about what you would like to see You are now invited to “Have a Cuppa on Paul”. and what you could do. We want to offer a wide range of walks in different areas and of different lengths. It will be the school holidays so consider family walks; also themed walks; guest lead- ers from other organisations. Whatever you think might attract new walkers and be enjoyed by our members. If posssible please include walks whose start point can be reached by public transport.
Annual General Meeting Seat designed and built by Mike Owens. (Grid ref. SH493879) Ramblers’ Association North Wales Area ����� ���� ��������� ��� When: Saturday 13 January 2018 at 2:00 pm. Where: Craig y Don Community Centre, Queens Rd, ��������� Llandudno. See sketch map ��� ��� ������� ������ �� SatNav: Try postcode LL30 1TH, which should take ����� you just past the entrance.
���� Grid Ref: SH 793 816 Holly Peek, Ranger with the Red Squirrel Trust Wales,
������ will talk about red squirrels in Anglesey, Gwynedd and the Clocaenog Forest. ���� ������� Walks: 10 am from the Centre. ���� See Walks Programme. ��������� �������� Refreshments will be provided (donation requested) in the interval Motions: - see elsewhere in this newsletter or look at the website.
Published for North Wales Ramblers by Max Grant, LL24 0DH. Layout by Scrooge Graphics 12/2017 Views expressed in this publication by individual authors do not necessarily represent the official view of Ramblers Cymru. The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW Printed by: Community Printing Project — part of Flintshire Local Voluntary Council Tel: 01352 744031