greenThe regular bulletin of the Green Lanelanes Association February 2021 bulletin green lanes bulletin Feb 2021 WARNING... Skills survey We are aware that certain elements within society, who we appreciate are Despite the challenges we’ve all faced during 2020 we are happy to report that likely NOT members with us, appear to be using routes in a destructive it has been a record year for us when it comes to membership numbers! Huge manner which causes significant surface damage and conflict with locals, thanks to you all for your continued support, we couldn’t do it without every as well as simply driving where ever they choose. single one of you! What makes this even worse is the fact that the people (or rather, Because we’re busier than ever we have made some changes to Membermojo criminals) involved causing the destruction put videos and images on that will allow us to record the skills of members who wish to get more involved Social Media, to the detriment of the good work we undertake to change with the work that we do. We need lots of people with all sorts of skills to make the public perception of our pass time. an organisation like the Green Lane Association work, so if you have a few free hours to donate and would like to offer your help, please take a look at the We are actively working with the police and local authorities to address skills questionnaire – it only takes two minutes to fill in. this. Our approach varies between areas due to the differences regarding ‘off road’ related issues that authorities adopt. You can find rxisting Filling in the form won’t necessarily mean that you’ll be contacted immediately, examples on the home page of our website by clicking here. or that you’re signing your life away! We’ll simply keep the responses and refer to them as and when we need more people power on a project. We have a considerable amount of local authority and police officers using TW2 to assist with their work, this has lead onto discussions regarding Anyone who is really keen to get involved asap, or to a larger extent, should setting out a process to utilise the use of social media footage and images fill in the form and then email the relevant rep, area coordinator, or executive online for prosecutions and issuing of sections 59s. officer as applicable, who will be happy to help. All contacts are listed here. Covert cameras are also in operation on many routes and images of To access the skills questionnaire click here, then: offenders will be passed to the authorities. Log in Go to the ‘your membership’ option in the menu If you see any activity which causes concern please report the incident Click the ‘edit details’ button to the Police on 101. Photographs can be very helpful, but be sure to take Click ‘help GLASS’ them discreetly making sure you always put your personal safety first. Scroll down and click all boxes that apply Stay legal, tread lightly and follow our code of conduct by clicking here. Make sure to click ‘Save’ at the bottom when complete. green lanes bulletin Feb 2021 Up front Welcome to the new look bulletin which I hope you like, and welcome to 2021... so far, much the same as most of last year. However I’m Editor: Dale Wyatt hoping we will see happier times ahead once Email: [email protected] the vaccine begins to make a difference. It’s Articles and submissions for future issues of the bulletin or difficult times for many of us who are cooped magazine should be sent to the editor on the email listed above. up working from home along with the kids who Members and Affiliated Clubs who are home schooling, so pressures will be running wish to have an event published in the bulletin or on the website, please contact the editor at: high. Then there are so many more who are key [email protected] workers who help keep the wheels of the country ©2021 Green Lane Association All rights reserved. turning – so a huge thank you for that! Hopefully Company No. 5369836 Registered address: Blue Pig Cottage there’s light at the end of the tunnel. 1 Elmer Street, Grantham NG31 6RE No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form without the I was lucky enough to get out in December with prior consent, in writing, from the GLASS Executive Committee. Charlie, our Somerset rep, and LRO magazine Articles published reflect the opinions of the authors and are not – you can read about our mini adventure in the necessarily those of the Green Lane Association. While every effort is March issue. I made sure the route was totally made to ensure accuracy, neither the Green Lane Association nor the sustainable during the winter months. authors can accept liability for errors, misrepresentations or any resulting effects. So until we are allowed out to explore once more, OS Map License number: 1000040209 now is the time to sort all those maintenance Green Lane Association PO Box 107 jobs that need doing on your truck, and think Brecon about writing an article for the next magazine. LD3 3DG Deadline is 20th March, ideally earlier. Cover: Steve Taylor – 4x4 magazine Left: Joel Self – ST9088-02 green lanes bulletin Feb 2021 BANES & Somerset addition to adding comment on TW2 please let me from it being a little narrow throughout its length One of the featured projects on the Green Lane know. It can take several days for TW2 to be updated and a little scratchy at this point. Want to help? Association facebook pages, in their 12 Projects of and at present area reps do not get notification of Christmas series, was the project to add comments when new comments are added, so we may never Think you’re up to the to all lanes on TW2 that currently have none within know of the problem. task of being a GLASS Somerset. The BANES council area is complete, N. Rep? Want to help an Somerset is almost complete and some progress Local Access Forum (LAF) existing Rep? has been made in the remainder of Somerset. Thank 21st January saw me taking part in my first BANES If so, drop us a line here you to all members that have helped. Unfortunately Local Access Forum meeting since joining to for more info. lockdown has put a stop to surveying lanes for this represent motorised vehicle users. Due to Covid project, unless you are able to walk or cycle any restrictions it took place via zoom and was the Donate to our fighting fund lanes local to where you live. previously cancelled November meeting. Nothing Join us significant for users of motor vehicles was discussed during the meeting. Some discussion around Renewals Sustainable Farming, concerns that permissive Club affiliation rights of way may disappear if farmers are not paid to have them, this will impact most on walkers and I’m currently in the process of investigating why horse riders. One of the Rambler representatives they’ve been put there and with a view to getting raised concerns about proposals to change the law them removed. Membership of trespass which would make it a criminal offence Jordan Norval, Berkshire rep You can now and could have unforeseen consequences for users of rights of way, eg if they stop to have a sandwich. Buckinghamshire update your My understanding of the proposed changes is that it I’d like to welcome Dan Thatcher who has is an attempt to make it easier for the police to take volunteered to fill the long vacant Bucks role. postal address or action when illegal camps are set up on private land. As his local RARC, I will be meeting up with him email online here. There is also mention of similar action for camps in due course when restrictions are relaxed. We alongside highways. Full details of the consultation wish you the best of luck with the new role. If you are unable to for on this can be seen here. Dale Wyatt, Editor any reason please email The chair of Somerset Local Access Forum, Green [email protected] Pipehouse Lane, TWUID ST7660-02, near Midford, Lane Association member and former Somerset Carmarthenshire has suffered serious water erosion due to the heavy area rep David Lovejoy, forwarded a copy of an email Nothing to report I am afraid, we all came down rain we have had this Winter. There is a trench approx he had received. The email was about the problem of with Covid at the start of January and still 2ft wide and 2-3ft deep in the centre of the lane over illegal driving of 4x4’s on bridleways and dangerous recovering, it’s certainly a nasty virus. a distance of around 75m. This has been reported to driving on roads and byways in the area around Andrew Hadley, Carmarthenshire rep BANES rights of way department and an emergency Priddy on the Mendips. The parish council were closure running till 21st January is in place, when a full asking for any help the LAF could provide to stop Ceredigion temporary TRO comes into force for 6 months. The this happening. I have replied suggesting the use of Some revised signage on Strata Florida is lane may open sooner if repairs are completed before trail cameras on the bridleways. proposed for late 2021 if Covid/volunteering July. Photographs show the damage.