South Cotswold Ramblers’ Group Newsletter - June 2013 Published each year in February, June and October. We look forward to hearing from you with stories, opinions, photos, poetry, art, funny tales, cartoons, appeals, you name it. This edition was edited by Sally Davis 01453 872729, email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS As I sit at my One thing which is becoming obvious keyboard the sun throughout our organisation is that coming is shining, it’s the years are going to feature some very warmest day of the serious challenges for us, something year and my reflected in the motions at General suitcase is half Council. Changes in planning regulations packed ready for proposed by Government will lead to more the South Cots applications for housing and, while there is holiday on a legitimate need for more housing, we Dartmoor. The must be on our guard to ensure that first two evening walks of the year have footpaths and countryside are protected. completed without a spot of rain, as can be Similarly the rush to find renewable seen from this photo taken near Bisley. All energy must not result in wind farms is well with the world. detracting from the beauty of our AONBs or endangering our footpaths. Coupled At the end of April I attended General with the cut backs in Public Rights of Way Council. Three appointments were made to at GCC these matters should provide us the Board of Trustees, all relatively younger with plenty of campaigning and practical members, who will hopefully bring some new work for the foreseeable future. I recently progressive ideas to our organisation. Among objected on behalf of Ramblers to the motions passed was one calling on Areas and proposed housing development at Baxter’s Groups to lobby their prospective MPs in the field in the Slad Valley. The application run-up to the next general election, one was rejected but is now going to appeal. calling for a national volunteer development Our footpath committee is working closely programme, one calling for national with PROW to monitor problems and help guidelines to ensure rights of way are with clearance. In South Cots we have a protected in future housing developments, comprehensive, well supported walks one calling for a review of governance of programme, and hopefully we can attract Ramblers and one calling for guidance on more members who will increase their planning applications for wind farms. All in involvement in Ramblers. all a useful conference which augers well for Richard Davis - Group Chairman the future. Just one last thought. Did you know that our Group expenses so far this year have amounted to £445? Of this figure £392 represent costs incurred in sending paper newsletters and programmes. That is 88% of expenses or 1 1/3 kissing gates. If you have the facilities and have not already done so, PLEASE PLEASE consider switching to electronic mail. 1 Ramblers South Cotswold Group Footpath Committee by John Corry This committee meets every three same period 2,088 new footpath months or so with a view to keeping problems and they managed to our footpaths as clear and unobstructed "complete" 59% of this number - as possible and to input walkers' point complete in this instance can include of view into proposed changes to the problems that were closed without any footpath network. This work is action taken. undertaken not only for Ramblers The committee will also examine members, but on behalf of all walkers. proposed footpath diversions, e.g. The last meeting was held on 11th April where a farm has expanded over the 2013 chaired by Bob Frewin, South years and a footpath now goes through Cotswold Footpath Secretary. It was the middle of a potentially dangerous attended by Penny Fernando, Jill Byrne working environment. The sensible and John Corry. thing is to divert around the working The meeting discussed seven new area in a way that keeps the footpath reported footpath obstructions and four open and safe. The last meeting new proposed footpath diversions. discussed diversions in the parishes of Footpath obstructions will often result Cainscross, Slimbridge, King's Stanley in a site visit by a member of the and Arlingham. Many of these cases committee and where necessary liaising will result in a site meeting with the with Gloucestershire Public Rights of landowner and Glos PRoW. Way staff to remove the problem. With the financial cuts that are On occasion Bob and helpers will clear affecting the ability of Glos PRoW staff the obstruction. Last year 80 man hours to keep our footpaths open, the were expended in carrying out this importance of the work of this work and 31 paths were cleared. Glos committee can only increase. New PRoW also reported in roughly the members/helpers are always welcome. At their next meeting the Footpath Committee will be discussing a proposal which they hope will improve the reporting of footpath problems and consequently speed up how quickly they are dealt with. Details will soon be / are on our website. Public Rights of Way Quiz - Part Two Q6. What is a Permissive Path? A. A route made Q5. What roles do local councils have in relation to available to walkers (and sometimes to riders) by a Public Rights of Way? landowner, but not dedicated as a right of way. The A. Gloucestershire County Council is the Highway National Trust and Woodland Trust have provided Authority, responsible for PRoWs, so report several of these locally (have you tried the one problems to them. District Councils have no duties, through Newark Park down to the bottom gate in but have the power to become involved. Parish Ozleworth Bottom and another one from the car park Councils can also become involved - it is often quite to link with the Cotswold Way?) Of course the effective to report a problem to them as well to put permission to use them can be withdrawn at any more pressure on with a problem. time, so they do not appear on OS maps. More next time … 2 Was this the muddiest year ever? Look at the pictures below and see if you agree with my choice. (Sally) In October Enid’s walk from Winchcombe involved muddy fields, even though she had changed it to avoid the worst of the mud. It didn’t get any better in November with Maurice’s walk from Ham - remember the picture of him sitting astride the gate trying to avoid the water below? In December Anne E led us on a walk from Arlingham, along the River Severn. Anne had changed the walk many times to try to avoid the worst of the mud, but John Lang took a picture here. Grass - what grass? The new year didn’t get any better. Careful negotiation of this muddy patch involved clinging on to the hedge on John G’s Luckington walk in January. And in February Karen’s Dursley walk gave us an opportunity to continue practising our (by now highly accomplished) mud- crossing skills. 3 In the Spring concert of the Stroud Symphony Orchestra, Mike really enjoyed playing the still modern sounding Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten, whilst many of the packed audience including many ramblers probably more enjoyed Lukas Hank's exciting performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto. The Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony was a rousing finishing item In the 22 June Summer concert coming up, Jonathan Trim, the conductor, is quietly confident that this will be one of our best yet - fingers crossed - no, that's a stupid idea! The strings are playing Elgar's famous Serenade, and there is no hiding place for any player behind the louder sounds of wind and brass. Consequently all string players are going the extra mile with their rehearsing! The winds too are on their own with a Strauss piece, and we finish with an amazing first symphony by Beethoven. Don't miss it! Tickets from Stroud Tourist Information or on the door. Welcome to New Members We are very pleased to welcome another eleven people to our group and hope they will enjoy belonging. Mike Garner - membership secretary Newsletter: Angela Marks & Sally Davis Chairman: Footpath Chairman and Footpath Richard Davis 01453 762373 Secretary: [email protected] Bob Frewin 01453 545752 Vice Chairman: [email protected] Mike Garner 01453 873625 Footpath Committee Minutes Secretary: [email protected] John Corry 01453 845574 Group Secretary: [email protected] Bernard Smith 01453 884013 Footpath Clearance: [email protected] Bob Frewin Group Treasurer: Footpath Committee Member: Brian Witcombe 01453 872220 Penny Fernando [email protected] Led Walks Programme Co-ordinator: Membership Secretary, Book Sales: Mike Garner 01453 873625 Mike Garner 01453 873625 [email protected] [email protected] Led Walks Collectors for November 2013 - Press Secretary: February 2014: Kathy Bullen 01453 860004 John Geoghegan 01453 834141 Weekend [email protected] Walks Without portfolio: Anne Eamer 01453 842551 Start the Week John Corry Brian Kirkman Diana Davis Walks Website: Mike Garner & Sally Davis Jacqui Pycroft 01666 826139 Midweek Walks 4 Not sure where to go for your next walking holiday? The South Cots are a fount of information on where to go, what time of year, which company to use and also the useful tips that can make or break a holiday. A big Thank you to everyone who supplied this. If you want more information, talk to them on a walk and learn from their great experience. 1) Isles of Scilly, April (or Late September) - Naturetrek 8-day birdwatching and natural history. We visited all inhabited islands with boat trips on most days in April 2012 (full report on their website).