Winter Newsletter January 2007
Dear Members,
A very happy New Year to you and your families and we hope it will be a good one in every way. As I write there is a howling gale blowing with horizontal rain ... how unusual! So unfortunately, with the prospect of no safe riding at the moment, I shall have to continue with this letter.
Firstly, the Committee would like to thank all those members who attended
our Christmas meeting - it was an excellent turn out and many people
commented how nice it was to meet up and chat with folks they hadn't
seen for ages.
Thanks to Lesley for organizing the party food - we didn't just
have Food ... we had M & S Food! - how upmarket is that !!
We would also like to thank Angela for her informative talk about 'Reiki' which
she kindly produced at very short notice, and thanks also to Kath for showing
us the video of the Jubilee Rendevous Ride of 2000. If anyone would like a
copy in either video or DVD format then let myself or Kath O'Donnell
know - any proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK.
We are sorry that the Representative from Global Herbs wasn't able to
be with us as originally planned, but we will try to arrange a visit in the
near future.
Reminder : Our meeting on Monday 5th February, 8.0pm at The Globe, is also
the AGM.
There are some issues that we need to discuss and take a vote on, so please
do your best to attend.
Simon Constable will then give us a short presentation about recent developments
in veterinary science which will be followed by an Open Forum session, so please
come armed with questions - your opportunity for free vet advice !!
We will also have on display a number of photographs showing various projects
undertaken by members of the Bridleways Group, dating back to 1989. Most of
these were taken by Mike Russell, who will hopefully be on hand to provide
information.
There are various items of updated Bridleway information to report:
1. Higher Shore Road - A Risk Assessment by the Rights of Way Officer
was requested following numerous complaints from both members and visitors
about the dilapidated and dangerous state of the gate at the Higher Shore Farm
access to the Pennine Bridleway. As a result, at the time of writing, work
has commenced. Please keep us informed if there are any further problems.
2. Higher Slack Brook - The reported broken catch on the big gate by
the two bridges has now been repaired.
3. Partially blocked access to Pennine Bridleway at Springmill, Whitworth - Unfortunately
this route is not on the definitive map as Bridleway access even though it
has been used by horse-riders for many years, so currently little can be done
by the Rights of Way Officer. We understand that the gate has been put there
by the Landowner, who intends eventually to build houses on the site. On the
advice of Chris Peat (BHS), if anyone has any further information about this
or can provide 'evidence of use' for a claim eg. number of years
used by horse-riders, then please let us know. The same applies to any other
routes which may have fallen into disuse in the Whitworth/Rooley Moor/Doctors
Wood areas and are in danger of being lost if not claimed.
4. Tiger Trap/Gate- Lobden - Your complaints as to the excessively muddy
gate on Lobden Moor have been passed on to Stephen. He has tried to remove
some of the mud, but is arranging for a Contractor to re-do the access with
hard core and crushed stone as soon as possible (and also drain the puddle!).
5. Whitworth Rake Closure - Due to adverse weather conditions this is
now planned to begin on Tuesday 10th April. The work will be done in short
lengths, but it will obviously cause major disruptions for some of us - unfortunately,
there aren't any feasible diversions available for Moorland access apart
from the Hopwood Barn Bridleway route (Mandy's) or Tonacliffe Road/Highgate
Lane. When the Contractors move onto the Moor, we are assured that diversions/crossing
points will be in place wherever work affects a footbath or Bridleway.
6. Long Causeway from Ragby Bridge towards Wardle - Pat, our Chairperson,
is pleased to report that Calderdale Council have made significant efforts
to repair the path at the bottom of the Long Causeway even though this has
been hampered by bad weather. The cattlegrid that obstructed access via Ramsden
Wood Road has now been properly covered with tarmac BUT a new cattlegrid has
been installed higher up, and at present there is no means of access! Pat is
currently pursuing further information as to this situation. The route from
Watergrove to Ragby Bridge is unaffected by this cattlegrid.
7. Ramsden Wood Road up to Heights House - Pat further reports that footpath
No. 135 has been temporarily closed and redirected to the Bridleway that runs
from Ramsden Wood Road up to Heights House. This small Bridleway is not in
good repair but is passable - just! There is a notice on the gate which
says that the footpath (which is higher up) is closed, which is confusing as
some people have thought that it is referring to the closure of the Bridleway.
Please keep us informed of any problems that you encounter on any of our Bridleways - we need your help in order to try to improve things!
Jumping Field - We have now received a response from United Utilities
but there are several conditions identified as to our continued use of this
field. We are currently still negotiating with United Utilities.
Further information will be available at the AGM when we will take a vote as
to how much interest there is among members both for responsible use of the
field, and also for help in maintaining it.
Wind Farm - Crook Moor - Pat has recently attended some meetings regarding
the proposed Wind Farm sites at Crook Hill which overlooks Watergrove Reservoir.
She is increasingly concerned that the proposals to erect wind turbines will
seriously disrupt our riding for up to 2 years, primarily due to an influx
of heavy traffic and the widening of the lane to Grimes Farm (Mac's).
Additionally, she feels there will undoubtedly be a negative effect on the
local environment both during and after the work and, on completion, there
will be potential problems caused by the turbines themselves for local and
visiting horses and riders.
Pat has asked me to point out that this is her personal opinion, but we intend
to take a vote amongst members at the AGM as to whether or not you wish us
to register a complaint as a group, should planning permission be applied for
by Coronation Power.
Note: You can find a copy of the current BHS information entitled 'Wind Farms and Horses/Ponies' on our website.
Horsewatch - At the risk of being boring, can I again remind you to
make sure that all your tack, rugs and horses are suitably marked - information
currently received indicates that there has been an increasing number of thefts
in and around our area.
We are hoping to be able to offer tack marking (saddles and some leatherwork)
in the near future at a very reasonable charge. More details to follow.
Those of you who own trailers/horse boxes may be interested in the following
information:
There is an organisation called 'Skywatch' which consists of pilots
who are prepared to conduct searches from the air. Members are all regular
flyers who use Skywatch as a way of keeping their flying hours up, a requirement
for their licence.
Horsewatch has now been linked to Skywatch and if the need arises they will
look out for things reported to them. Although they are unable to search for
horses, they will look for lorries and trailers. For these to be identifiable
they must have a postcoded roof.
You can visit the web site at www.skywatch.org.uk for roof marking details.
Here is a summary of a Ringmaster message of possible interest (from a press
release copied from the Sunday Telegraph - by Jasper Copping - Nov '06):
Horses and ponies are being stolen and shipped to the USA to meet soaring demands
for 'coloured' mounts. A traditional coloured cob - a well-built,
weight-carrying mount can now command up to £60,000 in America, offering
huge profits on the £3,500 cost of transport. Whilst some have been legally
obtained, some dealers have been found to have horses that were not theirs.
Up to the beginning of December 2006, 60 horses have been reported stolen in
the UK, a large proportion of which have been 'coloureds'. This
figure includes 18 taken during November alone. Despite the Passport scheme,
delays in updating the National Database mean that gangs can easily obtain
documentation for stolen horses.
Car Stickers - 'Please Slow Down for Horses' car stickers are available free of charge if you send an A5 SAE to: BETA, East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AW.
Fund Raising Events
1. BHS Challenge Ride to Inner Mongolia 2007 - We have been informed that Helena
Pixton from Bury is taking part in this ride. She is looking for support
for the fund raising event which is to be held at Hollins Social Club, Brook
Lane, Hollins Village, Bury, on Tuesday 27th February 2007 - 7.30pm
till late. Admission is £5 including supper. Further details and tickets
can be obtained by contacting Helena on 07968 143460
2. Cancer Research UK Charity Dressage Event - Although only in the early
stages of planning, this event will take place on 18th August 2007 at Sourhall.
Further details can be obtained from Kath O'Donnell Tel: 01706 372512.
More information will be available in the next newsletter.
Finally, a message from the Treasurer : 'Thanks to all members who paid their subscriptions for last year- we hope you feel that you have had value for money - and a reminder that subs for 2007/8 are now due (thanks to those of you who have already paid in advance!).'
AGM Agenda
1. Wind Farm - Crook Moor
2. Jumping Field
3. Suggestions for future subjects/speakers
4. Election of Committee 2007/8
Hope to see you all on the 5th February
Regards
Mel
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