Newsletter - January 2008
Hi Everyone,
We hope you all had an enjoyable festive season and that 2008 will be a good year for you, your families and your horses.
Firstly, thanks to all who attended the Christmas meeting – it was a good turnout and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it – especially the food!
Special thanks must go to Mike Russell for the excellent presentation of his video material both old and new – many folks recognised themselves!
(You should always try to look smart and be smiling when out on the moors – cause you never know when Mike might be around with his video camera!!)
Seriously though, when we see the scenery and routes that are available for us to ride, it does make us realise just how lucky we and our horses are in this part of the country.
The old photographs we had on display of the local area and various projects undertaken by the Bridleways Group over the years proved very interesting – even to the locals in the pub!
Also, many thanks go to Mike for the generous donation of his portable screen to the Group, to Colin Taylor for the loan of the projector, to Adam for the technical expertise and of course, most importantly, to Lesley for organising the party food!
Congratulations to Sarah on winning the crossword competition – hope she enjoyed the bottle of wine!
Annual General Meeting
The next meeting on Monday 11th February 2008, 8.0pm at the Globe, will be our Annual General Meeting – followed by Simon Constable
There will be a short business meeting for the re-election of officers, report from the treasurer and collection of membership forms/subscriptions/updating information (see form attached).
We have been informed that three current Committee members – Angela Sams, Sophie Dewar and Davina Clift wish to resign from the Committee, due to work and family commitments.
I would like to thank all three on your behalf for the work, interest and effort they have provided over the years for the benefit of the group and its members.
We will therefore need to appoint replacement Committee members.
If you would like to be nominated for the Committee, please either contact me by phone or email before the meeting or on the night. You don’t need any in-depth knowledge or experience – just enthusiasm and interest! The Committee meet approximately monthly.
This will be followed by the now traditional presentation by Simon Constable who will again be with us to share his wisdom – and as ever, provide free vet advice!
Simon is always a popular speaker so please do your best to attend.
Bridleway Information
At the recent Rights of Way Meeting, the following complaints were brought to the attention of the Access Officers for Rochdale, who will investigate:
Please keep us informed of any other problems you note whilst out and about.
‘Discovering Lost Ways Project’ – now - ‘Natural England’
(extract from BHS Access Magazine – ‘Tracks’ – Issue 3, 2007)
‘At Midnight on 31st December 2025 all ancient public highways that are not recorded on the definitive map will be extinguished – not a very happy new year for horse-riders!
A long time away, yes, - but since the CROW Act 2000, when this legislation was brought in, not one restricted byway or bridleway has been recorded on the definitive map from this project. ‘Discovering Lost Ways’ came under the auspices of the Countryside Agency (which has now been amalgamated with English Nature) and the Regional Development Service to make one large body known as ‘Natural England’
Unfortunately, the landowning fraternity seem to be strongly portraying the whole subject as against landowners rights, which would cause planning blight for years.
The ‘Discovering Lost Ways’ team has no budget as a project nor does it have political backing, unlike the ‘right to roam’ and ‘costal access’. It has also has been actively frowned upon by various decision makers at management level of Natural England right up to ministerial level, and as such, the British Horse Society, as an Equestrian Access Organisation have an uphill task to convince them that it will deliver increased equestrian access.
The fact that many of these ancient routes have attractive landscape features and are part of our cultural heritage has not percolated political consciousness.
All equestrians need to be actively claiming these routes now and informing all decision makers of their importance – not only for historical reasons, but also, very importantly, for equestrians’ safety.’
What can we do?
There are two ways of going about claiming a route – one is ‘user evidence’ the other is ‘historical evidence’.
If you are interested in helping our Bridleways Group with this task in the local area, then please contact any member of the Committee. You can be involved as much or as little as you are able and there will be a co-ordinator to help you and suggest areas of investigation.
The attached sheet shows the kind of thing which is useful for historical evidence and the routes which need to be claimed – you may also know of other such routes.
We also need a ‘wish list’ of routes, which are not bridleways but would make good circular routes by linking existing bridleways together. We are asked to submit these as soon as possible, as a Group, to the Access Officers for Rochdale/Rossendale/Calderdale, so please get your thinking caps on and come up with some ideas!
Access Petition
‘The BHS is calling on all equestrians to sign a petition asking Government to give them a say in all new access and rights of way legislation.
You can add your name to the petition at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/equestrian access/
Equestrians are the most vulnerable of road users and need increased off-road access for their safety and the welfare of their horses. Horse riding and carriage driving provides healthy outdoor exercise which the Government is keen to encourage. It is enjoyed by more than four million people in the UK and is the second biggest land-based industry, but equestrians have not been included in recent access-creating legislation which would help make them safer and encourage healthy outdoor recreation.’
The Highway Code
‘In 2006 the BHS responded to the Government’s consultation on the new Highway Code. While it was encouraging that a number of the Society’s suggested amendments were taken on board, there was concern that some had not been heeded.
The Society made further responses to the Department of Transport on three points; riding two abreast, riding on cycletracks and removing rider’ helmets. These issues touched a nerve with the horse riding public, attracting nearly 20,000 signatures to a related No 10 Downing Street Website petition. The Society also received considerable Radio airtime on the issue on local radio and with Graham Cory, BHS Chief Executive, speaking on the PM programme on Radio 4.
The Society’s further representation on these issues to the Depertment of Transport has resulted in the DfT agreeing to keep the Highway Code wording under review and to include in the ‘BHS Riding and Roadcraft Manual’ wording which will clarify that it is not compulsory for riders to ride in single file.’
Thanks to all of you who signed the petition.
Rescue Horses
You will all be aware of the recent horrific news concerning the horses, ponies and donkeys which were rescued in Buckinghamshire. A website has been set up giving more information about them and also includes details as to how we can provide help.
The website is www.operationesther.com . This comes from one of the donkeys that had a young foal at foot and which Redwings have named ‘Esther’.
Donations can be sent to Redwings, ILPH or the National Horse Trust:
Registered Charity No: 206658
Registered Charity No: 1068911
Registered Charity No: 231748
It seems that if you include a letter with your donation which states that you specifically wish to help these rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, the law states that this is how your donation will be spent.
BHS Quiz Night
The BHS Lancashire Committee is holding a quiz night on 5th February 2008, 7.30pm for an 8.0pm start, at St. Joseph’s Parish Centre, Harpers Lane, Chorley.
There will be a mix of equestrian and general knowledge questions.
The admission charge is: £2.00 for members (with card) and £3.00 for non-members.
For further information ring : 01275 275571 or 07835 918644.
BHS Access Fighting Fund
The BHS Access Fighting Fund, established to secure a fund of £100,000 to enable the Society to fight future rights of way cases which will ensure the preservation of our equestrian rights of way has already raised more than £10,000.
In the recent BMW case, both the Society and the Ramblers Association had costs awarded against them for defending the public’s right to use a bridleway in Cowley, Oxford.
This bridleway has now been lost.
Please help the Fighting Fund to reach its target so that the BHS can continue to defend our rights of way network not only for today’s horse riders and carriage drivers, but for future generations as well.
Access Fighting Fund can be accessed online at www.justgiving.com/AccessFightingFund
Alternatively, donations can be sent by cheque made payable to the BHS, to Access Fighting Fund, BHS, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth,CV8 2XZ.
For further information contact the BHS Access Department on 01926 707712.
Books/Information/Old Maps etc.
Do you have any books, maps (particularly pre-1900) or any other sources of information which provide a history of the local area and may be useful as evidence in assisting with claiming routes?
If so, could you please let any member of the committee know. Thanks in anticipation!
Subscriptions
It is now some considerable time since we last updated our records.
Many people who regularly receive our newsletter rarely attend meetings or pay their subscription – apologies to those of you who do – we know who you are and are grateful for your support!
We hope that the attached form will provide us with the information we need – but we would prefer to see you!
It would be appreciated if you could return the Form either by post, or personally at the next meeting.
All for now – we hope to see you on the 11th February.
Regards
Mel
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
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Subscription Feb 2008–Feb 2009 : £5 per member
Please make cheques payable to: Wardle & District Bridleways Group
Please return to: Mel Baron
4 Tonacliffe Road
Whitworth
Rochdale
Lancs
OL12 8SS
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