East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Ramblers. Annual Report.

Transcription

1 East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Ramblers Annual Report

2 OFFICERS AND AREA COUNCIL MEMBERS 2013 President Dr Peter Ayling See below Vice-Presidents (Past Presidents) Chairman Hugh Bayley MP, Jack Bower, Roy Dresser, Geoff Eastwood, Ann Holt, John Jefferson, David Nunns, Ray Wallis Dany Wlodarczyk Vice-Chair Tom Halstead See below Area Secretary Treasurer Footpath Secretary Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire area Footpath Secretary York & NYCC area Rambles Programme Co-ordinator Countryside Secretary Access Officer Membership Secretary Alison Hales George Malcolm Mike Jackson David Nunns Roy Hunt Dr Peter Ayling Tom Halstead Ann Laing Pasture Terrace Beverley, HU17 8DR 656 Beverley Road Hull, HU6 7JH The Bungalow, Back Lane Osgodby, Selby, YO8 5HS 40 Copandale Road Beverley, HU17 7BW 33 Millgates York YO26 6AT Area News Editor Dany Wlodarczyk As above Webmaster Independent Auditor Tony Corrigan Cashel Lodge, Canal Side East, Newport, Brough, HU15 2RL 25 Westland Road Kirkella, Hull HU10 7PH 1 Derwent Drive Wheldrake, York YO19 6AL 25 Burdale Close Driffield YO25 6SG 2 Lysander Drive Market Weighton, York YO43 3NQ Emily Hunt Can be contacted via Minutes Secretary Publicity Officer Vacant Vacant Cover photograph: Hole of Horcum, autumn 2013, courtesy of Alastair Bloom 2

3 Notice of 2014 Area Annual General Meeting All EYDA Ramblers members, and representatives of affiliated organisations, are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting at 2.00 pm on Saturday January 18 th 2014 in the Victoria Dock Village Hall, South Bridge Road, Hull, HU9 1TL, TA Prospective members may be introduced and are welcome (non-voting). AGENDA 1. Attendance (please sign the record) and apologies for absence 2. Chairman s opening remarks 3. Minutes of the 2013 Annual General Meeting 4. Matters arising from the minutes 5. Annual Report for Financial statement Accounts for year ending September 30 th Election of Officers and Council Members: President Vice-Presidents Chairman Vice-Chairman Area Secretary Area Treasurer Membership Secretary Rambles Secretary Publicity Officer Countryside Secretary Minutes Secretary Area News Editor/s Communications Officer Area Webmaster Area Access Officer Area Council Members Area Footpath Secretaries Nominations and volunteers will be welcome at the meeting but preferably notified beforehand, with written agreement of nominees unable to attend. Group Secretaries should provide details of up to three representatives appointed at their AGM 8. Appointment of Independent Examiner 9. Appointment of Area Delegates to 2014 General Council 10. Motions of which notice has been given in writing to the Area Secretary in accordance with rule 13(f) of the Constitution. 11. Any Other Business. After the formal meeting and a short break, Des Garrahan of the Ramblers Board of Trustees will give a talk entitled The Ramblers: all of our Mission, everywhere and forever 3

4 CHAIRMAN S INTRODUCTION This year we celebrated the 75 th anniversary of the founding of the Ramblers Association in our area. Fittingly, we marked the occasion by taking the first batch of Area papers to be stored in the archives at the Treasure House in Beverley; these included historic minutes books as well as files concerning the development of the Wolds Way, Minster Way and Chalkland Way. The deposition was followed by a very enjoyable lunch organised by Area President, Peter Ayling. He paid tribute to guests of honour Geoff Eastwood, David Nunns, David Rubinstein and Ray Wallis for their exceptional hard work and dedication during over 40 years of service as RA volunteers. The occasion also enabled current volunteers to hear about the many obstacles that had to be overcome in order to create what are now classic routes. A further celebration took place in October when walks were arranged by York, Pocklington and Ryedale Groups which all converged on Thixendale village hall in time for tea and cakes. Although the weather was far from kind, the walks were well attended and the tea most enjoyable. Sincere thanks to those who brought along some fascinating memorabilia to share. Your Area Council met six times during the year. We have now completed the task of clarifying group territory within our area. Tony Corrigan produced excellent maps which can be seen on the group pages of our website along with alphabetical lists of all the parishes covered by each group. Safety on walks has also been under discussion. The Ramblers are still trialling a standardised way for members to carry information which can easily be accessed in an emergency, perhaps in a key tag. In the meantime, it would be helpful if walkers could have such information handy to save time in case of an accident or other emergency. The Area Council arranged a bulk order of Hi Vis vests and rucksack covers for use by leaders and backmarkers when road walking is unavoidable. Several groups have invested in these. Our Area and Group Access, Countryside and Footpath teams have continued their unstinting efforts on behalf not just of our own members but of all local walkers. Progress on the English coastal path has been particularly pleasing. It has been gratifying to see new leaders coming forward and adding to the variety of our excellent walks programme. Area Council is aware of the desirability of providing walks suitable for a wide range of walkers including families with children and those who prefer shorter walks. 4

5 We are currently engaged in some revisions to our Area constitution and standing orders to reflect the way our meetings are conducted. We continue to look for ways to publicise the Ramblers and to recruit new members. The recently established Wolds Walking Festival has provided a good shop window for our organisation and will hopefully continue as an annual event. On your behalf I thank all the volunteers who have contributed their time and energy either visibly as walk leaders and backmarkers, or backstage serving on committees and working parties during the past year. Dany Wlodarczyk AREA MEMBERSHIP REPORT The Area membership at 30 th September 2013 (with 2012 in brackets) was 1678 (1794) plus 12 affiliated clubs. The national total was 107,015 (113,515). The number of new members was 185 (248) but this still resulted in an Area reduction of 6.5%, compared to the national reduction of 5.5%. After an improvement the previous year on both the number of new members and the reduction in lapses, both have deteriorated this year. Group New Members Total at 30 Sept 2013 Change from 2012 Beverley GYBO Howden & Goole Hull & Holderness Pocklington Ryedale Scarborough York Unattached 14 Total As I am stepping down at the AGM, I would like to thank all my Area colleagues for their support in my various roles over the last 18 years. Ann Laing Area Membership Secretary 5

6 FOOTPATH REPORT EAST RIDING AND HULL Siemens still have not signed to come to Hull, but nonetheless a section of the continuous footpath along the Humber has unfortunately been diverted. In November Swanland footpath through the school was confirmed, but we still cannot use it. Newbald 11 is still waiting for the inspector to approve his modifications, but the footpath will be confirmed. Well done Network Rail. The ERYC needed to divert a footpath at Snaith and we objected because the way was too narrow. So the ERYC officer contacted Network Rail and they moved their fence in five days. A useful bridleway link has been created at Easington. High Caythorpe was all agreed with the landowners which would have added five miles of restricted byways to the map, then the Trail Riders and LARA objected. I feel sorry for all the hard work John Gatenby had done. Driffield 999 is an even older issue, and the ERYC keeps saying it has been sent to PINS, but nothing appears to have happened. Hornsea: both the Byways and Bridleway Trust objected to a footpath at Hornsea having a width of half a metre, but the inspector confirmed this. Burstwick 17 goes to public inquiry in November. The ERYC were ordered to make the order after they rejected our Schedule 14 application. ERYC Statement of Case states the inspector wrote "that the evidence does not support a public right of way of any sort along the appeal route". What the inspector wrote was "I find nothing amongst the submitted evidence dating from the mid-nineteenth century or earlier that the evidence does not support a public right of way of any sort along the appeal route". Not the sort of thing one would expect from a Public Servant. I would like to thank footpath sub-committee members Ray Wallis, Tony Corrigan, Peter Ayling, Chris Clark and Pauline Hakeney for their help over the past years. Mike Jackson 6

7 FOOTPATH REPORT YORK AND NORTH YORKSHIRE Scarborough, Ryedale & York Groups undertake Footpath work in our part of North Yorkshire and York, including looking into Definitive Map Modification Orders, proposed Path Diversions, planning matters affecting the path network, as well as reporting problems they find on paths. Brief details of their work appear in their Group Reports, but you need to contact the Group Footpath Secretaries for more information on any specific issue you may have. Les Atkinson, Chris Clark and myself are the relevant Group Footpath Secretaries. We discuss specific items as they arise using telephone and e- mails, but have rarely met face to face to discuss common matters. We do need a York & North Yorkshire Footpath Secretary with time to co-ordinate our Groups' footpath work. Les continues to be a member of the Local Access Forum for those parts of North Yorkshire outside the National Parks, and has had meetings with Cleveland Ramblers and the Moors National Park Officers. The NYCC PRoW Local Liaison Group met in June after an 18 month gap. We meet in Helmsley, so the Moors Chief Ranger attends as well, giving a useful update on the Park. The expected reorganisation of the NYCC Countryside Service took place before Christmas. One consequence was that David Ottaway ceased work in January with no replacement until November. He was an efficient, helpful Ranger over many years. He had used our York Working Party for some time, but this year they have not been given any work to do. The number of outstanding Issues has risen to over 9000 again, and NYCC have stopped their Annual Sample Path Condition Surveys. City of York asked York Group to again carry out their 25% Sample Path Condition Survey. Neither Council has made any apparent progress with work to update their Definitive Maps. On a railway related matter, we can now use the old Coxwold Husthwaite Gate track bed after many years of trying, without losing the higher level path over fields to the north. We also looked at Network Rail's proposal to close a footpath crossing near Kirkham Abbey on the Centenary Way, with an improvement to the suggested alternative path. 7

8 In York we have the new Rufforth - Knapton bridleway around and over the Rufforth tip site. On planning matters, Les (along with many others) successfully objected to a proposed grass landing strip north of Ebberston, between the Forest Drive and Langdale End. There are many proposals for wind turbines that need checking out for their effect on path users, as well as the environmental impact which is outside our footpath remit. York Group have been conducting Parish Surveys for some years, Ryedale Group have formalised surveys this year and Les is hoping to start in We would all like more people to take on one or more parishes. Anyone can take part in this worthy work, you don't need to live near the parish you choose. It's simple: contact a Local Group to be given a parish (or choose your own, if it isn't already allocated); receive the relevant data; walk the paths; report back to the Group (sending any urgent problems to York or North Yorkshire). We would like to thank all those Ramblers, members and non-members, who are pro-active in reporting problems to paths@northyorks.gov.uk or rightsofway@york.gov.uk. Don't alter a walk you are leading if you find a problem on a recce report it and tell them why you want the problem sorted before you try and take people with short legs or replacement hips that won't be able to get round the problem. A problem un-reported won't be resolved, but problems reported several times may get resolved next year (or earlier!). We suggest you ALL 'Walk With A Purpose' and report any issue you come across by (one issue per if possible), preferably with a photo attached. Both authorities would like to hear from us more often, as it shows people are trying to use their paths and more maintenance is required. David Nunns Ramblers Association Aims Promoting walking Protecting rights of way Campaigning for access to open country Defending the beauty of the countryside 8

9 ACCESS GROUP REPORT Coastal Access A national campaign by Ramblers lobbying local MPs about the economic and recreational benefits of creating an English coastal path, has been rewarded by the new Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs declaring, in reply to a parliamentary question, We must be efficient in working with landowners and others to streamline the process and to deliver the coastal access that everyone in the House would like to see. This dispelled earlier concerns that the Government was intending to back-pedal on its commitment to roll out the path. Significant progress has been seen in our region. The stretch in County Durham, between North Gare and South Bents will open in March 2014 and Natural England s report setting out their proposals for the stretch between Filey Brigg and North Gare should be submitted to the Secretary of State by the New Year. NE s proposals for the route, a draft of which we have seen, are, apart from a few minor differences, consistent with Ramblers. A 70-page report setting out Ramblers proposals, based on surveys carried out by volunteers from the Cleveland group and EY&D area, was submitted to NE in March The most recent map published by NE shows that they now plan to deliver Coastal Access between the Humber Bridge and Filey Brigg during , considerably earlier than previously expected. A report setting out our proposals for the stretch between Filey Brigg and Withernsea has been completed. Proposals for the remaining stretch, between Withernsea and the Humber Bridge, are contained in a report we compiled in 2011 therefore volunteers will be updating this report in the coming months. Open Access A report, setting out the accessibility of all the Open Access sites situated within the North Yorkshire part (Region 5) of the Yorkshire Wolds, has been submitted to the North Yorkshire CC Access Team. Website Information concerning Open and Coastal Access is available on the website This includes: news items, archived reports and relevant links. 9

10 The Access Team The following members have been actively involved during the past year in helping with the preparation of the reports: Tony Corrigan, Les Atkinson, Peter Ayling, Pauline Hakeney, George Malcolm, Alison Hales, Eric Smith and Geoff Richardson. Tom Halstead 1. General: AREA COUNTRYSIDE OFFICER (i) The Area motion passed at General Council 2013 asks that the Ramblers should object to wind turbines closer than the fall-over distance from rights of way, and having a detrimental effect on the beauty of the countryside. The clause for a minimum distance between wind farms was deleted by an amendment. (ii) Planning applications are considered by an Area panel (Peter Ayling, Chris Clark (Ryedale), Tony Corrigan (Pocklington), Bob Dealey (Beverley), or by the Group itself. 2. Responses to Planning Applications for Wind Turbines: (i) Public Inquiries for Appeals for wind farms: appeal upheld for 9 turbines at Fraisthorpe Bridlington 27/11/12; decision awaited on inquiry started 23/7/13 for 6 turbines at Thornholme Fields Burton Agnes; inquiry for 10 turbines at West Heslerton to commence 19/11/13. (Sec. of State to determine last two). No report on 6 turbines at Welham Bridge Howden. (ii) New applications for 1-2 turbines: 7 appls. at m; 13 at m; 3 below 60m. (Applicants withdrew 5 of these). Area objected to 7 appls. (Evidence from English Heritage concerning appls. near Rudston describes the archaeology as being second only to Stonehenge and Avebury!) 3. Other Planning Applications Area objected to: 3 houses near Wolds Way at S. Cave (dismissed at appeal); 510 (now 390) houses at Melton near Hull; 600 houses at Cottingham. Scarborough Group objected to an airstrip in the NYMNP; Ryedale Group responded to the draft Helmsley Plan. 10

11 4. Meetings attended ER & Hull LAF, ER & N Yorks LEADER rural funding body. Bob Dealey attended the ERYC Biodiversity Meetings, and Tony Corrigan, David Court and David Nunns attended Trans Pennine Trail Annual Meeting. 5. Group Environment & Countryside Matters I would like to pay tribute to Monica Nelson on her retirement as York Group Environment Officer after ten years sterling work. Monica reports that she and David Nunns attend the York Natural Environment Panel that has given advance notice of planning issues, but is sadly now to be disbanded; she also has concerns about the York 15-year Local Plan. I also thank Bob Dealey, Countryside Officer for Beverley Group. Peter Ayling BEVERLEY GROUP VOLUNTEER WORKING PARTY Our eighth year of activity has been of lesser intensity as we were limited to seven volunteering days. We missed February and March when our East Riding Council supervisor (James Taylor) was committed to other tasks, but perhaps we were lucky as the weather was unfriendly. We were unable to raise a team for the only dates available in June and September, as we have been under strength largely due to illness. Andy Norman had to leave us this year, but we thank him for his contribution. Ray Fielden, Paul Picard, Kevin Keough, Bob Dealey and Ivor Jones made up the team members throughout the year. Our efforts included providing kissing gates at Arram, Airmyn and Driffield bypass, a bridge at Airmyn and repairs to a bridge at Lockington. We did a considerable amount of way-marking, including Middleton, Lockington, Airmyn, Howden and Huggate. We also had a very cold session of path clearing in January on the Broadgates, Beverley 20 section, but the summer weather we enjoyed later has dimmed the memories. Ivor Jones (on behalf of the Working Party Team) 11

12 AREA WEBMASTER The website rebuilt and launched during 2012 has now been in operation for about 18 months and is proving to be highly successful. Visits to the Home page (end October 2013) were 15,000 and to the page About our Groups totalled 20,000. Linked to Forthcoming Walks and Latest News items, these pages are extremely popular. Similarly, Group Photograph Galleries are frequently viewed and the few feature contributions from members have been enjoyed. As a communication conduit, it has been effective for last-minute alterations to walks, early notification of events and information or news on important issues affecting our Area. Feedback continues to be complimentary from members and outside organisations. Notwithstanding the system is relatively new, work is ongoing to give it a makeover and ensure it remains compatible with most types of information technology. Members are encouraged to routinely use the website, but amazingly a lot of our computer literate colleagues still rarely look at it! Being an instant communication tool it can be used as a one stop shop for walks information, events, diary items, current news, features, photographs and archived materials etc. Interesting features to share with members are always welcome, yet disappointingly, those members with an archive of material are reluctant to submit an article. So if you have a story to tell, an event to recall or photographs to share please get in touch. Tony Corrigan 12

13 BEVERLEY GROUP FOOTPATH GUARDIANS It has been a quite a productive year for Beverley Group Footpath Guardian volunteers, who have been putting in many hours walking the local Public Rights of Way. There are now 20 volunteers undertaking the surveys of the public rights of way in the Beverley Group area, working on a parish-based system. These Footpath Guardian volunteers are doing a tremendous job with approximately two thirds of the 37 parishes now covered and many of the PRoWs in the individual parishes have now been surveyed. There are now volunteers for all of the parishes in the original Beverley group area, and of the ten parishes inherited from the former Driffield Group there are now volunteers willing to survey seven of these. Any problems found have been reported to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Access Officers by the EYCC online reporting system and/or via . There have also been reports made to the ERYC Countryside Access team of some problems found by our members on PRoWs outside our immediate area when they have been walking or leading group walks elsewhere. We are gradually seeing many of these problems resolved, and a good relationship has been developed with the Countryside Access Team from the East Riding County Council, especially as Patrick Wharam, the CA manager, has attended our bi-annual meetings where he has been able to give us advice, and also listen to our views and take our feedback to the ERYC. The Group Footpath Secretary also attends regular meetings with Mike Jackson, the Area Footpath Officer, and the other Group Footpath Officers, where any proposed changes to public rights of way in the Area are discussed and whether any objections should be made on behalf of the Ramblers. As Footpath Secretary I would like to express my thanks, and I am sure those of all members, to all the Footpath Guardian volunteers for the time they have given to helping preserve the Public Rights of Way in our area. Pauline Hakeney Beverley Group Footpath Officer The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England and Wales no: , in Scotland no: SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no: ). Registered office: Second Floor, Camelford House, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW 13

14 AREA NEWS EDITOR During the past year I produced three editions of Area News in A5 booklet format. The current one (enclosed in this mail-shot) has been reduced to an A4 sheet. I am now finally stepping down as editor after seven years in post and trust that someone will come forward to take on this very rewarding job. I am hugely indebted to all those who have contributed articles, photos, cartoons, reports, book reviews and useful tips and advice for our readers over the years. The most recent contributors include Les and Margie Atkinson, Peter and Daphne Ayling, Sam Borman, Phil Catterall, Pamela Crane, Tony Corrigan, Sandra Dews, Roy Dresser, Malcolm Dixon, Tom Halstead, Martin Hill, Ann Holt, Clive Inman, Alan Killick, Mike Jackson, Ann Laing, Barbara Lawrence, Tom Longhorn, Chris Lovejoy, Steve Mullarkey, Marilyn Skelton, Kelly Temple, Marion Thomas, Gerry Wallace, Colin West, Harry Whitehouse and Mike Willis. My heartfelt thanks to you all. Dany Wlodarczyk WALKS PROGRAMME Guidance notes for walkers and leaders are now included in the Area Walks Programme. Although every effort is made to adhere to the programme, it does very occasionally happen that details of a published walk need to be amended. In the event of severe weather or unforeseen road works, any cancellation or amendment will be published on the Ramblers Walks Finder and, where possible, also on Area and Group websites and via groups. If severe weather is forecast, it is each walker s responsibility to check the Walks Finder and websites for amendments (or to phone a friend who can) or, as a last resort to phone the relevant Group Secretary before setting off for the walk. If the planned route is unwalkable or hazardous i.e. the start may be accessible but the planned route could be obstructed (by deep snow for example), an alternative, possibly shorter route might be considered. Both the route and the distance can be altered at the leader s discretion. Leaders and groups should consult the full policy for amending or cancelling walks on the area website where the relevant contact details are provided as well as in the programme booklet. 14

15 TREASURER S REPORT Financial Year ending 30 September 2013 The Area agreed a budget of 10, with Ramblers Central Office (CO). This comprised a contribution of 6, from CO, 3,500 from the Area Account (reserves) and the remaining 500 from anticipated sales, bank interest and donations. The Area contribution was to cover the cost of producing one of the two Walks Programmes and three Area Newsletters. A summary of the Area s receipts and expenditure is shown separately. As in previous years the production and distribution of Area News is the largest single cost. At year end the Area s overall expenditure was 7816, which was significantly less than the budget. The CO contribution of 6, included an allocation of 2, for the Groups in our Area. However, the Groups drew down only 1063 which meant that the balance of remained in the Area Account. The September Newsletter postage and print costs were not brought to account until after the end of the financial year and that also reduced overall expenditure. Total receipts were 7, including the CO allocation of 6, Sales amounted to with the Minster Way Guidebook making the largest contribution. Stocks of the Guidebook are becoming low so the Area has agreed to fund a further print which Ray Wallis will update. At the start of the year the Area Account balance was 9, and closed the year at 9, The income and expenditure figures together produce a deficit of which was substantially less than the 3500 planned. For the present financial year the Area has agreed with CO to use Area reserves amounting to The aim here is to ensure that the Area reserves are not excessive when expressed as a percentage of annual expenditure. This will mean that the Area reserves represent 73.8% of planned expenditure. The Area has no cash in hand, loans or investments. Finally, the Area would like to thank Emily Hunt for her independent examination of the Area accounts. George Malcolm 15

16 RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - EAST YORKSHIRE AND DERWENT AREA ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 Receipts Funding from CO 6, , From Driffield Group Donations and Sundry items Bank Interest (Unity Bank) Publications/Badges sales Advertising Expenditure Walks Programmes Walks Leader Training Newsletters and Publicity Area News Publicity Membership Secretary Publication/Goods costs Minster Way badges Campaigns and Casework Grants to Groups Meetings (including AGM) Meetings General Council Observers Admin Subscriptions/donations Admin Costs TOTAL EXPENDITURE MOVEMENT IN FUNDS +[-]

17 RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - EAST YORKSHIRE AND DERWENT AREA STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS at 30 SEPTEMBER Fixed Assets - Written Down Value 0 0 Total Net Book Value 0 0 (In accordance with RA Policy, only items costing over 5,000 need capitalising and showing as Fixed Assets.) Current Assets Balance at Unity Bank 9, ,354 Total Current Assets 9, ,354 Accumulated Fund At 1 October , Excess of Income over payments [301.71] 547 9, The above reflects the position on a receipts and payment basis. Having carried out procedures in accordance with the Area and Group independent examination guidelines, I consider the East Riding and Derwent Area accounts to have been properly prepared and give a true and fair view of the Area's finances for the year to 30 September Signed EA Hunt Date 03/11/2013 Name Emily Hunt 17

18 BEVERLEY GROUP This has been a very successful year for the group which now numbers 337 members, a slight increase since last year. This figure includes those former members of Driffield Group who have been allocated to us. We continue to buck the trend of decreasing numbers and still recruit new members, with lapsed members showing a decrease from last year. We provide a good mix of walks and 27% of our Sunday walks were 6-7 miles long, the rest being 9-12 miles. We also provided 18 day walks on a Wednesday as well as a programme of 7 summer evening walks. The turnout for the evening walks is disappointingly low but with evening walks in the programme on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this is maybe not surprising. Our publicity secretaries continue to publicise our walks on flyers listing each month s walks. These are distributed to outdoor shops, tourist information centres, libraries and leisure centres as well as being included in the Leisure Listings section of the Beverley Guardian. A presence at Driffield Show in July enabled leaflets to be handed out to visitors and the new site for the Ramblers stall proved advantageous. Committee members were also involved in planning and leading walks for the Walkers are Welcome week in Beverley and the Wolds Walking Festival in September. Social events included a Christmas lunch and an enjoyable themed evening meal prepared and served by students of Beverley College. Barbara Lawrence our Social Secretary arranged several meals at various venues as well as an evening at Beverley s new East Riding Theatre. Our programme also included some pub lunch walks and our post-ramble tea shop visits are very popular. The coach ramble in May, to Hawes in Wensleydale, was very successful with two walks available and over 50 members were on the coach. David Court, our Walks Secretary is still receiving plaudits about the walks!! At a cost of 10 it was very reasonable for a day out. Plans are under way for next year s coach ramble on 11 May, which will be based on Grassington. It has been a productive year for the Beverley Group Footpath Guardians volunteers. There are now 20 volunteers undertaking the surveys of the public rights of way in the Beverley Group area including the former Driffield parishes. 18

19 The Beverley Group volunteer working party continues to go out in all weathers to clear paths. They also provided kissing gates at several locations, a bridge and bridge repairs and a considerable amount of way-marking. They were limited to 7 days due to their East Riding council supervisor being committed to other tasks. They are currently a member short due to illness and are hoping to recruit another volunteer. Bob Dealey, our Countryside Secretary, has continued to work in co-operation with Peter Ayling, Area Countryside Officer to discuss planning applications which may impair the high quality of the walking environment in our territory. There have been many applications to erect wind turbines and for housing developments. He has also represented the Ramblers at meetings of the East Riding of Yorkshire Biodiversity Partnership and the Yorkshire Wolds Landscape Partnership. The Beverley Group received a donation of 500 from the estate of Nora and Jack Straker, who were well known in the Area. The money is to be used to produce a booklet of walks based on the River Hull and a sub-committee is currently working on this, hoping to produce the booklet in spring We also received 170 from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, as commission on holidays taken by members of the Group. The Group goes from strength to strength with a strong committee. Our Yahoo Group is proving very useful in communicating with members about social events and arranging lifts to walks. Now that our Membership Secretary has taken over the task of sending our New Member information from the Area Secretary, this has enabled the Group to respond promptly with Beverley Group specific information. Annette Clemenson GYBO 2013 has been another good year for GYBO (and not just because I've taken over as chair!) and has built on the strong foundations that we've developed over the last 10 years. We have continued to attract a lot of new members, although inevitably we have seen some members leave as well, as circumstances have changed. Unfortunately some of our longer-standing and more prolific walk leaders have not been able to be as active in the group as before, but despite that we have maintained a full and varied programme, with a walk on most weekends, 19

20 as well as mid-week evening walks during the summer, four weekend trips away, monthly pub meets in York and Hull, and a range of other social events. We are grateful as always to everyone who has volunteered to lead a walk or a social event, but particularly to the seven brave folks who took the plunge and led their first walk with the group this year (and in some cases, second and third!). The Hull pub meets have been particularly successful this year, and I'm sure everyone who has been to one will join me in thanking Adam for his regular supply of cakes! Our Easter trip broke the mould this year and instead of leaving England to the north, we left it to the west and found fantastic walking in southern Snowdonia. Unfortunately a late snowfall meant we couldn't safely reach the summit of Cadair Idris, but we managed several other walks and had a great time in an area that no-one had been to before. Other weekends away have been to Whitby YHA, Bridges YHA (Shropshire) and a camping weekend near Settle. Regular walks have covered our usual territory across the East Riding and the North York Moors, as well as further afield into Lincolnshire, the Peak District and the Dales. Over the course of the summer, we tried a themed route for our long-distance walk, a relative newcomer to the LDWA, the Abbey Trail, which started at Kirkstall Abbey and finished 10 days and 6 abbeys later at Whitby Abbey. Although some sections of the route didn't look like they had been well used, overall it was a great series of walks and took us to places we might not otherwise have found. We're now putting our thinking caps on to come up with something of equal interest for next year! Stephen Down HOWDEN & GOOLE GROUP This has been another active and busy year for the group. We organised 25 day walks and have maintained the pattern of leading roughly two walks per month, nearly all at weekends and roughly alternating between Saturdays and Sundays. Walks have varied from 7 to 11 miles, with typically around 13 walkers participating. We have also continued with the optional practice of meeting up either at Howden or Goole to arrange car sharing to the start of the walk. This seems to work well for our group - it is environmentally friendly and a good way to get to know your fellow walkers. Nearly all our walks have been within a 45 minute drive of Howden or Goole. In addition the group organised six summer evening walks. 20

21 We have enjoyed a number of local walks along the banks of the Rivers Ouse, Derwent and Aire and of course on the lovely East Yorkshire Wolds, but have also walked further afield to Flamborough Head, the Ancholme valley on the south side of the Humber, around the Wentworth estate and Elsecar near Rotherham, and Stanley Ferry to Kirkthorpe near Wakefield. In May we led an 11-mile walk for East Riding of Yorkshire Council s Countryside Events programme, along the Ouse estuary & Market Weighton canal, and they have asked us to lead another walk for them in Although small, we are a very friendly group and are not short of walk leaders, and we now have a committee of four. Marian Thomas HULL AND HOLDERNESS GROUP It has been an eventful year for the Hull and Holderness Group Committee. Due to members moving, resigning or just being unable to attend meetings due to other commitments, we reached a low of a meeting at which only three members turned up. Fortunately we still had members in place who kept the group operating. Finance, walks organisation, footpaths follow-up, all continued. Thank you those angels, oops, sorry, members. The better news is that for the AGM every member was written to, and the response was excellent. We now have a committee of ten members, the most important one being a new name as secretary. It is now Tiffany Greenall. Over the year we have had a full calendar of walks, both daytime and evenings, most well supported. The issue which was all-consuming in this area last year, in both time and effort, was the Siemens project. So much was promised in training, jobs and futures. It just seems to have died. The only plus is that we keep the existing footpath along the front. Happy Walking, Jim Tulloch 21

22 POCKLINGTON GROUP This, our 10 th anniversary year, has once again been very successful. Membership currently stands at 201: although there have been a number of new members and transfers from other groups, the numbers remain stable with the loss of the lapsed members. The Chairman was one of those whom we lost as he moved to Northumberland. The walks programme of 160 walks included walks on Wednesdays, weekends, short summer evenings and a longer distance of 14 miles plus. Of these the most popular has proved to be the Wednesday walks with an average of 22 walkers attending. In April the coach ramble to Masham proved very popular with the three walks ending in an optional visit to the Black Sheep Brewery. The walks programme has also included several celebration events, all including a walk prior to a meal, namely the 10 th Anniversary lunch which 23 members past and present attended, a surprise 80 th Birthday party for a member and a Christmas lunch with 37 attending. For the winter season the group are walking the Yorkshire Wolds Way in seven stages, using public transport for four stages and a coach for the remaining three. Thanks must go to the Walks Secretary, Martin Hill, and all the leaders without whom none of this would be available, but new leaders are always to be welcomed enabling us to expand our programme. There are 380 Rights of Way in the area covered by the Pocklington Group, 252 miles in total. The 90 Rights of Way, amounting to 72 miles in total, that we absorbed from Driffield Group have all been walked and problems reported by our Footpaths Officer, Tony Corrigan. He undertook this massive commitment alone, which would be reduced if others helped. Walkers using our local Yorkshire Wolds Way sections will have noticed a waymark replacement programme has been ongoing and several stretches of path have been refurbished. This is a joint project involving National Trails and ERYC Countryside Officers. 22

23 The Social Programme has once again been varied with walking weekends to Kettlewell, Clapham and the Forest of Bowland. Other social events including a Quiz Night, Barn Dance and regular gatherings at a local hostelry have been organised throughout the year. Thanks go to Graham West, Janet Brader and Chris Spencer for their time and effort in organising them. We look forward to the coming year to continue the success and build on the foundations laid. Jane Preston RYEDALE GROUP Our year started with changes to the Committee. Phil Catterall took over from long serving Chairman Sam Borman at the 2012 AGM. Alan Reynolds, our newly elected Walks Secretary, moved away, so Sam assisted again by stepping in to fill the role on an ad hoc temporary basis without rejoining the committee. Judy Catterall and later John Harland were co-opted on to join us. Soon after that Terry Strickland agreed that as well as being Treasurer he would take on the Walks Secretary job. Chris Clark consolidated her role, gaining experience as Footpath Secretary. George Donnor continued as PR Officer with Pat Donnor and Christine Harrison working together as joint Social Secretary. Anne Whinfield continued for another year as Group Secretary. Wendy Borman in her last year as Membership Secretary kept the ship afloat with extra duties such as her editorship of our group newsletter and producing printed handouts for our social events. The members who have provided a meeting place for committee meetings in their homes are also acknowledged. The Coach Ramble to Leyburn and the New Year s lunch at the Forest & Vale were as successful and popular as ever. In late October our group coordinated a strategy workshop in Malton with two staff from Ramblers Central Office and fifteen key Ramblers volunteers from the EY&D and Cleveland Areas. This was a useful two-way exchange of views on how the Ramblers should go forward with a set of revised aims and objectives. Sam Borman s highly acclaimed Navigation Courses have continued. Sam and Wendy also hosted a visit to our area by Clwyd Ramblers in September, which the Committee were most grateful to them for. A most important development for our group was the commencement in the summer of a footpath survey of all 97 Ryedale Parishes, with John Harland being appointed as Survey Collator. 14 members volunteered to start this 23

24 work and by November 2013, 25 Parishes have been completed; a further 18 have been allocated, whilst 35 remain to be allocated. More offers of help would be very much appreciated (John tel: ) in our mission to halt the further deterioration to our footpath network which is most noticeable in the less walked areas of Ryedale. York Ramblers are checking 17 of our parishes on a temporary basis. At the 2013 AGM (to be held shortly as we write this piece) Wendy Borman and Christine Harrison will be not seeking re-election to the Committee. Their experience and service provided will be missed. Our Walks Programme on Wednesdays, Sundays and occasional other days continues to attract members from our own and other groups; however new leaders are always being sought, with guidance and ideas on offer if required from Walks Secretary Terry Strickland (Terry Tel: ). Phil Catterall Anne Whinfield SCARBOROUGH GROUP Another year has gone by and the AGM approaches. Our group is in good health and we have again enjoyed a full programme of Sunday rambles put together by Ray Johnson and led by 10 different leaders. The average attendance was about 15. Ray also organised a programme of 10 summer evening walks, which were well attended. At our last AGM some members asked for more shorter walks. Quite a few members of the public who have requested information about the group from our webmaster Harry have also said they would like to start by walking less than 10 miles. Harry has therefore started organising shorter walks on the first Thursday of each month, initially for a trial period of three months to see if there is a demand. Twelve people joined us for the first ramble from Falling Foss. Ray has been our rambles organiser for over 10 years, and intends to retire from the post at the AGM. I m sure all group members will join me in thanking Ray for the hundreds of enjoyable walks which have been in his programmes. Fortunately Tricia Mumford has volunteered to stand for the position. Our footpath officer, Les Atkinson, continues to put in an incredible amount of work on our behalf. In last year s Group report, I said that a new bridleway had been added to the map at Flixton after an enquiry on the basis of the historical evidence presented. However, this decision was subsequently 24

25 appealed and then declared null and void, as North York County Council had used incorrect symbols to denote the route on the map at the enquiry, so that the whole process has to start again with a new enquiry scheduled for the 20 th of November. How crazy is that! Les has attended many meetings with the National Park, the County Council and the Local Access Forum as well as responding to consultations about various diversion and planning applications. He has developed cooperation with his counterpart Bill Dell of the Cleveland Group concerning the planned route for the coastal path and dealing with problems in the National Park. Another of Les s initiatives was to organise a group of volunteers to help with footpath work in the National Park. There are 16 members on the list, but so far we have not been allotted any jobs. Early in the year, Les did a lot of work producing a map and listing the parishes in our Group s area to appear on the Area website. This has subsequently proved useful for Central Office, who are abandoning defining group areas by post code and using parishes instead. The Group has enjoyed two long weekends away this year. In February, Richard Bedford organised a trip to Portsmouth and was accompanied by 8 other members. The group had intended visiting the newly opened Mary Rose exhibition, but, for various reasons, the opening was delayed. However, this didn t prevent the party enjoying their trip. They visited several museums and enjoyed a ramble to Fort Nelson and the Royal Armouries. If you would like to read a full account and see photographs, visit the group website ( click on walks/events, then click on the camera icon next to the event. At the end of May, Les and Margaret Atkinson organised a long weekend at Hawes. Nine members enjoyed this event and, again, do look at Margaret s excellent photographs on the website. Lisa Crozier has continued to plan a monthly meal out, which has usually been enjoyed by about 12 members. I must close this report on a sad note as one of our stalwarts, Norman Bibby, passed away after illness on 11 th October. Norman will be greatly missed on our rambles, but remembered fondly. Our thoughts are with Christine, and we started yesterday s ramble at Sleights with a minute s silence to remember Norman and think of Chris. Phil Trafford 25

26 YORK GROUP Both coach rambles this year were very successful, enjoyed by 50 people on each occasion, and attracting new members. The summer evening walks programme, organised by Ian Gibbs, had a rather mixed response, so that we may have to review it. As usual, we have seen members come and go, for various reasons. We have tried to contact those who have not renewed, as it is sometimes an oversight. Direct debit or standing order would really help those absent-minded people! Group membership is 545 compared to 604 last year, reflecting a common trend. The Wednesday Rambles and Ambles, which are enjoyed by the whole Area, were again arranged by two York group members, Steve Hoather and Jackie Glew. Numbers varied between 15 and 40, occasionally dividing into 2 groups to ease numbers. On the third Wednesday of each month a choice of two Rambles has again been offered, one to the east and one to the west of York, to cater for members of this group who come from a wide area. Poor weather meant the cancellation of one or two walks in winter, but by and large we have been able to enjoy good company, friendship, and the time to stand and stare in wonderful countryside. Both these groups welcomed new members during the year, and encourage car sharing whenever possible. Marilyn Skelton has again organised a series of monthly walks of about 6 miles on Tuesdays from March to December, followed by a pub lunch, which attracted an average of about 20 members drawn from the whole Area. There were also monthly Tuesday rambles of 7 to 8 miles to alternate with the pub lunch walks, attracting members. Afternoon walks of 5-6 miles on Saturdays were organised by Vera Silberberg, and enjoyed by a small number. The York public transport group, coordinated by Malcolm Dixon, contributed 33 walks during the year, completing the Six Dales trail, and the Three Peaks, as well as part of the River Ouse walk. As an alternative to Rowntree Park, we took a publicity stall in Parliament Street, York. Quantities of literature were distributed, and many conversations held, so we wait to see the effect on membership. Marilyn Skelton has ensured that our activities are publicised in the local Press, Local Link and Handy Mag, as well as circulating leaflets to all the York libraries and sports shops at intervals. Our participation in the Walking Partnership with Ramblers 26

27 Holidays has covered the cost of printing the newsletter, and contributed to funds when members have nominated the group when booking a holiday. Tom Halstead, as Area Access officer, has been concerned mainly with issues of Coastal Access, which are obviously outside our Group area. Planning and Environment issues, monitored by Monica Nelson and members of the footpath sub-committee, have included developments in York at Piccadilly, Monks Cross and Germany Beck. We welcomed the decision not to sell off Forest areas nationally, but await with caution the implementation of the City of York Local Plan, which may well affect the Green Belt. The Footpath sub-committee met four times this year, chaired by Peter Lidgett. They have been involved with path surveys in 120 parishes, coordinated by Patsy Pendegrass. Patsy is retiring from the committee after many years of service, but will continue the co-ordinating role, for which we thank her most sincerely. Also they have completed the annual path condition survey for the City of York. Little or no progress has been made on the City Definitive Map. David Nunns and Monica Nelson have attended meetings of the York Natural Environment Panel. ROW Local Liaison Group meetings have restarted. The footpath maintenance volunteers have not been called upon this year, due to the reorganisation of NYCC ROW work, which resulted in the loss of David Ottaway, the local Ranger. A very successful evening s introduction to First Aid for Walkers was held in March. A second course had to be cancelled by the tutor, but we hope to run another next year. Discussion with the York Archives regarding our deposit appears to have stalled at present, while the library is reorganised, but we hope to progress this soon. The committee will see more alterations next year, as Tom Halstead is stepping down as chair, although remaining on the committee. Monica Nelson and Ian Gibbs are resigning plus ça change! Tom and Ian may still be involved in helping organise General Council, to be held, if approved by the Trustees, at the University of York in Vera Silberberg 27

28 Of the many dozens of walking groups that can be found in our Area, a number have chosen to affiliate to the Ramblers. We appreciate their continuing support and are pleased HULL to CHA include their reports. HULL CHA The Hull CHA (Countrywide Holiday Association) is one of the walking groups affiliated to the East Yorkshire and Derwent Ramblers Association. The club celebrated its centenary in 2011 with a programme of special walks, social events and the publication of a centenary book and calendar. The club is very active and runs fortnightly coach rambles to the NY Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Peaks and the Wolds. Two and sometimes three walks of varying length are offered. There were some excellent walks during the period October The waterlogged walks in November - our planned walk to Thixendale had to be re-routed to Scarborough - gave way to what became a wonderful summer with many memorable walks. There are car ambles once a month, with walks of a slower pace. The Club runs a 6 day coach holiday during the year in March. In 2013 this was to Eastbourne and we had four delightful days walking, covering The Seven Sisters and parts of the South Downs Way. We even managed to avoid the worst of the snow. As ever, the non-walkers were well catered for. In September, fourteen members of the club went to Thwaite in the Dales and enjoyed three days walking there. A coach weekend away in October is also arranged. Last year we stayed in Sheffield and had three wonderful days walking in the Peak District in brilliant sunshine. As I type this, I am looking forward to our trip to Jesmond in two days time (and looking with some trepidation at the rain outside). There is a regular programme of social events. This period saw The President s Dinner at Lazaat in Cottingham, a Christmas Dinner at the Manor Court near Bridlington, and the annual non-walkers reunion lunch. The success of the club is due to the hard-working members of the committee, and as a non-committee member, I would like to acknowledge this. We welcome new members, and if anyone would like further details, please contact: Jan Capel (Hull CHA Rep to the East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Ramblers.) Jan Capel 28

29 RYEDALE WALKING GROUP This has been a busy and successful year for the Ryedale Walking Group. We currently have a record 81 paid up members, and had a wide variety of walks and events on offer during We have enjoyed a variety of walks in Ryedale and the surrounding areas, and have explored new territory as well as enjoying some of our favourites. This has been possible because of the continued support of existing walk leaders as well as some new volunteers coming forward. As well as the regular walks programme, there have been two holidays. We went to Skipton where some tackled the three Peaks. The second, a trip to Llangollen in Wales, was meant to take place at Easter, but when the snowy weather set in the holiday was delayed until July, when canal trips and a smart climb to a hill fort were be made. Both holidays were very successful. On 25 th May the Walks Coordinator, Treasurer and Membership Secretary led the 40 th Anniversary Coast to Coast Challenge Walk and this was open to members of the RWG. The annual Challenge Walk also took place on 16 th June around the Appleton/Easthorpe Area and was followed by a meal at the Cresswell Arms. A walk followed by a Summer BBQ was held in July, hosted with food and entertainment by the Sun Inn Pickering, and raised money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. In August a walk from Gristhorpe to Muston took place on the weekend of the Scarecrow Festival. One of our members kindly invited us back to his farm for tea. Unfazed by nineteen hungry walkers descending on her kitchen, Mrs.H provided a lovely spread including their own pork sausages and apple pie. The porcine experience was completed by a tour of the farm to see the pigs and piglets. It is another example of how, as well as walking and making the most of the countryside, members like the opportunity to eat well and enjoy each others company. The Walking Diners nights out to local restaurants and pubs continue to have a loyal following, and we have enjoyed some lovely relaxed evenings with good food (and drink). Members continue to offer suggestions for this event and we are slowly, with dedication and determination, making our way down the list. Well, someone has to do it! Moving forward, the group has now joined the Walking Partnership and it is looking to improve and freshen its website. Also, to acknowledge and 29

30 celebrate its longevity RWG now posts photos on Flickr, and has an archive of some pictures going back to the formative years of the group. Members particularly enjoy this opportunity to reminisce on those wet, winter days and, if I ve whetted your appetite for all things RWG, then you too can see what we ve been up to! Jan Dobson AREA SECRETARY - the last word As I write this, I have just returned from a lovely Sunday walk, which has reminded me of all the reasons why I walk with Ramblers. It has been refreshing and uplifting to be out in the countryside, I ve had my needed exercise but so much more! The walk leader had gone out of his way to make the walk interesting, the company was excellent, and as always we had some enjoyable conversations as the miles disappeared beneath our boots. It s amazing what you get talking about as you fall in step with people! It s been just a year, but seems a lot longer, since I responded to Dany s appeal for volunteers to help with Area work, and offered to be Area Secretary. To be honest, I did it because I felt guilty about always refusing to lead walks. My reason always sounded thin, but as those who know me better will testify, was perfectly true I have absolutely no sense of direction! Give me a map and a set of directions, and I ll lose everybody myself included within a mile. So doing secretarial work is a lot safer for all concerned! Since then I have been on a steep learning curve, one element of which has involved the learning of new acronyms. AONB, ERYC and NYCC were already on the fringes of my awareness, WAW and ORPA are gradually impinging, but LARA and PINS still elude me I am getting used to driving to the ends of the earth (well, Fimber can feel like it sometimes!) in the dark, hoping I ve got everything I need for the meeting, but being confident of a cup of tea and a warm welcome from members. My computer skills are (very) slowly improving. And I m getting to know a lot more people. So it s onward and upward just don t follow me! Alison Hales 30

31 Beverley GROUP SECRETARIES Annette Clemenson GYBO *Jenny Lake Howden and Goole Marian Thomas Hull and Holderness Tiffany Greenall Pocklington Jane Preston Ryedale **Anne Whinfield Scarborough Pam Grimwood York Vera Silberberg Vera Silberberg *From December 2013 contact Kelly Temple ** From December 2013 contact Terry Strickland Tel: AFFILIATED WALKING GROUPS As at October 1 st 2013 Ebor Acorn Rambling Club Freds Walkers Goole & District Rambling Club Hull Group HF Hull CHA Rambling Club Patrington Walking Club Reckitts Rambling Club Ryedale Walking Club Scarborough Rambling Club Wheldrake Walking Club Wykehyker Walking Club York CHA & HF Rambling Club If you belong to a walking club which is not affiliated at the moment, please ask the secretary/committee to consider affiliation to the Ramblers to support our work on behalf of all walkers. 31

32 AREA NEWS is printed by ALMA PRINTERS Exchange Street Driffield