Two training opportunities for volunteers (31/1/11)

Over the past few years, we’ve been running a project called ‘Get Walking Keep Walking’, in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and London.  Paid for by the Big Lottery Fund and Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust, the project is aimed at people new to walking.  It has involved more than 700 volunteers, and there have been great links between the project and Ramblers groups in places like Sheffield and Manchester.

Building on this experience, we’re organising two volunteer training events in Newcastle and London on May 7^th and 8^th respectively.  Entitled Getting People Walking, the events will focus on leading successful walks, reaching new audiences and building membership. Sessions will cover:

• Walk leading skills
• Devising shorter and more accessible walks
• Making links with other local walking initiatives
• Promoting activities more effectively
• The new Ramblers route development system

 

More information and a booking form is at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/News/gettingpeoplewalking0511

Book early, in case they fill up!

Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
Follow my blog for Ramblers volunteers at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/chief+executives+blog

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Leicestershire and Rutland Ramblers in good form (29/1/11)

I'm on my way back from the AGM of Leicestershire and Rutland
Ramblers, attended by around 40 members. They'll be hosting General
Council in 2012 so we had quite a discussion about what that would
entail.

Other issues which came up:

- The popularity of our President, Julia Bradbury amongst walkers.
(Several of the groups had invited her on walks, but they appreciate
how busy she is.)
- Cut-backs to local authority funding for footpaths (so far,
Leicestershire has not been so badly affected as others).
- Our new Mystery Walkers scheme, and linking in the footpath survey
which the Area already does.
- I was questioned on whether the Ramblers is doing enough to reach
out to black and ethnic minority people - particularly in places like
Leicester.
- Members also wanted to know whether schemes like Get Walking could
be extended to Leicestershire.
- I was asked if the membership lists could show whether members
prefered to receive electronic posting rather than hard copy - to help
with distributing the Area newsletter, Write of Way, electronically.
- Also, the importance of keeping down the amount of health and
safety requirements when working with children.
- Finally, it was suggested the CRM software should include
information about volunteers skills, to help identify people who can
help with projects.

Thanks to Roy Denney (Chair) and Michael Parr (Secretary) for their
hospitality.

Next week...Cornwall.

Tom Franklin
Sent from my iPhone

Ramblers - at the heart of walking
Please visit www.ramblers.org.uk to find out more
The Ramblers? Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:
www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

BBC You and Yours feature on effect of footpath cutbacks (28/1/11)

Today’s BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme contains a lengthy feature on the potential effects of council cutbacks to their rights of way budgets.  I did the interview at the end of the piece from the studio, but I thought that the case put over from the recorded part at the start, from Cumbria, was excellent in setting out the case for why these drastic council cuts will be devastating for our footpath network.  There’s an interview with the Leader of Cumbria County Council where he says the council is thinking again on at least part of the proposed rights of way cuts, following feedback from the public.  That is good to hear – and shows that we can make a difference.  We do need to keep up the pressure on all councils.  For ideas on campaigning, and for the latest news on the cuts that we know about, have a look at our campaigns website: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Campaigns+Policy/deadend.htm

You can listen to the You and Yours piece through iPlayer from the link below (11mins30secs – 20mins47secs):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00xw5ld/You_and_Yours_28_01_2011/

Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
Follow my blog for Ramblers volunteers at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/chief+executives+blog

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Today's forestry proposals won't protect access (27/1/11)

The Ramblers remains concerned that proposals for the sale of Forestry Commission land will lead to a reduction in public access.

Today’s proposals will largely protect access to heritage woodland such as the New Forest and the Forest of Dean, and even large commercial woodland like Kielder Forest in Northumberland. But there is a big BUT.  Roughly 50% of the Forestry Commission estate currently falls into neither ‘heritage’ nor ‘large commercial’ categories, and this half could end up for sale on the open market with no guarantees that current access will be maintained.  Guarantees have not been given that the good quality access provided by the Forestry Commission will be maintained for all woodland, and the government has also shown that it is firmly against dedicating any further land to full public access. Far from protecting and enhancing access, the current proposals don’t meet the Ramblers key tests for maintaining public access to Britain’s woodlands.  

We believe that if the government can’t promise to guarantee current levels of public access, then Forestry Commission land shouldn’t be sold.  There are some positives in the proposals, including protection of access to Heritage and community forests such as the Forest of Dean, but there are also a lot of grey areas which are likely to lead to a reduction in public access.  With 50% of all Forestry Commission land falling outside of the categorisation of heritage and community woodland or large commercial forests, we could see access to half of the Forestry Commission estate seriously reduced in the next few years.  We are urging members (and members of the public) to get involved with the consultation and tell the government how important it is to be able to access and enjoy your local woodland, regardless of its classification.

Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
Follow my blog for Ramblers volunteers at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/chief+executives+blog

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Flintshire Ramblers Grant Success (27/1/11)

Since my posting yesterday about the success of Isle of Wight Ramblers in obtaining a grant to carry out footpath improvements, I've heard of another great success, this time in Wales. 

For the past few years, Flintshire County Council has budgeted £100,000 for Footpath Maintenance and Improvement. But it had not applied for any funding for footpath improvements from the Welsh Assembly Government and European Regional Development Fund - unlike its neighbour, Denbighshire. 

 

About 12 months ago the Ramblers found out that £850,000 of these funds  were available for the two counties, to be spent during the financial year ending 31st March 2011. 

 

Ron Williams, together with John Roberts (Secretary of the Flintshire Footpath Committee) lobbied Flintshire to get their bids in. They were supported by our members on the Local Access Forum. They drew up a list of schemes and alerted others to make suggestions. This led to a grant funded officer being appointed to assist with the bids.

 

The result has been that £165,000 was allocated to Flintshire from the Fund for footpaths (non footpath related  schemes were also successful). The grants only cover a maximum of 80% of the cost the remainder coming partners and funders. Ramblers did not have find any funds because the County Council, which actually did the costing, put in the bids and supervised the work,  found other funders, principally Landfill Tax to take up what could been our financial contribution.

 

This means that the County Council Footpath Maintenance Budget was effectively increased by over £200,000. 

I'd like to know about other success stories - and don't forget to record your footpath successes using the link below.  Promoting our successes helps with campaigning, fundraising, and member recruitment. 

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/successes.htm

Tom Franklin

Sent from my iPhone

 

The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Isle of Wight Ramblers Success (26/1/11)

> Congratulations to the Isle of Wight Ramblers for winning a grant of
> £36,000 for the improvement of footpaths at the Nature Reserves in
> Alverstone, alongside Wight Nature Fund.
>
> The project is in two phases.

> Phase 1 will involves the replacement of the boardwalk at Alverstone
> Mead – this includes a new section to access a very muddy path. Sti
> les will be removed and replaced with gates. Disabled access at the
> bird hide will be improved.
>
> Phase 2 will take place after the completion of the sale of land at
> Youngwoods Copse and permissions given by Natural England and
> Environment Agency. A new footpath will be created crossing a new
> bridge to link with the cycle way
>
> The Isle of Wight Ramblers will produce a new leaflet showing an
> easy access trail from Sandown Railway Station. This will be
> distributed at ferry ports and tourist sites.

A great project.

Tom Franklin
Sent from my iPhone

Ramblers - at the heart of walking
Please visit www.ramblers.org.uk to find out more
The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:
www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Launch of the Ramblers Walk in the Park series (24/1/11)

I attended the launch of ‘A Walk in the Park’ yesterday (Sunday) in Hyde Park.  This is a programme of ten weekly London health walks being launched by the Ramblers in partnership with the Rain Trust – with funding help from Natural England and the Royal Parks.

A team of 30 Ramblers volunteers are leading the walks – some of whom have been walks leaders before, and some of whom are members who haven’t volunteered before.  The walks will take place in Green Park, Regents Park, Kensington Gardens, St James Park, Hyde Park, and Greenwich Park.

Across the country, there are already strong links between the Ramblers and local health walks programmes.  Indeed, a very high proportion of health walks leaders are actually Ramblers members/volunteers.    With the cutbacks that are taking place in public funding, the chances are that we’ll see more Ramblers groups and volunteers helping to lead health walks. 

One of the advantages for the Ramblers is that it helps us to introduce new people to the joys and benefits of walking (which is one of our charitable objectives).

If you’d like more information about this programme of health walks, visit: www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk/walkfinder/london/walk-park

Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
Follow my blog for Ramblers volunteers at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/chief+executives+blog

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Our message to our affiliated clubs: "Help us to help You!" (20/1/11)

We've recently written to hundreds of our affiliated walking clubs
with a simple message:

Their club members need the Ramblers to protect the footpaths they
love to walk. And we need their club members to join us too, to enable
us to stand up for footpaths, and support our local volunteers.

We're asking them to put out a call to their members to sign up to the
Ramblers. And to encourage them to do so, we've said we'll donate £5
to their club for every application they refer before the end of March
(£2 for each concessionary rate application). For referrals between
April and September, we'll donate £2 (£1 for concessionary rate).

It would help us greatly if Ramblers Areas and Groups can re-inforce
this message to their affiliated clubs. The more members we have - the
more clout, resources, and volunteers. And therefore the more we can
safeguard the places we walk.

Tom Franklin
Sent from my iPhone

Ramblers - at the heart of walking
Please visit www.ramblers.org.uk to find out more
The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:
www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Let's tell walkers about Ramblers successes (19/1/11)

There are about six million regular walkers in Britain, and only a fraction of them are Ramblers members. 

But without the Ramblers work to safeguard and expand footpaths, those six million walkers wouldn't have so many wonderful places to go walking!

Imagine what more we could do if more of those walkers were Ramblers members...

I think we can be a bit shy about promoting our successes to walkers and asking them to join...not just to go on led walks - but simply to support our great work. I go on walks where I never see a single promotion of the Ramblers - even though I know the Ramblers have been active in the area.  The RSPB isn't so shy - perhaps that's why it has over one million members! 

Following suggestions by volunteers, we've produced thousands of small waymarked-sized plaques which promote the practical improvement work done by volunteers and at the same time encourage the public to join the Ramblers. (Although some Ramblers Groups already use plaques, not many do, and they rarely mention the specific request: 'join'.)

 

We have produced hard plaques (to be fixed to wood) and stickers (for use on metal).

They are in our store room at central office now, but I'd rather they were being used to gently exhort the walking public to join us. To see the design, and for details of how your Group can order some, follow the link to our website below: 

 

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/News/Tell+walkers+about+your+practical+path+work

 

Tom Franklin

Sent from my iPhone

 

The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

New membership trial: Area membership (18th January 2011)

One of our ambitions this year is to get to the end of it and have more Ramblers members than we started.  More members means more campaigning impact, more resources, and a bigger pool of potential volunteers.  You may have noticed that we are trying out a range of new initiatives, to get a better understanding of what motivates people to join – and to renew their membership.

For two months from 1^st February, new Ramblers members joining online via the main website will be given a clearer option of choosing to be members only of their local Area rather than a Group. This will be in addition to the existing options of asking to be allocated to a Geographical Group automatically by postcode, or choosing a Group from the dropdown list. The default will remain as automatic allocation to a Geographical Group by postcode.

We hope from this to get a better understanding of what new members want.  We currently don’t know enough about how important the ‘local group’ is to their motivation for joining.  For example, how many people join the Ramblers to support our campaigning work and don’t want to get involved in their local group?  Are we wasting resources in sending them local walks programmes that they are not interested in?  The pilot should help us to answer these sorts of questions.

In the pilot, we will be looking at:
- the proportion of new online joiners selecting this option;
- responses from Areas and Groups;
- and in the longer term, any differences in renewal rates between those who join a Group and those who don't.

More details are available on the volunteer section of the website: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/News/On-line-Area-membership-to-be-piloted

As this pilot will only affect those joining through the Ramblers website, not via printed application forms, the numbers involved for any given Group are likely to be relatively small. As always, any member, at any time, may change their Group allocation by contacting the Membership Services Team.

Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
Follow my blog for Ramblers volunteers at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/chief+executives+blog

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

Visit our website at:

www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales