Just 3 days to go...

This Sunday, a team of Ramblers will be running, to raise money for the charity's work to protect footpaths, promote walking, and improve access. We're running a half marathon heading off from the Millennium Dome, and for almost all of the team it'll be the furthest we've ever run. Individually and together we've raised just under £1,500 so far, but it would be great to get this up to £2,000 by Sunday.

If you're able to give a donation, big or small, to help us on our way, here's the link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tomstigers

Thanks for your support.

3000 walking Facebook fans, and growing (21/9)

Great news, we have reached the 3000 mark on Facebook! Thanks to everyone who contributes. It's becoming a great place for people to engage with the Ramblers and share walking news. It’s really grown as a community since the launch in July with lots of very enthusiastic contributors.

If you're a Facebook user and haven't yet joined the Ramblers page, here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/ramblers

And if you're not a member already, why not join Britain's walking charity?

New devolution agreements for Ramblers Scotland and Ramblers Cymru signed (19/9/11)

The best access legislation in the world. That's what we have in Scotland, and what we saw when the Ramblers Board of Trustees, together with the senior management team, spent the past weekend at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. It was our annual away weekend, where we step back to think about the future direction of the Ramblers. The fantastic right to access that exists in Scotland was brought home to me when talking over the weekend to a South African, who said that he found it amazing that we had such freedom to roam whereas in South Africa there is virtually no access at all to any private land.

I understand that it is the first time in the 76-year history of the Ramblers that the trustees have met in Scotland (historians amongst you might be able to correct me). Denis Canavan, the Convenor of Ramblers Scotland, hosted a dinner for us on the Friday evening along with other members of the Scottish Executive; and on the Saturday, after the work, many of us managed to get out into the national park for some walking (thanks to Dave Morris and Helen Todd from Ramblers Scotland for leading one of the walks).

It was a fitting occasion in which to sign the new devolution agreements for Ramblers Cymru and Ramblers Scotland, which give greater autonomy over policy and decision making in the two countries, as well as greater financial certainty. It's now over a decade since political devolution, and many issues regarding walking, rights of way, and access are decided by the respective governments in these countries. It therefore makes sense for Ramblers Scotland and Ramblers Cymru to have greater autonomy too. For the foreseeable future, we'll still be one organisation. But we'll need to keep this under review - it may be that a time comes when it makes more sense to have totally separate organisations in each country. Whatever happens, we'll still need to work closely together as a Ramblers 'family'.

Forest matters (16/9/11)

I enjoyed meeting lots of people passionate about their forests, in Kent yesterday evening, as part of the Independent Forestry Panel visits. The meeting was organised by the Forestry Commission South East and the Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), at the very magnificent Woodland Enterprise Centre (a building made almost entirely of local wood), just outside Tunbridge Wells.

Kent's forestry is different from other areas we've visited. About 10% is wooded, and of this 40,000 hectares about 70% is Ancient Woodland. In 1947, coppice systems accounted for two thirds of all woodland and although this is now down to around 20% it is still by far the highest of any county. (I met some very passionate coppicers last night. It is often a family business, and there are apparently some families with at least eight generations of coppicers.). Kent's woodlands are also smaller. There are about 2000 individual woodlands over 2 hectares (5 acres) and 75% of them are under 10 hectares in size.

What came across again was the passion and emotion that people feel for their forests. At the beginning of October, the Ramblers is organising a Walk in the Woods Week with 100+ forest walks (should be lovely Autumn colours by then). It's also organising three forest rallies in different parts of the country:

o    2^nd Oct – Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood themed

o    8^th Oct – Friston Forest, Sussex

o    9^th Oct – Rendlesham Forest Suffolk.

Further info on Walk in the Woods Week can be found:http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Campaigns+Policy/rallies

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

 

Getting ready for walk4life day

Walk 4 Life Day, with ITV, is taking place on Sunday 25th September, and the Ramblers is helping out in places all over the country. Watch this clip from ITV Calendar News in Yorkshire and the North East, featuring Helen and Maureen from the Ramblers.

http://www.itv.com/yorkshire/walk-4-life21798/

Some things are easy to forget, don't let the Ramblers be one of them...

Can you imagine a Britain without your favourite charity? Gifts in wills are the cornerstone of many good causes, creating nearly £2 billion each year, the equivalent of twenty Comic Reliefs. You might not realise it, but at the Ramblers, legacies are vital to our work in protecting footpaths, promoting walking, and campaigning for access - like the amazing Fairy Dale in the Yorkshire Wolds which I visited a few weeks ago, and is now accessible for future generations because of the Ramblers campaigning work. We'd struggle to do that work if it weren't for the generosity of members who have remembered us in their wills.

So this year, we've joined forces with Remember a Charity, and we're taking part in Remember a Charity Week from 12-18 September to help raise awareness of legacy giving.

Of course, we don't expect you to write or update your will right now. We just ask that you give a thought to your favourite charity and when the time is right, after taking care of your loved ones, you'll remember us in your will.

You can find out more about how you can help to ensure that walking and the places you love to walk are protected for future generations at www.ramblers.org.uk/legacy, and read more about how legacies help the work live on at www.rememberacharity.org.uk.

"What are your favourite English Coastal walking routes?"

That's the question we've asked our members and supporters in an online poll. Believe me, Ramblers members are discerning walkers - so if you want good tips for walking routes, they're the ones to ask.

Topping the league is the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, from Kimmeridge to Durdle Door. But I have to say that my personal favourite is the walking route that comes fourth in the league table: the route from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Saithes in North Yorkshire. Part of the Cleveland Way, I did this route in reverse a few years ago...stayed in a B&B at Saithes and then walked the cliff top route. The high cliff faces are almost jet black, and you've got the north sea out beyond - it's rough and wild and exhilarating. At the end of the walk, you descend down into the small Victorian town of Saltburn, which has quite a bohemian feel to it. A restored pier, working cliff cars, lots of surfers, and good fish and chips.

The Ramblers dream is for continuous coastal walking routes around the entire English coast. Some might think this far-fetched - our predecessors had the same reaction when they dreamed up the Pennine Way! - but actually there's now a law in place to create this. It'll open up the entire coastline to walkers. But the problem is, the Government seems to be dragging it's feet. The planning and design of the route is being delayed and there seems to be a distinct lack of commitment from the powers that be.

We've launched an appeal to keep the English Coastal path on track. If you would like to donate, please visit our website: www.ramblers.co.uk/donation or call 020 7339 8500.