RAMBLERS 75TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

This year the Ramblers celebrates its 75th anniversary.  We have come a long way since 1935 by way of the National Parks Act in 1949, access to open country in 2000 and more recently the legislation enshrined in the Marine Act to give everyone access to a true coastal path.  We are so lucky here in Devon, with our moorland access and the South West Coast Path, but when        discussing the effect of recent legislation with walkers from other parts of England their happiness knows no bounds.  We realise that we still do not have a perfect rights of way system but we know that all routes should by law be signed, maintained and shown on the Definitive Maps.  Ramblers has also worked to ensure that Ordnance Survey mapping is walker friendly.


One group event that we have to celebrate our 75th is a Treasure Hunt around Barnstaple on Sunday the 22nd August.  This will be an opportunity to invite neighbours, friends and family along for a two-hour stroll where, working in teams, you may see bits of Barnstaple buildings that you have previously passed by.  When you have completed the course it will be time for a seat and refreshment.  No maps needed.  If you require more information please contact either Joan Long or James Davies.


The Devon Area 75th Anniversary event is a 'gathering' of our groups on Sunday the 8th August.  On this programme you will see a walk led by David Eldred on that day.  The plan is to celebrate both the Ramblers 75th and the Two Moors Way trail.  The TMW was the creation of Ramblers in Devon and for many years it remained a sub-committee of Devon Area.  After about two hours walking we will stop for our picnic lunch at Hookney Tor, on the Two Moors Way, where we will meet up with members of some of the other eleven Devon Ramblers groups.  After some short speeches and celebration we will continue with our   respective walks.  Group members that came to Dartmoor last year to help celebrate the National Parks Act had a great day out.  Do try to come along.

MORE LEADERS - MORE WALKS

In order to increase the number of, and choice of, walks in future programmes, we are inviting all leaders and potential leaders (past, present and future) to take part in a short      discussion and exchange of experiences of walk leading.  This will take place in Loxhore Village Hall on Saturday 17th July following a ploughman's lunch at approximately 1.00 pm.  The walk from Arlington will split into 5 miles before lunch and 2 miles afterwards.

                                                            AUTUMN AWAY WEEKEND


We have reserved accommodation for twenty four walkers at the Moorland Links Hotel near to Yelverton for three nights, from Friday the 29th October to Monday the 1st November 2010.  The price will be £ 45 per person per day, half board, if sharing a double or twin room or £ 57 pppd for a single room.  We hope to organise a walk on Friday afternoon and walks on Saturday and Sunday.  These will include moorland and wooded, riverside walking.  All you need to do to secure a place is to send your deposit of £ 35 per person to Joan Long as soon as possible.  First come first served!  We would     advise you to have your own travel insurance in case of your need to cancel as we cannot guarantee to fill your booking.

                                                                           AREA AGM


For those of you not able to attend the Area AGM in February we were well looked after by the East Devon group who hosted the event. It was difficult to get out of Barnstaple    because of the snow but we arrived at Budleigh Salterton in time for a quick cuppa before the meeting.  Our speaker gave us an amazing insight into the Jurassic coast after which the formal business took barely an hour.  There were various presentations to Eileen Linfoot, our Area Secretary, who   retired after over twenty years in the post.  Sadly no one came forward to cover the position of Secretary and Minute Taker so the Area Executive committee are discussing how the job can be broken down and covered until we have at least two people willing to be co-opted.  If you think that you can help please contact Joan who can put you in touch with the       appropriate Area officer.  After a generous ploughman's lunch  forty of us enjoyed an easy two-hour walk in brilliant        sunshine from Budleigh Salterton and beside the River Otter.

                                         EXMOOR - NORTH DEVON WALKERS


Q1. Do you  walk in the North Devon area of Exmoor?
Q2. Can you read a map?
Q3. Do you have internet access?

If the answer to all 3 questions is yes, then Exmoor National Park Authority would like you as a Rights of Way Volunteer.
What will I have to do?
1. You will need to attend a training day.  On this day we will explain to you how to report problems on rights of Way.
2. Adopt a parish or parishes and walk all the paths in it/them.  You will need to do this over about a year (if after 6 months you are struggling let us know as we can extend the survey period or find someone else to help you).  Your parish will need to be in the North Devon area of Exmoor.
3. Report any problems you find.  There is a web page with a map for making reports, we will teach you how to use it but you will need to have access to the internet.
4. Make minor repairs as you walk.  This is optional but depending on the path and time of year you may need to use waymarking paint or clear small amounts of vegetation from around gates and stiles.


If you are interested in volunteering for Exmoor in this      capacity please contact me as below. Patrick Watts-Mabbott, Education Support Officer (Volunteers), Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor House, Dulverton.  Tel: 01398 323665. Direct line: 07973 727 469