New Area Committee Announced after Area AGM in Sheringham

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Richard P May

Following the Norfolk Area AGM on Saturday 27 February a new area committee has been elected.

The new area chairman is Richard May who is also currently a national trustee. Richard paid tribute to the work of Bernard Moore, the retiring chairman, and said:

“Bernard has been area chair in Norfolk for as long as I have been a member of Ramblers, and I would like to thank him personally for all the work that he has put in for the Ramblers in Norfolk. He has done a great job on behalf of Norfolk for many years, and he will be a hard act to follow”.

Richard added:

“I look forward to working with the area council members and the wider membership in Norfolk to continue to keep Ramblers an organisation relevant to the 21st century walker, and hopefully to turn the corner on membership levels and start to grow our membership again”.

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Peter (Treasurer), Bernard (outgoing Chairman) and Ken (Secretary)

The area AGM was held in Upper Sheringham and the Sheringham group offered an excellent welcome with biscuits and wonderful home baked cakes.

We also had an interesting talk from Paul Strong, the Head of Ramblers ICT, who also offered an overview of the meeting. Members were able to get an insight into the complex nature of the operations of the national organisation and see the hard work which under-pinned the Big Pathwatch scheme.

After the formal part of the meeting we were also given a wonderfully entertaining talk by Richard Edwards from Sheringham Coastwatch. More information about this voluntary organisation is available at http://www.sheringhamcoastwatch.org.uk/.

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Richard Edwards from Sheringham Coastwatch

The new committee is:

Chairman : Richard May

Vice-Chairman : Ian Mitchell

Treasurer : Peter James

Secretary : Ken Hawkins

Footpath Co-ordinator : Ian Mitchell

Press and Publicity : Julian White

Publications Manager : Peter James

Newsletter Co-ordinator : Richard May

Membership Secretary : Derek Goddard

 

Changes to Norfolk Rights of Way During 2014-2016

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Ian Mitchell, the area footpath co-ordinator, has compiled a list of all of the changes to the Norfolk Rights of Way over the last two years.

The complete list is available to view at the below PDF file:

Changes to Norfolk Rights of Way during 2014-2016.

For anyone who encounters a path problem in Norfolk, where sure of your details, this can be reported directly to:

Rights of Way Team, Planning & Transportation Dept, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2SG. (Telephone: 0344 800 8020.)

You can also report them online via the map at http://maps.norfolk.gov.uk/highways/ – find the path, click on it,
and follow the instructions.

If unsure, or the problem is not clear, report the problem to Ian Mitchell at ianmitchell5@virginmedia.com. Ian would also like to know anything directly reported to the Rights of Way Team.

Three Rivers Way Association Project to Connect Norfolk Broads

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The first stage of a new project to link local villages in the Broads together using footpaths and cycle tracks has been announced. The work will begin with a track which will connect Hoveton and Horning.

The track will be suitable for both walkers and cyclists with the Hoveton to Horning stretch being around 3.7 kilometres in length. The project is being run by the Three Rivers Way Association and they confirmed that:

“The route will start at Hoveton and Wroxham Station and will have a spur up the Stalham Road to enable pupils to access Broadland High School from the back of the school. The route follows the road to Horning and includes a crossing to St John’s Primary School. Phase 1 finishes at Lower Street Horning”.

After the first stage is completed it is hoped that additional stages will also be opened. These are expected to include Horning to Ludham Bridge, Ludham Bridge to Ludham and Ludham to Potter Heigham.

Further information about the project, which is welcomed by Norfolk Ramblers, is available at http://www.threeriversway.org.uk/.

Workshop on Rights of Way and the 2026 Deadline

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A workshop is being held by The Ramblers and the BHS on the importance of recording and registering rights of way by the 2026 deadline.

The event will take place in Garboldisham Village Hall (Church Road, IP22 2SE), near Diss, on Saturday 5 March 2016. It will last from 09.30 until 16.00 and it is free of charge with lunch and refreshments being provided.

The tutors for the day will be two acknowledged experts in this field, Dr Phil Wadey and Sarah Bucks, the authors of the book “Rights of Way: Restoring the Record”.

The day will concentrate on the key sources of evidence of lost ways, where that information is located, what it can tell us, and how a systematic research method is the best way forward.

Please book via the BHS website or by calling the BHS Access department on 02476 840 515. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Norfolk Ramblers Holiday in Sidmouth

In addition to all of the walks which take place in Norfolk from our ten groups, there are also many trips away which occur throughout the year. New members are always welcome to take part and last year there was a trip to Sidmouth which proved popular all round.

1SidmouthThey wouldn't let us in with our boot on_

Not in allowed in with their boots on!

 

2Sidmouth A Path not a Jungle

More a jungle than a path.

3Sidmouth Could we use it at home_

Could we use this at home?…….

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Meeting a new friend.

5Sidmouth Walking to Seaton

The walk to Seaton.

6 finishing the wlalk to Sidmouth

The Seaton and District Electric Tramway and the walk to Sidmouth.

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Oh doctor I’m in trouble!

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A delicious and well deserved snack!

9Sidmouth Otterton Peninsular

Otterton Peninsular

10Sidmouth Would we all get fit in

Would they all fit in?

Stuart Meakin honoured for his long service to Sheringham Ramblers

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Stuart Meakin was honoured at the Sheringham Ramblers Christmas meal with a long-service certificate marking his long-term contributions to the organisation.

Stuart was a founder member of the Sheringham group and has served as its treasurer for 35 years. His long-term commitments to the group, and to Ramblers, have been really appreciated by all within the charity.

Stuart’s certificate was from Kate Ashbrook, the President of the Ramblers, and was given to him by Richard May. Richard is from Dereham and is a national trustee of the Ramblers.

Richard May (left) presenting Stuart with his certificate. Stuart's wife, Evelyn, is on the right.
Richard May (left) presenting Stuart with his certificate. Stuart’s wife, Evelyn, is on the right.

Richard said “it was a real honour to present Stuart with the certificate for all his hard work and efforts for the Ramblers”. Richard also recognised the vital role that all volunteers in Ramblers play in the achievements of the organisation, and extended his thanks to all of them.

Julian White, from Norfolk Area Ramblers, added:

“Stuart has done a huge amount for the area and in particular for the Sheringham group. His work is very much appreciated by the area and we’re delighted that he has been recognised for his long service to the Ramblers”.

Richard and Stuart
Richard and Stuart

EDP Reports on New Exciting Coastal Path

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As previously mentioned there is a new section of coastal path opening around Norfolk giving walkers a new permanent route to enjoy the Norfolk coast.

The EDP has reported this in an excellent article in their newspaper over the Christmas period. Many individuals have worked hard for this route to be established and we are always pleased to see it advertised. It’s great for walkers as well as businesses along, and near, to the route of the coastal path.

Thank You to our Walk Leaders

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Everyone at Norfolk Area Ramblers would like to thank our walk leaders for all that they do in leading so many great walks in Norfolk and beyond. There are usually between 50 and 100 walks which take place every month which are run by our Norfolk groups. All the effort the walk leaders put in is really appreciated and thank you again!

For anyone who is tempted to lead a walk, please do let us know, we can provide help and support for your first walk. It’s not too challenging and the area and groups are always on hand to offer assistance. Please always let us know if we can do anything to help.

Keep on walking between Christmas and New Year!

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For anyone wanting to get some walks in (to walk off too many mince pies….) between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day there are lots of walks taking place across the county. A list is walks is always available at:

http://www.norfolkra.org.uk/walks.htm.

Walks include: (more info on these on the above link)

26/12/2015 – Norwich Group : Boxing Day walk (12 miles) from just outside Brooke.

27/12/2015 – King’s Lynn Group : 4.75 miles from Church Lane South

27/12/2015 – Mid Norfolk Group : 9 miles starting at Brisley (figure of eight walk for those who want to only walk a shorter distance)

27/12/2015 – Hike Norfolk : 8 mile walk from Barton Turf

30/12/2015 – Sheringham Group : 6.5 mile walk starting from Aldborough Green

31/12/2015 – King’s Lynn Group : 6 mile walk starting at Snettisham Beach Car Park

31/12/2015 – Wensum Group : 5 mile walk starting at Forncett St. Mary.

Anyone is welcome to attend a walk, whether a member of Ramblers or just wanting to see what we’re about.

Also, we hope that everyone has a very happy Christmastime and all the best for the new year – just make sure it involves lots of walking!