Ramblers Association Doncaster Group
Minutes of Committee meeting held on 16th July 2018 at The Three Horse Shoes
Committee Members Present: David Gadd, Bob Carlisle, Peter Rowsell, Peter Gravestock, Marion Thompson, Dave Binnington. Jim Elvidge, Stephen Saddington, Norman Lewis and Martin Wyman.
Also attended: Cynthia Elvidge.
- Apologies
Apologies received from: David Horn, Tony Marsh and Tony Liversidge.
- Minutes of previous meeting 21st May.
Minutes confirmed as accurate DG/BC.
- Matters arising from those minutes.
None.
- Walking Festival.
DB said this was our first try, and it had been generally successful, with 27 walks in 9 days. Did we encourage new members? Maybe 5-10 as a result of the Festival. A full report has been sent to all Committee members. BC said it was disappointing the only one DMBC Councillor attended.
We had stuck with our criteria and apart from NL’s Swinton walk we walked the footpaths in the DMBC area. DG expressed disappointment that we had attracted few non-walkers, but SS pointed out that perhaps health walks require a different focus.
DMBC have still to report back. BC asked the meeting if he could release the report to DMBC, and the Committee agreed. Steve Betts (DMBC) wishes to follow up with a case study. BC said that both Dean Wiffen and Emma Wilson had moved on to pastures new and a new ‘walking officer’ is to be appointed.
DG asked if we would do it again and would DMBC support us. MW expressed concern that we had used the Walk About dates for our Festival but had not fulfilled the obligation to provide feedback for the People’s Postcode Lottery who had sponsored the Ramblers’ Festival. DB replied that he had emailed CO that we would not be part of Walk About and they had replied that they understood what we were trying to do.
After discussion it was agreed to include a Festival item in the September agenda.
- Thursday Walks Programme.
DG clarified to MT that this did not refer to the walks using public transport.
We already do walks of 6-8 miles on a Thursday following the longer Tuesday walks and these were considered successful. Should we expand this programme to two or four walks a month and continue throughout the year.
It was agreed that it was too late to consider this for the Winter Programme, but could be considered for the next Summer Programme. DB/BC said that initially we need a shorter walks coordinator to replace Lee Welsh who is moving away. It was agreed to include this in the September agenda.
- Financial Report.
DH not present. Financial report presented. There were no questions.
- Publicity Officer
PR said we were still getting articles in the Free Press, and there had been a big spread in Eastside, the ‘ultimate style magazine for Doncaster, Rotherham and north Nottinghamshire since 1989’. Yes, we’re in it.
DB thanked PR for all his efforts in ‘spreading the message’.
- Walks Programme
- Walks Programme update.
All 26 Tuesday walks are allocated.
TJ is struggling with the Saturday walks. DG had emailed Rotherham and Dearne Valley Ramblers who walk on a Saturday to see if combined walks were a possibility, and Rotherham had provided two walks and Dearne Valley one.
DG asked if this should be formalised. PG suggested that perhaps Doncaster should do every other Saturday. Is it worth a meeting? Yes, DG and TJ to attend.
TJ is still five walks short.
- Walks Programme format.
DG presented a sample front cover in Ramblers house style. It was agreed that this was a clearer cover and NL agreed to use it. The format of the inside of the programme will probably remain the same. PG has received an observation that there are too many people in the photos, and not enough scenery. DG prefers to show a combination of people and scenery in the photos on the website.
- Rights of Way Report
There have been 195 paths walked so far this year. Several paths have been reported as badly overgrown and DMBC have admitted that they are behind with their summer cutting programme.
I have been copied on some emails by Lee Davidson, the Secretary of the West Riding Area Footpath Committee, who walks regularly in the Sykehouse area, reporting problems with Sykehouse 24. We have been reporting this footpath as unwalkable for many years now and major work is required. The responses from Stuart Horrocks suggest that the issues with this footpath are finally being addressed, so we live in hope.
Following on from the visit with Darren Robinson to the rail crossing on Adwick 8 I have visited the crossing on Hampole 8 with Darren, plus his manager and 2 engineers. Network rail are investigating a possible closure and diversion. The latter will require major work, and I asked Tony (Marsh) to visit the site with me to look at the problems. The line of site when approaching from the south is obstructed by bridge supports and I suspect that an application to close the crossing on safety grounds is a real possibility.
I will be attending the PROW Forum on 26th July and I expect Network Rail to attend that meeting and provide an update on their proposals.
There is an interesting attempt at a land grab by houses in Ingleborough Drive Sprotbrough, which back on to Sprotbrough 8. They wish to extend their gardens over the RoW and divert the Row below the new gardens. This is complicated by the fact that the land to the south of S8 is a land fill of uncertain provenance. We await developments with interest.
Finally, can I reiterate our plea that if any square walker is having difficulty in completing their footpaths would they let a member of the RoW committee know as soon as possible.
TM Since the last meeting on May 21st our volunteers have been in action on three occasions.
On May 23rd, nine volunteers were out at Blaxton removing 'difficult' stiles and replacing them with more walker -friendly kissing gates. These changes were warmly welcomed by several local residents who use the path regularly and who were finding it difficult climb over the existing stiles.
The session planned for June had to be cancelled because of holiday arrangements but we have managed to get back on schedule by having an extra meeting in July.
On July 11th, ten volunteers, including two new additions to the team, were out in force at Moss, removing two battered old stiles and replacing them with kissing gates and also repairing a third stile which had seen better days. A very productive mornings work.
On July 18th yet another kissing gate will be installed at Sykehouse by a small team of three volunteers.
So, some excellent improvements have been carried out in the past two months.
It needs to be said that our group of volunteers continue be very supportive and are always willing to help whenever possible. Without their help, little would be achieved.
- Social Report
DN not present.
BC said that the coach trip to Ripon had been very successful, with three walks that met expectations. BC/DB said they were happy to arrange one next year.
DG said DN was still looking for a suitable venue to hold the AGM.
For Xmas, DG has booked the Waterwheel Tea Room and Bistro recced a 7.5 mile walk for Tuesday 11th December. No information available on a Saturday walk/meal.
13 . AOB.
- The first ‘Carers Walk’ took place on 11th July and was considered a success. There will be another one at Chatsworth in September.
- BC had received a letter concerning the Trans Pennine Trail Event to be held at Sprotbrough on 15th September. It was agreed that we support this.
Meeting closed 20:42