The Rossendale Rambler

FREEDOM TO ROAM

At long last, it looks like freedom to roam is going to become a legal reality very soon.  On 17 November, at the state opening of parliament, we found out that the government plans to legislate in the coming parliamentary session, which means that we could all have a legal right to walk on mountains and moorlands, commons and heaths and downs, by next summer.  Land closed-off for generations will be open to the public, and areas where people currently enjoy freedom to roam will at last be protected in law.

The Countryside Bill will also include provisions for countryside and wildlife protection.  Also, there will be new laws on footpaths - the aims of which are very much in the public's favour, but the details of which need to be worked on.  The Ramblers' experienced negotiating team has already begun work to protect the good parts of what is likely to appear in the Bill (more new paths, tougher action against path blockers, more paths for people with disabilities), and to persuade government that the things we are worried about will indeed be bad for the public.

One of the worries is that the Bill will make the local authority the decision-maker on path closures and diversions instead of the independent planning inspector.  This will certainly cut costs, but what it will also do is make the local authority the judge and jury of its own orders: the public are likely to lose out.   The government is also considering a law to allow paths to be closed or diverted to cut down on the possibility of crime.  Should this become law, it's possible that some unscrupulous landowners would suddenly become very fearful of burglary and make loud pleas for paths to be closed.

If you would like to help secure a legal freedom to roam, and campaign for new laws to protect and improve our rights of way, this is what you can do:

Please contact me at Ramblers central office (1/5 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2XX, 0171 339 8535, or e-mail at JacquettaF@london.ramblers.org.uk) if you can help.

  ( Jaquetta Fewster is Rights of Way Campaign Co-ordinator at Ramblers HQ . Ed.)

KENTMERE - THE HARD WAY ?

Some friends one day went walking,
A Kentmere cairn their quest.
One of the group felt 'awful',
She said "I'll have to rest."

"No further can I move," she said,
"No further can I walk."
The others had a meeting swift,
Of 'carrying' they did talk.

The casualty declined much more,
And laid there wan and prone,
A friendly walker passing by,
Stopped, looked, then used his 'phone.

They got her into the machine,
It's rotor spinning madly.
One member had to fly with her,
The others took it badly.

When finally the saga ended,
And all were reunited,
She said "All's well that's ended well."
And "I got quite excited."

Variations on a Theme

A brother and sister joined the local Ramblers. Coming from a family who were non-drinkers, the father who was a strict teetotaller, reminded them to stay out of drinking establishments on the way. On the day of their first outing the day was unusually hot and before long they were beginning to flag. Just then a pub came into sight and they were persuaded to go in and partake of a glass or two of alcohol. Refreshed and happy they pressed on. Two miles further on, another small Inn and a couple more drinks pushed them to the furthest point of the ramble. It was a new experience for them but they remembered their father's words. The girl said, "I will have to tell Dad we have been in four pubs and drunk alcohol." He replied "Surely only two". At which she came back with "But we are going back the same way aren't we?"

WALK NOTICES

Keith Pickup’s walk on the 19th December will start at Ramsbottom and will be to Burrs Country Park and return via Buckhurst. Meet at Kay Street Car Park at 9.30 for a walk of around ten miles. Further details from Keith on (01706)601316.

There will be no walk on the 26th December (Boxing Day) unless someone wants to volunteer! Bah Humbug!

CAR BOOT SALE - RAMBLERS SET THEIR STALL OUT.

On Sunday, 26th September, Joan Breeze and Malcolm Marsden, after spending the preceding week going round collecting contributions from the membership, took all the booty to Gisburn and offered it for sale at the regular car boot sale venue. On a day that was not entirely pleasant, they were busy persuading people to buy bits and pieces so that Rossendale Rambler funds could be boosted. After taking out the cost of the pitch, Joan and Malcolm raised £60, a splendid sum. Many thanks to all those who gave bric-a-brac and especially to Joan and Malcolm for the organisation and sales expertise. Is this to be an annual event?

WALKS PROGRAMME 2000

Once more your walk leaders huddled together at the end of September and have produced a walks calendar for 2000 that is a credit to them. It is varied, exciting and caters for most needs. Thanks to the management of Alan, we have also managed to include walks that cater for the Blackburn Group who are struggling a little at the moment. There are also some shorter walks but, having said that, I must repeat that the leaders have to get something out of the walks themselves. If you want more shorter walks, someone who likes short walks will have to come forward and lead them - perhaps as an alternative on a day when there is a particular long one being offered. Come on you lot - let’s have some suggestions.

Walks for the Millennium include the Lakes, The Yorkshire Dales, Derbyshire, Wales, Cheshire and of course local walks both in Rossendale and in Lancashire generally. Do come and join us - the programme is for you the members.

CHRISTMAS BARGAINS AT FELL AND MOUNTAIN

The shop at Accrington is stuffed full of cold/wet weather bargains and if you are thinking of buying a Christmas present or even a treat for yourself, Fell and mountain is the place to get it from. At the moment Keith Dawson has a line of Polartec® fleeces which he said are equal in quality to those sold under well known brand names. At only £39.99 each, they represent very good value and don’t forget the 10% discount!

For the first time polling papers were sent separately to the regular walkers and the response was excellent. I had hoped to publish the actual results of the poll but unfortunately there was not enough room in this edition.

I will therefore make sure it is in the next one as well as part one of the description of the walk and those taking part. It was a grand day!

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