Other News

Celebrations, celebrations. In February we celebrated 40 years for Ramblers in Haslemere with a set of special walks (thanks to Richard Evans and the social committee) and as you will see from the future programme we will be combining our 40^th year with the Ramblers 75^th year Celebration so please come along, meet old friends, make new ones and be part of the next 75 years.

Meanwhile the weather’s improved, the spring flowers are finally out and it appears that the sense of well being has got everyone out walking. You may be interested to know that I was recently asked by Ramblers Headquarters to give some details on the types of walks we have on our programme and the number of leaders. A review of recent walks programmes (supplied by our unofficial archivist Damian) revealed that we have about 80 walks leaders and each quarter we programme approximately 500 miles of walks. So well done to all leaders and give yourselves a round of applause! Now that also means there is a challenge out there - who will be the first person to complete walking on every date in a complete programme …. go for it!  In order to continue this success we want to encourage everyone who walks to lead at some time or other; committee members and others will provide advice and direct support on the walk and on recces if you wish. So if you haven’t led a walk yet why not talk to one of the committee?

Following on from our last newsletter I would like to announce that Denis Holmes has agreed to act as publicity officer for the group so if you have any good stories or photos on the group’s activities please contact Denis.

Finally Surrey County Council are currently taking action to reduce the cost of their countryside and rights of way section and are introducing a priority system to reduce the amount of work carried out on rights of way. This is obviously very worrying in terms of how quickly our footpath network will deteriorate and the high likelihood that less used paths will become blocked. I would therefore ask that everyone be extra vigilant in reporting footpath problems both within Surrey and other county areas so we can monitor the true effects of cutbacks.  Jim Chipchase

Haslemere Charter Fair 3 May

Our stall was a success despite the cold day. We took over £300 selling our own Group books, donated books, maps and rucksacks (thanks to Richard Evans and friends) and Surrey Area Books. A big thank you to Andy Piercey, who helped set up and stayed to the end and to everyone who helped or even just visited it made the day worthwhile. Next time we should go for £500, so start looking out old maps and guides, really anything related to walking that's surplus and that you can donate to Group aims! We'll sell it! I'm told that the fair on the Burys the Saturday of the May weekend was successful for the Godalming Country Market, so why don't we try there next year, as we need to find a suitable location in Godalming - any volunteers?  Mike Pope

Report on Surrey Area AGM

The AGM was held at Sanderstead this year, hosted by Croydon Group celebrating its 60^th anniversary, the oldest Group in the country. Rodney Whittaker, the Ramblers Chairman was guest speaker giving an up-to-date account of the struggle to emerge safely from the financial problems of the past year. In my opening address I referred to these difficulties and the considerable time and effort that Area officers and the Area Council had spent in discussing and feeding back comments to the Board of Trustees. Although at times these have been critical we have always been constructive and supportive of the Board.

I retired as Chairman after seven years in the post but was elected as Area Publicity Officer so will still be involved in Area affairs. Keith Chesterton of Guildford Group was elected as my successor and  John Nathan from Epsom & Ewell Group was elected as Vice Chairman. Des Coles retired as Countryside Officer but we are not filling the post as we are merging the Countryside work with Access policy. The other Officers were all re- elected.

However a significant change to the constitution was passed limiting the maximum time that Area Officers spend in post to five years.

Ramblers General Council  April 2010

The Council was held this year at Royal Holloway College Egham and was hosted by Surrey Area. About forty volunteers led by Graham Butler our co-ordinator worked very hard supporting Central staff on everything from taxi services to tellers. This was my third GC but it was certainly the most exciting! The Treasurer gave an eloquent description of how financial disaster has been avoided and the measures now in place to work on a balanced budget. The recession has hit many charities so we are not alone in this problem. The debate on the many motions was very lively (we never finished them all).  The motion highly critical of the Board’s management was defeated by one vote. The Surrey motion to change the Articles of Association was passed which will require the Board of Trustees to report on the failure to implement motions at the General Council and to give reasons. This was prompted by the lack of progress on our motion on direct debit passed by Council two years ago. There were of course many other issues covered – e.g. footpath protection, coastal access, campaigns, legal action policy, the membership system, etc. 

Finally at the election two of the leaders of the “concerned ramblers group” were elected to the Board so there should be a good balance of viewpoints. Rodney Whittaker from Surrey Area continues in the demanding job of Chairman.  Denis Holmes, Area Publicity Officer

South Downs and West Sussex

The South Downs National Park Authority came into being on 1 April and will operate in ‘shadow’ form until 31 March 2011 when the South Downs Joint Committee will cease to exist and the Authority will take up full responsibility for the National Park. The South Downs Advisory Forum annual meeting in February was a chance for many interested bodies including The Ramblers to make their views known to the Authority. From his side, Richard Shaw, the Authority’s interim chief executive, told the forum of his view that the idea of a National Park will take shape over a number of years. Meanwhile the Authority will operate within their remit of conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage whilst promoting understanding and enjoyment of the Park. To do that it must foster the economic and social well-being of its communities. Richard gave a further update on progress at the South Downs Society’s AGM on 1 May when he was able to announce that Margaret Paren of Hampshire CPRE had been elected NPA Chairman. The Authority is using its 'shadow' year to decide its core functions in regard to planning: it is recruiting staff and is starting to prepare its Management Plan. On the vexed question of responsibilities for rights of way in the wake of West Sussex’s decision to take back the function when the present SDJC is wound up, Richard said that he was more interested in the outcome of a well maintained, well waymarked network, and that he would negotiate hard with the counties to ensure that outcome. No doubt the question of rights of way work will be discussed when West Sussex footpath secretaries meet in late May. Northchapel, Linchmere, (Mike Pope), West Itchenor (Margaret Heath), Fernhurst, Plaistow and Lurgashall (me) are the parishes where G & H members undertake this key duty.  Richard Evans

South Downs Society

The Group is now a member of the society which acts as the main voluntary body supporting the conservation and beauty of the National Park. As one of the Society’s main objects is the protection and enhancement of public rights of way, our membership is fully in line with the Ramblers own objectives.  Richard Evans

Surrey Hills Events

22/05/2010 Gunpowder Works Chilworth

A guided historical walk led by Jeff Reading, a member of Surrey Archaeological Society, with handout, through the remains of the old Gunpowder Works on the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth. This is an attractive walk along the river and through the many visible remains of gunpowder-making spanning three hundred years from the Jacobean period up to World War I.

08/06/2010 Box Hill

A short stroll on the downland areas of Box Hill to look at the orchids and other flora and fauna of this internationally important site, guided by the former Head Warden of the property.

24/07/2010 Juniper Hill, Mole Valley

Yew and box groves to explore, rare chalkland flora with varying views of the River Mole gap in the North Downs.

12/08/2010 Hindhead Tour