Welcome to our current newsletter (dated: 27th March 2025). This issue contains information on ourWalks Leadership, a round-up from around the groups and a footpath report from our footpath secretary.
Latest News | General News (Walk Leading & Membership) | Footpath News | Group News | Earlier Newletters
For pre-May 23 newsletter click HERE. See separate archive HERE for earlier style newsletters.
Latest News
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Members Day
Sunday (Feb 2, 2025) saw another well-attended AGM for the Mid-Lancashire area.
Our 2023-2024 AGM and Members' Day event was held Lancaster Way Community Centre, Buckshaw Village, Chorley.
This is a summary of the day. Minutes to follow as available.
The morning’s leisurely walk around the Buckshaw Village area was made even more pleasant by the mild sunny weather. It was enjoyed by 27 walkers, with representatives from each of the area’s groups.
The afternoon’s meeting began with a summary of the Ramblers national strategy. This was followed by a review of the Footpath, Lost Ways and Coastal Access reports produced by Footpath Secretary David Kelly
Membership across the group shows a slight increase and the walks programme is being maintained at a reasonably healthy level despite an area-wide shortage of walk leaders.
The group reports showed that walking attendance and activity remains at a healthy level; although as stated there remains a need for additional walk leaders.
Election of Honorary Officers
The following list of officers were elected at AGM
- Chair -- Robb Radford
- Vice Chair -- Eric Crichton
- Membership --Joy Taylor
- Treasurer -- Kitty Smith
- Treasurer Support -- Paul Coupland
- Footpaths -- David Kelly
- Publicity -- Kevin Matthews
- Webmaster -- Ian Bridge
- Walks Programme -- Eric Crichton
- Area Access Officer -- David Kelly
General News
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Membership
Feb-25 Area membership levels are higher than for the corresponding month in Feb-24, an increase overall of 14 members.
- These include 19 members with complimentary membership through the Civil Service Motoring Organisation Boundless Plus membership offer.
- There are currently 30 members with payments pending: like Feb-24.
- Membership has dropped slightly over the last couple of winter months, but overall, the Area is only 2 members down on year-end Sep-24 figures (-0.2%).
There was a discussion about the numbers of members (1,147 across the Area) compared with the numbers walking. Some older members who walked in the past, still like to support the charity and the ‘open access’ cause. Some members like to support the footpath work without walking in groups. Some may join for the walks library or membership offers.
At the last meeting, Joy was asked to find out from the Head Office if they had changed how members are allocated, since Area ‘Group’ numbers had increased. Also, it had been noted that quite often, some members seem to have moved from Area to a specific Group, sometimes within days of joining. Joy had sent an enquiry into Head Office. Their response was that under the new website people choose the group they would like to be with and are not allocated automatically as before. With group 96 (Area Group), those are people who have preferred a particular area, but have not chosen a particular group and are therefore likely walking with a number of groups.
Walk Leading
As you will see mentioned elsewhere, all the groups need new walk leaders.
For various personal reasons, age, health etc, leaders eventually stop leading, so it is essential for new leaders to come on board.
Further information and Online training is provided via the Ramblers website. You can do this yourself at home.
We have many experienced leaders to help and discuss more about walk leading.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact a member of your group committee.
Walk Programme
All the groups within the Mid Lancashire Area continue to offer a range of walks throughout Lancashire and often beyond.
Details available on the regularly updated Walk Programme on our website and on Ramblers Walk Finder https://www.lancashire-ramblers.org.uk/
Footpaths
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Update from David Kelly
Lathom FPs 87 and 88
Letter received from LCC about the above FPs which go from Meadow Lane to Bleak Lane, Lathom indicating a claim for it to be recorded as a bridleway, asking for observations. Passed the letter to Roger and Geoff.
Barton FP 22
This proposed order to divert a FP near the former Boars Head PH, with a new housing development now taking place, with diversion being confirmed. Papers passed to Brian.
Poulton le Fylde FP 04
A DMMO was received, which was to extend Poulton le Fylde FP 04 from Aldon Rd to Holts Lane across the railway line and then divert it over a footbridge. Email passed to Fylde Group.
DMMO Flensburg Way Track, South Ribble 804-685
On the 27th Dec 20 (between Xmas and New Year, which is over four years ago) the BHS (British Horse Society) made a submission to LCC to add a track on the west side of Flensburg Way, with a request for comments being recently received from LCC; which seems to be the first action by Lancs CC.
I wrote to CO stating that this seems a slow response, and if they are seeking examples of slow response by Highway Authorities, then this could be a suitable example.
Farrington Moss is flat, but it does in winter give a good alternative place to walk, for the tracks are dry under foot. Most of the tracks are shown as being public FPs, but two of the tracks are without any legal status. To re-classify an existing FP as a BW does not normally affect us.
Looking at the web site the application from the BHS was submitted with historical maps, which looks good, but LCC will decide how good or not it actually is. The application did not include any evidence of use.
In correspondence with LCC they stated that since the application that they had received some user evidence, but did not indicate the extent or the quality of this evidence.
I arranged for an email to be sent to members of South Ribble Group and also to those members of other groups living in the vicinity of Farrington, requesting that if they had used the tracks without any legal status to contact me.
Much Hoole FP 02
In May 20 the BHS submitted an application for Much Hoole FP 02, which goes from Liverpool Rd to Haunders Lane, to be changed to that of a BW. LCC made an order, which received an objection(s). The Planning Inspectorate have received the application, and are now considering written representations.
Whittingham FP 04 / Thornley with Wheatley FP 68 – Old Clay Lane
A decision by LCC to change the status of Old Clay Ln from that of a FP to a Restricted Byway. Papers passed to Brian and John Smith (Clitheroe).
Wheelton FPs 8 and 10
I received a proposal for a DMMO that affected Wheelton FPs 8 and 10 at Higher Simpson Fold Barn.
The line presently shown for Wheelton FP 10 seems illogical, for if heading south, it is shown as leaving a field, then going through a garden, then it joins Wheelton FP 8, where if you turn left it then takes you back into the same field. Turning right takes you to the A674 Blackburn Rd. Looking on MARIO at a scale of 1:10,000, it shows a black dashed line in the field, but nothing is shown in the garden.
My reaction was this a mapping error ? Or was the FP historically on a different alignment to that now being used ?
I copied the papers to Rod. I also visited the site. I replied to LCC that a DMMO should proceed to align it with the line of the FPs that walkers are now using.
FP clearance – Penwortham FP 04
For some time in 23 and early 24 this FP was officially closed to allow for the clearance of Giant Hogweed. Then it was officially reopened. However, in the time it was closed other vegetation grew, which made use of this FP effectively impossible, so I complained to LCC.
Now in Jan 25 the vegetation has been cleared, so it can sensibly be used again.
Group News
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Chorley
Chorley held a well -attended AGM on 7th November which championed our 50th Anniversary year.
Martin Smalley stepped down as chairman, but as there was no volunteer for the post, and no one at the meeting offered to take on the post, Martin explained the options and that a further EGM would be required to resolve the matter. However, David Millington, stepped forwards and at a committee meeting on 9th December was adopted as Chairman of the Chorley Group. As a result, from that committee meeting all posts are filled.
Chorley now has a full committee with Phil Gardner as Vice Chairman.
Chorley run a coach walk on the first Saturday in each month. The current long-distance walk being undertaken is the Pilgrims Way in North Wales. The coach, which is self-funded, is well patronised with upwards of 40 Ramblers taking part.
Chorley provide day walks on the other Saturdays and afternoon walks on Sundays and Tuesdays. The afternoon walks are mainly in the local area and are often well attended with groups of between 20 and 30 people on each walk.
These walks are led by a small group of leaders, it is difficult to increase the leadership as people are reluctant to complete the on-line leadership course.
Garstang
No report from Garstang.
However, Joan Smith from Preston reported that David Kelly (S Ribble) and Wendy Bosson from the Garstang Group recently held a Ramblers meal at the Tithe Barn in Garstang, which was preceded by a 3-mile walk. It was attended by 30 people from the Garstang, Preston and Fylde area.
Preston
Joan Smith reported that Barry Rutlidge is now acting as Chairman, and herself as Secretary. They had a meeting last week and there were 8 on the committee.
Membership has kept on growing with a steady increase, currently 150 members. The walks are attracting a good mix of walkers with an average of 12 people on the walks. The programme is still delivering 4 walks a month with the intention to increase this to 6 walks a month.
Two younger members who joined via Meet-Up are now leading 5, 10–11-mile walks.
Barry is putting on Friday afternoon walks. They also sometimes have walks starting early, with breakfast at 7:30 a.m before the walk, such as the one at Rivington this Sunday.
New walk leaders would be welcome to join the group, and they would be well supported by the existing team.
The committee is meeting 3 - 4 times a year and new members would be welcomed on to the committee.
Fylde
Robb reported that this group is still walking every Wednesday; largely David Kelly leading, but also a couple of other leaders.
Jeanette Carr and her husband now seem to back walking; they were previously leaders.
Regarding becoming a flex group, it is likely that Jeanette will become the main contact, and the Secretary is going to be the Web Manager. The Treasurer has gone, and Robb is doing this role. The Facebook Page is running OK.
S Ribble
Eddy Coupe represented the Group.
Walks are managing to go ahead each Thursday despite a lack of leaders. There is only a maximum of 5; one currently out of action following an accident, and one often away. However, there is a steady following of walkers, with 16 on a recent walk.
There was a discussion about how to get the perception of being in a Group, rather than a disparate group of walkers. Other Groups found that their Facebook pages helped reinforce belonging to a particular group, as well as hoping to attract new members.
W. Lancs
There are 6 members on the committee, all of whom lead walks. Additionally, there are a further 4 leaders. 5 more who are listed on Insight probably will not lead again.
The Group has 3 walks per month scheduled until the summer.
We do have a new leader, who walks with us regularly and who has recently completed the online training and has successfully qualified as a leader.
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel a few walks over the past few months. This was at the request of leaders who felt that conditions were unsafe to walk following yellow Met Office warnings of heavy rain and/or strong winds at the planned time of the walk.
It was communicated to potential walkers that such walks were cancelled through Walk Manager; the Facebook Page and by sending an email through Gmail. It is unlikely that anyone turned up at the start, and we have not received any complaints to that effect.