Welcome to our current newsletter (dated: 2nd Juy 2025). This issue contains information on Walk 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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Royal Recognition
David Millington (Chairman of Chorley Ramblers) and his wife, Rosalind attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on the 7th May. David was invited for 50 years outstanding service to the outdoors in Lancashire.
It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. The grounds were immaculate, approximately 40 acres in area and there is even a lake. They listened to various brass bands, enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and saw many members of the royal family, including the King, the Queen and the Princess Royal.
A most memorable day.
General News
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Membership
- Area membership levels at April-25 are similar to those at April-24 (+4), and at year-end Sep-24 (+1). However, the total figure masks increases and losses across the groups, with Preston Group showing a significant increase since year-end Sep-24 (+14, 9.8%), and an increase of 11 members compared with Apr-24.
- With the exception of Preston, Chorley, S.Ribble and the ‘Area’ Groups (see below), all other groups have lost more members than gained, to a greater lesser extent.
- Civil Service Motoring Organisation (CSMA) Plus members (with complimentary membership)account for 26 of the current 1,150 members across the Area.
- There are currently 23 members with outstanding payments; an improvement on this time last year when there were 37 members with payments pending.
- ‘Area group’ membership (ML96) has continued to increase.
Head office have now explained that new members [who presumably had not chosen a group] were not automatically being allocated to a group, and rejoining members had not been not automatically reallocated to their old group.
When HO were queried recently, the response was that it had been a member’s choice not to be tied to a group.
Regardless, this issue has now been fixed for new members, and they are now looking at fixing for rejoining members.
HO are also looking to contact members without a specific group allocated (ML96) to give them the opportunity to move to a specific group.
At Area, we can help by telling these 86 members who have not been allocated to a group that they can move to one if they prefer, and how to do this, as well as telling any new ML96 members in their welcome email. - Since October-24, 176 new members have been contacted (the overwhelming majority by email) with a welcome letter, indicating where to find the walks programme, the Area webpage and the Group Facebook pages, as well as with a list of the benefits of membership.
- A further 20 reinstated members have also been sent a similar ‘welcome back’ letter (predominantly by email).
- 16 members with payments pending have been sent reminder emails since October-24.
Walk Leading
HO have released a Walk Leader Training discussion document in which they have listed 3 potential routes to proving that a Walk Leader has sufficient training to lead a Ramblers walk.
- The first is through the Ramblers training route, where the leader will need to complete the online assessment which includes:
- reading the Walk Leader Handbook,
- completing the Walk Leadership Foundation courses
- completing the Preventing & Managing Incidents course.
- The second is to self-assess that they have completed a Mountain Training course, either as a Lowland Leader, a Hill & Moorland Leader, or a Mountain Leader.
- The third route is to self-assess that they have led 12 group walks in the last 3 years for a Ramblers or Wellbeing Walks Group.
It is not known if volunteers can easily access the number of walks which they have led.
It is anticipated that Walk Leaders with email addresses will receive an email from CO with an ‘easy’ online form to complete, which will either lead them to the training; select to self-assess an alternative qualification or select to self-assess alternative experience (12 led walks).
Unfortunately, they also seem to be including the option for the member to tell them if they are no longer a Walk Leader, which is just inviting trouble and for disgruntled Walk Leader to resign and be taken off.
It is uncertain in the case where Walk Leaders have not completed these steps when required, what action may be taken (will they be taken off the Walk Manager pick list?). It would be useful to clarify.
It may be possible to train a group of people en bloc e.g. go through the course with them at an AGM workshop. We can review this if necessary, pending the outcome of the above. Group training sessions are an option in the Walk Leader Training discussion document (page ‘How can we support walk leaders?’).
Eric has been in contact with the Groups and asked what the situation is with Walk Leaders. Overall, at the moment, most Groups are barely holding their own, with minimal new leaders in sight. The upcoming rules could result in more losses.
In summary:
- Chorley – Holding their own; no new leaders in sight and new rules could impact
- Fylde – David Kelly reported (by email) that there were 4 leaders, although he leads over half the walks.
- Preston – Managing with 3 leaders and no new leaders in sight
- Ribble – very strained. 1 leader injured, so holiday cover problematic
- West Lancs – 10 leaders currently. Of these, only 4 have done the online training, therefore Geoff is concerned about the impact of the new requirements.
- HOL – Have a healthy number of leaders.
All Groups seem to have the same issue that no great numbers of new Walk Leader volunteers are forthcoming.
David Millington fed back on the experience of the IT-literate person in Chorley who was interested in becoming a leader, and the issues they found. Basically, if a member wants to become a volunteer, then CO enables IT training materials. If they are not identified as a volunteer by CO, then the member cannot access the online training. It seems that getting access to the training is more problematic than doing the courses.
In the recent publication from CO, the ‘How to get in touch’ page lists contacts for various enquiries including ‘General volunteering, including additions, closures and offline training’. The contact for this is
Despite this, David M stated that Chorley had 3 new leaders recently.
It was also noted that someone had an external assessor out walking with them recently (auditing?).
Following various incidents on walks, especially Groups who have had unfit people attending walks, some Groups have now started to put caveats on their walk descriptions to the effect that they are only suitable for those used to regularly walking the distance stated. There was also some discussion around the grading descriptions used to describe walks.
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.
Footpaths
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Update from David Kelly
Heath Charnock FP 71
Copy of notice received about the diversion of Heath Charnock FP 71 to allow a development to take place.
This is near Hole House Bridge, Chorley Rd. Papers passed to Rod.
Ralphs Wife Lane to Station Rd, North Moels
Received DMMO confirming a FP from Ralphs Wife Lane to Station Rd, which is shown on MARIO as being North Moels FP 72.
You may recall that a public inquiry was held about the claim for a FP, but the Planning Inspector thought that it should be a BW, which at the time I thought was unusual. The confirmed order is for a FP, which I have passed to Geoff and Roger.
Mere Lane, Tarleton
Received DMMO confirming that Mere Lane is a FP that is to be known as Rufford FP 49 and Tarleton FP 29, which is not yet shown on MARIO as being a FP. I have passed the papers to Geoff and Roger. I intend to look at MARIO in three months time to see if it is shown as a FP. It is possible that somebody may decide
to object.
Old Clay Lane Whittingham
Received DMMO confirming that Clay Lane is a FP that is to be known as Whittingham FP 4, which extends into the next parish, where it is to be known as Thornley with Wheatley FP 68. I have passed the papers to Bryan.
Rather confusingly the order mentions a restricted byway, but is shown on MARIO as being a FP. As to why it is known as Whittingham FP 4, when there at least three dozen FPs in Whittingham I do not know.
Douglas Boatyard – Tarleton
Received a DMMO confirming the diversion of Tarleton FP 05 and its continuation Hesketh with Becconsall FP 46 at the Boatyard on the River Douglas.
I have passed the papers to Geoff and Roger. Previously I have reported on a consultation to divert this FP.
Botany Bay, Chorley
Received a copy of a DMMO made by Chorley District confirming the diversion of Chorley FP 26 at Botany Bay.
I have passed the papers to Rod. Previously I have reported on a consultation to divert this FP.
Boundary Ln, Curlew Ln, Burscough
Received a copy of a DMMO affecting Burscough 133, 134 & 135, plus Rufford 14 & 15 and adding Rufford 50, which will upgrade some existing FPs to Restricted Byways and minor changes to existing FPs, at Boundary Ln between Curlew Ln and Sandy Ln, Burscough. This is not yet shown on MARIO. Papers passed to Roger and Geoff.
Farington - Lancashire Business Park, Centurion Way
About three to four years ago the BHS claimed a BW from Mill Lane to Wheelton Ln, based on historical evidence, with the western part becoming Farington BW 30 and the eastern part became Farington BW 31.
The route now shown for Farington BW 31 is that shown on a historical map, which does not make sense with the present usage of the site around Centurion Way. This proposed diversion is to put the route onto an alignment that makes sense with present usage of the site. I have written to LCC agreeing to the diversion of Farington BW 31.
Lea FP 03 – The Weald
This a location where some new houses have been built, with Lea FP 03 being shown on MARIO as going through a couple of properties. This is something that should have been sorted out at the planning stage for the new properties, and not something to be considered later. Clearly, we cannot argue for the FP to be kept on its present alignment.
LCC are proposing to divert this FP onto estate roads, which is a walkable route. However, I replied to LCC that people prefer to walk on paths rather than roads, so a possible alternative would be to divert the path onto green space in the locality, which also passes a pond. I asked LCC for comments. Road walking should only be used as a last resort when diverting a FP. I asked for my reply to be considered as a holding objection.
This sort of thing should be spotted at the planning stage, ideally by a countryside secretary. I am also aware that this is potentially many hours of work, to pick up the occasional bad plan. In my period of Acting Area Footpath Secretary this is only the second such case – the other case was in Garstang.
Lathom FPs 87 and 88
Last time I reported that I had received a letter 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.
I have now received a copy of a DMMO changing the status of these FPs to that of a Restricted Byway. I have passed the details to Roger and Geoff.
Access to Nature Bill
I have received an email asking for volunteers to get involved with the anticipated Access to Nature Bill. For CROW, which was passed by Parliament in 2000, I cannot give a precise date for the start of CO consultations, but it was probably sometime in the mid-90s. The end date was Sep 2004 with the commencement of access rights in the Lower NW and the SE Regions, so it was around eight maybe nine years. I did not respond to the email, for I do not intend to be involved for that length of time, but if anybody would like the details then please contact me.
LCC Elections
As noted elsewhere Reform did will in the recent elections, taking control of LCC. It means that many new Cllrs are now to be found at LCC. Does anybody know of a Cllr at LCC that is likely to be sympathetic to FP issues? If so, then please let me have the details.
FP clearance
Above is a new pedestrian gate on Little Hoole FP 22 as it crosses the route of the former Preston to Southport Railway line. Other gates have also been fitted at other locations on this FP. So far, so good, which is a bit of welcome progress. Those suffering with ankle or other joint problems will only gain benefit when all the stiles on a potential route have been replaced by gates, which has not yet been achieved in this locality, which means that those suffering from joint problems cannot yet sensibly use this FP.
LCC’s policy is to replace a stile with a gate, when the stile comes to the end of its life, which is likely to mean that some stiles are likely to exist on many FPs. Any comments ?
What is needed are examples of where LCC has done something good, and also of where they have been completely ineffective over a period of time (several months or maybe years). This sort of information would be of use when in discussion with LCC.
Footpath Forum Call with CO
On the 2nd Apr a periodic conference call with CO was held, with the following being the main points –
- Details of the RA winning a High Court case about a Planning Inspectorate decision not to grant FP claims at Hayton, Cumbria. Likely to be another inquiry to be held by the Planning Inspectorate. The landowners are expected to go to the Court of Appeal.
- Mention of the expected Access to Nature Bill, which is likely to include provision for nine riverside walks. It is expected that the rivers picked will be near areas of deprivation.
- Mention made of Environment Improvement Plans. Expectation of planning reform, which is likely to be a separate bill.
- A bill to repeal the 2031 cut off for making FP claims using historical evidence will hopefully be in the next Kings Speech.
- When doing practical FP work, CO staff would like the details to be logged on a CO database. Also two modules about data protection and safeguarding are now available.
- The last item was about the work done by a RA working party, which seemed similar to the Donate a Gate scheme that I have previously reported, so I will not repeat the details. The message is that CO would like more areas / groups to do more practical work.
- In AOB mention was made of the Deregulation Bill which is still alive in Whitehall, but no definite information about it. (This has been going on for years but progress in recent times seems to have been minimal.)
Group News
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Chorley
Chorley continue to run a full programme of walks on Saturdays (full day), Sundays and Tuesdays (afternoon). The afternoon walks are mainly in the local area and are often well attended with groups of between 20-30 people on each walk.
At their latest committee meeting it was suggested that, as one of their main leaders was recovering from a hip replacement operation, that they offer a series of easy-rated short walks to enable new members and those not quite up to the speed of the moderate walks to enjoy a ramble. These ramblers are now part of their programme and offered on a Tuesday afternoon.
Two new leaders have been added to the Walk Manager to lead rambles for Chorley which has helped them in continuing with all they offer.
Garstang
No report from Garstang.
Preston
Joan Smith presented the report from Barry Rutlidge.
The Group is still maintaining the Wednesday Walk programme and offering walks of various lengths and ability. The number of attendees can be as low as 6 and as high as 20, the moderate walks attracting the most people.
The Group continues to use the Meetup platform to advertise the walks which does bring new people to the events, but recently they have noticed that most of those attending are members of the Ramblers. The last walk had 14 members and only 2 non-members.
When on the walks, they try to encourage the members to suggest walks and try to get them involved with leading. Some have shown an interest, and they are hopeful that they will come forward and get a taste of leading walks and see that it is not too daunting.
Membership seems to be slightly on the rise. Unfortunately, their membership secretary was away at the moment so they were unable to get the exact numbers [however this is backed up by the Area membership report above].
Fylde
‘The situation with the Fylde Wed walks is not good. In 2024 there was two moderate walks and one leisurely walk per month.
Late last year I decided in 2025 that it would in future be two leisurely walks and one moderate walk per month. I am slowly becoming aware that I am getting older and that I am gradually slowing down. Now got myself and three others who will lead walks. I lead just over half the walks. I fear if that I suffer an injury or an illness, then it is probably the end of the Wed walks.
I have NOT recruited a mew walks leader for some time. CO need to start playing a different tune.
We have had feedback from potential new walks leaders on learning that they would need to take the online course, that they thought that the RA had become too bureaucratic.
S Ribble
South Ribble lost the services of one of its regular leaders when they were seriously injured while performing a recce for a hike. That has left five leaders plus another who is able to help out on occasion. Some of the leaders also lead for other groups. Things get very tight whenever someone is away on holiday but we have managed so far. Ageing is an issue and I don’t know how much longer the situation can continue.
I mentioned in my last email to leaders that change was on the way and outlined what that might involve for experienced leaders. I hope to have a conversation with each leader as opportunity arises.
W. Lancs
Geoff and 3 other W Lancs members have done the online training. He is concerned that they may lose 6 of the other sets of leaders as a result of the new requirements. He noted that the West Lancs Footpath Group had the same insurers, but did not have the same bureaucracy.
The Group is again hosting a stand at the Beacon Country Park Green Fayre, UpHolland in July. It is uncertain how many new members it generates, but is good publicity for the Ramblers.
Geoff is taking part in an online meeting about the new Walk Leader Training system on Friday, so should be able to give us some feedback from this at the next meeting.