 Issue No. 136 June 2008 |
WAYMARK | www.rffs.org.uk |
President Chairman Vice Chairman & Footpath Secretary Honorary Secretary Treasurer Waymark Editor Programme Secretary Publicity Secretary Social Secretary Membership Secretary WebsiteManager (www.rffs.org.uk) |
Rowan Brockhurst Ruth Croker Rowan Brockhurst Sandi Bradshaw Keith Davis Charles Sexton Pat Whiteing Joy Tosdevin David Seymour Alison Sherman Tel: 01425 654237 David Knapp |
| News from the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society | |
| THE WAY AHEAD | |
Spring is here and we should soon be able to enjoy the many outdoor activities of our Footpath Society without the threat of hailstorms and very heavy rain which has effected some of our recent activities. I hope to see you on our walks, the evening walking programme has started, and at our special events such as the annual Trig Point Walk and the Summer Lunch. We will have our stand at Ellingham Show, the Fordingbridge Church Patronal Festival and at the Greyfriars Jubilee celebrations on 21st June. Do visit our stand if you attend any of these events. The publication of both HCC's Countryside Access Plan which should incorporate its Right's of Way Improvement Plan and the National Park Recreation Strategy which deals with the whole of the New District Council Area have both been delayed. I anticipate both will be published shortly so look out for details of them in the press or check the appropriate websites. The New Forest National Park website: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk is well worth looking at regularly. It includes a webcam of birds nesting in the Forest. I find their activities fascinating. Hampshire Paths Partnership now has a new officer, Justin Harvey, who has replaced Dave Molloy. We will be working with him and of course local Parish and Town Councils to help improve and maintain the rights of way in our thirteen parishes. I hope Justin will be able to come along to one of our walks to meet members. Anyone interested in voluntary Footpath work should let me know. I have recently received "A Special Place". A National Park publication which attempts to define the special qualities of The New Forest. A wide range of stakeholders, organisations and individuals gave their views.
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These formed the basis for the list of special qualities now formally adopted by The National Park Authority. The publication states: "The New Forest National Park's landscape is unique; it is a "living" and working remnant of medieval England with an overwhelming sense of continuity, tradition and history. It is the survival of not just one special quality but a whole range of features that brings a sense of completeness and integrity." I expect you agree. The National "Discovering Lost Ways" Project is ceasing but Hampshire is setting up its own project and a few Footpath members are hoping to be involved. We will be seeking evidence and wanting help from others. If you know of "old" routes not on the definitive map let me know. Hampshire's Definitive Map is now online - a real asset. The Draft Marine Bill which includes "the Coastal Access Duty" has at last been published. Although our patch includes no coastline I know many of you will be interested in its proposals as we do enjoy walking on the coast as well as on our local footpaths. The draft Bill includes 2 objectives: 2. The designation of CRoW access land in a "margin" next to the route. Our holiday in Cornwall was a great success and it will soon be time to think of a venue for next year. I am considering a holiday abroad utilising a holiday
from the Ramblers Holiday's brochure. North Majorca has been suggested as a possibility. I am sure there are others who would prefer to stay in UK. Finding a suitable hotel which will cater for the numbers we have that provides similar quality and value for money is not easy. Please let me have your views and suggestions. Ruth
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