Apologies were received from 7 members
The minutes of the 2008 AGM were accepted.
Matters Arising
The AGM minutes for 2008 can be seen on the Society’s website.
Chairman’s Report
On behalf of the Society, Rowan Brockhurst thanked Ruth Croker for all her hard work during the year.
During the last year the Society has continued to be involved in all matters relating to local rights of way and relevant matters in a wider geographical area. A comprehensive walks programme has been provided.
Membership
Has decreased by 15 as at 31st December 2008. There are 132 single and 159 family memberships (2 people). This gives a total of 450.
Walks Programme
The programme listed walks totalling 466 miles (487 last year) plus walks on our holiday. Unfortunately once again a number of walks had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Walk lengths varied from 3 – 13 miles with some figure of eight. On occasions there have been over 50 on evening and morning walks and over 30 on many weekend ones. The large number of walkers gives us car-parking problems. Car sharing is encouraged. It is particularly difficult for large groups to access paths in some of our Parishes and therefore we walk in some parishes and on some paths more than others.
Walks with special interest continue. Particularly appreciated was the Trig Point annual walk and the Three Churches Walk. A walk to Moors Valley Country Park was scheduled so that once again we could look at the Wildlife Photographic Exhibition, after a cup of coffee. Only 3 people walked and 6 other members joined the walkers for coffee and cakes. The snow which had put off walkers rapidly increased and we headed home after only a brief look at the photos.
Footpath Matters
2008 Rolling Review. This was a recheck of all the paths on which we had found problems in the previous 3 years (2005, 2006 and 2007). We checked 167 paths and found that the problems had been put right in part or in whole on 50 of the paths. Unfortunately on 15 of the paths where problems had been remedied further problems had occurred. All problems have been reported to HCC.
Matters of Concern.
1. Rockbourne Paths. An unofficial diversion to footpath 9 at Marsh Farm continues. HCC are trying to resolve this. Work is required on others particularly footpaths 25, 26 and 27. Two of the paths have virtually disappeared.
2. Fordingbridge Footpath 36. This has very poor stiles and a dangerous bridge. The makeover we thought HCC had agreed to has not taken place.
3. AVP. Badger activity near Fordingbridge Church has increased. Their holes have been encircled by orange mesh to make them visible but this is not in my view an adequate safety precaution. HCC have been thwarted in all efforts to resolve this problem, as badgers cannot be disturbed. In my view the path is dangerous and with help from Fordingbridge Town Council, HCC have got the promise of a visit from Natural England, probably in May, to see what can be done, if anything to make the path safer.
4. Linwood Bog. Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley footpaths 19 & 33 should both cross the bog. The routes are dangerous. Much discussion has taken place with HCC, Ramblers Association, New Forest National Park and Natural England. My concern is that there is a finger post and stile leading directly in to the bog. No headway has been made in sorting this problem although there have been numerous discussions and some site visits. The use of a “floating bridge” of heather bales has been considered but not tried, as has a diversion to the path but there is no obvious alternative route. On the 27th March 2008 the New Forest Group of the Ramblers Association issued notice to HCC as required under section 56 of the Highways Act 1980, which requires them to maintain the surface, fabric and structure of the path, however they did not follow this up and the notice has time expired. We will no doubt hear much more about this issue. There is no easy way to solve the conflict between access and nature conservation. The alternative crossing downstream on Dockens Water has been very difficult to use this winter.
Wish List
1. Fordingbridge Footpath 76 Tinkers Cross to Sagle’s Spring. A well used path which is very boggy and needs improving.
2. AVP near Ibsley Village Hall. To the east the replacement of poor stiles has been promised. The NPA has agreed funding. The Parish Council would like gates rather than stiles. To the west where we helped to replace stiles with kissing gates 2 new stiles have appeared upsetting locals in particular as a path previously easily negotiated has become impassable for some due to the height of the stiles.
3. Castleman Trail – further improvements. This trail continues to be well used. We would like to see improvements around the Industrial Estate in Ringwood where the path is only permissive and also an extension of the trailway eastwards from Barrack Lane. HCC tell me they are making progress on negotiations for this.
On the Plus Side
1. Breamore Railway Line Path. We have been helping with the clearance of the old railway line to form a right of way. To date 1 mile has been cleared and this central part should be opened in June or July. Work will commence on the installation of a bridge and the removal of the “hill” thought to house hibernating reptiles as soon as the relevant authorities allow. By the summer/autumn of 2010 the track should be open from Burgate Cross to South Charford Farm. Other rights of way in the area are being improved. To date we have provided 124 volunteer hours on this project.
2. A New bridge has been installed on the Avon Valley Path in Harbridge - Midgham Bridge.
3. Hampshire Definitive Map online. This wonderful asset was lost for several months due to copyright problems but it is now back.
4. The Rights of Way in our area are kept in a fairly good state. My thanks in particular to Ian Lawrence and his team at HCC. Also to the more senior members of HCC staff – Andrew Smith, Charles Cuthbert and Alex Lewis. We also had support from Colin Piper and Marilyn Meeks. The good state is also due to our using, monitoring, reporting and maintaining our local network. A major reorganisation of the Countryside Service is planned and we are likely to be working with some new people.
Other matters related to local Rights of Way
1. Countryside Access Plan and Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Hampshire and a separate document for The New Forest and South-West Hampshire have been published. These documents also serve as Rights of Way Improvement Plans.
2. New Forest NPA Recreation Strategy. A draft strategy for consultation has been published. The plan includes the whole of the New Forest District Council area. We responded to this.
3. Clearance work. A willing team of members have undertaken clearance work in addition to that at Breamore.
4. Hampshire Paths Partnership. Justin Harvey has taken over from Dave Malloy. We have been working with him on the Breamore project.
5. Healthy Walks. As a Society we have had less involvement this year. One of our members has been involved and has led some walks.
6. Traffic Regulation Orders. In order to prevent use and damage by 4 x 4s and others new TRO’s have been set up on paths in Damerham and Rockbourne. Further ones have been requested by Whitsbury Parish Council. They would like closures for 3 years rather than the usual 6 months seasonal closure.
7. Coastal Access. This has been promised by the government and is included in the Draft Marine Bill currently proceeding through parliament. A number of us flew kites at Lepe Country Park earlier in the year to publicise the need for improved access in this area.
8. Best Value Performance Indicators. We took parting 2 surveys. The first on all the paths of Godshill. Of the 20 paths we failed 8. The second survey was of the 84 paths of Ringwood. Of the 84, 28 failed (33%). These 28 paths had 43 problems. This was a mammoth task carried out mainly by Rowan and Hazel and Kelvin Winch. The exercise proved that the paths were not in as good a state as HCC led us to believe. Photographs had to be taken of all the problems so there is now a good database.
9. Lord Eversley’s Seat. This seat on Hightown Common is in need of further refurbishment.
10. Fordingbridge Rights of Way and Circular Walks leaflet. A new edition is to be produced as very few copies of the previous one remain. A grant towards the cost from HCC is hoped for. The rest of the funding is from Fordingbridge Town Council. 11. Consultations on The New Forest Draft Plan and The Cranborne and West Wiltshire AONB Management Plan were also responded to with regard to recreation and rights of way.
Publicity
1. Local Shows. We attended Ellingham Show, Frogham Fair and Fordingbridge Patronal Festival. The gazebo was becoming precarious and was never waterproof, so we have bought another, we hope better for use this year.
2. Waymark. 349 copies are sent out quarterly and are much appreciated.
3. Website. This continues to receive complimentary comments. There is a growing photo gallery, which is well worth perusing.
Social
1. Evening meetings. Attendance continues to be high. The addition of a September meeting has been popular. Unfortunately I had to cancel the February meeting due to snow.
2. Annual events. The following have all been well attended: Brockenhurst Lunches, Christmas Party, New Year Lunch, Summer Walk and Lunch.
3. Quiz. Our team having won the Ringwood Challenge Cup went on to win the Inter Community Challenge Quiz held in New Milton in September.
4. Skittles evenings have resumed in Cranborne in the winter months.
Walking Holiday
43 members spent 5 nights at the Crantock Bay Hotel in April/May 2008. Our 2009 holiday will be in Majorca in May. 22 members are participating.
Representation
I’ve continued to represent walkers on a number of forums. The most significant of which are: New Forest Local Access Forum, Hampshire Area Council of the Ramblers Association, Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire AONB, Wiltshire Access Forum (on behalf of the New Forest Access Forum), Ringwood Environment Group and Blashford Lakes Access Group.
Thanks
Thanks to everyone who has supported and participated in the activities of the Society. Especially to: Walk Leaders, Waymark Contributors and Deliverers, those helping with Social Events, the Footpath Working Group Team, Barry Thornton for running the email alert system and most importantly the Officers and the Committee.
Rowan Brockhurst - our President, Vice Chairman and Footpath Secretary. Rowan is retiring from the post of Footpath Secretary at this meeting after almost 35 years. More of this later.
Kelvin Winch who has been Assistant Footpath Secretary and Hazel Winch who, although not a member of the committee, has helped him.
Sandi Bradshaw - Secretary
Keith Davis - Treasurer
Alison Sherman - Membership Secretary
Joy Tosdevin – Publicity
Dave Seymour – Social Secretary and invaluable help in erecting display stand at shows
Charles Sexton – Editor
Pat Whiteing – Walks Programme
David Knapp – Webmaster
Alex Amos who is not on the committee but who has been assisting with the administration of the Rolling Review.
And thanks to all of you for supporting our Society.
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts were presented and accepted. It was proposed by the Treasurer that the subs were to remain the same - £3.50 single and £5.00 family.
Acceptance was proposed by Roger Barnes and seconded by Pat Whiteing.
Election of Officers
As members are aware, Rowan Brockhurst has decided to stand down as Footpath Secretary after 35 years in the role. Kelvin Winch has been proposed and seconded and is therefore elected and will take over the role from Rowan.
All other Officers and the Committee members have been proposed, seconded and elected.
Any Other Business
1. Ruth Croker made a presentation to Rowan Brockhurst to thank him for his 35 years as Footpath Secretary.
2. Kelvin Winch asked for volunteers to help with this year’s rolling review.
3. Keith Davis mentioned the sponsored walk, taking place on 18 April 2009 to raise funds for the Ebenezeer Hall Appeal.
The Date of the next AGM is the 22nd March 2010.
The AGM was followed by a Presentation by Bruce Rothnie of the Forestry Commission regarding recreation in the New Forest.
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