NOTICE OF A.G.M
The next Annual General Meeting will be held at Greyfriars, Ringwood (date to be advised)
Minutes of the Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society 37th AGM – March 30th 2011
Apologies
Apologies were received from 8 members.
The minutes of the 2010 AGM were accepted.
Matters Arising
No matters save that Hazel Winch was co-opted to the post of Honorary Secretary.
.Chairman’s Report
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
The total membership is now 436 (134 single and 151 family memberships.) This is a decrease of 14 since last reporting.
Walks Programme
The programme listed walks totalling 481miles (475 last year) plus walks on our holiday. Unfortunately this year a number of walks had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions – ice, snow and torrential rain flooding paths.
Walk lengths varied from 3 – 12 miles with some figure of eight walks.
On occasions there have been over 50 on evening and morning walks and over 30 on weekend ones.The large number of walkers can cause car-parking problems. Please share cars if possible. 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 were the Trig Point and Mince Pie annual walks and the one to Moors Valley Country Park to view the Wildlife Photographic Exhibition, after coffee and cakes – unfortunately only Ringwood residents could get to Moors Valley because of road conditions due to snow and ice.
The High Sheriff of Hampshire requested a walk in our area for him and his friends. This was very successful and with the money he and his friends donated we were able to purchase a digital photo frame which has been very useful.
Footpath Matters
2010 Rolling Review. This was a check of the rights of way in Fordingbridge, Godshill, Hale, Hyde Sandleheath and Woodgreen. A total of 158 faults were found on the 133 right’s of way. Category 4 problems (the path cannot be followed on its definitive line) were found on 28, and category 3 problems (it is difficult to follow the path on its definitive line) on 9. All problems have been reported to HCC. Some have already been resolved. The BVPI Survey took place at Rockbourne.
There are a total of 497 paths in our 13 parishes, 173 (35%) of them, we believe to have problems. The majority are minor such as damaged fingerposts, waymarking, or stiles that require some attention, however 12% of paths have serious problems, being either totally impassable or impassable for periods of the year. Some paths with seriously defective stiles can only be used by the taller and more agile members of the public. We will continue to pursue HCC Rights of Way either to resolve the problems or to allow volunteers to do so.
Matters of Concern.
- Rockbourne Paths. Improvements have been made to some paths but we are still concerned about the obstructions on footpaths 26 and 27 making them unusable. Work is needed on footpath 25 to replace poor stiles and improve waymarking. A diversion to footpath 9 at Marsh Farm has been agreed as this was the best outcome we felt we could achieve.
- Fordingbridge. An obstruction on footpath 37 was a cause for concern for some months. This has been resolved.
- Linwood Bog. Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley footpaths 19 & 33 should both cross the bog. They continue to be almost impossible to use. The New Forest Group of the Ramblers Association have withdrawn their action against HCC under section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 (this act requires action to maintain the surface, fabric and structure of the path.)
- The Bridge and nearby route at Newland’s Plantation E.H.& I. footpath 707. This alternative crossing of Docken’s Water, downstream of the bog, remains difficult to use at most times and on occasions it is impossible. HCC has undertaken to find a solution to the problems there. Drainage work and a new bridge are required. To this end numerous meetings and site visits have taken place. HCC, the New Forest National Park, the National Trust and the Environment Agency are involved. There is not an easy answer to this problem. The work is likely to be costly.
- The bridge on Godshill footpath 722 remains closed a second 6month closure having been granted.
- Future of Forest Estate. The Governments proposal to sell off forests or as seemed most likely locally to give them to established or a new local charity has been a major concern. The public’s reaction to the proposals has temporarily halted the process. An Independent Panel on Forestry Policy in England has been set up and is due to report in the autumn. We await with interest its proposals. Ongoing access to forests could be at risk.
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. Landowner permission has not been given..
3.Castleman Trail . 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 some progress on negotiations for this. We will have to continue to be patient.
On The Plus Side
1.Breamore Railway Line Path. We have been continued to help with clearance work on the old railway line in order to make a new right of way. Since the last AGM we have had a further 3 working groups a total of 59 volunteer hours. Our clearance work has finished at least for the moment. In total we have worked on 17 days and provided 416 volunteer hours. There has been some additional help from Breamore Parish Council and Community Service Workers. Breamore Council have been successful in obtaining funding for further work and will employ contractors to work on the southern end and to restore drainage culverts along the line. The path is open from Charford, to just south of the old station. HCC have turned down the proposal of a landowner in Burgate to divert the track to the west of the line and away from his property. I therefore anticipate the work necessary to finish the trail will be completed soon and the Trail will be officially opened.
2. Ringwood 41A now has a gate instead of a stile for access from Forest Lake Avenue.
3.The Rights of Way in our area are kept in a fairly good state but we would like the problems we identify to be remedied more speedily. Staffing and financial constraints do not help. Kelvin and I are now authorised to do waymarking on behalf of HCC and have already spent 2 days on this task. We have done a lot of waymarking in Hyde.
There has been a change in the management structure at HCC and many staff changes during the year. Sam Jones and Phil Halliwell are still in post. Denise Hewlett worked enthusiastically in our area but has now moved on. It is apparently the intention to replace her in some way. In the interim Lisa Wood and Sam Jones have taken on some of her role. My thanks to all of them and to Sam Jones in particular. The fairly good state of our right’s of way is also due to our using, monitoring, reporting and maintaining our local network.
4. Beechwood -Fordingbridge. The claim for this path has been successful. The path runs from Victoria Rd to Station Rd.
5. EHI footpath 707. Work is ongoing to provide a dry route for walkers by separating it from the route taken by horse riders.
6.Godshill Parish Council plan with the help of HCC to replace all stiles with kissing gates. This is likely to take some years to complete.
7. Blashford Lakes. The new north south seasonal route is still not open. It will link Ellingham Drove with Mockbeggar Lane.
8. A Public Enquiry has taken place with regard to the upgrading of 3 paths in Rockbourne, Martin and Damerham to restricted byways. The upgrading of Martin footpath 16 was not supported.
Other matters related to local Rights of Way
1. Countryside Access Plan and Rights of Way Improvement Plan for The New Forest and South-West Hampshire (this includes our parishes) is work in progress.
2. New Forest NPA Recreation Strategy. This includes the whole of the New Forest District Council area. An Implementation Group has been formed and I am representing walkers on it.
3. Hampshire Paths Partnership. Justin Harvey continues to work with us particularly on the Breamore Railway Project and on the ‘Exploring Fordingbridge’ right’s of way and walks leaflet. We hope permission and funding will be given to produce a similar leaflet for Ringwood. In both Ringwood and Fordingbridge we are working in conjunction with the Town Councils.
4.Lord Eversley’s Seat, Hightown Common, Ringwood. The refurbishment has been completed and an inauguration ceremony has taken place.
Publicity
- Local Shows. We attended Ellingham Show, Damerham (instead of Frogham Fair) and the Fordingbridge Festival.
- Waymark. Is sent out quarterly and is much appreciated. It is now being e-mailed to many of those who receive complimentary copies.
- Website. This continues to receive complimentary comments. Usage is gradually increasing. . The photo gallery continues to grow.
- Walk Leaflets. These are being revised.
- Volunteers Fair. A new venture held in Lyndhurst was attended.
Social.
- Evening meetings. Attendance continues to be high.
- Annual events. The following have all been well attended: the Christmas Party, New Year Lunch and the Summer Walk and Lunch.
- Quiz. Our team having won the Ringwood Challenge Cup went on to come second in the Inter Community Challenge Quiz.
- Skittles evenings have been held at Cranborne in the winter months.
Walking Holiday
24 members spent 1 week on the island of Elba on a Ramblers Holiday.
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 and PATHH – Providing Access to Hampshire’s Heritage a follow on from Discovering Hampshire’s Lost Ways. These last 2 on behalf of the New Forest Access Forum.
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 and Vice Chairman who has continued to give advice on footpath matters when asked.
Kelvin Winch who spends many hours on Footpath Secretary matters.
Hazel Winch who has been co-opted onto the committee as Secretary
Joy Tosdevin - Treasurer
Marlene Sexton- Membership Secretary
Julie Whiteing – Publicity
Dave Seymour – Social Secretary
Charles Sexton – Editor
Pat Whiteing – Walks Programme Secretary
Dave Knapp – Webmaster and Honorary Auditor
And thanks to all of you for supporting our Society.
Ruth Croker
On behalf of the Society Rowan Brockhurst proposed the adoption of the report and thanked Ruth Croker for her work during the year.
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts were presented. This year it had been necessary to transfer £500 from reserves. The committee had decided that social events should be self-financing and that charges for evening meetings would be £2 per person to cover the increases in room hire, speaker’s fees and travel costs.
There were no questions on the accounts. Acceptance was proposed by Patrick Whiteing and seconded by Rowan Brockhurst. All were in agreement.
The Treasurer proposed that subscriptions should rise to £6 for family membership and £4 for single. This was accepted.
The Chairman thanked the Treasurer and Auditor.
In future, our financial year will be 1st March to end of February with the AGM in late March.
Election of Officers
All Officers and committee members were proposed, seconded & re-elected unopposed.
Election of Vice-Presidents
Rowan Brockhurst proposed that Graham New & Brian Jordan be made Vice-Presidents, seconded by Kelvin Winch and they were duly elected. The constitution provides for up to 3 Vice-Presidents to recognise significant or exceptional service and in 1974, when the Society was founded to preserve local footpaths, a Secretary & a Treasurer were needed. These posts were filled by Graham New & Brian Jordan. Both still remain members and, although not as closely involved now, still take part in rolling reviews and surveys. Without them, the Society would not exist and their election is a mark of thanks.
Graham New replies and thanked the members for the honour. He recalled that in the early days they walked the paths and banged arrows of various colours into any & every available structure to identify the routes. He was pleased to see the Society go from strength to strength and become well known for its work throughout the Parishes as well as further afield.
Brian Jordan echoed these thoughts and added his thanks.
Any Other Business
- Kelvin Winch thanked all those members who took part in rolling reviews. This year not so may are needed but next year we have to review all 13 parishes so many will be needed. It is only through the work of the surveyors that we can hope to get things done.
- Kelvin Winch asked if any members other than those already involved would be interested in being trained to identify invasive plant species to assist in a survey on behalf of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
- Ruth Croker has obtained prices for the possible holiday at Crantock Bay & will email the information to those who have expressed interest. The hotel is actually up for sale and will close at the end of the season.
The date of the next AGM has yet to be arranged.
The AGM was followed by a presentation on the Avon Valley by Adrian Hayward |
