Group Update

March 2023 03/23

Four welcome visitors

Eyam Moor

Since we have many walks in the Peak, it is not uncommon to welcome members of other groups throughout the country – in addition to non-members wishing to try us out.
Sue’s Stoney Middleton circular of 18 March attracted four visitors.
If any members take advantage of joining other group walks whilst on holiday, let us know.

U-turn on claiming new rights of way

The Countryside & Rights of Way (CROW) Act of 2000 originally set a deadline of 2026 for claiming pre-1949 paths as rights of way.
Despite the current government recently announcing its cancellation, they have now re-instated it to apply in 2031.
This will impact on claims for ‘lost ways’ but also paths used regularly by the public that are not official rights of way will be in danger of being ‘extinguished’.

General Council Meeting

We’ve had our group AGM last December and our South Yorkshire & NE Derbyshire Area AGM (which we hosted this year) in January.

Ramblers policy now moves to the national AGM – or General Council as it is termed – in Birmingham on 1 April.
Each Ramblers Area, and each affiliated national organisation, is entitled to appoint members of the General Council.
Whilst groups and individual members are not directly represented, they can influence the policy of the Ramblers via their Area’s Council members.

General Council elects the board of trustees which runs the organisation on behalf of members and for the public benefit.
Council considers the annual report and accounts and provides guidance by debating policy motions.

A motion submitted by our Area is to ‘campaign to lobby all local authorities to honour their legal
obligations with respect of the Public Rights of Way Network.’

General Council also approves changes to the constitution.

There are 14 candidates for the 3 Trustee vacancies this year, and most can be seen on this YouTube video.

March weather is forever variable

British Summer Time is now with us and March (as ever) has thrown up some variable weather.
Above is a Derwent Edge walk from 2014 ; below is the Cork Stone on Stanton Moor in 2017.

Is this the oldest Chesterfield Rambler ?

Anyone Googling Chesterfield Ramblers may accidentally hit on this gentleman, well into his 90’s, who we emphasise is not in our group.

Summer Walks Programme

Members should now have a printed copy of the summer walks programme.

The occasional change does become necessary, particularly in relation to bus timetable amendments.

Please check with ‘Next Walks’ on the website if in any doubt.

Group walks

One great advantage of joining group walks is that leaders do not usually lose people

Roundhay 50 mile challenge

Congratulations to our group member, John Heathcote, who completed a 50 mile challenge walk in Leeds in 16 hours 35 minutes – in aid of the Disasters Recovery Committee – and has raised over £1600 to date.

Anyone wishing to support him, he still has an active ‘Just Giving’ page ;
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-heathcote3