The Sheffield Rambler - Sheffield Ramblers

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS                        APRIL 2021

          The Sheffield Rambler
      C O ME   W
  WEL           E LCO
     A C K            ME
    B         E BA CK
           O M
        L C K
       E C
     W BA
And just in case you’ve not got the message -
                                       WELCOME BACK!!
As you are probably all now aware, if you’ve been keeping an eye on the website, our Walks Pro-
gramme has restarted. In order to cater for as many walkers as possible, apart from the usual indica-
tion of the length and difficulty level, we have now added the number of walkers that are allowed on
each walk. Some walks are for a maximum of 6 people; this is for those members who are still not
comfortable walking in a group that is larger than the rule of 6 specified for the general public.
However, for those of you who are quite at ease walking with a larger group, you will see that some
walks have a maximum of 10 or even 15 people. To set your minds at rest, we’d like to make it clear
that these larger numbers are allowed because we are considered to be an organised outdoor sport:
according to government guidelines, such activities are “permitted to take place with any number of
participants, where it is formally organised and follows COVID-secure guidance. Participants do
not need to be socially distanced whilst participating but this should be maintained at other times,
such as during breaks.”
                   DO COME AND JOIN US. BOOK ON A WALK TODAY.

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS                          APRIL 2021

Sheffield Ramblers Fix-It update
I have been asked to write a short update on the recent progress (or not) of Sheffield Ramblers
Fix-It activities. Well, quite a lot of work has been happening when it has been allowed, despite
the unfortunate occurrence of the Corona Virus.

Last year, after a request from the group, the Sheffield Council Footpath Officer sent a list of pos-
sible jobs that we may be interested in. One suggestion was the clearance of an overgrown foot-
path in Bradfield. The section runs up the steep hillside from Agden reservoir towards Agden Side
Road and can be part of various circular walks around Bradfield. This very popular route became
our priority. (The fact that it wasn’t far from two cafes in Bradfield had nothing to do with the de-
cision.) The need to clear this popular path became particularly urgent with the outbreak of Corona
Virus, as the route needed to be cleared quickly to enable walkers to pass each other safely.

Although the Council has very efficient machinery for this sort of work, the distance from the
nearest road meant its use was not realistic, so cutting back the brambles and bracken could only
be done using hand tools. Another problem was the number of self set birch trees growing along
the path. I think that these would be better dug out where possible for a long term solution.

There were 2 other volunteers besides Steve Hughes and myself: Will Carlisle and John Adler also
worked on the project, although on different days and on separate sections of the path. Luckily, the
project was more or less completed by the time all volunteering for the Ramblers had to come to a
temporary full stop, and over the last few months the path has been well used by many walkers.
The results of our work can be seen in the photos on the next page.

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS                            APRIL 2021

   BEFORE                                                  AFTER

MOVING FORWARD: HELP NEEDED

When I was first asked to take on the role of organising Fix-It, I was very flattered and said yes.
However, being realistic, I have now become aware that the organiser needs to be younger than
me or at least more able than I am to carry out the required work for quite long periods of time.
Because of this, I have been given permission by the Ramblers to form two path maintenance
groups. I will lead one and continue for as long as I feel able with path clearing (cutting back,
etc.), but any projects involving activities such as repairing/replacing stiles/resurfacing paths, i.e.
any heavy work, will be led by another person or persons.

If you may be interested in taking on that role, could you please get in touch with Malcolm
Dixon (secretary@sheffieldramblers.org or 0784-253-0128).

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS                            APRIL 2021

FFUTURE WORK UTF
Future
FUTURE WORK
Now activities can begin again it would be an ideal time for reorganising Fix It. There are now
new guidelines regarding working safely, and the details are all available on the Ramblers web-
site. Some Fix It tools are available, but unfortunately no yellow waistcoats, which are now
mandatory (I had to buy my own, but I’m sure the group will be able to supply some). Fix It has
already received a request for volunteers from the Senior Public Rights Of Way Officer (Sam
Beaton):
       “A 30m long stretch of Bradfield FP 97 is obscured by brambles and gorse and needs        c l e a r-
       ing. Due to the potential for ground nesting birds I suggest it should be done in August or lat-
       er.”
Notice of five additional paths requiring clearing this year arrived just as I was going to send in
the Fix It update. It looks like a busy summer ahead!

Christine Whittaker
Fix-It co-ordinator

Coach Rambles
They might happen!!

We’re thinking of August or September.

WATCH THIS SPACE

W
                      alking Festival
                                         A work in progress.

                                         Details in the next edition.

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SHEFFIELD GROUP OF THE RAMBLERS                           APRIL 2021

And now for something new
During the country’s first lockdown in the spring of 2020, many people found themselves with
time on their hands as their usual activities were curtailed. Some people took up a new hobby,
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others learned a new language, still others improved their gardening skills. And some people

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started to ramble. At first, by force of circumstances, people walked alone and in the local
neighbourhood, but as the days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months, familiar
routes, however picturesque, began to lose their charmhttp://
                                                           and walkers started to search for new
paths, for different ways of getting around on circular, triangular and linear routes. This search
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led one walker, Dan Raven-Ellison (a geographer), to realise that although there are thousands

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of miles of paths linking places across Great Britain, there   isn’t a comprehensive network to
help people walk off-road between towns and cities. He thus came up with the idea of creating
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a national network of walking routes to connect all of Great  Britain’s cities, towns and villages.
This was the beginning of the SLOW WAYS project.
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Making use of existing roads, paths, ways, trails and jennels  (ginnels, gennels, alleyways), 700

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volunteers, walked between settlements and, by combining smaller segments, have created
7000 routes covering 100,000 kms to establish a network that is hoping to encourage more
people to start walking.

What the project needs now are more volunteers to sign up
to walk and review the routes so that any problems can be
sorted out. You can also help by donating or fundraising.
The SLOW WAYS website was officially launched on
Friday 23rd, April but is still in the process of being developed
refined and improved. Take a look to see if you’d like to participate in this project:

www.slowways.org.

Linda Cooley, Editor