Annual Reports 2014 – Manchester and Salford Ramblers
Chair’s Report
2013-2014 has been another good year for Manchester and Salford Ramblers. I say this every year
but each year we expand our activities. We have had the usual well organised walks programme
with some longer walks and walks in partnership with MAD Walkers and Manchester Weekend
Walkers. It is important to build and maintain links with the younger walking groups to ensure we
have a wide network of walkers. Thanks to Maggie Smith for organising these walks, and to all the
walk leaders who have helped her. If anyone has a favourite walk or would like to lead a walk but
would like some support to recce it and lead it, then let Maggie know. Most of our walks are shorter
walks, about 5 miles, so we organise weekends away where we stay in Youth Hostels and do longer
walks. It is a huge job organising the bookings, transport , walks and collecting the money. Mags
Metcalf, our secretary has done a brilliant job for a few years now . If we are to continue these
weekends away we will need someone else to take on the task, perhaps two or three people could
get together and do it. Please let me know if you would be keen to help out.
This year we have made a more concerted effort to clear footpaths. We have a good working
relationship now with both Salford and Manchester City Councils and have had a small (sometimes
very small) band of volunteers to help. We have a selection of tools to clear vegetation and a couple
of our members have been trained in using the Area’s strimmer which we hope to make more use of
next year. The Area as a whole is trying to get more active in footpath clearing. Thanks to Chris
Clarke and Veronica Yates in Salford and Richard Cleverley in Manchester for the work they have
done on monitoring footpaths and pushing the councils for action. Thanks too to the volunteers
who have helped clear the paths. The Area footpath officer has identified two main areas of work
on footpaths, the first is clearing footpaths and that we are already doing, but the second is making
sure the Definitive Map (the legal basis for all footpath work) is up to date and this will mean a huge
exercise in checking every footpath and where it goes. We will certainly be looking for help to do
this and will also provide training on what to look for. If you are interested contact me
We are continuing to develop the Salford Trail, a long distance path covering the whole of Salford
developed by Roy Bullock. It takes you through woodlands, along rivers and canals and across
mosses and commons, as well as through some of the important industrial archaeology of Salford.
We are now working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) to produce leaflets, and to
promote the route. We are grateful for their support. TFGM are also planning to improve and
promote the Manchester Green Corridor, a 40 mile route linking parks and green spaces in
Manchester developed by the Ramblers. We will be working with them on this over the next year.
For those members who do not know, Manchester and Salford Ramblers grew out of a Ramblers
project called Get Walking Keep Walking. This aimed to help people walk who do not normally walk
become more active. It was hugely successful but the money ran out. We have tried to continue
the tradition and a couple of years ago we got some money from Salford CVS to work with groups in
Salford and take them walking. Mags Metcalfe and Maggie Smith organised a wide range of walks
around Salford and those people who came on the walks got a lot out of it. Again we did not have
the resources in terms of people power, to continue the work. This year we have received £150
from Manchester City Council to work with older people. We identified a group of older people and
took each of them walking one a one to one basis. This meant people who had mobility problems
could feel secure and build up their confidence to walk. All the people we walked with said they got
a great deal of benefit from it, both physically and socially. We feel that we have demonstrated the
benefits that walking brings to very elderly and frail people and hope that we can persuade some
organisation to take this up and fund it properly. We will report back what happens in the
newsletter. Thanks to Mags Metcalf, Rita Machin, Maggie Walker, Betty Luckham, Chris Quinn and
Maggie Smith for their work on this project.
Our varied social programme has meant that members have an opportunity to meet each other and
get to know each other better, but also offers a wide range of interesting activities that we might not
undertake on our own. Thanks to Chris Quinn for developing this. I particularly liked the walk
followed by the swim in Hathersage Pool.
The newsletter goes out twice a year as a printed copy to those members who are not on e-mail and
we produce at least another two or three during the year to let members know what’s happening;
giving the m information about the walks programme, and sharing some of our members interesting
walks. Margaret Manning has done a great job in producing this and getting it out so thanks to her.
If you want to write an article for the newsletter let Margaret know.
Lastly of course I must acknowledge the work done to keep the group functioning. Alan Moffatt is
our membership secretary, contacting new members and keeping track of the numbers; Mike Lyons
looks after the money as our treasurer (but seems happy for us to spend it) and Bob Lenihan who
makes sure we have information to get out to the public and promotes the Ramblers as our publicity
officer. All these people are vital to keeping the group running smoothly. The person without
whom the group could not survive is Mags Metcalf, our secretary. She organises meetings, books
rooms, circulates all the information to all our members on e-mail, and helps out on all the projects
we do supporting all the others members of your committee. So thank you to all of them on behalf
of M&S Ramblers.
Salle Dare
Chair Manchester and Salford Ramblers.
Secretary’s Report
Thank you everyone for supporting the Manchester and Salford Ramblers and also the Ramblers.
Your support and membership means that we can offer a variety of walks in our countryside and
green urban spaces, keep footpaths open for people to walk and enjoy our monthly ‘Walk’
magazine.
This year we have not only had great walks, lovely weather, weekends away (Kettlewell and Whitby)
and fantastic and interesting socials but we have made a real effort in footpath clearing – (see
footpath officer’s reports). We have also attended summer events which we would not have been
able to do without the help of volunteers. These events hopefully spread the word of the enjoyment
and benefits of walking and increase membership along with our newsletters.
Again this year we have had some donations from the Walking Partnership – so thank you to
everyone who has nominated us.
We continue to get more members on to email which is currently running at 69%. This not only cuts
costs but saves time.
We have a great committee whose enthusiasm and efficiency have made all the above possible and
who have been so helpful to me in my role as Secretary.
Margaret Metcalf
Treasurers Report 2014
The Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2014 are enclosed for your approval. The accounts
have been examined by Ms Leanne Wrigley, who has indicated her willingness to continue as our
independent examiner. Accounts attached.
Main Fund
This year we slightly increased the amount of central core funding we applied for. This increase was
in anticipation of increased postage and printing costs to-gether with an expected decrease in
support from fund raising activities. In fact, we were able to hold down the anticipated costs, and in
addition we received unexpected receipts of £160 as a result of members taking holidays with
Ramblers Holidays. Over the last two years we have received £290 in such donations and it is
proposed to spend this money next year on footpath clearing work. As there is no commitment to
this at present these funds have not been classed as designated.
Overall our main fund has increased from £614 last year to £977 this year leaving us in a healthy
position. It is not anticipated that we will be able to repeat this next year, however a reduced
budget submission, amounting to £900 (last year £1,075), has been made for 2015.
The Salford Trail project is rapidly approaching the stage where money will need to be spent and an
amount of £250, that was designated last year, is being carried forward as funds available to support
the project next year. Additional funds of £500 have also been allocated by Area, out of their
restricted funds, to support this project.
During the year we received grant funding of £150 from Manchester City Council to fund a series
walks for older people. This has been a success and an amount of £100 has been designated in the
accounts to cover the anticipated costs to completion of the programme
Self-funded
Again we had two week-end trips away. The accounts for last year showed a small surplus, which
has been added to by a small surplus in the current year. The overall surplus on the account has
now risen to £403, which will be carried forward to cover costs on future activities. The YHA booking
policy means that we now have to pay in full, in advance, for our weekend holidays.
Mike Lyons Treasurer
Walks Co-ordinator's Report
It does something for the soul to be able to get out into the fresh air and get some exercise and
enjoy the views. We're very lucky to have discovered this and to be able to take advantage of it. I'm
constantly amazed by the glorious surroundings I find myself in. It is also stimulating to talk with
people who come on the walks and a pleasure to meet new members.
There have been some wonderful walks this year - as ever. We have continued to have local walks
that are easily accessible for all, in many parts of our area. Various parts of Salford, South
Manchester, central Manchester, Stockport, Urmston and Prestwich and Middleton have been
tramped. But we have also managed to visit places further afield like Marple, Frodsham, Rivington,
Whalley and Haslingden.
Our walks are still 5-6 miles generally with some longer ones in summer. Evening walks have had a
mixed response. Some have been well attended, others not so well. Perhaps we need to discuss our
thoughts on future walks - length, times, areas etc. We have an attendance on walks of usually
between 8 and 20. I think we are very friendly and approachable towards new people but if
members hear differently we should be made aware so that we can remedy this. We must make
sure we don't get complacent.
We have done well in getting new walk leaders this year. May I take this opportunity of thanking all
our walk leaders for the magnificent effort they put in on a regular basis. Could I also ask that we
discuss whether we should keep a note of the numbers that attend our walks?
This year there have been some walks on specific interests. We had a music walk and a wild flower
walk. We are going to have a geology walk on our next programme. If you have an interest area
that you'd like to include on the programme, let me know and we'll see if it can be accommodated.
Many thanks, Maggie Smith
Footpath Officer’s report (Manchester)
The year has seen some progress in dealing with the problems of the City’s footpath network,
though the pace has been slow. For a short time, the council allocated an officer to inspect pathsthis was a reaction to concerns about compensation claims made where paths were unsafe. This
provided useful additional information to that provided by our own small team of path inspectors,
but sadly the officer was soon returned to other duties. Relations with the Highways Department
remain good, however, and there is definitely a willingness on their part to work with us. A further
meeting with the council officers is to be held on 3 November.
“Problem paths”
The long-standing FP254 (Wythenshawe) remains an issue. A stile of sorts now exists at one end of
the path (Pasturefield Road) and part of the path can now be walked. Manchester City Council were
intending to contact Stockport (in which borough falls the driveway connecting Styal Road to the
footpath) so that a unified approach can be taken- a helpful development.
FP2 in north Manchester – blocked at both ends and subject of a complaint received from a member
of the public- saw some progress with the landowner at one end completely restoring the surface,
providing gates, fences and signs. Beyond that point, however, the path remains impassable due to
overgrown vegetation where it is sandwiched between fencing, and at the Boothroyden Road end
where it has been deliberately obstructed. MCC’s legal department are in ongoing discussion with
the Highways Agency- who own at least part of the obstructed section.
FP181 (Chorlton)- following a consultation exercise in the wake of the court case, it was concluded
that restoring the route to its existing line (save a small diversion) was the “least worst” scenario- no
further news as to when this will happen.
Others- where maintenance and repair problems exist which go beyond vegetation clearance, we
are hoping to discuss funding possibilities with MCC. In some instances, it may be appropriate for
Ramblers to make a contribution, in others money might be obtained via various regeneration
initiatives, “Friends” groups etc.
Working parties
Our major achievement here has been the clearing of FP241 in Northenden- a substantially
overgrown path which required 4 visits before a clear route through was achieved a couple of weeks
ago. Many thanks are due to Salle for organising the sessions and getting people to go, and everyone
who contributed (see photos on the Facebook page!). Earlier in the year, a short overgrown path in
Blackley Village was cleared and some other paths have required less effort with just some minor
cutting back required. Some have been identified as mainly needing strimming- so more people
trained on this and (ideally) the group’s own strimmer would help here. But the main issue remains
the relatively low number of people volunteering. During 2015 it is likely that the Nico Ditch path will
need attention again, and one or two others will need considerable work. These will best be
scheduled for weekend dates to maximise turnout.
Inspection reports
Thanks are due to everyone who has volunteered to go out and look at our paths, and provided me
with your very thorough reports. Thank you all for your hard work. I hope you can all continue into
this year, where we will need to also spend time looking at possible routes that need to be added to
the definitive map. 2026 (the deadline set by the Blair government for routes to be added) is not so
far away now!
Definitive map
Progress on this seems to be dogged by some internal issues within Manchester City Council. The
Highways Department have a positive approach regarding potential additions to the map (once work
on revising it gets underway) – this highlights the need for all of us to look at the many paths in daily
use which are not on the definitive map but which need to be. Looking at old OS maps, it is easy to
see how many old routes were lost to development for want of inclusion in the 1947 map!
Richard Cleverley rwcleverley@gmail.com
Report from Veronica Yates and Chris Clark, Salford Footpath Officers
Last year’s report stated that we had checked practically all of the footpaths in the Salford area, and
not long afterwards we could say we had checked all of them, including some which had previously
been part of Tyldesley. These were in places like Boothstown and logically are part of Salford.
After completing this task, we have concentrated mainly on paths where there has been some kind
of problem. These include paths around the new arena and Port Salford. Every time we have been
out there the routes of the paths have changed, because of the continued development in that area.
We visited someone who had a pile of soil dumped at the back of her house over a right of way, and
tried to get that issue resolved. Together with Ian Lavin from Salford Council, and Edgar
Ernstbrunner, the R.A. Footpaths Officer for the whole of the Greater Manchester area, we looked at
a couple of paths which were in danger of disappearing completely under new housing, and
discussed possible options to ensure their survival.
We have held regular meetings with Ian Lavin, the Rights of Way Officer at Salford Council, with
whom we have discussed various problems which have arisen. Some of these have been resolved,
although some are longstanding and it is difficult to know how and when they can be sorted out.
This year we have started to do clearance work on some of the footpaths. This is something we have
talked about some time, but the difficulty was in choosing which ones to do. We knew that other
local groups in Salford were carrying out similar work, and we did not want to duplicate their efforts
or appear to be interfering in any way. Ian Lavin provided us with a list of paths for which the Council
was responsible. The agreement was that we would clear some of the footpaths, and the money
that the Council would save would then be spent on improvements to paths. We are hoping that we
shall benefit by having a bridge built over a channel which crosses footpath Irlam 28 as a result of
our work. Salle was very helpful in getting the work going ahead, and her efforts are much
appreciated.
Veronica Yates and Chris Clark, October 2014.
PS At last year’s AGM Veronica volunteered to be joint Footpath Officer with me, and I am extremely
grateful for her involvement in the work. It has been great fun doing the work alongside Veronica,
especially as she is much more adventurous and far better at finding paths than I am.
I have been doing the job for five years, and now wish to hand over to someone else. I shall
therefore not be standing again this year. Many thanks for all your support over the years.
Chris Clark.
Website Administrator report 2014
The Past: As ever, my report is a list of all my misdemeanours. I have singularly failed to carry out
the promised refurbishment of the webpage. However, the refurbishment of the webpage is not
actually my fault this time, as I was waiting for The Ramblers nationally to finish their local group
pages. This has now happened (see below)
I am not able to always respond to people’s requests for changes to the website as quickly as I
should. This is particularly true if I am away from home.
The Present: The Ramblers nationally have had a web project to update the national site and have
also updated the walks finder that they use.
Have a look at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder/areas/greater-manchesterand-high-peak.aspx This is the area page and we have a link underneath at:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder/areas/greater-manchester-and-highpeak/groups/manchester-and-salford-ramblers.aspx Our walks will also appear on this page.
However, it does make it really important that I get full details of walks in good time as I have to
upload in 2 places.
As a minimum, when walks are first put in the programme, I need a rough start and end time, a
grade of walk (easy/leisurely, moderate, hard etc) and the number of miles/ kilometres the walk is,
so I can at least put a skeleton record on this new national information base as soon as possible.
The information should really be placed on the national database a month before the walk takes
place as a minimum.
If there are any problems with grading walks, details are at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/gowalking/find-a-walk-or-route/about-group-walks/walks-difficulty.aspx
The Future: A question to ask ourselves:
Do we still want to keep a separate webpage
at:http://www.manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk/
OR should we simply add all our information to the page at:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder/areas/greater-manchester-and-highpeak/groups/manchester-and-salford-ramblers.aspx
Obviously, the Manchester and Salford weblink is far shorter and I can see the attraction of keeping
it on, BUT if we are going to keep 2 websites going, I really do need some help.
If there is anyone who feels they would like to take the website on help with updating the national
page of walks, I’d love to hear from you. With working full time, it is at times a real struggle to keep
up with the work in a prompt manner.
Social Secretary
Running alongside our extensive walks programme we have also had a varied social calendar in 2014
which has been well supported by our members.
-- December 2013
A Christmas market social - after meeting and enjoying a seasonal drink in the market we went on
to have a meal followed by a quiz at the Paramount Bar on Oxford Rd. This was really popular and
we hope to make it an annual event.
-- March 2014
A guided tour of the John Rylands Library.
We were able to go 'behind the scenes' at the library as well as having the benefit of having an
excellent guide who gave us interesting information. A very nice coffee shop too!
--April 2014
A tour of Jodrell Bank in Cheshire
Some of our members combined the tour with a walk from the local station. After lunch and our self
guided walk around the site we gathered for our tour and were bombarded with amazing facts
about the history and achievements of this fascinating place.
--May 2014
Tour of Manchester Police Museum.
Another interesting and fact filled tour followed of course by the obligatory refreshments.
--June 2014
Walking tour of Bury town centre
So much history and information was shared on our walk which finished at the historic Picture
House Pub for food and drinks.
-- July 2014
A small group of members combined a train journey, walk and a visit to the outdoor pool in
Hathersage. It was a special late night swim for adults where there was music and food available for
guests.
-- September 2014
A trip to the brewery in Stockport had to be cancelled. This was obviously a busy time for members
so I will try and rearrange the visit again next year.
--October 23rd 2014 The Glossop Folk Train. This is becoming one of our popular annual events.
Still to come this year Imperial War Museum and Christmas Market Social.
We have lots of ideas for 2015, Gaskell House, Clayton Hall, Portico Library as well as our annual
favourites. If you have any suggestions of places you would like to visit and find out more about
please let me know and I would be happy to look into it.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who has joined us at one of the events this year and hope to
see many more of you in 2015.
Thank you
Christine Quinn
Newsletter Editors report.
We have had four newsletters this year. Two printed and by email and two only by email. As the
email versions are not only more frequent and can be longer and also have plenty of coloured
photos, it is good if as many members as possible can give Mags their email to receive them.
I am very grateful to members who have sent in articles, reports of walks and photos for publication,
this year this has included Sheila Lyons, Bob Lenihan, Mags Metcalf, Robin Dean, Salle Dare and Alan
Manning. Photos have been contributed along with their walk reports and also from Facebook
including Barry Windle, Linda Whitehead, Richard Cleverley and others.
Thanks also to Mags and Salle for proof reading.
I would really appreciate it if other members could do reports, short or long, on walking issues, walks
they have done with our group or any other walk in the UK or abroad. Photos are also very welcome.
Contact me if you want to discuss anything about this before sending in.
Margaret manning
PUBLICITY REPORT
2014 has seen a continuation of our efforts to publicise our groups walks and activities, through
leaflet drops and monthly publicity in the online VOP (valuing older people
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/vop ) the peoples and communities website run by Greater
Manchester Council, which has resulted in securing a grant for an age friendly project.
We have been active in promoting our group and the Ramblers at various local events this year and
thanks must go to everyone who has given their time in organising and helping at these.
The groups walk programme is now publicised on the Area walks website, and on our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/267164806739239/ which is continuing to grow and has so far
attracted 143 members and gives the group a valuable platform to promote our walks, social
activities, posting members photo’s of walks and a general forum for everyone to express their
appreciation for the work done by walk leaders.
We have again been well supported by publicity staff at Ramblers Head Office in the supply of
promotional leaflets, the cost of membership increased this year and so we need to ensure that only
current ‘Join the Ramblers’ signing up leaflets are handed out and on display.
We have a good supply of local and national promotional leaflets including self guide leaflets for
Manchester’s Green Corridor walks and if any member has ideas and suggestions of where we can
drop these off or any other ways of publicising Manchester and Salford Ramblers please get in touch
with any committee member or come to one of our regular open meetings with your ideas.
Bob Lenihan