MANCHESTER AND SALFORD RAMBLERS
ANNUAL REPORTS
CHAIR’S REPORT 2012
Another good year for Manchester and Salford Ramblers. We are making progress on all fronts, with
a good programme of walks, thanks to the tireless efforts of Maggie Smith and to all those
volunteers, too numerous to mention, who lead the walks.
We have undertaken a huge amount of work on footpaths this year. Here I must make a special
mention of the support we have had from Andrew Bennett, our Area president. He ran a very good
training day attended by about 20 people, on the legal background and what to look for in checking
footpaths. From this we put together a team of people who checked almost all the footpath
network. So a special thanks to Andrew and to all those volunteers and to Richard Cleverly for taking
over the footpath work now.
We have managed to put our relationship with Manchester City Council on a much more positive
footing. In the past the Area just kept getting involved in legal battles which cost the Ramblers a lot
of money and still footpaths were not opened or maintained. Again thanks to Andrew we had a
meeting with the Council and are building up a better relationship. This came to fruition on the
famous fp 135 along Nico Ditch, a mediaeval structure (can a ditch be a structure?). The Ramblers
had already spent £6000 on taking legal action against the Council whose response was to apply to
the courts to close the footpath. We did not want this to happen and with Andrew we got a
working party together to clear the path, which was very overgrown and had lots of builders’ fly
tipping . At this point the council agreed not to proceed with the closure of the path if we withdrew
our action which after much toing and froing from Central Office we did (I was taking phone calls on
holiday in Croatia and sending e-mails from the hotel to try and sort it). The Council cleared the fly
tipping and it is now just about walkable – we need another go at cutting back the vegetation and
some of the domestic rubbish which has been dumped there. So working with the Council gets
better results I think. I am leading a walk on 23 February 2013 along Nico Ditch so I hope you will
come along and see what the members have done. If you would like to get involved with footpath
work – and it need only mean walking it once or twice a year and telling Richard what you find, then
let Richard know.
We have had some great walking weekend away and thanks to Mags Metcalf for organising these
and to Chris Quinn for organising the Socials and Les Jones for being a good quizmaster (oh and
singer too).
You may remember that this group owes its existence to Get Walking Keep Walking, a scheme
funded by the Big Lottery, to get people walking who do not normally walk. This was very successful
in Manchester but the money ran out. We got some money from Salford CVS to try and continue
with the work in Salford, offering a reduced walking programme to voluntary groups in Salford. We
have had mixed response, with some groups taking part and others being less committed. We have
realised that you do need paid workers to get the full benefit but Mags and Maggie and a few other
volunteers have done a wonderful job in bringing walking to new people. So thanks to them too.
Behind the scenes Alan has been keeping an eye on the membership and contacting new members,
Mike has been looking after the money (most of which goes on stamps – so the more people we get
on e-mail the more it saves us) and Margaret Manning has been producing the newsletter – two
paper copies a year and electronic ones in between. So if you want the electronic newsletters, let
Mags have your e-mail. Of course the person who keep this show on the road is Mags Metcalf our
secretary. You would get no information and there would be no meetings and nothing much else
would get done without her so big thanks.
I have been chair since the group started and I would like other people to consider coming forward
as chair. I do not think it is right for one person to do it all the time, because the role then become
identified with that person and other people are reluctant to put themselves forward. I would
therefore like to say that this is my last year standing as chair. The role is not so hard and you have
wonderful support from Mags and the committee.
Salle Dare
Secretary’s Report 2012
I would like to thank everyone for supporting the Manchester and Salford Ramblers/The Ramblers
which whatever capacity you choose. We continue to have good numbers out on our urban walks
which have taken in various urban areas of Manchester and Salford – all accessible by public
transport. We have had two successful weekends away in the Spring and Autumn of 2012 to
Mankinholes on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border and Hartington in the Peak District. Both were well
attended, excellent hostels, great weather (mostly) and good company. Look out for our Spring
2013 weekend to Wales.
We have been lucky this year to get on our Committee, Christine Quinn, Margaret Manning and
Richard Cleverley as our Social Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Manchester Footpath Officer
respectively. They all have been very active and have made a great contribution to moving forward
our group. As well as 2 successful social events (and many more to come), Les Jones hosted an
excellent quiz/fun night.
The Walking Partnership – thank you to everyone who have (so far) nominated the Manchester and
Salford Ramblers when booking a Ramblers Holiday. We get £30 pp for long haul trips, £20 pp for
short haul and £10 for every UK holiday booked. So please look out for this and quote Manchester
and Salford Ramblers when making a booking so they know where to allocate the money. Also if you
do nominate us please let me know so I can identify your nomination and let you know that we have
received the money and also thank you for doing so.
As most of you are aware we are trying to modernise the way we communicate with members and
many members have let us have their email address so we can keep you informed with events,
campaigns and 4 newsletters per year. It also keeps costs down and saves times mailing out. Hard
copies are available to members so please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like one. So if
you are reading this and you have not let me have your email address yet please contact
margaretmetcalf58@hotmail.com
Margaret Metcalf
Treasurer’s Report 2012
Please see separate accounts at back of the annual reports
Mike Lyons
Walks Co-ordinator’s Report 2011/12
Are there any advantages to industries disappearing, motorways cutting through land, dereliction of
canals and railways? It would seem not, yet without them Manchester and Salford Ramblers would
be hard pressed to find the green urban walks we’ve got used to over the past few years. Disused
railway lines have contributed largely to our first continuous green loop around Manchester. Rivers
and canals provide tranquil walks a stone’s throw (hopefully not too many) from the centre of town.
So we do have the compensation of being able to walk in greenery (and mattresses) – at least until
the powers that be change the rules on building on contaminated land.
Climbing off my soapbox while there still are some to climb off, I can report we’ve had some great
walks this year and considering the lack of summer, we have been pretty lucky with the weather;
lots of mud but not too much rain. Earlier in the year we had fabulous longer walks in beautiful
Derbyshire countryside including the annual Kinder Trespass as well as shorter walks within
Manchester and Salford. In the north, we visited Crumpsall, Bury, Middleton and Oldham; in the
south, Sale, Chorlton and Stockport. We held walks in Daisy Nook and Godley in the east; Salford,
Worsley and Davyhulme with its ferry crossing in the west. In the city we walked round the canals
and had Get Walking Day rambles round Salford Quays and at Wythenshawe. We held successful
weekends away at MankinholesYH in Yorkshire and Hartington YH in Derbyshire.
What did you think of the programme this year? Do we want longer walks again? Evening walks in
summer? What are your views on the forthcoming footpath walks? I would like to incorporate
some specific interest walks occasionally, like architectural, geological or flower/bird spotting walks.
I like our 5/6 mile walks but I’m aware they don’t suit everyone. Let me know what you think.
Maggie Smith Walks Co-ordinator
Membership Secretary’s Report 2012
As of the end of October 2012 the membership of the Manchester & Salford Group stands at
431.This is a slight increase on last year at 428 and in 2010 we had 451.The overall membership of
the Ramblers stands at approx 113,000. Last year the figure was 115,498.
One of the priorities in the new Ramblers business plan is to increase the membership, which has
been falling over the last few years. We can all do something to try to get more members. We must
try to encourage family and friends to join, if they enjoy walking or if they just support the aims of
the Ramblers. Membership forms can be obtained from committee members or people can join
through the Ramblers website. Our own website has brought in quite a number of new members
since its launch.
Alan Moffatt
Social Secretary Report 2012
As well as a very successful programme of walks in 2012 we have also had a social calendar which
has brought people together for a variety of events/activities:
- two very enjoyable walking weekends away in Yorkshire and Derbyshire which have been well
supported. Plans are in the pipeline for our 2013 trip to Wales in April - a 60's Quiz night in
Manchester which brought people together for a fun night -a very informative wild flower walk in
Middleton which was very well supported - a big plus was that we picked one of the very few sunny
days of the Summer, it was glorious!!! - in July Les Jones put together a great quiz which was held at
the Irish Club in Chorlton.
We have ideas for events in 2012/13 and hope that everyone will find something they would like to
join in with Folk train, Environmental walks and talks (Nov 21st details to follow), Quiz Night, Ceilidh, Beer
festivals.
It would be useful to have your feedback and ideas about past and future events. Finally thank you
for your support in 2012 and I hope to see lots of you at our events in the future.
Christine Quinn
Newsletter Editor’s report 2012
Since taking over as newsletter editor at the last AGM I have managed to produce 5 newsletters,
mostly going out by email only, though one also sent out as paper version. We are trying to get as
many members on email as possible so we can send them frequent newsletters as well as other
information. Email newsletters can also be longer and include colour photos.
Thanks to all who have sent in contributions for the newsletters. I would like all members to think
about sending in items for the newsletters short or longer -e.g. walking news, reports and photos of
walks you have done -either with the Ramblers locally plus articles about walks elsewhere in the UK
and around the world.
Please email me with them. If we receive more articles could look at producing newsletters more
often.
Margaret Manning
Website Administrator report 2012
First of all, very many thanks to Mary Heaney who has kept the website updating going whilst I have
been away.
We have expanded some of our coverage on the website, adding more details of the walks to give
more information for those thinking of coming with us. Here, we are dependent on the walk leaders
so would encourage leaders to send through as many details as possible a couple of weeks before
the walks.
This extra information also helps me add details to the main Ramblers website to advertise our
walks further.
We have some legal work to carry out due to changes in the law on cookies and privacy and the
layout of the website does need updating. I am considering changing the template of the website so
it uses the layout suggested by the Ramblers. I would like to know if this would be acceptable to
members.
It would mean that on the website we would clearly be Manchester and Salford Ramblers rather
than Walking group as at present.
Last year, Mary Heaney was able to abstract statistics on usage with help from Rick Connor from the
MAD walkers group. I apologise for not doing this for this year’s AGM but am happy to pursue this
for the next year. Iif we change the template, I would also be able to add our own counter to the
website.
Again, a plea: if there is anyone who feels they would like to take the website onto the next level
(perhaps add some more interactivity for example), we’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.
Helen Grady
Footpath Officer (Manchester) report
Survey- The survey of Manchester's paths done last winter was a magnificent achievement - this has
provided a detailed picture of the state of the city's rights of way-so well done again to everyone
involved.
The results indicated that the vast majority of Manchester's paths are reasonably maintained and
are passable, although some could be improved. There are around 12-15 paths which are problem
cases. These range from paths that are completely blocked, as FP254 (Chamber Hall) now is, to
others only passable with difficulty (as the Nico Ditch path was until the work began to clear it). I am
still in the process of assimilating the hard copy reports with the electronic ones.
Path guardians- Mags kindly circulated an e-mail in which I asked people to volunteer to "adopt"
some local paths, by keeping an eye on them to flag up problems etc. I received 3 or 4 replies, with
Dave Barcroft very kindly offering to look after south Manchester (excepting Wythenshawe).
Working parties- There were few volunteers willing to become members of a regular path clearance
team. Some people, understandably, have doubts as to whether this type of activity is appropriate,
as it may take jobs away from council employees, but organisations such as BTCV have been doing
this type of thing for years in the countryside and the reality is such that we may have the uneasy
choice of getting involved or seeing paths fall into disuse through neglect. Salle has arranged a
further working party at the Nico Ditch for 18 November. I am happy to see people volunteer for
path clearance work as and when they can. In time, a core of regulars is likely to emerge.
Footpath walks- I have been working on devising some routes for the walks which start in January.
The provisional timetable is as follows: January- Airport City and Sunbank Wood; February- Burgess
Farm (Salford); March- Wythenshawe; April- Bridgewater Canal and Rawsons i'the Nook (Salford);
May- Levenshulme; June- tba (Salford).
The idea of the footpath walks is to check the state of the rights of way since the survey was donethe first few visit paths under threat or which have presented problems historically. Some groups
have teams of "footpath inspectors" but I hope this approach will be more flexible and involve more
members of the group.
Manchester City Council- I attended a meeting with council officials along with Salle and Edgar. The
council recognises that the definitive map needs updating. Salle and I also met Steve Dixon on site at
the Nico Ditch and had the chance to look at other local paths which present opportunities as
walking FP135. The policy of constructive engagement appears to bearing some fruit- with it being
accepted that the blockage of FP254 (Chamber Hall) needs to be removed and agreement that the
situation regarding controversial and divisive Chorlton FP181 be left in abeyance for the time being.
Other matters- I have been in contact with Paul Kirkham, who has taken up the issue of Tameside
footpath 18 (a continuation of Manchester 120) and went along with him to a meeting. This was
valuable experience and provided useful background information on this issue, which is of interest
to us as the path (though in Tameside) is essentially part of a network within Manchester. Paul's
petition is available at the AGM.
Comments and questions are always welcome by e-mail rwcleverley@gmail.com or
rwcleverley@orange.net
Richard Cleverley
Report from Chris Clark, Footpath Officer for Salford
It is three years now since I volunteered to be the Footpath Officer for Salford. At the time I knew
very little about what the post entailed, but I decided as a start I should try to become acquainted
with the footpath network in Salford. Well, it has taken three years, which is probably too long, but a
small team of us have now surveyed all the paths described in the Schedule for Salford. At this point
I should like to thank everyone who has helped, both those who have gone out and looked at the
paths, and those who have helped in other ways.
The information in the Schedule is for four main areas of Salford, which are Eccles (38 paths), Irlam
(62 paths), Swinton & Pendlebury (49 paths) and Worsley (122 paths). The fifth area, Salford itself,
does not appear in the Schedule, although there is some information in a later document, which I
hope can be used
The Public Rights of Way Officer at Salford Council has been given a copy of the data which we have
collected, and at present I am trying to arrange a meeting with him, to discuss the problems and also
what the Ramblers can do to help. He has always been very supportive of our efforts, and I feel we
can work together in a constructive way.
I should also like to share all this information about the paths with members of the RA and perhaps
the general public. After all, we want people to use the paths, as that helps to keep them clear of
vegetation etc and brings to light any problems sooner rather than later. I have asked in the past,
and am asking again now, for people to adopt a path or set of paths, probably in their own areas.
This “adoption” would entail checking on the path(s) periodically and reporting any changes, either
good or bad.
Checking the paths and building up a file of data about them was what I took to be the first phase. I
believe the next phase should be about following up any problems, and getting them resolved. In
some cases it will be very much be the responsibility of Salford Council, but I feel in others the
Ramblers have a part to play in carrying out such work as cutting back on vegetation and clearing
away litter. Again, I hope that members will volunteer for this type of work, which we could then do
as a group.
It seems the right time now to ask if anyone else would like to take on the role of Footpath Officer,
someone who would be interested in carrying out what will probably be a rather different role. And
it is not just fighting for the existing paths but also trying to get new ones created. That would make
really exciting progress.
Chris Clark