ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 18, 2007 20:31:29 GMT 1
Just thought Sheffield & local to peeps might be interested in a new bridleways support group thats been started up. Its in its fledgling days but already has loads of local support;its aims are to improve and maintain existing bridleways, reclaim lost bridleways downgraded to footpaths and to open up new routes. They've already in a short space of time cleared several bridleways, are addressing problems with parked cars obscuring bridleway access and have opened up a brand new route cutting out a stretch of the main route to sheffield from the A57 road ( which is a death trap ) Anyone inyerested should visit their website www.hallamridersgroup.co.uk(not a link I think, just the site addy) They've raised funds for this work with a very successfull sponsored ride and a photo show,and several organised work parties, and many other events are planned for 2008 They aim to cover the whole Sheffield & surrounding district eventually, but to do this they need support. Meetings are held on the first monday of every month at the Rivelin pub,Tofts Lane, the next will be in february due to the new year, and are very informal and friendly and usually involve a quiz or a raffle, newcomers are made very welcome, its a shared cause, if you're local why not come over and join us ??!!
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 18, 2007 21:44:39 GMT 1
Actually IS a link, I surprise myself....!!
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Post by Casper on Dec 19, 2007 6:57:02 GMT 1
I'm too far away unfortunately ms but just wanted to say how fantastic the results so far have been. Just shows that enough dedicated and committed people can make just about anything happen - brilliant. And anything that avoids riders needing to be on or near the A57 has to be worth it. I've driven along there and it's bad enough in a car, let alone if you were on a horse.
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 20, 2007 10:30:10 GMT 1
Cheers for that casper, much appreciated ! Its bliss to be able to get out onto some of the lovely rides round here without having to take your life in your hands on the A57 anymore, especially on a spooky 5 yr old ! Up for the Hallam Riders Group !!
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Post by Yann on Dec 20, 2007 10:48:13 GMT 1
Sounds very worthwhile, and a subject dear to my heart Most of my hacking is in north east Derbyshire though, would that fall under the scope of this group?
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 20, 2007 21:10:19 GMT 1
Not sure tbh, if not now but in the future, they're applying to gain bhs recognition to be eligible for grants etc, suppose it would depend wether there are any other active groups in your area, the ultimate aim is to provide a network of safe, well thought out and maintained bridleways across the sheffield and surrounding area, a bit of a tall order I know but lots of good things start from small beginnings !!
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pip
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by pip on Dec 20, 2007 21:21:09 GMT 1
You have done really well so far - getting a new bridlepath put in, etc. and raising all the money. It is a good idea to be affilated to the BHS as you have access to the legal department and lots of advice and experience, and your members will have some insurance cover too.
Don't know about the "access to grants" bit though! How did you get the new bridlepath, that is really interesting?
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 23, 2007 22:06:33 GMT 1
Pip - sorry wasn't clear about the grants bit, they've been told by our local council that if we can prove ( by bhs affiliation and over a period of time) that they are a bona fide group, they will grant us cash to contribute to work done. Prob be enough for a cup of tea for each volunteer but heck,it all counts ......!! Re the new bridlepath ; actually it was a route hacked out through the woods years ago by riders who valued their lives,it didn't encroach on any of the local footpaths(woe betide if any walker was scared by a 20 ton artic breaking the national speed limit...) and as the local council didn't have to spend a penny,after a barrage of letters and emails they finally decided it was an 'ancient route' and let them 'improve' it ! Yann - been to your place today with a friend to try the x country course - was blown away by the instant off road riding - our local hacking can be pretty good ( access to moors etc) but we'd all feel like we'd all died and gone to heaven if we were in a set up like yours !
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Post by Yann on Dec 23, 2007 22:17:29 GMT 1
That's exactly how I do feel about the place I wasn't about today but if you come back at some point be sure to say hello and meet the girls. Hope you enjoyed the course!
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 23, 2007 22:23:30 GMT 1
M. S. reading this is like going down memory lane. I lived in Stannington from 1971 until 1983, and that's where I started breeding show horses. Talk about memories lol
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esther
Advanced Poster
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Post by esther on Dec 23, 2007 23:05:30 GMT 1
If you're running any fundraising events/rides and you want them advertising in our West Riding Endurance GB newsletter/website (we cover Sheffield) just drop me a line with the details: westridingnews@yahoo.co.uk
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 27, 2007 12:50:28 GMT 1
Cheers esther - will do that,thanks. SS3 - small world, perhaps we knew each other ?? Yann - loved the course and are planning to come again soon, be great to meet your girlies, will let you know when.
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pip
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by pip on Dec 27, 2007 14:11:03 GMT 1
Oh right, yes I can see where the Council is coming from. We started a bridlepath group and found that we needed a constitution, etc. for applying for grants. Local Councils usually have an annual pot of money to distribute to local charities and groups, so it is worth applying if you can word your application to fit. It is also worth applying as it gets your organisation's name known to the Powers in the area and obviously the more members the better.
We took our local bridlepath council officers for a ride down a bridlepath - complete with barbed wire fence, overhanging branches, a difficult bridge and wonky gates. They looked very pale when we got back so we had to revive them with hot coffee and biscuits, but from then on we have a very good relationship with the local council. We try to be nice to them and thank them for work done, because they get moaned at a lot.
The horses we used were VERY quiet and we had a leader and a helper for each one. We are also going to ask if we can give a short talk to the council's Path Wardens at some time (the local volunteers that look after the local Rights of Way in the parish) to give a rider's point of view, which will be something like Catriona Cook's presentation. I have also got the Council to refer to Rights of Way and Path Wardens - not FOOTPATHS or FOOTPATH WARDENS!!
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 27, 2007 17:42:18 GMT 1
MS, pm me who you are and where you live
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ms
Grand Prix Poster
Billy Two Rivers
Posts: 2,898
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Post by ms on Dec 27, 2007 20:18:03 GMT 1
SS3 - will do.prob tomorrow when got plenty of time. Pip - would love to be able to do the same thing,; looking at a bridlepath and RIDING one are 2 very different things !! Also would love to take said council officers for a ride on the 2 main roads we have to negotiate locally , Rivelin valley road and Manchester road , with the afore mentioned leaders and helpers. And then (evil I know) I would like to ask them how they fancied riding said roads on a horse less than 100% in horrendously heavy traffic.....then would they see why we are trying to achieve - to open routes that will keep horses and riders off the main roads ...for everyones safety !
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