Mendip
Ramblers Group has been working on footpaths in the Mendip area
for the past four years, organised and co-ordinated throughout by
Bob Berry. His work and that
of the work party group in general, was recognised by the Ramblers'
Association with a Footpath Work award
in 2004.
During 2004/2005 the group concentrated on the parishes around Batcombe.
Photographs of recent work parties are on another page of this website.
On this page you will find photographs
of walks celebrating the work in Batcombe below a copy of part of
a recent press release.
Mendip Ramblers had a record turnout
at the recent Walking Festival held over the Bank Holiday weekend
at Batcombe, near Frome. Thanks to fine weather and a blaze of publicity,
over 130 people came on the series of walks, even from as far away
as Norfolk. The Festival, now an annual event, was held to celebrate
a year’s effort in re-opening many of the blocked and neglected
rights of way around Upton Noble, Evercreech, Batcombe and Bruton
in east Somerset.
Mendip Ramblers’ Footpath
Work Officer Bob Berry had arranged a weekly working party to rebuild
bridges, install stiles and fingerposts in a major effort to make
the public paths usable. He said, “we are very grateful for
the co-operation we have received from the farmers and landowners
who have allowed us access to the places where stiles and bridges
needed to be erected. Our especial thanks go to Mendip District
Council’s two Rights of Way Officers, Sheila Petherbridge
and Clare Haskins for their hard work and support.”
Over the last year, Bob and his
team of willing volunteers have erected 80 new stiles and 8 footbridges,
repaired 17 stiles, installed over 100 fingerposts and put up numerous
waymarks as well as clearing brambles nettles and overgrowth in
many areas. What next? His team have already got their eyes on the
Shepton Mallett area where there are plenty of impassable footpaths
that need some work.over the coming twelve months. They are also
hoping for a few more people willing to come out on a Tuesday morning
to assist
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