North Essex and Saffron Walden Bridleways Group

February 2008 newsletter.

At the bottom of this newsletter is a short questionnaire we need you to answer to help us support you, our members, in your riding ambitions. Please print it out and fill it in

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STOP PRESS: International show jumper Ben Maher will be guest speaker at our AGM at Widdington Village Hall on Thursday April 17 at 8pm. Ben, currently rankedin the UK's top ten by the British Show Jumping Association, will talk about his competition experiences and the challenges of the international circuit and take questions from members. Don't miss it!

Belated New Years greetings to all our members.

We are looking forward to improved riding across our network of bridleways and byways this year after a year of campaigning to bring them back to standard.

Essex County Council spent over half a million pounds last year on resurfacing 11 miles of byways with the majority of them in the Uttlesford district after many years of total neglect.

And now we are told that the remaining paths on our priority campaign list will be tackled this year making it the biggest repair programme undertaken in this part of Essex.

These results have been achieved through your support for our bridleways group and your committee working closely with the county in meetings and workshops to achieve our ambitions for a better network.

To report a problem byway or bridleway simply email routes@northessexbridlepaths.yahoo.co.uk and keep up to date with progress on our website www.nebs.org.uk

The website is your opportunity to keep us alert to problems, share your views and add your voice to the campaign. The minutes of all our meetings area captured at the "business" section

This years challenge for members and all riders is possibly the final opportunity to lay claim to the bridleways and byways that are no longer acknowledged as rights of way. They are the forgotten ridden routes used historically in the past, or wrongly classified, often as footpaths.

To claim these paths we have to lodge a formal claim by June of this year which is the county councils deadline for all paths in the Uttlesford District. So if you know of a route that is not recognised as a bridleway but has been ridden over a period ten years or was previously a bridleway we need you to tell us by mailing claims@northessexbridlepaths@yahoo.co.uk

You can find more details on our website http://www.nebs.org.uk/claiming/claiming.html which will be tracking claims and you can download witness forms to initiate your own claim and coming shortly our own interactive map . We have at least three routes we will be claiming including Beechy Ride from Audley End to the Roos farm at Debden used for many years by the Saffron Walden County High School Farm Club.

Our first fun ride last autumn from Waldegraves Farm, Widdington was a great success attracting 49 entrants and followed a 12 mile circular route.

The next ride of a similar length is planned for Sunday May 11 from Wimbish Livery yard. If you are a potential rider or volunteer helper mail us at rides@northessexbridlepaths@yahoo.co.uk

Other headlines in brief:

1. We have persuaded a local farmer to create three new bridleways to improve the network from Debden Green towards Thaxted and provide an alternative to using a dangerous road.
2. We are seeking persuade a number of local landowners to use permissive new routes across their land to help develop our riding network. The idea is to make these new routes available exclusively to our members. Details to follow on the website.
3. We have established a code of conduct we encourage riders to follow to stay safe on the roads and to show respect for landowners and other user groups in open countryside. The code is available on the website.
4. We have become a member of the Parish Paths Partnership working with Essex County Council on specific path clearance programmes. Are you a potential volunteer. If so email Hannah our coordinator hmv@fast-mail.net .
5. We have a stockpile of high viz tabards that are available to all members free of charge as a result of securing a local sponsor to pay for the materials and print run. To claim yours email Rebecka west10@btinternet.com

Subscriptions for 2008 should be paid before April 15. Please fill in and print out the membership form.

Please answer all the questions below by putting a X in the appropriate box and replying to the email ensuring you fill in your name

YOUR NAME	Yes	No	Maybe
Do you intend to renew your membership?
Are you interested in joining the May Fun Ride ?
Are you a potential Fun Ride Helper ?
Are you planning to attend the AGM ?
Do you have a specific bridleway issue/problem ?
Do you know about a lost bridleway we can claim ?
Can you support our lost bridleways campaign ?
Are you a potential volunteer for the Paths clearance work ?
Would you consider joining our committee ?
Is your bridleways group tackling the right issues ?
Any other comments you would like to make?