Comments on: Have the Ramblers gone completely mad?

By: John Manning

John Manning — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:52:49 +0000

In honesty, I can sympathise with the need for a rights of way team within the Ramblers. Even here in t’Yorkshu Dales - a flagship National Pleasure Park - there are plenty of path problems: within two miles of this village I can think of landowners diverting and closing paths without reference to any proper authority, and paths that should have been registered as such years back but have been allowed to vanish, conveniently for those whose land they cross. They’re still fighting erosion in the 3 peaks area even now. Some organisation has got to alert the NP and the local authority to those kind of issues, and work with them to get it sorted out.

But that kind of thing should not detract from what the Ramblers do in Scotland, which is even more important as it sets a benchmark for what we should be aspiring to here in Southern Britain.

In northern England CROW has had a great effect, opening up vast tracts of open countryside. But in the south, even in supposedly outdoorsy places like the North and South Downs, a lot of CROW land is restricted to the odd field, small patch of downland or woodland. The rights of way network is the vital thread that links these important areas together; if it falls into disrepair, or falls victim to abuse with no one to defend it, then the value of the access land is degraded also. Until there’s a general principle of infinite responsible access everywhere in the UK – and I think I mean “everywhere” - then the rights of way network in England and Wales is invaluable.

The Ramblers need to fight on all these fronts, to represent their members’ interests north and south and west of the border. Writing off Wales and Scotland in the way they’re proposing, while focussing on inner city on-foot commuting and health issues, while very worthy, is just the opposite of that. I can’t think of anything I could compare it to, other than perhaps Churchill and Eisenhower agreeing that they could no longer afford to fight a war in Europe and the Pacific, so instead deciding to concentrate on inner city policing.

(What a lame comparison, I’m ashamed!)

By: cameron

cameron — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:06:32 +0000

Mmm, the Ramblers are quite different from the MCof S in that the organisation is ostensibly a network of walking groups - the campaigning side makes full use of the membership of 140,000, most of whom have little interest in campaigning. And the Ramblers don’t promote climbing or mountaineering. On the other hand, I can’t imagine MCof S getting involved in urban walking groups or walking for health groups. The John Muir Trust is principally a land-owning organisation, very different from both Ramblers and MCof S. I think it’s necessary to have all these organisations fit and healthy. What I’m not so sure about is why Ramblers in London think it’s so necessary to have such a huge rights of way team. From what I’m told by insiders there isn’t the need for a lot of rights of way campaigning any morebut there is still a form of ‘paranoia’amongst Home Counties Ramblers Board members about this issue.

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:24:26 +0000

I can’t help but wonder if this unfortunate development could present a good opportunity for structural change amongst the numerous organisations ‘representing’ hill goers and other mountain users.

If one was able to compare the Scottish membership databases of Ramblers, MCofS, John Muir Trust, BMC and others I am sure there would be significant overlap. On access as a policy area for example where would the interests of Ramblers differ from MCofS members? Hardly if at all.

Small organisations struggle to raise the ‘working capital’ they need to survive and operate in a sustainable way. Why not use this chance to convene a meeting of all those interested in protecting the Scottish upland environment with a view to forming one single powerful organisation?

Just a thought…

By: cameron

cameron — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:22:55 +0000

Hi Christopher,
As you can well imagine, that wasn’t the way it was explained to me, but thanks for that - very interesting…

By: Christopher Gibson

Christopher Gibson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:05:51 +0000

Cameron
The view further south is that this is being led by Tom Franklin and the Board are doing what he wants. Your para should be the other way round.

By: cameron

cameron — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:14:01 +0000

Thanks Baz,
The Convenor of Ramblers Scotland, Denis Canavan, has just launched a fund raising campaign to raise enough money to see Ramblers Scotland through the next year. The feeling is that if the problem is about finance then the recession is temporary and things will hopefully improve in a year’s time. However, I think Ramblers members should be asking themselves if the Ramblers HQ should really be in London or in some area closer to their traditional heartlands, ie Manchester or Sheffield, where the staff might be a tad closer to reality?

By: Baz

Baz — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:47:58 +0000

Cameron,

I’m also here from Chris’s blog posting and am taken aback at this proposal. I’ll be keeping an eye on the situation and if not remedied will consider my membership. I love the ramblers and all the great work they do, but sometimes you just have to make a stand.
As a Mancunion exiled to Berkshire for the last 12 years, this continued Londonisation of things still annoys me.

By: cameron

cameron — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:53:24 +0000

Breaking away is an option but that wouldn’t protect the seven staff jobs. The prefered option at the moment is to try and raise enough money to keep the Scottish office going for at least another year. To this end Denis Canavan, the Ramblers Scotland convenor, has today launched an appeal for £200,000. Details on the Ramblers website on http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/press/

Meanwhile, Trevor, I don’t think Lottery money would be available. As many organisations are discovering, the great bulk of Lottery money is going towards the London Olympics. Many NGO’s have already had their subsidies and grants cut because of this.

By: Trevor D Gamble

Trevor D Gamble — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:38:33 +0000

Could not Lottery grants money be found to preserve the staff jobs to fight for Scottish walkers rights, as the Ramblers is a registered charity after all?

By: Peewiglet

Peewiglet — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:07:34 +0000

Hi Cameron,

Thanks for drawing attention to this. I read it having seen what Chris T. wrote on his blog this morning.

It sounds to me as though the best outcome might well be for the Scottish branch to break away from the rest of the Ramblers, and go forwards independently. Any chance that that might happen?