The Ramblers’ Association, Britain’s largest walking charity has chosen Newcastle as the location for the autumn meeting of its Board of Trustees which is being held at the Caledonian Hotel in Jesmond this weekend (10th-12th October).
Representing almost 140,000 walkers nationwide, the Ramblers Association accepted an invitation from local Ramblers to hold its next Board meeting in the city. During their stay Board members will also enjoy a walk along the famous Quayside but will also take in streets and alleys linking a series of important open spaces created over the last 150 years. The route will include Jesmond Vale and Dene, Heaton Park, Armstrong Park, Brandling Park and the Town Moor, high lighting important historical sites along the way.
Ken Hughes, Northumbria Area Chair said: “The Northumbria area welcomes the national governing body of the Ramblers Association to our region. This is the first time the Board of Trustees has met in the region since the association was formed. Traditionally, the Ramblers’ has been mostly about rural walking but we are increasingly promoting urban walking as an ideal and convenient way to stay fit and healthy and – you don’t need to be in the middle of the countryside to enjoy walking or the physical and mental health benefits that walking brings.
Home to some outstanding walking country, the Northumberland Region has over 3000 Ramblers members who enjoy more than 17 led walks each week. New members are welcome and there are many chances to become more involved in the local volunteering and campaigning work of the Association.
Key issues for Northumberland Ramblers include:
The state of river crossings:
Ramblers across Northumberland have been campaigning jointly with horse riders, cyclists and long distance walkers to improve locations where way marked bridal ways and paths cross our many rivers. The problems of safe access to these have increased due to the destruction of bridges in recent floods.
Coastal Access:
In terms of access to the spectacular Northumberland coastline, local ramblers welcome the recent government report on the pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation of the Marine Bill, which, if passed, will significantly open up areas along the coast for people to enjoy. However, there are seven different coastal locations where they there are concerns over access.
Developing new local walking opportunities:
Walking is recognised as making a significant contribution to improving the physical and economic health of our region. As the South West Coastal Path has proved, there are significant economic benefits to the region in granting access to walkers.
Northumberland Region Ramblers’ Association seeks to improve links with the many other organisations with which we share common ground, including those linked to health, tourism, cycling, riding and safe urban walking.
We also wish to widen the base of walking by attracting new members, maintain existing path ways and also open new ones. We also wish to increase public awareness of the many safe and exciting routes across our county including in our towns and cities.
