Issue 18, April 2007
In this issue
Hello,
There's a political flavour to this edition, with both parliament elections in Scotland and ballots for local councillors in England coming up on May 3rd. Take action to ensure your candidate will support the issues that matter to you - access, energy, public transport, the environment and more.
Politics aside, spring is finally here! The clocks have gone forward and those beautiful bluebells will be out soon. But bluebells - our favourite wildflower - are in trouble. Join in our project with the Natural History Museum to find, identify and record bluebells in your local area.
Scottish families are getting up on their feet as part of the Get Fit For Tomorrow initiative - read more about our new Family Walking groups.
Bluebells need your help.
 | They have been voted the most popular wild flowers in the UK, where they flower between May and June, but this beautiful bloom may be at risk as its native woodland habitat falls victim to changing climate conditions, agricultural demands and hybridisation. |
We have partnered with the Natural History Museum and Plantlife in making a nationwide plea for people to find, identify and record bluebells in their local area. The records will help build a picture of bluebells in the UK by mapping the distribution of bluebells and revealing when and where bluebells first flower across the country.
When out walking this spring, look out for colonies of bluebells growing in your local area and then log your findings on the Natural History Museum website.
For more information about the project and how to take part see www.ramblers.org.uk/bluebells
Vote for Scotlands great outdoors
The third Scottish Parliament election takes place on 3 May 2007 and we are encouraging people to ensure this has a positive outcome for Scotland's great outdoors.
Over the last year we produced a Manifesto for Scotland's Outdoors for discussion with the main political parties and are now emphasising three key issues in the lead up to the election.
On our website you can find lots of ideas on how to take action to support our election campaign and ask candidates what they will do for Scotland's great outdoors:
- write to election candidates. You can do this in a matter of minutes. At the everyone website, you can generate a letter or email including your own text.
- write to the main political parties and ask the same question.
- attend a "question time" meeting. Dates, times and locations at the everyone website.
- write to your local paper. See sample letter.
- send in your "vote with your feet" footprint.
Use your vote - and your voice
As well as the elections in Scotland and Wales, ballots will be held for local councillors in over 300 authorities across England. Local authorities have many important powers that can influence the beauty and accessibility of the councils in their area. Make sure you are registered to vote and look out for hustings and other opportunities to quiz candidates on:
- footpaths and access: will they ensure adequate resources are available?
- the planning system: are they aware of government proposals that may remove local voices from being heard (see www.planningdisaster.co.uk for more)
- protecting the local countryside: for example, if you live in the South-East, ask them to support creation of the South Downs National Park.
- public transport: how will they encourage more people to walk for health, recreation and transport?
You can find out more information on each of these issues by browsing our website. You can find details of your local councillor by visiting www.councillor.gov.uk and more about the elections in your area and register to vote via www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Feet First for families
We recently launched our first family walking group in Scotland to encourage families to get active, meet new friends and enjoy their local countryside. With rising rates of inactivity and childhood obesity, there's never been a more appropriate time to encourage parents to take their kids on walks and get fitter together.
The new group, which covers the Forth Valley area, offers two walks a month and caters for a wide variety of ages and abilities. The North Berwick & District Ramblers also organise a family walk on the third Sunday of every month in the East Lothian area.
This work is part of our nationwide Get Fit For Tomorrow initiative, which is funded by the Paths for All Partnership.
We'd be keen to hear if you'd be interested in setting up or taking part in family walks in your local area. We are also looking for enthusiastic volunteers to lead walks and/or help to promote the Forth Valley Family group. If you live in the area, perhaps you could give a few hours of your time to help distribute posters or leaflets or simply just tell your friends and family!
For more information, contact Kathryn Wortley on 01577 861 222 or email kathrynw@ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/walking/family-walking
photos by Jan van der Merwe
Protect level crossings
The National Level Crossings Safety Group was set up by the Rail Standards and Safety Board (RSSB) in conjunction with Network Rail after the accident at Ufton Nervert level crossing in Berkshire in 2004. Several people died when a train was derailed after hitting a car on the crossing.
The aim of the Group is to examine ways of reducing the risk of accidents on level crossings. However, true accidents are rare, and sadly, most deaths are proved to be suicides. But at the time of these deaths relatives and the media often call for the closure of the 'dangerous' crossing involved. Network Rail are ever keen to close as many crossings as possible and support such demands.
Mike Heckford of the Dorset Area represents us on the Safety Group. He is trying to ensure that the RSSB and Network Rail improve their maintenance of rights of way crossings, rather than close them. The majority of level crossings are in very good condition, but some are rarely maintained - often in rural or isolated locations - and it is these Mike is interested in.
If you know of any problems in your area please let us know. Please email the name of the crossing, the grid reference, the name of the nearest station(s), details of the problem and whether it has been reported, to JanetD@ramblers.org.uk. We will pass the information on to Mike who will take problems up directly with Network Rail.
Last word...
"Take only pictures, cast only shadows, leave only ripples of understanding as you travel the world." DAVID BELLAMY, naturalist
