Issue 15, January 2007
In this issue
Hello,
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Take Action newsletter of 2007. In this edition you can take action to defend our walking environment across Britain by emailing the Chancellor, sending us some photographs or sticking your foot in some green paint. Whatever takes your fancy!
Alternatively, how about being part of a big project to share our favourite walks? What's your prized walking treasure that you know will inspire others to get out in the great outdoors?
HELP STOP A PLANNING DISASTER
Green belts and the right to be heard are under threat from reforms to the planning system in England being considered by the Government. Help us protect the countryside and public involvement by sending a message to the Chancellor now.
We believe it is possible to have a sensible planning system that encourages development and growth without threatening open spaces and the green lungs that surround urban areas. The Barker Review, published in December, recommended that local councils should review their green belt land to allow more room for new development, and that decisions on major projects such as road building and power stations should be placed in the hands of a new, unelected commission.
We have joined together with Friends of the Earth, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, RSPB and others to demand that this planning disaster is not allowed to take place. The results of this review are in the hands of the Treasury – visit www.planningdisaster.co.uk to email the Chancellor and protect your right to have a say in the development of your area.
For further information visit www.ramblers.org.uk/countryside/planning/
WANT POLITICIANS TO SIT UP AND LISTEN? VOTE WITH YOUR FEET!
 | The 2007 everyone election campaign aims to get politicians to sit up and listen to public demands for a better environment in Scotland. |
| You can get involved by sending in your green footprint, attending local “question time” meetings or writing letters in the lead up to the elections in May. | 
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Contact Ian McCall on 01577 861222 or IanM@scotland.ramblers.org.uk if you would like to help or visit www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/countryside/everyone
WALKING ON WATER?
General Council is the Ramblers' Association's annual conference, where hundreds of members vote on motions that will direct our work for the forthcoming year. At General Council in 2006 climate change was high on the agenda, particularly in the context of the impact on our coastline. As a result, the following motion was passed:
"This Council is alarmed at the prospect that climate change will cause greater erosion of coastline and riverside paths due to rising sea levels and more turbulent weather. It calls on the Board of Trustees to campaign for legislation which will require highway authorities to monitor paths at risk, and to take remedial action either to protect paths, or to provide alternative routes".
If we are to stand any chance of persuading Government to introduce legislation to deal with this problem then it is vital that we have plenty of examples from right across England and Wales to show them that it is a very real problem. Our plan is therefore to prepare and present a dossier of cases.
Please help us by sending specific examples of coastline or riverside paths that have either already been lost, or are at serious risk of being lost, through coastal or riverside erosion, to JanetD@ramblers.org.uk by 1 March 2007. Please provide a description of the problem, including any history of reporting it to the local authority, a grid reference and, if possible, a photograph.
WALL TO WALL WALKING INSPIRATION
For an insight into some of the UK’s loveliest walks, why not get involved in a project to share our favourites, being run by the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show. All walks nominated will be presented on a ‘Walking Wall’ at this year’s show and online, providing inspiration to walkers and a forum for sharing our prized walking treasures.
It's easy to add your favourite; simply fill in the online form at www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show is the largest of its kind in Europe and is a key event in the walking calendar. The show, taking place from 16 - 18 March 2007, will be packed with all the information and inspiration you need to help you enjoy being outdoors even more – well worth a trip!
WALK BRITAIN IN 2007!
The 2007 edition of walk BRITAIN – the indispensable handbook for walkers – is out now. Inside you’ll find the newly improved Walker's Toolkit with loads of useful resources and invaluable advice to help you get involved with our campaigns work, including:
- A step-by-step guide for reporting footpath problems with a report form and up-to-date contact details of all local authorities.
- FAQs about rights of way law and the right to roam written by our in-house experts, so you can be sure of your rights in the countryside.
- Full details of the Use Your Paths Challenge with a “how to” guide to taking grid references and a map and compass reading tutorial.
And, of course, you’ll also find the usual accommodation guide with 2,000+ walker-friendly places to stay, details of 60+ long distance paths, a gear guide, full listings of all Ramblers Groups and local publications, and over 50 inspiring ideas for shorter walks, places to visit and flora and fauna to see up and down the country.
Available to buy from all good book shops priced £5.99, you can also order walk BRITAIN direct from the Ramblers bookshop online www.ramblers.org.uk/info/publications/pubsbooks.html or by phone on 020 7339 8500.
NEED A PEACEFUL GETAWAY?
Cottages4you and the Ramblers' Association have teamed up to provide a great range of quality self-catering accommodation. There are over 9000 holiday homes in the UK, France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy available for you to relax in.>
Book through the Ramblers Shop at www.ramblers.org.uk/shop - or call 0870 197 1654, quoting the Ramblers' Association - and 10% of the booking price is automatically donated to the Ramblers to help fund our vital charitable work.
LAST WORD....
"All who wander are not lost." JRR Tolkein, creator of Middle Earth
