BIRD
FLU: WHAT WALKERS NEED TO KNOW
Britain finally confirmed its
first case of bird flu on 6 April with identification of the
H5N1 virus in a dead bird thought to be a swan found at Cellardyke,
Fife, Scotland. But as there is only a very small risk of the
disease being spread through people simply walking through the
area, there is no need to restrict walking or to impose the
sort of blanket closures seen during 2001’s foot and mouth
outbreak.
There is no evidence to suggest
that ordinary walkers are at special risk of spreading or contracting
bird flu when visiting the countryside. In those few cases where
humans have contracted the disease the patients concerned were
in very close contact with infected birds. If a strain of the
disease arises that can be readily transmitted between humans,
official advice will undoubtedly change.
The Ramblers’ Association
accepts that, following risk assessments, closing paths and
public access may be justified in some circumstances to reduce
the risk of infection spreading. All walkers are urged to comply
with restrictions. Authorities have been asked to ensure that
in such cases standard closure notices are used, and accurate
information is available about closures on government websites.
The government response so far
shows lessons have been learned from the foot and mouth outbreak,
where indiscriminate closures and lack of reliable information
resulted in billions of pounds of losses to the countryside
tourist industry as visitors stayed at home.
To repeat: so far one case has
been found and no path or access closures have been authorised.
If a farmer or land manager tells you otherwise you should report
the matter to the relevant local authority.
WHAT IF I FIND DEAD BIRDS ?
The following advice is taken
from the Defra website. If you find one or more dead swans,
more than three dead birds of another species or more than five
dead birds of different species in the same place you should
contact the government helpline (tel 08459 335577). You will
be asked for details of your finding and its location. This
will obviously be of assistance in the on-going surveillance
programme.
Wild birds can carry several diseases
that are infectious to people. Avoid handling them, and if you
do, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
Avoid touching your face and certainly do not eat until you
have washed your hands. Clean any soiling on clothing with soap
and water.
From: Rambler’s Association Press Release 11 April 2006
|
Use
Your Paths Challenge I
would really like to see the whole of the Area which is the old
County of Somerset, completed - a large task, but with 15 months
to go, I think attainable.
One important aspect
of the exercise is to discover new walks, or possible walks if
the routes are obstructed. My first 20 squares took me to places
I would certainly return to later on in the year. Some are worthy
of a short guide for others who may also appreciate what is found.
With the County Rights of Way Improvement Plan concept of improving
paths that are published, it would be nice to have at least one
written walk in each Parish, whatever distance. I can provide
the copy given the details.
We even have some
Groups walking “out of Area” as their own paths are
so badly obstructed, and we need some idea of where these are,
so more local walks can be enjoyed.
Somerset County
was the worst performing Authority two years ago, and has set
what we think are impossible improvement targets for the next
two years. These all depend on their extrapolation of their own
surveys, and we intend to check their validity.
The whole Use Your
Paths Challenge concept was designed to be undertaken by individual
walkers, reporting to National Office, and you can check on line
which OS 1k squares have been done, and register your completions.
I will endeavour to keep you all up to date after the first 6
months have elapsed. I will also provide a list of member’s
parishes, so that those who are duplicated can be co-ordinated
and those walkers who are extra fit can see those that may not
be covered.
However, some Groups
have decided to organise their areas to avoid the possible duplication.
If you are thinking of walking in the following Groups area, please
check their proposals:
Taunton Deane Check
their web site
Clevedon Check with Bill Tate
Sedgemoor Check with Mike Zobel
For other information
please contact Trevor Noyes on 01458 272283 or trevor.noyes@which.net
|
WINTERWALKING
IN FUERTEVENTURA
Perhaps not a
well known walking destination Fuerteventura proved to be a
good choice for a February holiday. The weather was ideal as
it does not get too hot and the terrain was mixed so there was
something to suit everyone. The coastal walks were lovely and
the area around El Cotillo was especially stunning (if you appreciate
peace and quiet, rock pools, white sand and blue lagoons!).
The mountain/volcano walks were also interesting and, at times,
challenging. Cheeky little chipmunks (ground squirrels) are
everywhere and they love to share your packed lunch!!
Corralejo in the North was ideal as a base, the local bus service
was good and frequent ferries to Lobos and Lanzarote were nearby.
Car hire was reasonable and driving was not too bad as the roads
are still relatively quiet.
The island is set to become very busy as there are new hotels
springing up everywhere and the airport is being extended.
Generally food was reasonably priced and there was a good selection
of local dishes (especially fresh fish) and a varied choice
of international dishes as well - the Italian restaurants were
of a particularly high standard.
Bev Palmer, (West Somerset)
|
JUNE
LEADS THE WAY
June a member
of Sedgemoor Group for 17 years and one of the group’s senior
walking members had never lead a walk.
Whilst out on a
walk back in November she was heard to mention Taunton Dean’s
book of walks saying that she would be purchasing it and might
even consider leading a walk based on a walk in the book. June
did not realise that Sedgemoor’s programme secretary was
in close earshot. Whenever he hears anyone give the slightest
inclination that they may lead a walk he is quick to try and get
them to commit to doing so. He did this with June and although
she was very worried by the prospect, at the end of the day’s
walk he had got her to agree to a date on which she would for
her first time lead a walk. June had some assistance with her
recce and also extending a 6-mile walk to 10½ miles. Her
walk fell on 23rd April, St Georges Day, and she named it St Georges
Day Ramble.
On the day June
led twenty-one of us on a delightful walk from West Monkton going
via Kingston St Mary, Tetton Park, Fyne Court and Broomfield.
All who went on the walk expressed how much they had enjoyed it
and now can’t wait for her next one.
This just goes to
show that it is never to late to become a walk leader.
June also walks regularly with Taunton Dean Group. |
| A
NEW POST OF VICE-CHAIR FOR SOMERSET AREA
At
the AGM at Binegar on 18th February Owen Star was appointed as
Vice-chair. This is a new post and has been created to assist
with the onerous duties of Ann Foxhuntley our current chairperson.
Owen is a regular
walk leader and work party participant with Mendip Group. His
functions as vice-chair will be:
1. Developing and
promoting the exchange of information and ideas between groups.
2. Encouraging and advancing
existing links between individual groups and between groups and
the area structure.
3. Promoting area wide joint
activities
4. Developing contacts between
area post holders and their local group equivalents.
Owen proposes fulfilling
his role by:
1. Regularly walking
with different groups and, by invitation, occasionally attending
some individual group committee meetings.
2. Building up a ready accessible
database of useful general information from contacts with individual
groups and their members.
3. Acting as a link where walks and social events involve two
or more groups.
4. Being involved in the further
development of the ‘Somerset Rambler’ and the Area
Website.
5. Being involved in social
events/meetings for area post holders and their local group equivalents.
6. Organising an area holiday.
If you are a regular
walker with any of the Somerset Groups it is quite likely that
you will see Owen on a walk. If so please have a chat with him
and let him know your views and ideas on any matter relating to
rambling. |
11
DAYS IN MAY In
mid October Brian said to me how about walking Offa’s Dyke
Path and with not much thought I said yes OK why not. We decided
on May it should be nice Spring weather we both said.
Day 1. We set off
from Sedbury Cliffs by Chepstow at 8.20am on a wet and rather
miserable morning. Monmouth was our target and we slipped and
slithered our way there in the mud and rain getting to our B&B
at around 5.30pm.
Day 2. We set off
for Pandy on a grey but dry morning. After encountering a few
light showers on the way and some tough hills near the end we
staggered into our B&B again around 5.30pm.
Day 3. We were due
to walk the Hatterall Ridge to Hay-on-Wye but low cloud deterred
us and we opted for the road up the valley and over the pass.
It soon began to rain and did so all the way. We were rather wet
and muddy individuals on our arrival.
Day 4. We had a
brighter morning although now a near gale force wind had got up
and this began to pepper us with showers as we crossed the hills
towards Kington. We left our rucksacks as arranged at the B&B
and then walked a further 4 miles being met by the B&B owner
in her car. Again we were very wet and muddy.
Day 5. After being
taken by car to the previous days finishing point we set out once
again in rain. The long hill after Dolley Green was exceptionally
tough. After a brief respite for lunch at the Offa's Dyke Centre
in Knighton we trudged on up and down in the wet one steep hill
after another. We arrived very tired at Springhill Farm our stop
for the night.
Day 6. The previous
evening on checking our mileages for the next 2 days we had discovered
that on day 7 there was nearly 30 miles to walk. After a bit of
telephoning around we arranged with the B&B for day 6 for
us to leave our rucksacks on passing with them and then walk on
a further 7 miles to Buttington Bridge. We had the notorious switchbacks
to complete before arriving at the B&B and on arrival there
I was ready to call it day. Brian talked me into going on and
we made Buttington Bridge just before 6pm. Our B&B owner soon
arrived to pick us up. It had again rained for most of the day
so as was becoming the norm we were wet and muddy. |
| MACMILLAN
WAY WEST Mary
and John Bates, caretakers of the Macmillan Way West, held a ‘thank-you’
luncheon in May for some of the volunteers who have helped keep
the MMW path clear and waymarked since its inauguration.
Special guest was
Peter Titmarsh (pictured centre back row) who created and founded
the Macmillan Way path from Boston to Abbotsbury over 10 years
ago and also the more recent spur from Castle Cary to Barnstaple.
Sedgemoor Rambler
members, Chris and Nicky Hewett, help keep check an area of path
from Langport to Cothlestone on the Quantocks and are also walking
the Macmillan way West in a series of circular walks which are
included in their group’s walking programme. On each walk
a collection is taken to help boost funds for Macmillan Cancer
Relief charity. For details please telephone 01278-783287.
|
Day
7. It was raining steadily as we left Buttington Bridge. It continued
throughout the day. We encountered the most fearful mud approaching
a farm near Four Crosses and also both got severe electric shocks
from what seemed a very over powered electric fence. We plodded
on as the rain increased to a downpour. There was nowhere to stop
and shelter so we just kept going finding the final climb up onto
Oswestry Racecourse draining any energy resources that we still
had left.
Day 8. The weather
forecast said we should expect at least 2 inches of rain so we
were surprised to find it was not raining when we set out although
we then expected the worst. The day remained fine all the way
to the Llangollen Canal and then a fine drizzle blown by a cold
Northerly wind set in. Walking along the Panorama Walk the drizzle
got heavier along with the 2 of us becoming increasingly cold.
We had arranged with our hotel for them to pick us up at Rock
Farm but the driver could not find it so sent us a taxi instead.
This all took over an hour whilst we got colder and wetter as
we waited.
Day 9. On drawing
the curtains and looking out the window we could not believe our
eyes to see that the sun was shining from a clear blue sky. The
hotel owner took us out to Rock Farm where our route took us along
the steep slopes to Worlds End. The walk along this route was
quite spectacular and the continuing route over the moors and
Clywydian Hills was also great. At last we were beginning to enjoy
ourselves. |
| GROUP YHA ACCOMMODATION
AT A DISCOUNT Somerset
Area holds a YHA group card. This entitles users to a discount
when using YHA hostels. The conditions for its use are as follows:-
1. All users must
be members of an RA Group within Somerset.
2. For use within
the UK the size of the group should be 5 or more.
3. For overseas
use the size of the group should be 10 or more.
The group card is
held by the Area Secretary and any group wishing to use it should
contact the secretary on 01823 333369. |
Day
10. After stopping at Clywd Gate Motel for the night we started
out as the overnight rain was clearing. The morning developed
into a sunny day and the walking continuing over the Clywydian
Hills was wonderful (why are these hills not promoted by the Welsh
Tourist Board). We made exceptional progress and found we were
approaching Bodfari our final nights stop soon after 2.30pm. We
were not ready to stop walking for the day so called our B&B
to see if they would pick us up 4 miles further on. They readily
agreed so we continued to Rhuallt.
Day 11. Only 8 miles
left to do. The Clywydian Hills had still not given up punishing
us with stiff climbs but with the end now in our sights and the
sun on our backs we pushed on at a good pace. Suddenly after crossing
a hilltop there below us was Prestatyn (we could actually see
the ending point). Marching on over the hillsides and then down
into the streets of Prestatyn we reached the end just past 12
noon. We finished in the traditional way by walking into the sea
in our boots. We were both very elated and somewhat proud to think
we had made the 182 miles in 10½ days especially after
encountering all of the elements that had thrown at us.
I expect next October
Brian will again get itchy feet and say to me I feel like walking
?? Path. Will I be mad enough to agree to join him? I expect I
so. |
