John, Chris and Ted are planning to finish the stoning work on Wednesday 6th. If anyone is available there is some branch and gorse cutting needed and maybe some help spreading the stone. We are planning to meet at Chris’s mid morning.
Author: chris bargman
Route F – Crammer Gutter
Steve, John and Chris have now improved the area around the stream crossing. An old drainage ditch has been opened up alongside the track on the common and a pipe laid under the track taking the water into the stream. The boggy part has been dug out and filled with stone and should be much safer when crossing the stream.
We made a start on improving some of the wet sections coming up the track from the stream but further work is needed so take care if using the path.
We hope to have a work party sometime next week (wk commencing 4th Sept) to take down some stone and improve the remaining wet sections. Some general clearance work of overhanging branches, bracken and gorse would be useful. We will notify you of date/time.
Many thanks to Steve and John for their hard work.
UPDATE – Route F (Crammer Gutter)
John and Chris have a site meeting on 1st Sep and hope to start the work with Steve and his digger on Saturday 2nd Sep.
IMPORTANT – Route F (Crammer Gutter) – Improvement Work 1st – 2nd Sep 2023
We are planning to start improvement work on the route from Crammer Gutter onto the common by the brook. It may be difficult to pass with a horse whilst we are working here so please avoid and pass this message on to anyone that uses this route regularly.
Will try to give updates on the website when we are working.
Fallen Tree – Route M Hill Houses
The fallen tree blocking the bridleway has now been cleared by Pete and Chris.
Route A – Hinton – Winterdyne
I have managed to cut back most of the overhanging branches and brambles. If anyone can spare some time some of the cuttings could do with clearing from the path where I ran out of time (won’t take long as most of the clearance is now done). It is a lovely route joining 2 very quiet lanes and well worthwhile keeping useable.
Work party 11 July 6pm – Hinton Route A
If not pouring with rain work party 6pm Tuesday 11th July to clear overhanging branches/brambles. I will be at Hardwick Forge end. Chris
Proposal for Work Party – Route A
Proposed work party to clear the Hinton – Winterdyne bridleway (route A) which has got badly overgrown.
John and Ted have used the mower but there are overhanging branches and brambles that need cutting back.
Proposed dates either Tuesday 11th July or Thursday 13th July early evening (6pm). Let us know if you can help on either of these days.
Catherton Common
Thanks to Sally and Alison for clearing back the gorse on the common by Hill Houses.
Also FYI the SWT are having a work party on Crammer Gutter on Saturday 29th April 10:00 – 13:00 so there may be cars and people about.
2023 AGM and Meeting 13th April 2023
Present:
John (Chairman), Steve, Yvonne, Gill, Becky, Chris, Jo, Sally, Philippa, Pete, Louise, Emma, Clare, Arthur, Ted, Paula, Matilda, Jill, Steve, Julia, Mike
Previous AGM Minutes (see website):
These were approved.
Chairman’s Report:
Clearance/mower work on route R completed.
Tree clearance route A (Hinton). This required use of digger to pull the fallen trees clear so that they could be safely removed.
Route D Factory Lane. Drainage pipe installed and ditching into the brook . Colin and Clare have also done general clearance work. This is now much improved.
Also general clearance/maintenance work on various other routes including route M (Walters Lane and Hill Houses).
Route N – Site meeting held with Brian Hickman (Council Byways Officer) to look at the dangerous bridge. Council have agreed to repair this and install ant-slip surface.
Route F – Site meeting with SWT to look at drainage improvements to path after crammer gutter as you go up onto the common. We are limited on what we can do as it is SSI. We can re-instate a ditch which is on the uphill side on the right as you go away from crammer gutter.
Route L – Improvement made to the gate at the bottom of the path so that it can be opened more easily. Thanks to Ewald and Alison.
Thanks to all who have helped and in particular John, Steve and Ted.
Accounts:
Balance as of 13th April 2023 is £726.22 During last 12 mths we had an income of £150 council P3 grant. We have outstanding costs for digger and dumper hire and fuel of £350 leaving a balance of £376.22. A fund raising event may be needed later in the year.
Officers:
Chairman – John Sutton, Secretary/Treasurer – Chris Bargman
Proposed Yvonne, seconded Jo
The AGM was formally closed and the meeting then went on to discuss activities for 2022
Meeting 13th April 2023
A meeting was held following the AGM (see above for attendees)
Issues and work parties
Route R – Keepers Cottage. A gate post has rotted away and the gate and fence fallen down. This has been temporarily moved to the side. The council have supplied a replacement post. An option to remove the gate completely was raised. There is no live stock either side.
ACTION: Clare to approach the landowners either side and suggest removing the gate.
ACTION: Work party to be arranged to either replace gate and post or remove the gate and tidy up fencing.
Route F – Crammer Gutter onto common. Agreed that this should be improved.
ACTION: Steve to met with Chris to look at the ditch and work out best approach for clearing this and improving drainage of the path. A work party will probably be required to clear gorse etc from around the ditch prior to any ditching.
For Information
Facebook – We have a Facebook Group which can be a useful method to post any issues or information.
Website – The website has a map showing the area we cover and the bridleway route letters we use.
The Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association have arranged private parking spaces and arrange guided rides which may be of interest.
Useful/recommended Apps for route finding –
The meeting closed with thanks to all who attended and to Yvonne for organising the venue and meal.