Author: chris bargman

Fun Ride – Monday 27th August 2012

We are running this fund raising pleasure ride jointly with the Shropshire South Riding Club.
  • Start Bromdon/Silvington
  • First horse 10am Last horse 1pm
  • Fabulous scenery, stunning views from Titterstone Clee, riding over farmland not generally open to horse riders, on bridleways maintained by the bridleway group and on common land
  • Optional jumps
  • Refreshments
  • Distance approx 11 miles
  • Cost £10 Adults, £5 under 16’s
  • Under 14’s to be accompanied by an adult
Reserve this date in your diary. Further details will be posted closer to the date.
Please support this event either by coming and having a great ride, helping us on the day or donating some refreshments for us to sell (cake etc).
All enquiries to  John 01746718652 or Pete 01746718134 or Louise 07974202792 or email john@cleeviewbridleways.org.uk

Improved latch and general update

Repair work was started earlier in the year on the route on the common previously dmaaged by tractors and it is much better. Some further repairs have been requested when things dry up again. The loggers now have a route through the wood so should no longer need to use the bridleway to extract timber. There is one very wet section 1/2 way up the common which idealy needs some drainage work.

The improved drainage (see post 30th sep 2011) is holding up very well but should still be avoided if possible when very wet conditions to avoid damaging it too much.

New easy lift catch added to gate at end of Crammer Gutter and hinges adjusted on a couple of gates to make them self close.

New Gate

A new metal wicket gate has been installed of the road at the NE end of the route. Works well but is a bit difficult to reach the catch. Something we could look at improving. This route is a RUPP but has been closed by council for repairs. They are in process of improving the route on the common (badly damaged by 4x4s). Not a major problem as most horse riders tend to use a route avoiding the damage slightly to the N across the common which is OK.

Improvements

The council have moved the gate at the Nunnery end which is now much safer and easier to open. They have also done some drainage work but we will have to see how well this works. They have also put in a new gate at the north end of the path just up from the cattle grid (there was no gate there before but this is where the route should start). They have not cleared the route from this gate and it is not clear which way to go on the common. I have spoken to council about this. If they do not do anything we may need a work party to clear the route.

Now that this route and new gate has been put in we can look at the permissive route around the back of the green to join up with route J.

Damage to Route on Common

The route on Catherton Common has recently been damaged by log extraction machinery creating deep ruts but is still passable with care although not very nice on foot.

The landowner (Shropshire Wildlife Trust) and council are aware and are making plans to have the route made good. A site meeting was held by SWT and council byways officers and their plan is to temporarily re-route the path while it is so wet and then get the people who did the damage to repair the route when it is drier. We will have to wait and see what comes of this.

Major Improvement Works to Drainage

Work was done over 3 days to put in drainage to improve the area that has always been a problem towards the Prescott end of the path whenever it is wet. Stephen and John did most of the work with help from various others including myself, Pete, Arthur, Cyril, Clare. Funding for the digger work, stone and pipe was provided via the grant we received from the Cleobury Country pot of the Local Joint Committee (thanks to Clare for organising this) plus a match funding contribution from ourselves in labour and our own funds. We hope this work will show benefits to this important route in our area.