Meeting held with Chris and SWT reserves manager to discuss improvements to bridleway on Catherton Common coming down to the stream before gate to Crammer Gutter. SWT have no issue with us digging out a ditch to left of path going towards Crammer Gutter and putting in a cross drain and stone to improve the going. Main issue is that because this is SSI it will need approval from Natural England. SWT will contact Natural England to discuss. It is therefore unlikely we will be able to do anything in immediate future! Will probably need to chase.
Gates by Cattle Grids on Catherton Common. Gate clapper post by Abkats was lose and difficult to close. This has been repaired by Chris. Fence across cattle grid at Riddings Gate had been damaged and lose netting was making it difficult to use the gate. This has been repaired by Chris.
Hill Houses. Jo and Chris have cleared overhanging branches and brambles so should be easier to use.
Please let me know if you find any urgent issues that need to be looked at and also let me/John know if you do any work on any routes as we can log these with the council. Do feel free to use our Facebook/Whatsapp group to notify the group if you want to arrange a work party.
We have had a positive response from Council regarding materials for Factory Lane (D) improvements. They have said they will supply some 12″ pipe and also stone . They will also get back to us regarding the other issues raised although it sounds like they are looking for a new rights of way officer for our area.
John, Steve and Ted have managed to clear the fallen trees from Hinton (A). Digger and dumper were needed to be able to remove the larger trees. Many thanks to them for their hard work. Some general clearance work was also started (thanks to Matilda) but further work is needed.
We don’t seem to be able to get many helpers. Maybe weekend mornings are not suitable. There are a number of routes that need some clearance work and many hands gets the work done quickly.
Please can you let us know if a weekday early evening might be better for you or any other preferences. Alternatively if you do have some time to do some work on your own just let us know. Thanks.
John and Ted have mowed the long grass and cleared some of the worst overhanging branches. We will need to organise a work party after the nesting season to clear back the overhanging hedge.
We have had to cancel the work party today as the weather will make it difficult (we were planning to take the digger and dumper to help move the trees and timber). Will rearrange. Thanks.
Steve, John, Ted, Chris, Clare and Colin met 12th June 2022 at Factory Farm to work out how best to improve the bridleway from Factory lane (D) to the Detton – Prescott Bridleway (C).
Colin and Clare have already done some clearance work but the lower section does get very wet and can be impassable by the gate just before the river crossing.
Work required –
Clear out ditch above the first gate (on right side going up the path).
Lift out the metal gate and clear the build up of soil (hopefully there will be some hard standing under this)
Replace gate (might move it over to left slightly away from ditch) and adjust to make it easier to use.
Put down stone (grade 75mm down) under the gate area
Install large diameter pipe (ideally 12″ concrete pipe) under gateway into field on right to take water from ditch down to the river. Estimate approx 4-5 m length.
Material dug out can be spread on bank (to right of path going up) above river.
If time/finance allows also look at clearing out ditch on right of path above second gate across the bridleway leading to owners horses field.
Look at existing bridleway gate above this second crossing to see if this can be made easier to use.
Colin and Clare will take responsibility for how to stop water flowing into their field (eg open concrete channel with grid) and supply materials for this.
Priority will be bottom section but if time allows will improve ditch on right further up the route.
Materials – Stone approx 32 tonnes. 5 off 12″concrete pipe (usually comes in 1m sections) Note we do have some 9″ plastic pipe in store if required.
Stone can be unloaded at Johns and then moved by dumper (bridge will take weight of dumper but not larger lorry). Should be able to get dumper down to path.
Machinery – Digger and dumper (Steve/John)
We will need a clearance work party prior to starting any digger work.
ACTION: Chris to chase Council for contribution of stone and pipes.
ACTION: Chris/John to review budget and see if we can fund this work.
John (Chairman), Chris, Jo, Sally, Philippa, Pete, Louise, Clare, Ted, Clare, Gill, Paula, Sandra, John, Clare, Matilda, Alison
Apologies:
Yvonne, Steve, Amelia, Julia
Previous AGM Minutes (see website):
These were approved by all attendees
Chairman’s Report:
Due to the pandemic and restrictions there were limited opportunities for any improvement projects. Small groups did manage to undertake some work including grass cutting and clearance work. A site meetings was held at Crammer Gutter to look at options to improve the route across the top of the field to meet the requirements of Natural England.
During 2021 the group committed over 44 hrs of volunteer work.
Thanks to all who helped and in particular John and Ted.
Accounts:
Balance as of 31st May 2022 is £576.22 During last 12 mths we had an income of £150 council P3 grant.
Officers:
Trustees – Chris proposed that all attending to be elected as Trustees (see Present for list of names, Seconded by Sally.
Chairman – John Sutton, Secretary/Treasurer – Chris Bargman
Proposed Ted, seconded John
The AGM was formally closed and the meeting then went on to discuss activities for 2022
Meeting 31st May 2022
Communications within Group
A Whatsapp group has been setup for the group. This can be used for members to share information on routes, work party dates, joint rides etc. Contact Clare Ratcliff to join the group.
We also have the website where meetings and work parties are communicated and a Facebook group which can be used to share information https://www.facebook.com/CleeViewBridleways/
BHS Bridleways Grant
Sally researched this grant from the BHS last year and started an application for Crammer Gutter but did not have all the details on costs to complete it. She has checked and it still appears to be available. We should consider this if we have any suitable projects. Thanks to Sally for doing this.
Kinlet Estate Bridleways and Access
Clare is in contact with the new owners and will continue with gentle persuasion to try to get some of the routes joined up. This could provide some excellent off-road rides for us to use.
Factory Lane (D) – Colin and Claire have done clearance work but needs improvements to drainage around the gate. Note: Factory Lane is slippy for hoses and is best used going uphill or dismount and use a stone mounting block at the bottom on right hand of lane. Thanks to Colin and Clare for clearing on their land and also for the motorised grass cutter which we had had repaired and are using.
ACTION: Sunday June 12th there will be a site meeting to work out how best to improve the drainage and come up with a plan and costs. Meet at Factory Farm (bottom of lane).
ACTION: Chris to contact council byways about support (possibly stone). In past they have said they would do work on this.
Nunnery Lane (K) – Work has previously been done but flooding has caused damage. It is usable but could be improved at gate and down to brook on common.
Opposite Nunnery (T)- Awkward to use because of gates and livestock.
ACTION: Anyone using this route to make a note of any problems .
Crammer Gutter (G) and (F) – Top is useable when dry but the gate at top end is difficult use. We have a draft specification for how the work on the Crammer Gutter field must be done from the Wildlife Trust. Natural England do not anything done that may dry the field.
The route to the common is usable (particularly as this area has been recently cleared). The main issue is after the gate and brook up onto the common. This needs some drainage improvement, possibly a ditch along the higher side of the path leading down to the brook and some stone. Might need a site visit to see best option (it will be difficult to get a digger to this area).
ACTION: Anyone using this route to look at what is needed to improve gate at Ed’s end. Does it need a new post/gate?
ACTION: Chris to contact SWT and inform them we are planning to work on this route and if there are able to help.
Hinton (A) – some trees have been blown over blocking the route. Not sure if these have been cleared.
ACTION: Anyone using this route to check and report back on what needs doing.
Keepers Cottage (R) – Needs a clearance work party. Will leave any major clearance until later (after main bird nesting).
Doctors Cottage (O) – Not useable as it is near impossible to get across the brook. This would be a major project.
ACTION: Chris to contact Byways to inform them that this route is impassable at the brook.
Cleeton Court (N) – Overgrown and concerns with Bridge
ACTION: Sally/Paula to check and report back.
Corner of Walters Lane – Gates difficult to use and does get very wet. Would be useful if it was easy to use to avoid the road at the crossroads.
ACTION: Add this to list for council Byways to look at.
Stottesdon (P) – Need to check on usability
ACTION: Anyone going this way to check and report back.
Use of bridleway routes in our area
ACTION: Please use Facebook, WhatsApp or email Chris to notify us all of any issues you may find with the bridleways in our area.
