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Bridleways	SHREWSBURY & DISTRICT RIDING CLUB AGM – 24 th October 2006 BRIDLEWAY REPORT This has once again been a very busy year. At last year's AGM, you appointed me to continue to represent you and to support the Club's objectives under its constitution (“2.a. to investigate the subject of bridle tracks and rights of way with a view to opposing those that have been closed and maintaining and more clearly defining those that are in existence” and “2.e. to concern itself with any object which will benefit the horse and horse user in the district”.) In November, for the new Club folder, I produced a condensed sheet on ‘Rights of Way Information' and an information sheet on ‘Riding in Shropshire', which I hope that you found useful and informative. I have written three Bridleway reports, keeping you up to date on both local and national issues, and I campaign actively on your behalf for the recognition of, and better provision for, horse riders in Shropshire , both on our roads and in our countryside, and, most importantly for the funding to keep routes open and safely usable. I have represented the Club on Bridleway issues since the early 1990's. In 1997 I was appointed your Access & Bridleway Liaison Officer to the British Horse Society and I work with and support Angela Williams the British Horse Society's County Access and Bridleway Officer for Shropshire . On her behalf I deal with all the consultations on planning applications that may affect Bridleways in Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough and also check those in other areas. I recently represented her at a hearing on a Bridleway in Petton, and we liaise on diversion orders and other matters. I also deal with the Highway related issues. A recent success has been Shropshire 's Local Transport Plan. I followed the LTP through, from the first draft back in 2000, with recommendations at each stage and can now report that most of the points I raised for better consideration of equestrians, are now included. I have also researched on Unclassified County Roads and can confirm that Watery Lane , Worthen is now back on the Highways Map. SCC have sadly neglected these routes, which form such an important part of horseriders network. I put SCC forward for a BHS award for their LTP and also for the work they have done for the Ride UK network. Angela and I presented these awards in May this year. This generated good publicity in the newspapers and I was also interviewed for Radio Shropshire. There are now 10 circular Ride UK routes open and waymarked, and they are shown on Shropmap, on SCC's website www.shropshire.gov.uk . Maps and instructions for 5 of the routes are currently downloadable from the ‘Horse riding in Shropshire ' page, with the new leaflets for all 10 routes due on the website soon. During the year, I have customised routes for club members, and helped and advised on where to ride. The new pack of leaflets for the extended Jack Mytton Way are printed and I have copies available, and SCC have also produced a ‘Guide for horse riders and cyclists on bridleways and byways in Shropshire '. This is all very positive, but there is still a long way to go before we can rest on our laurels. Many routes in Shropshire are still impassable; there are still some appalling gates, and routes are still being illegally ploughed up and cropped. These must be reported to Shropshire County Council. There is now a new call centre 0845 679900 to contact all SCC departments, and problems can also now be reported on line. Please do remember to also thank for good work done. I have dealt with many problems raised with me by members, and have been able to successfully resolve many. Some have taken a while! For instance BW 12 Ford. I started many years ago trying to get this route opened up. In 1999 I took Shropshire County Councillors to see the problems accompanied by your then Chairman, Linda Russell and local rider Liz Roberts , I am delighted to report that this is now open following a massive clearance operation and the building of four bridges for horses to cross the steam and ditches. Unfortunately, however, part of a large tree has fallen and blocked it, we moved part of this on Friday and it has been reported to SCCROW. I can also report that at last BW 54 Kinnerley, which I also took the Councillors to see in 1999, is at last confirmed on the line that has always been ridden. I represent horseriders on Shropshire 's Local Access Forum, and have spoken and put forward recommendations on a number of issues. At the last meeting I did a presentation on the Countryside Stewardship Permissive routes. There are currently 23 schemes in Shropshire that include bridleway access, and many have problems with regard to waymarking, maintenance, mapboards and links to other rights of way. When open and maintained correctly they provide a valuable addition to our riding network: the ones at Rednal and at Lea Hall Farm, near Whitchurch, being particularly valuable with miles of excellently maintained grass field edges. I am told there may be some Environmental Stewardship schemes with bridleway access available soon, but there are none currently shown on the webside. The web address is now http://cwr.defra.gov.uk Over the years my hearing has been deteriorating and I am now totally dependant on hearing aids. Due to this and to family commitments, I have recently stood down as Chairman of the Shropshire Bridleway Groups, but Linda Russell and I continue to represent you on this Forum, which, with the support of this Club, and David Morris of Shropshire County Council, I set up in 1999. It is important that all those Groups involved in Bridleways and access for horseriders work together, and with the County Council, and that we continue to raise the profile of Horseriding in Shropshire . Through Shropshire Bridleway Groups, I continue to liaise with RAF Shawbury and we have had excellent results with the RAF now consulting SCC on any new landing sites in Shropshire . Do please remember to inform RAF Shawbury if you are holding an outdoor equine event. The success of another problem raised at these meetings with the RAF and which I have reported to you before, is up to horseriders, that of visibility. With winter weather approaching, this is also an issue on the road network. Road Users and Helicopter pilots are more likely to see riders and be able to take avoiding action, if a rider is wearing high visibility clothing. I have noticed a few more riders hacking out wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing, but also many in dark clothing on dark horses who just blend into the hedges. The ideal is a fluorescent yellow hat band/cover, jacket or tabard, horse sheet and leg bands, but please, for your own safety, at least wear a fluorescent hatband. Your head can usually be seen over a hedge on the road and from the air, and this could save you and your horse from possible injury. The Government's Lost Ways project is ongoing in Shropshire , and SCC Access Strategy is due out soon for consultation: please watch out for it in libraries etc and respond. Please also respond to Parish Plans it is vitally important that horseriders needs are included in them. I will endeavour to keep you informed and up to date on countryside issues, but it is up to all of us to work to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our wonderful countryside from on horseback. Another exciting occasion to report is the launch on the 26th March of a new website for Shropshire . www.shropshireriding.co.uk ., along with a shropshirewalking and shropshirecycling site. The site is up and running, has some great content, but is still in the development stage. These innovative sites have been developed as a partnership project between Shropshire County Council, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council, North Shropshire District Council, Bridgnorth District Council, Shropshire Hills AONB, Shropshire Tourism, Forestry Commission, British Waterways, Heart of England Tourism and Business Link. Zia would like to than the club for putting her forward for the Leo Harris Award, she was thrilled to know that her work is appreciated by the club. There were three nominations, and the award went to a Riding Club member involved at both County and National Level. Zia received a certificate of appreciation Zia Robins LAUNCH OF NEW "RIDE SHROPSHIRE" ROUTES The new "Ride Shropshire" guide was launched on Friday 24th May. The 10 circular riding routes, in the Wenlock Edge, Church Stretton and Stiperstones area, each have a leaflet with a map and route instructions in a folder. The routes vary from 8 to 22 miles with many linking to other rides, or to the Jack Mytton Way, for longer or shorter alternatives. They form part of the Ride UK network. The Ride Shropshire and the Jack Mytton Way guides can be obtained by calling the County Council on 0845 6789000, and from Information Centers. All the routes are now also on the new Shropshire Riding website. You can currently download The Ride Shropshire routes from the 'Riding News' page, and the, now 100 miles, Jack Mytton Way is currently the 'featured route'. The map showing all the 'Ride Shropshire' routes is currently only on the printed folder and not, as yet, available on the website, but keep checking as they hope to have it on soon. PLEASE NOTE the web address is : www.shropshireriding.co.uk I must apologise for putting the wrong web address in my last Bridleway newsletter. I put .gov.uk. Other information, and Shropmap, is available on Shropshire County Councils website www.shropshire.gov.uk . The route leaflets print out the right size to fit into an A4 pocket, and have parking instructions; some parking providers need to be contacted first, and the phone numbers of local pubs; some a short detour off the route, so you can make a day of it. Do go and try some of these great routes. Once you are familar with them you can then tailor them to suit your needs. If you want any help or advice do let me know. Zia Robins

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Contents About SDRC Notice Board Training Competitions

Bridleways

SHREWSBURY & DISTRICT RIDING CLUB
AGM – 24 th October 2006
BRIDLEWAY REPORT

This has once again been a very busy year. At last year's AGM, you appointed me to continue to represent you and to support the Club's objectives under its constitution (“2.a. to investigate the subject of bridle tracks and rights of way with a view to opposing those that have been closed and maintaining and more clearly defining those that are in existence” and “2.e. to concern itself with any object which will benefit the horse and horse user in the district”.)

In November, for the new Club folder, I produced a condensed sheet on ‘Rights of Way Information' and an information sheet on ‘Riding in Shropshire', which I hope that you found useful and informative. I have written three Bridleway reports, keeping you up to date on both local and national issues, and I campaign actively on your behalf for the recognition of, and better provision for, horse riders in Shropshire , both on our roads and in our countryside, and, most importantly for the funding to keep routes open and safely usable.

I have represented the Club on Bridleway issues since the early 1990's. In 1997 I was appointed your Access & Bridleway Liaison Officer to the British Horse Society and I work with and support Angela Williams the British Horse Society's County Access and Bridleway Officer for Shropshire . On her behalf I deal with all the consultations on planning applications that may affect Bridleways in Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough and also check those in other areas. I recently represented her at a hearing on a Bridleway in Petton, and we liaise on diversion orders and other matters. I also deal with the Highway related issues. A recent success has been Shropshire 's Local Transport Plan. I followed the LTP through, from the first draft back in 2000, with recommendations at each stage and can now report that most of the points I raised for better consideration of equestrians, are now included. I have also researched on Unclassified County Roads and can confirm that Watery Lane , Worthen is now back on the Highways Map. SCC have sadly neglected these routes, which form such an important part of horseriders network.

I put SCC forward for a BHS award for their LTP and also for the work they have done for the Ride UK network. Angela and I presented these awards in May this year. This generated good publicity in the newspapers and I was also interviewed for Radio Shropshire. There are now 10 circular Ride UK routes open and waymarked, and they are shown on Shropmap, on SCC's website www.shropshire.gov.uk . Maps and instructions for 5 of the routes are currently downloadable from the ‘Horse riding in Shropshire ' page, with the new leaflets for all 10 routes due on the website soon. During the year, I have customised routes for club members, and helped and advised on where to ride.

The new pack of leaflets for the extended Jack Mytton Way are printed and I have copies available, and SCC have also produced a ‘Guide for horse riders and cyclists on bridleways and byways in Shropshire '. This is all very positive, but there is still a long way to go before we can rest on our laurels. Many routes in Shropshire are still impassable; there are still some appalling gates, and routes are still being illegally ploughed up and cropped. These must be reported to Shropshire County Council. There is now a new call centre 0845 679900 to contact all SCC departments, and problems can also now be reported on line. Please do remember to also thank for good work done.

I have dealt with many problems raised with me by members, and have been able to successfully resolve many. Some have taken a while! For instance BW 12 Ford. I started many years ago trying to get this route opened up. In 1999 I took Shropshire County Councillors to see the problems accompanied by your then Chairman, Linda Russell and local rider Liz Roberts , I am delighted to report that this is now open following a massive clearance operation and the building of four bridges for horses to cross the steam and ditches. Unfortunately, however, part of a large tree has fallen and blocked it, we moved part of this on Friday and it has been reported to SCCROW. I can also report that at last BW 54 Kinnerley, which I also took the Councillors to see in 1999, is at last confirmed on the line that has always been ridden.

I represent horseriders on Shropshire 's Local Access Forum, and have spoken and put forward recommendations on a number of issues. At the last meeting I did a presentation on the Countryside Stewardship Permissive routes. There are currently 23 schemes in Shropshire that include bridleway access, and many have problems with regard to waymarking, maintenance, mapboards and links to other rights of way. When open and maintained correctly they provide a valuable addition to our riding network: the ones at Rednal and at Lea Hall Farm, near Whitchurch, being particularly valuable with miles of excellently maintained grass field edges. I am told there may be some Environmental Stewardship schemes with bridleway access available soon, but there are none currently shown on the webside. The web address is now http://cwr.defra.gov.uk

Over the years my hearing has been deteriorating and I am now totally dependant on hearing aids. Due to this and to family commitments, I have recently stood down as Chairman of the Shropshire Bridleway Groups, but Linda Russell and I continue to represent you on this Forum, which, with the support of this Club, and David Morris of Shropshire County Council, I set up in 1999. It is important that all those Groups involved in Bridleways and access for horseriders work together, and with the County Council, and that we continue to raise the profile of Horseriding in Shropshire . Through Shropshire Bridleway Groups, I continue to liaise with RAF Shawbury and we have had excellent results with the RAF now consulting SCC on any new landing sites in Shropshire . Do please remember to inform RAF Shawbury if you are holding an outdoor equine event.

The success of another problem raised at these meetings with the RAF and which I have reported to you before, is up to horseriders, that of visibility. With winter weather approaching, this is also an issue on the road network. Road Users and Helicopter pilots are more likely to see riders and be able to take avoiding action, if a rider is wearing high visibility clothing. I have noticed a few more riders hacking out wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing, but also many in dark clothing on dark horses who just blend into the hedges. The ideal is a fluorescent yellow hat band/cover, jacket or tabard, horse sheet and leg bands, but please, for your own safety, at least wear a fluorescent hatband. Your head can usually be seen over a hedge on the road and from the air, and this could save you and your horse from possible injury.

The Government's Lost Ways project is ongoing in Shropshire , and SCC Access Strategy is due out soon for consultation: please watch out for it in libraries etc and respond. Please also respond to Parish Plans it is vitally important that horseriders needs are included in them.

I will endeavour to keep you informed and up to date on countryside issues, but it is up to all of us to work to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our wonderful countryside from on horseback.

Another exciting occasion to report is the launch on the 26th March of a new website for Shropshire . www.shropshireriding.co.uk ., along with a shropshirewalking and shropshirecycling site. The site is up and running, has some great content, but is still in the development stage.

These innovative sites have been developed as a partnership project between Shropshire County Council, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council, North Shropshire District Council,

Bridgnorth District Council, Shropshire Hills AONB, Shropshire Tourism, Forestry Commission, British Waterways, Heart of England Tourism and Business Link.

Zia would like to than the club for putting her forward for the Leo Harris Award, she was thrilled to know that her work is appreciated by the club. There were three nominations, and the award went to a Riding Club member involved at both County and National Level. Zia received a certificate of appreciation

Zia Robins

LAUNCH OF NEW "RIDE SHROPSHIRE" ROUTES

The new "Ride Shropshire" guide was launched on Friday 24th May. The 10 circular riding routes, in the Wenlock Edge, Church Stretton and Stiperstones area, each have a leaflet with a map and route instructions in a folder. The routes vary from 8 to 22 miles with many linking to other rides, or to the Jack Mytton Way, for longer or shorter alternatives. They form part of the Ride UK network.

The Ride Shropshire and the Jack Mytton Way guides can be obtained by calling the County Council on 0845 6789000, and from Information Centers.

All the routes are now also on the new Shropshire Riding website. You can currently download The Ride Shropshire routes from the 'Riding News' page, and the, now 100 miles, Jack Mytton Way is currently the 'featured route'.

The map showing all the 'Ride Shropshire' routes is currently only on the printed folder and not, as yet, available on the website, but keep checking as they hope to have it on soon.

PLEASE NOTE the web address is : www.shropshireriding.co.uk

I must apologise for putting the wrong web address in my last Bridleway newsletter. I put .gov.uk.

Other information, and Shropmap, is available on Shropshire County Councils website www.shropshire.gov.uk .

The route leaflets print out the right size to fit into an A4 pocket, and have parking instructions; some parking providers need to be contacted first, and the phone numbers of local pubs; some a short detour off the route, so you can make a day of it.

Do go and try some of these great routes. Once you are familar with them you can then tailor them to suit your needs.

If you want any help or advice do let me know.

Zia Robins