Ray Clayton becomes Honorary Member
West Berks Ramblers get all the praise and publicity for the work in maintaining the ROWS but Ray is Pang Valley and never gets a mention. So to put the situation on to a sound and honest footing Ray is now an honorary member of WBR. His certificate of membership was presented to him by Graham Smith, our Chairman, at the recent 100th Gate celebrations. (see also memories of gate building)
Ray's credentials for membership are many. He was a founder member of 'Rangers are
US'-
Ray is a founder member of the Ramblers Work Party (RWP) and acts as coordinator when needed. He has helped to put in put in at least 17 gates
He is a 'bookie' -
A Big Thank You to Colin and the Gate Building Team
A member of the public has sent Sallie Jennings a rather nice letter about the three gates which Colin and the team have put in on the footpath from Wash Common to Skinners Green. They are gates 133,134 and 135 with a motor cycle inhibitor to go in when it arrives.
The letter reads:
"Please pass this message on to the relevant people. I wanted to say thank you to the partnership of the West Berks Ramblers Association and West Berks Council.The circular walk that goes through Wash Common, Enborne and beyond is under going some slow but steady improvement. In the form of kissing gates.I am fortunate to live in Enbore. My smallholding has a small part of the footpath running along side it. Slowly as the old stiles break, they are being replaced by Kissing gates. This is improving assess to the countryside to many.
For me personally it enables me to push the buggy with my grandchildren in and my disabled father who suffered a stroke 5 years ago. He can no longer climb over a stile, but now he can get out and walk in the countryside, he so loves.
Please pass on my thanks to the people who are making this all so much more assessable to us. It gives us so much pleasure.
Yours with gratitude"
This is the middle of the three gates mentioned in the letter. As you will see the area is a trifle muddy so whilst the team were there installing the gate they released some of the water causing the muddy patches to help the area dry out. So all in all a job well done.
FIONA WALKER wins Civic Award
West Berks Rambler, Fiona Walker, has this year won a Civic Award from Newbury Town
Council for her community work to improve the condition and access to West Berkshire’s
footpaths. As a long-
Originally working with the mental health charity MENCAP, Fiona subsequently became a member of the Rangers Official Active Response (ROAR) group which offers services to volunteers from the Phoenix Centre in Newbury. The Phoenix Centre supports adults with learning disabilities. Volunteering her services for 12 hours each week for a number of years she has encouraged members of the group to volunteer 1500 hours each year to help clear footpaths on a parish by parish basis throughout West Berkshire.
It is this community spirit which led to Fiona winning this year’s Newbury’s Civic Award. Presented by the mayor, Phil Barnett, Fiona’s response was to say that she was so surprised adding “I feel there are other people who do so much more for the community. It’s a hobby. It’s a social occasion. We have a lovely team and I just feel that you should not get an award for having so much fun.” We don’t agree! Few have done as much as Fiona to help others and especially those with disabilities to be more active and getting out to enjoy the countryside. All at West Berks Ramblers congratulate Fiona for all her work.
Greg McGill
Countryside Officer
West Berks Ramblers