Request for volunteers
PATH MAINTENANCE TEAMS
Background: In the Sussex Area Annual Report for their 2020 AGM an article was published seeking indications of interest in setting up Ramblers path maintenance teams following a request for assistance from West Sussex County Council (WSCC). No sooner had this article thudded onto your doorstep and one or two responses been received when we were hit by the phenomenon we now all know as Covid and the project had to be shelved. Although I have recently stood down as Footpath Officer, David Purcell, my successor as WSAFO, has agreed that I should continue the task of trying to resurrect this idea.
What will it involve? The aim eventually would be to set up teams in each Group in West Sussex to allow work to be done on the local paths you mainly use, either on personal or Group walks although until the numbers involved allow this, we may have to start with a county-wide team. Tasks such as vegetation clearance, way-marker repairs and those than can be carried out using simple hand tools with limited training would form the majority of our effort but repair of stiles and other path furniture may in due course be a development for those with more practical skills. A schedule of tasks would be published in advance and volunteers could choose which ones they wish to attend – it has been found useful elsewhere to nominate a fixed date, say the 2nd Tuesday of each month, so everyone knows the commitment. Personal accident insurance cover will be given in addition to the public liability cover already in place and tools and suitable protective clothing/equipment would be provided as necessary.
What next? If the idea appeals to you, please contact me as below and register your interest – would those who replied before please confirm their continued interest. Once the response is known you will be contacted with future plans. If you have any queries in the mean-time please contact me.
Mike Charman; E-mail