The 2001 Walks Programme and the effects of Foot and Mouth Disease

It is apparent that the Club is not able to continue with the with the Walks Programme published in the 2001 Handbook and your Committee has been giving a deal of thought as to how we should proceed.

So far, two walks have been rearranged by the existing Day Leaders. John Higgins altered the Whaley Bridge walk to Southport Beach, and Steward Warren altered the Cragg Vale walk to a tarmac road and canal tow-path walk round Saddleworth.

What is proposed for the time being is that the Day Leaders designated in the 2001 Walks Programme should consider if it is possible to devise an alternative walk to comply with the guidance that we are being given by the local National Park, National Trust, Local Authority Rangers and British Waterways.

At the date of writing, this seems to be as follows:

1. We should not walk on any paths through farmland, moorland, National Trust land and other closed areas and paths designated by the National Parks and Local Authorities. (To do so is now a criminal offence.)
2. 2000 miles of canal towpaths are already closed, but some towpaths that run through urban and other built up areas away from susceptible animals can still be walked. British Waterways offices can provide details.
3. Most Bridleways and Long Distance paths such as the Trans-Pennine Bridleway and the old railway track paths are closed, but some, e.g. the Delph Donkey path in Saddleworth, remain open.
4. Permission has been received for walking on fenced or walled tarmacced roads (e.g. the road up Borrowdale) and on footpaths alongside main roads.

The proposition is that members wishing to walk on a Saturday would in the first instance telephone the designated Day Leader, as normal, on the preceding Thursday. If the Day Leader has been able to devise a suitable walk, then members would book on, with details of the starting point, parking, the route, if there is a B walk, mileage, etc. being given to them over the telephone.

If the Day Leader is not able to put on a walk, (and this may happen quite frequently in the current circumstances) but an alternative walk led by another member is available, the designated Day Leader will refer all callers to the alternative leader, who will give details of the alternative walk to callers and book them in. If neither the designated day leader nor any other member can offer a walk, then we would not have an official club walk on that day.

Since the present F&M restrictions are likely to be in force for 2-3 months at least, the Committee will welcome offers from members willing to lead walks on tarmac, walks in urban (unrestricted) areas or seaside walks. There would be no requirement for a meal to be arranged, but if this could be done at short notice, so much the better.

Please pass on all offers to the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Walks Convenor, or any member of the Walks Convenor's Team, if possible in time for the next Committee meeting on Tuesday 27th March.

At the time of writing, the current alternative walks programme is as follows:

• 4473 24-Mar Cown Edge     Cancelled.
• 4474 31-Mar Hathersage     Hope Circular - Day Leader: Ron Wilson.
• 4475 5/8-April Cornwall Festival Going ahead (but with changed programme).

Alternative walks such as city walls of York or Chester, Blackpool Promenade, inner city canals and the Howarth and Todmorden areas are under investigation. Please note: Festival Walk 4485 15/17 June Isle of Man is cancelled. The possibility of a Club walks web site, limited to MPC members only , by password access, is also under active consideration.

Written by D Chadderton, A Redfern, D Pocklington and members of the Walks Convenor's team and issued with the authority of the President. March 21, 2001.     DC813c.

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