Hello All
Well today is the 7th June, and I think the weather hasn’t been looking at the correct month of the calendar much this year.
Both temperature and rain/sun have been capricious, however, our Sunday walks have, so far been held in excellent weather. Swallows in Stansted fledged on 6th June and all 4 plus “Mum and Dad” had a wonderful day testing their skills outside my front window overlooking the Ugley Brook valley. Now, one day later, they have disappeared much further afield.
Our walk in May was great and our Leader took us all around and through Hatfield Forest – this is one place I find difficult to negotiate and I am therefore always grateful to anyone who can lead me through the many different landscapes and views the Forest has to offer. It was super, with masses of buttercups, birds, and the occasional deer contrasting with the bright yellow carpet of buttercups in all directions.
Now I am looking forward to the two planned walks in June – Wadesmill and Quendon, and then of course September, starting from Newport, Where are you ‘wannerbee” walk-leaders – there’s still time to slot in another walk in September?
Did you all see the really great photograph of Dave Webber, David Glass, Colin Woodward and Alan Dean in the Independent the other week? The group are trying to bring to the attention of the Authorities the need for footpath link/s between Bishop’s Stortford and Stansted.
Also an issue is improving the access from Hazelend Road to Hazelend Wood (Footpath 64). The start of this footpath from the new housing estate would necessitate walking along the busy road as the wide verge is overgrown and offers no footway.
David and Dave have also been contacting the Project Manager & Consortium Interface Manager at Stortford Fields discuss concerns about the Wickham Hall Drive (Bridleway 008) and also the future of other existing rights of way across the development site.
Meantime, the Parish Council of Stansted Mountfitchet are expecting to set up a PPP (Parish Paths Partnership) with Essex County Council. whereby a group of local volunteers who will, in conjunction with Essex CC, help in controlled management, to maintain Stansted’s many Public Rights of Way. Elsenham Parish Council have had a similar arrangement with Essex for some years.
Photograph – Sylvia Hayes – Wayfaring-Tree Blossom
All regards :
Daphne Wallace-Jarvis, Publicity Officer: dwjjwj.444@gmail.com www.walksaroundstortford.org.uk
