Hello Everyone –
New Year and we have our Annual AGM. and ALL ARE WELCOME….not just Members:
Tuesday 12th March 7.45pm at the New Apton Centre Bishop’s Stortford.
We are delighted that an illustrated talk will be given by local writer and journalist, Phoebe Taplin, on ‘Great Long Distance walks near Bishop’s Stortford’. The talk will focus on ten of the best local routes to celebrate the landscapes of Hertfordshire, Essex and beyond. Do come along – no charge!
Reporting a problem on Essex Roads
If you find a problem in Essex relating to ANY Highways issues, and this includes public footpaths and bridleways (PROWs), there is an on-line link on which to report it. This site provides details of ownership and space for you to report the problem you have found and sometimes it also provides information showing that the issue has already been reported and sometimes even when repairs may take place: https://www.essexhighways.org/Transport-and-roads.aspx
It is a fairly simple site, BUT it is easy to use….when on the site, just keep drilling down until you come to a point where you can report the issue.
I would like you to remember Phil Tripp who was a long-time Member and Chairman of BSDFA and who died recently at the age of 93. He actively led walks along footpaths including carrying out clearances with spades, loppers, machetes, secateurs and strimmers – those were the days! He manned many a stall at local fetes, drawing people in, getting them involved and into purchasing our Walk booklets. He also instigated the regular and shorter mid-week walks and evening walks….on one occasion, I recall, we arrived at the pub in Much Hadham by torchlight! He fought avidly for retention of the footpath through Hockerill College grounds. He organised an all day count of the number of users and why they used the path and then presented this at the hearings. Our present Chairman, Dave Webber dedicated our last walk to the memory of Phil. Phil Tripp had many interests but I am pleased that one of these was BSDFA. Thank you Phil for showing so many of us how to appreciate our local PROWs.
My thanks to Joyce who jogged my memory
Photograph – Courtesy of Sylvia Hayes….which I have named Rest Break
Daphne Wallace-Jarvis, Publicity Officer: dwjjwj.444@gmail.com