Our Path Maintenance team was in action again on 25th January 2024.

First, here are some pictures taken earlier of the three stiles on a path at the far end of Ranmore at Dogkennel Green. Many a time have groups of walkers climbed over those on a route that heads westwards from Stony Rock car park.

Our new and very capable SCC Countryside Access Coordinator, Thomas Chatfield, had reached agreement with the landowner for these stiles to be removed and replaced with kissing gates. This was the perfect opportunity for MVR to use the funds it had allocated for kissing gates to improve access on this footpath.

Removing the old stiles was done in a flash. Installing metal kissing gates is a much longer process. I had no idea how deeply they were embedded. It involves the digging of many deep holes and a trench, careful assembly of the three components (which are heavy!), bolting together, and tamping in. Pauline, our path maintenance team coordinator, had gathered together eight volunteers, and under Thomas's close supervision the tasks were successfully completed.

Thank you to all involved. We hope our members and any walkers will now enjoy footpath Effingham 125/20 free of impediments.
There will be a MVR walk on 10 March 2024 to show you the end result.

Fiona Spencer