Tees For Canal Discovery Day

I have just been in touch with Kate Jones at Sustrans HQ to organise the delivery of the banners, flags leaflets and other materials for our attendance at the Grantham Canal Discovery on Sunday 9 October at the Woolsthorpe depot.
For those of you who can help out Sustrans will also send on a t-shirt for you to keep and of course wear on the day and for future events, this is to give ourselves a smart casual and welcoming look, so no need to wear our ranger hi-viz jackets.
Can I please ask you to give me a yah or nah as to if you can help out on the day and what size t-shirt you would require (they are a regular fit), no need to worry about your timings for the event yet if your unsure but if you could please email me back by Monday 26 September so I can make arrangements for them to be sent on with the other materials as these will be posted on Wednesday 28 September.

Riding The Triangle

With a possible 30 riders expected at 11:30 from Newark at the Old Forge Tea Rooms in Muston I made sure I got my order in early, on time a group of 22 riders led by Newark Sustrans ranger Tony Eyres piled in for refreshments having just cycled down that morning from Newark along NCN 64 and 15.

Half an hour soon passed and it was time for myself to lead the group with Mike helping Newark ranger Rodger sweep up at the rear towards Grantham travelling down NCN 15 along the ironstone line and Grantham canal. Taking in a short cut past the rail station we soon found ourselves on the riverside path heading through Wyndham and Queen Elizabeth Parks towards the Lion Gates of the Belton House Estate.

Once in the park Belton House could soon be seen with the group taking in further refreshments in the courtyard. I left the group here but I am sure they are all home by now and putting there feet up.

A splendid ride with good weather (not to hot) and I am sure this like the other Newark Sustrans Fresh Air Mile Rides earlier this year will be repeated next. 

17/09 & 02/10 Workdays

Just Bob and myself for today's workday on NCN 15 down the ironstone line path from Muston to Woolsthorpe top lock. Taking a leisurely ride south we soon found ourselves stopping now and again to cut back small and large sections of nettles, brambles, hedges and over hanging branches along the path to give users a good width and head room. The workday also gave an opportunity to check the route from Grantham to Muston for tomorrow's Grantham triangle ride being led by the Newark group.

For the next workday you will remember I previously confirmed the date but was needing to confirm a location for the workday on Sunday 2 October at 11:00- 13:00, this will now take place at the Stenwith NCN 15 milepost (map here) on the ironstone path and seat as the previous time to be here had been rained off. We shall look at tidying up the seating area, please bring what tools you have to hand for weeding and cutting back vegetation. I do hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you soon.

Grantham Canal Discovery Day, Sun 9 October

The Grantham Canal Society are to hold a discovery day on Sunday 9th October at the Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir depot situated behind the Dirty Duck PH, running from 10- 5 it will be an event to inform, inspire and involve old and new users of the canal and an opportunity to celebrate their recent win in receiving Heritage Lottery Funding to rebuild/restore some of the locks in the Belvoir area, the society is also giving opportunities to other local groups who use and are associated to the canal to give information out on the day.

Sustrans has been invited along and I have said that we (Grantham group) shall have a presence at the event with the groups gazebo and materials from Sustrans. With lots of local maps and information to hand this will give us a great opportunity to inform the visitors about Sustrans and the NCN and to hopefully inform and inspire them to use NCN 15 along the canal and nearby local routes.

I would be very grateful to hear from you asap if you could give whatever time you can on the day between 10- 5 to help man our stall at this event, no need to worry if you are new to this sort of event as there will be others on the day and you of course already know about the NCN and the benefits it brings to it's users. And whilst at the event you can also discover the other activities around such as boat trips, refreshments, heritage displays, dirty duck race, arts and crafts, games, raffles and lots lots more.

UPDATE- Grantham Triangle Ride, Sun 18 Sept

**** UPDATED INFORMATION- 13/09/11****

An update to the below information, I can now confirm that the ride will be in Muston at 11:30, if you are planning to join here then do meet us at The Old Forge Tea Rooms, Church Lane, Muston. If you need to get in touch with me on the morning you can get hold of me on my mobile (0773 986 4490)

You may remember earlier in the year I gave details of the Sustrans Fresh Air Miles rides that the volunteer ranger's in the Newark group had organised, after a very successful summer leading them they will soon draw to a close with the final ride being the Grantham Triangle on Sunday 18th September.
You will know doubt have guessed by know that it will be within our area, the loop ride leaves Newark following NCN 64 towards Bottesford where it then picks up our area following NCN 15 into Grantham and out to Belton House and then aims for Newark from the east.
Like last year's triangle ride you are very welcome to join all or part of the ride, if you are wanting to do part then you might want to join myself at Muston village where the ride aims to be there at around 11:30, the group usually has a short break at the Old Forge Tea Rooms at Muston before heading into Grantham and then onto Belton House via the rear.
If you want to do all the ride then the ride departs at 10:00 from the Grove Sports Centre car park, London Road, Balderton, Newark.

Stenwith Milepost Workday

I am hoping that you looked at the weather forecast yesterday before venturing out to the workday at Stenwith milepost yesterday, with rain falling right up to the last minute of me needing to leave home I took the decision that no one else would venture out too. If you did I am really sorry that you did and found a wet morning and no one there.
Maybe for future workdays if you query such a decision then do get in touch with me on 0773 986 4490 or if you look out and see the rain lashing down like yesterday probably best to think it's off. British grey skies we can live with!

Hopefully though the weather will be more promising for the next workday on NCN 15 along the Ironstone path from Muston- Woolsthorpe. Full meeting details can be viewed here.

Also don't forget also that weekend is the Newark group's Grantham Triangle ride, more details here.

I do hope you can join in and look forward to seeing you on the Saturday/Sunday or maybe both.

New Leicestershire Cycle Maps

Leicestershire County Council has recently published new cycling maps, with 6 in the series they cover the whole of the county centralising on the Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbary, Market Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth and Coalville areas.
The Melton Mowbary edition shows NCN 15 at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir with NCN 15/64 going south to Melton Mowbary and overlaps nicely with the Grantham edition of the Lincolnshire County Council maps.

I don't have stock off these maps but you can obtain them by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 0116 305 0001 or email the Travel Choice and Access team at TravelChoiceandAccess@leics.gov.uk

All the maps can also be viewed and downloaded at http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/countryside/cycle_trails.htm

Belvoir Tiger Moth's

If your out cycling or walking near Belvoir Castle next weekend then do cast your eyes over the estate as there will be a number of Tiger Moths flying around taking part in the International Rally of the de Havilland Moth. A special grass runway strip has been specially sown on the estate for the occasion.
You can find out more about the event at: http://www.dhmothclub.co.uk/

Monsal trail since tunnels reopened

This entry covers the reopened trail/tunnels linking Buxton and Bakewell (nearly). I drove to Bakewell and parked on the showground/cattle market area. Cost £5.00 for 4 hours and over but is well used and therefore fairly secure. Access to the trail is from the carpark along a quiet road for about a mile then up a very steep slope to the trackbed. I would suggest parking at Hassop Station if you want easier access, but expect the car park to be busy at weekends. Once on the trackbed the trail is fairly level, theres a slight uphill gradient heading in the Buxton direction, and you will probably also be against a headwind too. Surface is good all the way with a mix of compacted limestone and tarmac, suitable for road tyres and small diameter wheels. On approaching the first tunnel you will see signs warning not to ride near the sides, this is because the path is not full width. There is a strip of ballast remaining at each side for drainage. The tunnels are lit and lights on bikes are not really required once your eyes have adjusted. Although I did turn on my front LED just to help warn of my approach to avoid a 'head on' with walkers.
Once through the first tunnel you emerge into a different landscape, the Monsal viaduct never fails to impress, but the biggest bonus of the newly opened tunnels are the views into the 'hidden valleys' which await.
There are four tunnels in all, and the splendid double viaduct near Millersdale Station. For a good photo opportunity take the short detour onto the branch which becomes the Penine Bridleway, the trackbed climbs above the Monsal trail and give a view over the trees so you can take in the limestone gorge and cliffs. The trails ends at the Wyedale car park, where you will find a small teashop at the bottom of a steep slope. After a suitable refreshment turn around and ride it in reverse benefitting from the slight downhill gradient, tailwind, and carbs from the cakes you have just eaten.
So all in all a very good ride, takes around 3 hours or longer if you stop to look at the lime kilns etc on route.
Things to consider: if you want to avoid steep access ramps park at Hassop or Millersdale stations. A mountain bike is probably best choice although a hybrid or folder will be fine, this route is also suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs.
As this is a multiuser path expect to encounter wobbly kids, groups of hardcore hikers with sticks who don't use their mirrors, dogs not tethered to their owners. Plan where you will eat/take your own and also consider the WC locations. I look forward to when the Haddon Tunnels are opened up as well, that will really make a cracking route from Darley dale to Wyedale.

regards
Rich-M

Camp Conkers, 7- 13 Sept 2011

All Sustrans rangers and volunteers are invited to join the local rangers for a new event in the National Forest in September.
Camp Conkers is a mini Festivol, organised by volunteers in the area. There will be both led rides and free rides to places of interest and events in the local area.
The good news is that it is free, but you have to make your own arrangements for travel, food and accommodation, although we will give you all the information that you need to do this.
You can come along for the whole week, a few days, or just single days if you live nearby.
The National Forest is fine expanding area for cycling and walking and there are lots of interesting places of interest within cycling distance.
The main base is the Conkers Visitor Centre which boasts a Caravan and Camping Site and a brand new YHA Hostel. There are some B&Bs in the district as well.
A new Cycling Centre, Hicks Lodge, just a few miles away, was opened recently and this offers family level mountain biking in the forest and it has a café and bike hire facilities together with a shop.
The local ranger groups have got together to produce a programme of activities and have produced ride leaflets so that you can use these to get around.
Some of the rides will be led and there will be some social gatherings at local pubs.
No need to book formally with us, but we would like to hear from you if you are interested so that we have a rough idea of numbers, email Les Sims at sustransranger@yahoo.co.uk to register your interest.

Take a look at the Camp Conkers Blog for details of accommodation and the programme of events.

Biking DIY BBQ

Just shy of half a dozen attended today's BBQ at Harlaxton Wharf. A good social meet up and I am sure this is something that could easily be repeated again next year.

August, September & Early October Workdays

Having had a month's break from the group workdays now is a good time I feel to re-start them up. Listed below are 5 dates for August, September and early October. I do hope you can join in and I look forward to meeting up with you on them.

Thursday 18th August, 14:00- 16:00

Meet at Running Furrows Gate entrance, North Parade, Grantham. Map here.
Milepost painting and checking route for low hanging/overgrown vegetation.
Please bring any available tools for vegetation cutting. Paint and brushes will be supplied.

Saturday 27th August, 11:00- 13:00

Meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, NCR 15, Woolsthorpe-byBelvoir. Map here.
Cutting back off low hanging/overgrown vegetation.
Please bring any available tools for vegetation cutting.

Sunday 4th September, 11:00- 13:00

Meet at NCN milepost/seating area on NCR 15 (old rail line). Map here.
Tidying up off area around milepost and seating area.
Please bring any available tools for vegetation cutting and path clearance.

Saturday 17th September, 11:00- 13:00

Meet at Woolsthorpe Lane end (Muston) of NCR 15 (old rail line). Map here.
General route maintenance along NCR 15 up to Woolsthorpe Top Lock.
Please bring any available tools for vegetation cutting and path clearance.

Sunday 2nd October, 11:00- 13:00

Meet at NCN milepost/seating area on NCR 15 (old rail line). Map here.
Tidying up off area around milepost and seating area.
Please bring any available tools for vegetation cutting and path clearance.

Peak Cycle Links

I am sure most of you know and probably have cycled or walked along the Tissington and Monsal Trails, two very fine traffic free multi users cycle paths. Well in the last year or so £2.25m is being spent on linking up these trails to form a 60 mile loop called the White Peak Trail through the Pedal Peak District Initiative, the majority of the money was awarded through Cycling England before it was axed by the current Government. 

Peak Cycle Links can now be found at www.peakcyclelinks.org.uk, a Derbyshire charity set up in 2010 to promote, deliver and manage popular cycling and walking routes in the Peak District, in particular they are responsible for connecting the Tissington and Monsal Trails up to produce the White Peak Loop.

It also gives news a trail blazing ride of the White Peak Loop on 20th-21st August giving riders the opportunity to ride the whole 60 mile loop, the ride is being organized by David Gray's Chain Events company, to which some off you may remember from earlier Sustrans years.

P.S. Les Sims Sustrans Group Co-ordinator for Derby recently visited some of the new sections including the recently reopened tunnels, you can see some of his photos and a little write at http://rangersderby.blogspot.com/2011/06/monsal-trail.html

Vilnius Mayor A.Zuokas Fights Illegally Parked Cars with Tank

Hmm.. So does Lithuanian Mayor A.Zuokas have the answer for illegally parked cars in Grantham's cycle lanes!!!

A little harsh maybe.

RSVP- Biking DIY BBQ

Many thanks to those of you that have already replied back to me with regards to next weeks group BBQ at Harlaxton Wharf. Full details here.

Just a reminder if you haven't already could you please reply back by Monday 1st August with a yes or no and if you expect any person/s to accompany you.

Many thanks.

Biking DIY BBQ- Sat 6th August

Following a suggestion from one of the group's volunteers I would like to annouce a social meet up on Saturday 6th August at 15:30.

The idea being you cycle to the Harlaxton Wharf area (Grantham Canal) where I shall have a some BBQ's, all you need to do is to bring along your food to cook, sausages, burgers, kebabs, salads whatever takes your fancy and don't the drink too.

And why not bring along the family, partner or a friend too.

If your interested in coming to this gathering could you please let me know asap and roughly how many you expect to join you so I can get the right amount of BBQ's.

CAN YOU HELP? Lincoln- Saxilby Fresh Air Miles Ride

Lincolnshire Bike It officer Vincent Gibson has organised a Sustrans fresh air miles ride from Lincoln to Saxilby on Tuesday 26th July, it's set to be a great family ride to celebrate the opening of the Fossdyke Trail and will include a lunchtime picnic in Saxilby.

Take a look at the following link for details: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/events/fresh-air-miles/lincoln-to-saxilby-family-ride

Vincent is promoting it to his local schools and would like to open it up to the general public as well.  

Can you help give Vincent a extra helping hand on the day?, if you can help out then do get in touch with Vincent at vincent.gibson@sustrans.org.uk or call him on 01522 553038 or 07799 065050.

Your Help Requested Please

Les Sims, Derby and South Derbyshire Group Co-ordinator has been in touch this morning for a request of help regarding a planning application request that would have an effect to NCR 54.

His message reads as follows....
  
We have a potentially serious safety issue on the Mickleover Greenway and I wonder if you would be so kind as to give us your support in this matter.

Details posted today on our Rangers Blog

http://rangersderby.blogspot.com/2011/06/your-help-requested.html

Thanks,

 

Les
Les Sims
Group Co-ordinator
Sustrans Rangers
Derby & South Derbyshire

Grantham Rivercare July Clean Up

Grantham Rivercare Leader John Knowles has been in touch with me today to let me know that he and his team of volunteers will be out tidying up on NCR 15, between Bridge End Road and Wyndham Park along the Grantham riverside path. If you have a few hours to spare then you may want to join in by meeting the group at the Bridge End Road access point to the riverside path at 10:00 on Saturday 2 July.

Sustrans Stall

One of the suggested requirements of the group is to have a presence at a local event to promote Sustrans and the National Cycle Network, one idea that has been used by other groups is to have a presence on the NCN handing out maps and information.
So thinking ahead the groups gazebo could be at Denton Wharf bridge where we can hand out the South Kesteven cycle maps, Sustrans/NCN information, etc. to the NCN cyclists, walkers and all.
I have come up with 2 possible Sundays in July, the 24th and 31st with possible timings of around 11-3 or 4. So do you think you could volunteer and help out here either for the full time or maybe the first or second half.
Please do have a think about it and let me know by email by Sunday 12 June if you can help out stating which Sunday, be it one or even both.
Once people have got back to me I can then get back to you on what has been decided.

New Sustrans iPhone app

If you have access to an Apple iPhone, iPod touch or iPad then you maybe interested in knowing that Sustrans has now released a National Cycle Network app which shows all of the NCN, local links and routes along with other travel and visitor information. Further information on the app can be found here.

May & June Workdays

Another month passes and has seen another set of workdays throughout May. Thanks to those who have been able to join in and make a difference along the NCN in the Grantham area on these days. Although we only had 3 this has managed to fill in some pot holes along the old railway line between Woolsthorpe Top Lock and Muston, cleared away over hanging vegetation on the entrance to NCR 15 just of Harlaxton Road and finally recycled an old tree trunk into a seated area.

Looking onto June I have set out the following dates and tasks below, a bit more painting and some of that vegetation clear back too. I do hope you can join in and look forward to seeing you at the workdays.

Sunday 12 June, 10:30- 13:30
at Running Furrows Gate entrance on North Parade. Map here.
Paint and brushes will be supplied so just bring gloves.

Wednesday 22 June, 18:00- 20:00
at wooden bench near Stenwith tunnel on NCR 15. Map here.
Please bring tools along for ground clearance cutting around the wooden bench.

Sunday 26 June, 10:30-13:30
at Woolsthorpe Top Lock. Map here.
Please bring tools along for clearing back vegetation on the NCR 15 entrance to old railway line.

 Bob and Peter make light work of the low hanging trees.

 Sure we can make a seat out of this!!!

 A seat appears from nowhere.

 Peter and myself try it for size.

 Me and Bob.

New Riverside Signs

Four new signs have been installed along the NCR 15 riverside path within the town centre, showing a large map of the riverside cycle and walkway they also give detailed information of the areas along the path.

Sleaford Connect2 Portrait Bench

Our nearest Sustrans Connect2 project you may remember is situated at Sleaford which provides a much safer cycle, pedestrian and wheelchair user traffic free link crossing over the A17 via a bridge heading into Leasingham.
The work is very much complete and being used daily but as with all of the 79 projects around the UK the final piece of the project is to install a unique portrait bench, every bench will be different as it will have a silhouette portrait of 3 local people that have made their mark in their community.
News of the bench and those chosen are reported in the Sleaford Standard, the report can be viewed here.

Lidl Summer Cycling Offers

If you missed out the other week on Aldi's cycling offers then you might want to pop down to Lidl tomorrow (Thursday 19) as there will be cycling gear on offer.
More information on this here... I can certainly recommend the spoke reflectors as I have these on my Velorbis.

Nottingham Carnival of Cycling, Saturday 18 June

The Sustrans Ucycle team based at the Nottingham Trent University are organising a Carnival of Cycling on Saturday 18 June as part of the National Bike Week. The event will be open to all and will include various activities including a cycle jumble sale. (So potential there if you want to sell or buy any jumble).
For lots more details visit http://carnivalofcycling.wordpress.com/

May Workdays

A reminder of this months workdays details are below but firstly many thanks to those of you who have joined in with the workdays and signing rides during late March and April, all fairly small jobs individually but together building up to help maintain the NCN.

 Bob replacing one of the NCN link route signs in Grantham.

 Graham putting the finishing touch to the milepost at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.

As previously posted on the blog the following dates for May's workdays are as follows along with location details and any other information. I originally only penned in 2 but have added an additional workday during the late afternoon on Sunday 15 May.

Sunday 8 May, 10:30- 12:30. Look at filling in holes along the path,

Meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, please bring along a spade if able plus any other tools for cuttings.

***ADDITIONAL DATE***

Sunday 15 May, 15:30- 17:30. Look at cutting back over hanging bushes/trees.

Meet on Harlaxton Road opposite The Farrier PH, please bring along tools for cuttings.

Sunday 22 May, 10:30- 12:30. Look at area around an old felled tree to see if viable to make a seating area.

Meet at Muston end of rail path (NCR 15), please bring along a spade if able plus any other tools for cuttings.

I do hope you can join in this month and look forward to seeing you soon.

Summer Cycle Bargains.....

.....can be found this week at your local ALDI from Thursday 5th May.
More information on them here.

Belvoir 3R's Reclaimed, Recycle, Raw Sculpture Trail

Today I met Laury Dizengremel who is the Belvoir Castle & Estate Artist in-Residence, she along with other artists have during the last 2 weeks created a new sculpture trail alongside the Grantham Canal towpath, most of these sculptures you can see from NCR 15 along the Woolsthorpe- Muston railway line as they sit within the trees between the railway line and the grassed towpath.
One of the most accessible from the NCR 15 is by art student Hannah Satchwell who I met today whilst she was putting her finishing touches to her "Doors" installation.
I spoke to Laury about the group possible opening up small areas of the vegetation so the sculptures can be seen from the NCN as well, this is something we can look at doing in the near future.
The trail will be officially unveiled around the grassed towpath area near the Rutland Arms (Dirty Duck), Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir this Saturday (30 April), 14:00.
More on the trail can be seen on Laury's website here.

"Doors" by Hannah Satchwell

Harry Turfitt Peel Bench

On my way to last workday I came across a few of the Grantham Canal Society volunteers who were busy installing a new memorial bench, as it had only just been set I wasn't able to try it out but on the way back from the signing ride today I took 5 minutes to have a rest on the new seating which is located between Casthorpe Bridge and Denton Wharf on the Grantham Canal towpath. The memorial seat has been dedicated to a Harry Turfitt Peel.

Workday, Saturday 16 April

Just a reminder that the next workday will be on Saturday 16 April, starting at 11:00 and to run for no more than 2 hours. The date you should have in your diaries but I was to confirm a location, this will be at Woolsthorpe Top Lock as we will be painting the NCN milepost nearby the lock so please do meet up with me there first.
I will have paint and brushes on hand so just bring a pair of painting gloves and yourself along.

I look forward to seeing you there if your able to come.

Newark Fresh Air Miles Rides

You may recall that our neighbouring Sustrans ranger group in Newark helped organise and lead a number of cycle rides for the Nottinghamshire Rural Rides programme, unfortunately the programme that was organised by Nottinghamshire County Council has been dropped for 2011.

However because of the great success of the Newark ranger led rides this will continue in the Newark and surrounding area but will now be part of the Sustrans Fresh Air Miles Rides programme, now in it's third year.

The full programme of rides can be viewed here.


Photo above shows last year's riders taking refreshments at The Old Forge Tea Rooms, Muston on the Grantham Triangle ride.

Grantham Rivercare Spring Clean Up

John Knowles, Grantham Rivercare Leader has been in touch to let me know that he and the Rivercare volunteers will be out along the Riverside path (NCR 15) for another regular tidy up on Saturday 26 March.

If you would like to lend a hand for a couple of hours then please meet at 10:00 on the Riverside path just off Bridge End Road.

March- May Workdays and Signing Rides- UPDATE

***UPDATE (17/03/11)***

Thanks must go to Mike for spotting the mistake in my original posting of dates, I originally listed one of the workdays as Saturday 17 April, please note that this incorrect and should have been written as Saturday 16 April. 



It looks like Spring is starting and what better way to enjoy it with a few hours of sunshine* and fresh air with some signing rides and workdays starting towards the end of the month.

So I am proposing the following dates and times.

• Sunday 20 March 11:00- 13:00: Why not join me on an inspection ride along NCR 15, meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock.
• Sunday 27 March 11:00- 13:00: Tidy up and light pruning between Woolsthorpe Top Lock and Muston, meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock.
• Wednesday 6 April 14:00- 16:00: Signing ride along NCR 15 within the town, meet on Harlaxton Road, under A1 bridge.
• Saturday 16 April 11:00- 13:00: Possible milepost painting, location tba.
• Thursday 28 April 14:00- 16:00: Signing ride along NCR 15 out of town, meet on Harlaxton Road, under A1 bridge.
• Sunday 8 May and Sunday 22 May: Times and locations to tba

As we get towards the end of April I will then announce some future dates for the June and July hopefully with some more weekday and evening timings.

I do hope you can join in the workdays and rides and I look forward to see you out and about.


*Not guaranteed.

Iconic Cyclesport Tandem Returns

Read about it's return here.

Harlaxton Road/Springfield Road Junction

Some of you may have and are still currently experiencing the delays at the junction on Harlaxton Road, as well as installing a new traffic systems there is a re-designs of the junction that will benefit the NCR 15 which runs traffic free along Harlaxton Road from the A1 upto Wharf Road. The benefits for NCN users will be new crossing islands on all the junction roads and crossing lights for pedestrians and cyclists.
I would expect the work certainly to be finally complete by the end of April.

The Hub & Connected- Spring 2011

For those of you who give monthly money donations to Sustrans then I am sure you will have or soon will received the latest issue of the hub, the Sustrans supporters newsletter.

At present the newsletters is only for donating supporters but Sustrans volunteers can view, download or print this latest issue here.

Our regional hub section (Midlands) can be viewed, downloaded or print here, other regional sections East, London, NI and ROI, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales and North East can all be viewed clicking on the named areas above.

Also Connected Spring 2011, the Sustrans Connect2 newsletter is available here.

BBC Radio 4- On Your Bike

BBC Radio 4 has today launched a two-week, ten part series called On Your Bike, presented by Martin Ellis and addressing the history of the bicycle chronologically in 15-minute episodes.

All episodes air at 1545 – a handy time to take a quarter of an hour out of the day for to listen in with a cup of tea and spot of tiffin, if you ask us, and if you missed today’s episode you can catch it here along with future episodes.

Tomorrow’s Episode 2 looks at “Hobby Horses, velocipedes and penny farthings, the early evolution of the bicycle, and subsequent episodes this week address how “The development of the safety bicycle allows everyone to take to the road,” (Wednesday), “Cycling, suffragettes and socialism, political pioneers of the open road,” (Thursday) and “The new craze for cycling inspires artists, musicians, writers, sportsmen and gamblers.”

The series resumes next Monday, again at 1545, with Episode 6 which relates how “The bicycle goes to war as thousands sign up to join cyclist battalions in 1914,” and the remaining episodes will be aired at the same time throughout the rest of the week, although no specific details are available as yet.

Details from road.cc

Festivol- Book Now for 2011

If you have never yet made it to Sustrans FestiVol, it is a long weekend, jam packed with led rides organised by local volunteers on and around the National Cycle Network. Volunteers are invited from across the country, so you will meet like minded people and share experiences.

FestiVol 2011- the invitation you have been waiting for!
15:00 Friday 15 to 15:00 Monday 18 July.

There are only 130 places so book now to avoid disappointment.

Where:
We are delighted to be located at Green and Away an inspirational and environmentally sustainable village, on a farm in rural Worcestershire near the beautiful Malvern Hills. It is made up of a variety of meeting spaces and craft areas, as well as a yurt sitting room, coppiced-hazel dome bar and café circling the campfire and village green. The wind and sun provide the power for the site and all food is vegetarian, local and/or organic.

What’s going on:
Rides for all abilities The local volunteers are leading a programme of amazing , short, long, hilly, flat, fast and slow rides into the local countryside and to places of interest. Something for everyone.

Be entertained Live music, camp fire, circle dancing, music making, and the fabulous bar, The Rising Sunflower serves local ales and cider.
Remember your swimsuit A river runs by the site offering a perfect swimming spot.

Learn a new skill We’ll be offering bike maintenance, ride leader, signing training and more.

Catch up on the latest developments and meet Sustrans Chief Executive who is joining us for the weekend.

Sleeping:
Bring your tent or treat yourself to luxury accommodation in a furnished yurt or tent at an additional cost.

Getting there:
The nearest railway stations are Worcester Shrub Hill and Foregate Street- led rides will be organised from the station to the site.

Download your booking form here.

The weekend cost of £85 includes:

Camping pitch
Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, evening meal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, teas and coffees from the tiny tea tent
Wood burning showers and compostable toilets
Access to river swimming
Entertainments, rides and optional workshops
Support van and repair service and luggage transfer from railway station
FestiVol T-shirt

The extras:
£10 parking fee for cars and camper vans (maximum 7 spaces)
Lunch at pub and café stops on the rides
Luxury accommodation book separately at an additional cost.

Film of Tom Simpson story mooted

A little local related news.......

Shane Meadows, the award-winning director of the films This is England and Dead Man’s Shoes, is hoping to make a film about the life of Tom Simpson.

Meadows has a strong connection to the city of Nottingham and Simpson, who collapsed on Mt Ventoux and subsequently died during the 1967 Tour de France, was raised in Nottinghamshire.

Meadows told the Press Association: "He is a Nottingham guy and it is just one of those legendary stories that feels like a Hollywood movie script, though I would not treat it like that."

Meadows does not yet have the film rights to the story and has not seriously considered who might play the lead role, but says he would not gloss over Simpson’s use of performance-enhancing drugs.

"He was very open about taking amphetamines and it was very different then."

He continued: "I just think it is a great story. For example, the French loved him because after two weeks in France he was doing his interviews in French, broken French admittedly, but this was just an ordinary guy from Nottingham."

There is, of course, an existing documentary film chronicling the life and death of Simpson, and Death on the Mountain: The Story of Tom Simpson will be screened again on BBC 4 at 9:00pm January 30.

26 bags, 7 trolleys cleaned up.

A message below from John Knowles regarding last Saturday's Rivercare clean up, also a Grantham Journal photographer met us on the day and a report can be seen here.
Once known I will keep you informed of the next Rivercare meet.

On Saturday 18 volunteers set about cleaning up the stretch of the River Witham between Bridge End Road and Wyndham Park. Due to the inclement weather conditions during December it had been a number of weeks since we last went out and regretably large amounts of rubbish had accumulated in the river and along the banks. It is sad to think that every item had been deposited by someone!

However Rivercare team members always rise to a challenge and set about the task with tremendous determination. We were pleased to welcome a new recruit in the form of Nicky who had come across from Barston to join us. Our fame is spreading !

There followed two hours of hard labour (and we do this voluntarily - must be mad!) resulting in a few aches and pains but producing a magnificent result. By midday our adopted stretch of river was back to the way we like to see it. We had removed no less than 26 bags of rubbish (mainly cans and bottles), 7 shopping trolleys (4 Sainsbury 3 Asda), a radio, a duvet (that took some shifting), 2 footballs and sundry other bits and pieces.

Earlier in the week I had seen the trolleys and reported them to respective store management. I said that if they could send one of their staff down to the river then we would be prepared to retrieve them and pass them over for return to the store. Regretably neither Sainsbury's nor Asda considered it important enough to send someone and the trolleys were loaded into the Council wagon. Incidentally I must express appreciation to Pat and Dave of South Kesteven District Council for their continued support.

I hope you all saw the brilliant cartoon in the Journal on Friday. It was drawn by Terry Selbourne and so good is it that I have bought the original for all to see. I am sure there are one or two faces that I recognise. Don't forget to buy a Gratham Journal this Friday as there may be a report and photograph of us in there.

Many thanks to all of you who worked so hard on Saturday and I look forward to catching up with you again soon.

John Knowles
Rivercare Leader

Meeting With Tony

After a short ride along the new Breadsall Trail and a meeting with the Derby Rangers fuelled with cakes from Mavis earlier in the day Tony was then greeted by a handful of Grantham and Newark rangers in the delightful Blue Pig Inn. (A few of us are now wondering if Tony suggested the day and PH because of the happy hour).

Local and national issues and ideas were discussed and Tony took the opportunity to put forward new ideas for the volunteer programme and also gave details of new Sustrans campaigns that will be happening during 2011.

I will be posting more details from the meeting at a future date.

Grantham Rivercare Meet- UPDATE

***UPDATE (11/01/11)***
John Knowles has informed the Rivercare volunteers that there is to be a different meeting place at 10:00, the group will now meet by the bridge on Bridge End Road.


You may be aware there is a small group of volunteers in Grantham that tidy up alongside and within the River Witham in the town centre, a route which you will have cycled or walked along as it is NCN 15.
The Grantham Rivercare group is one of a number around the UK, the local volunteers are led by John Knowles and they meet up around 6 times a year. I have joined them in the past as a local Sustrans volunteer on numerous occassions, not only to help them out but they are in a way helping us as a group to litter pick up along NCN 15.
You may want to join myself and the other volunteers on Grantham Rivercare's first tidy up of 2011 on Saturday 15 January at 10:00 meeting by the bridge on Stonebridge Road, they will then work northwards up the riverside to finish at 12:00 at the white bridge in Wyndham Park.
All tools including gloves will be available for use from John Knowles.

Volunteer Programme Questionaire 2010

If in the last few months you have taken part in a Sustrans volunteer programme survey by telephone or have recently filled in the survey online after receiving an email from the Sustrans volunteer programme then thank you for doing so. If however you haven't been contacted by telephone or email then can I just ask you to take 5 minutes to answer the Sustrans volunteer survey and have a chance to win a Sustrans goodie bag worth £50! The link (below) is only live until Monday 10th January, so please do find a few moments.

Visit the survey at https://survey.sustrans.org.uk/volunteer_survey

The survey will help us to develop the volunteer programme increase our chances of getting proper funding and improve our support for you.

It should only take 5 minutes to and everyone who takes the time to complete this volunteer survey will be entered into the prize draw.

Your answers will be treated confidentially (no one outside the monitoring unit will see your individual answers and your name), and we will seek you permission to use quotes where appropriate. The monitoring unit will then compile an anonymous report on the volunteer programme from all the responses which will be made available on the VolunteerNet.

GCS Newsletter- Dec 2010

For your interest the latest issue of Bridge from the Grantham Canal Society can now be viewed here.