Merry Christmas

As we near the end of 2012 I am sure you will agree has been a very memorable one and I wish you all (Bob, Peter, David, Graham, Graham, Richard, Mike, John, Pat, Finola and Brian) a Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2013.

A huge thanks to you all throughout 2012, no matter how big or small a contribution you give we continue to grow and provide the NCN and spread the word of Sustrans in the Grantham area. Although in a semi hibernation it is good to reflect on what the group has achieved throughout the year with numerous workdays, signing rides, led rides with the Newark group and not to mention our attendance at the Grantham Canal Discovery Day.

This year has seen us with two new faces to the group, John and the most recent Brian over in Sleaford, hopefully the group will continue to grow. Sustrans staff wise will see two new additions for our area with the appointment of a Bike it officer for Sleaford and Grantham schools in the new year and a new Sustrans volunteer co-ordinator who will be based in Nottingham.

I will be in touch again in the New Year with some new dates for workdays from early Feb through to March end. But do let me know what you want to do in 2013.

Till then, keep pedalling.

David

Sustrans volunteers honoured by The Queen

The Cabinet Office and Buckingham Palace has announced today that Sustrans has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012. This prestigious award was put in place to honour the efforts of charities and voluntary organisations that undertake projects at a national level this year, including groups which are supporting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award is an extension of the successful Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the highest recognition for volunteering, with an equivalent status to the UK MBE.

On Sustrans receiving the Queens Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award, Sustrans National Volunteer Programme Manager Tony Ambrose said, "

We are delighted that the hard work and commitment of our volunteers is being recognised by this special award."

The work of our volunteers lies at the heart of everything we do at Sustrans. From being our eyes and ears on our National Cycle Network, to getting more people in their communities cycling and walking - their support is key to our success in making the UK healthier and happier."

I would also like to give my thanks to all of you for your tireless help not only in 2012 but for years previous and I am sure future ones too.
David Martin

A full list of the winners are as follows, the recipients are split into three categories. 

National organisations:

• Action on Hearing Loss
• Age UK
• Association of Young People with ME
• Black Leadership Initiative
• Body and Soul
• British Red Cross – London
• British Youth Council
• Calibre Audio Library
• Chest, Heart and Stroke (Scotland)
• Children's Hospice Association Scotland
• Coastguard Rescue Service
• Community Money Advice
• Contact the Elderly
• Family Lives
• Girlguiding UK
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Home-Start UK
• Hope UK
• Junior Chamber International UK
• Make a Wish Foundation UK
• Marie Curie Cancer Care
• Maritime Volunteer Services
• Meningitis Trust
• Methodist Homes
• MindWise
• Missing People
• National Prevention of Cruelty to Children
• Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network
• People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals
• Place2Be
• RNIB
• RNLI
• Sea Cadets
• SNAP  Cymru
• St John Ambulance
• Sue Ryder
• Sustrans Volunteer Programme
• The Scout Association
• The Shannon Trust
• Victim Support
• Vinspired
• Woodland Trust
• Young Enterprise
• YouthNet

Olympic and Paralympic voulnteering projects:

• Coventry Ambassadors
• Essex Ambassadors Sports Delivery & London 2012 Legacy Essex County Council
• Gamesmaker Volunteers – LOCOG
• Glasgow Life - Ambassador Programme
• Newham's Volunteers
• Team London Ambassadors
• The Balloons Project
• The Mayor’s Community Champions: Tower Hamlets
• Volunteer NOW

Sport and dance organisations:

• Big Dance 2012 volunteers
• British Cycling
• Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust
• England Hockey Board
• The England and Wales Cricket Board
• StreetGames UK
• Volleyball England 

New Volunteer Publications- Coming Soon

Keep an eye out for the postman who will soon be delivering a new issue of The Movement- the Sustrans volunteer newsletter along with a new volunteer handbook.

Radcliffe Bike Jumble, 28 Oct

Just heard about a Bike Jumble happening this weekend at Radcliffe on Sunday 28th October.
More information on this can be found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stu_collins/bikejumbles/pages/calendar.html#this

NCR 15 Widening

Just a quick update on the work to NCR 15 on Harlaxton Road, the first section of new path is now finished and tarmaced to a good standard. The contractors have now moved onto the area under the A1 flyover to widen the path and resurface.

Kitty Briggs Cycle Path

Lincolnshire Count Council are currently making additions and improvements to NCR15 on Harlaxton Road between Kitty Briggs Lane and the A1 flyover. A new section of path has been built during the last 2 weeks meaning NCR15 will run as a traffic free path from Wharf Road up to The Farrier PH, some nearby old sections of cycle path and kerb stones are are also to be replaced soon.
In addition to the NCN works a Safe Routes to Schools path has also been constructed along Kitty Briggs Lane up to the entrance of Walton Girls School. Finishing touches such as signing are to be added but the pictures below give you an idea of the works.

Early stages of new NCR15 path.

New drop kerbs placed in.

New Kitty Briggs Lane cycle path.

Final Details- Grantham Triangle Ride

Some final news for you regarding the previously posted Fresh Air Miles Ride organised by our neighbouring group at Newark on Sunday 30th September.
With this ride visiting our area as in previous year's it's give a good opportunity for you to come along and enjoy with others the leisure ride. The ride this year will be going in a clockwise direction from Newark. Tony Eyres from Newark has recently been in touch to let me know that they are expecting to be in Belton village at an estimated time of 11:30-11:45, if your wishing to come on the ride then Belton may well be a good starting point for you and it's up to you how far you wish to go with the ride.
Before leaving Belton the group will be taking in a break at the Belton Garden Centre before heading out west back to Newark via Grantham on NCR15 & 64.
I'll have my mobile with me on the day (0773 986 4490) as I shall meet the riders at Belton, so do get in touch if you can't find me in the area or your running a little late.

Sustrans at Discovery Day

We've only very recently been invited along to this event so firstly apologies for only less than 3 weeks notice.

The Grantham Canal Society are building on the successful* Grantham Canal Discovery Day event last year, this was a first for them which was held to highlight the Canal and it's different user groups. You may remember we attended last year to promote Sustrans and more importantly the cycling and walking facilities along the canals ridable towpath (NCR15)

The descion has been made and we shall be in attendance again this year on Sunday 7 October, 10-5 at the Carpenter's Shop, behind the Rutland Arms PH (Dirty Duck), Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.

I now call upon you if willing and have a couple of hours, half day, morning/afternoon or even a day free to come along to the event and help out to man our stall, please don't worry if your new to this kind of group event. And there certainly will be opportunity for you to explore the event.

I would be extremely grateful if you was able to get back to me by the evening of Monday 24 September with a yah or nah as to wether you would be able to help.

I've also been in touch with Kate Jones, the events officer at the Sustrans Bristol office to arrange delivery of stall items, one thing that will be order is Sustrans tee shirts, some of you may already one of these from past events but they will be offered for free to new owners who can be at the event to wear on the day. So if you don't have one of these red tees then please let me know of your required size. The tees are of a general standard fit.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon and hopefully at the event.

*Let's hope that strong eastern wind doesn't pick up again!

NCN News- August 2012

Read the latest Sustrans NCN newsletter at the link below for update happenings around the UK.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxFrOKsCxz3pWVBUNVJxaDhVb3c

Full Details- Sept Workdays

For a good few weeks now you will have had penned in your diaries the 2 workday dates for September, Wednesday 12 and Sunday 23.
With you patiently waiting upon me I can now give you full details of timings, location and what to expect.

Wednesday 12 September
18:00- 19:30/20:00
Meet at Running Furrows Gate entrance on North Parade, Grantham.
Map of location here.
Light cutting back of encroaching vegetation along the path.
Please bring what tools you can carry for the workday.

Sunday 23 September
11:00- 13:00
Meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, Grantham Canal. (NCR15)
Map of location here.
Path clearance along the old rail path up to Muston.
Please bring what tools you can carry for the workday.

Many thanks and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Biking BBQ- Update

Update 30/08/12
Do to a low head count this group social event will not be running now.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may remember I mentioned in an earlier posting (see post here) about having a biking bbq on the NCR15 at Stenwith on Saturday 1 September at 15:00.
So to know if to go ahead with such a social event can you please get back to me to let me know if can or cannot come along to such an event.
Could you please let me know by the evening of Wednesday 29 August so I can make a planning decision to which I will get back to you all on Thursday 30 August.

Sleaford C2 Opening- Update

Update 28/08/12
I have now received full details of the Sleaford Connect2 opening which you can find in the form of a leaflet/poster at https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxFrOKsCxz3pZTc1VEp6QkIxdDg
As with all previous Connect2 openings it's a great opportunity for you, family and friends to go along and see a fantastic new facility for all and for Sustrans, NKDC & LCC to say thank you for supporting the Connect2 lottery bid.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you may know Sleaford was awarded with Sustrans Lottery funding back in 2007 to build their Connect2 project, a bridge over the A17 connecting Sleaford and Leasingham with traffic free paths.
More information on the scheme at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/connect2/schemes/the-east-midlands/holdingham-and-sleaford-over-a17
I have just heard this morning from the Lincoln office that a grand opening will be planned for Saturday  22 September, but this will certainly be an excellent opportunity for you to go see a local Sustrans Connect2 project.
Once I get more information from Nicola next week I'll certainly let you know the full details.

Milepost TLC

A sorry state of things

Wednesday evening saw the second of the reintroduced workdays after the short summer break, this time on Running Furrows Gate cycle path off North Parade, Grantham.

The job in hand was a Millenium milepost in need of some care, soon a stiff wire brush was rubbing down the old flakey paint and vegetation hacked right back to expose the milepost from the undergrowth.

After 2 hours the milepost was back to a much better state with lots of complementary comments from passing cyclists and walkers.

On the way home via NCR15 we had a look at the wild flowers which has just come into flower near the new Safe Routes to School paths between Langford Gardens and NCR15 in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Steady now

The finished milepost

Wildflowers on new routes

August & September Workdays

With a handle full of workdays and signing rides taken place over the last few months the group is steadily getting through a list of jobs, although small they are building up to big achievements and I thank you to those of you who have been able to come along to them.
The last 2 workdays tackled the vegetation at access points on Harlaxton Road, Grantham and Belvoir Road, Denton. See photos below.

So whilst I am away for the next few weeks this will give you well earned rest and a chance to enjoy the Olympic's I hope but we shall soon have to meet again. I've listed below some dates for late August and September of workdays, rides, training days and I hope a biking BBQ.

Saturday 18 August
10:30- 12:30
Meet at Longmoor Bridge on Grantham Canal (NCR15). Map here.
Please bring along tools for vegetation cutting on the rail path access nearby.

Wednesday 22 August
18:00- 20:00
Meet at Running Furrows Gate access on North Parade. Map here.
If the weather is fine then hopefully we shall painting the Millenium milepost.

Saturday 1 September
15:00
Hopefully a date for a biking BBQ following last year's success, the idea being you bike from home with some food to cook to the NCR15 at Stenwith Bridge where a couple of BBQ's will be lit, and why not bring friends and family along too. Map here.
If you can attend such an event then please do get in touch as it would be great to know for future planning.

Wednesday 12 September
To be announced.

Saturday 15 September
Volunteer Training Day at Peterborough as announced in May in The Movement newsletter, if you haven't already booked but still wish to then you can book on the Sustrans Volunteers portal at www.sustransrangers.org.uk by going to Menu> Article> News> Volunteer Days 2012: Are you booked on?

Sunday 23 September
To be announced.

Sunday 30 September
The Newark volunteers will be having their Grantham Triangle ride again this year, starting 10:00 at Newark rides will ride south to Grantham and then return back to Newark in a loop.
Further details will be posted nearer the time if you was wanting to accompany the ride in the Grantham area for a number of miles.

NCR15 Access at Muston Bridge

For a while now NCN signage has been present at the Muston Bridge access point on Woolsthorpe Lane, Muston. When placed users could easily access NCR15 on the rail path as the gate was permanently open, however the gate is now permanently locked and the only access through is a small pedestrian gate which has led to a complaint being sent to Sustrans from a user about this unfriendly access and they explained how they had to lift their cycles over the gate.

Unfriendly cycle gate and access point signage.

An apology has been sent on to the user and an explanation of how to access the path's end further along the road if they happen to use the path again, I have also removed the signage from the access point. For the moment could I please ask that the signs are not replaced so's not to receive further complaints.

I have however asked Jane Chapman (Signing Officer) at Sustrans to make up a small patch to placed with a NCN sign explaining and directing users to an access point can be found around 500 yards along the road.

Murals on Fledborough Viaduct‏

Our neighbouring Sustrans group up in Newark have been busy securing some National Lottery funding to kick start a new art project for the Fledbough Viaduct on NCN 647 (Dukeries Trail). Led by artist James Mayle (of Graffiti Studio Imageskool) it will produce up to 50 panels for the viaduct.
The project is having four design and painting workshops which are free and open to all public starting from Monday 30 July.
A link to the flyer of the above can be viewed at https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxFrOKsCxz3pdnJIWkM5WnM1ckU and includes full information of dates and how to book a place on one of the workshops. Alan Hudson's (Group co-ordinator) contact details are also shown if you require any further information.

NCN arrives on Google Maps

Google Maps will today turn on UK cycle-specific routing on its Maps feature. National Cycle Network routes are included.

The US has had the 'Bicycling option on Google Maps' turn-by-turn journey planner since 2010. The UK gets it today: Google will turn on the feature at 5pm.

The bike journey option joins the public transport, walking and driving options. Originally called 'Bike There' when it launched in the US, Google's bike routing service is now called 'Bicycling'.

Just as the US version of 'Bicycling' was created thanks to collaboration with cycling groups, the UK version was made possible thanks to cooperation from Sustrans.

Ed Parsons, geospatial technologist at Google UK said: "We know how popular cycling is in London and the rest of the UK, which is why we are thrilled to bring cycling directions to Google Maps.

“Thanks to Sustrans, we now have thousands of miles of trails and routes, as well as bike lanes and recommended streets for cities across the country. “We'll continue to add new trail information and urge commuters to swap their car for a bike as they can now find a convenient route that makes use of dedicated bike tracks and avoid hills whenever possible."

Sustrans’ Chief Executive, Malcolm Shepherd said: “Google has given cycling equal status to driving and using public transport – we need our politicians and local councils to do the same.”

Previously, Sustrans has been unwilling to use Google Maps on its online mapping features. The charity once said: "Google mapping is not consistently detailed enough in all areas of the country for our needs. Also areas of shadow created, for example by tree-lined lanes, can obscure important information for cyclists and walkers. We believe that Ordnance Survey backgrounds give much better detail in both rural and urban areas."

However, the ubiquity of Google Maps makes info-sharing a sensible move for the charity. And Sustrans is marking the occasion with the release of new video, ‘Lucy’s Cycling Treasure Hunt’. It's a romantic tale of a couple reigniting their love thanks to a Google Maps mystery tour by bicycle.

From www.bikebiz.com

NCR15 Flood Damage

Leaving work this morning I took the opportunity of a rare dry window in the weather to check upon NCR15 within the town sections following the persistant rain fall yesterday.

The Running Furrows Gate path looks well considering with evidence of the water falling away well into the soak away's put in earlier this year. There is a some water standing at the far NE end of the path but nothing to currently cause a problem to user and the high fast flowing Running Furrows stream currently poses no threat.

Out of the two tarmac links from NCR15 in Queen Elizabeth Park only one is currently partially under water, this is mainly down to the surrounding grass land so heavily water logged. A close inspection maybe needed of this area to see if a soak away can be placed in the ground to the nearby stream.

Although partially submerged, it can be used with caution.

The worst area hit has been on NCR15 in Wyndham Park near the NT Meadows area, water running of the hills has swept away the top layer of the hardcore path leaving shallow ruts but these could get worse. I will today make up some temporary warning laminated signs to warn users of the erosion and an email will be sent to SKDC informing them of the current damage to the path.

Water from the Meadows running on to NCR15.

You can clearly see the paths top layer has been washed away exposing the core.

The soak away drain built in 2011 has worked well but clearly there was to much water for it to cope.

At the moment I have only been around the town sections but if in the coming week you happen to use NCR15 along the towpath and rail paths and find any problems due to the heavy rain fall of recent then please do get in touch.

Grantham Canal Filming

On a very blustery morning last Friday at Muston Bridge, Woolsthorpe Lane just ouside Muston I am met with fellow volunteer Mike Bennet from Bottesford, we have also been joined by Ian and Sally from V.Point TV Ltd.

Following a quite short notice of arrangements we had agreed to be filmed by V.Point for a promotional film commission for the Grantham Canal Society, Ian and Sally had previously in the morning been meeting up with various user groups of the canal and now was our 15 minutes of fame as cyclists.

After a few short rides up and down the towpath to get various shots we were individually asked our thoughts on the canal and how we used the canal and what was our involvement with it and the local area as Sustrans volunteers.

After a year of filming it is understood that it will soon be edited into the final production, I will no doubt let you know of it's release in due coarse.

12/07 Workday Reminder

Hi all, just a quick reminder about the workday next week on Thursday 12 July.
Full details at http://granthamrangers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/junejuly-workday-signing-rides.html
Hope you can join in, see you soon.

24 June Signing Ride

Leaving work on the Sunday morning in the rain a few hours before the ride was due I really did think the weather had beaten us this time, but within an hour the cloud soon broke up to expose the sun and show the blue skies.
With the signing ride starting at the Station Road/Harlaxton Road junction I was soon joined by a new  volunteer, let me introduce you to a new member of the group John McCarthy who has recently been signed up as a volunteer ranger. John and myself have already done two rides together to look at a route allocation which has now been decided, John has agreed to be an additional "eyes and ears" of NCR15 within the Grantham town centre and heading west along the canal to Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.

Heading west from Station Road along NCR15 to Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir we put up additional signs and replaced ones that had gone a stray, overall the signage was good.
Finishing at Woolsthorpe top lock this gave us a chance to look at the new lock gate which had only been installed a few days earlier.

A reminder that the next workday will take place on Sunday 1 July, this time looking at painting the millenium milepost on Running Furrows Gate.
Full details can be seen at http://granthamrangers.blogspot.co.uk/2012_05_01_archive.html
I do hope you can come along and join in, I look forward to seeing you soon.

July Workdays- Final Details

As promised in the previous posting about the June & July workdays I can now confirm detailed timings and locations for the workdays on 1, 12 and 22 July.
The full details can be found at: http://granthamrangers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/junejuly-workday-signing-rides.html

As some of you may know I will be working as a London 2012 Games Maker in London over the Olympic Games times, because of this we shall take a break through August but this will also give you an opportunity to enjoy the Olympics.
I will be in touch soon with some continuing dates starting up again from late August onwards.

Lock work at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir

You may have seen over the last few months the scaffolding supports and fencing around Woolsthorpe top lock on the Grantham canal and wondered what it was all about. All will be revealed from this week with the installation of new lock gates, part of the continuing restoration of the canal by GCS.
Whilst the work is happening I can happily say I have been informed that the towpath (NCR15) will still be open to it's various users, however there may be at times when you may be asked to briefly pause from passing the lock before the area is made safe for you to carry on your journey.

Can you help Sustrans at Cycle Live Nottingham?

The heading says it all but I am sure you are all aware of the Great Notts cycle ride, well this year it forms part of E.ON Cycle Live Nottingham, a 3 day celebration of cycling. Dave Stevens, our Volunteer Co-ordinator based in Leeds has been in touch with regards the event, so over to you Dave..........


One of the things that always impresses me about our volunteers in the East Midlands is your ability to go the extra mile to help out a neighbour in need...

For instance: in July many of you are helping Sustrans at FestiVol in Sherwood Forest (thanks again for your commitment, enthusiasm and support with this. It simply wouldn't be happening without you!)

The preceding weekend there is another opportunity for you to break free of your borders and work together towards the collective good...

July 13th - 15th is the Nottingham Cycle Live / Big Day Out / Great Notts Bike ride event. http://www.cyclelivenottingham.co.uk/ 

It promises to be an amazing event with up to 15,000 people attending and our University Project in Nottingham has taken a lead role in The Big Green / Sustainable Festival and giving it a Sustainable Transport Theme. They are currently working on a number of ideas e.g. Rollapluza, bike swap, bike polo etc. as well as having an information stand etc. So any additional hands to the pump would be very very welcome (travel expenses can be claimed).

For more information, or to offer a hand, please contact joanna.ward@sustrans.org.uk We’d be very grateful of your help!

Dave Stevens

Volunteer & Community Engagment

North of England

10 June Workday

For the workday along the rail path from Woolsthorpe Top Lock towards Woolsthorpe Lane, Muston a small crew attended but not lack enthusiasm for the task in hand of having a tidy up of litter along the route which on the whole was very sparse, it's nice to see the majority of the NCR 15 users respecting the path and taking their litter home.

Progressing down the route Bob used the time to have a cut back around our seat near the tunnel area whilst I looked for rubbish nearby.
One area that did need tackling was an old metal drum which had been continually filled up with rubbish over the years, following a recent Sustrans audit along the route this was identified and so needed to be dealt with asap. The rubbish is now bagged up is ready for collection by Marcus (Sustrans Lincolnshire Maintenance Officer), whilst in the area to collect the rubbish he will also look at cutting back the vegetation on the path sides.

A reminder that the next workday will take place on Sunday 24 June, this time a signing ride.
Full details can be seen at http://granthamrangers.blogspot.co.uk/2012_05_01_archive.html
I do hope you can join in and come along, I look forward to seeing you soon.

Festivol and Regional Volunteer Days- Last Chance To Book

Now is your last chance to book for Festivol if you was wanting to go, it be held in Sherwood Forest between 20- 23rd July.
It is being hosted by East Midlands volunteers is a great weekend to meet old and new friends of Sustrans, meet the volunteer team and enjoy a number of activities, including cycling of course.

Visit http://sustrans-info.org.uk/6EB-TZSD-60KUOTB44/cr.aspx for further information and a booking form.


Numbers are also due for the regional volunteer days being held from September, Peterborough on the 15 September will be our closest and is easily reached by rail, as is Doncaster which is the 2nd closest.
If you are a ranger who hasn't attended such a day in the past then I would certainly recommend you try to attend, of course the days are not just for new volunteers as established volunteers are also able to attend.
Further information and a booking form can be found on the link above.

June/July Workday & Signing Rides

Well I hope you are taking the advantage of this nice weather after all the rain a few weeks back and maybe have had a look around your local NCN, if you haven't yet then how about joining in the following workdays and signing rides throughout June and July.

I've confirmed locations for the first few but as we get through them I will reveal more. On a whole Sunday's have tended to be the most successful day and week day evenings but do get in touch if you have preferences in days and the type of workdays/rides you want, it can be hard to cater all needs but I look forward to seeing you.

Sunday 10 June
Meet at Woolsthorpe Top Lock milepost, Grantham Canal. Map here.
10:45- 12:45
Route spring clean- taking the opportunity of the nesting season to have a spring clean along the rail path from Woolsthorpe- Muston to clear up any litter, etc.
Please bring gloves, light pruning tools, ranger vest. Litter pickers and bags provided.

Sunday 24 June
Meet at Station Road/Harlaxton Road junction, Grantham. Map here.
10:45- 12:45
Signing ride along NCR15 from Grantham town centre out to Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.
Please bring light pruning tools, ranger vest. Signage will be provided.

The following dates are penned in with further details to be announced, hopefully these should include more signing rides, milepost painting and it would be nice again to fit in a date for another Biking BBQ sometime in August.

*The following dates now have confirmed details.

Sunday 1 July*
Meet at North Parade, Grantham (Entrance to Running Furrows Gate). Map here.
10:45- 12:45
Millennium milepost TLC, cutting of vegetation around and repainting of milepost.
Please bring gloves, light pruning tools, spade if able to strap/carry and your ranger vest. Paint and brushes will be provided.
If not suitable conditions to paint on the day then work along the path will take place which explains the accompanied spade.

Thursday 12 July*
Meet on Harlaxton Road, Grantham. (Opposite The Farrier PH). Map here.
18:00- 20:00
Cutting back of vegetation on NCR15 from Harlaxton Road down towards the Grantham canal towpath.
Please bring gloves, light pruning tools, ranger vest.

Sunday 22 July*
Meet on Belvoir Road, Denton. (At rail path access ramp). Map here.
10:45- 12:45
Cutting back of vegetation, ramp clearance and sign cleaning.
Please bring gloves, light pruning tools, spade if able to strap/carry and your ranger vest.

Half Price Sustrans Maps

If your looking for a new cycling challenge this year or just want to add to your personal mapping collection then why not visit the Sustrans shop as a selected amount of the excellent maps are currently half price.

More information here, be quick though as the offer ends 31st March.

Give as you Live and raise funds for Sustrans

Some of you may remember Everyclick, an online search engine set up a few years ago that donates a small percent per each search you made on Everyclick.com after setting up an account to a chosen charity of your choice, Sustrans can become your chosen when searching at http://www.everyclick.com/sustrans

Everyclick now presents Give as you Live at http://www.giveasyoulive.com a site that lists a growing number of online retailers that donate a percentage of your purchase amount to your chosen charity when you log in to the site using your Everyclick account.

Why not give it a go and help raise funds.

Raleigh Talk- Lowdham Book Festival

I've only just found out about this today so a late submission but continuing with the current Raleigh theme writer and historian Tony Hadland will be presenting an illustrated talk about Raleigh at the Lowdham Book Festival on Saturday 3rd March.

Full details can be found at http://www.lowdhambookfestival.co.uk/ and http://www.facebook.com/pedalsnottingham

Public Lecture From Andrew Ritchie

Andrrew Ritchie and  Brompton

Andrew Ritchie designer of the Brompton folding bicycle and founder of the Brompton Bicycle company will be presenting a public lecture on Tuesday 21 February at the University of Nottingham's Exchange Building, Jubilee Campus which was formerly the site of the Raleigh factory.

Full information and booking details can be viewed here.

The lecture is a first of many events that is being organised by the University of Nottingham's Raleigh Project which will mark the 125th year of Raleigh through a series of other events including a Film Festival at the Broadway Media Centre in Nottingham.

Full details of all the events can be viewed here and from the Raleigh Project leaflet which can be seen here.