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.