Storm Ahead

So hopefully the BBC hasn't made a blooper this time and the UK is a bit more prepared for the weather ahead.
As always with this type of weather trees take the full force and with the NCN and it's links in our area surrounded by quite a few it could be that some large branches or even trees may come down that may partially or completely block a route.
If you go out later during the week ahead whilst out checking the NCN and happen to come across any obstructions then please do get in touch, obviously it will depend on who finally deals with it because of location but hopefully we can keep the NCN moving in Grantham.
Keep safe.

Sustrans October Map Sale

Till the end of October the Sustrans shop has up to 25% off all of it's own maps, plus you will also recieve your 20% volunteer discount. Ideal for next year's adventure.
See the others at http://shop.sustrans.org.uk/by/category/90-october-map-sale

Raleigh Bicycles Talk& Slideshow- Tony Hadland

More information on the event at https://www.facebook.com/NottinghamClassicRide

Sustrans Christmas Raffle

Look out for the Sustrans Christmas Raffle tickets landing through your door soon. More can be found out about the raffle here.

Workday (20/10) Reminder

Just a quick reminder about the forthcoming workday at Running Furrows Gate.
Full details at http://granthamrangers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/septoct-workdays.html?m=1

Rod Ellingworth Talk & Book Signing

Local lad Rod Ellingworth will be talking at the Grantham Library on Tuesday 29th October, more info in the poster below and how to obtain tickets.

Sustrans Annual Review 2012-13

The 2012-13 Sustrans Annual Review containing facts and figures for 2012 and solutions to current and future problems is now available for you to read at your leisure on the Sustrans website here.

Discovery Day Update

Firstly many thanks for getting back to me with regards your attendance on Sunday 13 October which will see us in much presence. If you have from last year or other past events just a reminder that the red Sustrans tee shirt needs to be worn which will be okay to wear under a body warmer or part open jacket. (Can't see it being blistering hot, but you never know). For those who have got back to me with a size of a needed tee these will be coming next week and I shall deliver to you beforehand.

All is on track now for our stand, I have a bundle load of local free maps covering Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire along with lots of information on Sustrans and the NCN. We have also been given the go ahead to have a donation collection box on our stand as it has been know for people to sometimes give a small donation when taking information, the box will also be used for the safe keeping of the sales of bicycle bells and puncture repair kits which always go down well. Sustrans will be sending next week materials such as table cloth, pop up banners, tees, etc.

The main site will be the same as previous years at the area to the rear of the Rutland Arms (Dirty Duck) at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir, it is in the old British Waterways Canal depot yard. We shall be in the big white marquee in this area.

For a full list of what's happening on the day at the event visit here, lots going on so don't forget to give yourself time to look around before or after you come.

Aldi Cycle Bargains

Aldi are always a regular for cycle bargain throughout the year and once again have them on offer from Thursday 26 September. See the range on offer at https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-26th-september/

Grantham Triangle Ride- 6 October

The Newark groups guided rides will see it once again visit the Grantham area on Sunday 6 October, this ever popular guided ride where no one get's left behind will leave the Groove Sports Centre, Newark at 10:00 and head south along NCR64/15 where the group will take their first refreshment stop at the Old Forge tea rooms at Muston before heading along NCR15 into Grantham and back to Newark via Hough on the Hill or Marston dependent upon the weather.
As always you are invited along to join others in the enjoyable ride but if you are not wanting to start at Newark then a suggestion maybe to start at Muston at the tea rooms at around 11:00-11:15, the group is expected to leave around 11:45 with you joining others as far as you wish be it Grantham, Belton or further a field.

Ian Keetley Visit

With us being at the Grantham Canal Discovery Day in October I had invited our Volunteer Coordinator Ian Keetley from Nottingham to join us on the day and to get to know us, unfortunately he isn't able to come that day but has volunteered to help out and come and visit us on our next workday on Sunday 29th September at the Stenwith bridge/tunnel. Full details here.
The work in hand is quite minimal so it is something we should be complete within an hour giving us some free time which I am proposing that we head north up to the The Old Forge Tea Rooms at Muston for some refreshments and enable Ian to get to know us all.
I don't normally call for confirmations but if you can/can't come to the 29th Sept workday then I would appreciate you getting in touch.

The 8th September workday saw a trio of rangers at the access point off Harlaxton Road, soon Peter, John and myself got stuck in and cut back the overhanging vegetation and made a nettle free route for the many users on the route that day and to follow. Many thanks again for your time.

New Sustrans Midlands Maps

Sustrans with Four Point Mapping are steadily producing cycle maps showing large areas, ideal for overviews and touring, I have used the south coast series recently whilst touring from Portsmouth to Margate and was certainly very helpful in guiding me in the right direction when needed.
An information leaflet issued with the maps shows that future maps will be covering just above our region shown below. The East Midlands map and Fens map would certainly cover the western and side of our region, see below.
I am going to see if Sustrans can supply a small amount so we can sell at the Discovery Day in October.

Individual maps cost generally £4.99 or area bundle pack cost £15.00 with free p&p.

For the full range of maps visit http://www.fourpointmapping.co.uk/shop/

Sept/Oct Workdays

I can now confirm a workday location for this Sunday's date which I previously announced to you some weeks back as you may remember. I have kept it local to the town so it doesn't using up to much off the day and will keep you nearby the town if it was the case that you wanted to see Mallard at Grantham Station on the Sunday p.m. More on that at http://www.mallardatgrantham.co.uk/

Sunday 8th September, 10:00- 12:00
Meet on NCR 15 at towpath entrance, Harlaxton Road, Grantham. Map here.
Notes: Please bring along vegetation cutting/pruning tools that you can for the cutting back along NCR 15 from Harlaxton Road down to the towpath.

Some new dates now.....
Sunday 29th September, 10:00- 12:00
Meet on Woolsthorpe- Muston NCR 15 rail path at Stenwith bridge/tunnel. Map here.
Notes: Please bring along any suitable tools that you can so that we can look at clearing built up debris from inside the tunnel to help with winter drainage.

....a short break then for the Newark groups forthcoming Grantham Triangle ride and our attendance at the Grantham Canal Discovery Day.
Sunday 20th October, 10:00- 12:00
Meet on North Parade, at Running Furrows Gate entrance, Grantham. Map here.
Notes: Please bring along any suitable tools that you can so we can look clearing built up leaf debris, etc along water run offs to help with winter drainage.

See you soon.

Sustrans @ Canal Discovery Day 2013

Brian and Bob at the 2012 event.

After a successful 2 years of the Grantham Canal Discovery Day organised by the Grantham Canal Society it returns again for a 3rd year on Sunday 13th October, 10- 5 at the Canal Depot (behind The Dirty Duck PH), Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.
Read more about the event here.

As you will know we attended the last two and have been invited back again this year to provide cycling and walking knowledge, information, maps and hope to persuade more people to discover the canal (NCN 15) and other ways nearby by foot or cycle.

I have accepted the invitation and the event organisers will once again provide us with a table and space with in their marquee. Such an event will tick box the groups suggestion of one promotional event per year and I am now getting in touch with HQ in Bristol to make arrangements for them to provide us with materials, signage and small items to sell and tee shirts for new event volunteers.

A call for volunteers!!!
These types of attendants can't run on their own so I am calling for volunteers to help man the stall, it maybe 2 hours, half a day, nearly a full day day that you can provide, please don't worry if you haven't done this kind of thing- it really is easy and is just a case of telling people about Sustrans and the huge benefits that the NCN brings.

Please have a think over the next 2-3 weeks and let me know asap if this is something you could help out with.

5 Go Painting

Peter, John, Bob and Brian soon make a difference.

With at least 80% of the volunteer ranger's in the group there was certainly plenty of hands to help out on yesterday evenings workday. Luckily we had enough paint and brushes for everyone to get stuck in and make a real difference to weathered Millennium Milepost in Queen Elizabeth Park which is designed by Welsh artist Andrew Rowe which is based upon the nautical and industrial heritage of his native Swansea.

After good weather and light the milepost was soon finished within an hour and a half. John has volunteered to return back soon to finish of those trick edges which go the better of us all and I will look at the letter with the use of painting pens.

This is one of four designs spread throughout the UK by four artists from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales which mark the openings of each new section of the 8,000 mile National Cycle Network, and by Midsummer's Day in the year 2000 there was nearly 1.000 of them in place. Find out where they are here.

Within the Grantham area we have all four designs out of the eight we look after as a group and just like the Connect2 portrait bench at Sleaford the milepost are part of the Sustrans Art on the NCN project which you can found out more here.

The first post was designed by John Mills and is entitled Fossil Tree, the post takes the form of an abstract tree with relief imagery of fossils depicting the passage of time from early primitive creatures to the ultimate demise of fossil fuel driven technology.
The second post by Scottish sculptor Iain McColl designed The Cockerel. The influences behind this one are Miro's "The Fork" and Branusci's "The Cock".
The third is by Andrew Rowe. (See above for description)
The fourth is titled "Tracks" designed by Belfast artist David Dudgeon. The main design on the post shows the tracks made in the landscape by cyclists. This is complemented by a piece of text exploring sensations and observations one makes whilst travelling through various environments.

Also discussed was the Time Trail metal disc which have pictures related to the theme of Time and also letters of a secret code. I've manage to track down an old copy of the record card and information about the Time Trail which you can view, download and print here.

Thanks again to all, a splendid job and I look forward to seeing you again at the next workday in Grantham on Sunday 8th September........ final location details coming to you very soon and new dates.

August Bank Holiday Boat Trips

Three Shires on her first trip after launching at Denton Wharf

Were all very familiar with the view from the towpath (NCN 15) along the the Grantham Canal, but the Grantham Canal Society are giving people an opportunity of different view of the canal from Harlaxton Wharf this Sunday (11-4) and Monday (10-4) where they will be running their trip boat Three Shires for 40 minute cruises at very reasonable prices of £2 (adult) and £1 (child).

Workday Reminder, Wednesday 28th August

Just a quick reminder for next weeks previously announced date for a workday at the milepost in Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham. Full details are here.
The job in hand is to paint the milepost, I'll provide paint and brushes so just please bring along your artistic flare and painting gloves, etc.
Also looking at the way the evenings are currently going I am suggesting putting the start time back by 30 minutes to 17:30 with a no later than 19:30 finish, but if you find you can still only start at 18:00 then no worries.

See you soon.

Two productive Sundays

A lighter path shows the width when visited.

The last two Sunday workdays has seen John and myself on the old railpath of NCR 15 close to Woolsthorpe Top Lock with a job in hand to open up the entrance to the path and make more inviting and safer to users.

A heavily overgrown narrow path with brambles, nettles challenging users was soon fought back to expose the paths edges covered by at least 4-5 years of soil and vegetation build up during the first date. With the 11th workday also meeting at the same location as previously announced we both agreed a return visit was needed.

Today was less hacking and more scrapping with the entrance now clear of build up and a well polished surface thanks to John's hardy yard brush which soon had praise of thanks from passing cyclists and walkers.

This is not the only work that has recently been done on the path, 10 days ago I met with Barry Brooks, Sustrans maintenance officer for the routes in Lincs/Notts which saw him come for a site visit for Grantham to learn the access points, etc for his future visits. With the day being fine he took the opportunity to bring his small tractor which has grass cut a half metre verge each side of the path from Muston to the seating area near the milepost.

Barry will be returning to the area in around 3-4 weeks with Marcus Hopton, (previous maintenance officer- now 1 day contractor) to work on the rest of the route.

Summer Workdays

A bit like the weather this year I've been a bit slow in kicking off the workdays, etc. but with the following dates now set out I am sure we can get back into the swing of things along the NCN,

I've set out 4 dates during August and September with no more than two hours of activity as usual, as we progress along I shall add more on. But do let me know if you have preference on days and timings and work, it's always hard to please everyone but I am sure we can work something out.

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

So here goes...
NCR15 Railpath Maintenance 1.
Sunday August 4th, 10:00- 12:00
Meet at the milepost, Woolsthorpe top lock, Grantham Canal. Map detail here.
Notes: Starting at the Woolsthorpe end we shall progress north clearing the worst of vegetation as we go along, any unfinished areas can be looked at the next date. Please bring along if possible any suitable tools for the job in hand.

NCR15 Railpath Maintenance 2.
Sunday August 11th, 10:00- 12:00
Meet at the milepost, Woolsthorpe top lock, Grantham Canal. Map detail here.
Notes: Carrying on from the work at the last date heading towards the Muston entrance of the railpath. Please bring along if possible any suitable tools for the job in hand.

Milepost painting.
Wednesday August 28th, 18:00- 20:00 17:30- 19:30 (time change due to light)
Meet at the milepost, Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham. Map detail here.
Notes: An evenings job whilst hopefully not to hot to paint the milepost in the north end of the park. Brushes and paint will be provided but please bring a pair of gloves, etc for painting.

Final details here for below date.
Sunday September 8th, 10:00- 12:00

Celebrate the Fledborough Murals

Picnic on the Bridge is being organised by the Newark & Retford volunteer groups to celebrate the completion of the Lottery and Sustrans funded project to decorate a minimum of 50 panels on Fledborough Viaduct. The panels have been painted by local people of all ages under the supervision of Newark artist James Mayle.

You can enjoy a walk or cycle along part of the Dukeries Trail with great views across the Trent Valley and view the panels as you cross the viaduct. There will be food and drink stalls (see foot of poster) including a bike powered smoothie maker. There will also be a chance to meet the people who did the paintings.

Some photos of the most recent painting sessions can be viewed here.

If you've not yet been there you can access the Viaduct via the Dukeries Trail (NCN 647) with the nearest access points being between North and South Clifton (just over half a mile) or between Normanton and Ragnall (just over a mile). Parking is limited (more about this nearer the time at http://sustransnewarkbikes.wordpress.com/) so we'd encourage you to walk or cycle a bit further than the minimum!

Useful cycling maps of the Dukeries Trail and surrounding area can be found at the following links:
The Dukeries Trail map, Lincoln and surrounding area map, Newark and Sherwood map.

We look forward to meeting you on the viaduct on a warm and sunny Saturday 13 July.

If your able to give some time to help out on the day, be it on the Sustrans information stand, smoothie maker, etc then please do get in touch with me. All hands welcome.

Sustrans East Midlands Staff Changes

There have been a number of Sustrans staff changes taking place within the last month or so, throughout the East Midlands region.
I will email the personal contact details of the new appointments to you in due course.

• Nicola Jones- Sustrans Area Manager (Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire)

Nicola has unfortunately now left Sustrans after may years of service to the area and will be greatly missed.
At the moment there is no immediate replacement and so we wait whilst all enquires will be going through to her manager Matther Easter, Sustrans East Midlands Director at Nottingham.

• Ian Keetley- Sustrans Project & Volunteer Officer (East Midlands)

Dave Stevens who for many years was our volunteer co-ordinator based in Leeds and covered a large area covering the north east side of the UK. His area has now been reduced and the East Midlands is now covered by a new appointment of Ian Keetley.

Ian is based in the Nottingham office and will now be our first point of contact in Sustrans with regards to local volunteer matters. 

• Jon Moody- Sustrans Schools Officer (Sleaford/Grantham)

Lincolnshire now has a second Sustrans schools officer (formerly Bike It) with the appointment of Jon Moody who will cover schools in the Sleaford and Grantham area from his office at North Kesteven District Council in Sleaford.

• Barry Brooks- Sustrans Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire Maintenance

Barry has been appointed recently and will be covering large scale maintenance jobs on the NCN in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. This follows the departure of Marcus Hopton however Marcus is still working for us in the region as a contractor for 1 day per week and so will be assisting Barry.

Grantham Cycle Thefts

The following information has been released today by Lincolnshire Police on the increase of cycle thefts in Grantham.


Lincolnshire Police is encouraging cyclists to secure their bikes after a rise in reports of cycle thefts.

Police officers in Grantham are reporting an increase in bike thefts across the town and officers are urging cyclists to invest in good locks and to always use them.

Yesterday (Jan 17) a black mountain bike with the words “Cube Attention” written on it was stolen from the service yard of The George shopping centre in Grantham at around 2pm.

A red BMX was also stolen from a back garden in College Street at around 1.20pm on the same day.

Officers are urging cyclists to take the following advice:

+ Invest in a good quality D-lock. These can be bought for as little as £15 and make it much harder to steal your bike.

+ If you’re in town lock it in a place that is covered by CCTV*.

+ If you have quick release wheels consider using a secondary chain lock to secure them to the frame. If you have a decent quick release saddle, consider taking it with you when you leave your bike.

+ Fill in a bike passport – recording all of your bike details to make it easier to get back to you if it is stolen.**

+ Register your bike on the UK National Property Register (http://www.immobilise.com/) and consider buying an Immobitag so police will know it is your bike straight away if it is recovered.



* Currently the only cycle stand area I know of that is covered by CCTV is the Greenwood's Row car park (opposite Argos).

**A Lincolnshire Police bike passport can be downloaded at http://www.lincs.police.uk/About/Departments/Local-Policing/Safety-Advice/Crime-Reduction-Advice/Bicycle-Theft-Passport-A5-Leaflet.pdf

Volunteer Survey

The Sustrans volunteer programme team has today sent out a UK wide survey to all volunteers so please do keep an eye out for it over the next few days in your email inbox.