Archive of items from past newsletters

2009

October 2009 Newsletter

As usual, there is a mixture of good news and bad news to report. First of all the good news.

DRUM WOOD - We have just heard from Callendar Estate that their bid for funding under the Scottish Rural Development Plan has been successful. They have some final checks to go through to access the money but they are planning to start work in November with a view to working through till the Spring. There will be a new off road link between Drum Wood and Loanfoot and the track between Drum Wood and Rough Castle will be upgraded. This will be great for all riders in the Bonnybridge area as they will then have easy access to the new tracks in Rough Castle.

Callendar Estate was not deterred by objections to the Air Soft operation and has continued with their plans for the upgrading of the paths and tracks. When all the works are completed riders in the rest of the Falkirk area will be very envious of these off road facilities.

LOCHDRUM ACCESS PROJECT – (Previously described as the blocked Bonnybridge access and right of way.) This project will be undertaken by Central Scotland Forest Trust and will appear on their list of projects for next year. They will then have to get the funding for this expensive project so it will be some time before there is any further news on progress.

SLAMANNAN RAILWAY LINE - Nothing has happened since the feasibility study was produced. We have tried to press the Council to do something about this as the railway line does belong to them. However, there have been a lot of complaints from the walkers who cannot access the public footpath except by going along the railway line which is overgrown and too steep and slippery for normal access. The Council’s response was half an hour’s worth of strimming to show the line of the right of way. They have promised to do something about the railway line but they have been saying something will happen since February or March this year.

LIMERIGG WOODS - We received a request from Falkirk Environment Trust to help fund the other path works. Apparently the Limerigg Community Association had originally applied for funds but they have subsequently ceased to operate. As the Environment Trust has been our biggest provider of funds we have agreed to be involved with this part of the project. As we have said previously the new tracks there are very good for horses. Some of the old forest roads are a bit stoney but Limerigg is a large area. We are still working on trying to get the connection between Slamannan and Limerigg opened up.

DENNY/CARRON VALLEY - We currently have only one member in this area so the pressure has been off the Council and there has been no action.

BURNSIDE COMMUNITY WOODLAND - Central Scotland Forest Trust sent out tenders for work on an improved path. However, they do not yet have any funding for the project, so nothing will happen in the short term.

MEMBERSHIP - There has been a disappointing response to the renewal of membership this year. Can all those who forgot to send off their £5 when they received the last newsletter please do so now. We need to keep the numbers up to get the funds for the work still waiting to be done. Cheques should be payable to FARAG and sent to Sheila Hall, Balcastle House, Slamannan, Falkirk FK1 3BB.

LEGAL ISSUES - There was some bad news on access for horses when the result of the appeal on the Tuley case was made known. Previously Highland Council had won their case for access by horse riders to a track in Mr. Tuley’s woods. Part of the basis of the case was that he could not anticipate damage to the ground. However, the judgement was overturned on appeal and riders are now excluded from the track. This has been the only case involving horses; all the others have been instigated by walkers. This puts riders in a much weaker position as a landowner could now try to exclude horses and, as long as he allows access to others, no Council will want to go to court on our behalf.

BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY ACCESS OFFICER’S POST IN SCOTLAND - As you may know, the British Horse Society has had a full time Access Officer for Scotland for the past few years. Unfortunately, this post is to be discontinued as from 9 th October. FARAG, together with access groups all over Scotland, tried to get this decision reversed but to no avail. We feel that no longer having a dedicated Access Officer sends out the signal that the BHS has downgraded access as one of its priorities.

ACCESS CONFERENCE - This conference had been arranged long before the BHS decided to discontinue the Scottish Access Officer’s post. The date is Saturday 14 November at Oatridge College. The conference is free and open to everyone who rides in the countryside.We hope that there will be a good turnout to show that the grass roots riders are still interested in access and that we need to keep reminding Councils, landowners, the Forestry Commission etc, that off road riding is very important. There is a project at Oatridge College showing various types of path surfaces, bridges, gates, etc., and a walk round this project will be part of the day’s activities. Details of the other items for the day are shown on the attachment. We may be in a recession but there is not any less traffic on the roads. We still need more off road riding opportunities. We would encourage members to attend this conference to show that we think access is still an important issue.

ACCESS ISSUE IN ENGLAND

There was an article in the British Horse Society magazine about a packhorse bridge which was originally closed to riders in 1977. It has taken 32 years to get it re-opened for horses!! This must be an example of never giving up and perseverance being rewarded. Some day there will be better tracks all over the Falkirk district!!

Summer 2009

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting was held on 27th May. Ellie McMillan was re-elected as Chairman and Sheila Hall was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer.

REPORT ON THE AGM

Guy Wedderburn, Director of Bell Ingram, attended our AGM to tell us about the plans for Callendar Estate and answer member’s questions about the problems which have arisen. Guy gave a presentation on the Bespoke project which is the name being given to the proposed countryside activity centre based around Craigieburn farm. Following a feasibility study into this venture it emerged that the investment costs were huge and much fund raising will have to take place to enable this to be run as a commercial proposition. Part of the investment will be in dedicated cycle trails and the improvement of many of the tracks and paths on the estate to open them up for all users. Guy then went on to talk about the commercial use of the estate and this included the paintballing and Airsoft enterprises which had led to problems with other leisure users of the estate, in particular, the horse riders.

Members from the Bonnybridge area asked Guy about the Airsoft operation and described the problems which had arisen. One of the solutions appeared to be if riders could be informed when these activities were taking place in the woods then riders could avoid them FARAG would be willing to help in advising members of any additional dates for Airsoft activities. As both paintball and Airsoft would be relocating to a different area of the woods which would be further away from the public right of way, this should eventually solve the problems.

In general it was recognised that the estate was a commercial enterprise and that increased use of the paths by cyclists and other users might cause some problems but all users have to co-operate and also recognise that the estate is a commercial operation.

DRUM WOOD - The grant from the Forestry Commission which Callendar Estate were hoping for has not materialised. This work will now be included in the general upgrading works for the Bespoke project and grants are being applied for under the rural development plan. We will hear later this year if grants have been awarded for these path works. If this money comes through it will mean improved tracks up to Greenrigg Farm and across the road through Howierigg and then into Roughrigg.

LIMERIGG DRAINING PROJECT - The ditching work was completed a few weeks ago and this area should be drying out now. If any riders find that it is still too soft please get in touch with Sheila. It may be that a small cross trench will be required. The Forestry Commission installed a couple of short whin dusted paths so Limerigg is much improved now.

SLAMANNAN/BINNIEHILL/LIMERIGG ROUTE - We have received the specification for this work. The next step is to discuss costs with the Council and investigate funding. It will be an expensive project as it is a good length. This will obviously take some time yet. Meantime we are trying to get the Council to do a bit of draining on the railway line to make access to the Lodge Farm woods a bit easier.

BONNYBRIDGE BLOCKED ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY - We have also received the specification for this project and we will go through the same process on costs and funding. Another expensive route but would be worthwhile. Also going to take a long time.

DENNY/CARRON VALLEY - A route has been investigated here from the water works to Carron Bridge Hotel. Currently the Council are trying to establish land ownership and the possibility of carrying out some vegetation clearance and possibly some drainage which will require landowner consent.

BARNS WOOD LIMERIGG - The Forestry Commission will be putting in a new road off the B825, almost opposite the existing road to Arnloss, and this will go right across to the road which runs from Greenhill to Easter Whin. Unfortunately it is likely to be a few years before it is suitable for horses as it will probably be very stony. They have already installed a new road at the other end of the Barns Wood near Limerigg which is constructed to carry very heavy lorries and is currently also very stony. This road does not go right through but is only a loop through the forest bringing you back on to the same road.

SHIELDHILL/CALIFORNIA – BURNSIDE COMMUNITY WOODLANDS - The gate was unlocked but unfortunately the ground there is very wet. The landowner took the opportunity of a rider entering in these conditions to phone the police and report it as irresponsible access. There are various problems here and the Council are trying to deal with them. We wish Mandy Brown good luck in trying to find a solution!!

DENNY/CARRON VALLEY - The Council rangers are investigating the possibility of a route for riders in the Denny area to be able to gain access to the Carron Valley Forest. We have noticed on the Forestry Commission web site that they will be planting new trees on around 19 hectares of land at Topps Wood in February. We have passed on this information to the Council in case it helps them find a suitable route.

BIRD SCARERS - The British Horse Society is being backed by the National Farmers Union in its call for land managers and farmers to consider equestrians when placing bird-scaring devices on their land. The joint request follows an increasing number of incidents reported to the Society. The BHS recognises the importance of bird scarers in managing arable farms, but has concerns about their use near to roads and equestrian rights of way, where they can spook horses. This in turn can pose a danger to riders, carriage drivers and other users of the route. The advice of the NFU is to avoid positioning bird scarers adjacent to rights of way and roads, maximise the distanced of the scarer from these and point the scarer away from them. We have not heard of any incidents in this area but if any members do notice any of these devices in an unsuitable place you will be able to quote the advice of the NFU.

2008

We were offered a conditional grant towards a DRUM WOOD ENHANCEMENT ACCESS PROJECT by Falkirk Environment Trust.

We had a meeting with the new Forestry Commission ranger for the area to discuss access to STANDBURN - GATESIDE WOOD. The Forestry Commission agreed to install a gate to allow riders who use the Candie/Standburn right of way to cross over the main road on to the track leading to Windyrigg and a gate to allow access into the small woodland.

Mandy Brown informed us that the BONNYBRIDGE BLOCKED ACCESS - should be opened again.

We received an updated estimate from the contractor for the LIMERIGG DRAINING PROJECTand sent copies to the Environment Trust and the Forestry Commission.

Mandy Brown had a meeting with the agent for the Lodge Farm Woodlands to try to get agreement for some upgrading work on the SLAMANNAN / BINNIEHILL/LIMERIGG ROUTE.

A locked gate issue at SHIELDHILL/CALIFORNIA – BURNSIDE COMMUNITY WOODLANDS was placed in the hands of the Council.

We learned that the grass tracks in the recently planted woodland area between Shieldhill and California were to be upgraded for multi-use.

2008

The British Horse Society was working with British Waterways on guidelines for riders using the canal towpaths. Some lengths of Scottish canal towpaths may be unsuitable for safe riding. There may be misinformation that horses are not allowed on the towpaths. This is incorrect - responsible access is allowed.

Glentore Tack Store is a member of FARAG and is offering other members of FARAG a discount of 10% on their purchases from the store. Netherton of Glentore is on the B803 from Slamannan to Greengairs. Telephone number 01236 830223.

The British Horse Society access department is interested to hear of any incidents that horse riders have had with self-closing gates, catches or mechanisms and whether the British Standard for gaps, gates and stiles will require any amendments. If you have had such an incident, please email access@bhs.org.uk or post details to them, including the location of the incident and a description of what happened.

Another item from the BHS newsletter again drew attention to the importance of wearing hi viz gear. A rider was thrown from her horse and, despite a helicopter being involved in the search, it took hours for her to be found because she was not wearing any hi viz gear and could not be spotted easily either from the air or by the searchers on the ground. We are preaching to the converted about this but if members can pass on to other riders the BE SEEN BE SAFE message it could prevent a road accident or help someone to be found if they fall into a ditch somewhere.