Current news letter
OCTOBER 2008
Unfortunately, summer has been a bit of a wash out and, unless you have access to surfaced paths, riding has again been restricted to the roads for much of the time.
MEETING - A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 22 nd October at Balcastle House Slamannan at 7.30 p.m. This is an opportunity for members to raise any matters of concern in their areas and any suggestions for improvements or additions to routes will be welcome. We do try to do something about members’ requests, unfortunately we are not always successful. If anyone needs directions to Balcastle House, just telephone Sheila on 01324 851262.
News on the existing projects and other matters is as follows:
DRUM WOOD ENHANCEMENT ACCESS PROJECT - We have been offered a conditional grant towards this project by Falkirk Environment Trust. Callendar Estate will carry out the work required and we hope this will start before the end of the year. We are still being assured that another track will be installed at Loanfoot to enable riders and others to avoid using the track next to the paintballing site if this eventually goes ahead.
STANDBURN - GATESIDE WOOD - We had a meeting with the new Forestry Commission ranger for the area to discuss access to the woodland. The Forestry Commission has agreed to install a gate which will allow riders who use the Candie/Standburn right of way to cross over the main road on to the track leading to Windyrigg. A gate will be installed about half way down the track on the left which will allow access into the small woodland where there are some grass tracks which seem to have a fairly solid base. This should happen fairly soon.
BONNYBRIDGE BLOCKED ACCESS - Mandy Brown has informed us that Mr. Crosier has agreed to have work carried out on his land and the blocked access should be opened again. The Council are working on a plan for the work and proposed costings. When we have this information we will make enquires about funding for the project. Another ongoing problem which may take some time before it is finally resolved.
LIMERIGG DRAINING PROJECT - This was also discussed at the meeting with the Forestry Commission ranger as the tree felling has finished. We have received an updated estimate from the contractor and sent copies to the Environment Trust and the Forestry Commission. The Forestry Commission have one of their people ready to project manage this so we hope this work will be carried out fairly soon but have no firm dates yet.
SLAMANNAN / BINNIEHILL/LIMERIGG ROUTE - Mandy Brown had a meeting with the agent for the Lodge Farm Woodlands to try to get agreement for some upgrading work. No news yet on whether the landowner will agree to the proposals which are being drawn up. They have been difficult to communicate with in the past.
SHIELDHILL/CALIFORNIA – BURNSIDE COMMUNITY WOODLANDS - This is another locked gate issue which is in the hands of the Council. They are trying to arrange a meeting with various interested parties later this month.
SHIELDHILL/CALIFORNIA - The recently planted woodland area between Shieldhill and California currently has grass tracks but these are due to be upgraded and should be suitable for multi-use. Work on this should start fairly soon as a contract has already been awarded.
RIDING ON CANAL TOWPATHS - The British Horse Society is currently working with British Waterways on guidelines for riders using the canal towpaths as there are some special issues/hazards to be addressed. Some lengths of Scottish canal towpaths may be unsuitable for safe riding. When the guidelines are finalised we will publish them on our website. There may also be misinformation currently going around that horses are not allowed on the towpaths. This is incorrect - responsible access is allowed.
DISCOUNT ON HORSE SUPPLIES FOR FARAG MEMBERS - 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. New supplies of winter rugs have just arrived so it is a good time to get your horse’s winter outfit! Netherton of Glentore is on the B803 from Slamannan to Greengairs. Telephone number 01236 830223.
SELF CLOSING GATES - 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.
HIGH VISIBILITY GEAR - 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.
MEMBERSHIP - A reminder that not everyone has paid their subscription. It is only £5 and it is easy to forget such a small amount. We need as many members as possible. More paths and tracks are still required. Gates are still being locked to keep horses out so we need to be there to pressurise the Council to take action when required. If funds are required to upgrade paths for horse use, FARAG is the only organisation in a position to make applications for grants.
FARAG ON FILM
As part of the Environmental Justice Fund for the work taking place at Roughcastle and Tamfourhill, an amount of money was set aside to make a film about the work, recording its progress and how it will benefit the local community. We arranged with the film makers to do the horse part of the film on Saturday 8th March 2008. in Roughcastle and a group of riders from South Drum stables braved the awful weather to take part. Our grateful thanks to them. They are seen below with the film crew.
The film was shown at the FARAG AGM in May.
Previous newsletter
May 2008
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held on 21st May. Ellie McMillan was elected as our new Chairman and Sheila Hall was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
MEMBERSHIP FOR THE YEAR 2008/09 - The subscription for the forthcoming year is £5.00. Application form should be returned to Sheila Hall, Balcastle House, Slamannan, Falkirk FK1 3BB. If you are on the e-mail list you will not get the form. Just send the cheque payable to FARAG to Sheila Hall, Balcastle House, Slamannan, FK1 3BB, your details are already on file. If you know of anyone who would like to join please give them a copy of the membership form. Please re-join, we have made good progress this year with various projects being completed. It would be appreciated if livery owners would encourage associate members to become full members. There are still areas which require more off road riding and we need to keep up the pressure to get the work done.
CORE PATH NETWORK - Falkirk Council completed their final consultation on the Core Path network at the end of April and all objections and comments are with the access staff for action. This has been a lengthy process but already some of these paths have been completed. We hope that the paths which are on the plan but not yet on the ground will actually be achieveable.
SAFETY SEMINAR - The British Horse Society held a safety conference recently. Fire safety in stables was the subject of a strong message. Livery yards were reminded that risk assessments and fire plans were necessary. Riders were reminded of the advice to wear high viz gear when riding on the roads. This is stressed in the new highway code. Riders were also asked to report near misses on the roads as the statistics for horse accidents are probably under reported.
PROGRESS DURING 2007-8
The biggest project was the South Falkirk Environment Action Plan which received the grant from the Environmental Justice Fund. All the tracks are now completed and the area around Roughcastle and Tamfourhill has been transformed. The film made about the project was shown at the AGM and the horses from South Drum Livery yard make a few brief appearances. These tracks are so good that they will be well used. Riders should be aware that they could now meet cyclists or wheelchair users or less able walkers around any corner. It will be very tempting to go too fast on these tracks and we would ask riders to be considerate to other users. You will also want to make sure that you have third party insurance in case of any accidents.
The most recent completion is the Maddiston Link Path to the Blackbraes path. This link has turned a very boggy and useless track into a very high standard of off road riding.
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before |
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after |
There are before and after pictures above that show what can be done when you get sufficient money to do the job. Our thanks go to Scottish Natural Heritage, Falkirk Environment Trust and the Council for funding this. We would appreciate any feedback from riders on the current state of the Blackbraes path. A new self closing gate has been installed at the California end. The Candie right of way was opened, although we have a problem with the Highland cattle in the field at the Standburn end. We are trying to find a solution to this. The Candie railway line has also been cleared and drained and is available for use again.
CHACEFIELD WOODS, DENNY - The refurbishment of the tracks is almost complete. Callendar Estate have asked if riders could keep off the tracks for the next couple of months to allow the ground to settle. Our thanks to Falkirk Environment Trust for the funds to carry out this work.
DRUM WOOD, BONNYBRIDGE - Some of the bottoming left over from the Roughcastle project has been used in Drum Wood and has made the track a bit rough at the moment. It will be properly whin dusted and finished when the money becomes available. We do not have a timescale on this.
SLAMANNAN PATHS - The Council have said they want to prioritise the core path between Binniehill and Limerigg rather than working on the old railway line through Southfield Farm to Roughrigg. This also has landowner issues so we will have to keep up the pressure or it will be left as being too difficult.
LIMERIGG DRAINING PROJECT - Tree felling is taking place at present. When this is complete we will liaise with the Forestry Commission to get the draining work carried out. There may be plans for further work in the Limerigg woods and if so, we will let members know.
BLOCKED ACCESS IN THE BONNYBRIDGE AREA - The Council are negotiating with the landowner to try to find a solution to this but there has been no progress so far.
LOCKED GATES AT TAMFOURHILL - The Council have been made aware of this problem and will pursue the matter.
PAINTBALLING AT LOANFOOT - The rumour about this is true, although the details are not finalised. If it goes ahead there is going to be another track so that the paintballing area can be more self contained. We will keep members informed about this when more information is available.
ACCESS ISSUES WHICH HAVE GONE TO COURT - The Snowie case featured in the newspapers and Stirling Council and the Ramblers won their case for access to the estate, with only the land around the house excluded. This case did not involve specific horse access but at least the legislation is being upheld.
LICENSING OF LIVERY YARDS - The Scottish Parliament has announced that there will be a consultation on the licensing of livery yards during the first half of 2009. When we receive further information on this we will let our livery yard members know.
Contacts:
Secretary / Treasurer:
Sheila Hall
Balcastle House, Slamannan,
Tel: 01324 851262
