Report From Autumn Talkabout - 4th November 2008

Under the chairmanship of Mike Barnes this group has continued to monitor the rights of way in the parish, to carry out minor works such as cutting back hedges and repairing stiles, and to work on projects to improve access to the countryside. The group was set up to address needs expressed in the Parish Plan survey, one of which was for an off-road cycle route to Brackley. A feasible proposal was developed but it did not gain the support of all the relevant landowners and so the Paths Group will be putting this matter back to the village in the next survey.

As Parish Paths Warden, appointed by the Parish Council, part of my role is to liaise with the Rights of Way officers at Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) on behalf of the Parish. Early in 2008 this work was hampered by the radical reorganisation that NCC chose to impose on their Rights of Way staff. However, things have improved gradually so that during the summer some of our longstanding needs could be dealt with. In particular the bridge that was installed after the July 2007 floods has been improved, though it is still seen to be a poor replacement for what was there before. Two broken gates on the Bridleway to Weedon Lois were replaced, but more work is needed to add a safe, firm surface to the gateways. In August the path from Cross Lane towards Astwell was improved greatly by NCC replacing two stiles with kissing gates.

The Helmdon landowners also play their part in keeping paths accessible and have generally responded positively and quickly when problems have been raised. In return, walkers and riders should remember their responsibilities to respect the countryside.

The village footpaths map that the Paths Group produced in 2006 was distributed widely and is still available, thanks to financial support received from the Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation. This has also enabled the Group to develop the first of a set of notes on circular walks around Helmdon.  Copies of walk no 1 (and the village footpaths map) are obtainable from me.

Anyone with suggestions or offers of help will be most welcome. Currently the Paths Group members are:  Mike Barnes, Vic Butler, Richard Foster, Roger Miles, John Thorne and Viv Watson.

Also do contact me if you have a particular paths problem or question.    

Roger Miles

Helmdon Parish Paths Warden (01295 – 768964)