WorcesterVista.com

Walking is Britain’s most popular outdoor pastime.

Walking can actually improve your life expectancy.
Walking has been proven to boost confidence, stamina and energy.
Walking regularly can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

In 2000 The Ramblers Association commissioned a survey: The main findings were 77% of the population walk for pleasure once a month. Nationally 62% used walking as their main form of exercise.
Walking in my Village, can be an enjoyable pastime, the problem is to find somewhere safe to walk, like a nice quiet lane or even a public footpath free from obstructions. A high percentage of footpaths in Worcestershire have problems.
We are told by government to be more active and walking is good exercise, most health experts recommend walking around 10000 steps a day, this equates to about five miles.

If only we could find somewhere safe to walk.

Country lane walking or dodging the Tractors, lorries, cars, motorcyclist’s, dog dirt and horse dung.

First decide where to walk, if you intend to walk along a so-called “quiet country lane” you will soon find that it is far from quiet.
Motorists obviously, can not see walkers, in fact most motorists must regard walkers as completely invisible, and possibly, do not have any regard for pedestrians,
You should be prepared to take swift evasive action from rapidly moving vehicles, cars motorcycles lorries and even tractors, can be injurious to your health.
Country lanes do not have footpaths, try and jump out of the way, even in the ditch, (but mind the dog dirt,)
Nearly all motorists in my village tend to ignore the speed limits, especially in narrow lanes.
Please remember, that motorists think; walkers should not be here,
Motorists should always be given right of way, always let them speed past.
A large number of horses are kept in my area, they leave heaps of horse droppings along local roads, making another smelly obstacle for the pedestrian.

Country lane walking not advised!

Main road walking, (sometimes a potholed footpath will be provided)

Walking along a main road can also be very hazardous, even if a footpath has been provided, you will be in very close proximity to the traffic and you must be aware of this fact. It can be most frightening when a huge multi axles Juggernaut from the local cake factory, speeds past, be prepared to be soaked if it has been raining.
Watch out for the local boy racers, with characteristic paintwork, noisy exhausts and stereos.
Best not to walk near main roads, (if you don’t own a car use the bus, or get a taxi, much safer.) Main road walking not advised!

If you really want some fun why not try footpath walking.

The fun is, finding a footpath clear of obstructions.

You must acquire the correct equipment.
If you intend to try footpath walking; that is footpaths and bridleways, that cross over private land, usually farm land, make sure you go well equipped, wear extra strong clothes to withstand tears from brambles and barbed wire, which inevitably you will come across, as most paths today, are partially blocked, sometimes deliberately, also a good pair of wellingtons would be advisable during the winter months, as there will be plenty of mud. A heavy walking stick is another essential piece of equipment.

Always wear a distinctive hat, this will serve two purposes, helps to mark the spot where you fell in the slurry pit but the most useful being to keep a folded note in the brim, as a bribe to get a lift back home, when finding you have walked too far, a tip at this point, do not ask a Farmer.

Another use for the hat would be to get a drink from a stream, that is if you can find a watercourse not polluted by effluent, by the landowner.

In order to be easily seen, choose a brightly coloured or fluorescent waterproof jacket with plenty of pockets, you will soon find your fourteen cargo trouser pockets are insufficient.
A useful item is a compass, but make sure you know how to use it, (preferably use with a map.)
You could check to see which side the moss grows on trees, but as most have been chopped down, do not rely on this method.
Always carry a large knife or a sharp Machete (to cut a limb free if you get trapped in the undergrowth.) An axe can also be a useful tool easily carried.
Include in essential equipment, a pair of insulated wire cutters, a pair of secateurs, Bolt cutters and a ball of string. If you have the room, a pedometer, (to check 10,000 steps) a set of maps, a torch, with spare batteries, a box of matches, a piece of chalk, an “Acme survival whistle”, a small bow saw, and try and find space for a good pair of hedge loppers. A very useful item that clips onto your belt is the “Dazer ultrasonic dog deterrent.” this will come in very useful when encountering vicious beasts. A comprehensive first aid kit could be a lifesaver.
A camera could prove to be invaluable, (if only to record the obstructions.)
A collapsible strimmer or even a folding scythe will prove indispensable.
Another useful item is a hammer and nails but not essential. A folding seat will also be useful.
Always take a large packed lunch a two-litre bottle of water, and a flask of tea, (or even something stronger.) Don’t bother taking a mobile phone, this will add too much weight. A small (75 L) rucksack should also be obtained.

The Walk.

Be prepared to be confronted by the landowner, (and his dog) if you as much deviate by a few inches from the right of way, [Ger awf moi lan, afore I luss moi dawg on yer]. Translation: (Get Off My Property before my dog gets you.) Do not worry if the dog runs towards you, they only chase sheep, if it gets too close, a crack on the nose with your walking stick may repel, but the farmer may not like it. Remember, a zap from your “Dazer device” will soon have the animal and the dog running for the hills.

Some farmers even lock their gates, and fasten barbed wire, to the top bar, climbing over can be a test, (your wire cutters will be invaluable.)
(Your County Council will take a dim view of this and will take swift action to reopen blocked paths).

Sometimes the footpath goes through a field of maize eight feet tall, or worse still a field of oil seed rape, this crop is wildlife friendly, (but walkers with breathing difficulty’s should avoid.) Although the grower has a statuary duty to provide a way through, this is rarely done, and may possibly, give you a little difficulty, the law allows you to make your own path through and your collapsible strimmer, scythe, machete or hedge loppers will become very handy at this time.
Always remember, if the path you are cutting, is longer than five hundred yards, stop for a rest a gulp of water and a cheese and pickle sandwich halfway through.
Always carry a spare five litres of petrol for the strimmer.

Sometimes you will find the public right of way has had a thick layer of manure spread on it by the farmer, do not worry you will eventually lose the smell from your boot’s.
When walking through the farmyard, watch out for concealed slurry pit, your brimmed hat will now be useful, remember if you slip in here, your friends will not want to walk with you for some time.

Occasionally crossing a field, you may be surprised to find a herd of bulls (before they find you,) but as this is illegal you can ignore them. Just hope they ignore you. Quoting the bylaws to them will seldom have any effect. Remember the enforcement of bylaws is a job for the police. Your “Dazer” may not be effective.

When walking public rights of way, you will occasionally come across signs trying to dissuade you from using them by promising dire consequences if you as much as step on this “private” path.
You will also find signs that announce outrageous words such as “dangerous dogs” or even “beware of the bull”, these notices have been put up to intimidate and you should ignore them as they are illegal. A tip at this point do not whistle. Always report any such signs to local authority. (The County Council will take action but please be patient)

The law will be broken if any dangerous animals are allowed on a public right of way.
If you are walking on a public footpath and are attacked by a dangerous animal, remember the owner will be liable, just hope there is time to take a photo of the animal, /owner, before you are completely debilitated. A photograph of the attacking beast will also help your case when you come to sue the owner. But rest assured the air-ambulance will soon have you safely in hospital.

A lot of improvement have been made in Worcestershire, thanks to the Countryside Services, recently so do not be deterred.

Be extra careful when arriving at a stile, as these are made of wood, most are in a shocking state of repair, in Worcestershire the landowner will have added an extra bar to make the stile five ft. tall, this is an old custom in these parts, remember if you break a leg falling off someone will be responsible, your solicitor MIGHT be able to make a successful claim.
Make sure you find the carefully concealed barbed wire under the top rail or even the electric fence that also may have been placed to thwart.(The County Council should take action).

You can sometimes, damage the stile and injure yourself clambering over, but fear not the local authority is going to replace all stiles during the next thirty or forty years, with metal gates. So this will not be a problem much longer. Theoretically we should soon be able to leave the hammer and nails behind.

Sometimes paths are “enclosed” with a barbed wire fence alongside, forcing the walker to keep close to the hedge, (usually untrimmed,) in addition to the razor wire, mind the stinging nettles, tree roots, and brambles.
Badger sets, rabbit warrens and foxholes are usually found here but they will not bother you unless you are wearing a red coat and blowing a horn.

You must report all problems.
When you come across a blocked footpath, you should report this to the local countryside service, there are many problems outstanding and patience is advisable.

Always remember you are walking on farmer’s land and most farmers do not want walkers on their property, and will do everything to impede your progress. Even if it is a public right of way.

Footpath walking should only be undertaken if you have a strong sense of humour, adventure and an iron will and think! do I really need the exercise?
Most of all enjoy your walking even if everyone else thinks you are mad,

Do not ignore this advice from experienced ramblers.

All footpath problems should be reported to the local authorities, whether it is broken or missing stiles, or waymarkers, blocked or ploughed up paths locked gates, all problems must be reported, otherwise the authorities may never know. Don’t bank on anything being done quickly though although all problems will be attended to eventually.

The new CROW. Act legislation enables the local authority to threaten landowners with fines of up to £1000 if they do not restore ploughed footpaths within seven days, and we as individuals can take the local authorities to the Magistrates Court, if they persist in not taking action against these Landowners. Basil.

For all public right of way problems in the Worcester area

Please contact basil@worcestervista.co.uk with as much detail as possible of any problems encountered.