The Lower Wye Group of the Ramblers’ Association was formed in 1993 by a small group of local enthusiasts. Its “patch” is the lower Wye between Monmouth and Chepstow, but it draws its membership from a much wider area. Since its birth it has steadily grown and now has over 230 members who have developed a special affection for the beautiful river and the steeply wooded hills that make up this Area Of Outstanding Beauty.

In past 13 years its members have walked and enjoyed every one of the many delightful footpaths in the lower gorge area. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Group it was decided to produce a guidebook of some of their favourite local walks and this was titled “Lower Wye Rambles“. It contains 16 walks of varying length, most of which can be done in a half day. This project was a leap in the dark, for they had no idea if the booklet would sell and the Group’s funds then were very limited. Fortunately the AONB came to their aid with a grant that enabled the project to be launched in 2003.

A little to the Group’s surprise and also to their delight, the booklet was an instant best seller and the first print run of 2000 copies soon sold out and a second print of 3000 was ordered. Quite suddenly the Group’s coffers were healthily in the black, which, after previous years of financial struggle, was very comforting. The next decision was what to do with the money.

The money had been raised from the purchases of the booklet by walkers, and by local and by visiting tourists. What better way to repay their support than to plough the funds back into the footpath network in the Lower Wye Valley? The Group approached the Rights of Way Department at Monmouthshire County Council, which is seriously under funded for its task of maintaining and improving the extensive footpath network in the County, and came up with a plan in which the Group would fund improvements to the footpaths, concentrating mainly on those paths which appear in the booklet.

An initial list of some 45 jobs was identified. These included replacing stiles with kissing gates to make easier access for those who find that a clamber over a wobbly stile is too difficult. About £1000 was allocated for these “minor” jobs. A further £2000 was offered for the replacement of the old Mally Brook Bridge (see above) that was in a poor state. This new bridge, near the Dixton roundabout, was installed this summer. The bridge, which is on the popular Wye Valley Walk and also features in the first walk described in the booklet, sees many thousands of crossings every year. The Lower Wye Group is pleased to have been able to contribute to the improvement of the footpath network and intends to continue with its support whilst their “ Lower Wye Rambles” continues to sell.