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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.
Lower Wye Rambles costs £3.75 and is available from
TICs, walking shops, local bookshops ranging from Cardiff to Mid–Wales
and Gloucester to Bristol.
For more details email Allan Thomas.
© RA Lower Wye Group
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