Last month I wrote about a particular aspect of the Countryside Code and I hope you found it interesting and informative. For this month I'll quote a bit more of the code this time specifically dealing with plants, animals and litter.

Copies of a publication called 'You and your Dog in the Countryside 'can be ordered online at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk - the website itself being a mine of interesting 'access' material.

With reference to plants, animals and litter, the code says: -

  Litter and leftover food doesn't just spoil the beauty of the countryside, it can be dangerous to wildlife and farm animals and can spread disease - so take your litter home with you. Dropping litter and dumping rubbish are criminal offences.

Discover the beauty of the natural environment and take special care not to damage, destroy or remove features such as rocks, plants and trees. They provide homes and food for wildlife, and add to everybody's enjoyment of the countryside.

Wild animals and farm animals can behave unpredictably if you get too close, especially if they're with their young - so give them plenty of space.

Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and habitats as they are to people and property - so be careful not to drop a match or smouldering cigarette at any time of the year. Sometimes, controlled fires are used to manage vegetation, particularly on heaths and moors between October and early April, so please check that a fire is not supervised before calling 999.

Now for something completely different and it's a date for your diary. As part of the Wilmcote festival this year I shall be leading a walk on Tuesday 4^th of July, so please make an Independent decision and put it in your diary. The format, yet to be finalized, will probably be a mystery walk followed by lunch at a local hostelry. More later, but please get the date pencilled in.

Next month I'll try and devise a walk for you if only to celebrate the (hopeful) arrival of a rather late Spring.

Enjoy your walking in 2006                                       Bob Fishleigh, 488484

For feedback, click on the tab above. For walks etc click on an appropriate heading in the list at the bottom of this page.

Here are some general notes about the way footpath work is organised in the Parish.

Footpath Coordinator.

Currently the footpath coordination involves the liaison with Warwickshire County Council (WCC) regarding all aspects of Footpath maintenance (including Bridleways) in the Parish, coupled with the encouragement of their use.

Parish Path Partnership.

The Parish Path Partnership scheme (P3) is the present method by which WCC subsidises any undertakings in the Parish (contracts etc.) authorised, in conjunction with the landowners, by the Footpath Coordinator. The use of volunteer labour is encouraged by WCC and some of the P3 money is used locally in the purchase of suitable tools and equipment.

Work required.

Most of the work required will have been identified by footpath/bridleway users on the ground and is either reported locally or directly to WCC. Any contract work under the P3 scheme for repairs and maintenance (and any new schemes) not undertaken directly by the landowner needs to be authorised by either the WCC or the parish footpaths coordinator.

Footpath Volunteers.

It was this local involvement that about 10 years ago, brought about the formation of the Parish Footpath Volunteers. The volunteers were made up of willing souls from both wards (Wilmcote and Aston Cantlow) although most of the main body of stalwarts, it must be said, came from the latter ward.

Volunteer work not only embodies a community spirit but engenders a feeling, for not much effort, of achieving something worthwhile.

Surveys.

To this end a footpath survey of all the paths and bridleways in the Parish has just been completed. The results of these path surveys will be used to identify and prioritise the work needed. Some work will be passed to WCC for their participation; this will be mainly larger work - bridge reconstruction and such like - but most work should readily be within the capability of local volunteers.

Last Updated: 17/3/2006