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Steps installed at Grundisburgh
2024
On Wednesday 13th March: Rob, Mike, Nigel, Jim, and Mary (5) met at Paddy’s house to clean the hand tools, check the inventory, and move to our new storage shed in Saxmundham.
On Sunday 10th March: Mary, Robert, Mike, Nigel, and Tim (5) were joined by 4 local residents to make Melton FP 22 more accessible. Despite some light rain we were able to cut back side growth and overhang sufficiently to make the path usable again, although still very muddy in parts this year. It is hoped that the local people will continue to keep a watch on this path and maintain it sufficiently to keep open without us having to go back and work on it again.
On Wednesday 28th February: Nigel, Robert, Garry, Tim, David, Jim and Mary (7) did a survey of paths south of Rendham and around Sweffling. Several missing waymarker arrows were replaced and 2 posts re-set, but no serious problems, just some light clearing. The paths in this area are well used and generally in quite good condition.
On Thursday 8th February: The working party had to be cancelled due to torrential rain.
On Thursday 25th January: Nigel, Mike, David, Jim, and Rob (5) replaced 8 steps on Eyke FP 9. We ran out of time to replace the handrail as well, so will go back on 22nd May to do that.
On Wednesday 10th January Nigel, Mike, Rob, David, Jim, Mary and Tim (7) did a survey of paths around Shingle Street, Hollesley. Some light side growth trimming was needed, but all the paths we saw were being well used and were in reasonable condition. It was an enjoyable morning in the sun, and it was agreed to do a few more similar walking sessions during early 2024.
2023
On Thursday 28th December: Nigel, Mike, Rob, Maggie, Tim and Gary (6) returned to the area west of Framlingham,
South of Saxtead Green, and completed the waymarking that had been left when the ground was so hard in the summer.
The paths are all well used, and so very muddy at this time of year, but at least it made digging fairly easy to do.
On Wednesday 6th December: Mike, Nigel, Jim, David, Mary, and Tim (6) on a lovely sunny winter’s morning repaired and renewed the steps on Peasenhall FP 22, on back road SW of Peasenhall Village. Unfortunately, the floods had disturbed the adjacent sleeper bridge, and only one remained, which we made safe. SCC have been asked to add two more sleepers a.s.a.p.
On Thursday 16th November: Brian, Rob, and Jim (3) finished the clearing working at Snape Warren, down towards our seat.
Wednesday 25th October: postponed due to wet weather and potential flooding risk.
On Thursday 5th October: Tim, Rob, Mary, Nigel, and Mike (5) started clearing work on Snape Warren, mainly in the open access area. Due to the unprecedented amount of growth this year, we were only able to open up a very narrow section of the path down towards ‘our seat’, so afterwards we agreed to return there on 16th November to widen out the path and finish the clearing.
On Wednesday 20th September: Rob, Nigel, Mike, and Jim (4) managed to finish clearing path 55 on the south side of Aldringham Common, a surprisingly warm morning, and none of the rain forecast.
On Thursday 24th August Jim, Rob, Mary, Nigel, Mike and Tim (6) did some major path clearance work on Aldringham Common. The intense growth and intermittent rain proved to be too much for us to complete the work planned, so we will return there on the next working party to finish off and re-open FP 55.
On Wednesday 2nd August: Mike, Nigel, Jim, Rob and Mary (5) did some major path clearance on Framlingham FP45 around the Sewage works. Unfortunately, one small patch in the middle of the path was overrun by a sewage leak, and although we cleared up to both sides of the blocked path, there was no way to get round the boggy area. We have reported this to Suffolk County Council to sort out the sewage leal problem with Anglian Water, and offered to go back and do more once the matter is resolved.
On Thursday 13th July: Robert, Nigel, Mike, Mark, David, Jim, and Mary (7) did major clearance work to open up Westhall FP14 around the Stradbroke Town Farm area, also some side growth clearance on BR 16. We found the waymarker post broken off at the junction of 14,14A and 15, and it was felt that it would be a good idea to return there in the winter to do more clearance and replace this waymarker post.
On Wednesday 21st June: Nigel, Mike, Jim, and David (4) did waymarking and clearing around bridges and narrow sections west of Framlingham, south of Saxtead Green. The plan is to return here in November to do more waymarking of crossfield paths, once the County Council has got these routes reinstated, and conditions may be more suitable for hole digging.
On Thursday 8th June: Nigel, Mike, Rob, Garry, and Jim built steps near to Leiston Abbey on FP 6. The ground was hard but far from impossible, and we were able to much improve the slopes either side of the sleeper bridge. Possible scope for one or two more steps, when we go back to Leiston FP10
On Wednesday 31st May: Jim, David, Rob, Mary and Garry (5) carried out a survey of the section of the East Suffolk Line Walks route between Yoxford and Bramfield. Again, we installed several waymark discs and did some clearing work where needed. A few other problems, including sidegrowth on crossfield paths, we reported to SCC.
On Wednesday 24th May: Jim, David, Rob, Mary and Garry (5) carried out a survey of the section of the East Suffolk Line Walks route between Bramfield and Halesworth. We installed several waymark discs and did some clearing work where needed. A few other problems we reported to SCC.
On Wednesday 10th May: Nigel, Mike, David, Jim, Mary, and Garry (6) install steps by the ditch on Benhall footpath 6. Being such a surprisingly dry and sunny day, we also had time to check the waymarking in the area opposite the church, where we installed 2 new waymarker posts and re-set another one. We also checked the little used footpath 23, and cleared round all the gateways to make access more obvious and usable.
On Thursday 27th April: Nigel, Mark, Mary, David, Jim, and Garry (6) went to Snape Warren and cleared the path down to the cul-de-sac end of the path onto the marshes. We found the path to be about the best it has been since we started clearing it, certainly more well used now, and we actually met several people on it. Some side and ground clearing, mostly of brambles, was carried out, but not as much was required as previously. We also removed a couple of rotten supports from the rustic bench, and added 5 more new supports in, so that should keep it going for a few more years.
Some side and ground clearing, mostly of brambles, was carried out, but not as much was required as previously.
We also removed a couple of rotten supports from the rustic bench, and added 5 more new supports in, so that should keep it going for a few more years.
On Wednesday 5th April: Nigel, Mike, Garry, Mary, and Jim returned to Kingfisher Country Park, Cretingham to finish off the waymarking, clearing and widening of the sleeper bridge, plus some steps just beyond the widened sleeper bridge. We have now completed all the work on this site.
On Thursday 16th March: Robert, David, Mary, Jim, Garry, and Mark did a survey of Wantisden area, and found no serious problems, just one damaged waymarker post, so much better than expected.
On Wednesday 22nd February: David and Mike did a survey west of Framlingham, Earl Soham Lane area. They found several crossfield paths that had not been re-instated, and quite a few waymarker posts missing, which we plan to replace later this year.
On Thursday 2nd February: Nigel, Mike, David, Jim, Mary, and initially Robert, did a survey of Friday Street and Eyke. The main expected problem was on Eyke FP9, which had become substantially overgrown, but we got there to find the landowners had almost finished doing a major clearance of the whole track round the edge of the pond. They were happy for us to return later in the year and install some new waymarker posts. We also did some clearance work on the steps to the south of the pond. These are in need of some repair work at the top end, so we hope to return and do this as well, later in the year. Finally we checked a few other paths in the area, and found no other problems.
On Wednesday 18th January: Nigel, Mike, Robert and Mary did a survey of paths in north Friston and Knodishall around Fitches Lane area. We found the paths generally all useable, but a lot of low trees or branches hanging down following winter high winds, causing partial obstructions, all reports to SCC. There were also several waymarker posts missing, damaged or lacking arrows, so these were also reported, and we have offered to go back and do some work there later if SCC agree.
2022
On Thursday 8th December: David, Rob, Mary, Mike and Nigel (5) returned to Goodwins Farm, Peasenhall to do waymarking as requested by current occupier, who had done most of the heavy clearing for us the day before. The path is open and fully waymarked for the first time in our memory. The current owners plan to fence off some parts and have sheep grazing later next year, so we may have some additional gates, but if they are as good and easy to use as the one that they have replaced already, this should present no problem.
On Thursday 24th November: Nigel, Mark, David and Mary returned to the path between Ufford and Eyke.
The ground was much softer after all the rain, so we comfortably managed to install the remaining gate and complete the work on this path.
On Wednesday 16th November, Rob, Nigel and Roger (3) went back to Cretingham to try and finish off the work around the golf course. Unfortunately after doing a bit of clearing work and putting in 2 new waymarker posts, the rain came down quite heavily again, and work was abandoned. We have provisionally arranged with the owners to go back early next year to complete work on the sleeper bridge and steps.
On Thursday 20th October, the working party had to be abandoned due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, this has now been postponed until 24th November.
On Thursday 6th October: David, Mike, Rob and Mary (4) carried out waymarking in the are just north of Shottisham. Three new posts were put in and several extra arrows were added to existing posts.
On Wednesday 7th September: Nigel, Mike, Rob and David (4) did path clearing down to the seat at Snape. The seat was fixed with a few nails, but needs some new support legs, so we will go back later in the winter and do a more thorough job. The last bit of the path through the edge of the marshes could do with some work on as well in order to define the route better when the grass dies back.
On Thursday 18th August: Nigel, Mike, Mark, Garry, Jim, Robert and Maggie (7) installed one of two gates at Eyke, by the river, and did some clearing along the path and by the bridge. We found the ground at the site for the other gate to be very stoney, and it proved impossible to dig out the trench required in the time available. We will go back later in the year to finish this job.
On Wednesday 27th July, Nigel, Mike, Roger, Archie, Mary, Rob, David and Jim (8) did waymarking around the former Cretingham golf course, now known as Kingfisher Country Park. We reset 4 old waymarker posts and installed 5 new ones around the residential site and up to the golf course. We have agreed to go back in November to widen a sleeper bridge on the north side of the site, beyond the cabins, then add 3 steps and a few more waymarker posts.
On Thursday 7th July, Nigel, Mike, Jim David, Rob and Ali removed 3 broken posts on the steps of FP 17 in Sweffling, replaced with 3 new posts and re-attached the handrail, as well as doing some heavy clearing of the narrow FP 12 by church.
On Wednesday 15th June, Nigel Mike, Jim and David had a very worthwhile survey around Sibton and Goodwins Farm area. The White Horse allowed us to park there again. They walked all round, doing some light clearing and adding a few waymarker discs. All the paths were usable at last, but they identified a number of places where new waymarker posts are needed, and so with the co-operation of some occupiers we expect to go back there again later in the year.
On Thursday 26th May, David, Jim, Garry and Maggie had a good session at Monewden. They installed 3 new waymarker posts and attached anti-slip strips on the footbridge by Firs Farm on FP9, then replaced another post at the junction of FP 12/14
On Wednesday 11th May, David, Mike W., Maggie and Mary had a session on Aldringham Common and Thorpeness Golf Course. They concentrated on the section north of the B1353, replacing and re-setting 8 waymarker posts and clearing where necessary. The section south of the road, where we had been asked by SCC to check seemed to be more or less OK.
On Thursday 13th April: Paddy, Nigel, David, Jim, Mary, Mike W., John and Mark (8) met at Paddy’s House in Benhall area to do a stock check and some tool maintenance. We all then went off to check on Footpaths 19 and 22 which had been reported to have some minor problems. Three new waymarker posts were installed and 2 fallen ones were reset. We also did some clearance of hedge gaps and removed a small dead tree from the path. One stile was repaired and cleared round, and 2 decking boards were replaced at the south end of the bridge on FP19. The north end of this bridge also needs 2 planks to be replaced, but we had run out of decking boards, so this was reported to SCC.
On Thursday 7th April: Rob, John, Mary, Jim and Mike W. (5) did a survey of the northern section of the railway walk stage 15 of the East Suffolk Line walks, between Bramfield and Halesworth. We found a few damaged or incorrect signs which were reported to SCC, and there was some confusion around the Millennium Green trail area, around the New Reach in Halesworth, which needs further checking, otherwise a good walkable route.
On Thursday 24th March: Rob, John, David, Maggie, Jim and Garry (6) did a survey of the southern section of the railway walk stage 15 of the East Suffolk Line walks, between Yoxford and Bramfield. We found the route to be mostly quite good, as well described in the booklet. A few broken posts and a slightly damaged bridge were reported to SCC, but the path on the whole was quite a walkable and pleasant route.
On Thursday 17th March: Jim, David, Rob, Garry, Nigel, Mike W., and Mark (7) did a survey and light clearing in Sweffling area. We also managed to do some step infill repairs, re-set a waymarker post, added more arrows in several places, and removed several small trees that had fallen across various paths. Paths are generally very good in this area, but we found a broken handrail and more side growth down that we will probably return to fix soon.
On Thursday 3rd March: Rob, Jim, Mike W., David and Garry (5) surveyed some paths to the north east of Laxfield village. Footpaths 8 and 9 around Moat Farm area were found to be impassable and have clearly been in this state for many years. A small amount of clearing was achieved, but we await a response from SCC regarding a full clearance job.
On Wednesday 23rd February, David, Jim and Mary (3) did a survey and light clearing in the Butley area including Chillesford Wood.
On Wednesday 2nd February, Nigel, Mike, Rob, David, Jim and Mary (6) did a survey and light clearing in Kettleburgh area. Mostly no problems, all paths usable, although one was not on the correct definitive line, and this was reported to SCC.
On Wednesday 12th January 2022: Robert, John, Jim, Mary, Nigel, Mike W., and Roger (7) did a survey in the area to the north of Shottisham. Two short sections of path needed some side growth clearing, but in general all paths were clear, usable and well signed. A few paths needed more waymarking, which was reported to SCC, a possible job for a future working party.
2021
On Wednesday 15th December, Nigel, Robert, David, Jim and Mary (5) did a survey in area west of Sibton and around Peasenhall. We found most paths in good condition for the time of year, and well signposted, although we had to re-set one roadside post and replace a few missing way mark arrows. We also manged to unblock a small culvert pipe which had caused localised flooding of one path. There was a small number of faults to report to SCC, but nothing actually preventing any paths from being used, the biggest problem being a really narrow style that had a step missing, and was very tricky to use. We found a really good set of steps with handrail at the west end of FP15, very professionally done. These have replaced a set of steps we put in nearly 20 years ago, one of the first jobs we did as the working party group.
On Thursday 25th November, Nigel, Mike, Robert, Jim, David and Garry (6) did a survey around the south of Tunstall. We managed to do some light clearing and repair a bridge handrail en route. All paths were usable, although 2 low priority paths had not been marked out after ploughing. These problems and a few suggestions for additional waymarker posts have been reported to SCC.
On Wednesday 3rd November, Robert, Mike, Jim, David, Maggie and Mary (6) did clearing work along footpath and boardwalk through Fen Covert and Walberswick Nature Reserve down to Dingle Great Hill.
On Thursday 14th October, Robert, Maggie, Nigel, Mike, Jim and David (6) did clearing work on the south side of Aldringham Common, along the path we opened up several years ago.
Friday 24 September - We had a good morning clearing the railway footpath in Saxmundham, 6 people participating, and one potential new volunteer who came to see what we do.
Poachers Pocket is improved with extra space outside, and still a choice of decent beer.
On Wednesday 1st September, Nigel, Mike, Brian, David, John and Robert (6) did a lot of side growth clearing in Snape Warren, down towards our seat, keeping the correct line of path open in several places where users had started to depart from the overgrown route.
Thursday 19th August Nigel, Robert, David H, Mike W and Jim (5) installed posts and waymarks in the Walberswick marshes area.
Friday 6th August, Nigel, Mike, Robert, David and Jim (5) did a good job in between showers of building replacement steps at Gedgrave, Orford.
Wednesday 21st July, Nigel, Mike, Robert, David and Jim (5) finally manged to complete the steps at Peppers wash, north of Framlingham, off B1116.
Thursday 8th July, Nigel, Mike, David and Jim (4) successfully completed the waymarking in Aldringham Fens area.
2020
On Wednesday 11th March, a warm sunny morning, Nigel and Jim (2) did some more clearing on Aldringham common south side, on the path we liberated some years ago. We were pleasantly surprised to find the path quite well used, and only needed light clearing of bramble side growth and a couple of fallen gorse bushes.
On Friday 21st February Nigel, Mike W., Jim, David, John, Robert and Derek (7) worked on Cratfield FP32, building steps down the bank to a 3-sleeper bridge, which we then covered with mesh. We also cleared the path through the wooded section and re-set 2 waymarker posts in better locations.
On Thursday 6th February Nigel, Mike W, David, Jim, John, Graham and Derek (7) on a very pleasant winter morning constructed two lots of steps in Sweffling, in ‘The Gull’
Friday 3rd January - The plan to construct 2 small sets of steps near roadside on path north from Peppers Wash (MR2755 6527) north of Framlingham on Friday 3rd January was washed out by the volume of water covering the path, following very heavy rain over the previous few days. We have reported the problem to Highways, and will probably return to this job in early summer.
2019
On Thursday 5th December Nigel, Paddy, Robert, Mike W. and Mike L. (5) finished off the waymarking on Aldringham Golf Course. 6 new posts were installed and 3 we found lying about were re-set.
On Monday 25 November an ad hoc party (NIgel, Jim, David, MIke W, Robert and Geoff and Helen from the Ipswich Group) tackled the long-blocked footpath 22 at Melton. The path is now navigable for the first time in years.
On Wednesday 20th November Nigel, Paddy, Jim, David, Robert, Mike W, and Graham (7) enjoyed a bright morning around the top end of Aldringham common and golf course. The time was spent resetting 5 old posts and signs that we found on site, and installing 8 new waymarker posts, mostly at fairway crossings, plus just a few small sections of light clearing. The plan is to return there on Thursday 5th December and finish off waymarking at the south end of the golf course, which we think needs about 7 more posts.
On Friday 8th November, Nigel, Jim, Graham, Mike W. and Robert (5) met at Benhall to do waymarking ac.nd light clearing near Benhall Church and then finish off some similar work in Saxmundham that we had not finished earlier in the year. Everything completed successfully.
On Wednesday 2nd October, Nigel, Paddy, Jim and Robert (4) did good work on the heavy clearing needed by the overgrown section of footpath by the fence, on the way down to the Snape seat.
On Thursday 12th September, on a lovely day, Nigel, Paddy and Jim (3) did a survey of Blaxhall common. We found a lack of waymarking, but as the whole area is open access land, and there are many other usable paths around the site, we are minded to not do any further waymarking. Many paths are suffering from bracken encroachment, and we did do some localised clearing adjacent to existing signs. The mornings work was followed by the winter planning meeting Blaxhall Ship.
On Thursday 22nd August: Jim, Robert, Mike W. and Nigel (4) did a survey of waymarking and some light clearance on Aldringham Common golf course and along the old railway line. We found that although most paths were reasonably clear and usable, many of the golf course own safety signs have rotted and collapsed, so we propose to install more waymarker posts as a winter task.
On Thursday 8th August, 8 people set about the waymarking on Woodbridge Golf course. Nigel, John, Mike W., Jim, Dave M., Archie, Susie and Hugh. We completed the task, putting in 10 new posts, re-setting 5 others and doing clearing and re-arrowing on some others, as well as some heavy gorse clearing round a stile. A special thanks to those who were able to stay on an extra hour to finish off erecting the last few posts.
On Thursday 18th July, despite some persistent light rain 5 people turned up to do a survey and grass cutting check in Peasenhall. Nigel, Mike W., Jim Robert and John did as much as we could without getting too wet, finding a big variation between some well-cut paths and many on the cutting schedule that had clearly not been touched. A full report and map have been passed on to SCC.
On Friday 14th June Nigel, Ken, Graham, Jim and Mike W. (5) surveyed the area of area west and south of Middleton. There was quite a bit of localised substantial clearing to be done en-route, and we found several poor stiles and roadside signs missing, but some good well-cut paths, and generally a good countryside walking area.
Thursday 30th May gathering postponed to 8th August due to so many people not able to attend and Suffolk Show traffic problems
On Thursday 16th May, just 2 people David and Robert managed a survey south of Dennington and some light clearance down as far as Peppers Wash.
On Friday 26th April, Nigel, Jim, David and John (4) installed 2 mew waymarker posts in the area to the south and west of Benhall Church, We also re-set another broken post and did some light clearing around steps and bridges. There was insufficient time or personpower to do the other 3 planned posts as the clay ground in the area is now quite hard to dig, and these posts will be left to an autumn job when the ground should be much softer
On Thursday 11th April Nigel, Jim, Graham and John (4) did some waymarking and light clearing in the Kelsale area. This was followed by the summer planning meeting at the Poachers Pocket 12.15 approx.
On Thursday 7th March Nigel, David, Jim, Graham, Robert, John and Paddy (7) did extensive waymarking in Linstead Magna, and cleared a way through a blocked gateway.
On Thursday 21st February Nigel, Paddy, David, Jim, Ken and Mike W. (6), did step repairs and clearance work at Iken.
2018
On Thursday 13th December Nigel, Brian L., David, Jim, Graham, Robert, John and Paddy (8) installed 4 steps and dug out some of the water course at the bottom of the ‘Gull’ at Rendham. Hopefully water will now run along the route we were working on and stop running across the path making it so wet. We also removed a fallen tree near the east end of the path.
On Thursday 22nd November Nigel, Paddy, Graham, Robert, Mike W., Brian and John (7) did heavy clearing of path down to ‘our seat’ at Snape. The path is now better than it has been for many years.
On Friday 9th November Paddy, Nigel, Jim, David, Graham, Robert, John, Ken and Mike W (9) did stock taking and tool maintenance followed by light clearing in Snape, opening up the path down to the seat. It is now passable, but needs a lot more widening work on 22nd.
On Thursday 4th October Nigel, Graham, Robert and John (4) did more light clearing and some waymarking around Linstead Hall. There were a few minor problems to report to SCC, and again there may be scope for returning to install new waymarker posts in the spring here as well.
On Friday 14th September Graham, Mike W., Ken, Robert and Jim (5) did surveying, light clearing and some waymarking north of Saxmundham. We may go back here to install more waymarker posts in the spring.
Sunday 2 September. Five people gathered at the Lion on Sunday to work out a plan for winter 2018-19. It was agreed that we would stick to doing morning meetings at 10am, and that Thursdays are the most popular, although occasional Fridays days could be tried.
On Friday 17th August Mike W., Graham, David and Jim (4) did a survey and clearance in Linstead area, based around Newall Hall. They made contact with the landowner, who agreed to do some further work to help keep the definitive line clear.
On Saturday 4th August David, Jim and Nigel (3) did a survey and light clearance around Cookley, and apart from one short section in trees that needed a good cutting back, we generally found the paths well used and all were signed and waymarked. We did come across a small bank by one bridge that we have added to the provisional winter list for putting a few steps in, as this has eroded and is likely to be treacherous when wet.
On Thursday 5th July Nigel, Jim, David and Paddy did clearing work near Rendham, and surveyed the ‘Gull’ path. We will return here in the winter to install steps and clear out the watercourse.
On Thursday 21st June Nigel, Paddy, David, Graham, Brian, Mike L., Mike W. and Jim (8) did some fairly heavy side growth clearing along the eastern edge of Goodwin’s Farm, and we were very pleased to be able to walk along the newly re-opened path, with new bridges along the north edge of Goodwin’s Farm
Thursday 7th June Paddy, Jim, Nigel, Graham and Brian L continued the Coastal survey Hollesley area and refreshed in the Hollesley Shepherd and Dog afterwards.
On Friday 25th May Nigel and Mike W. completed the coastal Access survey of Butley area.
On Thursday 10th May we finally managed to do all the waymarking south of Dennington. Many thanks to Brain R. and David H. who stayed on till after 1pm to help get it finished.
2 and 15 March Dennington - These dates were cancelled due to inclement weather.
On Thursday 1st February Nigel, Jim, Paddy, Mike L., Brian L., Ken and Mike W (7) did a survey and clearance work in the Laxfield area. We were pleased to see that most of the paths were clear and well used, despite Graham B. no longer being able to get out and do the practical work. Our steps installed 12 years ago are still in good condition. In addition to the clearance work around bridges, we re-instated 6 waymarker posts that had either fallen or broken.
On Saturday 20th January David, Paddy and Jim (3) did some clearance work on public rights of way in the Cratfield area.
2017
On Friday 8th December, on a bright but blowy morning Nigel, David Jim and Graham (4) did a survey along Aldeburgh sea wall and round past the old brickworks jetty for the Coastal Access scheme.
On Thursday 23rd November Jim, Nigel Brian and Graham (4) did clearance work at Snape, on the cul-de-sac path to our new bench. The path is now quite well used, and with us widening the narrow sections, it should remain easily usable for next year.
On Thursday 9th November Nigel, Jim, David and Brian (4) undertook some heavier clearance work on the footpath south of Aldringham common (Aldringham Footpath 55), that we opened up a few years ago. The path had clearly been used more this year and was still just passable, but we have now made it a comfortable path to walk along.
On Thursday 19th October David and Graham, and later Paddy (3) did a similar survey of public rights of way in the Cookley area, north of Walpole village. This involved re-setting a couple of waymarker posts, adding extra arrows and clearinga around signs, bridges and hedge gaps. They were also some missing roadside posts, which have been reported to SCC online.
On Thursday 5th October Jim and Brian L. (2) did a survey and clearance work on public rights of way in the area south of Sibton. They also cleared around signs, and added some new waymarker arrows. This is typical of the sort of useful work that Ramblers can do at this time of year, either on their own or in small groups
On Tuesday 5th September, Nigel, Paddy, David, Jim, Graham, Ken and Brian (7) did the rustic bench building at Snape, on the cul-de-sac path we cleared this winter. Do walk down there and try it out.
On Thursday 24th August, Jim, Graham, Ken and Nigel (4) did step building at Benhall, cancelled from June. The Westleton steps are now to be done by a SCC contractor.
On Thursday 3rd August, Nigel, Ken, David, Graham and Dave (5) did a thorough survey of waymarking around Tunstall Common and the Forest Viking Trail. All the new posts were still on site, but some of the older ones were getting a bit tatty, and we tidied round and added new arrows where necessary.
Monday 10th July: The planned survey of waymarking around Tunstall Common and the Forest Viking Trail was called-off because of heavy rain and storms. This has been re-scheduled for 3 August.
On Thursday 8th June David and Nigel (2) did a Coastal access survey in Orford area. A lovely summer evening with magnificent views and loads of wildlife, especially hares.
Wednesday 24th May, working party CANCELLED due to extreme wet weather.
On Thursday 4th May David, Jim, Graham, Nigel and Paddy (5) did more waymarking around Brampton and Redisham, we again found 4 posts out of the ground on site and reset them, adding new waymark arrows, and also put in 4 new posts where none could be found.
On Friday 21st April Ken, Graham, Paddy, Nigel, Jim and David (6) did some waymarking around Sternfield area, putting in 6 new posts and resetting 4 posts found on site.
On Saturday 25th March, Nigel, Jim and David (3) did more Coastal Path Survey from north side of Snape bridge. The Summer working party planning meeting followed at Glemham Lion at 12.15
On Friday 17th March, Nigel, Ken, Paddy and Graham (4) set about building the larger set of steps near Badingham. Fortunately, despite the poor turn out, the weather remained fine, and the ground was still soft enough that the digging was not excessively difficult, and so we still managed to complete the job in 3 hours. Well done team.
Monday 27 February - The Coastal Path Survey of Orford Section was postponed and will be re-arranged for the Summer programme.
Saturday 18th February David, Jim and Nigel (3) built the small set of steps near to Fisks Farm at Badingham.
2016
On Saturday 10th December Nigel and Ken (2) continued with the coastal path survey from Iken marshes round to the old Ferry Point opposite Aldeburgh sailing club.
On Monday 28 November Paddy, Nigel, Jim and David (4) did heavy clearing at south end of FP18 in Snape. This path is now completely open right down to the end, and there are magnificent views across the estuary for much of the way.
On Saturday 12 November the planned step building in Badingham had to be abandoned due to torrential rain.
On Saturday 15 October Ken, David, Jim and Nigel (4) continued along the next section from Iken.
On Friday 30 September Graham, Ken and Nigel (3) started the next section of coastal access path surveying from Snape bridge southwards towards Iken.
On Thursday 4th August Graham, David, Jim, Ken, Mike and Nigel (6) did major clearance on footpaths to the south of Snape Warren. The path is now open down to the river wall, but needs more work to clear through the last tree grove and open up the route to the very end on the next bit of sea wall. This will be an autumn project.
On Monday 11th July David H, Paddy, Nigel and Jim were joined by new member Ken (5) and did more waymarking north of Peasenhall, and have now completed the work in that area.
On Thursday 23rd June the working party had to be abandoned due to heavy rain and saturated ground. The planned task will now take place on 30 August.
On Friday 3 June Nigel, Graham H., Jim, Neil, David H., Mike and Paddy (7) sorted out waymarking in the area to the west of the roman road in Heveningham. We met up with two of the landowners and agreed 8 locations for new posts and added arrows onto a telegraph post at the ninth location. We also did some light clearance work round a few hedge gaps and sleeper bridges, a successful and satisfying evenings work.
On Thursday 12 May David H, Paddy and Neil (3) were joined by Annette from SCC RoW to do emergency boardwalk repairs on the path from fiveways to Walberswick. We replaced 9 deck boards, 2 support braces and tacked down sections of loose wire netting. The whole thing is due to be replaced next winter, so this was just a holding operation for the summer.
On Tuesday 19 April, despite being a warm evening, only Nigel and David H (2) turned out. We managed to put in 4 new waymarker posts where they had gone missing or had rotted off, and reset one we found out of the ground, north east of Framlingham.
On Saturday 20 February, Jim, David H, Mike, Nigel and Graham H succeeded in clearing a completely overgrown path near Theberton. On a warm dry winters morning, we managed to open up about 80 metres of impenetrable overgrowth from its start of the path at the roadside allowing access to the rest of Middleton footpath 21 near Hawthorn Farm
On Saturdays 9 and 23 January we carried out further investigative surveys for the National Coastal Trail in the Sizewell and Thorpeness stretch.
2015
On Saturday 28 November Graham H, David E, Jim and Nigel (4) did more coastal access surveying around the Dunwich area.
On Saturday 14 November Jim, Paddy and Nigel (3) did coastal access surveying around the Walberswick area, we were joined by Pat from Waveney area
On Saturday 31 October Paddy, David E, David H, Graham H, Jim and Nigel (6) spent a fine morning clearing side growth and overhang from a number of paths around Aldringham common.
On Tuesday 15 September Nigel, David E, Jim, Mike, David H and Graham H (6) did some clearing and waymarking repairs in Bredfield, in the area to west of church. A good session, which included erecting 7 new posts and 2 major sleeper bridge clearing jobs.
Monday 24 August. We were planning do some more clearing in Aldringham but cancelled because of the wet weather.
Thursday 6th August. On a fine summer evening Nigel, Jim, Neil and Graham H. (4) did light clearance work and improved waymarking south east of Saxmundham in the Sternfield area.
Saturday 11th July - Nigel, Jim and David H (3) did a survey of the Bromeswell area, golf course and open access land. We found most paths to be clear, well used and waymarked, with only a few spot clearances being required. There were however alignment queries on three of the routes across the golf course, which have been reported to SCC.
On Saturday 20th June, Paddy, Nigel, David H, David E, Graham H and Graham B (6) did a survey in the area north of Cookley. We found most paths to be good, well signed, with all crossfield paths marked out, and we only found two waymarker posts missing. We were pleased to find that the steps and path levelling work we did ten years ago is still holding up, although we did need to do quite a lot of clearing work. Two dead trees across one section have been reported to SCC, as they were too large for us to remove, but the path was still usable by climbing over them. So no paths were impassable this time.
On Monday 1st June. Nigel, David E, Jim, David H, Neil and Paddy (6) set out to do clearance and waymarking north east of Framingham. Unfortunately the advent of strong winds and rain curtailed the session, and we only got half the planned work done. The paths encountered were all good, and we found a splendid new 6.8m bridge en route, before retiring to the Station Hotel to recuperate.n
Friday 15th May, despite a poor turnout on a pleasant evening, Nigel, Chris and Niel (3) did some sterling work just south of Earl Soham. We found several good and quite well used paths, cleared a clue of dead trees and some overhanging branches, reset 2 waymarker posts, and installed 5 new ones. We were very pleased to note that all the crossfield paths we came across had been well cleared.
On Saturday 18th April Jim, David H, Mike, Nigel Paddy and Richard (6) installed and repaired 8 waymarker posts south of Yoxford. This was followed by the summer planning meeting at Glemham Lion.
On Saturday 21st March. Nigel, David H, Jim, Mike, Graham H, Chris and Albert (7) did clearance work on several paths around the Snape end of Sailors Path, and on the open access land near to Snape Warren. We were pleased to find all the paths to be quite well used and most much clearer than on previous visits, and so we're able to cover all the paths in the area.
On Saturday 8 March, Graham H, Chris, Paddy, Nigel, David E, David H, Jim, Neil and Richard (9) carried out a thorough survey of the bridleway route across Sudbourne Marshes. There were enjough of us to split up and look at the river wall path and several other possible access routes as well. We managed to find the correct route and were able to walk most of it, with only one ditch being completely impassable. We have put in a full report to SCC together with some suggestions for improvements and alternative routes.
On Saturday 21st February David H, Graham H, Jim, David E, and Nigel (5) did a survey of paths around the Low Grange Farm area northwest of Peasenhall. We found no real problems, most paths were walkable and appeared to be well used. Some bridges and hedge gaps needed clearing, which we did whilst on site. Also we found 3 waymarker posts lying on the ground, which we temporarily propped up in situ, and quite a number of places where posts were missing completely. So we will probably have a summer evening working party back in the same area, installing new waymarker posts.
2014
Saturday 12 December 2014 - On a frosty winter morning, Nigel, Jim and Neil (3) erected 5 replacement waymarker posts in the area south and west of Benhall Church.
Saturday 29th November - On a sunny autumn morning, Nigel, Chris, Jim, Dot, David, Albert, Richard, Paddy and new member of the group Graham H. (9) met at the Sailors path. We all did clearing of side growth and overhang from the eastern end car park up to the boardwalk, this being the worst section. Then we split into 2 groups, one group going back and checking the new roadside section by the golf course, which did need some overhanging branches to be removed, they then drove to the western end to meet up with the second group at the Golden Lion. The other group had continued for the whole length of the path to check any problems along the western end, so the entire path is now well clear for walkers.
On Saturday 1st November, a lovely warm dry morning, Nigel, Paddy, Richard and Jim (4) did clearance of side growth and overhang on Aldringham common, mainly by the course of the old railway line.
On Saturday 4th October Nigel, Richard and Paddy (3) did a survey around Benhall church area following reports of missing and rotten waymarker posts. We found most paths to be in good condition with crossfield generally marked or staked. We identified 5 locations where new posts are needed, and these will be done on one of our winter working parties.
On Thursday 11th September Nigel, Chris, David, Jim, Neil and Paddy (6) returned to Goodwyns Farm area (Peasunhall) to check on obstructions reported 2 years ago. We were extremely disappointed to find that nothing had been done since our report 2 years ago, and indeed the situation has become worse with more new fences and overgrowth. We have put in a further detailed report and complaint to SCC, and will be following this up.
On Wednesday 20th August Nigel, Chris, Paddy, Jim & Neil (5) returned to the Yoxford area to check up on the poor stiles and obstructions reported to SCC last year. We were extremely disappointed to find that nothing had been done, and the situation has deteriorated even more. We have a again put in a detailed report, logged new problems and offered to do work during the winter.
On Friday 1st August, Jim, Neil, David and Nigel (4) did some clearing of sidegrowth from paths around the Nettle Hill area along the river side near Sutton. We were pleased to find the new, second set, of steps now in place, and both sets of steps in good condition. This is probably the least overgrown they have been for several years, We also found 3 waymarker posts that we reset for now, and have been reported to SCC for replacement.
On Thursday 10th July Chris, Nigel and David (3) managed to dodge the rain and did some more waymarking on Aldringham golf course. We put in 5 new ones, reset another and replaced lots of arrows. There is probably scope to come back again next year.
On Tuesday 16th of June, 6 people (David, Paddy, Neil, Jim, Nigel and Graham) built some steps on a slope at Cookley footpath 7. Despite the warm evening and dry ground we acheived what we set out to do, and also had time to do some major clearance down the side of an overgrown hedge at the start of this path.
On Tuesday 27th May, the planned survey of permissive access routes around the Great Glemham area had to be abandoned due to torrential rain. We will now postpone this survey until the autumn, including it in the early part of our next winter programme.
On Wednesday 30th April Nigel, Chris, David and Jim (4) returned to the Heveningham area to finish off the waymarking and clearing that was rained off in the winter. On a pleasant sunny evening we erected 5 new replacement waymarker posts, reset 2 others, cleared 4 sleeper bridges and several hedge gaps, cut some earth steps in a bank, and removed a redundant stile. All the planned work in that area has now been completed.
On Sunday 30th March on a warm sunny spring morning Chris Nigel Jim David Paddy Richard Graham and Neil (8) did a substantial amount of waymarking and clearing in Saxtead and west of Framlingham, finishing off all the work planned for that area.
On Saturday 1st March Nigel Anne Paddy David Jim and Neil (6) commenced some waymarking and clearing in Heveningham area, but unfortunately got rained off about half way through. We discovered a very pleasant café open in Peasenhall at Emmett's shop. The rest of the work in Heveningham will be put on the summer evening programme.
On Sunday 2nd February 2014 Richard Nigel Chris Jim Mike David Paddy & Neil (8) conducted a full survey of 2 new large permissive access areas near Bramfield, Brights Farm and Earlsway Farm, which will be open until 2020. We were pleased to find all paths open, in good condition and well signed. There were however some mistakes on the maps, and a full report has been sent to Natural England, together with some suggestions for better promotion of these sites.
The working party on Saturday 4th January 2014 was called off due to torrential rain.
2013
Sunday 8 December 2013 - Six members of the Alde Valley Ramblers Working Party Group conducted a survey of A12 crossings on the Saxmundham by-pass. This was a follow up to the 2004 survey, and a response to the increasing number of new houses on the west side of Saxmundham. A further survey on 4 January 2014 was postponed because of bad weather.
On Saturday 23rd November Nigel, Chris, Richard, David, Neil, Jim and Mike (7) spent a sunny autumn morning doing a complete survey of paths all around Sizewell, starting from the Kenton Hills car park and going right round to Leiston Common. We were pleased to find that all the rights of way, the Sandlings walk and all the permissive paths were still open and useable. We did some local clearing around bridges and gateways, but nothing major is required at the present other than the removal of some large fallen trees on Goose Hill, which we will leave to the professionals. These are mostly conifers, and a lot more of these in the area will be removed if Sizewell C goes ahead, but the rest of the woodland is planned to remain untouched. We will continue to monitor the whole area closely if and when plans for Sizewell C progress.On Wednesday 18th September Nigel, Chris and Jim (3) returned to the Badingham Wood Farm area to do more waymarking and clearing. We re-erected 2 posts that we found dug out, and installed 3 new ones where SCC had asked us to. All the paths are now passable, but some are still quite badly overgrown, and so we cleared a few key points. There remains one main obstruction where a ditch had been dug across a path last winter, which still only has a temporary crossing, and we have re-reported this problem to SCC.
On Tuesday 27th August Nigel, Jim, Chris, David and Nigel (5) made a return visit to Aldringham golf course area to do more waymarking on the south side of the road. We also spent a lot of time clearing the path which we opened up 2 years ago along the south east side of the open access land, as this is not on the RSPBs cutting programme.
On Thursday 8th August Nigel, David, Graham, Richard and Jim (5) did a lot of clearing and some waymarking around the Heveningham area. There are quite a few lower priority paths around here which get less use and are not on the cutting schedules, so need substantial clearance work around sleeper bridges and hedge gaps.
On Monday 15th July, Nigel, Jim, Neil, Graham and David (5) made a return visit to the Blythburgh-Walberswick boardwalk to replace some of the rotten boards, splint 5 damaged sections of boardwalk supports and lay some new surface wire-netting. We also cleared the rest of the boardwalk from debris, and marked some other sections of damaged netting ready for replacement by SCC volunteers later this year.
On Wednesday 26th June, Nigel, Chris, Jim, Neil and Richard (5) did some clearing of hedge gaps and around sleeper bridges in the area north of Saxtead church. We also re-set or replaced the waymarker posts where necessary. It was agreed that there is plenty of scope to go back to the same meeting place in the Autumn and perform similar tasks on paths to the south of Saxtead Church.
On Thursday 6th June Nigel, Chris, Richard, Maurice, David and Neil (6) went to Walberswick boardwalk to clear side growth and overhang from the boardwalk. We identified several problems, for our next visit in July.
Monday 20th May - Nigel, Chris, Jim, Richard, Neil, Paddy, Maurice and David (8) had our first evening session, waymarking on Aldringham golf course area.
27th April 2013, 4 members (Nigel, David, Maurice, Jim) walked the paths east and north of Farnham. We were pleased to find no serious problems, all paths were fairly easy to use, although we did need to cut back some hedge gaps, and around some signs. We also replaced a few poor waymarker arrows. We have detailed the items that we found and made appropriate reports to the County Council.
Saturday 16 March 2013 - Paddy, Richard, David and Jim (4) managed to avoid the worst of the rain and in a shortened session surveyed the paths to the south of Benhall Green. No serious problems were found.
Saturday 2nd March 2013: Paddy, Nigel, David, Jim, Maurice, Neil and Mike (7) did sterling work clearing lots of gorse and brambles back from 2 large sections of footpath on Aldringham Common to the south of the Aldringham Thorpeness road, keeping us all warm on a cold morning. We also identified a number of locations where waymarker posts need replacing or renewing, so we will probably add this location for a summer evening waymarking session.
Saturday, 2nd February 2013, 5 members of the group (Nigel, Jim, Graham, David and Neil) re-visited the big problem area around Wood Farm, part of Badingham, where paths have been persistently blocked for many years about which we had put in a detailed problem report to SCC on 7th September 2011. We were pleased to see some improvements, a missing bridge had been installed, a lot of the electric fencing had been removed and most headlands were just about wide enough to use, although very overgrown. However nearly all the waymarking had been removed, no cross field paths had been re-instated and the main route has recently been obstructed by a major ditch. We have detailed the items that need attention and reported them to SCC Rights of Way Office.
Saturday 5th January 2013 : Maurice, Nigel, Paddy, Graham, Jim and Neil (6) carried out a survey of the linear walks parallel to the A12 between Yoxford and Kelsale. On a bright crisp morning we carried out quite a lot of localised clearing by stiles, gates, bridges and signs. We also noted quite a number of waymarker posts that were rotten or missing. We have reported these to SCC and have offered to replace them on one of our summer evening working parties. We have also reported 3 sections of crossfield path that had not been re-instated yet, and have lodged an authorisation query about some new gates we came across.
2012
Saturday 1st December 2012 : Nigel, Neil and Graham (3) managed to get all the work done at Cratfield on a clear crisp morning. We got back to the vehicles at twenty to twelve, just in time to beat the rain ! We cleared round the 3 bridges, replaced or reset all the waymarks, and cut some new earth steps in the bank by the sleeper bridge, as proposed last year.
Saturday 3rd November 2012 : Nigel, Maurice, Richard, Jim, David, Paddy and Mike (7) did some heavy clearing on the path going westwards from Fen Cottages in Aldringham, and added 2 waymarker posts. This is the very muddy stretch just beyond the existing boardwalk, and now we have cleared it SCC plans to put some material down on the path to raise and harden it.
On Monday 3 September, David, Nigel an Graham (3) conducted a survey around Goodwins Farm area (Sibton). There are 7 footpaths in the area that have become impassable from overgrowth, new padlocked gates, sign and stile removal etc. We have put in a full report to SCC, and will return there next spring to see how things are progressing.
On Tuesday 21st August Nigel, Neil, Jim and Paddy (4) managed to install new set of 7 steps on the very steep slope at the end of the footpath to the south of Grundisburgh village, despite the heat and hard ground! See pictures.
On Wednesday 11th July Chris, Nigel, David, Jim & Paddy (5) made waymarking improvements and did some light clearing on Tunstall Common.
On a sunny Monday 18th June Maurice, Jim, Nigel, Neil and Richard (5) met at Iken picnic site. We did mainly waymarking improvements to south of picnic area, and some clearing along river path.
On Thursday 31st May we had to abandon the job of clearing round 2 bridges and improving steps to both of them, on paths 18 and 19 in Cratfield, this will be put back on the programme in the Autumn.
On Wednesday 9th May, Graham, Nigel, Richard, David, Neil and Paddy (6) did some light clearing and waymarking repairs, plus installed 4 new posts, around the Knodishall Common area. We managed to finish a bit early and just made it to the Parrot before the rain.!
On Monday 16th April, Jim, David, Nigel, Karen, Richard, Paddy, Maurice and Chris (8) spent a sunny evening repairing and resetting existing waymarkers and installing some new posts in the area around North Green Parham and Great Glemham (although 2 left early). Most went to Rendham White Horse afterwards, one of the few pubs open on a Monday evening, and we discussed the lack of usable pubs in the area and Saxmundham !
On Saturday 17th March 2012 Nigel, David, Jim, Richard, Mike and Neil (6) did a survey round the southern side of Campsey Ashe, with some light clearing and addition of waymarker arrows. No real problems were found in this area.
On Sunday 19th February Richard, Jim, Nigel, Neil and Maurice (5) did a survey and some light clearing around the Blaxhall and Tunstall common area. We also found a number of places where waymarking has disappeared, and so we plan to go back there one summer evening to replace and refresh waymarking.
On Saturday 7th January 2012 Nigel, Jim, Karen, Richard, Maurice, Neil and Paddy (7) cleared some small sections of path though Dodd's Wood in Benhall. We also reset several waymarker posts and erected 5 new ones to help clarify routes. We have subsequently received a thank you for this work and a complement from local walkers.
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