Last updated May 10, 2020

Work Party News

19 February 2006
Joint ACWA/KFPG Working
On 15-Jan-2006 and 19-Feb-2006 Joint ACWA/KFPG Working Parties kicked off a project to replace all stiles on the “After Tea” walk from Stoneleigh. ACW Circular Walk 6 “After Tea” is a very popular walk. It did however involve a possible 12 stiles when all the field gates are locked shut (a minimum of 9 at any time). ACWA has therefore agreed with WCC and Stoneleigh estate to make our first major “Footpath Improvement Project” to replace all these stiles. After these first two Working Parties there are four fewer stiles.

Background Information

Local authorities are now required to produce and implement Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plans (CAROWIP). Warwickshire CC have drafted their plan, and it can be viewed on their website.The Warwickshire document is very impressive, covering most aspects we wished to see.From it we should benefit from increased activity in improving footpaths, building on the good progress already made over recent years.
ACWA will contribute by adopting a more proactive approach to organising working parties. In outline:

• ACWA will locate and contact the landowners and discuss the work that we would like to carry out in conjunction with WCC
• WCC will provide two ACWA nominees with an introductory letter to use when contacting landowners
• WCC will supply materials for ACWA WP to carry out agreed projects, on agreed dates

Kenilworth Footpath Preservation Group (KFPG) have been one of the few groups to adopt a similar method of working in the past. KFPG also share many of the paths on the “After Tea” walk with ACWA and others (not surprising, there are excellent paths in this area!). It was therefore decided to make the first working party on this project joint with KFPG – making it an excellent social and learning event.

Plans

ACWA plan to organise further working parties over the next few months, replacing about two stiles each month until all are completed. The next working party will be on Sunday 19-Mar-2006 – dates for further events will be published later. Why not volunteer to join us whenever you can?  Contact us via our Contact page.