• The South Wiltshire Group Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 19th November 2010 at 7:30pm in the Canterbury Room, St Thomas's House, St Thomas;s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA. All members are invited to the meeting. Nominations for the committee must be received in writing by Thursday 4th November, with the names of the proposer and seconder. Please write to the Group Secretary: Neil Russell, Oakleigh, Castle Lane, Whaddon, Salisbury SP5 3EG.
• The Post Christmas Lunch will be held on Monday 10th January 2011, at the Rose and Crown, Harnham SP2 8JQ. For details of the menu etc. please email Jilly at davidandjillywright@talktalk.net or ring on 01722 412954. Numbers are not limited but if possible, please reserve your place with Jilly by December 20th.
  
• Do you know of any footpaths that need clearing? If so please contact Patricia Dashwood on 01722 710869, or via email
• There will be no Heavy Gang in August but if you would like to join in and help install the biggest bridge ever by this group near Mere on Monday 20th September then get in contact with Graham on 01722 710796.  Photos from the last work in Sutton Mandeville can be found here.
  

• Around the Chutes - 26th August
  
• Semley - Newtown - 24th August
  
• Ebbesbourne - West End - Prescombe Down - 10th August
  
• Coombe Bissett - Martin Down - 29th July
  
• Lymington - Milton on Sea - 18th July
  
• Lockerley - Dean Hill - French Moor - 6th July
  
• Downton - Breamore - 29th June
  
• Coombe Bisset - Ebbesborne Wake - 24th June
  

Have you ever thought about why you enjoy walking in the countryside? How pleasant it is to get away from traffic and walk along paths clear of obstructions such as brambles and overhanging branches? The responsibility for looking after our public rights of way lies with the Highway Authority, ie Wiltshire Council. Unfortunately, whilst they have a duty to maintain them, their ability to do this is severely limited by financial and workforce restrictions.

This is where we can help. Our footpath group liaises with the Right of Way Team at Wiltshire Council and assists them with clearing footpaths (Light Gang), and replacing stiles and bridges (Heavy Gang). The work benefits all walkers and contributes to the charitable aims of the Ramblers.

Over the year the Light Gang has cleared paths in the parishes of Woodford, Ansty, Tisbury, Bowerchalke, Berwick St John, Sedgehill and Semley, Grimstead, and Downton. I wonder if any of you have noticed?

The work is not too taxing. We use light-weight tools, - secateurs, loppers, shears, and the occasional saw, and we finish by lunchtime. Looking back on a well-finished job gives one a tremendous sense of achievement. But because it is the nature of plants to keep growing, rather like painting the Forth railway bridge, our work is never finished! That is why the Light Gang needs more volunteers. Why not come along and give it a try?

Currently the Light Gang meet on the second Thursday of each month.

From October 2010 the Light Gang will meet on the second Wednesday of each month. We supply all tools and gloves, and, where possible, transport to the various locations.

Please contact Patricia Dashwood on 01722 710869, or via email

The Sunday meeting point, unless otherwise stated is at Salt Lane Car Park, Salisbury.

Week day walks are normally on Tuesday and Thursday. Where reference is made to a 'Park & Ride' site, it is recommended that drivers holding bus passes meet there and share cars to the start point. Parking is free of charge to bus pass holders. Members without cars can use the Park & Ride buses from the city centre to travel to the P&R site to obtain a lift. Such members should contact the leader in advance to make sure that there will be cars offering lifts!

If you do get a lift to the walk start point, we suggest a donation to the driver of £2 for journeys taking up to ½ hour; £3 for journeys taking between ½ and 1 hour; £4 for journeys taking over 1 hour.