What we do

The footpath secretaries have one main function that is to represent Ramblers interests on all matters regarding Rights of Way. This is achieved in several ways:

  1. By maintaining a good relationship with the Rights of Way Warden for South Wiltshire
  2. Two groups of volunteers who do practical work, known as heavy gang and light gang
  3. Through the footpath committee
  4. Parish Reps
  5. Attending public inquiries to represent Ramblers interests
  6. Carrying out Footpath surveys in conjunction with Wiltshire Council. The results of these feed into the council's maintenance programme.

Heavy Gang

The Heavy Gang works at least one day each month helping Wiltshire Council repair and upgrade paths in the network. The work as the name suggests involves use of heavy hand tools such as spades and sledge hammers and movement of materials. Some examples of the work carried out can be seen on this site by clicking on the Footpath Work Photos links.

If you are interested in joining this group please contact Graham Read by Email or telephone on 01722 710796. To see what other interests Graham has Click Here

This is a trial of a new type of gate in Semley where there are small fields and thick hedges and hence lots of rotten and overgrown stiles to replace.
The council has informed Semley and Sedgehill parish council that they will provide ten of these gates on a first come first served basis, and would like to fit them before the winter weather arrives, and all the fields become heavy and wet.

Sadly we only managed to fix one gate during October as the ground was very stoney, and all posts had to have holes dug out and then concreting in the ground. This was on FP36, and slow going. 
However we did have time to trim out FP35, and managed not to fall in the school sewer outflow ditch. Of course that is another story, which hopefully the vicar will take up with the school head mistress (and that is not a joke) 

Light Gang

The Light Gang also meets at least once a month and carries out lighter footpath clearing. If you are interested in joining this group, or to report a blocked path that needs light clearance please contact Patricia Dashwood by Email or telephone on 01722 710869.

The Light Gang meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Footpath Committee

The Footpath Committee, which is a sub-committee of the main Group Committee, are the main contact point with Wiltshire Council regarding The Right of Way network in our area. We discuss and comment on proposals to close, divert and create paths. We receive the submitted footpath problems, report these, monitor progress and any action taken. Minutes of the committee can be read by clicking on the links on the left of this page. We would welcome anyone interested in footpaths to join the committee which meets once every two months on a Monday afternoon. These meetings are usually attended by a member of Wiltshire Council's Rights of Way team. Please contact Norman Martin by telephone on 01725 511989 or by Email.

Parish Reps

We also have a number of members who keep an eye on the paths in the parish they reside in. These parish reps walk their local paths and report any problems that they feel they cannot deal with themselves. We supply way marks for these people to use as necessary. Some of the reps have a good relationship with their parish councils. Believe it or not there are 76 parishes in South Wiltshire. If you are interested in helping in this way please contact Graham or Norman.

If you do come across any footpath issues during your travels then please report them on our Report a Footpath Problem page.