Path Maintenance Volunteers Group news and news archive

Central Chilterns

Over the past 12 months, the PMV have been extremely active with an increase in the volume of work undertaken. The number of separate jobs received from Bucks CC has risen by 20% to 546, all within the 59 parishes covered by the Central Chilterns PMVs, an excellent achievement from just 33 working parties and despite the cancellation of two sessions for safety reasons due to adverse weather conditions.

The current active membership is 35, with an average attendance of 17, demonstrating the continued interest and commitment of our members.

The success of the Donate-a-Gate scheme has slightly changed the emphasis of our work. Some 40 gates have been installed by PMVs up to the end of June 2007, with more to come.

The re-establishment of lost footpaths to their definitive line on Stoke Common involved major clearance and four separate visits involving the whole group and the help of a mini-digger to remove stumps and roots which would otherwise have been a serious hazard to walkers (see photographs).

Appreciation must be expressed not only to individual members for their hard work and commitment, but also to work party leaders and our 'quartermaster' who spend a considerable time ensuring the smooth running of the working parties. This involves survey visits to decide the nature of the work, risk assessment, the tools required and who is trained to use them, the number of people required and the logistics of getting them and equipment to the site. The quartermaster, Barnaby Usborne stores the trailer and loads it with the tools required for each job. He also ensures material stocks are maintained, tools serviced and tows the trailer to the morning's meeting point.

The contribution made by the Path Maintenance Volunteers is invaluable, not only to Bucks CC but to all those who benefit from improved and safer access to the Rights of Way network.

During the past year, a few members have been lost on health grounds and the PMVs are looking to increase their numbers, so if you are looking for some physical activity one morning per week, please contact Stuart Gulliman, via the Chiltern Society office to discuss a trial run.

South Chilterns

40 years of voluntary service celebrated

Dr Leslie Drain has retired after 40 years of hard work with the South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers in South Oxfordshire. For most of those 40 years Leslie has been in charge of a group of people constantly monitoring the state of South Oxfordshire's Chilterns footpaths and bridleways, firmly reminding the County and landowners to observe their legal responsibilities regarding public rights of way, and arguing countryside access issues at high levels. He also began the volunteer teams that work around the year keeping paths clear and open.

Chairman John Taylor presented Leslie with an engraved glass paperweight, a selection of books and a long service certificate.

However, Leslie isn't giving up completely. He will still be checking paths around Goring, where he lives, and intends to continue planning and leading group walks. "There's a lot of life in these old boots, yet," he jokes.