If you look on the right hand side at our list of pages you will notice a new page - Other Local Volunteering and Community Links.
This page has been set up to list other volunteering groups that work around our routes either directly or indirectly.
Like the rest of the blog, it is always being developed and more links will appear as time goes by.
We have also updated other pages with new details including the addition of women's cycling rides through Breeze. This can be found in the Useful Information section.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Friends of Day at Hicks Lodge
On Sunday 21st July the National Forest Cycle Centre at Hicks Lodge hosted a "Friends of" day to bring together all of the groups who use Hicks Lodge.
Despite the end of the recent good weather there was a very healthy turnout and a varied crowd along with the usual cyclists.
This was further swelled by several horse riders who were taking part in the Ride for Life raising money for Cancer Research.
Several Stalls were set up including Dr Bike, Forestry Commission Volunteers, British Cycling and Breeze (the women's cycling part of British Cycling). There were also a number of displays including an owl and the dog sledding.
More details can be seen on Hicks Lodge Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/hickslodgecyclingcentre
Both myself and Shawn had a ride up and mingled with those present as it was a good chance to network with other volunteers in the area, and obviously used the rather nice cafe as normal.
Despite the end of the recent good weather there was a very healthy turnout and a varied crowd along with the usual cyclists.
This was further swelled by several horse riders who were taking part in the Ride for Life raising money for Cancer Research.
Several Stalls were set up including Dr Bike, Forestry Commission Volunteers, British Cycling and Breeze (the women's cycling part of British Cycling). There were also a number of displays including an owl and the dog sledding.
More details can be seen on Hicks Lodge Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/hickslodgecyclingcentre
Both myself and Shawn had a ride up and mingled with those present as it was a good chance to network with other volunteers in the area, and obviously used the rather nice cafe as normal.
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Our roles explained - sign maintenance.
As part of our roles in maintaining routes, we need to monitor signing. A misplaced sign can be very misleading to those who are are following the route for the first time and depend on our signage.
Generally people tend to use GPS software now and know where they are going, but the old fashioned ways are the best.
In the case below, the sign pointing the way out of Burton had been moved (by someone considerably tall). Whilst these signs were put up by the County Council (Staffordshire in this case) it is often quicker for us to make amends where possible.
Then again, if it was left alone as intended we wouldn't need to do it at all!
Generally people tend to use GPS software now and know where they are going, but the old fashioned ways are the best.
In the case below, the sign pointing the way out of Burton had been moved (by someone considerably tall). Whilst these signs were put up by the County Council (Staffordshire in this case) it is often quicker for us to make amends where possible.
Then again, if it was left alone as intended we wouldn't need to do it at all!
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| Before |
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| After - signs now pointing correctly |
South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure 2013
The final weekend of June was a bit of a scorcher in South Derbyshire - especially at Maurice Lea Park in Church Gresley.
Among the estimated 5000 people on the park on Sunday were local Sustrans Rangers Shawn and Ben. Our main aim was to continue to raise the profile of Sustrans and the local cycle routes whilst also give a bit more of an insight into our work locally and more information on Route 63.
We spoke to a good number of people and had some very encouraging talks and took on board some useful feedback.
The main focus coming out of the event was the number of people asking or commenting about the missing link between Swadlincote and Burton on Route 63. Any updates to this will be posted but this is something we are pushing at every opportunity.
Another point that arose was giving information about how close people are to the National Cycle Network. When time allows, we intend to put a new section about how to access the cycle network from places in South Derbyshire - watch this space.
For those unable to attend, below are a few photographs from over the weekend. Unfortunately we did not get a chance to take more pictures on Sunday as we were busy and battling with the wind!
Among the estimated 5000 people on the park on Sunday were local Sustrans Rangers Shawn and Ben. Our main aim was to continue to raise the profile of Sustrans and the local cycle routes whilst also give a bit more of an insight into our work locally and more information on Route 63.
We spoke to a good number of people and had some very encouraging talks and took on board some useful feedback.
The main focus coming out of the event was the number of people asking or commenting about the missing link between Swadlincote and Burton on Route 63. Any updates to this will be posted but this is something we are pushing at every opportunity.
Another point that arose was giving information about how close people are to the National Cycle Network. When time allows, we intend to put a new section about how to access the cycle network from places in South Derbyshire - watch this space.
For those unable to attend, below are a few photographs from over the weekend. Unfortunately we did not get a chance to take more pictures on Sunday as we were busy and battling with the wind!
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| In the main arena on Saturday - dog skills! |
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| This gravity defying act was well worth watching ! |
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| Promoting a slightly more sedate form of 2 wheeled transport! |
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| Our view and entertainment - a bandstand doing what it does best - and very well! |
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