Ramblers Preston Group - About Us

We are the Preston Group of The Ramblers Association. The Ramblers is Britain's biggest charity comprising a network of approximately 50 Areas and 500 Groups in England, Scotland and Wales, organised in the main on a geographical basis, and with around 135,000 members. Since it was established in 1935 it has had a proud record of making Britain a better place for all walkers. Since its inception volunteers from the local groups have been key to its successes and without whom it would have ceased to function. More about the work of The Ramblers and a video about “The History of The Ramblers” is available on the “About Us” Ramblers central web page.

The local Preston Ramblers group, one of several local groups in the Mid Lancashire area, held its first committee meeting on 26th April 1979. It now has approximately 265 members and is dedicated to developing and maintaining the Public Right of Way network and promoting the aims of The Ramblers within Preston and Fullwood and in the parishes of Barton, Broughton,  Goosnargh, Grimsargh, Haighton, Lea, Whittingham and Woodplumpton.  Working hard to keep the footpath network clear, the Group liaises with all interested agencies within the area and works directly with Rights of Way Officers to ensure footpath obstruction and diversion orders are dealt with swiftly and to the benefit of the general public and walkers alike. Some of the activities include the following.

• Reporting footpath problems to local authorities and monitoring progress and any action taken
• Commenting on proposals to close, divert and create paths
• Looking for opportunities to extend the footpath network
• Comment on local authority plans/strategies where they refer to walking, e.g. Rights of Way Improvement Plans
• Collecting evidence for the addition of paths to the definitive map and defend the status of existing recorded paths
• Attending public inquiries either to present the Ramblers´ case or represent its interests
• Checking proofs of OS Explorer maps
• Organising regular footpath surveys

The footpath surveys are carried out by local volunteers to investigate the current state of the rights of way network, nevertheless if you find a problem with a footpath in our area please report it to us via our “Report a Footpath Problem” page so that we can take appropriate action.

The group also organises led walks. These are not limited to just the Preston area but are generally organised in and around Lancashire, e.g. the valleys of the Ribble & the Lune, the Forest of Bowland, etc. and now and again we venture further afield into the Lakes and West Yorkshire. If you wish to join the Ramblers, the local group with which you are registered will be determined by your Post Code unless you wish to specify a particular local group preference.

Much of the organisation of the Ramblers Preston Group is accomplished by volunteers some of whom form the committee.

Current Committee Members

Role	Name
Chairman	David Thompson
Secretary	Vacancy
Footpath Secretary	Brian Dearnaley Joe Howard (assistant)
Publicity Secretary	Vacancy
Treasurer	Barry Rutlidge
News Letter Editor	Vacancy
Minutes Secretary	Marie Howard
Countryside Secretary	Joe Howard
Membership Secretary	Kath Finlayson
Walks Co-coordinators	David Thompson Peter Swain
Website Editor	Peter Swain
Member	Catherine Osbaldestone
Member	Eileen Bates
Member	Bob Singleton