If you can do gardening and want an enjoyable, convivial, rewarding experience, read on
What distinguishes Ramblers from most other walking groups is that we work to protect, maintain and improve the rights of way network. One way that we in Oxfordshire Ramblers achieve this is by members volunteering to work in our local path maintenance teams.
Want to see VOWH group’s Vale Path Volunteers clear a wood in five minutes? Watch Andy Boyd’s speeded-up film https://youtu.be/tJ-YDNiSRqI
It is very likely, when out on a walk, that you have had to contend with over-hanging bramble, briar, blackthorn etc. threatening to scratch your face and tear your clothing. In summer nettles probably made their presence felt.
Why not do something about it?
Working in one of our path maintenance teams is good fun, a companionable experience. The job is very satisfying and you are adding significantly to the enjoyment of other walkers.
Indeed, your efforts will encourage the public to use paths that they had previously given-up on because of thorny issues.
A role for you
There is a job for virtually everyone; path maintenance is essentially rough gardening. You do whatever suits you best: take your pick from garden rake, secateurs, loppers, pruning saw and bow saw.
Some of our volunteers are trained to use brush cutters.
Our current path maintenance teams
We have Oxfordshire Ramblers path maintenance teams embedded within five of our groups: Banbury & North Oxfordshire, Bicester & Kidlington (see Blitz and Klean), Oxford City, Thame & Wheatley, and Vale of White Horse.
If you are interested in volunteering with one - or more - of these teams, here are the contact details of the team leaders:
Banbury & North Oxfordshire: John Gregory, click here
Bicester & Kidlington area: Ian Baldwin, click here
Thame & Wheatley area: Bob Merry, click here
Vale of White Horse: Patrick Rosum, click here
Oxford: Keith Frayn, click here
If you live in the Chilterns or Cotswolds then you might want to volunteer with the South Chilterns Path Maintenance Team and Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens, respectively.
Want to form a path maintenance team?
There is scope for more Ramblers path maintenance teams in Oxfordshire. They do not have to be directly associated with our existing walking Groups; you could set one up and run it independently.
If you are interested in doing this contact the Oxfordshire Area Chair, Richard Birch click here.