Audlem Ramblers AGM

This is one of over 650 metal signpost deployed by PNFS

Further reading recommended by David!

Further reading recommended by David!

Notice in Turnpike

Audlem Ramblers AGM

After rattling through the formal agenda (who would challenge the existing committee!!), there was an excellent presentation by David Gosling from Peak & Northern Footpaths Society – for which he is a Trustee. Go to https://www.peakandnorthern.org.uk/ to find their website

Firstly, a big thankyou should go to PNFS for their substantial financial contribution and project advice to provide the substantial boardwalk in Turnpike.

David's talk was very informative – apparently the first legally designated highways started in Tudor times! "Once a highway always a highway" – many landowners have contested footpaths, even the ones that have historically "succeeded" can be re-opened if there is sufficient evidence and determination -as Peter Kay found.

Following his presentation David enjoyed (as we all did!) a delightful supper from the Lord Combermere before heading back to Stockport.

David was keen to mention the PNFS App – whereby any problem with a footpath/stile etc can easily be reported. Simply search for "PNFS App" to find full details.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:-

Peak & Northern Footpaths Society

Predecessor The Manchester Association for the Preservation of Ancient Public Footpaths
Formation 1894

The Peak & Northern Footpaths Society (PNFS) is a UK registered charity which was formed in 1894. The purpose of PNFS is to monitor, protect, and improve the footpath network of the North Midlands and North West of England, including the Peak District National Park. The organisation is the oldest existing regional footpath society in the England.

The Peak District & Northern Counties Footpaths Preservation Society was established on 16 August 1894 in the Young Men's Christian Association Hall, Peter Street, Manchester (now St George's House). It had evolved from The Manchester Association for the Preservation of Ancient Public Footpaths, which was founded in 1826.

PNFS has over 150 volunteer footpath inspectors (Steve Elliott is the local inspector) who are assigned to parishes across the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Staffordshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. They walk along their parishes' footpaths periodically to check for any problems, which they report to the local authority responsible for the footpaths concerned. PNFS often helps the authorities to fix problems promptly. Local authorities in the region are legally obliged to notify PNFS of any proposals affecting rights of way, in order that PNFS can uphold the interests of walkers.

The charity has installed over 600 numbered signposts and built dozens of footbridges as part of its ongoing programme to improve walking routes in the region. The first cast iron signposts were erected in 1905 and 20 are still standing from before World War I.

PNFS publishes a quarterly magazine called Signpost.