Dear All

 Firstly, I’d like to wish you all a very happy new year and hope that the weather improves soon as I’m fed up of not being able to get out and ride. 

 Bridleway News

 ·         Lea Holme

We have just received the Inspector’s FINAL decision on the path behind Lea Holme – we won!!  Hopefully it won’t be too long before its open.  The only option open to the Landowner now is to take it to the High Court, hopefully he won’t go down that route.

 ·         Ashworth Concessionary

As soon as the contractor that United Utilities has appointed to put a gate in for us completes the job, we will be having a work party to clear a route and this will then be open.  We have no further update on this but fingers crossed it will be open before summer (but hey, did we not say that last year too?)  Why does everything take so long its so frustrating.

·         Woodtop/Mile Canter

The tree which was blocking the entry into the river near Paperhouse Bridge has now been moved.  Nigel Morell was kind enough to take his chainsaw to it.  Thanks Nigel.

 

·         Horse Warning Signs on Edenfield Road

You may recall that a lady who lives in the cottages near the sign opposite the White Lion had complained very loudly to anyone who would listen about this sign and wanted it removing.  Luckily we got lots of support at the Norden Area Forum and the sign is staying where it is.

50/50 Members’ Draw

The next 50/50 draw will take place in April.  Take the opportunity to join the draw and pay with your subscription.  £5 per entry with half the proceeds going to bridleway funds, the other to the winner.  I know some of you have already paid and that money will be carried forward to this draw.

Dates for Your Diary

·         Monday, 25^th January 2010

Annual General Meeting – Come along and pay your subs and find out what we’ve got in store for this year.  We have a fabulous social calendar along with some extras.  8.30 pm at The Pack Horse in Birtle, refreshments will be provided.

·         Monday, 22^nd February 2010  (AS SEEN ON TV)

This is the only event I’m telling you about.  We have Julie Rolls, the animal communicator coming.  She has changed her presentation since the last time we had her and now concentrates on communicating with animals from photographs brought in by the audience as this is what most people want.  This will be a really good, fascinating evening.  There will be a nominal charge of £1 entry for members and £3 for non-members (unless they join on the night and then they can get £2 back).  Don’t forget to bring your photographs. 

Reviews

Turn out to the last few meetings before Christmas was excellent, particularly the Quiz Night in October.  We were absolutely amazed at the number of people who turned up.  Congratulations to the winners The Long Stayers.who were also kind enough to share their chocolates.

The shopping night at Naylors was also well attended and we’d like to thank them for giving us the extra discounts on the night.  The Grand Draw took place but there were far too many prize winners to list.

BHS Riding & Road Safety

We are hoping to hold a BHS Riding & Road Safety Training course this year and we have already had some enquiries for this.  We need a minimum of 8 people to hold the course and Penny Ridley has agreed to run it for us.  The total cost is about £75 which includes 6 weeks training and the exam.  In a bid to try to get some of our younger members to do this we are going to pay the exam fee for anyone under 16 or 18 if they are in full time education.  The minimum age limit is 12.

Boxing Day Ride

Well this didn’t happen – weather permitting it didn’t permit!  Anyway, we are planning to still have a Christmas ride with hot toddies (courtesy of Gwen) as soon as the snow and ice has gone.  Santa hats and tinsel or antlers or whatever can still be worn.

Committee Roles

We thought it might be useful for you to know who is on the Committee and what roles they have.  If anyone wants to join the Committee at the AGM please let one of us know. 

Chairman                                              Gillian Ridings

Vice Chairman                                       Roger Mee

Secretary                                              Barbara Brown

Treasurer                                               Gillian Morrell

Past Chairman                                       Irene Pope

Social Secretaries                                  Janet O’Connor/Lynne Cramb

Rights of Way Council Meetings                       Gwen Mann/Joan Snowden/Gillian Ridings

Working Party Organisers                        Bev O’Connor/Chris Mee/Bernard O’Connor

Fund Raisers                                         Karen Whittle/Zoe Williamson

Web Site                                               Clive Goslin

As we have not received any nominations the committee will stay the same for 2010.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are now due and a renewal form is attached to this letter.  Can you please complete all details on the form and either bring it along to the AGM or post it to me.  Subscriptions should be paid before the end of February, anyone who hasn’t renewed by then will be contacted to return their Greenbooth key.  We would like everyone to complete a form this year to make sure we have up-to-date information.

We would also like to remind you that it is a condition of membership that you have third party insurance to ride on the concessionary route.  You get third party insurance included with Gold Membership of the BHS for however many horses you have and that costs £59 per year.

And now something a little light hearted

A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though she has had no lessons or prior experience. She mounts the horse unassisted and the horse immediately springs into motion. It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slip from the saddle. In terror, she grabs for the horse's mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse's neck, but she slides down the side of the horse anyway. The horse gallops along, seemingly impervious to its slipping rider. Finally, giving up her frail grip, she leaps away from the horse to try and throw herself to safety. Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup, she is now at the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves as her head is struck against the ground over and over. As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness when to her great fortune... the Tesco  Manager sees her and shuts the horse off

Where do most Mormon horses live?

Salt Lick City

Barbara

 

 

 

ROCHDALE, BURY BRIDLEWAYS ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP FORM

 

 

Name: ………………………………………Tel No. …………………………………

 

Address…………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………….………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

E- Mail Address: ……………………………………………………………………….

 

I WISH TO JOIN THE 50/50 DRAW  £5 PER ENTRY                                   YES/NO

 

Single £10                    *Family £12                  TOTAL AMOUNT PAID ___________

 

* Family members must live at the same address and be named below:

 

…………………………………………………………………………….**Age……..

 

…………………………………………………………………………….**Age……..

 

…………………………………………………………………………….**Age……..

 

…………………………………………………………………………….**Age……..

 

** If under 16

 

Cheques Payable to: Rochdale & Bury Bridleways Association

 

Please return to:            Barbara Brown

81 Harewood Close

Norden

Rochdale

Lancs.

OL11 5TJ