Welcome
The Isle of Wight Area of the Ramblers has 420 members in 2 groups - The Isle of Wight Group and Wight Sole Group . Information about Wight Sole can be found at their own website www.wightsole.org.uk
The Isle of Wight Ramblers Group provides a wide variety of walks throughout the week covering a range of lengths and Wight Sole focusing on fortnightly circular walks on a Sunday. As a Ramblers member you are welcome to join walks from either group as well as any other group throughout the United Kingdom.
VisitEngland Tourism Superstar
Isle of Wight Ramblers are one of ten finalists in the 2024 competition. The public vote has now started . You can VOTE HERE. The winners will be announced on 24 March
2024 AGM
The ANNUAL REPORT is available here
The FOOTPATH REPORT is available here
The FINANCE REPORT is available here
Social Events
13th March is Games Evening at Shanklin Rowing Club at 6.30pm for 7pm. Cost is £12 payable on the night. This includes a supper of Cottage Pie and a pudding. There is a raffle and please bring a prize. This was a fun event when we held it last year. If you would like to attend, just email Ann Cable here.
Christmas Lunch 2024 will be held at The Regency Suite Shankin on Fri 13 December. This popular venue is a private facility in the Shanklin Conservative Club. More details later in the year.
Our concerns about the England Coast Path
The Island will have a new coast path, the King Charles III England Coast Path. Legislation was passed in 2009 and yet we still do not have a report from Natural England proposing a route between East Cowes and Wootton. Progress is being made to implement a route around the rest of the Island. Natural England say that the whole of the 2700 mile England Coast path will be completed in 2024.
The ECP will be the first National Trail on the Island and should show the very best aspects of our seascape and heritage. This part of the coastal route passes through the important Norris Castle, Osborne and Barton estates. English Heritage has stated that it will not allow access through Osborne. It seems that negotiations with landowners have stalled and we are concerned that the Island could end up with inland routes along busy roads. Do read our concerns in our new report and map.
Once the report is finally issued, there will be an eight week consultation period when anyone can submit their thoughts on the proposed route.
IOW Ramblers Parish Footpath Representatives
The expected responsibilities of all Reps is as follows:
To maintain definitive maps of the parish, and to have a clear understanding of the boundaries, rights of way, permissive paths and access areas within the network.
To walk all paths at least twice yearly, to record the conditions and report any defects to IOW Council Rights of Way (ROW); and to carry out light pruning work during the course of these walks.
Keep a watching brief on the network throughout the year, to report on issues identified to the ROW, or to assist any island-wide surveys; and to monitor the progress of any path initiatives within their parish, such path closures, diversions and campaigns, Donate a Gate, and other path improvement projects.
To gather an understanding of basis ROW law and practices.
Please contact David Yates, on 07718-685936, if you are interested in taking up a vacant position. Currently we are looking for help at Brighstone West, Freshwater East, Freshwarter West, Sandown, and Shalfleet
Reporting problems found on any Island Right Of Way Report all problems to rightsofway@iow.gov.uk
Minor Maintenance on our Paths
A new volunteering opportunity Whilst we are blessed with well-maintained paths, occasionally you might come across a footpath sign or stile obscured by grass. Can you help to clear the minor obstruction? This is what you need to do. Simple jobs like this can often be done by a volunteer using just shears and a secateur, and at a time to suit yourselves.Let Tim Marshall know that you wish to be listed as a volunteer. Email tim@rookley.net Tim will post this onto a new website www.mmiwp.co.uk which will show the latest problems and who will volunteer. When the work is completed, send another photo to Tim to update the website. Job complete.
Rights of Way on the island.
This map shows all rights of way, long distance walks and latest closures.
England Coast Path
Latest Coast Path News can be found here.
You are welcome to join three walks and be covered by Ramblers insurance prior to becoming a Member.
Island Coastal Route
Natural England has now published their report describing the new Island Coastal route which is part of the England Coast Path. The Wootton to East Cowes section will be published later in 2023.
Isle of Wight Ramblers submitted 31 documents to show further improvements to the proposed route. These documents, as well as objections, are currentlybeing considered by Natural England and will be submitted to Defra. A planning Inspector will then determine the final route for approval by the Minister. Isle of Wight Council are working with Natural England to implement the scheme in stages.