Improving our bridleways…

Newsletter

Please download the latest version of our Mid-Cheshire Bridleways Association newsletter.

Newsletter Summer 2021

Obituary – Ray Hall
Ray Hall sadly passed away on July 14th 2021. Ray was one of the founder members of Mid
Cheshire Bridleway Association and was Chairman from 1995 for a period of 25 years. Born in
1931 in Pilling, Lancashire, Ray joined ICI after school and was with the company all his working
life. He leaves his wife Dianne, to whom he was married to for 63 years. They both managed a
smallholding adjacent to the Delamere Loop, breeding alpacas and Jacob’s sheep and keeping
hens. Until recently they also ran a Bed and Breakfast catering for both riders and their horses.

Hack 30 Challenge – 30 Years and still going…. !
Despite an unexpected heatwave, 23 horses and their riders took part in the Hack 30 Challenge
in July to help celebrate 30 years of Mid Cheshire Bridleways Association. This event also helped
to raise awareness of Cheshire’s riding routes and bridleways and raise some funding for the
Association.

Bridleways Update
We understand that both Bridleways Acton Bridge 10 (between Acton Bridge and Crowton
Church and Willington (past Tirley Garth) are shortly to be repaired and that works are in hand
regarding the section of the Acton Ring along Pickering’s Cut.

Winsford area – we have had a report recently that Bridleway Winsford 15 (see map below) is
still a problem due to the footbridge, obstructions and the linking route which is overgrown and
poorly maintained. We have reported this to CWAC ROW and clearly little has been done since
our last complaint two years ago apart from getting it downgraded from a restricted byway to a
bridleway due to the width of the bridge which was erected by the landowner without agreement.
This route is close to the Whitegate Way (to the south) and provides a useful link. If anyone has
ridden this route or lives nearby and can take a few photos please let us know.

Northwich Community Woodlands – The mounting blocks have now been installed and are in
use and the following photos show the one in Marbury Country Park in use. Many thanks to the
BHS Ride out fund and the Friends of Anderton and Marbury for funding the large stone blocks
and the installation and to former member Irene Astbury for the kind gift of the smaller blocks.

Delamere Forest
In mid-July members of the MCBA Committee had a positive virtual meeting with Lizzie
Hartshorn, Recreation Operations Manager at Delamere Forest and Rob Lamb, Events Manager
(Central England Forest District). The BHS Access Officer for the North West, Victor Pogson,
was also present. Amongst items discussed were access, signage, maps, horsebox parking,
mounting blocks, multi user routes and also the planned Christmas Trail at the Forest.

Paypal
We now have a Paypal account which we started to make it easier for entries for the Hack 30
Challenge and in future subscriptions can be paid this way if people prefer.