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News from the Ramblers

Dorset Area - 50th AGM

Our 50th AGM was held on Saturday the 30th November 2024 at Broadmayne Village Hall. We kicked-off our golden anniversary celebrations with the cutting of a specially commissioned cake at the AGM, and during the year we will be working on a 50 favourite walks project - look out for more details of this in due course.

Dorset Area was formerly part of the South East region of the Ramblers' Association (the Ramblers). It then became part of Wessex Area, and when local government reorganisation in 1974 put parts of Hampshire into Dorset, the Dorset Area was created. Membership was then just under 400 and there was one Group, East Dorset. In 1981, the South Dorset Group was formed, followed by North Dorset in 1989 and West Dorset in 1994. At the end of September 2024 membership stood at 1,360.

Good news about the Jubilee Trail

The Jubilee Trail crosses two bridges over the Tadnoll Brook in Broadmayne (grid reference SY 74576 86908; page 17 of the latest edition of the Jubilee Trail guidebook). In December 2023 Dorset Council removed one of the bridges because it was unsafe and the crossing became unusable. After about eight months, during which a lengthy detour was necessary, Dorset Council replaced both bridges with sturdy new structures. There was further disruption in the autumn of 2024 when the approach to one of the bridges was washed away. However, all works are now complete and the route is open for all.

Jubilee Trail Guide 4th Edition Now Available

The 4th edition of the Jubilee Trail guide has been published see our Dorset Jubilee Trail page

Countryside Code Update

The countryside code pagehas been updated to include Covid 19 short versions of the code.
Please take note of the text about not having fires and BBQs.

The Ramblers Don't Lose Your Way Campaign

Following the UK Government’s announcement that it will scrap the 2031 deadline for saving lost paths in England, the Don't Lose Your Way (DLYW) Team is evaluating the project, and further information will be posted when available. In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact the Footpath Secretary using our Contact page.

The King Charles III England Coast Path
Natural England “the government’s advisor on the natural environment” planned to open the King Charles III England Coast Path around England’s coastline by 2020. Full details of progress can be obtained here.

Status in Dorset
Rufus Castle (Portland) to Lulworth Cove was opened on 29 June 2012 and was the very first section opened on the English Coastline

Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle (Portland) – implementation of this section was held up owing to a public inquiry which was held in November and December 2016.

Lulworth Cove to Highcliffe – on 6 April 2022, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve a stretch of the England Coast Path in Dorset between Kimmeridge Bay and Highcliffe. Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use.

For more information please contact the Area Footpath Secretary (see Contact page)

Adjacent Counties
Kingswear to Lyme Regis (approx 68 miles of coastline) – this section has been approved but is not yet open, establishment works are planned or in progress.

Highcliffe to Calshot (approx 56 miles of coastline) – proposals have been published but not yet determined.