NLBS News
Meet the NLBS
This site now hosts a new feature, "Meet the NLBS".
Any members wishing to feature on the website, please forward a few details of themselves and/or horses and pictures, if possible to myself kayedwards53@hotmail.co.uk
It is a way of getting to know each other and highlighting the wonderful people that are our members. You can add as many or as few details as you wish. Things that might be interesting to know are name, age group, profession, base area, horsey interests, words of wisdom, horsey item you could not live without etc - or anything you can think of!
This is your society and your website so please join in!
Still on the Right Track 10 Years Later
North Lancashire Bridleways Society has marked its 10th anniversary with a special night of celebration.
Formed by just a handful of riders who were keen to expand the then pretty dismal offering of bridleways in the North Lancashire area, the organisation has gone from strength to strength, and now boasts more than 300 members.
On December 1st many of those members danced the night away at Arkholme Village Hall and chief amongst the dancers was founding member and chair of the society, Eve Hall.
Eve, from Hest Bank, first came up with the idea of getting a few like minded horsey folk together to try and develop a wider bridleway network. It was an article in the ‘Horsebox’ column of the Lancaster Guardian which made the suggestion that a bridleway society be established and people began to get in touch with Eve. Not in her wildest dreams, however, could she have imagined how the organisation would grow and what it would go on to achieve. Of the fourteen members at the inaugural meeting, ten still remain very supportive and active members of NLBS ten years later!
Not only has it been successful in identifying and reclaiming existing bridleways, but it has also become a powerful lobbying organisation, ensuring horse riders are considered in the creation of new off-road routes, such as the Millennium Park in the Lune Valley. It has also worked hard to raise funds to support its efforts and raise awareness of the need for other road users to consider the safety of horses and riders.
Perhaps one of its greatest achievements though has been the network of like-minded folk it has brought together, of all ages, all backgrounds and from all parts of the district. Members have offered support and advice to each other on all issues equine. The monthly organised rides have helped ensure people have had the opportunity to ride and discover different parts of the district. Many have shared riding holidays away from the district and a myriad of strong friendships have been made.
The form of the celebration was the idea of Katarina Pardula, who was our first secretary. She is still a member of the NLBS and offered to organise the event for us – a wonderful gesture & one for which we were very grateful.
When the members raised their glasses to toast their 10th year anniversary on 1st December, they could be certain their society has lived up to its own slogan and is definitely ‘On the Right Track’.
Think Horse Signs
The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) has donated £250 towards placing more signs in our rural areas requesting motorists to ‘Think Horse’.
The signs are the idea of the NLBS and aim to warn motorists that there may be someone riding a horse around the next corner.
Chair of the NLBS, Eve Hall, said the signs were necessary and thanked PC Paul Winder for his help in securing the funding.
She said, “I have had reports of many near misses and we felt we needed to do something to protect the riders, many of whom are young children.
“We would just urge people who drive around the rural areas just to slow down and think. It may only knock a few seconds off their journey but could prevent a tragic accident.
“I approached PC Winder with the idea and he was only too happy to help and we are all delighted with the grant.”
PC Winder, Community Beat Manager for Halton and the Upper Lune Valley, said: “This scheme is an excellent initiative and LANPAC were only too happy to help.”
Ian Groundwater from LANPAC said: “The partnership aims to back schemes which will help improve public safety and this one certainly fitted the bill – we hope it is a great success.”
Jan 08 Think Horse footnote
The 'Think Horse' notices were initially the idea of Lady Mary Towneley, who instigated the Mary Towneley Loop and who devoted so much of her life to developing off-road riding routes & encouraging safer riding in general. NLBS has continued and developed the idea of 'Think Horse' signs, but we are now running into the problem of some of the signs being removed by the Highways Department, as such signs should only be placed on private land. We are looking into this problem so please, 'watch this space'!
Lottery Award
The NLBS have received a Lottery grant to help us save ancient bridleways for public use.
The Awards for All programme have granted £4250 for a heritage project to pay for professional research services to help locate documentary evidence of old and lost bridleways.
NLBS grant secretary, Lesley Owen said, “We want to protect and preserve existing and new bridleways, pack horse tracks and other rights of way for the benefit of the public. However, many bridleways haven’t been used for many years, and it’s often difficult to prove something was a public bridleway.
“You need to find documentary evidence by searching through various archives. This requires expert help, which we will now be able to secure, thanks to this grant.”