Project Stride
The Parish Council agreed to a project suggested by Cllr Mark Thomas in 2019, to replace difficult stiles with accessible gates or alternative options. The issues had been highlighted during one of the Parish guided bird walks, when some of the physically less able members of the group had struggled to climb some of the gates on the route.
A consultation in the form of a Survey Monkey was circulated and a number of residents took part. The main concern was accessibility - an in particular whilst walking dogs. Although the law does not provide allowances for access for dogs, some of our local landowners were contacted and kindly agreed to temporarily assist during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was more critical for people to be able to take exercise during lockdown.
Project Stride got underway on 23rd October 2020 when Gemma and Mitch, rangers from HCC Countryside Service, along with 4 volunteers (to adhere to Covid guidelines of only gathering in groups of 6) installed two kissing gates in place of stiles, across the paddock at the rear of the Test Way between the A343 and Parsonage Farm (FP 7a). The labour was given by HCC for free, whilst the Parish Council paid for the materials to make the kissing gates.
Take a look at our Facebook group for more info about how Project Stride has continued, with more gates, handrails up into Doles Wood and at the back of Dean Rise, HBT, and between Christmas and New Year 2022, how three councillors gave up a wet and windy Friday morning to install some handy steps at the back of Parsonage Farm (HBT) by the original kissing gates.
We can't thank the rangers and the volunteers enough, for what they have done for our community. We hope this is just the start of a productive relationship, and that many of our own residents will help out when more stiles are replaced. If you would like to register your interest to help, please contact the clerk.
Sign up here to receive emails of our news items (using the blue button at the top right of this article) and we will keep you informed of the next phase.
Hampshire County Council's Countryside Service provide a wealth of information about footpaths in the county. Take a look at their website here and sign up to receive their very informative monthly newsletters.