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The origins of The Ramblers date back to the 1930’s when public pressure grew for greater open country access for walking. Although not endorsed by the embryonic Ramblers organisation, there was a mass trespass in 1932 onto private land which demonstrated the strength of public opinion. In the following years there were a number of key developments that helped shape the Ramblers story.
The organisation itself, then called the Ramblers Association, was officially founded in 1934. After WW2, the government, supported by those whom we would now call “environmentalists” started to finance the setting up of National Parks. Dartmoor was the smallest of the first four National Parks, at just 365 square miles, after the Peak District, Snowdonia and the Lake District. Part of this post war movement was the setting up of National Trails, the first of which was the Pennine Way in 1951, and establishing new rights of way.
Today, the Ramblers is a registered charity, funded by its 100,000 plus membership, that seeks to promote walking, safeguarding paths, improve access for walkers while protecting the countryside and educate the public, for instance, on the benefits of walking. As the principal walking organisation in the country it comprises 550 local groups of which 12 are in Devon, including our own local group in Tavistock.
In recent years as the popularity of walking has grown so has public access to our countryside. This has been encouraged by Ramblers who supported the key legal reforms granting greater freedom to roam in both coastal and rural areas in England and Wales. The Ramblers wholeheartedly support the government initiative to complete the England Coast Path by 2020. While we are fortunate to have this freedom to walk, it is imperative to retain a strong sense of responsibility to those who live or work there and to protect its legacy for future generations and this is all part of the Ramblers core beliefs.
The Tavistock Group of Ramblers has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. All stories have a beginning and in the case of Tavistock it is a very personal and ongoing one. Graham Clarke, husband of Rosemary, led the first walk of the group in 1976 along the Walkham and Tavy valley. 40 years on both are still regular walkers, walks leaders and committee members of the Tavistock group, thereby testifying to the many benefits of walking.
From that first walk the group has grown to over 150 members. They enjoy a programme of over 100 walks a year of varying lengths and difficulty, to cater for different personal preferences. In summer months, Tavistock walkers are often joined by fellow Ramblers from elsewhere in the country who may be in our area on holiday. Everyone is welcome.
The leader, a member of the group, will have “recce’d” the walk in advance to determine the best route, including the all important places to stop for a picnic lunch and where there may be a pub or cream tea opportunity at the end.
In addition to its wide and varied walking programme centred on Devon and Cornwall, the Tavistock group gives a high priority to its full and diverse social activities. There were day trips to Lundy Island and St Ives and holidays in the Peak District and Exmoor. Its skittles evening, Christmas and Summer Parties are also well attended and fun events. All these contribute to the special, welcoming atmosphere for which the group has a well-deserved reputation.
Beyond walking and its social programme, the group arranges first aid and navigation training for its members, seeks to ensure that local paths are properly maintained for access and safety and supports related organisations, such as the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group. Indeed, some of its members are, or have been, volunteers with Dartmoor Search and Rescue. Also, in 2016, the group supported the first ever Dartmoor Walking Festival by leading some of the walks.
Latest medical research increasingly confirms what Ramblers have known for years. Walking is good for you in so many ways, both physically and mentally. It is “medicine” that you can take, enjoy it while you do so and it is free, no harmful side effects and there are no waiting lists!
The diversity of its membership contributes to the friendly atmosphere of the Tavistock group. Some members have walked most of their lives, others have started walking later in life, sometimes prompted by a change in personal circumstances or just looking for a change.
So if you like the outdoors, enjoy the spectacle of our beautiful moors and coast, enjoy a chat, want to stay fit, meet other interesting people then there is a local group that would welcome you to get involved and be part of the on-going story that is Ramblers. (www.tavistockramblers.org.uk)
Malcolm Cooper and John Noblet
Tavistock Ramblers