Talk:Ramblers' Association

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Many thanks, Angela, for your help Dieter Simon 19:03, 9 Sep 2003 (EDT)

No problem. Glad I could help. Angela

[edit] long-distance footpaths

It should be pointed out that many RA activiists are NOT that struck on long-distance footpaths, and see as their main objective to maintain the lowland footpath network in a reasonable state, and to achieve and then maintain free(er) access to uncultivated uplands.

And at the other end of the scale I recollect it's the RA which organises the annual 4-peaks walk/run in the Lake District Linuxlad 22:36, 4 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Some of the objectives indicated were certainly official when I was walking actively a year or so ago. You must include all you know, in the article, as long as it can be substantiated. Don't tell us, Linuxlad, tell the readers. Dieter Simon 23:33, 4 Feb 2005 (UTC)



One point of a talk page is to air possible differences of perception before rushing into print on the main article :-) I've been an RA member for several years (thirty or more) but don't walk regularly with a group. My perception of a lack of enthusiasm for long-distance fp was last 'refreshed' when I took it upon myself to talk to the local RA rep. about proposed changes to the Cotswold Way - that was 5 or more years back. Your recent recall of 'official objectives' would of course have to carry more weight than my fading memory Linuxlad 13:23, 5 Feb 2005 (UTC)


Yes, your are right that points need to be discussed, but sometimes it is best to put the paras into the article and then discuss them. It is an encyclopaedia rather than a forum, and Wikipedians will alter what they consider to have more up-to-date facts of and then discuss it. It really isn’t a problem, we have all had it happen to us.
I belong(ed) to the East Surrey group of the Ramblers’ Association, although not terribly large, they certainly were very enthusiastic about some of their long distance walking. I myself took part in the various parts of the Greensand Way (108 miles) in Surrey and Kent, due to my incipient arthritis condition I could not join them on their Saxon Shore Way (163m), and this year they are undertaking the Sussex Border Path of 153m in again various stages. I also belonged to the Croydon section of the Ramblers’ A., who again arranged long and short sections. What normally happens is that the more able walkers take part in these long distance foothpath walks, while the more senior members don’t set their sights quite so high.Dieter Simon 00:42, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)


I've made an addition, based on my experience - Dieter has had an edit, which I've reverted. Some people (especially in areas with lots of 'little' footpaths like the Derbyshire 'white peak', or parts of rural Gloucestershire) find the shear patchwork diversity of the old fp network its greatest charm, and long-distance paths anathema - sorry. Linuxlad

Ok, I only wanted to try to get down to what the "many facets of the (footpath network) are (or may be). You see, the reader won't know what your experiences are, will he? So, it would be good if you can add that. Thanks Dieter Simon 01:06, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Name of this article

The front page of their website gives "The Ramblers" as their "public identity", and the copyright notice at the bottom reads "The Ramblers Association" (no apostrophe). Shouldn't this therefore be at one of those? Loganberry (Talk) 23:35, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

      • Moved from main article, 2th March 2007 Linuxlad

[edit] Controversy

The RA has a history of conflict with other users of rights of way and has campaigned against their use of the countryside, particularly 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes, however mountain bikes and horse riders have been targeted. Supporters of the targeted groups have often found the evidence used by the RA to be severely flawed while the effects of walkers on the countryside is ignored. Of these single interest groups the RA has the largest political lobby and coverage in the popular press.

      • end of moved material
        • If this were to be brought back into the mainspace article, it would have to be accompanied by citations of the source material. Statements such as this need to be substantiated by whoever made statements to that effect, and when these conflicts occurred. Dieter Simon 17:28, 27 March 2007 (UTC)