A motorbike with 3 males on it was seen and apprehended on the 10th October at 1800hrs, the riders got away but the bike did not as the Police took it away for investigation thanks to TAG reporting. The offenders have been vandalising MoD property, firing catapults at walkers and poaching, If you see a motorbike or anything suspicious on Mod Land contact the Police immediately. Thank you for your co-operation.
On the 22nd October we’ll be other at Minley doing a variety of tasks including, general trail maintenance, fixing a couple of the bridges, and fitting some boardwalk over a wet area. Please come and get involved – you’ll need clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in and garden tools (including bow saws if you have one).
Meeting point is here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=481494&Y=158510&A=Y&Z=115&ax=481882&ay=158650
Time: 10am – 2pm
PS. If you’ve got any treated wood you don’t need do let us know it may be of use.
Hi all, we’re going to postpone the September workday until October to ensure that we have a fully agreed work plan for the targeted area. Full details to come!
Come join us on the 9th July at the carpark near the Foresters Pub for the next TAG trail maintenance day. We will improving trails and completing general trail maintenance – everyone is welcome.
Time: 10:15am
Location: OS Grid Reference SU827527 (car park near the Foresters Pub)
Map link: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=482750&Y=152750&A=Y&Z=115
What to bring: Spades, shovels, rakes, suitable footwear, and some gardening gloves
The 11th is the second Saturday of the month which means it’s a TAG trail maintenance day. We will be clearing water catchment ditches, and completing general trail maintenance – everyone is welcome.
Time: 10:30am
Location: OS Grid Reference SU830510 (car park on Bourley Road
Map link: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=482800&Y=150685&A=Y&Z=110
What to bring: Spades, shovels, rakes, suitable footwear, and some gardening gloves
Firstly a thanks – TAG are pleased to see that a section of singletrack that was closed off over 2 weeks ago has remained closed with signs and fencing intact, great to see that Mountain Bikers are respecting the wishes of TAG and the land owners. Thanks! It will be open again soon.
On a more serious note; just a reminder that if you see a fire on the MoD land then please phone the fire brigade on 999. Despite the recent rain, fire is a serious risk at this time of year.
We’ve just added a page with our schedule of trail conservation days for the next few months (click on calendar above), as you can see we’re concentrating on the Caesar’s Camp area as this needs the most work. The next trail conservation day will be on the 11th of June – keep an eye on the blog / join the mailing list for full details of meet points etc.
We’ve now got our very own mailing list that’ll be using to give out the latest TAG news and dates of upcoming trail maintenance days. To join just click on the mailing list button in the sidebar.
We’ve also got our very own Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/trailactiongroup) – why not become a Fan by clicking on the ‘Like’ button.
We’ve just updated the code of contact page with what to do if you spot illegal motorcycling or fly tipping on MoD land – phone the Training Area Marshal or the Royal Military Police.
You may come across the notices from TAG whilst enjoying the MoD land – please have a read and point them out to your friends.
The weather delivered bright sunshine which encouraged a good turnout and made for a very pleasant time at Ceasars Camp training area . Armed with a motley selection of shovels, rakes and our trusty barrow we headed out at 10am.
First order of the day was to re-route a section of trail away from an Iron Age barrow on Beacon Hill which was quickly accomplished and then one sharp eyed member spotted another barrow marking that was new to us and so we re-routed around that as well and covered it with brash to discourage foxhole digging.
Then it was down the hill to clear some catchment ditches and clean up the crossing points so that the water could flow. Very muddy smelly job but the dogs loved it and were wading around in the mud to cool down. Here it was important to ensure that trail crossings did not block water movement and to remove all the old roots and rubbish from the drains that was blocking them up.
While this was all going on a second group had tackled the closure of two trails which crossed the Iron Age defensive ditches which adorn the plateau at Ceasars Camp. These required an extensive barrier of ‘dead hedging’ so much hedging material had to be searched for and brought up onto the site by van. Stakes then had to be drivven in to support the hedge across the trail entrance and then filled with the collected ‘brash’. With the ground so dry hammering stakes in was no easy task but the lads persevered and made a super job of it.
Then it was onwards to a sandy descent where youngsters had been digging pits and making little jumps. These pits were very dangerous at night and had caused some accidents, so they needed filling in and the jumps removed. The youngsters had also left a lots of drinks cartons and pop bottles so this rubbish was collected up from this area and taken away.
At this point everyone was ready for a beer so we called it a day with a quick de-brief with the Landmarc Training Area Warden, Steve Plain who reviewed the days work and said “This is a great help in managing the area and excellent standard of work. It shows what volunteer groups can achieve by working cooperatively with Landmarc. Well done.”
Thanks to everyone who attended particularly first timers and we will hope to see you all next month.
Using recently felled natural materials to create the dead hedge posts
In addition to perserving the iron age ramparts the dead hedges will act as shelter to small mammals and reptiles
One of the six dead hedges
Trail Action Group 