geetee1972
no one have ever contacted me with times or dates despite much trail work having taken place since that time. I've heard similar stories from other people I meet around the trails.
Can you please email us again at mtb@hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk as it sounds like you have not made it on to the list as at least 2 emails went out last year (is your first name Gary?). Please mention geetee1972.
We are still a small 'core' group that came to the table early and sat down with the Hurtwood (i.e. not self appointed, you could have been part if it as much as any of us are and you still can be) We agreed to go through a 'proof of concept' process with them which means that things move slowly (a lot goes on in the background at committee level and in liaison with the Hurtwood) and currently err on the side of caution as far as durability is concerned as this is something that our success (and permission to continue) will be measured against. It's early days so please be patient!
There are only certain things that the Hurtwood and their insurers can allow and we are limited by what durable natural materials are available to us and what the Surrey Hills geology can sustain. I.e there are no 'proper' rocks, no budget for rocks and no desire to import foreign materials into the AONB. This, to some extent, dictates what can be achieved.
FWIW big berms on the new Park Life section were part of the plan but we ran out of materials on the day (as well as time even with 20 volunteers and an excavator) so they ended up pretty small. They may well appear at some point but not the current priority.
We are currently setting up a maintenance plan for '09 for the areas that we are currently sanctioned to work on and once this has been agreed (we need to ensure that we have experienced trail builders attending each session) then you will be invited to join (fairly soon). It is true to say that '08 was quite fragmented in it's approach as we started implementing the plan but we are all learning and forming/growing slowly as a group.
Some of your views are shared by others within the group, we are not a group with a single point of view or a closed shop but we all agree on the principles of sustainability and are aware of the limits of what we have permission to do and what the express wishes of the Hurtwood are. We also know that we are never going to please everyone...(but would like to).
they come across as being unfriendly
that really surprises me..... you must have met 'one' of us on a bad day
Hopefully see you on a dig day real soon.
)
