A ‘rare’(?) rainy day on the IoM

Admiring the Wreck of the Steam Trawler Pasages on Jurby Beach

SEE BELOW FOR OUR CURRENT MONTHLY WALKS LIST.

NEWS AND EVENTS

News

Check out the Questions page for our new monthly WHERE IS IT? competition!

A reminder to dog walkers  - dogs must be on leads on the Ayres National Nature Reserve (NNR) from the 1st April until the 31st July. This is to protect the high density of ground nesting birds on the reserve including terns, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, curlews, skylarks and meadow pipits. Byelaws are in place to protect the wildlife habitats at the Ayres NNR and failure to comply with these could result in a fine up to £2,500.

It is rumoured that the Isle of Man Walking Festival is on this year - from Monday 1 to Friday 5 October with a welcome event on Sunday 30 September.  Please keep the dates free in your diary - walk leaders will be required, walk helpers will be required, or you might even want to come and join in as a walker

Dungannon Ramblers

The New Year brings  new friends. We are very pleased to tell you that a group from the Dungannon Ramblers have asked us to organize some walks for them in May.  They will be arriving on Wednesday the 9th  and leaving on Saturday 12th. We will be putting together two longer walks for the Thursday and Friday and a shorter one for the Saturday and  we are looking forward to showing them our beautiful Manx countryside and giving them a very warm Manx welcome.  They have also very kindly offered to return the favour should our group ever visit their area.  Thank you Dungannon.

Ramblers Association Holidays

Did you know?...That the MFCG is affiliated to the Ramblers Association. When you book a walking holiday through the Ramblers Association and you say that you belong to an affiliated walking club they will pass on a small sum of money to the club. It costs you nothing extra and it benefits YOUR club.

Locals strayed onto restricted land

Two local motorcyclists have been heavily fined for being in a prohibited area. They were caught riding on DEFA land at Sky Hill in Ramsey without permission.  In addition to being fined a total of £1,000 by the courts, the pair have had their competition licences suspended for six months by the Auto Cycle Union. ACU General Secretary Gary Thompson says as the British governing body for motorcycle sport, the organisation takes illegal riding seriously, as it brings the sport into disrepute.  He says the ACU will continue to work with landowners and police to stamp out such behaviour.

The following MAJOR footpaths have been temporarily closed

Oooo! this looks promising... Improvements are being made to the Heritage Trail from Peel Power Station and the weir near Glenfaba Bridge.  A spokesman for DoI said "One of the main objectives of the Heritage Trail Scheme is to improve the surface in order to attract more users, pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders & people with limited mobility. Be wary of moving machinery on the trail during this 10 day period".  For full article see Examiner dated 13th March page 4.  (Does this mean that the whole stretch from Peel to Crosby will be repaired soon DoI- we can but hope!!!)

DEFA - Hills, Forests & Glens-12 March at 10:56
The Directorate wishes to advise the public that the left hand path at Bishopscourt Glen is currently closed due to ongoing works. We will advise when the path has re-opened. Many thanks for your patience and co-operation.

The path from Niarbyl to White Beach is now OPEN.

The byway known as 'The Dowse' (map ref: 304828 to 285824) is closed due to serious erosion.

Public Right of Way (PRoW) 409– Patrick –Raad ny Foillan from Shore Road, Glen Maye to PRoW  123, Glenfaba to Peel Hill is now OPEN.

PRoW 406 – German, Raad ny Foillan from Mourne View Lane to PRoW 518 Cass Stroan(Peel to Lhergydhoo northwards) has also re-opened.  Well done DEFA for your prompt attention to these PRoWs.

Manx Utilities is refurbishing the sewage works at Ballagarey in Marown. Because of this the Heritage Trail will be closed between Glen Darragh Road towards Union Mills up to the private access way to Glenlough Campsite until  approx. June-July 2018. The main road from Douglas to Peel is the only option to bypass the site.
n.b. The Heritage Trail at Ballagarey will now be opened at weekends (Sat 2pm to Mon 7am). DoI thanks  everyone for their patience whilst they continue to work on upgrading this essential sewerage infrastructure - due for completion in July 2018

The ‘Tony Wright’ bridge on the Spaldrick footpath, used by walkers to get along the coastal path to Bradda Glen and tourist attraction Milner’s Tower in Port Erin has been closed for safety reasons.

DEFRA - Hills, Forests & Glens
The Directorate would like to advise that Glen Helen is now open to the public.
There will be signage erected warning of possible falling debris. Please take care in the area.

For further details the contact number for DoI is 850000.

DISCLAIMER AND USEFUL INFORMATION:

Walkers are reminded that they participate at their own risk and should keep behind the leader. This disclaimer is found under the logo on all walks lists and we ask that leaders remind all participants of this before starting each walk.

Walkers should keep to the right on all public roads (unless common sense dictates otherwise) and not deviate from the way-marked footpaths.
Please refer to notes column for information.

Walking boots or stout shoes and wet weather gear are advised.

Please bring a Travel Pass or Money for walks which start with a train, bus or tram journey.

Dogs are not permitted.

Difficulties such as broken stiles or blocked Rights of Way should be reported to the Footpaths Officer, David Leiserach at David@manxfootpaths.org or tel: 491976. If you have a camera or phone please take a photo and note the location.

VISITOR INFORMATION

This month’s walking programme:-

NB:  Please check all start times

Apr 15

Wednesdays

Fenella Beach Car Park

Bradda Glen Car Park