Find us on Facebook :-)
Dillington Fun Ride 2021 and 2022More than 40 riders, children and adults, came to Dillington Park to enjoy our Ride in perfect riding weather.
It was good to see so many youngsters being lead or accompanied by Mums and dads on foot or on bikes, enjoying their first organised Ride out in the beautiful Dillington countryside. It was a first experience for some of the adults too, who set off nervously but came back elated that they had done the Ride. I’m sure many of us remember that sense of achievement! Altogether the experiment was a great success due, not least, to the efforts of TDBA committee members and their families, members of South Somerset Bridleways Association who helped set up the route, and the Rights of Way department, who cut back the overgrowth on part of the route, and staff of Dillington Estate who also made sure the route was clear of both overgrowth and animals. Our grateful thanks to all of you. West Lane in Knapp, near North CurryThis is West Lane through Knapp near North Curry. It is not a bridleway but a byway and we had to fight like heck, for a long time, to get use of it. It’s overgrown but still rideable and we urge local riders to use it or we are at risk of losing is. Notices have been put up saying it’s not to be used by Anon, this is not the case. Use it and use it often so, should we need to fight again, we can argue a strong case. It’s a little path but one worth fighting for.
We have applied for a Modification Order to have the lane put on the Definitive Rights of Way map , but with the huge backlog of applications , it will be many years before this can be considered by the Rights of Way department. |
Widness Drove, North CurryWe applied for a definitive map modification order for a footpath to be upgraded to a bridleway as the drove had been ridden for more than 20 years.
Although the rights of way department recommended acceptance of our claim, it was opposed by a local landowner which entailed a public inquiry. As the planning inspector found in our favour, the footpath was upgraded and added to the definitive rights of way map as a bridleway. This joins with another bridleway to make a circular ride. The British Horse Society provided us with an access advisor for the inquiry. His help was invaluable as the legal processes involved in an inquiry are quite daunting. so our affiliation to the BHS is very worthwhile. This joins with another bridleway to make a circular ride. |
Seven Milestone Bridleway at Cothelstone Hill
The bridleway allows riders to bypass a very busy fast road to get to bridleways on Cothelstone Hill. It was generously dedicated to us by the landowner in the Spring of 2017. Here is a photo of the Opening Event.
"Our newly dedicated bridleway - a safe route to the hills! Local riders watch Hugh Warmington cut the ribbon to open Seven Milestone bridleway on Cothelstone Hill. Many thanks to Hugh for the dedication". |