Introduction

The area covered by The High Weald (click on map to see a larger version).

The High Weald Bridleways Group is a non-profit-making organisation consisting of volunteers dedicated to the improvement of bridleways throughout this beautiful part of South East England. The way the HWBG works is that each parish within the group has a representative. Members within that parish report to the representative any problems with bridlepaths. The Parish Rep can then contact a member of the committee who will advise on the best solution.

We have a parish representatives meeting each year where reps are asked to put forward paths to be repaired for inclusion in the County Council Rights of Way budget for that year. If you would like the riding improved in your area and would be willing to give a little time and/or become a Parish or joint Parish rep please contact us. You really do not have to do very much. It can be as much or as little as you want. Any input is more than welcome.

The aim is to help you to help yourselves.

The group works to safeguard our rights to use bridleways and to keep them open for now and the future. We also work to create further permissive and licenced routes.

Bridleways are part of the public highway system and many are ancient roads laid down centuries ago. This heritage is threatened by modern road building, the spread of urban development and landowner’s reluctance to keep them open.

• Inspecting our bridleways with a view to improve maintenance and waymarking
• Assisting with light clearing of overgrown and neglected bridleways
• Encouraging landowners to allow permissive and licensed routes for horses
• Increasing riders’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities
• Reporting difficulties to the highway authorities
• Promoting better relations between riders and landowners
• Removing illegal obstructions
• Securing a voice in negotiations concerning diversions of bridleways
• Monitoring planning applications and to take steps to prevent encroachment onto bridleways
• Passing on information to our members, parish reps, BHS reps and County Councils via two news letters a year

IMPLEMENTING THE OBJECTIVES

• By dividing the area we monitor into Parishes and encouraging a member to be a Representative for each Parish
• By asking members to contribute some of their time when possible
• By applying for grants and fund raising to hire contractors for bridleway improvements
• By using the membership subscriptions to fund HWBG’s running costs
• Voicing rider’s ideas and needs through our membership
• Committee members attending meetings about related matters on behalf of the membership.

Use your bridleways to the full width in summer to keep the undergrowth down, and break off small branches in the way.

Refrain from using the bridleways when the ground is very soft. If use is unavoidable keep to the edge and walk to minimise round poaching.

Help with practical action, such as clearing bridleways, fund raising etc.

Follow the Country Code.

Be polite to other users and to the landowners.

Report any problems which you find to the appropriate Parish Representative.

Show your support by becoming a member and spread the word to others. The more members we have the more influential we become.

WE ARE:

• Affiliated to The British Horse Society (BHS)
• Members of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers