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Lewisham Walking Forum
Meeting 7pm 16 June 2003
Minutes
1. Jenny Budd (JB) welcomed everyone and
explained the aim of the meeting. This was followed by group introductions.
2. Apologies were received from Paul
Holdsworth and John Warner.
3. Minutes of the last meeting. Some
discussion on affiliation to Living Streets, it was agreed to get group sorted
out first, then look at affiliation. Marion Wood (MW) provided feedback from
the Mayow Park event. There had been an enthusiastic take up of literature and
questions taken on health, where to walk and current issues.
4. Group Development
The group split into groups to discuss what
people wanted out of group. The following points were raised:
- insurance for group leaders
- leaflets - free/costed, possibly on the web
- evening walking groups
- safe walking - crossings, cycles
- pedestrian good conduct
- clear pavements of hazards ie. fly tipping,
litter. link with the Council ie Envirocall
- give real options for walking to school
- emphasis on social side of walking
- encourage young people to walk; make it cool,
youth involvement
- get primary schools involved, school travel
plan coordinators
- link with national events eg. walk to school
week.
- liaise with Lewisham’s walking and
cycling officer...should we have both together? Link with other walking groups
- promote health benefits of walking
- more sign posted routes, taking in
interesting places. ie. the Green Chain Walk encourages people to explore open
spaces.
- higher visibility of rangers in parks. safety
in parks an issue
- dog walking
- difference between pedestrians and walking
for utility and leisure purposes
- coordination to reduce clutter on pavement
ie. bollards, road signs.
- facilities for people eg. toilets in parks
and on the streets
5. Feed back from the walking festival.
Conrad Young gave a presentation about the
festival, explaining why it was done and what has come out of it. The main
points to come out of the event were:
600-800 people attended the events, with
interest in seeing it repeated.
The promotional website had 175 visits in May
during the festival and 56 the first half of this month.
A session was run by London 21 on peoples’
views on their local quality of life
Recommendations from this will be forwarded to
officers within the Council to act on.
6. What next for the group
there were discussions on what events the group
should be involved in. It was agreed to have a stall at Lewisham’s Peoples
Day on 12 July. The other main event would be the Photo Competition Awards
Ceremony on 17 July.
Other events were discussed including Car Free
Day in September, but it was agreed that this maybe too short notice to
organise an event in the borough.
JB asked people what they thought were features
and skills that were needed for the group to function well. These were seen as:
- logo design
- leaflet distribution
- envelope stuffing
- newsletter editor
- website liaison
- address for letters
- local history info
- walk organisers
- respond to press
- treasurer
- fund raiser
- chair
- campaigner
- attending events
- liaison person with council and other
organisations
- social secretary
JB requested that people thought about what they
could contribute towards the group. MW voiced some concern over time
involvement and level of work involved. CY said that some of the work can be
shouldered by the Council.
It was suggested that support from businesses
should be sought. It was agreed that a follow up meeting for 17 September be
set, while promoting the Award ceremony s an opportunity to drum up further
support for the group.
7. AOB
JB flagged up the forthcoming Walk 21 conference
in London. It was agreed the MW would attend and report back.
JB reported a new health walk planned for Manor
House Gardens. There would also be further first aid training.
The meeting ended 9.15pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING TUESDAY 17 SEPT at the
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