Phase 1 Cycle Trail Development: update report
Ollie Graham, Project Manager, Hamsterley Trailblazers
(continued)

Bring on the Trailblazers

The answer was to organise volunteer trailbuilding days. This is where Trailblazer members have proved themselves invaluable. The volunteers have played a vital role and we would not have been able to complete the trails with their help. They have helped build bridges, North Shore trail features, bridge abutments, drainage culverts, and stone trail features. Over 30 well-attended volunteer days have been organised, and not just Trailblazers – we have had volunteers from Barclays Bank and Cummins Engineering as well as other local community members and local businesses. I would personally like to say ‘thank you’ to every volunteer who has helped. With the help of the volunteers we have managed to cram over 20 features into The Loop ranging from see-saws to table tops.

Volunteer team in action

With the final signposting of the trails being completed, the Grove Link Trail is now a highly acclaimed attractive trail that anyone can ride, perfectly linking the Information Centre to The Grove, without the need to cycle on the road. The Skills Loop is everything we wished for – we believe it to be unsurpassed anywhere else in the country! We even have a picnic shelter called ‘Bill’s Bothy’ at the top of it where you can enjoy your sarnies before launching off down the Loop. Why ‘Bill’s Bothy?’ Well, it's named after the two FE officers who listened to us when we first told them about the cycle trails we wanted to develop at Hamsterley.

What's Next?

Finishing touches to the Loop are being made and the Official Opening will be held on the 31st October 2005 – to which everyone from Trailblazers is invited – plus bikes of course. We will also be holding a BBQ and Fun Day on the 6th of November to celebrate the end of Phase I - so put these dates in your diary and I hope to see you all there.

And what's next… Phase 2 – this is just the beginning…..

Getting some air on The Loop