FARAG aims to
co-operate FARAG seeks
co-operation with all land owners, walkers, cyclists and others who
love the countryside, aiming to ensure that access is always
responsible, bringing pleasure to everyone and annoyance to no-one. We
all value this beautiful part of the world, and responsible access is
the way to bring the whole community together in enjoying its beauty.
News And Events
AGM
The 15th Annual General Meeting of
FARAG was held at Balcastle House, Slamannan on Wednesday 1st June 2016
.
The
office holders were all re-elected. A number of areas of progress
were reported, details of all of which can be found on our
Facebook page (see below).
Since people
seem to find it easier to keep up with our news on Facebook than via
the website, and since it takes a lot of effort to keep both fully up
to date, we shall post most current news on Facebook in future.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Farag now has a Facebook page here
We
were not quite sure what sort of a response to expect from this, but so
far it has been very positive.
The hope is that this
might prove an easier way for FARAG members to exchange thoughts on
matters of mutual concern without having to relay everything through
Sheila. Please let us know what you think.
FARAG Funding formal
interest group
Falkirk
Area Riders Access Group (FARAG) is involved in various
consultations with public authorities and grant giving bodies. We
liaise closely with Falkirk
Council.
Voluntary associations such as Falkirk
Area Riders Access Group are
entitled to
apply for grants for access improvements that are not available to
Falkirk Council.
However our influence depends
upon our
membership. We
need maximum support to be effective. If you are a local rider or
carriage driver we really need your support. In principle we cover the
whole of the Falkirk Council area.
Inevitably however our work
concentrates on those areas where members come forward with ideas.
There are many square miles of countryside in Falkirk District and we
cannot know what riders need everywhere unless riders tell us!
Similarly, our influence is undermined if members leave once their own
area is catered for.
In some
cases landowners are hostile to horse access, and whilst sometimes this
results from prejudice it cannot be denied that a few horse riders have
in the past let us all down by exercising access rights irresponsibly.
We need to educate everyone involved
about what responsible access means.
Not your business? not
just of concern to riders
The British
Horse Society says there are the equivalent of eight
road accidents a day
involving horses. There are over three million horse riders in the
UK .
Most
riders would rather not be on the road because they are aware of the
danger. But there aren't enough bridleways and opportunities for
countryside access. Those bridleways that do exist are fragmented and
often cannot be reached or followed without using public roads.
Horses
can easily be unsettled, especially by inconsiderate drivers and other
road users. A horse will remember a bad experience on the road and be
fearful in situations he feels to be similar, even if a driver sees no
danger. Horses may spook at litter or gusts of wind that a driver may
not even notice. Most incidents arise from a lack of understanding, so
educating motorists and horse riders is important.
The law in Scotland now permits
access. It does not make it feasible. In many areas there are physical
barriers of terrain or vegetation. In others equestrian access, though
legal, is denied by "kissing gates" or other
obstructions.
What
is needed is an organised effort to open up the countryside to
responsible access.
Contacts
The
annual subscription has been waived for 2016 so this year's membership is free..
Chairman
Ellie McMillan
Secretary / Treasurer
Sheila Hall, Balcastle House, Slamannan, Tel: 01324 851262
