Gillian

I joined the Ramblers in 2008 as I wanted to meet people and explore the Kent countryside. It was lovely to find such friendly and welcoming people. I have walked many miles with the group and found lots of new places. I did notice that the website was out of date and asked the chairman if I could help. He could not get me onto the committee soon enough and I became a Web editor! As is the way with IT, I learnt new methods and gained the agreement for a complete redesign. Towards the end of 2019, Ramblers head office were taking on a complete refresh of their corporate style. This was another opportunity for our site to have a complete rebuild, enabling us to feature our walks and walking routes more prominently.

I became a representative on the Kent Area council for our group along with our chairman, Neil. My first meeting was a real eye-opener as to what goes on behind the scenes and how much volunteer time is given up. The chairperson and secretary are the main go-between with head office and groups, but they do so much more as well e.g., recruitment and events at shows; festival events; creating walking booklets; attending regional meetings; coastal access matters; signage of paths and more. Oh yes and maintaining a website which contains many interesting walks among other things. I am also a backup web editor for this. Here is a link if you want a look: http://www.kentramblers.org.uk/

I enjoy attending the annual area AGM and the Rights of Way meetings (with guests from Head Office and Kent County Council Public Rights of Way team). Each year, I create a small article for the annual review document.

I volunteered to help with the mammoth task of checking for local “Lost Ways”. This involved me reading through a dossier of footpath information and then walking the paths and taking photographs and reporting on my findings. More recently, I met up with the area chairman and secretary in the Kent archives and enjoyed looking at some historic maps and registers of landowners.

I am also a local footpath officer and the group secretary. You may not see me out on groups walks as much as before, but I can assure you that I am still very much involved, as are the whole committee. You will see me at our AGM and meal though. 😊