Southend Oracle February 2022 by Oracle Publications

February 2022

Your all-seeing local

ORACLE Est.2005

Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, Garrison, Shoeburyness, Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area. Circulation: 14,000

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Southend continues to be a safe place to live, work, and study Essex Police respond to January's article regarding Southend High Street SPOTLIGHT Parking woes! POLITICAL COLUMN Continue the legacy

LOCAL ISSUES Enough to give you 'the Hump'

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ORACLE

WELCOME

Following last month’s article ‘Why has this been allowed to happen?’ regarding the problems surrounding Southend’s High Street. The Evening Echo reported in the last week, that Essex Police are planning to increase their foot patrols up and down the High Street. I am sure this first step will be very much welcomed by many of you. I was overwhelmed with the response the article had and appreciate all the feedback. I hope and trust this will be the beginning of a much-awaited change of direction for this town.

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There is still a huge amount to do, and I hope that the people in charge are brave enough to look at the bigger picture and work together to find good solid solutions for Southend’s problems, particularly the High Street and its surrounding areas. To read residents comments or add a comment yourself about this issue, then please see page 12 for more details. This month’s competition has been kindly donated by La Petite Petanque. Win a meal for two to the value of £100. To enter the Oracle/Petite Petanque February competition please visit www.oraclepublications.co.uk competition page. Closing date Monday, 28 February. Happy Valentines!

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Publisher

01702 393838 Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN

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22/03/2019 11:30

CONTENTS Enough to give you 'the Hump' 9/10 Local Issues by Cllr Daniel Nelson

Parking woes

Spotlight by Phillip Miller MBE

Continue the legacy

Political Column by Anna Firth MP

Rice, rice, baby!

Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

"Southend continues to be a safe place to live, work, and study"

28/29

Oracle Comments by Essex Police

Why do you need Lasting Power of Attorney?

Estate Planning by Clive Rowe

Countdown on to save public rights of way 34/46 Feature by British Horse Society

Malaysian Sea Bass

Recipe by Judy Barden

Emotional Contagion

Health & Wellbeing by Jacqui Sayer

Brainbox 48 Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

52 54

Advertorials La Petite Petanque Hightech Membrane

19 44/45

All rights reserved. No part of Oracle Publications UK Ltd may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior All rights reserved.of Nothe part publisher. of Oracle Publications UK Ltd may be UK Ltd permission Oracle Publications reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in editorially autonomous and theOracle opinions expressed partis without prior permission of the publisher. Publications UK are not those of the publisher unless expressly Ltd is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are notstated. those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

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February 2022

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LOCAL ISSUES

Enough to give you ‘the Hump’ S

peeding, we have all been impacted by it in some way, whether that be in a minor way as a car whizzes pass causing a noise nuisance or in the most tragic of ways it is something that both the Council and the Police must work to reduce it in the areas most affected.

by Cllr Daniel Nelson Southchurch Ward (Con) 079 691 456 82 cllrnelson@ southend.gov.uk

That brings us to the latest proposals from Southend Borough Council, a £500,000 ‘tale of two schemes’ to reduce speed to 20mph, one in Leigh and another in Thorpe Bay. On one hand, we have a proposal in Leigh, which although has its flaws, for example, there has been no formal consultation with

Like Leigh the Thorpe Bay proposals do not appear to have any evidence Not only, like in Leigh, were no residents formally consulted on these speed humps proposals but since I revealed these plans on a number of social media platforms, it has become abundantly clear that residents were not even aware of the proposals being put forward by Cllr Ron Woodley, as the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Inward Investment. For both schemes, this apparent lack of democratic say among the residents whose daily lives will be affected by these proposals is truly alarming, as it suggests an ‘I can do what I want’ attitude to decisions made within the Council. Also, like Leigh the Thorpe Bay proposals do not appear to have any evidence or data to suggest that these roads should be prioritised over other roads in the City. This lack of evidence-based policymaking, makes schemes feel rushed and a bit ‘slapdash’.

February 2022

residents and it is questionable as to why these roads have been chosen over other roads in the city, in terms of design it seems sound. Here each of the junctions, where the vast majority of accidents can occur, raised speed tables are being installed. This both keeps speeds low, whilst also forcing drivers to pay attention when they are at junctions to reduce to risk of accidents occurring. So whilst I would prefer to see a formal consultation on this scheme before it is implemented and I would like to see further evidence that these roads should be prioritised, I am not against the idea of the Leigh scheme.

This is where the controversy lies That however brings us to the scheme in Thorpe Bay. Here the same raised tables and 20mph speed limits are proposed. However, on top of this, a high number of speed humps, speed 

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LOCAL ISSUES  cushions

and road narrowing is also being proposed along the length of almost every road on the Burges estate. This is where the controversy lies.

These roads already suffer One piece of vital information that is omitted from these proposals is the impact that such proposals have on the surrounding roads. I know that if the Thorpe Bay scheme as proposed goes ahead many speeding vehicles will look to Eastern Esplanade and Barnstaple Road in my ward of Southchurch to get from east to west. These roads already suffer from regular speeding cars and in terms of Barnstaple Road lies adjacent to a school entrance and is regularly used by children going to and from school. As a Southchurch Ward Councillor, I will never support something that I believe will endanger the safety of residents and as such I and my Conservative colleagues will be opposing this scheme.

Speed humps include damgae It is likely due to the lack of data and evidence that the Thorpe Bay scheme also includes a high volume of Speed Humps. The impact of these are well known to many. Speed humps include damage to vehicles, increased noise pollution, increased air pollution, and according to a 2019 article in the International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis can lead to significantly reducing house prices.

Concerns about these proposed scheme It is because of this that i have been inundated with residents writing 10

to me with their concerns about these proposed schemes, just to be called by a senior member of the Council ‘small-minded NIMBYs’, after denying speed humps existed in the plans at all. Personally, I think we as councillors have a duty to listen to residents concerns on this and to send this proposal back for a rethink, following a formal consultation and more in line with the design of the Leigh proposal.

There must be consultation I am not opposed to schemes that seek to reduce speeding. But there must be consultation, it must be evidence-based, and it must be proportionate. The Leigh scheme passes only one of those tests (proportionality) and the Thorpe Bay scheme passes none. As such, both schemes need to be reconsidered from the beginning.

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SPOTLIGHT

Parking woes! I

t seems that our friends in charge of the council have again decided to penalise local businesses and visitors when visiting the seafront all in one hit! In their wisdom they want to increase the hourly charges exponentially to £2.50 per hour, coupled with the charging times being extended from 6pm until 9pm.

Wow! Talk about killing two birds with one stone! Especially after the two years of hardship so many folks and businesses have had to endure through no fault of their own. I have heard an Independent Councillor explain that it’s about getting people to use the 3 hour Parking Pass introduced last year i.e. it will drive you into buying one. More likely drive you away from the town altogether!

by Phillip Miller MBE Owner of Southed's Adventure Island

When will leaders listen? If the council are serious about wan ting to rebuild and help the High St, bashing the seafront traders only serves to inadvertently hurt our neigh bours at the top of the hill. The High Street now relies on the seafront for footfall as it does for any other trade it might attract.

The Parking Pass

Empty bins every fortnight!

Evidently, it has bombed out not even selling enough to cover overheads.

This was too good an opportunity not to mention that this same Council are suggesting to empty our bins every fortnight. This is a large revenue contract which is in place until October 2023. I feel that squandering money on other pet schemes is irresponsible. A million quid and counting I understand on the Parking Pass, around ten million pounds on an aborted Seaway scheme and what about buying the Victoria shopping centre for another £10 million. I would strongly suggest that the Council stick to what they know and are good at, and avoid at all costs dealing with snake oil salesman.

Unbelievably so, the blame is directed at businesses for not marketing the Parking Pass. Why should we when we know it’s just not a good proposition? Who wants to be associated with failure? I’m sure it works for some, no doubt saving more than they would normally spend on parking. However, this loss maker should not be subsidised by the rest of us, simple as that. 16

Let’s hope this is the year when our leaders start listening to us. We can live in hope!

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POLITICAL COLUMN

Continue the legacy S

outhend West had a fantastic Member of Parliament in Sir David Amess. He secured almost £10 million for the Cherry Tree Wing at Southend Hospital. He passed the Warm Homes Bill to tackle fuel poverty. As a local champion he provided you with a strong voice in Westminster.

by Anna Firth MP Conservative MP for Southend West anna@annafirth.org.uk See Anna Firth MP press release on the news page on Oracle's website

No one can ever replace Sir David, but I am determined to build on the legacy that he left behind. I was born in Leigh-on-Sea, where I now live. Four generations of my family have lived in this area. I understand the issues facing this area and am passionate about building on Sir David’s legacy to make Southend City the best seaside city in the country.

To secure investment

As your Member of Parliament I will always put Southend West first 22

I want to work with the police and local leaders to make Southend safer. I’ll work with officers to put resources where they’re needed and make our streets safer for everyone. From speaking to residents I’ve heard your concerns about tackling crime. I have raised these with the Home Secretary. I will work to make Southend safer by securing more police officers. I want to ensure that the people of Southend get all the

benefits of becoming a city. Not only do we need to make the most of city status for Sir David, but we have so much to offer. I’ll work hard to secure investment and create new jobs. I’ll put in a bid to make Southend a future City of Culture to help us bring even more investment to our great city.

Work with local leaders

I want to improve local healthcare by making it easier to get face-to-face GP appointments. I have already met with local health leaders about improving services. I will work with local leaders to upgrade the A127 making it easier for all of us to get around. I’m determined to support small businesses and shops by working with government to secure the investment our local businesses need. If you want get in touch with me please email anna@annafirth.org.uk.

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HAIR & BEAUTY

Rice, rice

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The ancient hair treatment beloved of today’s influencers

ews reaches Grateful Heads Towers of an intriguing trend; rice water. Of course, what started as a traditional Japanese and south-east Asian treatment to strengthen and condition hair is very much a 'thing' on social media, with the Kardashians and now, right here in the pages of the Oracle. Arguably, the true stars of this ancient technique are the women of the Red Yao tribe, who live in China’s Huangluo Yao village. Famed for their long locks – with an average length over 2 metres – the Yao women’s hair is also said to remain healthy and free from grey well into old age.

The concept is simple The milky residue left after cooking rice is apparently a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, amino acids, vitamins E and B, plus inositol, which are all good for hair. If you’re unfamiliar with the latter, inositol promotes hair growth, penetrating damaged hairs and repairing them

Fancy giving it a go? Take a mug of white sticky rice and rinse it thoroughly in water, to remove any dirt and impurities. Then boil the rice, strain it and pour the water in a container or old shampoo bottle and leave it at room temperature for between 10 and 24 hours. The water will begin to ferment nicely. Once that time has elapsed, pop it into the fridge for about 48-hours. When you’re ready, wash your hair and then apply the rice water evenly through your damp hair after shampooing it. Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse. If you’ve done it right, your hair should feel silkier than a Crufts-winning cocker spaniel’s ears and top knot.

from the inside out. So long as you don’t overdo it, the starch in rice water will help your tresses to appear thicker, glossier, easier to brush and manage throughout the day.

by Craig Smith Director of Grateful Heads Hair Salon

Providing expert hair care to Essex for 30 years. Isn’t it time you made your head grateful? 01702 340965 32 l Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BU 26

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ORACLE Comments

Why Southend

has this been allowed to happen?

Last month I wrote of my concerns and fears for Southend's High Street and its surrounding areas. Essex Police have responded with this article. Emma Wynne-Morgan

continues to be a safe place to live, work, and study

Reported crime in 2021 was lower than it was in 2019, meaning fewer victims of crime which can only be a good thing.

n that time there’ve been fewer violence with injury offences, nearly 200 fewer burglaries, while vehicle thefts have more than halved. And we’re working hard to ensure the public can enjoy our town centre and High Street. We have specialist teams in place which disrupt and tackle drug supply and gangs across Southend.

Total of 24 years in jail Our South Op Raptor Team and South Disruptor Team work around the clock to gather intelligence and evidence so that when we carry out strikes against these gangs, many of those arrested have no option but to admit the Chief Inspector Ian Hughes,

District Commander for Southend, said: “We have a dedicated partnership group consisting of the police, Southend Borough Council, and the Business Improvement District dedicated to the night-time economy. “This includes dealing with issues as they arise and initiating plans to ensure your safety. “Our Town Centre Team have dedicated patrols throughout the town centre on a Friday and Saturday night and deal with

charges levelled against them because of the overwhelming evidence we can present. In Southend, and indeed across the whole of Essex, we take an uncompromising approach to drug supply and gangs and our message has been consistently clear – drugs and drug dealers are not welcome here. Indeed, during a co-ordinated intensification operation in October, our Op Raptor South team made 39 arrests across the Southend and Basildon districts, 25 of whom were charged and remanded. They also more than £170,000 in cash. In addition to that, our South Disruptor Team also secured a total of 24 years in jail for six members

incidents or issues as they happen. “And we’re working with British Transport Police to identify and target anyone using the rail network to come into the town intent on causing crime and disorder. “The CCTV system across the town also plays a crucial role. We work really well with the CCTV operators who do a fantastic job in bringing incidents to our attention and identifying those involved. “We continue to work with licenced

premises and the council’s licencing team to ensure they are doing everything they can to keep you safe on a night out. “In partnership with the council and the BID, we have also invested in medical provision provided by a third party – LLL - to support anyone who needs help. “This is based at Jubilee Beach Office but also has the ability to be mobile throughout the town. “All this work will continue and I determined that we will not let people ruin your enjoyment of our wonderful town.”

Councillor Martin Terry, cabinet member for public protection at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “The council works extensively with Essex Police to ensure our town is somewhere people want to live, work, and study. “Whilst our professional community safety officers provide additional support to the police and a visible presence across the borough, we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to help improve community safety. “This includes our drug and alcohol commissioning services, our work to support local rough sleepers, working with schools and the youth offending service to ensure vulnerable young people have the support they need. “We have also invested £2.2m in

improving our CCTV network, and we plan on increasing the numbers of our community safety officers with a proposed £250,000 investment in this year’s budget.” Cllr Terry continued: “We are also investing in recovery and our High Street through a variety of projects and initiatives such as the purchase of the Victoria Centre and improvements to the public realm which are designed to help entice businesses and create an area with increased footfall, helping to improve the town’s economy and community safety. “There is always more to do, but I am proud of the work we continue to carry out with Essex Police for the town.”

of an organised crime group which was supplying cocaine and cannabis in Southend.

Excellent police work Since February last year, the Op Raptor South team have disrupted or taken down around 90 county lines, made more than 160 arrests and charged and remanded around 120 people. Sentencing five members of the Mali Boys gang in November to a total of 18 years in prison, the judge praised the work of Op Raptor South saying the case was one of “excellent police work”. We’re also using other legal avenues such as gang injunctions. In September another six people were made subject to injunctions, taking the total to 20.

In October Op Raptor South team made 39 arrests across the Southend and Basildon districts, 25 of whom were charged and remanded

February 2022

Since February last year Op Raptor South team made more than 160 arrests and charged and remanded around 120 people

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ESTATE PLANNING

Why do you need

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What if I am unable to manage my affairs? There may come a time in your life when you are unable to manage your financial affairs or personal welfare, owing to some form of incapacity and you will need someone to act on your behalf. Even when we are young, we can find ourselves incapacitated owing to illness or injury and it can be invaluable having a reliable person, who is able to manage your personal affairs and remove the anxiety of having unpaid bills, at a time when you most need peace of mind. Similarly, as we get older, the need for an attorney increases as we are more prone to illness and injuries.

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What kind of LPA do I need? There are two types of LPA: Property and Financial LPA - This type gives your attorney the authority to deal with your property, your bills, bank account and investments. This can be used while someone is still capable but has chosen to delegate to their attorney. Personal Welfare LPA - This can only be used when you have lost capacity and are unable to make decisions for yourself. It gives someone you trust authority to make decisions about where you should live and what medical treatment you should receive.

Don’t leave it too late! Instead of preparing while we are physically and mentally fit enough, many of us choose to put off dealing with such unwanted eventualities until the inevitable happens and by then it’s too late.

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FEATURE

Countdown on to save public rights of way W ith crisp air and enchanting views, Winter is wonderful time of year to wrap up warm and explore Britain’s beautiful countryside in Essex and beyond – whether on foot, by bike or on horseback! But did you know that in just four years’ time, tens of thousands of footpaths and bridleways across England and Wales could be lost forever?

Tragically, access to many public routes not formally recorded on the Definitive Map (the legal record of rights of way) by 1st January 2026 will simply vanish forever, due to changes in the law introduced by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The change will affect the millions of Brits who enjoy walking, horse riding or cycling in the great outdoors. It not only means we may lose access to historic routes we know and love, but it also impacts the safety of all countryside-lovers by limiting access to safe off-road routes.

An asset we cannot afford to lose But there is still time to act! The British Horse Society (BHS) are calling on all walkers, cyclists, and horse riders to check that the routes they use are on the Definitive Map and, if not, to ensure they are registered. The BHS are committed to protecting the rights of way network so future generations can continue to enjoy safe off-road access, an asset we cannot afford to lose. BHS Press Office E: Pressenquiry @bhs.org.uk T: 02476 840521

Will Steel, 2026 Project Manager at the BHS said: “We’ve recently celebrated our 2000th application to save bridleways and byways, which is fantastic, but we are appealing for as many people as possible to help save thousands more routes from closure. Just because you currently ride on or use a route doesn’t mean it’s safe (continue in page 46)

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February 2022

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RECIPE

Malaysian Sea Bass Serves 4

Ingredients 60ml oil by Judy Barden Next month: Classic Lemon meringue Pie

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger andful of coriander leaves, H roughly chopped plus extra to serve 4 sea bass fillets

his is a very authentic Malaysian dish. The amount of dried chillies looks alarming but it works. Although there are many varieties that all have different heats and the dish is not for the faint hearted. I have changed some of the ingredients for others that are readily available. Give it a go!!

4 tbsp tamarind paste 1 tbsp sugar 3 tomatoes cut into eighths For the curry paste 12 dried chillies lemongrass stalks, white 3 parts roughly chopped or 3tsp pulp 0 shallots, roughly 1 chopped 2tsp turmeric 40g shrimp paste

ORACLE

estate planning In association with Countrywide SE LLP 38

Put all the ingredients for the curry paste in a food processor and blend until everything is very finely chopped and more like a paste. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the curry paste and cook over a low heat until a layer of red oil separates out on top. Add the ginger and coriander leaves and stir, and cook for 5-8 mins.

Add the tamarind, sugar, 1 tbsp salt and 300 ml water and cook for 5 mins. Turn off the heat, and add the tomatoes.

Put the sea bass in a baking dish and pour over a little of the sauce. Put the dish in a roasting tin. Pour a little boiling water into the tin, then cover and steam the fish for 10 mins or until just cooked. Lift out the fish and discard the cooking liquid. Serve with the remaining sauce poured over and scattered with some more coriander leaves.

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A LOCAL PLUMBER FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

February 2022

Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile. I think we can all agree that the sooner we see the back of 2020 and this dreadful corona virus the better. That said, there are also some heart warming positives that we can take out of this situation. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit. When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Chris Miller it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of

supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money. The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Chris commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help again”.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

A Virus in the making

Emotional Contagion Happiness and unhappiness our emotional response

How does it affect us?

Happiness and unhappiness is the result of both voluntary and involuntary influences, e.g. it may be due to news that someone you care about is having a baby, getting married, a new job, home or many other positive things that give happy emotions, making you feel happy for and/or with them. However, if the the opposite were the case and someone you care about was experiencing sadness due to a miscarriage, marriage break up, losing their job, their home or similar, they are likely to feel very unhappy and other negative emotional feelings of sadness, hurt, anger etc., may get transferred to you too without you realising it.

If someone you live or work with is angry, sad, down or negative all or most of the time, those feelings can be transferred to you. Causing you to embed those thoughts and feelings into your own life. In turn, you can transmit these similar negative feelings to others.

How to deflect negative emotions It’s important you know how to deflect someones negativity. Although there are a number of ways to do so. I recommend using the following steps of STOP!, which has worked very effectively both personally and with clients.

STOP

top and realise what is happening to you.

ke 3 deep a breaths, smiling whilst you are doing this thinking of something positive. As you breathe out, let go of the negative feeling.

O P

serve what has b happened roceed and stay aware of your feelings

I help clients with negative emotions move forward positively.

Emotional Contagion? When a persons emotional feelings and responses can be transferred to you. Rather like the spreading of a virus that physically passes on contact or being in close proximity the positive and negative emotions of others can equally pass to you.

H.E.A.L.L JSN Therapies 42

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FEATURE (continue from page 34)

from closure. Saving these routes from closure will benefit equestrians, cyclists, and walkers across the country. Looking into your favourite local routes can provide a fascinating insight into local history and we would encourage anyone interested to get involved and help ensure these routes can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The applications aren't difficult One of the BHS’s Access volunteers recommends people to join in and help save their local routes: “All the BHS staff and volunteers are so welcoming and supportive. I’ve enjoyed looking at old maps and learning the history of my local area to find and secure off-road routes for us all to enjoy long into the future. The applications aren’t difficult, there’s plenty of friendly people who can help, and you can do it from home whenever you like.”

How can you get involved? Check your favourite route is recorded You can do this by seeing if it is recorded as a bridleway on an OS map or by checking with your local authority.

Contact your BHS Access & Bridleways officer If you are concerned about a route you regularly use, you can contact your local BHS Access & Bridleways officer by emailing access@bhs. org.uk.

Attend a BHS 2026 training event Learn how to identify historical routes and the key resources used to study them from experts in the field. Find out what your evidence can unlock and how to create a systematic research method to investigate your routes. See upcoming training dates on the BHS website.

Become a BHS volunteer Join our network of over 280 volunteers all working to protect our bridleways.

Submit an application The BHS have created a 2026 Toolkit detailing how you can ensure your routes are recorded so they won’t be lost after the 2026 deadline. With generous support from Sport England through the British Equestrian Federation, the BHS are now also able to offer a grant to volunteers to help cover the costs of making Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications to their local authority. If you want to get involved in the 2026 project and help ensure your favourite footpath or bridleway is future-proofed, take a look at the BHS’s 2026 Toolkit and find out more at bhs.org.uk/2026.

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February 2022

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February 2022

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CONUNDRUM –

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Unscramble to solve the clue.

Repaired and and preserved preserved Repaired

● WOODCHIP & LOGS

Delivered & & Distributed Distributed Delivered

Clue: someone who works in an office.

Last month’s solutions:

WORD LADDER:

MOONBOONBOORBOARSOAR

CONUNDRUM: EXORCIZED

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