Paul Humphreys

Hi All, As some of you will know the box on top of the Wayfarer, North Wales was vandalised and removed from where The Countryside Recreational Access Group (CRAG) had replaced it after the old one that had been there for about 30 years had been vandalised. I went up there this morning to see it I could find it. I did find it as you can see in picture 2, picture 1 is where it was removed from. The other pictures, 3 and 4, are the state of the box. Lucky enough the signing books were still in the box, so not lost this time. I (CRAG) will do my/our best to get box fixed back in place by the weekend. Hopefully it will stay in place this time. Paul PS If you can not see the pics then pm me an email address and I will send them.

(quote) Well, there's some sort of wierdo wandering about on the Wayfarer! Whilst passing by today, noticed that the box, so kindly donated by CRAG, was missing. Either it's been unscrewed and the screws replaced, or it's been wrenched from it's position. And it's not only 4x4 drivers unhappy about this - a group of about twelve cyclists were quite vociferous in condemnation of whoever's removed it. Is another one a liklihood? Regards, John (quote) I have just seen this on another forum, Dose anyone know anything or when it was last seen? Paul

That was the first one, this is/was the follow up. Paul

Neil if you are having trouble with the membership form send an email to info@crag-uk.org to get one, if that dose not work then try membership@crag-uk.org Paul

Sarn Helen repair project this Sunday has been postponed till 4th December. Due to the fact that there is 3 inches of snow there and more coming down. If you know of anyone that had planned to join us then please inform them of the change. More news to follow on the GRAG, www.crag-uk.org and GLASS www.glass-uk.org web sites. Paul

The website in now live. www.crag-uk.org (Edit: Now clicky! geoffbeaumont)

Try Dave at www.llama4x4.co.uk Paul

I know, i have edited it now. Paul

Thanks for the kind words. As Press Officer, I carnt spell, I am hopeless at grammer, but untill someone better comes along then I will do the best I can. All we ask is to be given the chance. If we turn out to be useless then I am sure everyone will say so, but if we do well, will everyone say that as well?? Paul

Hi Neil I posted the statment on the behafe of Dave. It was not a response to what you said but just a statment. I will pass on your reply to him. Paul

I will go and post. Paul

Statement from the Chairman Countryside Recreational Access Group All at CRAG would like to thank those who have expressed an interest in the organisation. We would also like to thank those who have pledged membership, your support and commitment is priceless. As the NERC bill reaches a critical stage, changes can still be made and the more our voices are raised in unity, the more we will as a Countryside Access Community, influence the decisions which are made on our behalf. You already know who the founding members are and the general locations which we serve. On the 26th of November, our website will go live, the web address is www.crag-uk.org and we look forward to your visiting our site and welcoming you as members in what will become an effective community of those seeking to preserve and enjoy unfettered access to our countryside. At this stage of CRAG's development there are many questions, not least those concerning our Aims and Objectives, our Mission Statement, and our Constitution. These will all be placed on our website where the details will be available for everyone to see. Until then, the founding members would prefer to respond only to membership enquiries. This will cut down the amount of time spent answering questions and allow CRAG's various team members to spend a little more time with their families. It is a very busy time for all right now in setting up this new organisation and your patience would be greatly appreciated. To those who would accuse us of causing a rift within the laning community, we would answer that we are here to support, not tear down, existing organisations and we welcome the opportunity to help where we can in whatever ways we are able. We want to offer a positive response and input to local, regional and national government and can only do this with the support of the countryside access community. As the Chairman of CRAG, I would like to thank each and every founding member for their energy, courage and conviction. Choosing this path has not been easy, I feel however, that it is the best way forward and one which offers an open and inclusive dialogue with all who enjoy access to the countryside. It now falls to us to do what we say we will do, thank you for your patience. Please feel free to join, membership packs are available via email. Yours Dave Rogers Chairman, Countryside Recreational Access Group

If I were GLASS then I might not be happy with it. As for sponsorship as I said in my pm to you. I will make a personal donnation when i can, as I am not a rich man. CRAG is not able to offer sponsorship a this point in time. But on GLASS heres a quote from a GLASS exec. "Yep. A group of individuals, some members of GLASS, have decided that our actions and inactions, as an Organisation cannot be reconciled with their requirements for RoW support for MPV users. Hence, they've done very few ever do and have actually done something about it - in this case by forming their own group." Paul Thanks for that. Paul

Thanks Neil, we will try to do the best job we can. As for being Press Officer, then untill someone better comes along I will carry along. Les as for GLASS having a go at us then a quote from a GLASS EXEC "Yep. A group of individuals, some members of GLASS, have decided that our actions and inactions, as an Organisation cannot be reconciled with their requirements for RoW support for MPV users. Hence, they've done very few ever do and have actually done something about it - in this case by forming their own group." Paul

All I can say to that is we will try to be better time will tell. As for joining us or not then that is a personal matter. Paul

Sorry Les I was typing as you posted. If you need more then I will try to answer. Paul

Sorry if its not the answer you wanted. But it was not ment to answer you questions. But I will give it a go now. Divide and conquer? That is not what we are trying to do, we are giving a choice. Talk is cheap. Then yes it is, all we can do is try our hardest, and let people see our results. What is you knowledge of the legal and technical areas that we are within? Well mine is not a lot if I am honest. But that it where we will ask others. As for GLASS being well know, then yes they are, but could be held against them. So, no website as yet? It is being worken on and should go live on the 25th November. We would have liked to have waited till then, but their was talk of us(CRAG) doing the rounds. We decided to go public because of this. The member ship fees will help us seek legal advice if needed. Yes some people will ask "what do we get for £25" other will not and still become members. All I can say on that if someone dose not think its worth it then they can hold back for now, but they can still help us if they want. I will always try to answer any questions the best I can, I like most will not always be right. I hope this and the names of the founder members helps. Paul

If anyone wishes to write to CRAG out of the public gaze then by all means please send an email to membership@crag-uk.org and we'll answer to the best of our ability. In the interests of openness here is a list of the founding members of CRAG along with their roles within the group. Dave Rogers - Chairman Ray Dadd - Vice Chairman Mark Margetts - Secretary Pete Browning - Membership Officer Jon Wildsmith - IT Officer Paul Humphreys - Press Officer Clive Richardson - Shropshire Regional Team Leader Steve Mainwaring - Staffs Regional Team Leader Mark Brenchley - Glos & Brecon Reg Team Leader Jerry Herbert - BBNP Regional Team Leader

Hi Les I can see what you are saying about the membership fee. We can only do our best to do the best job we can. We are not saying that we want to leave GLASS we are giving them a choice. Some laners we meet today when we were laning use to be members of GLASS, but said they would never go back to them(their words not mine). As for the RA if you dont say as they say then you are out. We are trying to aim for people that use a vehicle to get out to the countryside, not just greenlaners. The biggest thingwe have going for us is that most of the founding members of CRAG are EX-GLASS reps. I will always try to do my best to answer any questions as honest as I can, weather I am right or wrong. Paul

PM sent. Paul

[Admin Comment] First of all I moved this thread here as it will in some way affect everyone that drives a Land Rover. The International Forum is the busiest forum as well. Secondly, this topic is discussed very heavily on the Mud Club website and Glass Rep has responded. Here's the link to that discussion:- http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=13894 Les. The Countryside Recreational Access Group CRAG has been formed by a group of enthusiasts who regularly use motor vehicles in the countryside and who have become disillusioned with the approach of organisations in resolving current issues. CRAGs members believe that in order to protect our pastime in the current rapidly changing environment an alternative approach to that of the existing organisations will be required. The cornerstone of the group’s objectives will be to develop closer working relationships and partnerships with Rights of Way, Highways and National Park Authorities. Whilst the group will not shy away from supporting legal actions where appropriate, the consensus is that these should be undertaken only as a last resort. The focus of the groups’ activities will be to work closely with the relevant authorities to maintain, repair and clear routes and also to encourage them to take advantage of volunteer labour in order to get the best value from their budgets. This is aimed at generating positive PR and a change the in attitude towards motorised users in general by local authorities and the public. CRAG will be seeking to appoint regional and area team leaders to co-ordinate activities on the ground and develop a rapport with the relevant authorities to organise volunteer projects etc. Fundamental to the Group’s activities will be family orientated fun revolving around ROW use such as treasure hunts, BBQs camping etc. If you’ve tried the rest and not found what you’re looking for we invite you to find out more about CRAG by dropping us a line at info@crag-uk.org. A website is currently under construction and should be up and running by the end of this month – Watch this space! Membership for the first year is £25. For further information, please email info@crag-uk.org The Group intends to work alongside existing organisations such as LARA, TRF and GLASS to represent the interests of motorised Rights of Way users at a local and national level.