Friends of the Ridgeway – November 2025 Newsletter
- Adam Gilmore
- Nov 30
- 1 min read
The latest Friends of the Ridgeway newsletter celebrates the people, projects and stories that keep the Ridgeway and the wider Great Chalk Way in such remarkable condition.
This issue shines a spotlight on the huge volunteer effort that maintains ancient monuments, clears vegetation, improves biodiversity and opens up the National Trail for walkers, cyclists, riders and visitors. From Young Farmers’ Clubs and council teams to MoD volunteers and cycling groups, dozens of helping hands have been restoring iconic sites such as Wayland’s Smithy, Grim’s Ditch and the Lord Wantage Monument.
There’s national attention too: a Westminster Hall debate highlighted the importance and underfunding of National Trails, calling for better protection, multi-year financing, and stronger action against recreational vehicle damage on fragile chalk paths.
Long-distance walking features prominently, with John Tippetts’ 400-mile Great Chalk Way journey and new trustee Joe Flatman’s account of completing the Wessex Ridgeway. Meanwhile, nearly 100 endurance riders took on a major equestrian challenge using the Ridgeway as an ancient spine route.
The Ridgeway 50 Photos project is a standout success story: 390 schoolchildren and Girl Guides produced striking, untouched images of the Trail, now touring regional venues and inspiring new generations to engage with landscape and creativity.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize invites entries across art, photography, sculpture and writing under the theme “Shapes and Shadows of the Ridgeway”, promising another vibrant community showcase next April.
The newsletter rounds off with heartwarming stories from the Ridgeway Hall of Fame
families, friends and solo hikers completing the 87-mile Trail and sharing their moments of challenge, heritage, wildlife, and deep connection to the Downs.
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