# Chairman's Introduction

![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/ec605a88-b582-4806-bb89-6a44322275cd.jpeg)

I believe that overall it has been another successful year!

I am particularly pleased that at the end of the year we are in an overall stronger position regarding Public Rights of Way activity -- thanks in particular to Robert's continued significant activity in this area. Highlights include the recruitment of Margarethe Batteson as Public Rights of Way Manager (a role that has not been successfully filled for a number of years) and Glyn Lewis as Sector Co-ordinator for London and North West Kent, enabling Richard Wilkes to enjoy a very well earned retirement after over 30 years as a volunteer. We have also made progress on recruiting new Local Footpath Officers and by the time you are reading this I am hoping that we will have a full complement in West Kent (but still some opportunities in East Kent!).

We have also had two excellent Footpath Forums in Lenham, co-ordinated by Robert and with good support from the KCC PRoW team and Robert has also produced a number of PRoW newsletters to keep us informed. We have further built on the good working relationship with the KCC PRoW team and have also established good initial contact with the relatively newly appointed Stacey in Medway and Paddy in Bromley. I am looking forward to opportunities to strengthen these links further in the coming year.

The "Lost Ways" project is continuing, with the initial research for identifying potential new routes completed and I have also reviewed the potential routes identified from the Central Office "Don't Lose Your Way" project with priorities proposed. I am in the process of conducting more detailed (and time consuming!) research of the most promising potential additional paths, in particular by visiting the National Archives at Kew.

I have continued to try to be pro-active in contacts with Central Office, usually via Vanessa, our Regional Engagement Officer. Unfortunately Central Office do not always seem to be as pro-active in their communications with Areas -- but I will continue to try to improve this!

I believe that we have a very strong set of Groups in Kent and I am grateful for the considerable work that all the volunteers do to run these and support me and the Area Management Team and also manage the challenges that come our way (such as managing the new Walk Leadership requirements). I am also very grateful for the considerable help provided by the Area officers (as listed on page 2).

If re-elected, I look forward to working in the coming year to build even further on what I believe are the continued very good foundations we have in Kent!

*Colin Sefton*