by Ron Ireland | Jun 11, 2023
Ayrshire Coastal Path creator and Trail Manager Dr Jimmy Begg, has scooped a Special Recognition Award at this year’s South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards recognising his exceptional volunteering over an extended period of time.Jimmy was nominated on account of his exceptional endeavour and commitment in creating and maintaining the Ayrshire Coastal Path. He has been at the heart of the ACP, a jewel amongst the attractions of South Ayrshire, for twenty years. It is no exaggeration to say that without Jimmy the ACP would neither have been created nor maintained to its present-day exceptionally high standard.Last year marked Jimmy’s 80th birthday yet his drive and enthusiasm for “his baby” is undiminished. He is still to be found heading work parties carrying out the essential, tiring physical work in all weathers and at all times of year to maintain and improve the trail. With his cheerful and gently cajoling manner he encourages all the ACP volunteers to give of their best while enjoying the scenic beauty, fresh air, and exercise, all provided for free.The thousands of hours Jimmy has devoted to the Path would be a source of pride to anyone doing even a full-time paid job. His commitment has brought untold benefits to South Ayrshire including health (through exercise by both volunteers and path-users) and increased numbers of visitors with interests in nature, environment and history as well as walking. The ACP Guidebook (now in its 3rd edition) was penned by Jimmy and does much in promoting the many attractions of the region. Unselfishly, Jimmy donates all the proceeds from the book towards Path upkeep and improvement.Complementing the routine ACP...
by Ron Ireland | Apr 7, 2022
We’ve done it! Following his approach in July 2021 we had several meetings with the new beef farmer at Langdale Farm, Ballantrae, to discuss the problems and solutions for establishing a route over his electric-fenced land, that would allow walkers safe access. We agreed on a spectacular field edge cliff-top route, which finally drops down to an attractive new shore-line track to Ballantrae over two Sites of Special Scientific Interest north of Langdale – for which we were delighted to obtain the approval of Glenapp Estate the landowners, and NatureScot, who are responsible for the SSSIs. New squeeze stiles being fabricated Like many other modern farmers, electric fences are used to control and manage efficient strip-grazing of his pasture-land. With concerns expressed – and also problems previously caused – by walkers confronted with electric fences, our solution was to design and have built, two portable metal “Squeeze Stiles” (see Photos). Their spiked feet will be driven into the ground at the cliff-top ends of two mobile electric fences defining the strips of pasture presently being grazed. These fences – and the stiles – will progress sequentially along the grazing field as the grass is cropped. Walkers will simply have to raise the metal bar, shimmy through the gap sideways, drop and secure the bar behind them, and proceed on their way. NB. Similar in concept to the curved-stone “squeeze stiles” common in the Lake District, they have been fully trialled by several volunteer Pathminders of various heights (and widths!) – and no one has yet got stuck! Since early December 2021, a great pool of 21 Pathminders, comprising squads...
