We met up at Junction 10 of the M42, Tamworth at 8.30am; there was a good turn out of 10 vehicles in total. The weather was sunny but breezy as we gathered round and had a cuppa and a chat whilst John Messer tinkered with his motor putting a wading plug in. Ben decided to split the group into 2 groups to make it easier and more enjoyable for people. We led 1 group and Brian East led the other in Stephen’s 90.

We headed off just north of Atherstone, as we approached the lane there were signs with ‘no access’ and ‘road closed’ ahead, this was not a good start to the day. Anyway, we proceeded to the next lane in Sheepy Magna where we did a few lanes, we went through a ford and got a bit muddy before we knew it we had caught up with Brian’s group with the discovery stuck in very deeps ruts, we decided to straddle them learning from the discos experience except for Dave Chesters who had met up with us at this point and decided to get stuck himself but managed to pull himself out with his winch. Any chance to play eh Dave!

We waited so Brian could continue to put some space between the groups and it gave us time to stretch our legs.

We continued on working our way further north up through Barton in the Beans, Shackerstone, Heather, Ravenstone and Packington where we stopped for a bit to eat. After everyone was refreshed, full and happy we started heading south through Normanton Le Heath, Ibstock and down towards Desford. Here we met back up with Brian, it was about 3:00pm we decided to call it a day as we needed to work our way back home, not before stopping off at Packington Ford outside Hampton in Arden, this was a great finish to the day.

I had a fantastic day, thank you to everyone who came out and we hope you enjoyed yourself and that we see you out with us again.

For our next adventure Ben is planning a trip over The Long Mynd, Shropshire on Sunday 22nd May, shiny new vehicles welcome. See Jekyll and Hyde Green Lane for details and contact if you would like to come.

If you have anywhere that you would like to go please share your ideas at with us by contacting

The following are extracts from the decision of a Public Inquiry in Derbyshire in February 2010

In effect it gives the rights of way movement nothing new, other than more certainty, in that the route was an ORPA and is now a BOAT, but it does prove that the NERC Act has not hit everything and it is still possible for a Public Inquiry ti find in our favour.

Order Ref: FPS/U1050/7/50

This Order is made under Section 53 (2) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (the 1981 Act) and is known as the Derbyshire County Council (Byway Open to All Traffic from Moor Road to Castlegate Lane - Parishes of Great Longstone and Little Longstone)
Modification Order 2008.

The Order is dated 22nd May 2008 and there were 16 objections outstanding at the commencement of the inquiry.

The Order proposes to modify the Definitive Map and Statement for the area by adding to it a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) as shown in the Order plan and described in the Order Schedule.

The full decision of the enquiry and a map showing and relating to the RoW can be seen at:-

http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/row_order_advertising/councils/2010/Derbyshire_County_Council.htm