Uncategorised

RMNF AGM – Thursday 2nd Feb

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum
Annual General Meeting

Just a reminder that you are cordially invited to attend our AGM on Thursday, 2nd February 2023 from 7pm at The Old Library, Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5XE.

Following on from the recent boundary changes our neighbourhood area is now in the Norden Ward and we are pleased to advise Councillor Peter Winkler has expressed an interest in becoming a forum trustee. Please see the updated AGM reports pack for more information.

Please let us know if you would like to be more involved with the forum.

As a local charity we are looking for new trustees to join at our AGM.

We particularly want to hear from local people with the time, interest and skills who can help our charity meet its objectives. We are currently working on a number of projects with partner organisations to raise awareness of the area’s history and heritage and to protect the natural environment through moorland restoration and the protection of peat.

About RMNF

RMNF is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – Charity Number 1165601. The forum was created because of a shared common purpose to protect and enhance our neighbourhood and to make it an area that is vibrant, socially inclusive, and generally the greenest, safest place to live, work and play that it can possibly be.

Forum members are individuals who are connected in some way to the daily life of the neighbourhood. They either live, work, regularly pursue leisure activities (walking, horse riding, cycling, ornithology, fishing, etc.) or are interested in the Rooley Moor area.

We know that sometimes the smallest of changes can make a big difference and our forum is established for the public benefit without distinction for the following purposes in the area of benefit:

  1. To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit
  2. To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history, culture, and architecture of the area of benefit, and
  3. To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features or areas of historic or public interest in the area of benefit

We wish to see a thriving, beautiful neighbourhood area in which the countryside and green spaces are accessible to everyone for legitimate use. An area rich in nature and playing a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency. An area that enriches all of our lives, regenerating our wellbeing, and that we in turn can regenerate, protect and celebrate.

Becoming a Trustee

The trustee role is an exciting opportunity to add value and scale to what RMNF does and contribute to its success. We are involved in many activities and increasing the number of trustees and volunteers will help deliver our charitable purpose.

Trustees are responsible for controlling the charity’s management and administration. They are responsible for ensuring our charity’s income and property is used only for the purposes set out in our governing document and for no other purpose.

Trustees have a responsibility to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and they have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the charity

As a trustee you will:

  • Use your skills and experience to make a positive difference to the neighbourhood area, environment, and local community.
  • Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
  • Be invited to free training courses, workshops, meetings, and the AGM.
  • Safeguard the good reputation and values of our charity.

Please contact the Forum Secretary (email: info@RMNF.org.uk) if you would like to get more involved.

RMNF AGM – Agenda

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum (RMNF)
Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date & Time: Thursday, 2nd February 2023 at 7pm
Venue: The Old Library, Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5XE

2022 – RMNF AGM – Agenda and Reports Pack

You are cordially invited to attend our AGM and to be more involved if you wish.

As a local charity we are looking for new trustees to join at our AGM.

We particularly want to hear from local people with the time, interest and skills who can help our charity meet its objectives. We are currently working on a number of projects with partner organisations to raise awareness of the area’s history and heritage and to protect the natural environment through moorland restoration and the protection of peat.

About RMNF

RMNF is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – Charity Number 1165601. The forum was created because of a shared common purpose to protect and enhance our neighbourhood and to make it an area that is vibrant, socially inclusive, and generally the greenest, safest place to live, work and play that it can possibly be.

Forum members are individuals who are connected in some way to the daily life of the neighbourhood. They either live, work, regularly pursue leisure activities (walking, horse riding, cycling, ornithology, fishing, etc.) or are interested in the Rooley Moor area.

We know that sometimes the smallest of changes can make a big difference and our forum is established for the public benefit without distinction for the following purposes in the area of benefit:

  1. To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit
  2. To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history, culture, and architecture of the area of benefit, and
  3. To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features or areas of historic or public interest in the area of benefit

We wish to see a thriving, beautiful neighbourhood area in which the countryside and green spaces are accessible to everyone for legitimate use. An area rich in nature and playing a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency. An area that enriches all of our lives, regenerating our wellbeing, and that we in turn can regenerate, protect and celebrate.

Becoming a Trustee

The trustee role is an exciting opportunity to add value and scale to what RMNF does and contribute to its success. We are involved in many activities and increasing the number of trustees and volunteers will help deliver our charitable purpose.

Trustees are responsible for controlling the charity’s management and administration. They are responsible for ensuring our charity’s income and property is used only for the purposes set out in our governing document and for no other purpose.

Trustees have a responsibility to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and they have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the charity

As a trustee you will:

  • Use your skills and experience to make a positive difference to the neighbourhood area, environment, and local community.
  • Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
  • Be invited to free training courses, workshops, meetings, and the AGM.
  • Safeguard the good reputation and values of our charity.

Please contact the Forum Secretary (email: info@RMNF.org.uk) if you would like to get more involved.

AGM & Trustee Recruitment

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum (RMNF)
Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date & Time: Thursday, 2nd February 2023 at 7pm
Venue: The Old Library, Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5XE

You are cordially invited to attend our AGM and to be more involved if you wish.

As a local charity we are looking for new trustees to join at our AGM.

We particularly want to hear from local people with the time, interest and skills who can help our charity meet its objectives. We are currently working on a number of projects with partner organisations to raise awareness of the area’s history and heritage and to protect the natural environment through moorland restoration and the protection of peat.

About RMNF

RMNF is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – Charity Number 1165601. The forum was created because of a shared common purpose to protect and enhance our neighbourhood and to make it an area that is vibrant, socially inclusive, and generally the greenest, safest place to live, work and play that it can possibly be.

Forum members are individuals who are connected in some way to the daily life of the neighbourhood. They either live, work, regularly pursue leisure activities (walking, horse riding, cycling, ornithology, fishing, etc.) or are interested in the Rooley Moor area.

We know that sometimes the smallest of changes can make a big difference and our forum is established for the public benefit without distinction for the following purposes in the area of benefit:

  1. To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit
  2. To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history, culture, and architecture of the area of benefit, and
  3. To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features or areas of historic or public interest in the area of benefit

We wish to see a thriving, beautiful neighbourhood area in which the countryside and green spaces are accessible to everyone for legitimate use. An area rich in nature and playing a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency. An area that enriches all of our lives, regenerating our wellbeing, and that we in turn can regenerate, protect and celebrate.

Becoming a Trustee

The trustee role is an exciting opportunity to add value and scale to what RMNF does and contribute to its success. We are involved in many activities and increasing the number of trustees and volunteers will help deliver our charitable purpose.

Trustees are responsible for controlling the charity’s management and administration. They are responsible for ensuring our charity’s income and property is used only for the purposes set out in our governing document and for no other purpose.

Trustees have a responsibility to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and they have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the charity

As a trustee you will:

  • Use your skills and experience to make a positive difference to the neighbourhood area, environment, and local community.
  • Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
  • Be invited to free training courses, workshops, meetings, and the AGM.
  • Safeguard the good reputation and values of our charity.

Please contact the Forum Secretary (email: info@RMNF.org.uk) if you would like to get more involved.

2021 RMNF AGM

SAVE THE DATE!

Our AGM meeting will be online via Zoom on Wednesday 17th November 2021, from 19:00 to 19:40 and a link to the meeting will be provided by email on the day of the meeting to anyone who wishes to participate.

Due to the public health emergency this year’s AGM will consist of the minimum statutory business and all voting will be by proxy. We will contact members who have voting rights and invite them to instruct the Chair to cast their vote. Or, if they wish they can leave the choice to the Chair.

Please see the attached meeting agenda and reports pack. You can get more details or make any comments by emailing: info@RMNF.org.uk

2021 – RMNF AGM – Agenda and Reports Pack

Protecting the moors around Rochdale

Off-road mitigation measures

Now is perhaps a good time to let people know our forum is involved in a project to introduce off-road mitigation measures to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in the area with particular regard to off-road bikes, quads and 4x4s.
Work started on the first phase of the project on Tuesday 27th April 2021 to replace 1km of damaged fencing along part of Edenfield Road, near to Owd Betts in Norden. There are a number of rights of way to consider, one of which is a bridleway. The plan is to replace the fence and place new gates, styles and vehicle barriers at various points to restrict unauthorised vehicle access onto the moor.
In Rochdale we are fortunate to have guidance and advice from Rochdale Council’s Public Rights of Way Officer, who is acting as the project lead. Together we have raised over £13,000 and financial contributions have come from RMNF, Rochdale Ward and Township Funds, the Lord of the Manor of Rochdale, Rochdale and Bury Bridleways Association, the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy Office of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Greater Manchester High Sheriffs Police Trust.

Why are we doing this

Evidence shows that large numbers of off-road vehicles regularly travel from outside the Rochdale area, from as far away as Merseyside, Cheshire, Derbyshire and beyond, in order to illegally ride or drive on the moors. So far the furthest travelled and apprehended has been from Edinburgh! These off-road vehicles, particularly motorbikes, quads and 4x4s are causing significant environmental damage to the surrounding moorland peat (a natural carbon store), damaging wildlife (especially ground nesting birds) and putting upland farming at risk by distressing grazing cattle and sheep – large areas of the moorland in our area is Common Land where Commoners exercise their “Rights of Common” to graze sheep and cattle. Significant damage is being caused to footpaths and bridleways and sadly there are reports of legitimate users of these facilities (farmers, equestrians, ramblers and cyclists, etc.) being put at risk and threatened with physical violence.
  • Watch the BBC North West Tonight news item broadcast on Wednesday 31st March 2021 by clicking HERE.
  • Read a Rossendale Free Press article by clicking HERE.
  • Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue Team reported, “The moors have become horrendously devastated by illegal trials bikers ripping through the hillside creating vast areas of deep rutted land. At daytime it’s bad enough but in the pitch of night it proved nearly impossible to navigate but thanks to specialist kit and thorough training (but some 4 hours later), the casualty was off the hill and safely going to hospital for further treatment.” Read more HERE.

What the Police are doing

Operation Dragster is the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) response to these illegal off-road activities and last year, at the start of the first lockdown, the Police expanded Operation Dragster due to increased complaints. As a consequence of Operation Dragster, our forum along with a large number of residents and their ward councillors became actively involved in regular Zoom meetings with our Neighbourhood Beat Officers to discuss these issues and to see what could be done to improve the situation. At these meetings a number of opportunities were identified to reduce unauthorised motor vehicle access to the moors and our GMP Neighbourhood Beat Officers have been outstanding in liaising with the community and helping to tackle these issues. Together we have built positive working relationships with Lancashire Police, the GMP Off Road Bike Team, local Councillors, the Rights of Way Officers in Rochdale and Rossendale Council, local landowners – in particular United Utilities and the agent for the Lord of the Manor of Rochdale, the West Pennines Commoners Association, the Rochdale Ramblers, Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, community groups such as Prickshaw & Broadley Fold Neighbourhood Watch and the equestrian community through the Rochdale & Bury Bridleway Association.
GMP advise enforcement activity will continue throughout this year.

Next steps

All of the organisations involved in this project have been consulted and are looking at what learnings they can take to do something similar in the surrounding area. Lancashire Police have recently introduce “Rossendale’s Rural Task Force” and we have asked local Members of Parliament, The Right Honourable Jake Berry, Tony Lloyd and Chris Clarkson to approach wind farm companies in the area to get involved.

What you can do

We hope you all agree the moors in our area should be a safe place for locals and visitors to enjoy, especially given how the current pandemic has shown our green spaces to be incredibly beneficial to the health and wellbeing of so many legitimate users.
We still need people to report illegal off-road vehicles, please contact the Police on 101, or use the ‘live chat’ facility on the Greater Manchester Police website.

2020 RMNF AGM

SAVE THE DATE!

Our AGM meeting will be online via Zoom on Thursday 12th November 2020, from 19:00 to 19:40 and a link to the meeting will be provided by email on the day of the meeting to anyone who wishes to participate.

Due to the public health emergency this year’s AGM will consist of the minimum statutory business and all voting will be by proxy. We will contact members who have voting rights and invite them to instruct the Chair to cast their vote. Or, if they wish they can leave the choice to the Chair.

Please see the attached meeting agenda and reports pack. You can get more details or make any comments by emailing: info@RMNF.org.uk

20201112 – RMNF AGM – Agenda and Reports Pack

Invitation to the AGM

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held on Thursday 21st November 2019 from 7:30pm at Spotland Methodist Church, Rooley Moor Road, Rochdale OL12 7ES

Everyone is warmly invited to attend this years AGM where we will report on the successes and challenges of the last year.

All views are welcome and voting for resolutions and candidates standing for election shall be taken by a simple majority of votes cast at the meeting (including proxy votes). Every member has one vote.

Proxy voting – Any member of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) may appoint another person as a proxy to exercise all or any of that member’s rights to attend, speak and vote at a general meeting of the CIO. Proxies must be appointed by a notice in writing (a “proxy notice”) – please see our constitution for further details.

The charity trustees consider voting by post or email is not required.

You may like to look at the AGM Agenda and Reports Pack, which includes the trustees report and financial statements, ahead of the meeting. This can be found online by clicking HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in November and to hearing your views and opinions about Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email: info@RMNF.org.uk

Diary Dates

Pennine Prospects

Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage

Good afternoon,

Apologies for it being a while since my last update.  It has been a busy start to the year with the final batch of woodland surveys being undertaken.  Only two more left to go and then loads of reporting.

But that will not be the end of activities this year.  Oh no! the project continues up to December, starting with a Woodland Festival this coming Sunday (see poster).  So here are a few dates for the diary:

March 24th

Woodland Festival as Hollingworth Lake hosted by Rochdale Council as part of the project (see attached poster)

April 13th

The Archaeology of Redisher Woods walk hosted by Friends of Redisher Wood Local Nature Reserve: https://www.facebook.com/events/240348600175407/

April 27th

Smithills Woodland Archaeology Walk hosted by the Woodland Trust: https://www.facebook.com/events/963493467372651/

May 11th

QGIS Workshop in Hebden Bridge (more details to follow)

Learn how  to use QGIS, a Geographical Information System software used by archaeologist when undertaking site and landscape wide investigations.  The software has been used widely as part of the Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage project to manage the survey, view and analysis Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data as well as to georeferenced historic maps.  If you fancy learning how to use it for yourself this is your chance (more information will be available next month for this event)

June 13th & 14th

Woodland Heritage Festival at Hollingworth Lake hosted by Rochdale Council as part of the project

June 16th – 29th

Community Excavation of possible First World War practice trenches recorded in Long Wood, Copley during the survey season of 2018.  (more information to follow)

September (sometime and for charity)

Join me for a weekend walk along the Rochdale to Ilkley Roman Road and laugh as I do it dressed as a Roman Legionary to help raise money for a mental health charity.

Oh and there will be a further one or two woodland walks, where you can again laugh at me dressed as a 14th century peasant (it’s a tough job … )!

There will be more events but I need to confirm dates and details.  Not least for a couple of project round-up events later this year which will include the launch of the project book and sculpture trails.

Speak to you soon

All the best

Chris

Christopher Atkinson BA (Hons) MA

Heritage and Landscape Development Manager

Honorary Visiting Lecturer in SAFS University of Bradford