May I put some balance back in this thread;
It has been pointed out already that this is an old programme - from 2011 when the influence of the TRF may be seen to have been at a lower point than we are currently, and we would seem to have moved on considerably from this point in time in many ways and especially with our relationship with the media and authorities.
TRF subsequently on Countryfile - entirely positive
TRF invited to contribute to Crimewatch by the BBC to show how we were part of the solution
TRF in training with the Police in the Peak District - S Yorks & Derbs police - again part of the solution
TRF at Countryfile live & Gamefair - again part of the solution - not the problem.
I don't see any evidence that the "entire membership" would agreed with a partisan, segmented, "them and us" approaches to access in the countryside that may be deemed to be promulgated in this thread. In particular, Them & Us inevitably leads to accusations of bias from either side, and it is difficult to see how bias can occur if it is just "Us".
I do see TRF members and Trail Riders around the countryside taking a more holistic approach to access, focussing less on "our rights" and more on "share the trail" and consideration for all users of the countryside. These are the members who volunteered to come along to Countryfile Live and the Gamefair and do what they do on the trail, engage with all users and charm them into acceptance. One memorable example on a run this year was with TRF member & NFU employee Hywel of mid Wales who engaged members of his run with sheep herding to help a farmer near Rhyader. With each example of positive encounters of Trail Riders in the countryside with dilute the harm of the few negative encounters.
The Peak District has been under pressure for some time. I do also see TRF Directors engaging directly and in person with the Peak District Authorities, dispelling inaccurate perceptions and informing them about positive solutions to problems that are being put to good effect by the TRF across the country. Click on the webcast here
https://democracy.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=1571&Ver=4.
I see these partisan approaches at its most evident in this Peak area. Strong local TRF groups, smaller in numbers, high in moral fibre - doing the right thing and adhering to TRF values - deserve our full support. In the Peaks I believe there exists a high proportion of Trail Riders , outside of the TRF's sphere of influence of responsible riding. As a result, when I am at a meeting championing our cause, I am not without sympathy for afflicted residents and the PDNPA and am resolved to progress our campaign of changing all Trail Riders behaviours further- not just TRF members.
Meanwhile to those members who may be more generally unaware of what is happening at the "top" may I suggest taking this up with your local group officers who receive a Group Chairs newsletter each month. Questions to Directors to directors@ receive a prompt response and are the best way of sharing your view.
In addition current paid up members receive an impressive regular Road Conservation report from John Vannuffel, Technical Director, by email approx. quarterly. The next one will be included in Trail magazine which will be out this autumn. Members who will have read this are aware the TRF appear now to be more active by many times in dealing with active cases than at any time in our past and are more successful with the outcomes.
Finally a reminder that the TRF is run by volunteers who are rewarded intrinsically and not by money. Whatever your view is of how the TRF is run, even after a divisive campaign and the open proposition of alternatives, those volunteers that run the TRF on behalf of the members would seem to be supported by over 90% of the membership at the last AGM earlier this year. It may be held that over 90% of members believe this is due to progress in recent years and not failure, and central to this is firm direction on attitude and changing behaviours on the trail, and moderate behaviour on our comments the forum. In this way we will also positively and more accurately influence public perception. Let me know if you would like me to point out a few examples and I am immediately thinking of John Harvey's & Greg V's excellent work with Ross Noble & Austin Vince.
Those directly involved in dealing with the authorities and with the media don't feel it is helpful or in the TRF's interest to discuss or vent views that may be counterproductive or disparaging to other users on an open forum and hence will be locking this thread and involving Dave Carling - the Director responsible for Forum Moderation - in removing any posts which may be seen as unhelpful to our current position.
If you have a "beef", the first place to address it is your Group meeting and your Group chair- not the National forum. The chances are that your local group officer will have the information, sent by the Directors. If not, I am more than happy to discuss in meetings, face to face, by phone or by email and especially to involve any members who wish to get further engaged in our campaigning activity or reinforcing positive perceptions of the behaviour of the TRF and Trail Riders.
Meanwhile for those for those wo still believe in opposition & the enemy, "
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting" and those who cannot see the value of discretion,
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.I believe this is closer to the way forward for the TRF.
Regards
Mario
TRF Director responsible for many things including PR & External Communications
mario@trf.org.uk