Updated
Thursday, 3rd June 2021, 1:32 pm
A survey of public footpaths around Acklington, Guyzance and North Broomhill found that 60% were rated difficult, or impossible to walk due to overgrowth and other impediments, such as broken stiles.
The parish council decided to tackle the problem by setting up a footpath restoration working party with 13 volunteer footpath wardens recruited to regularly walk the footpath network, acting as guides, guardians and occasional gardeners.
The biggest challenge the wardens faced was cutting back overgrown vegetation on pathways, and around gates and stiles.
Acklington Volunteer Brushcutters. Back row, left to right: Peter Shaw, Simon Caiger, Nigel Moffat, David Shipley. Front row: Jeff Newton and Verity Williams.