AREA BOUNDARIES
Inner London Areas executive committee took the decision in May to ask for a review of the Ramblers’ organisation in Greater London. Currently the outer boroughs are included in the territory of the adjoining county Area of the Ramblers so, for example, the borough of Sutton would form a part of Surrey Area and members living in the borough would normally be members of Surrey Area.
When the Inner London Area of the Ramblers was first set up, its boundaries related to the borders of the former Inner London Education Authority. With the passing of that body, its boundaries have become largely irrelevant and confusing. Policy documents of interest to all Londoners are now issued by the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority and many require a London-wide response from the Ramblers. Other amenity groups, transport, sport and leisure interests tend to operate on a GLA-wide basis and are better placed to respond than ourselves where London-wide matters often have to be dealt with through our Central Office. After a full discussion the committee agreed a motion asking for the Chief Executive of the Ramblers to consider in any future review of the RA’s volunteer structure that the association would be better served by the creation of a Greater London Area.

TRAIN EXCURSIONS
The Area’s executive committee has also approved a paper setting out options for the future of the public ‘train rambles’ which have been organised from London since the 1930s and which were ‘inherited’ from the former Southern Area of the Ramblers. In the early days. complete trains were hired to convey walkers to the countryside with a choice of walks with leaders offered. For various reasons the numbers attending these events began to decline in the 1950s and, though still supported by a number of enthusiastic ramblers, changes need to be made.
The plan approved in May will see the public train rambles continue but these will now be switched to alternate Saturdays. This should ease some of the problems caused by Sunday engineering works and the ‘roasts only’ policy of many country pubs these days. Additionally, where possible, group walks which are open to the public will be incorporated into the programme.

2004 AGM
To encourage more members to attend the Area annual general meeting, a move to a weekday evening will be tried next year. The date will be Wednesday 11 February 2004, the time 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, and the venue is again Friends House on Euston Road.