Nottinghamshire Area Ramblers

Where does the Area fit in The Ramblers?

The Ramblers is not merely a network of walking groups; it is a registered charity and a campaigning organization dedicated to the rights of way, the countryside, and the interests of walkers. Many members join to support the charity's objectives rather than to participate in group walks. All who use rights of way gain from the Ramblers' efforts.

Undoubtedly, The Ramblers must be a campaigning organization to fulfill its goals and allow us to enjoy countryside walks. The ongoing campaign to maintain open and walkable paths is one that will surely persist. Without The Ramblers and the relentless efforts of its volunteers, the Rights of Way network as it exists today would be significantly diminished. At times, this may lead to confrontations with landowners and Highway Authorities, but such is the reality. The Ramblers persist in their quest for broader countryside access, upholding the proud legacy established by the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in 1935.

Ramblers has an office in Central London with paid staff. All other people working in Areas and Groups to support ROW are volunteers.

The first tier of The Ramblers is the Board of Trustees, who are elected at General Council, the governing body of Ramblers.
The Board “shall be responsible for the management and control of the Association”.

Areas serve as the second level of The Ramblers, created to fulfill the organization's goals within their designated geographical regions. They are responsible to the national Board and are required to submit annual financial reports for both the Area and its Groups. The Nottinghamshire Area is one of approximately 50 such Areas within The Ramblers in Great Britain. It encompasses 14 Groups, with 11 centered around specific geographic locations, 2 focused on age demographics and 1 special interest group. Additionally, there is an increasing trend of members opting to not join a Group and instead register as Area-only members. While Areas enjoy a degree of autonomy, they are nonetheless obliged to operate according to the Board's regulations and within the framework of the charity's objectives.

Groups represent the third tier and are tasked with fulfilling The Ramblers' objectives. Every local Group is accountable to, and represented within, the governing body of the Area - the Area Council.

The Nottinghamshire Area Council consists of Area Officers, who are elected yearly by members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and representatives from the Groups, nominated by their respective Group Committees. The election process strives to be as democratic as possible, with local members selecting their Group Committee at the AGM. In turn, this Committee appoints members to represent them at the Council. Additionally, the Area AGM is responsible for electing individuals to the General Council, which then elects the Board of Trustees.

Information about Area Officers and their roles can be found in the 'Who Are We?' section of the Area Info tab.