BHS calls for Coastal Mapping volunteers

A recent call from The British Horse Society for mapping volunteers has generated an excellent response, but now the Society is asking for specific help from volunteers who are willing to map coastal areas of the UK as part of its Coastal Access for Equestrians campaign.

The Marine Bill, currently under debate in Parliament, had contained no provision for equestrians, although the BHS campaign has seen amendments made to the Bill in the House of Lords.

In order to save the right to ride along the British coastline, the BHS needs to collect data on currently used coastal routes.  

BHS Senior Executive for Access, Heather Holmes, said: “It is so encouraging that there are people who are eager to help us map Britain on Horseback. However, it is crucial that we get more volunteer help to support our coastal access campaign, and the work must be undertaken quickly. If you live near the coast and care about protecting the right to ride both now and for future generations, do help us out by becoming a mapping volunteer.”

Anyone wishing to help map the coast should first contact the BHS’s GIS officer Sarah Shackleton, who will assign Mapping volunteers to a BHS Regional Access and Bridleways Officer and specific area of the coast.

For further information, or to become a mapping volunteer, please contact Sarah Shackleton on 01926 707812 or email emagin@bhs.org.uk stating your name and the area you feel able to map.