Walking alone or in company is a great way to health. 21 years ago a meeting of friends with Lampeter mayor, Hefin Evans decided on forming a rambling group to explore and open our pathways locally.

Beverley Penney from the assocation in Wales organised our group, chaired by Brian Phillips, secretary, Penny David, and treasurer Mary Overton.

Thus, with a few other members a monthly programme was started, with walks down the Teify at Cae Dash, Mount Pleasant, Llanfair and Twrch Valley, and further afield to Soar y Mynydd and Tyncornel.

October that year, 1986, the first general meeting was held in the Black Lion and the walking programme was extended. Sponsored campaigns to raise money for Bro Aeron school under new chairman David Lloyd also helped to raise awareness for the group.

Country walks can be hard going without waymarks and county councils were told of their responsibilities for signposting and maintaining paths. The ramblers set up a volunteer group to assist the council and this resulted in a big improvement.

Farmers have been helped and encouraged by government to open up the rights of way so everybody gains and we all stay on the straight and narrow.

Lampeter has had its ups and downs on opening paths but we are still hoping for more local paths to walk. The provision of easier gates instead of styles and kissing gates will open up places for disabled and not so agile walkers.

Volunteers led by John Stokes and Tom Davies have done a good job and built new styles and cleared miles of undergrowth to make our network extensive.

1995 was a milestone for the club when our 50th member joined, Don Jones. That year was also a special one for the Ramblers Association in Britain, celebrating 60 years. Chairwoman Kate Ashbrook took on the big establishments to fight againt deliberate blocking of rights of way.

The Ramblers Association helps all walkers by encouraging rambling, for discovery and the joy it can bring.

We all have favourites, Kay with Pencarreg; Don goes home to Llanwhaden and the Landsker, Granville navigates Drygan Fawr, Owen the border country. Len Hughes takes us on gentler paths and what better than the new trails around Nant yr Arian visitor centre.

How lucky we were when a project for a book of Lampeter walks was mooted and Don was the secretary. His dedication to the book gave us a professional product and a lot of sweat and tears on his part.

The four areas included Castell Goitre, Teify Meadows, Falcondale and Cwmann.

This year is our 21st anniversary and we can look to our laurels and with more than 100 members there are miles to go and many paths to enjoy. Come with us and be inspired.

Article by Philip Lodwick