Recently the government announced that the law on drones is being tightened up . The new regulations can be summarised as follows : -

From 30th July 2018 drones will be prohibited from flying above 400 feet or within 1 kilometre of airport boundaries .

From 30th November 2019 owners of drones weighing 250 grams or more will have to register with the Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA ) and drone pilots will have to take an online safety test .

These new rules are IN ADDITION to the current regulations which require drone users to : -

• know how to fly the drone safely , and within the law

• understand that it is the operator ( not the owner ) who is legally responsible for every flight

• keep the drone in sight at all times

• never fly the drone over a congested area

• never fly within 50 metres of a person , vehicle or building not under your control

• ensure any images obtained using the drone do not break privacy laws ( this would be considered the same as any filming or photography without the subject ’ s permission )

• never fly the drone close to aircraft ( it is a criminal offence to endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight )

You need to be aware of all these regulations if you are a drone owner . Apart from the risk of causing an accident , the penalties for breaking the rules could be quite severe .

If you see a drone that you feel is not complying with the above regulations you should call the police on 101 or use the link https :// www . herts . police . uk / Information-and-services / About-us / Contact

If you think there is a risk of a drone causing an accident you should call 999 .

To read more about the new rules , see this link www . gov . uk / government / news / new-drone-laws-bring-addedprotection-for-passengers and to read the previous rules ( which still apply ) click here www . gov . uk / government / news / drones-are-you-flying-yourssafely-and-legally

SUNDAY WALKS : all Leaving at 10.00am 5 / 6 miles

NO WALKS JULY and AUGUST - SUMMER BREAK - Start Again :

2nd September , Newport , Station Car Park TL522335 P / Code : CB11 3PL

14th October , Stanstead Abbotts , Car Park TL384119 P / code : SG12 8AG

28th October , Clavering Village Hall , Hill Crest , Hill Green TL480323 P / code : CB11 4QS

Well today is the 7th June , and I think the weather hasn ’ t been looking at the correct month of the calendar much this year . Both temperature and rain / sun have been capricious , however , our Sunday walks have , so far been held in excellent weather . Swallows in Stansted fledged on 6th June and all 4 plus “ Mum and Dad ” had a wonderful day testing their skills outside my front window overlooking the Ugley Brook valley , now , one day later , they have disappeared much further afield .

Our walk in May was great and our Leader took us all around and through Hatfield Forest - this is one place I find difficult to negotiate and I am therefore always grateful to anyone who can lead me through the many different landscapes and views the Forest has to offer . It was super , with masses of buttercups , birds , and the occasional deer contrasting with the bright yellow carpet of buttercups in all directions . Now I am looking forward to the two planned walks in June - Wadesmill and Quendon , and then of course September , starting from Newport , Where are you

‘ wannerbee ” walk-leaders - there ’ s still time to slot in another walk in September ?

Did you all see the really great photograph of Dave Webber , David Glass , Colin Woodward and Alan Dean in the Independent the other week ? The group are trying to bring to the attention of the Authorities the need for footpath link / s between Bishop ’ s Stortford and Stansted . Also an issue is improving the access from Hazelend Road to Hazelend Wood ( Footpath 64 ). The start of this footpath from the new housing estate would necessitate walking along the busy road as the wide verge is overgrown and offers no footway .

David and Dave have also been contacting the Project Manager & Consortium Interface Manager at Stortford Fields discuss concerns about the Wickham Hall Drive ( Bridleway 008 ) and also the future of other existing rights of way across the development site .

Meantime , the Parish Council of Stansted Mountfitchet are expecting to set up a PPP ( Parish Paths Partnership ) with Essex County Council , whereby a group of local volunteers who will , in conjunction with Essex CC , help in controlled management , to maintain Stansted ’ s many Public Rights of Way . Elsenham Parish Council have had a similar arrangement with Essex for some years .

Daphne Wallace-Jarvis , Publicity Officer : dwjjwj . 444 @ gmail . com www . walksaroundstortford . org . uk