Friends of the Ridgeway appoint Matthew Barber as president

Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and former leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, has taken up the role with the Friends of the Ridgeway.

The group works to protect and promote the Ridgeway National Trail, an ancient route stretching 87 miles from Wiltshire through to Buckinghamshire.

Mike Lewington, chairman of the Friends of the Ridgeway, welcomed the appointment.

He said: “Matthew shares our passion and commitment to this very special Ridgeway National Trail.

“I warmly welcome him to the role of president, and his support for the Friends of the Ridgeway’s objectives to promote enjoyment and use of the Ridgeway by walkers, runners, cyclists and equestrians.”

Mr Barber, who lives in West Hanney near Wantage, said he enjoys walking on the Ridgeway with his Labrador, Oscar.

He said: “The Ridgeway is not just another place to walk, wonderful though that is.

“The 87 miles of the Ridgeway is part of our living heritage.

“For over 5,000 years people have used this trail for commerce, for warfare and as an intrinsic part of the community.

“Today, it remains a working part of the countryside, essential for those who farm the land around it.

“I love discovering the history of the trail, and there is always more to learn.

“It is a privilege to become President of the Friends of the Ridgeway and I look forward to working with this amazing team of volunteers to help champion the Ridgeway as one of England’s most important national trails.

“The Friends of the Ridgeway seeks to preserve this vital part of our heritage for recreation, education and to support those who are guardians of this wonderful landscape.”

The Friends of the Ridgeway was founded in 1983 and originally focused on campaigning to remove recreational off-road vehicles from the trail.

This remains a key part of its work today.

Mr Lewington said: “We will continue our campaign to restrict recreational use by unauthorised vehicles, which damages the trail’s surface and has negative impacts on the enjoyment of other Ridgeway users.”

Mr Barber succeeds Lord Bradshaw, who served as president for 20 years until his resignation in 2022.

In 2015, the Friends of the Ridgeway established the Ridgeway National Trail Partnership, which now manages the Ridgeway National Trail.

The partnership includes the national landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns, and organisations representing users of the Ridgeway.