SCAWG – Aim and Vision
The Stanhope Countryside Access Working Group (SCAWG) brings together local volunteers to help maintain and improve public Rights of Way (RoW) across Stanhope Parish, covering the upper reaches of the Dale beyond Wolsingham Parish (where the Wolsingham Wayfarers are active with similar aims).
Maintaining the network of footpaths, bridleways, and countryside access routes is a shared responsibility between landowners, Durham County Council, the Parish Council, and local users. SCAWG’s role is to coordinate a team of volunteers who regularly walk local paths, carry out light maintenance, and report any issues to the appropriate authorities.
Our shared vision is simple:
to keep Weardale’s paths open, safe, and enjoyable for everyone — walkers, riders, cyclists, and those with limited mobility alike.
Background
In 2023–24, several local walkers noticed that many footpaths in upper Weardale were becoming harder to use compared with other areas. This prompted conversations about how local volunteers might help reverse that trend.
By early 2025, those discussions evolved into a plan to create a volunteer-led group working alongside the North Pennines National Landscape (NPNL) team and the Durham County Council Rights of Way (DCC RoW) team.
In September 2025, the Stanhope Countryside Access Working Group (SCAWG) was officially formed, supported by NPNL, DCC, and local partners.
The founding members are mainly retired residents who share a love of walking and the local countryside, many of whom already know one another through walking groups such as the Weardale Tuesday Walkers. The group welcomes new members of all backgrounds who share that same passion for the Dale.
SCAWG’s work will evolve gradually, beginning with small tasks such as:
- walking and auditing local Rights of Way,
- carrying out simple maintenance (waymarker replacement, vegetation clearance), and
- reporting more serious issues to the relevant authorities.
Training and mentoring will be available for new volunteers to ensure everyone feels confident and supported. DCC and NPNL will also assist with coordinating route audits and providing technical guidance.
How We Work
Auditing a path can be done individually by experienced walkers, but we often find it’s more effective and enjoyable in small teams.
SCAWG provides a central point for volunteers to connect, share information, and coordinate their work.
The group maintains a private contact list of volunteers (names, villages, and interests) for internal communication. Only first names and general details will appear on the website for privacy reasons.
SCAWG does not aim to cover every inch of Weardale, rather, we’ll work where volunteers are available and where the need is greatest.
Over time, we hope that these collective efforts will improve accessibility and enjoyment of the countryside for both locals and visitors.
Work Priorities
Our initial focus areas include:
- Reporting access issues for the general public
- Walking and auditing sections of footpaths and bridleways
- Replacing waymarkers and clearing overgrown vegetation
- Supporting NPNL or DCC-led work parties
A detailed list of current projects and their status will be maintained on this page (e.g. not yet audited, audit underway, audit completed, task scheduled).
How to Get Involved
Coordination of SCAWG is currently led by David, in collaboration with the Weardale Tuesday Walkers.
To get involved, email david@weardale.uk
Whether you can spare an occasional morning or would like to adopt a local path, we’d love to hear from you.
Stakeholders & Partners
Durham County Council Rights of Way Team:
prow@durham.gov.uk
Report a public right of way issue:
North Pennines National Landscape (NPNL) — based in Stanhope
info@northpennines.org.uk
www.northpennines.org.uk
Volunteers & Events
Volunteer List
(Website will show first names, home village, and main interests. Full contact list maintained privately.)
Events & Walks
SCAWG events will appear in the Tuesday Walkers Diary, now relabelled as Tuesday Walkers & SCAWG Events.
Our first training event has been confirmed: 28th October at St John’s Chapel Town Hall, 09:45 meet for 10:00 – 12:30 finish. Out for the walk, and finish for 14:30, hopefully back into the Chatterbox café.
Work in Progress
A summary of ongoing and completed projects will be available here soon.