PRESS RELEASE issued 2nd September 2002

New chairman for Farnham's cycle campaigners

After many years as chairman of Farnham's local cycle campaign group, the Cycle Rights Network, Brian Thomas is standing down. His replacement as chairman is the local Cycle Touring Club rides leader (co-ordinator), Simon Scoble. Farnham CRN would like to thank Brian for his valued contribution and commitment over the years: he will be greatly missed.

Brian organised many events in his time (such as the Silver and Golden Jubilee lantern rides and the Heritage ride in 1998) and was instrumental in getting funding for the Christmas Pie Trail connecting Guildford to Farnham. Brian also led the CTC local rides group for many years and regularly wrote the 'Saddle Sore' column for the Farnham Herald. However, the biggest achievement of the Cycle Rights Network under Brian's leadership was to devise a cohesive network of cycle routes for Farnham and to get these adopted into the Waverley Borough's Local Plan. An expanded version of this network can be seen on the group's web site (http://farnhamcycle-network.org.uk) and these plans have also been accepted by Surrey County Council as part of their Strategic Cycle Network.

Construction of the Farnham Cycle Network started last year and as Brian steps down, Simon and the rest of the group are taking up the challenge of working with council officers to see the network through to completion. The aim of the group is to make cycling more convenient and enjoyable across Farnham and to the surrounding communities and countryside.

Information the Editor

The Cycle Rights (aka Right to Ride) Network is the campaign wing of the Cycle Touring Club. The local Farnham group aims to canvas opinions from all interested cyclists and cycling clubs. Currently Cycle Rights Network (Farnham) includes official representatives from Friends of the Earth Farnham, the Farnham Road Club, the Farnham LA21 group and Farnham Cycles.

The Farnham CTC rides cater for all abilities, average distance 30 to 40 miles with a pub lunch. They start from the Farnham Maltings at approx 9:30 on the second Sunday of every month.