Thursday 27 December 2012

Walks Programme Jan-Mar 2013


The is the RAM programme of walks for the period January - March 2013. Only the bare details are in this programme.  The full details are available to RAM members.

Wednesday 2nd January: Birzebbuga and Ghaxaq outskirts (Scenic/Agricultural/Historical/Geological)
Duration:                  Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Saturday 5th January: Fortifications around Birzebbugia and Marsaxlokk  (Scenic/Cultural/Historical)
Duration:                      Approximately 6 to 7 hours
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Sunday 13th January: Marsascala-Torri Mamo-Marsaxlokk (Scenic/Historical)
Duration                   Approximately 4 hours
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Wednesday 16th January: Attard - Lija - Mosta - Victoria Lines - Mtarfa
(Scenic/ Historical/Geological)
Duration:          Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Sunday 20th January: Floriana - Gardens and Bastions (Cultural, Historical)

Duration:                  2 ½ hours
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Saturday 26th January: Prehistoric Temples Mystery Walk.  (Scenic/Cultural/Historical)
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Wednesday 30th January: Dingli Cliffs-Fawwara-Inquisitor's Palace-Buskett (Scenic/ Historical/Geological)
Duration:          Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Sunday 3rd February: Wied Hesri-Blat il-Qamar-Girgenti-Ta' Zuta-Buskett-Wied Ta' L-Isqof-Haz-Zebbug  (Scenic, Agricultural)
Duration:                   Approx 3 ½ hours

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Sunday, 10th February - Burmarrad/Bidnija/Mosta (Scenic)
Duration            Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Wednesday 13th February: Mqabba - Hal Millieri - Zurrieq - Qrendi
(Scenic/ Historical/Geological)
Duration:          Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Saturday 16th February: RAM Annual General Meeting
Please keep this morning free for our AGM. Exact time and venue will be
announced later.
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Sunday 17th February: Gozo (Scenic)
Duration:             Approximately 3 hours (not including the ferry crossing times)
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Saturday 23rd February: Birzebbuga Mystery Walk (Scenic, Historical)
Duration:                    Approximately 4 hours
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Wednesday 27th February: Kuncizzjoni - Victoria Lines - Bahrija - Mtahleb
(Scenic/ Historical/Geological)
Duration:          Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Gozo weekend: Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March 2013.
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Sunday 10th March: Manikata Heritage Trail (Agricultural, Historical, Scenic)
Duration                 Approx 3 ½ hours   
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Wednesday 13th March: Birzebbuga - Ghaxaq - Marsaxlokk - Delimara
(Scenic/ Historical/Geological)
Duration:          Approximately 3 ½ hours
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Sunday 17th March: Maghtab Mystery Walk (Historical, Scenic)
Duration:           Approximately 5 hours 
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Sunday 24th March:  Western cliffs (Scenic)
Duration        Approx 3 ½ hours
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Sunday 31st March: Marfa Ridge Circuit (Scenic)
Duration:         Approximately 4 ½ to  5 hours

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Green Country Code – for a more respectful approach to our countryside
Adapted from Malta, Gozo & Comino: Off the Beaten Track  -  a Nature Trust publication 2002
  1. Refrain from collecting or causing harm to any specimens of flora, fauna, geological items such as fossils and stalactites or archaeological artefacts.
  2. Respect natural habitats, sensitive sites and the local inhabitants. Tread lightly and avoid disturbance.
  3. Avoid causing noise and light pollution (especially in caves or at night)
  4. Do not dispose of any waste in the countryside or sea
  5. Do not light fires in vulnerable locations such as caves, beneath trees, on dry grass or garigue areas
  6. Keep to paths where possible – avoid trespassing on defined private property and cultivated fields.
  7. Avoid trampling
  8. Be informed beforehand of the protection status of any sites you will be passing through – some activities may be restricted in such areas or at least they may require extra attention upon visiting
  9. Report any grass fires or emergencies on 112
  10. Enjoy the countryside!

Important telephone numbers:

·  Emergencies, Fire, Police: 112
·  Police: 2122 4001
·  Administrative Law Enforcement MALTA: 2122 4001 or 21235761
·  Administrative Law Enforcement GOZO: 21562040

Report environmental issues to MEPA on their 24-hour emergency tel no: 2069 9595. 
As per the MEPA advert, this should be used for all emergency reports related to pollution, littering, nature protection, illegal development, construction site management.

> If you encounter injured wildlife contact immediately International Animal Rescue Malta    (Mr Max Farrugia mobile: 9947 1212)
> If you encounter marine wildlife (injured/stranded/dead) contact Nature Trust’s Marine Rescue Team on 9942 2085/6.
> Report sightings of marine mammals, reptiles and sharks to Nature Trust on 9942 2085/6 or    mlcg@waldonet.net.mt
> Be extremely cautious when handling injured animals!
> For weekend emergencies i.c.w. injured pet animals such as cats and dogs contact the Vet Emergency Service on 50043888

Report archaeological findings to: Anthony Pace, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, 138, Melita Street, Valletta. VLT 08. Tel. +356 21 230711; +356 21 251874; Fax. +356 21 251140 E-mail    anthony.pace@gov.mt
http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt    http://www.culturalheritage.org.mt

The Natural History Museum at Mdina may be interested in knowing about any dead wildlife you encounter.

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Friday 27 April 2012

Ramblers applaud MEPA refusal of Portomaso extension


MALTA TODAY

National Friday 27 April 2012 - 15:50

Ramblers applaud MEPA refusal of Portomaso extension

Ramblers Association of Malta ‘pleased’ that Portomaso Extension application was rejected by the MEPA board.

The Ramblers Association has welcomed the refusal by the MEPA board of an extension project at Portomaso, but qualified its statement by saying it was "not so pleased" that the board was divided on the issue.
"The decision should been crystal clear. The original permit for the Portomaso buildings stated that no further development could be carried out in this area.  Apart from the other reasons militating against approval of this application, this condition alone should have been enough for this application to be thrown out, without MEPA wasting its time, and everyone else's, in considering and evaluating this spurious application," the Ramblers said.
"It is therefore surprising that half the MEPA board members actually voted in favour of this development.  It seems that the recent cultural change in favour of more sustainable development has not permeated to all the board members. Those who voted 'yes' are apparently still in favour of the maxim: 'If there is an open space, let's build it'."
The Ramblers also noted that Labour's representative on the board Roderick Galdes was one of those who voted in favour of the project. "This causes us to question the PL's current policy on the environment, as this looks more favourable to unrestrained development. Unfortunately, the PN representative was absent for this crucial vote, so we cannot know how he would have voted."
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POSTED BY: Skocciz — 27/04/2012 20:09:43
Ramblers Malta are promoting the stand of a large section of all Maltese. They are confronting speculators, developers, contractors and some selfish hunters to protect and safeguard what remains of our countryside. Unfortunately RAM Malta is still being deprived of what the UK ramblers achieved 80 years ago! Government ministers just promise but hardly deliver. This is the main reason for the current mess of our countryside.
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Ramblers welcome MEPA decision on Portomaso application


Gozo News.Com

For all the latest Gozo and Malta news

Ramblers welcome MEPA decision on Portomaso application

Published on Friday, 27, April, 2012 at 15:36 in Malta News | No Comments 


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Ramblers welcome MEPA's decision on Portomaso applicationThe Ramblers Association of Malta said that it welcomes the news that the Portomaso Extension application was rejected by the MEPA board.
Ramblers commented that, “it is not so pleased that the board was divided on this issue, when, to all intents and purposes, the decision should been crystal clear. This is in view of the fact that the original permit, for the Portomaso buildings, stated that no further development could be carried out in this area. Apart from the other reasons militating against approval of this application, this condition alone should have been enough for this application to be thrown out, without MEPA wasting its time, and everyone else’s, in considering and evaluating this spurious application.”
Ramblers said “it is therefore surprising that half the MEPA board members actually voted in favour of this development. It seems that the recent cultural change in favour of more sustainable development has not permeated to all the board members.” the BGO said, those who voted “yes” are apparently still in favour of the maxim: “If there is an open space, let’s build it.”
Ramblers also noted “that the PL representative on the board was one of those who voted in favour of the project. This causes us to question the PL’s current policy on the environment, as this looks more favourable to unrestrained development. Unfortunately, the PN representative was absent for this crucial vote, so we cannot know how he would have voted.”
The NGO said that it is not in agreement with the MEPA chairman’s stance that the restriction against further development should not have been included in the first permit. According to the Times, the NGO continued: “Mr Walker criticised the decision to include the condition in the first permit precluding further development, saying that the hands of future board members should not be tied down in this way.”
“This is in fact the reason for these restrictions, to tie the hand of future board members, so that developments cannot be extended in the “usual” manner, by submitting one application after another, each one extending the built-up area. Mr Walker, more than anyone else, should be aware of this.”
“Having said that, Mr Walker should still be commended for doing the right thing, and voting against,” the Ramblers Association concluded.

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