Member spotlight: Andy Hall

Our members are dedicated to preserving our network of green lanes and we aim to recognise the contribution they make – whether this is through organising working parties to repair lanes, welcoming new members or liaising with police and local authorities. Our latest Member Spotlight is on Andy Hall, Area Rep for County Durham who was nominated, in particular, for the work he does in supporting newcomers to green laning and encouraging membership of the Association. We spoke to Andy to find out more – and to get his top tips for encouraging new members.

Q) How long have you been a member of the Green Lane Association?

A) I can’t even remember! It’s probably been about five years now, maybe more.

Q) What roles have you had in that time?

A) I was Assistant Rep for County Durham and Northumberland and then the Rep left so I took it on but I left myself without an Assistant! I’ve got two friends in GLASS that I’ve set up a separate Facebook group with, called 4×4 North East, so we have a little team with the three of us. We use this group to advertise meet ups and map reading days and we use it to bring more people into the Association.

Q) What makes a good Area Rep?

A) Being active and taking the initiative. Getting out on the lanes and having a look at what’s going on – things like random lane closures. If there isn’t any information about something like that then it’s about finding out what’s going on. We’ve got a couple of illegal blockages near here where I’m trying to work out what’s going on. I’ve been green laning for close to 15 years and I’ve never been able to drive it so it’s nice to be able to try and get to the bottom of things like that.

It’s also about educating people. I tend to get a little bit of flack online because I’m one of the first ones to pipe up if I see something that is against our Code of Conduct. If people want to go out and get muddy and stuck then I tell them to go to a pay and play site. I tell people that it they’re serious about green laning then they should come to one of our meet ups. No one who is a sensible laner wants to get tarnished with the same brush as the idiots and it is about educating people about how to do it the right way. I’ve bene in the green laning community for some time and I’ve been on Sky News and on the local radio to talk about the Green Lane Association and how it helps to look after routes and encourage responsible countryside access. I’ve been disabled since I was 20, I’m 35 now. For people with health issues, green laning is a fantastic way to get out into the countryside.

Q) Why is it so important to be focused on education, especially for new and prospective members?

A) I’m a bushcraft and foraging instructor – my business is Andy’s Outings Bushcraft and Foraging  – so I’m teaching people about nature with that and it’s all part of the wider picture. I love teaching and passing on knowledge. A lot of people get overwhelmed when they start out – and not just younger people. I’m not tech savvy, my work is being outside rubbing two sticks together and I don’t own a laptop. A lot of people are the same. So, when we hold these meet ups, I take a big box of Ordnance Survey maps and I get TrailWise2 open on the tablet so that we can check closures. I show people how to read a map so that they can tell what the terrain is and what the gradient is so that they are better prepared to go out. I’ve had people come up to me afterwards and shake my hand and say ‘ I didn’t know where to start’. And now they can go out onto the lanes.

Q) What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking about starting to green lane?

A) Do not hold back! Don’t worry because we’re a big, friendly bunch. GLASS is amazing and there are lots of smaller clubs which are usually run by GLASS members. There is a huge amount of advice out there if you’re willing to ask for it. Also, don’t feel like you need to get a jacked up 4×4 to take part. It’s something you can do in a standard 4×4 with a decent set of tyres. Find a mate or join a group and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.