PICNIC rides, barbecues and map reading nights are among treats available to Worcestershire riders. To take advantage of these delights, riders must join the Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association.

The organisation is working hard to improve the quality of riding in the county by establishing a network of bridleways, byeways, tracks and quiet roads. To coincide with the British Horse Society’s Access Week – which started yesterday – the group has organised a programme of events, beginning with a picnic ride tomorrow at Hanbury, near Droitwich.

An evening ride is planned for Tuesday from Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn; an escorted ride from Inkberrow is on Saturday, May 28, and a picnic ride from Wichenford, near Worcester, will take place the following day.

Caroline Gudgeon is chairman of the association. She said: “We are keen to enrol new members into our organisation which is defending, promoting and extending the equestrian off-road network across the country.

“The BHS access week is an annual event and brings countrywide focus to our volunteers and affiliated bridleway groups. Surveys carried out clearly show that off-road riding is important to, and regularly used by, equestrians of all backgrounds and disciplines.

“Whether you like to have fun hacking with friends, exploring the countryside or exercising a show jumper or eventer, every horse rider and carriage driver has the right to access safe off-road routes.”

Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association has spent many hours creating private parking facilities for riders where members can safely park their vehicles in different areas of the county before exploring the bridleways.

Mrs Gudgeon said: “We organise escorted rides from the car parks so people unsure of exploring by themselves can be assured they can learn the routes in a group as well as making new friends.”

Riders help maintain the bridlepaths by regularly using them and in association with Worcestershire County Council, help to maintain them at certain times of the year by organising clearance mornings. The Wyre Forest permit scheme – a popular riding route – is run by the association.

For more information, call 07970 523294 or go to wbra.co.uk.