We would like to pass on our appreciation to Market Harborough’s Whitestuff Foundation for their support and generous donations. We are no longer their designated local charity but a massive thank you must go out for their continued support for the past 5 years. In total they have raised/donated £8488.32 for AdamSmile, a truly phenomenal amount!
‘AdamSmile is getting closer to being constructed.’ That is the hope of the AdamSmile trustees as they continue to press the Leicestershire County Council (LCC) on two fronts.
Although it has been over 10 years since Adam died, the trustee’s determination to provide a safe walking and cycling route between Lubenham and Market Harborough is as strong as ever. They have recently had their hopes of progress raised through work with LCC in respect of formalising a public access route and in conjunction with the Market Harborough Transport Strategy consultation.
The AdamSmile trustees have proposed that the old railway line be formally adopted on official maps as a footpath, with a view to upgrading it to a cycleway thereafter. This process, known as a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO), has involved getting statements from people who have walked the route over many years, and from land owners who would be affected. The DMMO application is now being considered by the legal team at LCC and the trustees are really hoping for a good result.
The transport strategy consultation includes reference to improved walking and cycling routes and incorporates specific reference to the Lubenham / Harborough route. The consultative draft suggests a route alongside the existing road but the AdamSmile trustees are concerned that it does not appear to deal with the narrow part at the Lubenham end which is exactly where Adam died. The trustees have responded to LCC to raise their concerns and to highlight the railway line option.
The charity has received over £130,000 in public donations towards its objective. These funds will make a real impact on the project once the legal processes are completed. The charity has a list of every donation and the trustees are hugely grateful to all those who have helped so far.
Ten years have passed very quickly. But the object of the AdamSmile charity remains the same and the trustees continue to work to find a way of making it happen.
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Don’t forget to sign up to Race Harborough’s annual cycling event – This Sunday 2nd April
http://raceharborough.co.uk/cycling/
3 rides this year alongside the children’s skills workshop;
50km cycle sportive (£20)
100km cycle sportive (£20)
100mile cycle sportive NEW distance (£25)
Should be a great event, let’s hope the weather holds out
Follow us on Twitter – AdamSMile1
Like our page on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Support-ADAMSMILE–227586321324/
After a succesfful event last year; Race Harborugh are putting on their 2nd festival of cycling!
We are proud and flattered to be the chosen charity for which £5.00 from every entry fee goes directly towards our campaign.
Race date: Sunday 3rd April 2016
For more information and to sign up now visit;
http://raceharborough.co.uk/cycling/
• 6th September 2006
Our 13 year old son Adam was killed whilst cycling to school along the main road from Lubenham to Market Harborough.
• October 2006
Kate and David Mugridge have the idea of creating a safe cycle way, away from traffic, along the disused railway line from Lubenham to Market Harborough.
• November 2006
We write to the landowners to inform them of our intentions and asking for their support. Local people start fundraising events.
• January 2007
AdamSmile becomes a registered charity and we appoint a board of trustees.
• May 2007
A meeting takes place with all five landowners. Some were supportive, others opposed it.
• 2007
A meeting takes place with Sustrans and Northants County Council to agree a way forward.
• 2008,2009
Continuous contact and various meetings with NCC, but progress is slow due to opposition from some landowners.
• 2010
Feasibility study produced by NCC.
• 2011
Government cuts in local funding result in NCC withdrawing. Leicestershire County Council takes this up.
• October 2011
Whitestuff in Market Harborough agree to take us on as their local charity. Fundraising continues.
• 2011,2012
Three alternative routes are considered and explored but NCC, LCC and the trustees conclude that the old railway line offers the best solution as the safest route.
• 2012
LCC carry out their feasibility study.
• 2012, 2013
LCC advise us that the way forward is to apply for a Definitive Map Modification in order to recognise that the route has been walked for many years.
• 2013,2014
There is a press release in the Harborough Mail to ask for help and we submit over 70 forms to LCC to support this.
• 2014
All landowners and Harborough District Council are informed of the new proposal and asked to respond.
• April 2015
Letters are sent out by LCC to all the landowners and Local Councils, asking for their responses by the end of May.
• July 2015
Letters of clarification are to be sent out in September to some of the objectors and people who completed User Forms. A report will then be sent to a Development Control and Regulatory Board. A date will then be set for an Open Meeting for objectors and supporters of the modified route.
• September 2015
A total of £125 000 has been raised to date.
On Sunday 29th March Market Harborough’s first ever festival of cycling- sponsored by- Alden Electrical- will be taking place. It’s all about promoting the benefits of cycling with the focus on being safe and having fun! A 50km ride is available for beginners or for those looking to push themselves a bit further, a 100km ride.
AdamSMile has been selected as the chosen charity partner for this event. From every entry fee, £5.00 will be donated directly to the charity.
For more information and to enter now, visit; raceharborough.co.uk/cycling
We hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Thanks to all attendees and anyone who helped out or donated a raffle prize…our charity disco and raffle fundraiser raised a fantastic £1200! Hope everyone had a good night and we very much look forward to the next one.
Follow the link to purchase your tickets for the 2014 AdamSmile Disco.
Any issues, contact us at adamsmile@hotmail.co.uk or leave a message in the box below!