Stannage Edge / Long Causeway closed to vehicular traffic

[Kingy]

I've seen the TRF from the inside when we set up the 'Virtual Peaks' Group. That so nearly didn't happen because some of the older and very influential members didn't want us as part of the TRF. One doddery old muppet who was very powerful within his clique had been told about the 'Green Lane Crew'. They are/were generally pillocks on the internet and at the time were trying to take as many people as they could on rides in the Peaks (sort of a mass trespass event). Said doddery old git had it in his head that 'Muddymonkeys' - as we were known at the time - were responsible and on that basis didn't want us near the TRF. He never did accept that we had nothing to do with the 'Green Lane Crew' and were a completely seperate entity. Evidently it was on the internet, therefore it was us!

We had to jump through hoops you would never believe to get Group Status and despite it supposedly being a formality we had to do a presentation and then it went to a vote. Seems ridiculous given that we asked for no money (other TRF groups take money for every member they have), gave them an influx of new members and dragged them kicking and screaming into the internet era.
Throughout our tenure as a group the same faces continued to object to us. If it weren't for Slider and Matt I'd have walked long before we did as it 100% wasn't worth the grief.

There are some very dedicated hardworking guys in the TRF management and heading some TRF Groups.
There was (is still?) a nucleus of influential people with their own agenda that spent years working hard, then ultimately and selfishly made progress in the Peaks extremely difficult as they didn't like the direction the TRF was taking. That was the beginning of the end for the Peaks and it happened from within the TRF creating the perfect storm for Peak Parks, Ramblers and any other groups wanting to rid the peaks of vehicular traffic.

For me we are now reaping what they sowed. Very very sad.