# Parish footpath observer allocations

If your area looks after footpaths, the area map can show a footpath observer's coverage parish by parish. Each parish is shaded **green where an observer is allocated** and **red where the slot is vacant**, so the gaps you need to recruit for stand out at a glance. Hovering over a parish shows who covers it.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/a863d14c-c7dd-4335-b003-a5e71bc06204.webp)

*An area map, with Kent shown here as an example. Green parishes have a footpath observer, red ones are vacant; hovering shows the parish and its observer.*

## Two ways to manage allocations

You can manage allocations one parish at a time on the map, or in bulk from a spreadsheet. Both update the same data, so use whichever suits the job.

### 1. On the map, one parish at a time

With the site in edit mode, click a parish to open its popup. As an administrator you can then assign a member or mark the parish vacant.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/457e467d-8b27-4ba1-a557-e83ef65a806e.png)

*Click a parish to open its popup: it shows the status and parish code, with an Assign member box and a Mark Vacant button.*

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/d3abd937-96de-4bb6-8229-b11b4197f20b.png)

*Start typing in the Assign member box and pick the volunteer from the member list.*

The map updates straight away - the parish turns **green** once a volunteer is assigned, and **red** again if you mark it vacant.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/dd5bff87-e083-4b8e-8c31-84082f9ee7a3.png)

*Allocated - the parish is green and the tooltip names the observer.*

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/d75ec9b5-8a94-4428-90da-080afca2be3e.webp)

*Vacant - the parish is red until someone is assigned.*

### 2. In bulk, from a CSV file

To set up or refresh a whole area at once, go to **Admin → System Settings → Maps → Parish Allocations**. Click **Choose CSV File** (or drag a file onto the drop zone), then **Import**. A summary reports how many rows were created, updated or had errors.

The file needs a header row. These are the columns it understands:

| Column | Required? | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| `parishName` | **Required** | The parish name, for example Smarden. |
| `parishCode` | **Required for the map to colour the parish** | The official ONS parish code, for example E04004856. The map shades each parish by matching this code, so a row without it still imports but the parish stays uncoloured. The codes are shown in the **Parish Code** column of the allocations table. |
| `status` | Optional | `vacant` marks the parish red; anything else, including blank, counts as `allocated` (green). |
| `assignee` | Optional | The observer's name. If it matches a member's name it is also linked to their record. |
| `notes` | Optional | Free text, for your own reference. |

One further optional column, `assigneeMemberId`, links a row straight to a member by id and takes precedence over `assignee`, but naming the person in `assignee` is the usual way.

The **Current Allocations** list below shows every parish with its code, status and assignee. You can filter by name or code, sort any column, and drag the bottom edge to resize it. **Clear All Allocations** removes them all if you need to start again.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/243f3057-5729-4068-bad8-389ddfac5540.png)

*The Parish Allocations tab: CSV import, the expected columns, and the live allocations table.*

### Download a starter template

Rather than build the CSV from scratch, download the template below and edit it. It is seeded with real parish names and their official codes, a mix of allocated and vacant rows, and two worked examples showing the optional `assignee` and `notes` columns. Replace the rows with your own and import it on the Parish Allocations tab.

## See also

* [Configuring your area map](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/committee/editing-content/area-maps/configuring-the-map)
* [Area Maps overview](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/committee/editing-content/area-maps)