Advice
Notes for new walkers
New walkers are very welcome to try any of our group walks.
If you have not walked before we recommended you start with an easy or leisurely short walk.
If you are not sure whether a walk is suitable for you or require additional information please contact us.
You can come on up to three walks free of charge but after that, you would be expected to join the club.
On the day of the walk
Our walks meet at 1000 hrs for a 1015 hrs start. Please arrive at the walk start point in good time. Please introduce yourself to the walk leader when you arrive. You may be asked to fill in the walk attendance list and may be asked whether you want to have a pub lunch (if it is part of the walk).
During the walk please follow the instructions given by the walk leader. Stay on the path shown by the walk leader – Do not take any shortcuts.
Walkers are sometimes strung out a little bit but please keep with the group. The walk leader will normally stop periodically to allow everyone to catch up.
There may only be limited toilet facilities on route so be prepared to use them. If you need to answer the call of nature please tell someone or the backmarker so that that you are accounted for and not left behind.
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We sincerely hope that you enjoy your walk with us and decide to join our club
Advice for Walkers
Like most activities in life, walking in the countryside is not without risk. To minimise the risks and maximise your enjoyment please consider the guidance notes below.
Before the walk
- Wear footwear suitable for the conditions.
- Wear/carry clothing to keep you dry and warm.
- Always carry enough food and water (particularly on hot days). Always keep a little food in reserve in case of emergencies.
- Take walking poles, if they help you, particularly for ascents and descents.
- Use sun screens if required.
- Carry contact details of your next of kin. We suggest a luggage label attached to kit bag.
- If the weather conditions are too poor, the walk leader will cancel the walk via e-mail.
At the Start of the Walk
- Always listen to the Leader’s pre-walk advice.
- Make sure you know who the “back marker” is.
Covid-19 Risk Mitigation
I am sure people have been made more than aware by the government how to reduce the risk of contracting covid-19.
The club members should be reminded of the following:
- Please do not walk if you have any of the symptoms associated with covid-19.
- Observe government advice re. car sharing.
- Maintain a social distance of 2 metres as far as possible.
- Avoid contact with stiles and gates as far as possible.
- Always carry antibacterial wipes/ hand gel.
- Always clean your hands before eating.
- Avoid touching other walker’s equipment.
- Please do not share food or eating utensils.
- Always carry a face covering. (you never know when you might need one)
Before the start of a walk the Leader must obtain a list of all walkers. These lists must be retained by the club. If a non member is on the walk contact details must be obtained. This is to enable “track and trace” to take place effectively.
Please note:
Go on foot leaders can refuse to take an ill-equipped walker. This is for your own safety. It is important to appreciate that all the walk leaders are volunteers who have kindly offered to organise and lead walks. It is quite a responsibility to take out a group of mixed ability walkers. All leaders will use their own discretion based on experience to decide to shorten, downgrade or even stop a walk.
All leaders will use their own discretion based on experience to decide to shorten, downgrade or even stop a walk especially when weather conditions worsen and continuing could compromise the safety of the group. Follow the Leader:
Some leaders will lead from the front, others will drop back and lead from the middle. The leader will have a map and will know where they’re going so it’s sensible to follow them!.
f you find yourself ahead of the leader and you come to a junction / choice of paths – STOP! – and wait for the leader to give instructions. Sometimes leaders will ask an experienced walker to act as a “back marker” – they’re doing this for your safety. Don’t allow yourself to become detached from the party – if you stop make sure you know where the party has gone and let the back marker or another responsible member know. If the path suddenly diverts course make sure the person behind you can see where you’ve gone. If you think there’s a problem, don’t ignore it, take responsibility and get a message to the front for the party to STOP!
If you have an accident:
Immediately inform the Leader or Back-marker
If they are not near you:
Use your mobile telephone to contact them
If there is no mobile signal
Use your whistle to alert them
If someone near you has an accident:
Render any first aid required to stabilise them
Contact the Leader or Back-marker
Whistle Signals
In an emergency:
Blow 6 short blasts as hard as you can
Repeat every minute
The reply is 3 blasts
Keep on blowing until help arrives
Walkers Guidelines
What to wear and what to bring
For Country walks wear warm and comfortable clothes, preferable in layers are best. A waterproof anorak is really a must as the weather is unpredictable!
Walking boots or shoes. Please wear comfortable and well fitting boots or shoes so that you walk easily and your feet stay dry and blister free.
Walking boots that support the ankles are recommended for country walks as paths and fields can be muddy and very uneven.
Summer walking shoes are ideal on easy level terrain when it is dry.
When walking in hot weather a hat and the use of sun cream is recommended as you may be out in the open without shade for some time.
You should bring a bottle of water and some snacks to consume during the walk. There will usually be rest stops during the walk and maybe places to purchase food and water etc, this will be indicated on the walk description. A mobile phone and a rucksack are also useful.
Walkers should take responsibility for their own safety and care on a group walk, and should bring with them medication which they may need on the walk to manage any conditions they might have
It is a good idea to inform, the walk leader of any medical conditions you may have at the start of the walk
Walkers are encouraged to carry an ICE (in case of emergency card) to provide their emergency contact details and important medical information.
If you should wish to leave the walk after it has started, please let the walk leader or the back marker know, please do not just walk off.
Please understand that walkers who leave the group will be responsible for getting themselves home safely.
Note:
Go on foot leaders can refuse to take an ill-equipped walker. This is for your own safety. It is important to appreciate that all the walk leaders are volunteers who have kindly offered to organise and lead walks. It is quite a responsibility to take out a group of mixed ability walkers. All leaders will use their own discretion based on experience to decide to shorten, downgrade or even stop a walk
All leaders will use their own discretion based on experience to decide to shorten, downgrade or even stop a walk especially when weather conditions worsen and continuing could compromise the safety of the group. Follow the Leader:
Some leaders will lead from the front, others will drop back and lead from the middle. The leader will have a map and will know where they’re going so it’s sensible to follow them!.
f you find yourself ahead of the leader and you come to a junction / choice of paths – STOP! – and wait for the leader to give instructions. Sometimes leaders will ask an experienced walker to act as a “back marker” – they’re doing this for your safety. Don’t allow yourself to become detached from the party – if you stop make sure you know where the party has gone and let the back marker or another responsible member know. If the path suddenly diverts course make sure the person behind you can see where you’ve gone. If you think there’s a problem, don’t ignore it, take responsibility and get a message to the front for the party to STOP!
Medical guidelines
Our walk leaders do carry first aid kits but may not all have first aid training.
Some walkers carry there own small first aid kit to deal with minor injuries as well as any medication you think you might need. On the back of your membership card there is a blank panel for you to fill in details of any medical conditions you have, prescribed medication you take, any allergies you suffer from and an emergency contact number. Please do fill this in and carry it in your rucksack at all times. This information will be needed if you ever become unwell and are taken to a doctor or hospital. Without this information being provided you may put your own life in danger if those who need to know such details don’t!
Fitness / State of Health Don’t attempt more than you are capable of. If you feel unwell during a walk and feel unable to continue, tell someone and ask them to get a message to the leader. If you are new to walking or haven’t done any hill walking for a while, don’t attempt more than you know you are capable of. Tempting though it is to join your friends, it’s better to join the “easier” walk until you build up your fitness.
Walking on roads
Be alert, you are sharing the road with motor vehicles that can be travelling fast. Walk in single file close to the kerb, normally on the right, and if you have to walk round a blind bend go round the outside edge so vehicles have a better chance to see you.
The Countryside
Britain’s countryside is one of such immense diversity and fascination that the best way to become truly familiar with it, is to explore it on foot. Walking is by far the most popular recreation in Britain and its popularity is growing all the time. Walkers in Britain are fortunate in having an intricate network of paths which in law are public rights of way. Many of these paths date back centuries.
The Countryside Code Respect other people: • consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors • leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available Protect the natural environment: • leave no trace of your visit
and take your litter home • Enjoy the outdoors: • plan ahead and be prepared • follow advice and local signs.