Welcome to new members
We are delighted to welcome new members to the group. If you are new to the Ramblers you may have some concerns about going on your first walk. You may not know how to find the start point for the walk, or feel confident about your ability to keep up, or wonder how welcoming and friendly the established members of the group will be. Most of our leaders have several years’ experience in the role, so if you have any concerns your first step should be to phone the leader to discuss the walk with him or her. The leader will be able to explain in detail what the walk will involve, how long it is expected to take, the type of terrain involved etc.
Contacting the leader does not mean that you must commit to go on the walk, it just puts you in a better position to decide if a particular walk is suitable for you.
You do not have to book in advance to go on a walk. You can just turn up. Walks start promptly at the time stated, so you should get to the start point maybe 15 minutes before to allow time for parking and to get your boots on etc.
Walks up to about 6 miles will usually take between 2 and 3 hours and will include a 10 minute stop for coffee and a snack after about an hour, so you should bring suitable refreshments. Longer walks usually also have a lunch break of about 20 minutes, so you should bring a packed lunch. In some cases the programme indicates whether or not there will be a lunch stop.
What to bring
Food and drink, wear stout footwear and carry waterproof clothing in case of wet weather. If possible bring a first aid kit - plasters, insect-bite cream, wet wipes etc... and a mobile phone. Particularly in winter, when conditions can be treacherous, it is a good idea to carry a survival bag. Such bags can be bought from Millets or Cotswolds for about £4.00 each. During the summer months you are advised to check for tick bites after a walk.
If it is likely to be muddy or icy walking poles are recommended.
Start points for walks
Indicated by a six-figure grid reference, with a 2 letter prefix - eg SU 733107 is the east end of Rowlands Castle green. If you look up walks on the web the starting point is usually shown on a map. Note that post codes may not be very helpful in the countryside - they can cover a large area. What3Words is sometimes given for start points - accurate to 3m.
Car sharing to walks
It is Group policy to encourage car-sharing as much as possible, primarily for environmental reasons, but also to enable people who do not drive to join our walks. Drivers often appreciate it when a voluntary contribution is made by passengers. The amount is at the discretion of the driver. Some people find that after a few walks they meet people with whom they can share lifts to walks on a regular basis.
Cancellation of walks
If the weather (or forecast) is very bad, or if any doubt exists whether the walk will take place, it is the responsibility of the walker to contact the leader to check if the walk is still on.
If I am told in time I will put the walk as 'Cancelled' on this website, so it might be worth checking the site on the morning of the walk. Otherwise, phone the leader.
Safety and leaders authority
Leaders do their best to ensure safe walks, but those taking part do so at their own risk. Please adhere to the leader's instructions, especially on busy roads and observe the Countryside Code at all times. Please do not walk ahead of the leader and tell the leader or back-marker if you intend to drop behind the main group. Leaders do a risk assessment for each walk and will tell you about any possible hazards. Where we usually walk the main hazards are slippery chalk paths (particularly if wet), crossing or walking along busy roads, and difficult stiles.
Dogs
All dog owners MUST now contact the walk leader before the walk. This is so that any walker who has an aversion to dogs can find out in advance (by contacting the walk leader) if dogs will be on that walk. Dogs on walks need to be closely controlled - either on a lead or close to the owner - and must be kept on a lead near cattle and wildlife.
Covid-19
Please read the Ramblers Covid-19 guidance for members on the main Ramblers website
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus.aspx