Ramblers Walkfinder and Revised Format for the Walks Programme

The Ramblers have introduced a nationwide “Walkfinder” website which will list all walks led by Ramblers Local Groups throughout the country. This will enable members to locate walks anywhere on any given day and provision has been made for any Group to download its own walks from the website and print its own programme therefrom. This in turn will relieve the Group newsletter editor and walks co-ordinators from  the laborious task of assembling the programme from details submitted by leaders and will also enable every Group’s walks programme to be produced in the standard format which has been used in our walks programme which follows. Any observations regarding the new text format vis-à-vis  the tabulated format used hitherto by the Group should be made to the newsletter editor or any Committee member.

Ramblers are also encouraging walk leaders to upload their walk details directly on to the Walksfinder site; our computer expert Ralph Hawtree has written a guide for members explaining how to do this and this will be sent to all recipients of the newsletter electronically in a separate email as an addendum to this newsletter. If anybody who receives a printed copy of the newsletter would also like a printed copy of this guide the newsletter editor can supply one on request. It is emphasised that leaders will be under no obligation to upload their walk details themselves, should they prefer not to then walk details should be submitted to the walks co-ordinators in the usual way and a small team of Committee members can then upload them. Any walk leader uploading walk details him/herself should advise the relevant walks co-ordinator that they have done this. Once registered on the site it will be possible to view all forthcoming walks as soon as they are published.

As always when introducing a new system there are likely to be “teething troubles”, if any gremlins do find their way into this first newsletter to be produced under the new procedure the forbearance of members will be appreciated!

Walks Policy

Events on some recent walks have highlighted some aspects of the Group’s policy in organising walks which call for clarification.

We have always eschewed a rigid set of rules and regulations and endeavoured to keep our walks as pleasantly informal as possible. However the large number of participants on many walks, particularly the shorter Tuesday morning walks, does on occasion cause difficulties for leaders, particularly when the group becomes strung out over a considerable distance and, for the successful and safe conduct of the walks and especially for safety of all participants, the following general principles should be observed:-

 i). The leader has responsibility for setting a pace of the walk which is comfortable for all participants; walkers should avoid forcing the pace or walking on ahead of the leader unless with his / her agreement as this puts unnecessary pressure on the leader who already has a difficult task in keeping a large group together. Likewise, leaders should periodically check that all members of the group are in sight and should ensure that all participants are present at the end of the walk.

ii). The leader should appoint a backmarker who should stay at the back of the group and ensure nobody is left behind, and ideally should carry a map or satnav  and mobile phone in case of emergency; mobile phones should be kept on throughout the walk.

iii). It is essential that if a gap develops, whenever the route changes direction, particularly in wooded areas, all walkers should ensure that those behind are aware of the change thus ensuring that those behind do not get lost.

iv). The location and start time of the walk are specified in the walks programme; leaders should not depart before the stated time, likewise participants should ensure they arrive in good time as the start cannot be delayed to await latecomers other than by prior arrangement with the leader. The post code of the start point is usually given, however this should be taken only as a guide as, especially in rural areas, post codes can cover quite an extensive area; the six-figure grid reference usually pinpoints the start more reliably. Those who have internet access and are registered on the Ramblers website can also check the details on the website version of the walk, which includes a small map extract giving the precise location of the start. At times of exceptionally inclement weather it is also advisable to check with the leader beforehand in case it is considered necessary to amend or curtail the walk.

v). All walkers should carry their own basic First Aid kit as well as the leader and backmarker; some leaders have their own, but the Group now has kits of its own which are normally offered to leaders at the beginning of the walk. Although leaders may carry a First Aid kit it does not put any responsibility on them to carry out basic First Aid.

The success of our walks programme depends on the willingness of leaders, who are of course all volunteers, to take on the responsibility of arranging the walk and ensuring as far as possible that all enjoy the walk and complete the course in safety. It is not an easy task, particularly on some of the Tuesday morning walks which can attract up to forty or fifty  participants, and the co-operation of all walkers will greatly assist leaders in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.