AIMS OF THE RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION
AIMS OF THE RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION
The RA has the following broad aims, which form the basis of its operations and actions:
- To promote walking.
- To protect, open up and develop the definitive path network in England and Wales, and path networks in Scotland.
- To secure, promote and protect responsible freedom to roam on all open country in England and Wales, and on all land in the countryside in Scotland.
- To protect the outdoor environment and maintain its long-term health and sustainability.
- To increase and extend its membership such that the RA can engage with, and represent, all sectors of society.
JOINING THE RAMBLERS
You may join via the website here or forms are available from the Membership Secretary and some walks leaders.
MESSAGE FROM PETERBOROUGH GROUP CHAIR
We are all too aware of how things have changed in the past year and continue to change. We are slowly having to come to terms with what the ‘new normal’ is in this major difference to our social lives.
As advised by guidance from Ramblers HQ, we have successfully restarted Group walks with risk assessments and track and trace registers. Attendance has been good, with members observing Covid-19 protocols. I would like to offer grateful thanks to the Walk Leaders for agreeing to continue to lead in these much changed circumstances.
Your Committee will continue to review the situation as and when changes are advised by Ramblers HQ following Government announcements; all measures are to ensure members’ safety and comply with Ramblers insurance conditions. It is, of course, your personal decision as to whether or not you attend our Group Walks. Keep safe and stay healthy together!
During your walking, please make a note of and report to Peterborough City Council any maintenance issues, in particular the yellow-topped waymarker posts – missing or damaged.
The Committee would ideally like two more members to help ensure our Group continues to prosper. If you are interested – the task requires enthusiasm but is not onerous – please contact any of the Committee members listed at the end of the booklet.
We are proposing to celebrate our Group’s 50th Anniversary after our walk on Thursday, 1 July. An indication is given in the entry in this booklet; further details will be given online and in person when our plans have been firmed up.
We are delighted that Tony Attwood has kindly offered to take up the vacant post of Publicity Officer and look forward to working with him.
Barry Creamer, Peterborough Group Chair
MESSAGE FROM PETERBOROUGH GROUP SECRETARY
Have we got your current email address?
We are sending regular email updates on walks and Covid-19 secure regulations. If you haven’t received any or have changed your email address, please write to me (Jane Hogg) at
peterboroughramblers2019@gmail.com
Please do not assume that we have your email address because you supplied it when you joined the Ramblers Association.
Please note that we don’t monitor the email account regularly. If you have an urgent query, please email me on janehogg44@gmail.com
How do I join the WhatsApp group?
This group, available to those with suitable mobile phones, is now the main way of booking in for walks and enabling urgent communication with most members. If you are not in the group and would like to be, please text Stewart Wylie on 07780 807182.
Jane Hogg, Peterborough Group Secretary
GENERAL NOTES
Non-members, whether experienced walkers or not, are welcome to join us on our walks. We do not charge, but if they wish to continue to walk with us regularly they will be expected to join the Ramblers Association after 2 or 3 walks. Dogs are allowed at the discretion of the leader. Please check beforehand if you wish to bring your dog. Remember that dogs, however well trained, must be on a lead where animals are grazing and in Nature Reserves. Leaders may request single file walking where appropriate and will also regulate the pace to slower members. It is usual and courteous for party members not to walk in advance of the leader, unless otherwise directed. If you wish to join or leave a walk other than at the start or finish the leader must be notified. Please make sure that you are fit enough to undertake the walk you intend to join. If you are unsure of your fitness, try a short and easy walk first. It is much better to find that a walk is a little too slow and easy rather than to make yourself miserable and exhausted.
GROUP NOTES
Please read the appropriate notes below before you go on a walk – there may be something you need to know!
SUNDAY WALKERS
We meet every two weeks on Sundays throughout the year for circular walks of between 6 and 12 miles. Bring along a packed lunch and a drink. If people are given a lift, could they please make an appropriate voluntary contribution towards the cost of the journey. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.
THURSDAY WALKERS
Our aim is to offer a programme of weekly circular walks of around 5 miles. We enjoy ‘leisurely’ walks, but they are more demanding than mere ambles, so a certain level of fitness is required. We start our walks promptly at the published time. Please park sensibly in and around the villages. If you have a query, please contact the leader (name and telephone number is given with the details of each walk).
ONLY REGISTERED ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE PERMITTED ON OUR WALKS.
WALK LEADERS
You are reminded that you should adhere to the guidance given in the Walk Leader’s Checklist. If you do not yet have a copy, please request it from the Group Secretary/Membership Secretary. Some important points are given below. Please make sure you also follow the guidance issued in relation to planning and leading walks whilst coronavirus is a widespread within the community. This includes recording risk assessments and maintaining registers, to ensure walks are both Covid-19 safe and enjoyable for all. Check the national guidance on the Ramblers website if you are uncertain, and contact the Group Secretary if you do not have the necessary local documents.
A leader is able to listen well and is a good communicator with both the group and the backmarker. He/she has the navigation skills for the grade of walk; is friendly and welcoming; is able to be assertive without being rude; and is observant of the group, the environment and any risks.
Do please recce the route in advance, preferably with your backmarker. Check the weather forecast and take a charged phone, first aid kit and whistle with you. Arrive at the starting point early, brief your backmarker if necessary, know who is starting the walk and give an overview before you set off. Set a pace to suit the group, stay in sight of or communication with your backmarker, allow time to regroup, and be alert to any problems.
At the end of the walk, check that everyone has returned safely, report any path or access issues and report any incidents/near misses to Ramblers GB on an Incident Report Form (see separate entry below).
REMINDER
If you are undertaking any work on behalf of the Ramblers, travelling costs can be reimbursed. 28p per mile can be claimed for car use; bus or train fares can also be claimed. Work for the Ramblers includes recce of a walk, attending group or area meetings, footpath work. Money can be claimed from your group treasurer. Please check with them what evidence they will require for audit purposes.
ACCIDENTS
Accidents are infrequent but leaders need to know what to do if one occurs. If the walk has to be abandoned, someone must look after the main group whilst others look after the sick or injured person.
If help has to be summoned, first make a careful note of the exact location. At least one person should stay with the injured person while at least two people go for help. The leader (or someone nominated by the leader) should note what has happened for the Accident Report.
As soon as practicable after the end of the walk, the Accident Report should be written up. Don’t forget date, time and location, plus your signature as walk leader. Format is not important. This must then be sent to the Group Secretary, who will add it to the accident records.
If the walking surface, a structure such as a bridge or stile, or obstructions such as barbed wire may be held responsible, the Group Secretary will send a copy to the Group Footpath Officer, who will forward it to the relevant authority.
REPORTING FOOTPATH PROBLEMS
If you find problems on public footpaths in the Peterborough area, please report them to Peterborough City Council by phone on 01733 747474, or email ask@peterborough.gov.uk, subject line “Please pass on to the Rights of Way Officer” and let your Group Footpath Secretary know about it.
THIRD PARTY INCIDENT REPORT
Walk leaders need to be aware of and formally file a report on any incident or near miss involving a third party person or property. This is necessary to ensure that Ramblers GB are advised on any potential insurance claim.
POSTCODES
The booklet includes postcodes in the descriptions to aid drivers using sat-nav devices. We hope you find this information helpful. Please note that these postcodes are only approximate. Generally they are taken from a nearby pub, church or village hall – but a lay-by in the middle of nowhere may have no such convenient reference point. No liability is, therefore, held for any inaccuracies.
THE WALKS
For the time being, walks are limited to 30 participants and pre-booking with the walk leader is essential. Members will be notified if the situation changes, but please also check the website for any updates.
GROUP OFFICERS
Chairman Barry Creamer 01780 740061
Secretary Jane Hogg 01733 263267
Treasurer June Dobson 01733 252192
Membership Secretary Jean Mead 01733 252025
Footpath Officer Stewart Wylie 01487 831458
Publicity Officer Tony Attwood 07714 762250
RAMBLERS WEB PAGES FOR LOCAL GROUPS
www.lincolnshireramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/huntingdonshire
About The Author
Tony Attwood
This website mostly controls our press officer, but occasionally he manages to wrestle back a modicum of oversight. You can reach him via tony@schools.co.uk